First, let me explain what I am and what I am not.  I am a dude who is proficient at software programming.  I am a “techie geek”, I guess.  But, not with cell phones so much.  My previous phone was a Blackberry 8320, which I loved.  Before that, I used the Danger Side-Kick.  So, my experience with smart phones is minimal.

So, I did upgrade to the HD2 from the Blackberry without much thought as to what a huge change it would be for me.  I just thought Windows Mobile would be like the Blackberry OS, only better.  That is as far as I considered the change.

Aside from talking and text, I use my phone to read news in an internet browser, listen to mp3 music and watch movies.  I also connect to my web servers via SSH and Remote Desktop on a regular basis. I also need to tether occasionally.  Thus, based on its specs and features, the HD2 seemed like a good choice to improve my experience over the Blackberry Curve 8320.

But alas, the first day I had my HTC, I hated it.  Seriously.  I had such trouble adjusting to the on-screen keyboard that I considered returning the phone to T-Mobile and getting another Blackberry instead.  The lack of a keyboard is a major flaw in this phone’s design as far as I was concerned.  After some time and much practice, I did get used to the onscreen keyboard, though I still make more typos than I did with my Blackberry which had a standard keyboard.

After a few days of tinkering, my tune had changed and I literally fell in love with the HD2!  The learning curve was steeper than I had imagined, but compared to my old Blackberry, the HD2 was like a fantastic new toy which could do so much more than I was used to.  One of the best things to me is the ability to download a hack to turn the phone into a wireless WIFI router which I can connect to through my laptop.  Amazing!  I love this phone.

Pros

• Large screen with a brilliant picture and bright.  Perfect for playing movies (similar in size to a Sony PSP screen).
• Attractively styled phone.  Pretty to look at.  An eye-catcher.
• Fast. Applications usually load quickly unless the phone has been on for a long time (requires a reboot at least once per day).
• Touch screen is reactive and fairly easy to use
• Windows marketplace (somewhat organized and a decent selection of Apps)
• Aftermarket for WinMo software is pretty good.
• 5 MP camera works great.  Photos are crisp and clear.  Auto-focus is outstanding.
• The Windows Mobile 6.5 OS has many after market (non-Microsoft) hacks which can be downloaded and installed to improve the function of the OS.  Most of these are free.
• Works as a wireless WIFI router (Requires downloading and installing a hack).
• Uploading photos to facebook is a one touch affair.  Very easy.
• Software called “foot prints” is a nifty program that integrates with GPF and your camera to create a photo album during vacations, excursions, etc.

Cons

• No slide out key board
• Touch screens get messy from oily fingers and I find myself cleaning it multiple times per day.
• I find Windows 6.5 OS is quirky just like it’s big brother, Windows XP/Vista, etc.
• Battery life!  If you use this full featured phone as it was intended, you will be lucky to get 5 hours out of your battery.  Seriously, HTC, improve the battery life already.
• I find answering/making phone calls is somewhat clunky.  Since this *is* a phone, I would hope that Microsoft rethink this on the next WinMo release.
• While I am happy that WinMo has an apps marketplace, it could be better.  I have heard that Apple IPhone’s app store is legendary.  It seems the Windows Marketplace is not so legendary.
• I wish there were more apps for this phone.
• Onscreen keyboard pretty much sucks for me.  I have small fingers but I still have a hard time typing text messages.  I am constantly hitting the wrong keys, even after 2 weeks of practicing.  Maybe this is the same on all touch screen phones so it is not necessarily a “con”, but for me, it is.

I’ve read many reviews where the people slam the Windows Mobile 6.5 OS.  I understand where this disdain comes from as Windows 6.5 does seem to be lacking and even plain in many areas.  But, coming from the Blackberry Curve 8320, the WinMo 6.5 OS is completely awesome to me.  It allows me to do so much.  Some of my favorite uses for my HD2 aside from talking or texting are;

1. Watching movies
2. Listening to audio books and talk radio podcasts
3. Using my HD2 as a WIFI router with the 3G
4. Connecting to my Linux servers via Putty SSH for mobiles
5. FTP’ing to my web site
6. Browing face book
7. Taking photos (The 5 mb autofocus camera is truly fantastic!)
8. Taking videos

Overall, I am very happy with the HD2 by HTC. The learning curve was a bit high, even for a techie like me.  But, if you have used a touch screen smartphone before, it should be fairly easy for you.  None-the-less, I believe it is definitely worth buying, especially if you are a techie geek like me.

In short, I love this phone.  It gives me a great media experience and I can do much techie stuff with it too.  Get one!