[HTC Desire S] Edward Lowy:
Wireless - unfit for purpose

Have had a Desire for about a year, quite superb phone.

Got a Desire S yesterday - set about configuring it on my office desk where the Desire has always functioned perfectly. Wireless problem is immediately apparent just with Desire S lying on desk, let alone holding it - wireless signal dropped out about 10 times during configuration. Unacceptable, phone going straight back to supplier next week.

I do not believe this is a software problem, it is straightforward bad industrial design. Software changes may disguise the syndrome but fundamentally if anything is touching the top rear panel which houses the camera (& wireless), the signal reduces rapidly and significantly and will either drop out entirely or reduce connection speed depending on signal strength where you are.

Other personal dislikes :

1) side location of USB charger. If you are charging your phone and want to use it, it is very awkward to hold.

2) HTC Location software - contrary to some reports, no problem to use Google maps and Navigation, but default map link if looking up a contact or diary entry is HTC Locations. Yes, this does have the merit that you can download a map for offline use, but Google Maps is so superior in functionality and use, and is so well integrated to your desktop Google experience, i find it disappointing that HTC have decided to interfere.

A significant part of my decision to get into Android last year was that Android = Google, and I appreciate the utility of Google software. Quite why HTC have decided to waste R&D resources on supplying an inferior mapping system is beyond me. Getting too big for their boots I would say, and it will inspire me to look at Samsung / LG to replace the Desire S. If they gave you a choice as to what map system to use, I would not have an issue with this, but they don't so I do!

Just a small example that irritates me - when going to a meeting, I generally put the full address in the diary entry. Then, when going there, click on the entry and use Google Maps / Navi to get to the destination. If I know that I am likely to return to that place, just "star" it on the phone, and that entry is then also starred in Google for me on any other device for use in the future. This workflow completely screwed by HTC trying to be smarter than Google

I also fear the growth in very average "services" like HTC Sense.com is an indicator that HTC are getting onvolved in areas that are not part of their skillset and - in my view - devalue their brand significantly. very possibly the first sparks of their very own burning platform.

3) illumination of soft keys. Does not happen even in the dark, so much more difficult to use these keys in low light conditions than on original desire. I have managed to see the keys illuminated once, briefly. Don't know how it happened and am too stupid to figure it out.

Good things about the Desire S :

1) design is quite nice, but is not a quantum leap ahead of Desire in my view.

2) much increased space for apps. Excellent.

3) there are some nice incremental modifications to Sense - for me the email client has moved nicely along. However, there are some frustrations too - where the Mail app on a homescreen would show the total number of unread emails (a useful nag to me to get on and read them), it now only shows you the number of unread emails since you last looked at your Inbox. So, if you have 20 unread emails, and you look at your Inbox, and open 2 of them, the "old" Sense would continue to nag you that you have 18 unread, the "new" Sense will show no unread emails. A small but unnecessary and backward change in my view.

4) quick notifications - good, but why no ability to switch to Aircraft mode or to switch to silence / vibrate?

5) list of recent programs in Notifications bar - OK, but unnecessary in my view as holding Home button does this anyway, and still does.

I can't comment on battery life as have not had it long enough!

I would not under any circumstance recommend this phone purely and simply because of the wireless issue. I believe it has an inherent design defect and should not be marketed.

Aside from that, the software enhancements are broadly positive, but even then something of a mixed bag depending upon your usage. A disappointing introduction from HTC. I hope my experience if of assistance to any potential purchasers.

Edward