There's no denying that HTC's
Advantage X7510 fills a narrowing niche -- after all, how many of these things have
you seen out and about in the subway / underground? Still, there's just something very enticing about a 5-inch VGA display, built-in GPS, HSDPA, WiFi, Bluetooth and a full-blown QWERTY keyboard, is there not? For you folks who plunked down quite a few bills in order to bring this home, how has your experience been? For you folks in America who have
just recently decided to bite the bullet and jump in, was it worth it? How would you tweak this do-it-all conglomerate (besides making it way more affordable)? Here's your shot to get it out, don't let it pass you by!
posted Aug 8th 2008 7:20PM
cheaper, a hard drive
I hope you mean ssd
SSD is a must for any portable but it won't be cheap. Just like 5" screen is great but it will never be able to fit into your pocket.
why do you need SSD, flash rom is fine for a mobile OS, and SDHC cards are fine for storage purposes
I wish it was $10
1.Add a bigger hard drive
2.Make it cheaper
3.??????????
4.Profit!
more lulz
Hmm, how would I modify it?
I would turn it into an HTC Touch Pro, finally release the damn thing, and give one to me.
damn u beat me to it..
i was gonna say da exact same thing
agreed.
yea, somehow I don't think there'll be a ton of people here who were willing to put down that much change for such a device.
here's a little bit of a critique that was on one of the page announcing availability. interesting sounding device.
"saq @ Jun 18th 2008 1:51PM
One of my very wealthy customers ordered this device on my recommendation and I got to play with it for a few days before he picked it up and left for his annual trip around the world. (He loves the device btw).
This PDA is really awesome, the screen and ergonomics of it are just perfect for what its intended for. Even a 3.5" screen is too small for touching and other things.
The 5" screen is perfect for Windows Mobile & Internet functions (Opera Mobile 9.5), the magnetic keyboard is pretty slick too and works pretty well. The device is thin and everything is just awesome. It only has a few problems.
1: The device is also a phone, it is speakerphone only. You better like bluetooth headsets because that is all you are going to use. My customer has a different phone he carries around, he was using a Universal before but not as a phone, just PDA.
2: The thing is just slightly tall/wide to fit into any pockets (shirt pocket, front pant pockets) so you need a holster to carry this, which is slightly annoying.
Now, it is expensive, but why would you want it over a laptop?
Battery life. This is a PDA so your battery life is stellar. I have a 12" tablet with a 13 hour battery life and it wouldn't be able to touch the Advantage."
i would consider it.
Full-sized backspace key.
sticking off the side..?
Increase the size of the screen.
Seeing i-sheep jr.'s post history since he joined (August 08th, 2008), how come this troll hasn't been banned yet?
you are also 1st to the "low ranked" tag on that comment as well...
Congratulations!
Yeah, that dot between the "1st" and the "!!!!!" was totaly needed.
I wouldn't know how to change it because I've never seen one in person but I must say that is one sexy ass looking device.
How many of us have?
I did... and of course squealed like a school girl, "HTC ADVANTAGE!!!". Or... maybe like a nerdy school girl.
As an X7501 owner, what I would change (aside from fixing all the little annoyances in Windows Mobile) is making the form factor a slide and tilt like HTC's Shift and Tilt, backlighting the keyboard, maybe making it 4.5" diagonal screen and/or 800x480 so that it's narrower in pocket but has similar screen real estate (yes, I do carry mine in my pocket sometimes, but I'm a big guy with big pockets).
More realistically, I'd like a better pack-in case. One of the little plastic arms has already broken on mine, and the other is on its way, plus it blocks the auxiliary screen.
But basically, I'd like the guts of an Advantage in the body of a 12/10ths scale Tilt. And throw in that Nvidia APX 2500 chipset, too.
I have to agree with Keith above - the X7510 truly has it all - but there are some changes and additions I'd like to see:
1.) It has quad GSM/EDGE, but make it quad UMTS/HSPA (not just tri-band). And speed up the HSPA to the fastest version).
2.) Give it a slider keyboard and backlight it. And allow the screen to tilt up. You see all those features on the Tytn II/Tilt, so this should have it, too.
