Nokia N96 -> HTC Touch 3G ?

[Tomsk]

I'm not too happy with my N96 - it's generally OK, but I miss having a touch screen (my previous phone was a Mio A701).

I'm on Orange and can get a free upgrade to a HTC Touch 3G.

Would this be an upgrade or downgrade?
Or should I save my pennies for a HTC Touch Pro 2 (I quite fancy the QWERTY keyboard)?

Before anyone asks, I don't like iPhones, and actually prefer WM.

 

[Columbo]

Touch Pro 2 mate without question or even the Touch HD if you can but do-not go for the Touch 3g.

Its only got a QVGA (320x240) screen for a start and both the Touch Pro 2 and HD offer that lurverly 800x480 screen.

The HD is still the best phone Ive browsed the net on tbh and that includes my iPhone.

 

[Tomsk]

Well I decided to ignore your advice Mancubus and got the Touch 3G anyway.

It's a very nice phone, a lot lighter and slimmer than the N96. The QVGA resolution isn't a problem as it's the same as the N96, but bigger. The phone is a fingerprint magnet though and I imagine the 'rubberised' coating back plate won't last too long.

The worst thing about it is (was ) the Orange firmware. The 'Unique' system is a rip-off as it effectively means you get to pay Orange for using your own wifi connection. Needless to say with the help of the folks over at xda-developers forum I've flashed it to an alternate firmware.

It will do for now as I've reduced my contract by £11/month and should be able to get>£100 for my N96 (selling it cheap to a relative) which will all go to my Touch Pro 2 fund.

 

[Columbo]

Well I decided to ignore your advice Mancubus and got the Touch 3G anyway.

It's a very nice phone, a lot lighter and slimmer than the N96. The QVGA resolution isn't a problem as it's the same as the N96, but bigger. The phone is a fingerprint magnet though and I imagine the 'rubberised' coating back plate won't last too long.

The worst thing about it is (was ) the Orange firmware. The 'Unique' system is a rip-off as it effectively means you get to pay Orange for using your own wifi connection. Needless to say with the help of the folks over at xda-developers forum I've flashed it to an alternate firmware.

It will do for now as I've reduced my contract by £11/month and should be able to get>£100 for my N96 (selling it cheap to a relative) which will all go to my Touch Pro 2 fund.

Well if you are happy mate, then thats what really counts. Glad to see youve been on the XDA dev forums for some advice.

Whats that rubbish orange 'unique' thing you are talking about? Surely paying Orange to use your own Wi-Fi connection cant be real?

 

[Tomsk]

Whats that rubbish orange 'unique' thing you are talking about? Surely paying Orange to use your own Wi-Fi connection cant be real?

I can't remember all the small print, what little there was of it regarding Unique, but it said that even when connected to a wifi service Orange Data charges still apply. There's a few mentions (complaints) about it on some forums.

Unique is Orange's name for a feature where a suitably equipped mobile phone can use a local wifi service (where permitted) as an extended phone network. A few other mobile providers also have a similar service.
wiki link

Because the phone is still effectively connected to Orange's WAN any data is coming via Orange and is charged for. Therefore, when connected via your own wifi, you're paying Orange for the privilege.

 

[Columbo]

Ah right I see, I thought it was referring to simple internet browsing but its obviously encompassing calls as well.

Still looks like a total rip-off though and I would have done the same as you by getting rid of the bloody thing.

 

[Skully]

Unique is a complete joke.

My brother got the Touch 3G from Orange but luckily I knew how to flash a new ROM so did it quickly!

They must make so much money ripping people off with their Unique rubbish from general users.

 

[Tomsk]

The official small print:

When you browse the internet on your phone, your service plan data charges will apply, even if you are connected using the Unique service. Unique is designed to boost your mobile call coverage and won't connect you to the internet through your home broadband.

A 'unique' rip-off.

 

[AndyC]

Hi all, is this easy to do do I have the first gen touch and was torn between a the new one and maybe a sony 995 (if i can get it for free) however once I found out about the orange wifi put me right off the 3G,

Does this put it back to the standard htc rom? and allow further upgrades from the htc site,

Edit had a quick look on the XDA dev forums, still not sure

 

[Tomsk]

It's quite easy to flash the ROM. Just start with the 'Jade Flashing Guide for NOOBS' in the ROM developement forum and follow the links etc. I recommend that you do it from a Windows XP system. I couldn't get it working under Vista64HP. I printed out the first page of each thread as I find it's easier to digest the info from paper rather than a computer screen.

You'll have to pick a ROM to flash. There's a list of some of what's available in the ROM link thread. I think the UK Jade 1.40 is the basic default ROM. I used JADEMAN's SuperROM, but this needs to be built up first.

After flashing, I don't think official HTC upgrades from the site will work, because HTC use a serial number checker.

 

[AndyC]

It's quite easy to flash the ROM. Just start with the 'Jade Flashing Guide for NOOBS' in the ROM developement forum and follow the links etc. I recommend that you do it from a Windows XP system. I couldn't get it working under Vista64HP. I printed out the first page of each thread as I find it's easier to digest the info from paper rather than a computer screen.

You'll have to pick a ROM to flash. There's a list of some of what's available in the ROM link thread. I think the UK Jade 1.40 is the basic default ROM. I used JADEMAN's SuperROM, but this needs to be built up first.

After flashing, I don't think official HTC upgrades from the site will work, because HTC use a serial number checker.

Thanks Tomsk, That's great thank you,