HTC Touch Cruise First Look @ Mobility Today

it is a real cool device i have nearly 20 medical applications running on it and it is great.gps is good no need for gps gate if u use spb pocket plus .overall its a good device better than the diamond to me

Posted by saravanakumar, Monday, Sep. 1st, 2008

Hi,
Can any one show me a link or a site where I can download a copy of the users manual of HTC touch Cruise bec my copy have been misplaced, So I really need to have a copy of the users manual. I just need to check some of the things w/ my touch cruise. Thanks in advance for the help.

Posted by ScanR, Wednesday, Jul. 9th, 2008

JNGold,

I just found this review. Very good.

Question for anyone that has any experience with Skype on this phone over a good WiFi connection: how would you rate your experience?

Posted by bluewater, Wednesday, May. 21st, 2008

Well i have brought Tom Cruise few days back i must say its a promising lad...the only thing which bothers me is its sound, thats quite a low with only one speaker and on top of it audio booster is not working without headphones. I have put SRS Wow in it and put headphone mode without actually putting headphone in, which actually amplifies sound to a good level. But after few hours it again revert back to normal internal speaker mode.Is this problem faced by other users as well..??

Posted by , Tuesday, Apr. 29th, 2008

Unfortunately, there is no carrier that carries the Cruise. You have to buy it unlocked via online distributors. Aside from the price, I actually prefer unlocked devices and you don't have to worry about carrier bloatware.

Posted by JNGold, Saturday, Apr. 26th, 2008

So the HTC Touch Cruise is available in the USA? I had a HTC 8525 that died on me, got an iPhone and don't like it and want to return before my 14 days are up. I would much rather get a Touch than the Tilt (TyTN). But I don't see it on the AT&T site anywhere.

Posted by tonycanuck99, Thursday, Apr. 24th, 2008

Of course. All WM6 Pro devices support Landscape and portrait viewing.

Posted by JNGold, Tuesday, Apr. 22nd, 2008

Can anyone tell me if I can use the Touch Cruise horizontally for surfing the web and for reading text documents, or is this feature for photos only?
This might be the deal breaker for me... is web surfing that much better in horizontal mode compared to vertical (TyTN II users)?

Posted by probeski, Tuesday, Apr. 22nd, 2008

I just bought the HTC Touch Cruise. I was previously using the iPAQ hw6515e running on Windows Mobile 2003 second edition. Anyone know how to transfer or export all sms and mms messages from the iPAQ hw6515e to HTC Touch Cruise. Tried sync the messages to Microsoft Outlook but this only sync the e-mail messages.

Posted by geny248, Monday, Apr. 21st, 2008

To actually increase the number of contacts or apps, no. However there are apps/hacks out there to change the look of the plugin:

http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-htc-home-customizer-v1-0.html

Or to get a contact tab and a music tab:

HKLM\Software\HTC\HTCHome

Add new string,

Tabsetting = 1,2,3,4,5,6

You can change the order of the numbers to sort the tabs how you like

1 = Clock tab
2 = Favorite People tab
3 = Weather tab
4 = Launcher tab
5 = Music tab
6 = Profiles tab

refresh the htc home to get the tabs u can do it by unchecking the today contects and then checking it and it will refresh and
people who missed the favorites home tab delete this registry key :

HKLM\Software\OEM\MASD\Quickdial

Delete it and refresh thats alll and u will get all the 6 tabs !!

EDIT: If I recall, there is a way of adding another side of the HTC Cube but I would have to find it.

Posted by JNGold, Sunday, Mar. 30th, 2008

JN, have you found a way to increase the number of app or contact items in the HTC Home plugin?

Posted by Physboy, Sunday, Mar. 30th, 2008

I know thats the killer for me.. Might have to crack open the TyTN II

Posted by David Ciccone, Tuesday, Mar. 11th, 2008

I would have to say no worse than my Treo with a 1600mah battery. Not sure why though you would even consider the TC due to lack of a real kb.

