Dear HTC,
As you have noticed, the internet has been buzzing today with shots of your MyTouch Slide, aka HTC Espresso. I don’t know if you wanted photos of that device to be public yet, but what’s done is done.
A lot of people still carry G1s, and I have to assume since it’s still for sale, a fair number of people are buying them. We do love our G1s, but they’re getting old and already can’t match your other new phones like Incredible or Evo. We could have moved on long ago, but we really, really love a keyboard, a G1 keyboard in particular. We are so happy with it that we have passed on your other models, waiting for THE ONE to come along. You know, that phone that’s running Android 2.1 out of the box, that’s loaded with all the features the new phones have, as well as a nice keyboard that satisfies our desire to feel the button.
If what we have seen is the finished product, allow me to sum up what many people have said today in two simple words: I’ll pass.
Let me elaborate. It’s not the software that is the issue, the OS is everything we love and have come to expect from Android. It’s the external design that you’re hearing the collective sighs of disappointment. I almost don’t know where to start, but let’s first examine the big draw: the keyboard. It’s awful. While the keypad on G1 was embedded under the body of the phone, this one appears to be a tray that snaps in. I don’t know the reasoning for this, as it seems to take up a lot more space, as does the larger size and placement of keys. Were there a lot of complaints about key size? Even if there were, there has to be a better layout. And I’m just going to pretend that top row doesn’t exist. As it stands, the keyboard as a whole just looks cheap.
Speaking of cheap, let’s move on to the navigator button, circa HTC Touch. A feature that was used even before G1 came out. When your current devices are utilizing translucent balls or optical trackpads, that square pad feels like a bad trip to the past. I can only ask: why?
Why is also what I’m thinking when I look at the button on the far right. A stylized G? I always get the feeling when a standard thing is given a flashy makeover, it’s either to hide a flaw or to try to appeal to a group outside the normal demographic. Either way, I’m not liking it.
As a whole, MyTouch Slide just doesn’t seem to fit in with what you’re producing these days. I still hold hope these design issues will be resolved by the time Slide hits the market. If not, I’ll still be clutching my G1 until a real upgrade comes along, or it dies and I’m forced to make a choice I might not be entirely happy with. I hope it doesn’t come to that.
Sincerely,
Jolie Gendel
About the Author
i seriously second that i heard the news of the slide and i was hype but this look like some motorola crap.. these dude at htc are of drugs or somthing… hope the see this letter
OMFG!!!! WHAT A WAIST
* Android 2.1 with HTC Sense UI
* ARM 1136 Processor
* 256 MB RAM
* 512 MB ROM
* 320 x 480 TFT Touchscreen
* 3.2 MP Camera
* MicroSD Expansion Slot
* 802.11g WiFi
* GPS
* 1300 mAh Battery
* Slide-out QWERTY Keyboard
ldf913 says:
April 13, 2010 at 2:53 AMOMFG!!!! WHAT A WAIST
hope the see this letter
————————————-
ROFL… please learn how to spell or use words correctly. Then again, you use a G1, so I guess thats what we should expect.
jks huh… imagine what i would type like if i had one those virtual keyboard u love so much.. nt gud
jks huh… imgine wht i wuld type like if i had 1 of dose virtual keybard u love so much.. nt gud
i seriously second that i heard the news of the slide and i was hype but this look like some motorola crap.. these dude at htc are of drugs or somthing… hope the see this letter
OMFG!!!! WHAT A WAIST
* Android 2.1 with HTC Sense UI
* ARM 1136 Processor
* 256 MB RAM
* 512 MB ROM
* 320 x 480 TFT Touchscreen
* 3.2 MP Camera
* MicroSD Expansion Slot
* 802.11g WiFi
* GPS
* 1300 mAh Battery
* Slide-out QWERTY Keyboard
ldf913 says:
April 13, 2010 at 2:53 AMOMFG!!!! WHAT A WAIST
hope the see this letter
————————————-
ROFL… please learn how to spell or use words correctly. Then again, you use a G1, so I guess thats what we should expect.
jks huh… imagine what i would type like if i had one those virtual keyboard u love so much.. nt gud
jks huh… imgine wht i wuld type like if i had 1 of dose virtual keybard u love so much.. nt gud
As a G1 owner, I second Jolie’s opinion. We really need a new device similar to the G1 but significantly upgraded RAM, CPU, and camera wise. The closest thing to the perfect android phone is the NexusOne or the HTC Incredible, which both lack hardware keyboards. Hope this open letter gets your attention.
