HTC Imagio for Verizon unboxing and hands-on
By Chris Ziegler 
posted Oct 6th 2009 9:32PM
posted Oct 6th 2009 9:32PM
Follow the break for video and more impressions!
The Imagio actually feels high-end enough to justify Snapdragon power, but alas, it's still stuck on the same old 528MHz MSM7600 core -- part of a family of aging processors that has powered many WinMo and Android devices of the past couple years. What this means for you is that you're going to experience some lag navigating through some TouchFLO and stock WinMo 6.5 user elements and web browsing won't be quite as snappy as you'd like (alas, there's no such thing as "fast enough" mobile browsing, is there?), but generally speaking, it's never unbearably slow. We're also not a huge fan of the Imagio's physical buttons below the screen -- though they're separated, they've actually got virtually no feel, so it can be tricky to tease out whether your finger's currently on a button (and if so, which one) without glancing down. Of course, we attribute that to rookie jitters -- we suppose you'd have them memorized within a few days of actually using the phone full-time.
By design, the overall software experience here is virtually identical to that on the Pure, so it really comes down to hardware and carrier; in our opinion, the 3.5mm jack alone is worth the extra $50 that you'll pay for the Imagio, and you won't find many people arguing that Verizon's network sucks compared to AT&T's -- especially when you consider that you've got EDGE / HSDPA in there for global use. Add in the better, more substantial feel to the device, the larger screen, and the trick FLO tuner, and Verizon's entry wins the head-to-head battle here pretty handily; sure, it's still WinMo, but at least it's sucking on some very competitive hardware.
HTC IS TAKING OVER
I, for one, will welcome our OS-skinning overlords.
OMGz! Tell all the iphone fanboys they're coming! They can sound the alarm by using that ubiquitous "bell ringing" text sound they all seem to have. One if by land, two if by sea!
much more then skinning, they have been putting out very good looking hardware as of late.
With Leo HTC has shown they are able to go FAR beyond skinning. They are innovating by offering a product with tech specs once thought impossible (winmo 6.5 with capacitive screen and multi-touch). HTC is offering more innovation than anyone else on the market right now. I am just excited to see what the future holds.
I do agree, of course. Their hardware offerings are simply unmatched. HTC has been pioneering territory in both the WM and Android markets, and they have succeeded in my book. I think competing products like the iPhone and the BlackBerry family are well rounded, but HTC takes the cake. They offer great hardware backed by so many custom additions that it's really disappointing that they have yet to take over the mainstream cell phone market. Cost and compatibility are to be blamed for that, but really, by now, HTC products have matured so well that there's no reason not to use one. I wish I could have two devices operate on a single line so I could alternate between an iPhone or Pre with an HTC device day to day, but it's not meant to be.
Things are really taking off now. Begun, the phone wars have.
The screen looks less than vibrant. Sort of grayed out.
I think its the pictures. My TP2 screen, with the backlight all the way up, is actually TOO vibrant.
It's a compressed internet video for a phone review.
Maybe you should check it out in person.
I'm just sayin'.
I won't lie, this phone looks hawt.
But it doesn't meet the standards of HD2, so an easy pass D:
Agreed. The HD2 has spoiled me for all other WinMo phones.
Good looking phone.
Garbage! Hey can it get on stage at the VMAS and pop its coochie? Oh yes it can and Verizon has an app for that.
So there you have it. The Verizon branded HTC Imagio can get on stage at the VMAS and pop that coochie for $19.99 a month called V-Cast coochie popin.
Is it possible to unlock the GSM and insert a sim for use around the world?
Yes, Verizon offers that service.
So this being a quad band, will it work in Mexico? I believe Mexico uses the same frequency as the U.S. Or could you stick an AT&T sim?
And they say that Virgin Mobile phones look cheap...
and they do.
and they do.
freaking comment system...
"sure, it's still WinMo, but at least it's sucking on some very competitive hardware."
funny you should say that, cause I'm trying my damnedest to like WinMo. I bought a HTC Snap from Sprint. It had 6.1 stock and that sucked ass. Got 6.5 from xda-developers and while it's waaaay better than 6.1, it still kinda blows. maybe the touchscreen version is much better. remind me again why I bought a smartphone that doesn't have a touchscreen? that's right, $80.
did u say dual cdma and gsm radios? so u cant throw a sim card in this puppy?
since they first announced it in may its gsm and a lot of vids have shown a physical simslot and has been confirmed to be sim unlockable by VZW global services to use other simcards other than vodafone
hmm... this might break my "no verizon" idea.. i felt to under the lock of verizon with cdma...
