HTC Apache

Information appliance| title = HTC Apache


manufacturer = UTStarcom
type = Pocket PC Phone
connectivity = Bluetooth, WiFi, USB, IR
lifespan =
media = MiniSD, 128 MB internal memory
operatingsystem = Windows Mobile 5
camera = 1.3 Megapixel
input = Keyboard/Touchscreen
power = Battery
cpu = 416 MHz PXA270
display = 64k-color TFT
touchpad = Sensitive TouchscreenThe HTC Apache is a Windows Mobile 5.0 device, sold as the PPC-6700 by Sprint, and the XV6700 by Verizon Wireless and various other US carriers. This device was one of the first CDMA Windows Mobile 5.0 devices on the market, and the first to be released in the United States. It has a unique form factor, including a slide out keyboard.

The device was originally available in the U.S. as a Sprint PCS exclusive in October 2005. It is now offered by Cellular South, ALLTEL, Qwest, Sprint, Embarq and Verizon Wireless.

In Canada, the PPC-6700 was originally offered by Telus in December 2005, Bell Canada in April 2006, and Sasktel in August 2006.

The upgraded generation of this model is the HTC Mogul, also known as the HTC Titan (TyTN), the PPC-6800, or the XV6800 from Verizon Wireless.

Features

* CDMA 1xRTT/EVDO
* Bluetooth
* 802.11b Wi-Fi abilities
* 1.3 Megapixel camera/Camcorder
* Built in QWERTY Slide out keyboard (but no hardware ctrl key)
* Blue LED backlight
* 2.88" 64K color TFT Touchscreen
* Speakerphone
* USB and infrared dial up networking
* MiniSD / MMC Card Slot"Reference: Section 5.4 of the Verizon XV6700 User Manual (expansion slot compatible with miniSD and MMC cards)"

pecifications

*Band: CDMA 800/1900
*Weight: 6.07 oz
*Dimensions: 4.25" x 2.32" x 0.93"
*Battery Type: Lithium Ion Polymer 1350 mAh
*Display Resolution: 240x320 16-bit QVGA
*Built in memory: 128 MB (Flash memory), 64 MB Ram

Design Modifications & Usability Concerns

The HTC 6700's oversized keyboard was touted as the most usable keyboard of any mobile phone device. The product contained white LED's behind a "dual-shot" plastic key set of both clear and red plastic. The white light shone through the clear keys creating white illumination for the Alpha characters. The translucent red plastic, when combined with white light created a red glow for the alternate characters and together the keyboard was brilliantly lit and quite usable in dark conditions where a backlight is intended and needed.

A few months into the US launch, HTC changed the LED color from white to blue because of visibility difficulties. In daylight, there was not enough contrast between the white illumination of the alpha keys A-Z to the silver keyboard. As a result, HTC switched to blue LED's. Unfortunately the change to blue created another problem.

When blue light passes through dark red plastic, the resulting color is purple. In the 6700, that purple illumination is so dim that the alternate characters are barely visible in the dark, degrading the usability of the keyboard at night. The Alpha keys, being clear plastic are brilliantly illuminated by the blue light which further diminishes the very dimly lit alternate characters, effectively making them illegible. HTC has failed to correct the issue.

Regardless of its flaws, it still is highly regarded as one of the most versatile Windows Mobile devices ever manufactured. Due to the overwhelming popularity of the device there are many unofficial Operating System releases found on the Internet. Most notably, Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional.

External links

* [http://www.htc.com Manufacturer's Site]
* [http://www.htc.com/product/03-products-11.htm#2 Product Page]
* [http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile Microsoft Windows Mobile]
* [http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/forumdisplay.php?f=14 Custom Rom Enthusiasts]
* [http://ppckitchen.org/joomla/index.php HTC Custom Rom Kitchen]
* [http://www.utstar.com/pcd/phone_downloads.aspx?bid=39&cid=1&mid=76&carrier=Verizon%20Wireless UT Starcom support link for Verizon Wireless]
* [http://www.utstar.com/pcd/phone_downloads.aspx?bid=30&cid=2&mid=61&carrier=Sprint UT Starcom support link for Sprint]
* [http://www.handhelds.org/moin/moin.cgi/ApacheLinux Running Linux on the HTC Apache phone]