T-Mobile USA has introduced the Dash, or more specifically a branded version of the HTC Excalibur. The Windows Mobile powered device is designed to compete with the Motorola Q and is actually thinner than that iconic device. The Dash launch is also very important for HTC which has been trying to gain a stronger foothold on the US market.
Features of the T-Mobile Dash include:
T-Mobile will be selling the Dash for $199 with a 2-year service agreement. That's the same price as the Motorola Q.
Actually, I'm posting this from a Dash, and the touch pad on the side strictly controls the system and in-call volume.
It's a pretty nice litle device so far.
Yep, I figured that out a little bit ago after unboxing one. Sort of odd they made it touch sensitive, but that's what all the cool phones (KRZR/Chocolate) are doing these days. The size of the Dash is great, doesn't really translate in the photos. Interestingly T-Mobile says they are marketing towards consumers who want to keep track of personal email, not business users.
The "push" email works good. I've been using the Dash for a couple of weeks now, and my work email thru T-Mobile and gmail accounts push through nicely .... That's what the device is going for (as Jon said).
There are a couple of things that annoy the piss out of me - there's no way to silence a tone (when you're on a call, you have to stop talking and wait for a message notification to stop), the XT9 predictive text is set on, and after turning it off, it randomly comes on again, and the keyboard is just a bit too small for my fat thumbs to type on comfotably. It's supposed to play music thru stereo bluetooth, but I haven't found a headset yet that supports it.
Other than those issues, it's nice. It does everything the MDA does, just in a much smaller package.
Bizzach, you've been using the Dash for a couple of weeks now? Really? On what planet?
Cut the BS, you are just regurgitating the Endgadget review.
No, I'm being 100% honest. Back a couple of weeks ago, one sales rep from each T-Mobile retail store in the Houston market (and Dallas and New Orleans as I understand) was invited to a training class put on by HTC and Microsoft, and we each got a Dash to use. I'll post the web address later on today.
I haven't been able to post *anything* about it until the announce date, and now I still don't want to give too much away since I love my job (obviously!).
Since the event is over, I guess there's no harm in showing the event I was refrencing in that last post:
http://bigeasyevent.com/houston
It wasn't a super secret launch and there is no benefit for lying about having the phone. It's not like Bizzach gets a prize for having the phone. A lot of people have it, I used it months ago for example. Big deal. So thanks for your comments Bizzach, much appreciated.
With all that said, anyone want to know something specific? I am going to post a first look here soon.
Thanks, Jon. I was just trying to help out anyone that might have been interested. I was going to do the same you did - ask if anyone had any specific questions.
T-Mobile pushed back the launch date to the 25th. They've asked us not to display the device in public, yet at the training they encouraged us to "use it every day!" It's weird that I haven't even touched my MDA in a long time!
Any customer coming into my store is free to check it out. From the peope I've showed it to, this thing is gonna fly out the door. It really is sleek!
How well does it function as a phone? No one can hear me currently on my bklbry due to back ground noise. Hopefully this is better?
Also, not mentioned above, there is a touch-sensitive control strip on the side. It should effectively function as a jog wheel. Sounds interesting, but a jog wheel might work better. We'll see.