If you are a new VZW customer you will need to be on good standing for at least 60 days I believe before they can unlock any dual network device (CDMA/GSM) but if you are a long time customer just call anytime and have it unlocked.
I have the BB Tour unlocked through them and its really convenient when traveling, even used it with a att sim card.
you no what i like most ?
is the skype application on the iphone voip over 3g, christmas is coming earlier free phone calls to north pole.
Analogy
Win Mo = Ugly girl
HTC Touch Flo 3d/Samsung Touch Wiz/Other UI Skins = BAG
sexy time = sexy time
Ugly girl + Bag = sexy time....
i am upgrading from an i760 to TP2 or Imagio
Oh, the i760 was a lone, shining light in the Verizon arsenal. If it had a better processor, and not a fat physical keyboard, I might still have it.
wow. it hovers..
does htc phones still freeze when someone is calling you? I have an HTC touch and it sucks and licks balls
I have a Sprint Vogue(same as HTC Touch Enhanced), but i'm guessing you have the regular Touch, so I can't vouch for that, but mine is blazin on NFSFAN's newest 6.5 ROM, even if it IS only running on a 400MHz processor with 128 MB of ram. I suggest you overclock that OMAP processor, or get a newer device lolz
since mr ballmer has invited engadjet to the microsoft show round table ,is all about windows trash news and apples worst nightmares.
but i no that the deep engadjet heart all of them love apple more than anything :)
I'm amazed by this phone. It looks great, and that's a big difference from beating it with the usual Verizon ugly stick--still annoyed at how they made a fashion phone like the LG Chocolate so ugly. Things are starting to look prettiers for Verizon customers
Gratuitous Palm Pre Post and alliteration. =)
The continued hatred and bashing towards WinMo after 6.5 is strictly subjective, a personal opinion, and unsubstantiated. WinMo architecture (the framework) has always been solid yet flexible. So it needs a visual makeover, what's so bad about that? It doesn't mean that the root of the OS is garbage. It has served a lot of people/businesses very well.
HTC and WinMo are making huge leaps in improving an old architecture and they should be commended for that. I for one ordered the Imagio at 6am this morning and can't wait to get it. WinMo 6.5 (and 6.5.1) along with TouchFlo is a killer combination. There's still so much you can do to customize a WinMo phone it's not even funny.
If you want somebody to hold your hand for you and keep you on a leash.......buy an iPhone.
"The iPhone...........winning people over one task at a time............literally."
BC you don't know very much about mobile device OS' do you? WM is archaic and HTC just puts lipstick on that pig. To even have to explain that to you....So the fact that the iPhone is intuitive and easy to use, as is Android, is bad? Really? Seriously? You think it's better that once you get through the thin veneer that HTC offers you are dumped into Pocket PC 2002? Where in many cases you still have to use a stylus, the web browser sucks, the OS cannot manage memory or remain stable without regular reboots, the user interface is inconsistent at best and unusable at worst? Your weak attempt to say the iPhone doesn't multi-task has been disproven many times btw. Google is your friend and you have much to learn to avoid embarrassing yourself further.
Personally... I'm really, really liking what I'm seeing here.
So much so that I just ordered an Imagio and will be officially divorcing that unreliable no-service-having AT&T and smashing my no-battery-autonomy-having iPhone 3G within minutes of activating my Verizon Imagio upon its arrival.
My iPhone/iPhone 3G have been an OK experience, but (for me) they no longer serve my needs - So... SAYONARA!
I had the chance to play with the Imagio today and after coming from a iPhone and going to the Blackberry Tour this phone for some reason feels amazing. It feels like an iphone when in your hand. lthough the processor is an older than what I would like one it handles everything on the Imagio with ease. I did see a little lag when I did pop to fast through icons on the TouchFlo 3d. I am not a fan of the live tv but great like engadget said for killing time. I ordered mine today and will be passing up on my Blackberry Tour for it. Great phone. If you have doubts stop in and play with it. Apps already available in Windows App store. Cant Wait!!!!!
Windows Mobile is crap.
If you mean before HTC dissected and put it on steroids, well then yes, WinMo "sucked". I've never been a fan of it myself, but HTC's version of the system is drop-dead gorgeous. Plus, WM7 is on the way, HTC has the hardware to run it and then some, and MS has, and has had, a large framework for mobile applications that make the platform extremely versatile and diverse. A standalone WM release may be dated and unintuitive to the unaccustomed user, but HTC has made it to where you would never notice on their phones.