The keyboard as it is, is terrible. It's too small to touch type on, and it doesn't slide so you can't thumb type on it. Having it separate and connect in the way it does really throws off its balance and reduces its usability. In short: it stinks. Please change it (per what I wrote above).
3.) Fix any glitches when playing TCPMP video, or add support for more video codes in another way.
4.) Greatly improve the quality of the camera. C'mon, guys, you can do better than what you have. If you have to, hire someone away from Sony who works on this sort of thing, and let him/her improve the output of your camera.
5.) Change the memory card slot to microSDHC or standard SDHC. Who uses miniSD?
6.) Double the RAM and ROM.
7.) When recording video, increase recording resolution to VGA (640x480).
8.) Make your proprietary port USB 2.0 Hi-Speed host compatible (not just USB 1.1).
9.) Add in vibration functionality.
10.) Add in an accelerometer. You did it with the Touch Pro, you can with this, too.
Numbers 2,5,6,8,9, and 10 (can't speak about the others, yet, when I say...) you did all those in the Touch Pro, so you can integrate all those things in the X7510 (which is even more expensive).
Do that, and the X7510 truly WILL have it all, and make the device far more useful than it currently is. Shoot, you're almost there!
@Keith, (and Cassini)
I can’t help thinking that what you are describing is what we all thought we might get if the Omni had been built.
I use a Universal and while the flip and twist screen is quite good it’s a little inconvenient and I would have preferred a slide mechanism, I like big screens and will put up with carrying a bit of a brick to get one.
In all I’ve gone from being delighted with HTC to being a bit disgruntled. Nothing they’re producing, including the Touch Pro, seems to cover the “one device” market. The single device you carry that does away with Mp3 player, phone and to some extent laptop. For that device I’m not going to worry too much about price, but form factor, storage and capability will be everything.
It doesn't really go into any catagory. It should either be a little smaller, and a compromise of functionality would be acceptable for a more portable device.
The other way to go for it would be to grow in size but be even thinner if possible, kind of like a premium version for an UMPC.
With Eee PC, and all that are following the example really aren't making too many premium products in that catagory.
BTW, that picture of Advantage X7510 is deceiving, it's really not all that thin.
Okay you guys this is it. Sprint is trying to get me to sign another 2 year contract. Now I'm sure the Touch Pro will be going to Sprint.
However what about the Xperia X1?
Any news regarding which network that is going to hit?
Also which would you guys choose? Touch Pro vs Xperia X1?
I'm so confused and torn right now.
@WatchmenGuardian:
"The S.E.X1 (Sony Erickson X1) will be released as a AT&T exclusive on January 1st, 2009 in the U.S."
http://www.bengalboy.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=1107&viewmode=flat&order=ASC&start=200
Dual SD card slot. Also the ability to dual boot linux and WM6.1/7(when it comes out).
Tilting screen, sliding if possible, backlit keys, proper haptics on a keyboard like that, TouchFLO 3D
I'd cancel it and put the resources to something else entirely. I honestly still can't quite figure out what this thing is good for. It's an enormous PDA, a crappy phone (due to size, and the fact you can only use a headset with it), and not really a good UMPC type device (WinMob is pretty gimped compared to regular Windows or Linux, this device deserves something more advanced).
So I suppose it is really an oversized ultra-powerful PDA with a cellular data connection, better suited for data use than voice communications. Kind of silly when you can get a netbook with a datacard/USB cell modem.
I have the 7500 and use it every day. TomTom is cool when I use it. I've learned to not use the camera because it is bad. This device has everything you need in it but does most of them badly. There phone doesn't always go through the headset which is intensely annoying.
It's tiny considering how much hardware is in there.
I've stopped using the leather case. It's big advantage was that it made opening the device easier. But it also added to it's bulk. Now I do without the case and you can hardly see it in my trouser pocket. People are always surprised when I whip it out.
Good bits: connectivity everywhere. I use the phone, SMS, Opera, SSH and VNC regularly. Battery life is in the order of 2 days if you are judicial with wifi, bluetooth and gps. PDAs rule in this respect.
Needs a decent OS. I'm pinning my hopes on the x7500 Android efforts.
Crap (blame Microsoft/WinMo here) : music, video, camera, copy and paste, no save as, activesync.
These devices need to replace PMPs as well as laptops and mobile phones.
Have you noticed that here the dicussion is about the HTC?
