SvenOnTech received its Verizon XV6700 Windows Mobile 5.0 phone today and first impressions are not too good. The thing is slow as heck when installing and syncing with ActiveSync 4.0 seems to be slower then when we were on USB 1.0 with our beloved iPAQ 3600. Another annoying thing of ActiveSync 4.0 is it simply shows "Processing" instead of "2 of 100 synchronized" in the status column. So when you’re syncing thousands of records, you might get the feeling that it’s hung when it’s not. Of course there is no way to change back to the older and better way.

Another issue we’ve found is older applications seem to make the smartphone a brick. Installing SPQ Today Plus tweaks out. The OK button responds slowly or not at all. When you make changes to the Today screen, it takes nearly one minute for you to exit the settings screen and be presented with your changes on the Today screen. I don’t know how many resets I did thinking it had locked up.

The phone activation was the best, though. Due to the slow boot and even slower Today screen issue, it appeared it had locked up twice. The progress indicator just stopped for a full minute and twice I soft reseted the device. The third time I just sat watching it and it finally came up properly.

So at this point, I’m not impressed at all. I wouldn’t say it’s any fault of UTStarcom but of Microsoft. Windows Mobile 5.0 should better handle legacy ware then it is here. Could you imagine this problem going from Windows 2000 to XP? If Microsoft fears issues, then don’t allow the app to run at all.

We’ll probably to a hard-reset and try over without the plug-ins. Pocket Informant is a priority for me and that’ll get on the device but that’s all we’ll install to see what is causing these issue before giving it a real test.

Update: Read our post “A Week with the XV6700” for an update.

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