Do you have anything positive or constructive at all to contribute to this post, which is actually more about the HTC device itself? Doesn't look like it. You don't have to like the OS, but surely you didn't mean to suggest that this phone sucks as well? HTC is rocking hard, and any informed consumer should know that. All power to them.
"BC you don't know very much about mobile device OS' do you? WM is archaic and HTC just puts lipstick on that pig. To even have to explain that to you....So the fact that the iPhone is intuitive and easy to use, as is Android, is bad? Really? Seriously? You think it's better that once you get through the thin veneer that HTC offers you are dumped into Pocket PC 2002? Where in many cases you still have to use a stylus, the web browser sucks, the OS cannot manage memory or remain stable without regular reboots, the user interface is inconsistent at best and unusable at worst? Your weak attempt to say the iPhone doesn't multi-task has been disproven many times btw. Google is your friend and you have much to learn to avoid embarrassing yourself further.......
..........Windows Mobile is crap."
Terry, the fact that people would even listen to you is scary. Yes, the OS is old. And? It works. It's not going to last forever, but it still works. How many businesses are still running and refuse to go away from XP? The iPhone is intuitive, yes. Great. Wonderful. It's pretty too. Awesome. I'll say it again.....if you like being limited, and you don't like to customize or personalize....then get an iPhone. If you don't like to do something as simple as listen to Pandora AND use Google Maps....AT THE SAME TIME....then by all means....get an iPhone. I can do that on my Storm with it's weak RAM. Give me a break, you don't HAVE to use a stylus anymore, but you know what? I like the OPTION to. Nothing wrong with that. Mobile IE isn't the greatest but it works, and yes Opera (which comes with WinMo) is much better. OS instability is a subjective statement, not objective. Apple doesn't manage memory much better as there is a reason why there are apps like FreeMemory to bring the pep back. (hypocritical don't you think?). I've already covered the multitasking so I won't bring it up again. Until Apple can actually let 3rd party apps run at the same time....I'll pass.
Oh, and just to clarify...I have never personally owned a WinMo phone yet (even though I know plenty about them) because the previous UI is not my thing. With HTC's current effort to modernize it, I love it. Nothing to complain about.
I never liked feeling like I HAD to use a stylus, and now you don't. It's still there if you want to....but you don't have to.
@BC,
My iphone can run Pandora and Google maps at the same time even while on a phone call.
Everyone talking about cooked winmo roms and whatnot seem to conveniently forget that iphones also can also used "cooked roms" (read jailbreaking) to allow mutiltasking, skinning, and customizations rivaling winmo is almost every aspect.
its hardly any different than flashing a PSP with custom firmware or rooting an Android handset.
it's obvious that your knowledge of the iphone consists mostly of the FUD you read here in the comments but feel free to keep wearing your blinders if it helps you feel better about your choice of mobile device.
I still haven't played with an android phone. :(
So not only do I have to pay $30 a month for data (which I absolutely have NO problem with), but I'd have to pay another $15 for MobiTV?
Could someone clarify for me?
Yes.
What's to clarify?
You already appear to know the situation.
If you lack the desire and/or resources to pay for said features, then I guess this platform is not for you.
The kickstand. At the angle it pops out, it seems that it's be possible to position the device in a portraitv orientation too, no? That'd be nice, although probably it won't be able to plug it in and keep charged/synced, since the cable would plug in at the bottom, too.
Honestly, I think it's cool and I enjoy reading up about the latest tech phones... but sometimes I think I just need to find a way to filter out cellphone-related Engadget news on my RSS reader.
Reviewers, PLEASE post pics and vids of you using the onscreen keyboard while texting or emailing.
I think it's one of the most important features to review on a phone with no physical keyboard.
Thanks!
Do these things have proximity sensors? The main thing I hated on my samsung saga, among 50 others, was holding the thing to my face and ending up in the "change time" screen. My iPhone doesn't do that, but with iTunes 9 sucking so bad and the disgrace of a network that is AT&T, I'm probably going back to Verizon and may buy this phone.
HTC Imagio looks awesome looks like a contender i guess verizon is finally tired of havin shitty phones after all the blackberry storm was and is crap @ logicbomb.de please shut the hell up about not mentioning what a jailbroken iphone can do because they are more unstable then winmo phones i have one and while it works ok lots of stuff is still buggy and you dont have to go through all this nonsense to do the same with an winmo phone jailbreaking when updating is a pain in the ass thats why im patiently awaiting my TP2 if i had vzw id prolly go with the imagio looks slick but your data plans and extra cost for the tv service is stupid HTC is ruling the smartphone market tho on android side and winmo only other competitor seems like the n900 now