Look at what the UPS driver delivered for me yesterday - a HTC s630 (Cavalier) Smartphone. :mrgreen: The first thing I did was grab the camera and film the unboxing. I'll be using the device over the course of the next week and I should have a full review of this up by the middle of next week.
I've only been using it for a couple hours, but I have to tell you, this thing is FAST. In fact, it's the fastest Windows Mobile Standard device that I've used. It's also wide - especially for someone who had been using the BlackJack for as long as I have. I don't have any numbers or pictures to show the difference in width, but it is very noticeable to me. Anyway, enjoy the video, let me know if you have any questions and watch for the review coming next week! Thanks to the guys over at MobilePlanet.com for making this review unit available to me.
HTC's follow-up device to the Excalibur (or T-Mobile Dash) has finally become available for purchase in North America. For $565 (or $640 for those in Canada shopping at Expansys.ca ), you can take home one of the hottest new Smartphones to hit the market. The Cavalier offers a faster CPU wth higher speeds for data access, and of course, Windows Mobile 6. For whatever reason, it still sports a super slow USB1.1 connection. :(
So, who here is going to buy one? And who already has it? :)
"Two independent (but somewhat related) articles have surfaced, both focusing on the HTC Excalibur replacement, the HTC Cavalier. Over on Tim Carmichael's blog there's a great unboxing gallery, including some Excalibur comparison snaps. Also, recent documents have surfaced on the FCC site, indicating the device is approved for use in the USA. This thing has been hot and cold for a few months now, maybe now we will finally see some traction...?"
There is nothing more exciting than the smell of a brand new phone. Unfortunately, this "new phone" is no more than HTC's on-again/off-again QWERTY Windows Mobile Standard phone. I don't know about you guys, but when we first announced this device, which seemed like an eternity ago, I was filled with nothing but joy. Then HTC decided to �can� the device... then decided to launch it and then canned it again. While I am happy that HTC is finally releasing this device, I feel the boat has pasted on what would have been a Smartphone media frenzy a year ago.
I don't know what has happened to HTC over the course of the past year, but they used to be on top of the world and now they're just on top of my yawn list. If anyone from HTC actually reads this, for the love all things mobile and good, just give us something new and innovating and not just an upgrade to an existing product... oh, and seriously, 1999 called and they want their camera lenses back.
The HTC Cavalier is the upgrade to the HTC Excalibur a.k.a. T-Mobile Dash. Dopod launched this Windows Mobile 6 Standard smart phone in May as the Dopod C730. The Cavalier features faster 400MHz processor and supports the faster 3G data network. According to HTC the smart phone features Quad-band GSM/EDGE, Tri-band UMTS/HSDPA, WiFi, Bluetooth, 400 MHz processor, 64MB of RAM, and 128MB of RAM.
The FCC documents minus the photographs and user guide can be found over here. HTC had requested confidentiality until June 12th, 2007, which is already up. Surprised that we haven't seen any announcements during this time-frame. Does this mean that HTC is not planning on releasing this in the States? Or is it waiting for AT&T to be done with the iPhone honeymoon?
"I think most of us are all too familiar with HTC's much hyped, yet failed to hit handset, the Cavalier. As far as technical specs go, this smartphone really offers it all. Quad-band GSM/EDGE, Tri-band UMTS/HSDPA, WiFi, Bluetooth, a 400 MHz processor, 64MB of RAM, and 128MB of RAM. Woweee! HTC's brother from another mother, Dopod, who was recently acquired by HTC might we add, will be releasing the HTC Cavalier or the C730 as previously reported. However, as this model makes its gracious Windows Mobile 6 way into our hands, we are still getting cold shoulder from HTC. They're still saying that the HTC Cavalier or HTC S630 will never be released. Only time will tell what fate the handset will be subject to."
So let's get this straight. I'm looking at the HTC Cavalier being unboxed and yet according to the Boy Genius Report, HTC states it will never be released. Why? Doesn't it seem like a logical upgrade to the Dash? What's your thought? Do you think we'll see the Cavalier here in the US? Would you go for it if it did?
"As expected, today Dopod has announced it's C730 Windows Mobile 6 Standard smartphone - also known as longtime delayed HTC Cavalier. This sleek Smartphone is built to empower users who crave power and connectivity. Operated by a powerful 400 MHz processor, the C730 keeps you connected easily with Microsoft Direct Push Technology and 3.5G HSDPA. Measuring only 13.5 mm, this slim device has a built-in high speed 802.11 b/g WiFi connection, while supporting quadband GSM/GPRS/EDGE and WCDMA UMTS/HSDPA. The C730 is also equipped with a 5-way navigational button, 3-way smart jog bar and full QWERTY keypad, guaranteeing you seamless navigation, convenient scrolling and easy input for messaging, sending and receiving E-Mails as well as chatting on MSN/Live Messenger. ... Available from early June, the C730 will retail in Singapore at a suggested price of S$ 898/US$ 590/435 Euro. Further APAC availability wasn't announced so far."
Dopod has officially announced the much awaited update to the HTC Excalibur. The HTC Cavalier features 3.5G HSDPA which is the biggest shortcoming of the Excalibur, marketed as the T-Mobile Dash and HTC S620. Dopod seems to the first and the only vendor to have announced the availability of the Cavalier. No carrier has announced its plans to pick up this Windows Mobile Standard edition device. Folks who will buy this device will also receive the BlackBerry Connect software. I believe this is the first HTC device to carry this software. So are you waiting for this smartphone to become available in the stores online?
