HTC Raphael / Touch Pro: New Picture and Specs

There is a lot of speculation about this, but the consensus seems to be in most cases it will ship without GPS navigation software (other than google maps of course), but some will ship with tomtom 6, with an upgrade voucher to tomtom 7.
In many cases (in Europe at least) the carriers sell a phone with GPS either stand-alone,or bundled with GPS software, which is not a bad solution since you can save money if you have the software already.
Surur

[quote=surur;1445691]There is a lot of speculation about this, but the consensus seems to be in most cases it will ship without GPS navigation software (other than google maps of course), but some will ship with tomtom 6, with an upgrade voucher to tomtom 7.
In many cases (in Europe at least) the carriers sell a phone with GPS either stand-alone,or bundled with GPS software, which is not a bad solution since you can save money if you have the software already.
Surur
Good point...as long as the cost savings is passed along to the consumer.:)

Good point...as long as the cost savings is passed along to the consumer.:)
For an example see here.http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/shop/mobile-phones/phones/pay-monthly/t-mobile/1/model/
Unfortunately they make it difficult to see if you are saving or not,but in general I think you get more minutes for the same plan if you buy it without a map.
Surur

I just hope this gets to the U.S. carriers/operators without getting "crippled" in the process. Typically, by the time they add/subtract what they want to the device, something ends up getting broken.
It's going to be a long 6 months waiting for this one. :D

thats actually a nice looking device. Is the screen size still 2.8 ?

Hmmm...
The display is still the weak link here. I'm assuming by Backlight: White, they mean EL, not LED backlight. That, plus the rather small 2.8" screen, is definitely going to turn off many. It's old school, as of two years ago...
Good to see the "return" of an external memory slot. Also, good to see the return of rounded corners, something that should be mandatory for anything designed for the pocket.
Now only if HTC would accelerate their North American release schedule. Spotting Apple a six month isn't the smartest thing they've done.

thats actually a nice looking device. Is the screen size still 2.8 ?
Still old 285 dpi 2.8 inch screen. The innovative zooming/re-flowing feature in Opera 9.5 should make this a non-issue, for web browsing at least.
Surur

Hmmm...
The display is still the weak link here. I'm assuming by Backlight: White, they mean EL, not LED backlight. That, plus the rather small 2.8" screen, is definitely going to turn off many. It's old school, as of two years ago..
It says the same for the iPhone, so I dont know how meaningful that is.http://www.gsmhelpdesk.nl/en/specs.php?id=1370
I dont think anyone looks at the type of backlight when they decide on which device to get.
I finally saw the iPhone in the wild yesterday, and it looked rather gigantic in the woman's hand. I'm not sure having a smaller device is actually a significant problem.
Surur