Currently I'm hungry, so I'd change it into a fried chicken leg. Yummmmmmmmm
this thing is already the sex. i wouldn't change a thing other than make it cheaper so i could afford it.
Make it run Linux instead?
I like the idea of this ultimate road warrior device ....I would prefer a lower price of course. For my needs though, this device, an MID, UMPC are all over kill. As mentioned above, this is definitely a niche product. I'll hold out for the Omnia, X1, or Touch Pro.
Below is from msmobiles.com. 5/30/08
http://msmobiles.com/news.php/7383.html
"What I discovered, however, almost right away, is that the Advantage is no identity crisis whatsoever. It's the ultimate sport utility vehicle of smartphones. The Advantage is massively capable and a pleasure to use relative to candy bar phones. It’s far more compelling than its smaller equivalents.
The Advantage became my primary device... a lucky friend received my used HTC TyTN II, and I now anticipate with substantially less enthusiasm upcoming smartphone launches, such as for the HTC Diamond and Palm Treo 800w.
The first key to falling in love with the Advantage is to realize that it's small enough to fit comfortably in jeans pockets. The Advantage doesn't require a briefcase or purse, unless you want the external keyboard and carrying case with you as well. But those accessories add zero value in this reviewer's opinion."
can make a phone call
since this has WM5
I want one. I love the form factor yes clumsy but the screen is ideal size. I've been a power user of PDAs for years. Top of the line. My gripe has been having to carry two (2) electronic devices my PDA and phone. An earpiece needs to be incorporated in the Advantage, for storage and charging and I beilive this device will find a home in a lot of suit pockets/carryers. I am awaiting (and hoping).
I was going to buy this device, until I found out that its graphics performance was mediocre due to HTC not using its graphics processor capabilities.
This situation has not been resolved yet, to my knowledge. If it is, I will buy it. I love the size, flexibility, and have nothing against WinMobile, having used it for the last 4 years.
So, FIX THE DAMN GRAPHICS DRIVER ISSUE!
make it white
The #1 problem with this device (and the HTC shift too) is that they are just too expensive. That said, if this device were 30% cheaper, it might make more sense. I do not see these overpriced devices lasting too long as more devices like the Aigo are released.
1) Ubuntu Mobile or Anroid as the OS
2) maybe a split qwerty keyboard design, kinda like the Samsung Q1 Ultra
3) built-in jabber server to act as an SMS/MMS gateway
4) built-in SIP server to act as a voice gateway
5) dual SIM cards
6) ability to act as a wifi access point for other devices
7) support for NAM 3G (meaning T-mobile, but I suppose we can let that other, craptastic, carrier in on the deal too).
Sell it for under $10
Hmmn...
I want slackware Linux installed....
Add more SSDs
Dual SIM...
Make the SPACE key longer....
If it runs Mojave I will buy it.
thank you sir, this comment brightened my day :)
I can only imagine how bad "Mojave" would run on this thing...if Windows Mobile is bad, you might use a stone and chisel faster than a desktop version of windows...even xp would run slow, let alone vista/mojave!
1) Give it the ability to locate and destroy all the little GadgeTrolls
on the Internet!
2) Give it the ability to locate and destroy all the little YouTrolls
on the internet!
3) Give it the ability to locate and destroy people who have called me
"The world's only Mexican Nerd!"
That really hurts.....
This is to cool, even better than the iPhone.
It's sad to announce with your screen name, what you like to do with sheep...
Drop WinMobile for Ubuntu MID, give it an e-ink screen with optional backlight in case the subway's power goes out.
It should be...
Screen: 16:9 ratio, maybe 5+"
Keyboard: Sliding like OQO (the clip is silly, and the main reason I won't buy). Keyboard also needs to be more responsive, like old Casiopia keyboards (tiny laptop keyboards).
Look&Feel: More Lenovo + Apple style, less HP + Dell look
Custom UI (Tweaked PointUI?)
Needs to be .5" or thinner total, >0.3-4" scores big points.
or, maybe, just MAYBE, you could use the fantastic TouchFLO 3D as the UI... seeing as they own it already...
I'm I going to get paid to help HTC make improvements to that piece of shit?!
Overpriced toy with a useless keyboard. It's only good for techies with money to burn.
