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T-Mobile HTC HD2 woes continue, software update pulled down

By | May 24, 2010, 12:14pm PDT

Summary: We had such high hopes for the T-Mobile HTC HD2, but the device suffers from major stability issues and the update that was designed to fix some of these has now been pulled. T-Mobile is apparently working to fix the update and release it again, but that doesn’t help those with devices locking up.

A few weeks ago I wrote that I was done with Windows Mobile and my HD2 and then last week we heard that T-Mobile released an update for the HD2 to fix the freezes and other stability issues. It turns out that update also deletes any games you purchased and any rentals you have not yet watched. I just read over on Mobile Tech Review that the T-Mobile HTC HD2 woes continue as T-Mobile pulls down the update due to reported problems with updated devices. I feel bad since a coworker upgraded his old Dash to the HD2 and has come to me once a week with serious stability issues with the device. The HD2 sold very well from what we hear about it not being available, but I wonder how many are getting returned due to the lack of stability. It really is sad since the hardware if fantastic, but the OS just doesn’t cut it.

I wish T-Mobile USA had a HD2 running Google Android like the Sprint HTC EVO 4G and rumors are that some flagship Android device will eventually be coming. I like using my Nexus One on T-Mobile, especially now with the Android 2.2 update. Maybe T-Mobile should just bring the Nexus One into their retail stores and sell it for the same price as the HD2.

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Matthew Miller started using a Pilot 1000 in 1997 and has been writing news, reviews, and opinion pieces ever since.

Disclosure

Matthew Miller

Matthew is a professional naval architect by day and a mobile gadget freak at all other times. He purchases his own devices and then sells them on eBay or Craigslist to buy more. Many other devices are sent for review on a 30-day loaner basis and then returned to the carrier or manufacturer. If any are provided as “long term loaner units” this will be clearly disclosed in his reviews.

Biography

Matthew Miller

Matthew Miller started using a mobile devices in 1997 and has been writing news, reviews, and opinion pieces ever since. He is a co-host with GigaOM's Kevin Tofel on the MobileTechRoundup podcast and an author of three Wiley Companion series books. Matthew started using mobile devices with a US Robotics Pilot 1000 and has owned over 125 different devices running Palm, Linux, Symbian, Newton, BlackBerry, iOS, Android, webOS, Windows Mobile, and Windows Phone operating systems. His current collection includes an HTC Radar 4G, Dell Venue Pro, Apple iPad 2, HTC Flyer, Samsung Galaxy Nexus, Nokia N9, Apple iPhone 4S, MacBook Pro, and many more, along with tons of accessories and classic devices like the Apple Newton MessagePad 2100 and Sony CLIE UX50. Matthew can be found on various discussion forums under the user name of "palmsolo".
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RE: T-Mobile HTC HD2 woes continue, software update pulled down
pdmj 1st Jun 2010
I have been using HTC HD2 for little over 2 months and since I switched from iPhone 3GS, it was a big change for me. HD2 is by far behind iPhone both in terms of UI, Stability and Apps. I will not recommend HD2 to anyone, and if you are within the trial period, better return it! However, I have observed that frezing, syncing issues with Exchange Server get resolved if you turn HTC Sense Off. I agree with some that it HTC issue, as they should have been more circumspect while designing the hardware, drivers and ability to be upgraded. For instance, HD2 cannot be upgraded to 6.5.3 becuse if custom changes made to the OS by HTC.
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Are you sure its the OS?
OhTheHumanity 24th May 2010
I mean nothing you said here can indicate it being the OS over the hardware? Plus are we sure it isn't software that HTC has loaded on top of the OS? Just asking because I don't have the answers to those questions. I agree Windows Mobile is lacking but there is alot more than just an OS in a mobile smartphone.
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Yes, it's the OS!
gjafg 24th May 2010
@OhTheHumanity
The HTC HD2 has a Snapdragon processor, capable of both floating point operations, as well as 720p HD video decoding. However, this phone cannot do either, as Windows Phone Classic is incapable of seeing the Floating Point Unit, making Windows Phone performance sluggish. Windows Phone classic also cannot see the HD video hardware, so it is switched off, and the HD2 only handles low-res video. Windows Phone is now antiquated, and should not be used.
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@Market Analyst
I still don't buy that. You sound too confident as I know others with WM smartphones that do not have these issues. It may not be capable of using some features of the phone, but HTC should not release a product that cannot perform. Plus I would like to see what HTC modifies before placed on its platform. I use Windows Mobile extensively with Symbol devices and we never have issues with windows mobile. May be different but we run multiple apps on them.
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RE: T-Mobile HTC HD2 woes continue, software update pulled down
de-void-21165590650301806002836337787023 24th May 2010
@Market Analyst - It's up to the hardware vendor to supply the drivers necessary to control and operate hardware that WinMo does not support out of the box. Thus, it's HTC's job to provide the HD drivers and to make sure those drivers don't hang, crash or wobble.