I totally agree with you.
“A new device similar to the G1 but significantly upgraded RAM, CPU, and camera wise”.
As a G1 owner, I second Jolie’s opinion. We really need a new device similar to the G1 but significantly upgraded RAM, CPU, and camera wise. The closest thing to the perfect android phone is the NexusOne or the HTC Incredible, which both lack hardware keyboards. Hope this open letter gets your attention.
I totally agree with you.
“A new device similar to the G1 but significantly upgraded RAM, CPU, and camera wise”.
I to second that opinion. i’m holding out for a phone LIKE the G1 with 8meg camera,and at LEAST a 3.7 inch screen , ideally 4.0 inch.SO what is the hold up! we all know there is a demand .
I to second that opinion. i’m holding out for a phone LIKE the G1 with 8meg camera,and at LEAST a 3.7 inch screen , ideally 4.0 inch.SO what is the hold up! we all know there is a demand .
I to second that opinion. i’m holding out for a phone LIKE the G1 with 8meg camera,and at LEAST a 3.7 inch screen , ideally 4.0 inch.SO what is the hold up! we all know there is a demand . bring it. make it.
I to second that opinion. i’m holding out for a phone LIKE the G1 with 8meg camera,and at LEAST a 3.7 inch screen , ideally 4.0 inch.SO what is the hold up! we all know there is a demand . bring it. make it.
stop f*cking complaining this is what makes me sick just deal with it if you don’t like it buy something else htc doesn’t care what you think so deal with it or close your eyes
thats the thing david…. their is no other.. it a be stupid to buy another g1.. so we want something with upgrade feature like cpu ram and camera with the same keyboard layout (number row) as g1.. if you know of a device like that David i will gladly stop complaining.. until then… ill hold on to my g1 and complain
stop f*cking complaining this is what makes me sick just deal with it if you don’t like it buy something else htc doesn’t care what you think so deal with it or close your eyes
thats the thing david…. their is no other.. it a be stupid to buy another g1.. so we want something with upgrade feature like cpu ram and camera with the same keyboard layout (number row) as g1.. if you know of a device like that David i will gladly stop complaining.. until then… ill hold on to my g1 and complain
I agree. The keyboard needs a dedicated numbers row, just like the G1. But the phone also has to have great specs like the evo, incredible and desire, as well as a nice large screen. It must have at least a 1 gig processor. We got shortchanged with the G1, please don’t try to shortchange us again. As much as I love T-Mo, HTC and my G1, it wasn’t up to par from the start. Please make it right by giving us a top of the line phone with a five row keyboard.
Amen.
But we all know, this is a mytouch, and i doubt they are going to upgrade the secs significantally more?
I agree. The keyboard needs a dedicated numbers row, just like the G1. But the phone also has to have great specs like the evo, incredible and desire, as well as a nice large screen. It must have at least a 1 gig processor. We got shortchanged with the G1, please don’t try to shortchange us again. As much as I love T-Mo, HTC and my G1, it wasn’t up to par from the start. Please make it right by giving us a top of the line phone with a five row keyboard.
Amen.