The official press release (thx Urban Strata)
Press release
Not to be released until May 28, 2008, 13:00 a.m.
Bonn/Munich, May 28, 2008
- T-Mobile and HTC present the new MDA compact IV with an
exclusive T-Mobile design
- Presentation of the latest member of the successful MDA family at
the international press conference in Munich
- Next level of innovation in mobile PDAs, with 3D touch screen,
3.2 megapixel auto-focus camera and 4 GB internal memory
- Ideal platform for T-Mobile services such as web?n?walk
- HSDPA and HSUPA technology for high-speed Internet via
web?n?walk
- Integrated GPS module for convenient mobile navigation
- From late summer 2008: MDA Vario IV with complete slide-out
keyboard for even more convenience in the mobile office
- All-rounder for use on the move: Ameo 16GB with 16 GB hard disk
and new, improved keyboard
T-Mobile and HTC today presented the next level of innovation in their
MDA range at an international press conference in Munich: The new MDA
compact IV. T-Mobile will offer the latest member of the successful MDA
family across Europe with an exclusive design from July 2008. The MDA
compact IV is characterized by intuitive usability via a 3D touch screen, as
well as extensive multimedia features and high-performance mobile
technology. A further milestone in the successful technology partnership
between HTC and T-Mobile is the new MDA Vario IV, due in late summer
2008 as announced by Florian Seiche, Vice President HTC Europe Co. Ltd,
and Eva Wimmers, Executive Vice President Terminal Procurement
T-Mobile International.
MDA compact IV ? multimedia pro with 3D touch screen
The MDA compact IV has a high comfort factor thanks to the new 3Danimated
interface on the large touch screen (640 x 480 pixels). The pinsharp
VGA screen makes it particularly easy to use T-Mobile services such
as the MyFaves community service, or the web?n?walk Internet service, as
well as the Windows Mobile 6.1 operating system. The innovative PDA
phone with an exclusive T-Mobile design features integrated HSDPA and
HSUPA technology for rapid Internet communication via web?n?walk, with
speeds of up to 7.2 megabits per second. In addition, an integrated GPS
module enables mobile navigation. Further top features are a
3.2 megapixel auto-focus camera and 4 GB of internal memory.
At the press conference in Munich, T-Mobile Manager Eva Wimmers
highlighted the benefits that customers gain from the partnership between
T-Mobile and HTC: "T-Mobile is making the mobile Internetreality. We are
bringing communication, information and entertainment right to where our
customers want and need it ? quickly, simply and conveniently. With HTC,
we have just the right technology partner on our side to enable us to offer
the best mobile services and exclusive devices for connected life and
work."
"HTC and T-Mobile share a common vision to bring the most innovative
and enjoyable mobile experience to consumers. The MDA compact IV is
the result of our close cooperation ? a device that combines a compact,
sleek design, a powerful 3D user interface and broadband speeds." said
Florian Seiche. ?We have worked hard to integrate T-Mobile services and
features, to deliver the best possible experience."
MDA Vario IV ? organizer for on the move
E-mails, contacts, dates: From late summer 2008, the MDA Vario IV from
T-Mobile will ensure even more convenience in the mobile office. A special
feature of the organizer for use on the move is the large, slide-out complete
QWERTY keyboard. Just like a PC keyboard, it has five rows of keys,
making it best in class in terms of mobile devices. Like the MDA
compact IV, the new MDA Vario IV also offers convenient mobile Internet
access via web?n?walk using HSDPA technology with speeds of up to
7.2 Mbit/s. Video telephony, video and music player, and a 3.2 megapixel
auto-focus camera as well as integrated GPS module round off the
device's top features.
Ameo 16GB ? all-rounder for mobile professionals
The Ameo 16GB will be launched in June 2008. As successor to the
T-Mobile Ameo launched in January 2007, the device combines state-ofthe-
art computer functions, mobile broadband technology and a phone with
an innovative design. Users can operate the device either with or without
the full QWERTY keyboard. When pressed, the keys now have a
perceivable effect and thus offer maximum convenience, even when writing
longer texts. The Ameo 16GB is much smaller and lighter than a minilaptop,
but slightly bigger than a PDA. Essential new features of the device
include hard disk capacity that has been doubled to 16 GB, and the
Windows Office Mobile 6.1 Professional operating system, which supports
Office 2007 file formats.
The technology partnership between HTC and T-Mobile
With the MDA family, HTC and T-Mobile have established a pioneering
group of devices in the market. The new MDA compact IV is the latest
product from the long-term partnership between one of the world's leading
manufacturers of smartphones and PDA phones with Microsoft Windows
Mobile software and one of the most successful international mobile
providers. The MDA series stands for rapid, mobile Internet, flexible
working and infotainment for on the move, as well as convenient mobile
navigation.
Deutsche Telekom AG
Corporate Communications
T-Mobile
Tel.: +49 (0) 228 / 9 36-3 17 17
Fax: +49 (0) 228 / 9 36-3 17 19
E-mail: presse@t-mobile.de
Surur

I finally saw the iPhone in the wild yesterday, and it looked rather gigantic in the woman's hand. I'm not sure having a smaller device is actually a significant problem.
Surur
I couldnt go back to a screen that small. Get rid of the bottom buttons, and stretch the screen to 3.5. Keep the slide out keyboard and you got a really nice device.

iPhone looking a bit portly. I hope that the next version is not really thicker, as is rumoured.
Surur

Would the Raphael have an accelerometer too like the Diamond since HTC is making trade-off for a keyboard?
Did anybody catch that on the specs?

iPhone looking a bit portly. I hope that the next version is not really thicker, as is rumoured.
Surur
As somebody that uses the iPhone everyday, I have never once thought of the iPhone as portly. As for the extra length, its a trade off I am willing to make for the glorious 3.5' screen. Cannot imagine using a 2.8 screen anymore.