I would make it reside with me! That would be a vast improvement ;-)
A little more on the personal preference side, but if this (or something like this) was out on Sprint, I'd buy it. I use two phones - my main, personal phone (an N76 w/ T-mo) and my secondary, pda-phone (Mogul w/ Sprint). My set up of T-mo first/Sprint second isn't changing anytime soon because of the way my price plans are laid out.
So, w/ Sprint indefinitely set as my secondary phone, since I don't use the secondary phone all that often, I wouldn't mind having to use speaker or the bluetooth headset for calls. I'd care more about the data-driven stuff I could do on it and this device seems like it it would do it.
I would also like WiMAX on it since WiMAX is coming soon (or out already?) to Baltimore and DC this year.
How do you improve upon near-perfection?
Well, HTC, Aston Martin, Ferrari et al listen to my advice:
Give me one
haha I checked his history and all, it is hilarious, all but two (including this one) had the phrases iPhone and 3G in it, damn trolls and fanboys
Flooding their mailbox is one way to stop them, guys :P
've had my Ameo (T-mobile) branded x7500 for just under a year now and it's the best device I've ever owned. Get one, get over to xda-developers and stick any of the 10 or so user made roms on it. This device is great for everything. As for phone calls I have A2DP headset so no problems there. For on-site technicians it's a must and you'll find lots of doctors using them too. Video play back is fantastic on the large screen (As are all the emulators you can get on this eg. Snes, Mame, Final Burn)
I have the 8gb version and use the drive for storage and the 8gb microsd for programs and music files. This helps the battery go much further.
What I would change is the case. It should have been supplied with a wallet style neopreen case with a windowed front, not the very dated filofaxish leather mess.
I cannot finish without saying that I have used an iphone before and they are so different that no comparison should be done. The Advantage was never intended as a consumer phone, it's a work horse that just happens to do a lot more.
Hope this helps.
Oh and get one....sod the price. Mine cost 550usd (bnib.) a year ago off ebay.
As an owner (though not very frequent user) I can say this: it's a nice device, especially when you want to do email and browsing on the road, and when you don't want to pack your laptop (e.g. train ride). Plus, you can read Office documents... I mean, really, really read them.
What I would change:
1.) Better browser: even with Opera 9.5 it is so far away from what mobile Safari delivers. Can nobody write a decent browser for WinMo ? Please !
2.) The device is heavier than one would expect fromt he photographs. If you consider buying it, make sure you hold it in your hand to get an idea.
3.) The keyboard is useless and should be dropped. Either slider or stylus only
4.) The magnetic latches of the keyboard are pretty powerfull, and I am always worried that my credit cards don't get too close to the device. So, one could really do without the keyboard.
5.) Has anybody already mentioned that WinMo in it's current version sucks? I have exprimented with the various shells you can buy, but in the end you always come to the WinMo level, so you might just stick with it and hope for WinMo 7.
Still, when you need the power of a laptop (more or less) to put in a coat pocket, there is nothing beside the OQO out there, so it is definitely a device that has its place and should be considered if these are your needs.
It looks like the center of gravity is off.
I have been using an O2 XDA Exec (HTC Universal) for almost 5 years about as happily as you can be when you are trying to get one device to do the job of about three, Outlook extension, push email with blackberry connect, VGA web-browsing over 3G/WiFi, alarm, diary, phone, SMS. I have tried the TyTN II and various other devices including the infamous Apple 2.5G pretty pretty. I must say the iPhone got close to knocking the Advantage out until I got the roaming bill during my extensive travels. I have just received the 7510 after a lot of consideration, having to pay for this box, almost full price, meant it was a big decision. Most other toys we get subsidised by the carriers in the UK, not this one.
Observations.
Bad
I could use the HTC Uni as a real phone when needed. Would I hold the 7510 to my head, maybe, in emergency or if the Jawbone had flat batteries. No clear push client (Blackberry Connect on HTC Uni) is around, need to do more work to find it and install it as old version I had on HTC Uni does not install.
Keyboard is not optimal, needs a lot of work. I understand it is a compromise for size/weight however it is not fish nor fowl. The HTC Uni I could use as a thumboard really fast with good movement and feel. The 7510 craptic feedback and size are ALL wrong. At home I use a B/tooth keyboard twined with it. Bad compromise, back to the drawing board on this bit, I agree with several others, slide out and use the width to better provide for function keys and direct access keys that you had around the edge of the HTC Uni.