But we all know, this is a mytouch, and i doubt they are going to upgrade the secs significantally more?
if u want a evo buy a evo and move on
no david the evo has no keyboard thats what this letter is about.. if u dont want what this letter and post is requesting then press that x button on your top right and leaves us.. u obviously have a no keyboard android device..
if u want a evo buy a evo and move on
no david the evo has no keyboard thats what this letter is about.. if u dont want what this letter and post is requesting then press that x button on your top right and leaves us.. u obviously have a no keyboard android device..
the funny thing is, you could ask 100 different people what the ideal phone would be and you would have 100 different answers.
for every person that wants a larger screen, there’s someone else who complains the phone would be too big. for every person who like X type of keyboard, there’s someone else who prefers Y.
the article mentions one positive thing about the phone (the 2.1 OS, which everyone and their mother has been begging for despite the relatively small improvement over 1.6), and goes on to complain about everything else. of course no one who’s complaining has touched the device, but that would never stop an internet critic.
the funny thing is, you could ask 100 different people what the ideal phone would be and you would have 100 different answers.
for every person that wants a larger screen, there’s someone else who complains the phone would be too big. for every person who like X type of keyboard, there’s someone else who prefers Y.
the article mentions one positive thing about the phone (the 2.1 OS, which everyone and their mother has been begging for despite the relatively small improvement over 1.6), and goes on to complain about everything else. of course no one who’s complaining has touched the device, but that would never stop an internet critic.
This letter is hilarious!!!! If you want a phone like the G1 just buy a windows phone from HTC and port Android onto it. It isn’t rocket science!!! 1 letter from one person isn’t going to change the entire R&D department to favor your one simple request.
This letter is hilarious!!!! If you want a phone like the G1 just buy a windows phone from HTC and port Android onto it. It isn’t rocket science!!! 1 letter from one person isn’t going to change the entire R&D department to favor your one simple request.
I am a current G1 holder and 1 yr 5 mos into my 2-yr contract. That 7mos I have left until upgrade, and everything you said above is why I still tote a G1. When I first heard about mytouch slide, I said to myself “lol…you mean a G1?” I’d be much happier if they’d just come out with an android phone, 2.1, and simply looks just like a G1. BTW , one thing I noticed about that “mytouch slide” is how much space is wasted around thew screen- that could make the screen bigger
I am a current G1 holder and 1 yr 5 mos into my 2-yr contract. That 7mos I have left until upgrade, and everything you said above is why I still tote a G1. When I first heard about mytouch slide, I said to myself “lol…you mean a G1?” I’d be much happier if they’d just come out with an android phone, 2.1, and simply looks just like a G1. BTW , one thing I noticed about that “mytouch slide” is how much space is wasted around thew screen- that could make the screen bigger
DAVID u have to mind ur own freaking bussiness if we want to say what we want to htc you dont have to be telling us what to say and what not to say just stay shut…… That phone is not a good upgrade anyways
DAVID u have to mind ur own freaking bussiness if we want to say what we want to htc you dont have to be telling us what to say and what not to say just stay shut…… That phone is not a good upgrade anyways
David L, I pose two questions? If you don’t work for HTC then why is it in your interest to debate a valid criticism?
If you DO work for htc, would listening to valid criticism help you?
Also, you said “if we don’t like it, don’t buy it” thanks. I think we have all decided already we’re not buying it. This was an open letter, asking for a product we WILL buy. Anyway I don’t know why I parse words with Capt. Obviousman.
David L, I pose two questions? If you don’t work for HTC then why is it in your interest to debate a valid criticism?
If you DO work for htc, would listening to valid criticism help you?
Also, you said “if we don’t like it, don’t buy it” thanks. I think we have all decided already we’re not buying it. This was an open letter, asking for a product we WILL buy. Anyway I don’t know why I parse words with Capt. Obviousman.
I heart the g1 and that thing called a mytouch slide is a disgrace that looks like something atnt wld support, redo the g1s specs all u have 2 do
This whole article is crap. The picture does not do this device justice. All I have to say is wait. See it in person. It is worth the wait, this coming from a fellow G1 lover that is about to drop it and run to this.
i agree, this picture really does make it look a lot sexier. and who know that fourway button may be a new touch button htc just made. nobody knows for sure until it comes out so stop complaining
http://www.androidspin.com/2010/04/12/mytouch-slide-exposed-in-a-slew-of-photos/
i meant that pic lol
I heart the g1 and that thing called a mytouch slide is a disgrace that looks like something atnt wld support, redo the g1s specs all u have 2 do
This whole article is crap. The picture does not do this device justice. All I have to say is wait. See it in person. It is worth the wait, this coming from a fellow G1 lover that is about to drop it and run to this.