Posted by JNGold, Tuesday, Mar. 11th, 2008

Jerry I am on the ledge... How is the battery life?

Posted by David Ciccone, Monday, Mar. 10th, 2008

Ouch!

Posted by David Ciccone, Thursday, Feb. 21st, 2008

Thanks Jerry. Just listened to the podcast $ sounded like u were exited about it.
I wonder if that so-called video enhancement from HTC for the QComm chipped devices will be applied to the Cruise. It is supposed to be soon I think.
I also read somewhere that the new Core Player helps w/ some of the video issues, not sure how...

I also use 4fartphone - no outages yet, but then I think they use more than one server in a broom closet like R!M......

Thanks again

Posted by HandyDad, Thursday, Feb. 21st, 2008

Handy,

The d-pad acts as both a 4-way press (tactile feedback when you press a direction) and a free-spinning scroll control. I would compare it directly to the new scroll wheel on the BJ2.

The volume slider out of the box is not re-mappable. In my travels, I have seen only one app for the Wizard devices (KJAM, QTEK, etc) that allowed it to be used a page scroll in PIE.

Posted by JNGold, Thursday, Feb. 21st, 2008

correction. I meant GSM/Data port

Posted by HandyDad, Thursday, Feb. 21st, 2008

Jerry,
How is the D pad as far as sesitivity ie overly or hard and does it actually turn for scrolling or does it just sense it, kinda like an ipod?
Also I see that it has the external GPS antenna port. To bad no port for GPS/Data like my TyTn, as I use it in fringe areas and use a Wilson cell antenna for more range. I know I can use a "repeater" style amp, so no biggie on that.
Is the volume slider only for phone volumč or is it mappable as well.

Thanks in advance!

Posted by HandyDad, Thursday, Feb. 21st, 2008

No. The profiles are just quick way of changing them. For scheduling profiles, I installed SBSH PhoneWeaver. I find it much more flexible than Spb's phone suite.

Posted by JNGold, Thursday, Feb. 21st, 2008

Excellent, does it also offer scheduling of profiles like SPB Phone Suite and others?

Posted by Physboy, Thursday, Feb. 21st, 2008

Phys,

I was using PP 3.0 on the Treo. However on the Touch I really don't see the need. Of course, PP gives the almost unlimited ability to add tabs and shortcuts to the owners' delight. The HTC home screen offers a program launcher with 9 open slots. Also, the touch flo cube also allows for launching applications quickly. The defaults on the cube can easily be replaced with reg hacks.

As far as the rest is concerned, I like having the large digital time, Indicators (missed calls, SMS, emails), weather, and profile access. Having these eliminates the need of loading several apps to take care of those functions.

Posted by JNGold, Thursday, Feb. 21st, 2008

Jerry,

Have you used the latest version of SPB Pocket Plus, if so then how does it compare to the HTC Home app?

I am considering switching apps as the HTC 5 button Home is available on XDA for the Wing.

Posted by Physboy, Thursday, Feb. 21st, 2008

I have the device for 6 weeks now (different O2 flavour) and it works really well. I also use Touchpal as it supports multiple languages. The downside of not having a keyboard is know. The input into fields that are "under" the virtual keyboard is a bit of an annoyance.

Battery performs really well for me. I have a car charger and charge it on the way to work...if needed. In general it lasts around 3 days...I am not such a heavy user.

The GPS is cool. COM4 at 4800 allows access to it if you use different GPS software.

The google maps with GPS...well, it fixed my position but seems to get lost while driving. I am not sure what is wrong there.

HTC did a good job by packaging TouchFlo on the device. It really keeps the stylus where it should be (in the device).

I don't have to reset it much...maybe once a week. Memory is good (coming from 64 to 128). Enough to install all my applications.

Overall...I can recommend this device.

