HTC Advantage: First Impression

I caved yesterday and made a mad dash to CompUSA for a quick fondle and ultimate purchase of the HTC Advantage. I absolutely love the form factor. I can see how people go for the OQO. The 5 inch screen is bright and easily readible outside and inside. After a little googling, I found out how to install Google Maps on the Advantage and have it track my position on the GPS. This was very cool. I probably won't subscribe to the TeleNav system since I don't like to ask for directions, but having the Google maps is nice.

The keyboard is very usable, either holding the device and typing with the thumbs or two finger typing on the desktop. You aren't going to write "War and Peace" on that keyboard. The Stowaway Bluetooth keyboard pairs up easily with the device if I want to do real typing. Even poking out text on the on-screen keyboard with stylus or finger is no big deal. I tried pairing up the Targus bluetooth mouse. The device recognizes it but wants me to enter a passcode. WTF? Does a mouse even work with windows Mobile? I didn't think I recalled seeing a cursor arrow.

The frustrating bit for me is that Windows Mobile is just not quite independent enough for me. I begrudgingly installed Activesync in Parallels on my Mac to install some software on the device even though I don't use Outlook. I tried using Missing Sync but it doesn't yet support WM6. WTF? How can Microsoft change the syncing method every time and still not get it right? I think Apple was onto something with that iTunes thing. The Activesync worked but it's kinda kludgy.

I have a list of things that I'm having trouble figuring out how to do with Windows Mobile. I got Sirius working, thanks to SiriusWM5. Yay! I have a goal of printing from the device to the HP Laserjet 1320 hooked up to my network with a JetPrint device. I've downloaded every application I can google but nothing works.

I would also like to be able to access the network attached storage in my office using my wifi network to grab a file every now and then. There is this neat Network plugin that HTC includes on the device. I can see the servers but I can't attach.

Oh, and I'd love to say I wrote this blog post on the HTC Advantage, but when you go to the Blogger.com site with either Pocket P.O.S. (excuse me, I mean IE) or Opera, you get the whole site except for the section where you login.

People complain about the iPhone not doing flash. Windows Mobile browser doesnt' do flash either. Who knew?!!!!

This town isn't big enough for two itty bitty devices. I've got 13 more days to see if the HTC or the Q1 goes. If you have any ideas about printing and connecting to a stupid drive hooked up directly to a router in my office, please let me know.

Oh, and battery life!!!! I went all day on the teeny weeny battery in the device using wifi and the phone radio. Plus, I had instant on when I picked up the device. Yay!!!! Having to haul around a bag full of batteries for my Q1 was my chief beef with that wonderful device.

My objective for this device is to be my take with device when I don't want to bring my MacBook and I want to do more than I can do on my iPhone. I don't even have a calling plan on the HTC. It's not going to be my phone, just my data machine. I really want to find more Windows Mobile Apps to extend my use of this device beyond the iPhone as much as possible.

As I solve my problems or surrender in defeat, I will post the results. If you are interested in the device and have questions for me, please leave me a comment and I'll check it out. I also promise some photos after I get done with some tax returns.

I know, I'm weak and easily swayed by sexy small devices. While I've got the credit card out, I might as well subscribe to the "Blame JK" service. I think, in this case, I need to throw some blame at Matt Miller too. Matt review is so thorough it was almost like a gadget colonoscopy. Check it out on Mobile Gadgeeter for more deets.