Hands-on with T-Mobile's revised Shadow

Windows Mobile Standard devices -- you know, those pre-touchscreen relics -- are getting to be tougher sales by the day. Touch is perceived as a "premium" experience (we're not entirely sold on that) and with boatloads of price pressure in that category, these little guys are liable to get squeezed clean out of the market. The new Shadow, even more so than the original Shadow before it, definitely belies its Windows Mobile underpinnings with a funky shell that's fit for average consumers who just want a decent looking slider -- never mind a smartphone. The red-to-black gradient rear was totally bangin', but as is all too often the case these days, the glossy top was a brutal canvas for grease, fingerprints, and other unsavory stains that you probably don't want to press against your face. It's a tradeoff, we suppose.

Gallery: Hands-on with T-Mobile's revised Shadow

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[JerJer @ Jan 7th 2009 11:51PM]

huh?! suretype?! huh?!?!?!?

[roomtek @ Jan 7th 2009 11:52PM]

cool

[dvsbstrd @ Jan 7th 2009 11:59PM]

*sigh*

[big j @ Jan 8th 2009 12:02AM]

the first one was junk, this one doesn't look much better.

[Matt @ Jan 8th 2009 12:06AM]

Wow......... so UGLY

[KEROLiUKAS @ Jan 8th 2009 12:24AM]

thx but no thx, i'll keep my 1st gen shadow.

[XIYL @ Jan 8th 2009 2:36AM]

Seconded.

[Christian Walters @ Jan 8th 2009 9:03AM]

Aye, my copper Shadow looks a helluva lot more refined than this one does!

[Jake Lyon @ Jan 8th 2009 12:25AM]

It feels like they went backwards in terms of design to me. Looks a bit more toy like.

[Tim @ Jan 8th 2009 12:36AM]

Thanks for explaining to everyone why i don't really like reading comments on engadget anymore. I really appreciate it.

[calvin @ Jan 8th 2009 12:59AM]

i'm not liking the rounded edges (i've never liked it for any devices, even the new psp-3000). hopefully the biggest worry of every t-mobile shadow user (mine included) is fixed: the battery life.

[Christian Walters @ Jan 8th 2009 9:04AM]

You know that you can get a free extended 1360MAh battery from T-Mobile right? It adds quite a bit of time before recharging.

[John @ Jan 8th 2009 6:00AM]

This thing is hideous. I've got the original Shadow which isn't the greatest phone, but at least it looks good. Aside from the gradient, this looks like every other generic bargain phone out there.

[Bixmen @ Jan 8th 2009 11:04AM]

I've got a shadow too, and it's a UI NIGHTMARE. it replaced a broken dash, that i miss very much.

[Christian Walters @ Jan 8th 2009 11:59AM]

Yes, the Neo UI is crap....but regular WinMo 6.1 Sliding Media Panels is pretty spiffy!

[Dubb @ Jan 8th 2009 2:40PM]

I had 4 of the first version... not by choice! That phone is such garbage. It amazes me that HTC can put out such a vast difference in the quality of their phones!

I am gonna say this will flop. Furthermore, it looks WORSE than the first one.