SD card should be micro and accessed without having to yank the battery cover. Annoying.
Brown leather for the carry case - are you kidding me, whats wrong with black, goes with everything, take a count on the number of business cases in black and in brown and work it out. Quality is okay, we will see about the hinges following others comments. Still it will last whilst I work out what I do need, hip, bag etc etc
In your pocket - who are you kidding, in my bag and using the A2DP/AVCRPXYZ OLED display on a newly ordered Nokia BT headset to display the number - Yes. More than practical.
Good Stuff
Screen is stunning. Size is good considering I loose three or four devices into one. That’s the sort of consideration I would paint, not a big phone but about 3-4 devices collapsed into one and so actually a good compromise.
GPS and TomTom has saved me cash on cab fairs in alien cities a few times already, lots of laughs and all in one machine. 16Gb local storage is plenty for travel. VGA output to powerpoint is excellent and watching the crowd as you just plug your phone in is no end of fun. Using it for a main machine is almost practical for general meetings if you fixed the keyboard. I might find a B/tooth kbd which is portable.
Watching reformatted video on the plane using S9 headphones makes it practical even on short flights. Battery life is surprisingly good as long as you drop the WiFi and watch your data use, I carry a spare in my wallet, it is small enough. Lets face it you are not going to turn of bluetooth unless you want to use a speakerphone, not good.
I have got all my toys chargable on USB/ USB-5pin now and so carry a CAPDASE 4 port USB charger allowing one charger and a couple of cables to replace a ton of power garbage blocking up my bag.
Most of this is only really practical due to the 5" display, without this it would just be a phone and so you "could" do all the video and “tomtom" stuff but you probably would not. With the big display you "DO" do those things on the same box.
I like the WM6.1 functionality, "always-on" beats Aero graphics pretty pretty for me everytime. Long life and acceptable speed beats two hundred software abstraction layers.I also like the HTC home interface, it is a good implmentation and does add value to the system for general use.
Opera on the display is excellent, you really can do serious web browsing and buying like on a small laptop or UMPC. I have used many UMPC and I would say this equals them using 3G or Wifi using the Opera interface and excellent display.
I love Apple, I used to be a field engineer for an Applecentre in the days of MAC, FatMAC and MacPlus etc but I basically accept that for my business purposes I need tight outlook integration and document format interchange. (Yeah MS that means you as well so fix the 03-07 file format type burps before you release to the wild in future, and we won’t go into Home Server). In an open world with roaming-charge-free tariffs I would probably carry iPhone 3G and be content.
Whats gets changed for 7520,
Make the keyboard thumb sized with additional direct access keys.
Make it slideable not clip on, I do like the magnet idea but it is not "better" so forget it. Dead horse, stop flogging.
Ship it with blackberry connect software
Make it cheaper, BIG inhibitor.
Make the external VGA output 1280x1024 for good projection on external displays and projectors even if the display doe not support it
So what do I do now I have the 7510 ?
All of the HTC Uni (minus Push until I fix it)
GPS/TomTom
Video and Audio player
VGA Presentations
Less clutter to carry on long trips
Less power chargers and gubbins for all the missing clutter
Less eyesite stress using it heavily
A lot better user experience
Overall I am glad I paid the cash, I don't think it is a MASSIVE step forward from the Universal but it is a significant step forward. I also want to thank HTC for having the furry manhood parts to make something different and trying to stretch the boundaries. With Intel doing "big" ATOM stuff and UMPC really showing a future at last I think we will look back on oddballs like this as milestones in the future. I did not realise what switcher was the first time I used it (how long ago ?)
Genuine advance and good to use, well done HTC.
I have the X7501:
- I like the idea of the sliding keyboard, but that would add to the size of it so no. i just don'y use the keyboard
- it does fit in all my shirt pockets, I only carry in there and carry it all day, not a problem
- the X7510 seems to have lost all buttons at the front (OK, Menu, joypad,...) i think they need to come back
- GPS needs to find a lock a lot faster.
- Camera could be better.
- i really do not want linux.
- should be in "realvga" by default.