I would also point out that HTC are responsible for the UI on the HD2. In my experience, turning off the TouchFlo UI gubbins dramatically improves the performance of the handset.

I am more than willing to agree that WinMo built on the WinCE 6.0 kernel is somewhat behind the times, but since many other manufacturers (and HTC themselves) have shipped very succesful, very stable, very performant handsets based on this OS (and its predecessors), I don't think it's fair or accurate to simply point the finger at the underlying OS.
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Ever since this Windows Phone was released in the United Kingdom in 2009, it had problems. So many, that Vodafone (Verizon's sister company) withdrew it from public sale. It has lots of bugs (you can Google search yourself for more info) and many of those bugs have still not been resolved. If the HD2 gives you trouble, return it and get a refund.
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It's likely a hardware issue, not a software issue as other WM phones don't encounter these problems.

A software update isn't going to fix a hardware issue.
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I admire your faith
OS Reload 24th May 2010
@John Zern

Unfortunately faith alone is not enough to solve severe OS level technical flaws.
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RE: T-Mobile HTC HD2 woes continue, software update pulled down
de-void-21165590650301806002836337787023 24th May 2010
@OS Reload: Unfortunately faith alone is not enough to solve severe OS level technical flaws.

As has clearly been stated above, it's HIGHLY unlikely to be the OS/kernel that's at fault in the case of faulty HD2's.

If it was, then ALL HD2's and almost all other WinMo phones would experience the same problems. The characteristics of the faults being reported clearly point at the hardware or drivers as the primary culprits, both of which are HTC's responsibility.
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if the HD2 was running Android.

If it's down to this one device, could the update just be a software fix for a hardware problem? If so, I've never seen one that eliminates the problem completelly.
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Windows is doomed in mobile
OS Reload 24th May 2010
As a last attempt to revive it I suggest you try some serious voodoo, just don't hold your expectations too high, ok, windows mobile is as good as dead
So fancy phones just dont seem worth the troubles. Firstly they cost an arm and a leg and then wont function. I would rather go with Net10 prepaid an have a reliable working phone at a great deal than break the bank for this. Net10 not only has working phones but I also got free minutes and 2 months service with it. Some times great technology is just not that worth it.
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No trouble at all
jdefjdef 24th May 2010
I've been using the HD2 since it's US debut. I am currently running the T-mobile update. Both before and after the update my phone has been very stable. I'm actually quite pleased with Windows Mobile.
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It looks like an Android port is the only change to get a working HTC HD2.
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No good!!!
jasonziter 24th May 2010
I have had the HD2 since release on March 24th to T-Mobile and must say it is terrible. I had very high hopes for this phone. Ultimately I believe windows mobile 6.5.bla.bla.bla is a broken OS. Very unstable from original development to its current shiny skin with garbage underneath. The phone is like many a run-way-model. Gorgeous on the outside but if you are looking for substance and functionality you wont find it here. Reset reset reset. Battery pull, battery pull, and battery pull. Get ready for it if you own one and don't re-post to here trying to contradict it. Two of us in the house own the phone and both of us have the same problems. TAKE IT BACK. Save yourselves the heartache.
The issues that people have with the HD2 are software related. For the record, there are many custom software versions of windows mobile (ROMS) for the HD2 that rectify a lot of the problems people are experiencing.
I have been using HTC HD2 for little over 2 months and since I switched from iPhone 3GS, it was a big change for me. HD2 is by far behind iPhone both in terms of UI, Stability and Apps. I will not recommend HD2 to anyone, and if you are within the trial period, better return it! However, I have observed that frezing, syncing issues with Exchange Server get resolved if you turn HTC Sense Off. I agree with some that it HTC issue, as they should have been more circumspect while designing the hardware, drivers and ability to be upgraded. For instance, HD2 cannot be upgraded to 6.5.3 becuse if custom changes made to the OS by HTC.

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