i agree, this picture really does make it look a lot sexier. and who know that fourway button may be a new touch button htc just made. nobody knows for sure until it comes out so stop complaining
http://www.androidspin.com/2010/04/12/mytouch-slide-exposed-in-a-slew-of-photos/
i meant that pic lol
The letter is dead on and everyone has the right to there own opinion. That’s why I love america. And p.s. I am writing this on my g1 physical keyboard and look no mispelled words other then my own stupidity.
Htc needs to listen more to consumers rather then going for all the bling and iphone killer hooplah. Do what you do best and make a kick ass phone that mostly everyone wants. I saw a few charts and the g1 is still like in the top 6 for phone sales. That’s damn good for 2+ years running.
The letter is dead on and everyone has the right to there own opinion. That’s why I love america. And p.s. I am writing this on my g1 physical keyboard and look no mispelled words other then my own stupidity.
Htc needs to listen more to consumers rather then going for all the bling and iphone killer hooplah. Do what you do best and make a kick ass phone that mostly everyone wants. I saw a few charts and the g1 is still like in the top 6 for phone sales. That’s damn good for 2+ years running.
* Android 2.1 with HTC Sense UI
* ARM 1136 Processor
* 256 MB RAM
* 512 MB ROM
* 320 x 480 TFT Touchscreen
* 3.2 MP Camera
* MicroSD Expansion Slot
* 802.11g WiFi
* GPS
* 1300 mAh Battery
* Slide-out QWERTY Keyboard
* Android 2.1 with HTC Sense UI
* ARM 1136 Processor
* 256 MB RAM
* 512 MB ROM
* 320 x 480 TFT Touchscreen
* 3.2 MP Camera
* MicroSD Expansion Slot
* 802.11g WiFi
* GPS
* 1300 mAh Battery
* Slide-out QWERTY Keyboard
word!
word!
I cannot agree more. Coming over to Android from Blackberry, I absolutely must have a full qwerty hardware keyboard that makes sense. And I just haven’t seen one yet. From what I have heard, the G1 has an acceptable keyboard. Compare this to the likes of any of the Blackberry full keyboards and you can start to paint a picture. Lacking, big time. This is why I did not pick up an iPhone, I want a TACTILE keyboard with response! I picked up a Motorola Droid, and I can’t type without hunting and pecking, and I absolutely hate it. Even though I’ve gotten through the first two weeks and have adjusted as much as I will, I will never be able to type at 50 wpm on this thing, and I’ll never be able to type on it without looking at it. Greatly disappointed in the oversight of a good keyboard!!!
I cannot agree more. Coming over to Android from Blackberry, I absolutely must have a full qwerty hardware keyboard that makes sense. And I just haven’t seen one yet. From what I have heard, the G1 has an acceptable keyboard. Compare this to the likes of any of the Blackberry full keyboards and you can start to paint a picture. Lacking, big time. This is why I did not pick up an iPhone, I want a TACTILE keyboard with response! I picked up a Motorola Droid, and I can’t type without hunting and pecking, and I absolutely hate it. Even though I’ve gotten through the first two weeks and have adjusted as much as I will, I will never be able to type at 50 wpm on this thing, and I’ll never be able to type on it without looking at it. Greatly disappointed in the oversight of a good keyboard!!!
As a Hero owner and former (now broken) G1 user I have to say that despite being able to get an upgrade in a week (to a Legend or Desire) I am going to hold out in the hope that surely HTC must have plans to release a top of the range slider before too long! Admittedly the imminent 2.1 update should help resist the urge to upgrade to a Desire! Surely the popularity of the Droid show that there is a mass market for a quality android slider but so far we have HTC top end phones being touchscreen only, and other companies sliders being low to middle end of the market…. it just doesn’t make sense to me and I’m hopeful HTC must have a treat for us QWERTY fans…please say yes HTC!