Posted by FunkSpray, Thursday, Feb. 21st, 2008

HandyDad,

There is a small felt-like slip case that comes in the box. Not very useful if you ask me.

As for software, the Cruise comes bundled with TomTom (on an included CD) and gives you the option of downloading one free city. If you need more, you will need to purchase them from TomTom directly.

As for SDHC, yes the Cruise does support it. I have a 4gb card that I am using right now.

If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

HTH!

Posted by JNGold, Wednesday, Feb. 20th, 2008

Great review. Can you tell us what's included in the box & is a case included? What, if any, GPS software included? Does it support SDHC?
Thanks!

Posted by HandyDad, Wednesday, Feb. 20th, 2008

Thanks Chris. Barring any hardware malfunction or damage to the unit, I think this one is a keeper for me. The Cruise is actually the most fun I have had with a WM device in quite some time. I am able to do everything I need and that's key. I think I will be on the lookout for an OEM sized extended battery eventually, but with my usage patterns there's really no rush.

Posted by JNGold, Monday, Feb. 18th, 2008

Thank you JNGold.

Posted by Justia, Monday, Feb. 18th, 2008

Fantastic review, glad you like your new device, 2 weeks in for me is when you know if its a keeper or not, keep us updated how things pan out

Posted by chrissyboy, Monday, Feb. 18th, 2008

Justia,

Thank you. With regards to the registry hacks, the answer is yes. However, you have to be careful when making modifications to the registry. The hack for the pressure sensitivity can actually be accomplished without even going to the registry. Basically when prompted to do a screen calibration when setting up a Windows mobile device, if you press gently, this will set the appropriate values in the registry to assist with making pressure sensitivity easier.

The hacks for scrolling TouchFlo do however need to be made to registry directly.

As for ATT, no they did not pick up the device. I purchased the Cruise as an unlocked device. I wouldn't expect ATT to pick up the Cruise since they already have the Tilt and since they have already stated that they don't plan to carry any non-keyboard Windows Mobile devices.

HTH!

Posted by JNGold, Monday, Feb. 18th, 2008

JnGold,

Very nice review. I have a couple of questions:

1. Is the registry hack that you mentioned to make the screen more touch sensitive something that an ordinary user can do?
2. Did at&t pick up this phone?

Thanks

Posted by Justia, Monday, Feb. 18th, 2008

Jerry,

Nice job on the review. I can't wait to hear more about this device as you continue to use it.

Steve

Posted by agent680, Sunday, Feb. 17th, 2008

Not yet!!! I think the keyboard is a killer

Posted by David Ciccone, Sunday, Feb. 17th, 2008

Uh oh, Dave comming back to the Dark Side...lol

Posted by Physboy, Sunday, Feb. 17th, 2008

Great review Jerry! Love the unbiased reviews! You did a great job this time! I am quite jealous.. Might buy one!

Posted by David Ciccone, Sunday, Feb. 17th, 2008

Phys,

Stability seems good. To be fair, I am installing/unistalling apps at a large clip right now in an effort to customize it exactly how I want it. I am also using beta Netfront which I find uses gobs of processor time when in the background. Other than that, yes, I find the device very stable.

With regards to TouchPal, absolutely like it over PCM. So much more flexibility and overall a much more polished application.

As for the battery, without charging it can get me through the day with 3G surfing on the commute to work (about an hour on the bus), then at the office with some use. Same with my commute on the way home. As with the Treo, it behooves me to have a charger at work. :)

Posted by JNGold, Sunday, Feb. 17th, 2008

Do you find the device more stable than previous devices (resets/day/week, etc..)?

Do you find the CooTek keyboard to be better than PCM keyboard?

Itchin' ta hear 'bout battery life too.

Posted by Physboy, Sunday, Feb. 17th, 2008

Awesome review Jerry. It was great to read about this device as I didn't really know a lot about it. I'm so glad to see that you've found something that you are happy with!

Posted by gt2697, Sunday, Feb. 17th, 2008