Sprint Mogul GPS is Awesome

A while ago, I wrote an entry about Sprint Mogul's (aka HTC Mogul) delayed in delivering its GPS functionality. Shortly after that, Sprint released a firmware which allows all of their Mogul users the ability to navigate via TeleNav.

This weekend, I've had the pleasure to test out the Sprint Mogul in person and I am quite impressed by this phone, especially its GPS functionality. Unlike my N95-3 which requires the slider to be open and takes atleast 2 minutes in a non-moving state to get a satelite fix, the Mogul can get a fix while traveling at 70MPH under 30 seconds. Using EV-DO, telenav's maps are loaded quickly to keep up the demand. Re-routing is also quick. I can hold the phone inside a car, away from the windshield while remain connected to the GPS satelite. All of these blows away N95's GPS performance.

In addition, the overall built quality and design for the Mogul is quite nice as well. The overall profile is thinner than my previous phone AT&T 8525 (HTC Hermes or TyTN) with a much better slider mechanism that is spring-loaded. The buttons give a better feedback as well. To be quite honest, I am very impressed at the Mogul, if this had been my last phone, there is a chance I would not have upgraded to the Nokia N95-3 especially now that Skyfire Beta is available for full web browsing experience.

Sprint HTC Mogul Sucks – Disabled GPS

My friend John picked up a brand new Mogul (aka PPC6800, XV6800, HTC-P4000) back in July of 2007 from Sprint. This was the perfect phone for him. WM6 Professional, 3G EV-DO Data, WiFi, 163MB usable memory (more than twice of many standard HTC/Smartphones out there at the time) and GPS… well, atleast at the time of purchase, he was told soon, a firmware will be available to enable the onboard GPS.

Fast forward to Q1, 2008. John is still waiting anxiously for an update to enable its onboard GPS. And it doesn't seem like its very hopeful. He is now reaching the the half-way point for a two-year contract and is not sure what to do.

I think Sprint should give him a refund and free him from his 2-year contract. At the time of purchase, Sprint marketed this phone as having GPS. As of now, no one knows when the firmware will ever come out. On top of that, Sprint has removed the GPS function from this device on their website. I can’t stand it when Carriers and Manufacturers work together to suppress features. Any other Mogul user out there feel the same?

(Update: 3/10/2008 - As Dieter has commented, a release was made available today. According to Engadget, they aren't sure if the GPS option made it in, but according to BuzzAboutWireless forum, GPS is now supported along with the EVDO Rev A. speed improvment. Sprint confirmed GPS is now supported.