Would the Raphael have an accelerometer too like the Diamond since HTC is making trade-off for a keyboard?
Did anybody catch that on the specs?
There is no confirmation, but I suspect no high-end device will ship without an accelerometer these days. Many parts of Touchflo3D depends on it, so I am 90% sure it does come with one.
Surur

As somebody that uses the iPhone everyday, I have never once thought of the iPhone as portly. As for the extra length, its a trade off I am willing to make for the glorious 3.5' screen. Cannot imagine using a 2.8 screen anymore.
And when the iPhone Nano comes out, will you advise people not to buy it?
Surur

dam now i want one. i guess its safe to say ill never be happy because i want to many devices but this is at the top of the list next to iphone2 and diamond

Would you happen to know what phones and or MFG's will be using the Nvidia APX 2500 chip? Sense it can run at 750mhz and has more 3D power that would be the phone to wait for correct? Thanks, JASTECH
Processor and Memory Subsystem ARM11 MPCore
16/32-bit LP-DDR
NOR and NAND Flash support
HD AVP (High Definition Audio Video Processor) 720p H.264, MPEG-4, and VC-1/WMV9 Decode
720p H.264 and MPEG-4 Encode
Supports multi-standard audio formats including AAC, AMR, WMA, and MP3
JPEG encode and decode acceleration
ULP (Ultra Low Power) GeForce OpenGL ES 2.0
D3D Mobile
Programmable pixel shader
Programmable vertex and lighting
CSAA support
Advanced 2D graphics
Imaging Up to 12Mpixel camera sensor support
Integrated ISP
Advanced imaging features
Display Subsystem True dual display support
720p (1280x720) HDMI 1.2 support
SXGA (1280x1024) LCD and CRT support
Composite and S-Video TV output

I dont, but I expect as soon as Nvidia wins any contracts they would announce it, so basically you just need to keep an ear out.
Surur

I dont think anyone looks at the type of backlight when they decide on which device to get.
Of course they don't; they just think crappy screen. I'm not sure where your portly comment about the current iPhone came from; seems like your reaching there. The current iPhone thickness isn't the issue, and the viewable screen area/total surface ratio, a measure of usability of touch-centric phones, is higher on the iPhone. The Diamond is "portly" by comparison.
Gizomodo came out with a nice piece on the Diamond this morning. There conclusion: expensive!

I dont think anyone looks at the type of backlight when they decide on which device to get.
Of course they don't; they just think crappy screen. I'm not sure where your portly comment about the current iPhone came from; seems like your reaching there. The current iPhone thickness isn't the issue, and the viewable screen area/total surface ratio, a measure of usability of touch-centric phones, is higher on the iPhone. The Diamond is "portly" by comparison.
Gizomodo came out with a nice piece on the Diamond this morning. There conclusion: expensive!
My portly statement is mainly in jest, because so much was made about the "revolutionary" thinness of the iPhone, and it has now been surpassed by a much more pocketable device. The iPhone is a bit big for a device which needs to be carried in your hand.
The Diamond on the other hand...
Surur

thanks for your performance, Style is nice, hope you will have customers

It's interesting how the HTC branded Touch Pro and the T-Mobile branded Touch Pro have the hard buttons swapped...phone buttons are on the top row for T-Mobile and on the bottom row for the HTC branded one.

So the Raphael is basically a Diamond atop a slideout KB?Pluses:
1. QWERTY keyboard
2. microSD
3. extra RAM
4. bigger battery
5. TV out
6. camera flashMinuses:
1. thicker
2. heavier
It is a little hefty (same weight as the Mogul), but the pluses seem to far outweigh the minuses to me.

Lots of great pics over at phonemag that give a nice perspective on the size of the Touch Pro.http://www.phonemag.com/htc-touch-pro-hands-on-images-and-video-063610.php
According to the specs, it's close to the same height/width as a BB Pearl (actually 5mm shorter) which falls into the realm of candy bar style phone to me.
It's only about 3.5mm thicker then a Pearl, but significantly heavier though. Still, pretty impressive they crammed all of that into something fairly compact.

I would gladly take portly and a nice size screen 3.5 min. 4 inch would be nice with vga res.
Heck I would love the phone in my sig. if it would be made.
I personally don't like sliders, if I have no choice make it slide portrait like my old PPC6601.

