HTC Desire newbie question

chattychappy

I'm new to this smartphone game...

I travel alot and have a number of SIMs from different countries. Sometimes I roam, sometimes I use a local SIM. Sometimes I have internet included, usually I don't.

I'm thinking of the HTC Desire because someone younger than me told me "I must get it". I use internet on the move alot, but not really email.

1) If I get a HTC Desire in the UK, will it be unlocked? I'm on T-Mobile and have previously bought phones from Carphone Warehouse (mostly Nokias and they've always been unlocked).

2) Is it relatively easy to change the SIM without wrecking the phone? Any "software" type issues I should be aware of?

3) How easy is it to disable internet access so I won't have bill shock? Is the phone still usable without it? (Eg can still text make phone calls etc...)

If given the usage above another mobile would be more suitable... I'm all ears.

Thanks so much!

Browntoa

1) will be network locked ( but is unlockable)

2) straight sim swap ( although some network branded features may not work )

3) not sure......though it seems data roaming can be turned off so probably yes

vodafone rep here

http://forum.vodafone.co.uk/topic/57961-htc-hd2-data-roaming-in-portugal/

suggest ways to ensure

DCFC79

1 i believe phones from cpw are known to be unlocked(just going by these forums)

2 cant answer but i guess its easy to do

3 i do know on th desire you can turn 3g off so it dont connect, yes of course the phone is still useable in this state,

nickmack

chattychappy wrote: »

3) How easy is it to disable internet access so I won't have bill shock? Is the phone still usable without it? (Eg can still text make phone calls etc...)

You can disable Data when Roaming in Menu>Settings>Wireless and Networks>Mobile Networks>Data Roaming

If you want to be *really* sure, download APNDroid free from the Android Market which allows you to turn off Data via a Widget and modifies the APN name so the device can't connect.

flyingscotno1

chattychappy wrote: »

I'm new to this smartphone game...

I travel alot and have a number of SIMs from different countries. Sometimes I roam, sometimes I use a local SIM. Sometimes I have internet included, usually I don't.

I'm thinking of the HTC Desire because someone younger than me told me "I must get it". I use internet on the move alot, but not really email.

1) If I get a HTC Desire in the UK, will it be unlocked? I'm on T-Mobile and have previously bought phones from Carphone Warehouse (mostly Nokias and they've always been unlocked).

2) Is it relatively easy to change the SIM without wrecking the phone? Any "software" type issues I should be aware of?

3) How easy is it to disable internet access so I won't have bill shock? Is the phone still usable without it? (Eg can still text make phone calls etc...)

If given the usage above another mobile would be more suitable... I'm all ears.

Thanks so much!

1. Carphone Warehouse stock has been generic and just unbranded Desires so unlocked. Mine is.

2. Piece of cake- take back off, battery off, replace sim. Get everything back on, it will tell you the card has been changed, give you some options.

3. Again no real issues, however the power of the phone is internet, but not always possible.

bubblesmoney

nickmack wrote: »

You can disable Data when Roaming in Menu>Settings>Wireless and Networks>Mobile Networks>Data Roaming

If you want to be *really* sure, download APNDroid free from the Android Market which allows you to turn off Data via a Widget and modifies the APN name so the device can't connect.

htc has preinstalled loads of widgets and toggles on the desire. you just have to put them on the home screen if you wish to have them.

see power control widgets http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oJh4xGMdSQ this gives 5 toggles crammed into 1 widget bar, these control - wifi / gps / blueetooth / data synching / screen brightness. you can install these toggles from home screen. press + in bottom right of the screen then press widget then press power control you will get the above mentioned power control widget bar.

you can also install extra widgets from home screen. press + in bottom right of the screen then press widget then press settings you will get five options - airplane mode / bluetooth / wifi / mobile network / gps.

i have installed the power control widget and also extra widgets for airplane mode and mobile network control. all are preinstalled on the htc desire by htc, you just need to put them on the screen.

they work flawlessly unlike many market apps. and they take less space on the screen.

you dont even need widgets. you can access most of these features from the power switch on top of the phone. just long press the power button, this will give you a pop up menu with 5 options - power off / silent mode / vibration mode / airplane mode / mobile network off.

the mobile network widget does exactly the same as the apn change / droid toggle that is switches off data connection and makes the phone just like an old fashioned phone that can call and text only. this is preinstalled by htc on the desire. so no need to download. the airplane mode switches off all antennas on the desire and you can use other features like camera and media player etc.

chattychappy

Thanks for the answers. Looks like it will do the job...

bubblesmoney wrote: »

you dont even need widgets. you can access most of these features from the power switch on top of the phone.

Oh and will it play my old 78s?

DCFC79

chattychappy wrote: »

Thanks for the answers. Looks like it will do the job...



Oh and will it play my old 78s?

whats 78's

chattychappy

Just in case... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSINO6MKtco

nickmack

bubblesmoney wrote: »

they work flawlessly unlike many market apps. and they take less space on the screen.

I have the power control widget on one of my home screens, but I control everything automatically anyway, so I very rarely need to use it. Also, I wouldn't say I've had issues with 'many' market apps.

the mobile network widget does exactly the same as the apn change / droid toggle that is switches off data connection and makes the phone just like an old fashioned phone that can call and text only. this is preinstalled by htc on the desire. so no need to download. the airplane mode switches off all antennas on the desire and you can use other features like camera and media player etc.

The reason for suggesting APNDroid for the OP is that it works with 3G Watchdog to stop the Data Connection when you near your data limit. That's very useful if you want to avoid excess data charges.

maxtweenie

nickmack wrote: »

You can disable Data when Roaming in Menu>Settings>Wireless and Networks>Mobile Networks>Data Roaming

If you want to be *really* sure, download APNDroid free from the Android Market which allows you to turn off Data via a Widget and modifies the APN name so the device can't connect.

Simply switching Data Roaming off won't stop the OP getting a big bill, they need to switch off ALL data.

MENU, SETTINGS, WIRELESS AND NETWORKS, then take the tick out of MOBILE NETWORK. That will stop the phone connecting to the internet completely.