[8525, TyTN, MDA Vario II, JasJam General] GuestK0050:
I created a big stink on ho-fo because my TyTN was defective and I tried to return it after the 7 day policy of the online reseller.

Listen, I would be neglectful if I didn't tell you you are taking a big risk by purchasing this device, regardless of where you buy it. As you may have read here, this device has a serious quality control issue. Even replacement units are not always bug free.

That being said here are some things you really need to consider when purchasing this phone.

HTC is not obligated to repair your phone outside of the countries where it is meant to be sold. The United States is not on this list. I read the warenty documentation carefully. This doesn't mean they won't repair it, it just means they can tell you to bug off at their leisure. You could end up shipping this thing back to Europe and who knows if you will ever see it again.

The phone will cost between $700 to $800. Now that's a lot given that HTC isn't obligated to fix it, and the retailers you will encounter online will only offer a 7 day "exchange" policy only. Not only that, this policy may not be made clear to you during the checkout procedure.

Now assuming the HTC didn't have the number of issues that have been reported here, I could recommend someone to buy it from, but I certainly don't want you to take the chance of ending up with a defunct device with no warranty and basically up **** creek without a paddle.

While the device is "fun" and "neat" I doubt it's really going to provide you with any more functionality than your current device.

Now onto some positive information...

I have an older $19.99 media net package. It has unlimited data. I get 1200 text messages and 200 MMS messages. This package will work fine on the TyTN regardless of what anyone at Cingular will tell you.

What they won't tell you is what the physical difference between MediaNet and the PDA/Laptop plan are.

Firstly, there is not speed difference, if you have HSDPA, then you get the speed, period.

Secondly, Media.Net uses a fake IP address, similar to what happens when you have a router at home. the PDA Plan will give you a real internet IP address that people can connect to from the internet. The operational difference is simple, Media.Net will not allow you to use Corporate VPN, I have tried. Skype, and about every other application will work fine on Media.Net.

I don't know why Cingular makes such a big Stink about this, I use Cingular video MobiTV and you can literally eat hundreds of megabytes of data using Cingular's very own Media.Net applications. It's really just a scam to get you to buy a more expensive plan, which is fine if you need VPN.

As for me, I'm in the process of returning my TyTN and I'll stick with the LG CU500. It's an excellent phone. I think I'll find a PDA with 640x480 and bluetooth and just get the internet via the phone over bluetooth. This way I only need to carry the bigger device around when I need it and the phone just works without any complication.

If you can accept all the complications and risks involved in buying an imported phone for that amount of money, then I can recommend a good person, however I didn't fair so well.

Wait for the Cingular version.

-James