To be specific I will state roughly what my dream HTC phone will be below – other users will no doubt have other ideals, but surely you guys above don’t really want a phone with the physical attributes of a G1!? When I look at mine collecting dust on my shelf it strikes me how ugly a phone it is compared to my Hero, which itself is ugly compared to the Legend! BTW, is it just me or did HTC get the Legend & Desire names the wrong way round!?
QWERTY sliding keyboard – ideally with 4 rows like the G1 but imho the MyTouch Slide keyboard looks fine to me!
I may be in a minority here but I would ideally like slide out section to have a control pad to the left of the keys (opposite of the Droid) and maybe dedicated gaming buttons on the right (to keep the QWERTY keys centralised). My main reason for this is so I can get the full use out of the excellent console emulators, but on the whole if this were to become more common it could potentially open up the variety of games on the market as opposed to getting second rate iphone ports which primarily use the accelerometer as it’s contol method of choice which to me is limiting.
1 ghz processor +
2.1 + with sense
3.7 to 4.3″ AMOLED or better still Super AMOLED screen
As much ROM & RAM as possible!
5 or 8 MP camera with flash
So basically something like a Desire or Evo 4G but with a QWERTY slider!
As a Hero owner and former (now broken) G1 user I have to say that despite being able to get an upgrade in a week (to a Legend or Desire) I am going to hold out in the hope that surely HTC must have plans to release a top of the range slider before too long! Admittedly the imminent 2.1 update should help resist the urge to upgrade to a Desire! Surely the popularity of the Droid show that there is a mass market for a quality android slider but so far we have HTC top end phones being touchscreen only, and other companies sliders being low to middle end of the market…. it just doesn’t make sense to me and I’m hopeful HTC must have a treat for us QWERTY fans…please say yes HTC!
To be specific I will state roughly what my dream HTC phone will be below – other users will no doubt have other ideals, but surely you guys above don’t really want a phone with the physical attributes of a G1!? When I look at mine collecting dust on my shelf it strikes me how ugly a phone it is compared to my Hero, which itself is ugly compared to the Legend! BTW, is it just me or did HTC get the Legend & Desire names the wrong way round!?
QWERTY sliding keyboard – ideally with 4 rows like the G1 but imho the MyTouch Slide keyboard looks fine to me!
I may be in a minority here but I would ideally like slide out section to have a control pad to the left of the keys (opposite of the Droid) and maybe dedicated gaming buttons on the right (to keep the QWERTY keys centralised). My main reason for this is so I can get the full use out of the excellent console emulators, but on the whole if this were to become more common it could potentially open up the variety of games on the market as opposed to getting second rate iphone ports which primarily use the accelerometer as it’s contol method of choice which to me is limiting.
1 ghz processor +
2.1 + with sense
3.7 to 4.3″ AMOLED or better still Super AMOLED screen
As much ROM & RAM as possible!
5 or 8 MP camera with flash
So basically something like a Desire or Evo 4G but with a QWERTY slider!
Don’t know about you guys, but I’m waiting for the Motorola Shadow due this summer.