I would gladly take portly and a nice size screen 3.5 min. 4 inch would be nice with vga res.
Heck I would love the phone in my sig. if it would be made.
I personally don't like sliders, if I have no choice make it slide portrait like my old PPC6601.
HTC Advantage?
Surur

HTC Advantage is too much like a mini laptop, not a phone. Also GSM service is very sparse and poor where I live. Only carrier available is a small regional one and service only in city limit.
The size of my G1000 was fine with me and had nice front facing keyboard. Would be my perfect device with VGA screen and WM6.1

Would it not be lovely if they companies would just make what we want, instead of a parade of devices that are always just a bit off from perfect.
I was just thinking along the same lines after reading the early reviews of the 800w.
If they did though, where would be the incentive to upgrade every year?

Yep, that XDAII you show pic of must be the GSM version of my PPC6601 from Sprint. If they would have made the slide more durable, I would still be using it.
But for me the phone in my sig if ever made would be my choice. Just so happened that Pocket pc phone edition 2002 was buggy enough that coupled with only 32 meg ram it was a horrible nightmare. I still go to ebay every so often tempted to buy on of them G1000 back, gues I just miss the form factor.

Any idea how much the HTC would cost for sprint? Thanks

Any idea how much the HTC would cost for sprint? Thanks
I'm sure they will subsidize it to around $200-300. In these post-iPhone 3G times no phone can afford to be expensive.
Surur

Some more great pics of the Raphael here. The camera has a flash on the Raphael, and the battery is the same size as the Tilt at 1340 mAh, which should last longer with the lower-power components.
It looks like Telus will be releasing the Diamond with the 1340mAh battery. Early reviews say the 900mAh doesn't even get you through a full day even without running things like GPS and WiFi.
According to the Telus specs, the extended battery increases the thickness to 14mm. That would make it only 4mm thinner than the Touch Pro.

With the Diamond also getting the 1340 mAh battery, it's only about 4mm thinner than the Touch Pro. You get a lot for that extra 4mm.
I wonder if the new 1340 battery for the Diamond is the same one being used in the Touch Pro? I see there are already 1800mAh for the Diamond and 2200mAh for the Touch Pro on the third-party market.

Nicel little review of the Raphael's KB from mobileburn:LINKAt an informal meeting with HTC today, we were offered the chance to play around with HTC's famed Raphael smartphone, launched formally recently as the Touch Pro. For those familiar with the Touch Diamond, which is now shipping in several parts of the world, the Touch Pro is for all intents and purposes a thicker Diamond with a full 5 row slide-out keyboard hidden inside.
The keys on the Touch Pro are certainly smaller than those found on devices like HTC's Wing for T-Mobile or its Tilt for AT&T, but they are still very usable - much more so than those found on Sony Ericsson's upcoming Xperia X1. They have a very good feel to them and are easy to find by touch even though they are all snugly lined up right next to each other.
When the keyboard is in its hidden position, there are really few cues that would tip off a casual observer that this wasn't a Touch Diamond. For one, the corners on the Touch Pro are slightly rounded, which makes it slightly more comfortable to hold. Secondly, the rear cover of the device, while sharing the Touch Diamond's faceted look, lacks its high gloss surface - which we found to be a very good thing. The Touch Pro also has a microSD memory card slot that the Diamond lacks. Apart from that, the only thing that differentiates the two phones are their weight and thickness - the Touch Pro being the beefier device in both regards.
While we didn't get to see the TouchFLO 3D user interface running on the Touch Pro (HTC's keeping a few things under wraps just yet), we were told that the Touch Pro will feature far better support for landscape display orientation, something that is required for a device with the Touch Pro's form factor.
So if you were intrigued a bit by the Touch Diamond, but prefer a full QWERTY keyboard, the Touch Pro might be exactly what you are looking for. It is a great design, and promises a lot of high-powered functionality to boot.
Another size comparison of the Raphael compared to the Diamond.

Which one is sprint getting? The one with or without the keyboard? Hopefully without the keyboard bc it's too thick with the KB.

^No one knows for sure yet although both versions have passed FCC were CDMA.

Hopefully (and likely) both. The rumors say the Diamond is coming first.
Surur

that's koo, hopefully it will be $200 or less and the surface is made out of glass instead of plastic like the instinct.