"The Dopod C720W was one handheld with a sleek design, good performance and a robust set of features. Its successor, the C730, brings to the plate more goodies. One of the first Dopod handhelds to run on the Windows Mobile 6 Standard edition, the C730 is powered by a 400MHz processor with 64MB RAM and 128MB ROM. The quadband (850/900/1,800/1,900MHz) phone comes with 3G, HSDPA, a 2-megapixel CMOS camera and an external memory card slot that supports microSD media up to 2GB. Unlike the C720W with a two-toned silver and black design, the new C730 in one single shade of classic gray. There's also a strip of touch-sensitive controls for the volume, return and email functions on the side of the unit. The Dopod C730 is expected to be available in Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and The Philippines from May."
Interestingly, the Cnet article has the HTC Excalibur pictured but is referring to the Dopod C730 (HTC Cavalier). Some reports have the Cavalier as being delayed indefinitely but according to this article, it will be released as the Dopod C730 in selected countries in May. I sure hope that's true. I would love to see the Cavalier come to North America soon. How about you? If released in the US, could the Cavalier be your next smartphone?
UPDATE: Cnet has now updated their site with the picture of the Cavalier.
"It is not an ordinary occasion when HTC�s and Samsung�s paths cross on the market today. In case with the former, development and production of communicators and smartphones is what the company counts on � it is HTC�s field of expertise. And Samsung only gives this market a go, the Korean manufacturer is moving very deliberately, which enables him to avoid critical mistakes and blunders. The today�s review is dedicated to the face-off of two smartphones: HTC S650 (codenamed Cavalier) and Samsung i600. The company�s apply totally different approach to the development of QWERTY-equipped smartphones and we are eager to figure out how these vendors see the ways of this segment�s expansion."
Yes, those devices are sitting in the snow. It's not my idea of fun - expecially when you're talking about two of the hottest devices around. But it does make for a cool picture. Aside from the snow covered devices, Mobile-Review does a great job at comparing these two devices from the camera down to the MicroSD slot. I think HTC is doing a great job, but I still prefer my Blackjack. If only it was Windows Mobile 6 enabled. :?
Crispeto posted about this review in our forums - let's continue the discussion in the original thread.
"I have been looking forward to this ritual for a while now, and finally a little while ago it happened. The HTC Cavalier (S630) in the flesh unboxed. As many of you know it's a needed upgrade to the ever popular HTC Excalibur (and all incarnations). The processor has been upgraded to a Samsung 400Mhz, flash memory of 128MB, a 2-mega pixel camera, and a slightly updated form factor. The 3G is tri-band, 850/1900/2100 and I have been zipping along Cingular's network without a hitch so far. HSDPA baby!"
Few things are as much fun as opening the box of a new device when it shows up on your doorstep or you get it home from the store. The next best thing is to see pictures of someone else do it. Head on over to witness this unveiling.
Remember when people would say they just got Playboy Magazine for the articles? Here we have the flip side of that. All you can do here is look at the pictures. Unless of course you can read the language. There are plenty of pictures though and you can actually make out a few specs, like that the i600 is only tri band! :evil:
Anyone remember that Excalibur update we told you about last week - A small little update code-named Cavalier? I told you we would see pictures soon, and they have appeared. It's a smart looking Smartphone and a nice upgrade to the existing Excalibur. The stylings and lines on this device are better than the Excalibur if you ask me. I sure hope it doesn't upset too many of the brand new Dash owners. 8)
HTC has an update to the popular Excalibur in the works, and it's set for an early release in 2007 - and by early I'm talking about end of January. This new Smartphone is codenamed "Cavalier" and has some very impressive specifications. As a matter of reference, you can consider the update to be the same kind of update Samsung did from the i320 to the newly released i607. The Cavalier will be the first HTC Smartphone to sport something other than the typical 200MHz CPU. Instead, HTC has loaded it up with a 400MHz Samsung CPU! Can you say fast? If that wasn't reason enough to be excited, then I'm sure the Quad-Band (GSM/GPRS/EDGE) with UMTS (2100/850/1900), HSDPA and WiFi 802.11b/g will get your attention. No? Ok, how about 128MB ROM, 64MB RAM, Bluetooth 2.0, 2.4 inch 320x240 screen, 2 mega-pixel camera, and a 1050mAh battery all packed into a package that's just a little larger than the Excalibur. We don't have a picture of the device, but from what we've been told it's very much the same as the Excalibur. You can be sure that when we get a picture we'll be posting it for everyone to check out. So, does this news change anyone's mind about buying that newly released Samsung i607 or the still fresh Dash?
HTC has an update to the popular Excalibur in the works, and it's set for an early release in 2007 - and by early I'm talking about end of January. This new Smartphone is codenamed "Cavalier" and has some very impressive specifications. As a matter of reference, you can consider the update to be the same kind of update Samsung did from the i320 to the newly released i607. The Cavalier will be the first HTC Smartphone to sport something other than the typical 200MHz CPU. Instead, HTC has loaded it up with a 400MHz Samsung CPU! Can you say fast? If that wasn't reason enough to be excited, then I'm sure the Quad-Band (GSM/GPRS/EDGE) with UMTS (2100/850/1900), HSDPA and WiFi 802.11b/g will get your attention. No? Ok, how about 128MB ROM, 64MB RAM, Bluetooth 2.0, 2.4 inch 320x240 screen, 2 mega-pixel camera, and a 1050mAh battery all packed into a package that's just a little larger than the Excalibur. We don't have a picture of the device, but from what we've been told it's very much the same as the Excalibur. You can be sure that when we get a picture we'll be posting it for everyone to check out. So, does this news change anyone's mind about buying that newly released Samsung i607 or the still fresh Dash?
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