T-Mobile gets official with Shadow -- yep, just Shadow

T-Mobile doesn't seem too concerned about the fact that there already is a Shadow -- it's the very phone they're trying to replace here, actually -- but whatever, it's Windows Mobile, it's HTC, and it's finally here. The new model thankfully features WiFi and full support for T-Mobile's UMA-based HotSpot calling service, but spec-wise, it's kinda the same as the outgoing piece (which possibly explains the carried-over name). On-board you'll find a 2 megapixel cam with video capture, microSD support up to 8GB, spin wheel navigation, Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard (read: no touch), a QVGA display, and all the myFaves you can handle. It'll be available in Black Burgundy and White Mint in "the coming weeks."

[prime @ Jan 7th 2009 11:05PM]

Oh well no 3G WinMo PRO phone

[prime @ Jan 7th 2009 11:08PM]

For T-mobile

[john @ Jan 7th 2009 11:12PM]

... a new T-Mo smart phone that isn't 3G?

Are they TRYING to lose customers these days?

[Flashpoint @ Jan 7th 2009 11:12PM]

in the SHADOW of the iPhone.

[Jake Lyon @ Jan 7th 2009 11:08PM]

How...boring.

[emilo_O @ Jan 7th 2009 11:09PM]

still hoping for a touch hd, if not at least touch viva

[austin @ Jan 7th 2009 11:13PM]

the old one looks much more stylish.

[Abuzar Baloach @ Jan 7th 2009 11:17PM]

Agreed. The old one looks more stylish and thinner. This new one brings nothing new while ruining the looks appeal of the device which is what it is primarily relying on considering the lack of features on this phone.

[Erik @ Jan 8th 2009 7:17PM]

I totally agree that the old one looks much better...and the old color schemes were much better. I am sitting here trying to figure out why they left out 3G and for the life of me the only thing I can think of is that they don't want to poach G1 sales. But even then I doubt that giving this thing 3G would really steal too many G1 sales.

I always liked the looks of the Shadow but wouldn't have owned one myself due to the lack of WiFi. So great, they fix that issue...but times have moved on and now the lack of 3G is killer.

I've got to believe that this was never intended to be a 3G phone...but rather a device released to show that T-Mobile is still committed to the UMA rollout. I guess they figure that if a person is looking at this for the UMA and WiFi (although I wonder if that is crippled for UMA only access?) features, they won't miss 3G. All in all it looks like a half-baked refresh...I'm really disappointed that T-Mobile can't seem to bring a device with 3G, full WiFi, and UMA. I like the idea of UMA, but not at the expense of 3G and full WiFi support.

[iEye @ Jan 7th 2009 11:37PM]

i just got a shadow, old one looks better.

[Tim @ Jan 7th 2009 11:39PM]

It actually looks more like the samsung blast:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/06/samsung-sgh-t729-and-sgh-t419-coming-to-t-mobile/

and the end of the day, both are still sub-par, kinda QWERTY phones.

[iEye @ Jan 7th 2009 11:44PM]

does this have a faster processor? 400mhz would make it worth the upgrade, or else ill get the new curve.

[iEye @ Jan 7th 2009 11:48PM]

is that a headphone jack on the bottom? the mini usb/micro sd slots are on the side.

[soobin27 @ Jan 7th 2009 11:54PM]

Anyone at Engadget walk over to the PALM booth yet?
I really hope they have a thin qwerty touchscreen phone so I can forget the Storm disapointment.

[Ben @ Jan 7th 2009 11:54PM]

I enjoy my Shadow, but the USB jack on it is proprietary, requiring a special adapter (which I have yet to find) to output to a stereo mini jack. If that problem's solved (and the fact that Windows Mobile is slower than molasses in January), then I spose this fone minght be okai.

[big j @ Jan 8th 2009 12:05AM]

Am I the only one not seeing the point in making and releasing this thing? It doesn't even have an upgraded camera.

[superhobo @ Jan 8th 2009 1:13AM]

We need more phones with this dual letter keypad introduced by the M600i.

[shugg @ Jan 8th 2009 1:42AM]

boring,pathetic,weak,antiquated,ugly,embarrasing,2002 like handset,get with the times,guaranteed to be last shadow model.,thank god/allah/buddha etc,1 more thing who in their right mind would pay for this.,?

[xman @ Jan 8th 2009 10:58AM]

After all this time, this is the best the could come up with???????
What a waste of resources!!!

The 3 miniumum upgrades should have been:
1) Camera
2) 3G
3) Touch screen with Win-Mo Pro

[WonderBrett @ Jan 9th 2009 2:40AM]

Google for some pics of the white one... looks a lot better.