HTC's driver problem, Resulting in faulty functionality Options

[Florin Troaca]

HTC is by far the largest Windows Mobile handset manufacturer, we all know that, but it seems that not all users are happy with their Pocket PCs and smartphones performances. Especially those that are embedding the latest Qualcomm chipset MSM7200. The devices known to have problems include the HTC TyTN II (which is being sold under different names, depending on the mobile operator: HTC Kaiser, AT&T Tilt, T-Mobile MDA Vario III or Vodafone v1615), HTC Touch Cruise (also sold as O2 XDA Orbit II or HTC Polaris), HTC Touch Dual, HTC Wings (also known as HTC S730) and so on.

HTC's PDAs that are running on Qualcomm MSM7500 or Qualcomm MSM7200 platforms have often been criticized for not working at their full video capabilities, because of the lack of drivers. This translates into sluggish rendering of the GPS maps or very slow video playback (lags and skipping frames) and many other issues, which have been reported by lots of HTC users. Advertised as top of the line chipsets, Qualcomm's MSM7500 and MSM7200 chips are under performing even the older MSM6500 chips that are embedded in much older models like HTC TyTN. Basically, all that is graphics related and needs to be shown on the screen will be slowed down by this lack of drivers. While PDA manufacturers didn't seem to care much about the problem, nor to identify it, hundreds and hundreds of users are complaining of low performance devices bought at high prices.

Before launching its latest chips, Qualcomm said it will contain a dual-core processor: an ARM9 that handles the phone-radio aspect and a more powerful ARM11 CPU that handles the operating system, multimedia and graphic features, as well as gaming. Besides this dual-core processor Qualcomm's chipsets contain all that a high-end phone usually features today: GPS, HSDPA, Wi-FI, FM Radio, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP support, graphic acceleration and so on. All chipsets have the same price, but activating one or more of these features adds to the selling price. Want to add a new feature to a new handset, you have to pay Qualcomm. Still, it's Qualcomm who didn't supplied HTC with drivers, thus the so called 'graphics acceleration' is just a myth. The HTC Touch Diamond can be considered an exception, especially after the launch of the latest ROM, which seem to activate parts of its hardware acceleration.

What do you think about Qualcomm's policy to separately sell every feature? What do you think about Qualcomm not telling HTC that their devices will 'blow' without the necessary drivers to activate some of these features (video acceleration)?

This post has been edited by Florin Troaca: Aug 8 2008, 18:49

[blkndwhite]

HTC is by far the largest Windows Mobile handset manufacturer, we all know that, but it seems that not all users are happy with their Pocket PCs and smartphones performances. Especially those that are embedding the latest Qualcomm chipset MSM7200. The devices known to have problems include the HTC TyTN II (which is being sold under different names, depending on the mobile operator: HTC Kaiser, AT&T Tilt, T-Mobile MDA Vario III or Vodafone v1615), HTC Touch Cruise (also sold as O2 XDA Orbit II or HTC Polaris), HTC Touch Dual, HTC Wings (also known as HTC S730) and so on.

HTC's PDAs that are running on Qualcomm MSM7500 or Qualcomm MSM7200 platforms have often been criticized for not working at their full video capabilities, because of the lack of drivers. This translates into sluggish rendering of the GPS maps or very slow video playback (lags and skipping frames) and many other issues, which have been reported by lots of HTC users. Advertised as top of the line chipsets, Qualcomm's MSM7500 and MSM7200 chips are under performing even the older MSM6500 chips that are embedded in much older models like HTC TyTN. Basically, all that is graphics related and needs to be shown on the screen will be slowed down by this lack of drivers. While PDA manufacturers didn't seem to care much about the problem, nor to identify it, hundreds and hundreds of users are complaining of low performance devices bought at high prices.

Before launching its latest chips, Qualcomm said it will contain a dual-core processor: an ARM9 that handles the phone-radio aspect and a more powerful ARM11 CPU that handles the operating system, multimedia and graphic features, as well as gaming. Besides this dual-core processor Qualcomm's chipsets contain all that a high-end phone usually features today: GPS, HSDPA, Wi-FI, FM Radio, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP support, graphic acceleration and so on. All chipsets have the same price, but activating one or more of these features adds to the selling price. Want to add a new feature to a new handset, you have to pay Qualcomm. Still, it's Qualcomm who didn't supplied HTC with drivers, thus the so called 'graphics acceleration' is just a myth. The HTC Touch Diamond can be considered an exception, especially after the launch of the latest ROM, which seem to activate parts of its hardware acceleration.

What do you think about Qualcomm's policy to separately sell every feature? What do you think about Qualcomm not telling HTC that their devices will 'blow' without the necessary drivers to activate some of these features (video acceleration)?

I bought HTC Touch Diamond from Hong Kong, English version. I live in Saudi Arabia. When I contacted HTC CS for the arrabic support, driver, which is available, I was told that since I bought the piece from HKG, I can only down load from HKG support site at which they do not list the arabic support driver. According to HTC source they have an agreament with MS to divide the world into regions and each peice is tide to that region. Why then it is called Mobile? This is a kind of monopoly and at the end it is we who pay the price..

Regards,

This post has been edited by blkndwhite: Aug 30 2008, 19:21

[Florin Tibu]

@blkndwhite

you're totally right! to me it seems like the same dvd-region crap. i mean, for god's name, i've PAID for a movie, haven't i? then why can't i make proper use of this movie "wherever i may roam"? after all it's more like an attempt to make people pay twice, in case you spend half a year in brunei and half a year in uk, let's say. once i've paid for my mobile device i've paid for what's inside... and asking for a language pack or specific FREE driver seems only natural.. it's not like you want mobile vista or god knows what other sorts of wacky things... i guess it the MS and not the HTC hand... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) the MS guys look more and more prone to fishy deals.