- Processor should be faster
i have a 7501 and use it daily as a pda/phone.
it needs:
a better browser.
winmo 6.0 is kinda weak.
a touch style ui front end would be nice.
i wish it was better at playing media, movies are really choppy
I too have the 7501. Use it every day. I have tomtom Nav 6 running as a auto GPS, Excellent as a reader. Hold my latest pics of the kids, mobile audio, Internet browsing.. oh yeah the phone . . . beats the hell out of my friends iphone for total usability.
Would like to see dual FULL SCALE SD card slots. . . . . 64 GB any one?
I would attach the keypad to the ppc. I have an advatage and I love the thing. Its a nice split umpc/ laptop (no Vista Mobile thank god!!) device come in handy all the time. The keyboard should attach to it (slide, hinge or something).
In my humble opinion this device is just... not worth it. For the same price you can get a really great laptop with HSDPA modem.
About the device - 5 inches and VGA - thats a problem. XGA (1024x768) or higher would do the trick. Yes, its easily made reality with 3D accelerator, that eats 1w power. Nvidia Tegra.
Well then what else? Windows XP, more more more storage, a good CPU and so on and so on but it will suddenly feel like UMPC/MID device, and those have half the price. So I really think that HTC Advantage X7510 is... well... a device for people with tons of money and a huge wish to spend it all.
How else would I change it? Cut the price to $500.
Keep the hardware buttons on the bezel from the X7500/X7501. Had the X7510 had that, I would have bought it. Haptic feedback. 7.2 Mps HSDPA instead of the 1.8. Full video/graphics. This is supposed to be the flag ship device after all. ENABLE THE FRONT CAM for SKYPE and WINDOWS LIVE MESSENGER (i.e. don't just follow the carriers wishes - serve your end customers, HTC!!). Camera with xenon flash and excellent lens is wish list although not necessary.
Yes, Needs to be either a hi-res or a pocket fit(the screen can be edge to edge). More interactive like the finger touch. Other colors.
I have the 7501 and didn't upgrade because of lack of joystick and OK buttons.
What I would change on the 7510, in order of importance:
-Video performance need much improvement
-32 or 64 GB SSD, then it can be a laptop replacement
-joystick, OK buttons
-drop the toy keyboard and useless magnets
-include Netfront 3.5 browser as standard, this is Steve Job's wet dream of what a browser should be!
-Tomtom maps and software as standard (I use it almost everyday since the screen is large enough to see in the car)
-refine the tilt sensor for more applications
-silicone case as standard
-if you really want to get fancy put 4 or 5 buttons on the reverse side of the screen and then you can type as you hold it!
-xda forum has an Android project going already
-Real VGA mod as standard
I use this as my only phone and it does fit in my pocket (I dumped the useless KB). With a bluetooth headset that runs stereo A2DP, it is great.
For those people who don't get it, what can I say? Go back to your lame 1990's flip phones. For those people who say it is more expensive than an Eee PC, they just plain don't understand the capabilities of the HTC - the Eee is an etch a sketch to the HTC feature wise...
This is a convergence device and I am glad that HTC makes it. I hope they evolve the design and people will see that this is the future. It is a small step away from being a laptop replacement (and makes calls).
Power PDA that will satisfy any Sony Clie or Palm addict.
Phone and media player.
Tether a bluetooth KB and mouse and video out, you have what the Foleo only dreamed it could be.
One more thing would be to get rid of the magnets, or shield them somehow, so they don't have to warn their users not to put the device close to their wallet/credit cards, or even in one's purse.
How about vibrate alert?
Now that it's running flash memory instead of micro-drive (as in x7500, x7501) shouldn't pose a problem.
Oh, and documents to go rather than Pocket Office
Glad to see it's busting Opera rather than poxy ie...
Model it after Psion 5mx.
It had the best pda keyboard in history and was pocketable (barely).
I would consider the new epoc os (as in SE P1, N95), when the bugs have ironed out.
About the only thing I'd do is put the 7500's joystick back on and, since I switch phones often depending on what I'm doing, make it possible to take the SIM card out without having to take out the battery.
The thing really is pretty cool, and it's replaced my Fujitsu P1610 as a traveling laptop (I use a Redfly if I need a bigger keyboard for serious input).