Expected-Release+Date: June, 2010
Software;Environment
Embedded;Operating_System: Google Android 2.1 (Flan)
Browse devices running this OS
Memory,:Storage-capacity
RAM;capacity: 256 MiB
ROM-capacity: 512 MiB
Display
Display:Type: color transflective TFT , 16777216 scales
Display:Diagonal: 4.3 ”
Display:Resolution: 480 x 854
Video;out: Supported
Sound
Microphone(s): stereo
Loudspeaker(s): stereo
Audio:Output: 3.5mm
Cellular-Phone
Cellular-Networks: GSM850, GSM900, GSM1800, GSM1900, UMTS850, UMTS1900, UMTS2100
Cellular:Data-Links: CSD, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS
Call;Alert: 40 -chord melody
Vibrating-Alert: Supported
Control;Peripherals
Positioning;Device: Not supported
Primary-Keyboard: Not supported
Directional-Pad: Not supported
Scroll+Wheel: Not supported
Interfaces
Expansion:Slots: microSD, microSDHC, TransFlash, SDIO
USB: USB 2.0 client, 480Mbit/s
micro-USB
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
Wireless:LAN: 802.11b, 802.11g
Infrared:Gate: Not supported
Multimedia+Telecommunication
Analog:Radio_Receiver: FM radio (87.5-108MHz) with RDS
Digital-Media+Broadcast:Tuner: Not supported
Satellite+Navigation
Built-in-GPS:module: Supported
Complementary;GPS+Services: Assisted GPS, QuickGPS
Built-in-Digital-Camera
Main:Camera: 8 MP
Autofocus-(AF): Supported
Optical+Zoom: 1 x
Macro:Mode: Supported
Built-in:Flash: mobile light (LED)
Additional;Details
Built-in:accelerometer: Supported
Battery: removable
Don’t know about you guys, but I’m waiting for the Motorola Shadow due this summer.
Expected-Release+Date: June, 2010
Software;Environment
Embedded;Operating_System: Google Android 2.1 (Flan)
Browse devices running this OS
Memory,:Storage-capacity
RAM;capacity: 256 MiB
ROM-capacity: 512 MiB
Display
Display:Type: color transflective TFT , 16777216 scales
Display:Diagonal: 4.3 ”
Display:Resolution: 480 x 854
Video;out: Supported
Sound
Microphone(s): stereo
Loudspeaker(s): stereo
Audio:Output: 3.5mm
Cellular-Phone
Cellular-Networks: GSM850, GSM900, GSM1800, GSM1900, UMTS850, UMTS1900, UMTS2100
Cellular:Data-Links: CSD, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS
Call;Alert: 40 -chord melody
Vibrating-Alert: Supported
Control;Peripherals
Positioning;Device: Not supported
Primary-Keyboard: Not supported
Directional-Pad: Not supported
Scroll+Wheel: Not supported
Interfaces
Expansion:Slots: microSD, microSDHC, TransFlash, SDIO
USB: USB 2.0 client, 480Mbit/s
micro-USB
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
Wireless:LAN: 802.11b, 802.11g
Infrared:Gate: Not supported
Multimedia+Telecommunication
Analog:Radio_Receiver: FM radio (87.5-108MHz) with RDS
Digital-Media+Broadcast:Tuner: Not supported
Satellite+Navigation
Built-in-GPS:module: Supported
Complementary;GPS+Services: Assisted GPS, QuickGPS
Built-in-Digital-Camera
Main:Camera: 8 MP
Autofocus-(AF): Supported
Optical+Zoom: 1 x
Macro:Mode: Supported
Built-in:Flash: mobile light (LED)
Additional;Details
Built-in:accelerometer: Supported
Battery: removable
I agree, but I have 2 gripes about the current G1. Its ugly and the keyboard off center. I’d like to see Tmo make a new sidekick (they own the name but not the danger OS or hindge.) Use the G1 screen hindge exaggerate it a bit and make it pretty. Oh and give it more power and a bigger screen, and a rubber 5 row keyboard like the sidekick 2, lastly I’m going to need to root it safely like the nexus.
I agree, but I have 2 gripes about the current G1. Its ugly and the keyboard off center. I’d like to see Tmo make a new sidekick (they own the name but not the danger OS or hindge.) Use the G1 screen hindge exaggerate it a bit and make it pretty. Oh and give it more power and a bigger screen, and a rubber 5 row keyboard like the sidekick 2, lastly I’m going to need to root it safely like the nexus.
As a G1 owner, he just spoke my mind..
As a G1 owner, he just spoke my mind..
evo with an improved g1 like keyboard.. common HTC !
evo with an improved g1 like keyboard.. common HTC !
Hello.I ‘m genuinely interested in the.Where can I pick up more stuff about it? Some advice?
Hello.I ‘m genuinely interested in the.Where can I pick up more stuff about it? Some advice?