The HTC Touch as Micro Computer

I just bought my Touch through Sprint for $49 and it appears they are dropping it for the newer Touch Diamond.  However, I think US Cellular just introduced the Touch to their line and this review is good news for ALL Touch owners with Windows Mobile.

First - if you have a Touch, go to the HTC website (http://www.htc.com) and get into customer support and software upgrades.  There is a new ROM version for the Touch.  The website will tell you how to determine if your version is current.  Download the upgrade.  It will activate the GPS chip in your phone (allowing it to function like a GPS device with many cool functions), and add a few new/updated programs (for mine that included Microsoft OneNote Mobile and Windows Mobile 6.1).  It also makes the phone a little faster and - I think - more stable (I bought a Touch last spring and sent it back because it was too glitchy).  DON'T BE A HERO WHEN DOWNLOADING THE UPGRADE AND SKIP READING THE DIRECTIONS.  A MISTAKE WHILE DOING THE UPGRADE CAN "BRICK" YOUR PHONE - IE. TURN IT INTO A USELESS LUMP.  If you follow the directions - the upgrade is easy even for the Tech challenged like me.

Second - go to http://www.HTCwiki.com and read the threads that interest you.  Virtually every question you can imagine about how to use or upgrade the phone is addressed there.  The HTC customer service people are also very helpful, though finding the toll free number on their website takes a bit of searching. The Wiki site is interesting because it has entries by the true techno geeks who just love figuring out the limits of these gadgets.

Third - buy a folding bluetooth keyboard for your Touch.  I bought a Freedom Universal Keyboard 2 from Original Wireless.  I paid $59 - free shipping - no tax (I think the current price is $69).  The keyboard is about the size of a laptop keyboard except it has only 5 rows of keys.  Folded its less than 6" x 4" x 3/4" thick (very portable).  With this keyboard you can use your Touch much like a laptop.  This keyboard has a stand for the Touch and I put my Touch display on the horizontal setting for a wider view.  Best - you can use the Word Mobile in your Touch to create or edit documents - just like on your laptop.  Store the documents to the micro sd card and you can transfer them to a computer using a card reader, sync it to your computer using the software included with your Touch, email it to someone as an attachment.  I haven't tried to print from the phone, but I think there is that possibility too.  The keyboard is great for surfing the web on your phone and easily typing e-mails for those who can type faster than they "thumb". 

I'm not a person who needs to have a computer everywhere I go, but now with my Touch I can do many things while I'm waiting for an oil change or a flight that I didn't do because I didn't want the added bulk of a laptop.  The Touch has a virtual keyboard and the HTC ROM upgrade adds a larger QWERTY keyboard than what was available in the original Touch.  Adding the bluetooth keyboard makes the Touch a functional travel computer for basic applications at less than half the size and weight of even those ultra portable computers being sold for $300-400.  With the new ROM and a keyboard you can make your Touch 3 times the phone it was before.  One hint - after using any bluetooth device with your Touch, turn off the Touch's bluetooth function.  Leaving it on causes more rapid battery drain.