Well… my relationship with the Shift starts back in October 2007, whe it was supposed to be launched and sold at Expansys in the spanish version. My old Vaio TR2 was a crap then and I felt in an emergency. I considered the Shift and pre-ordered it, however so many delays made me cancel my order and purchase a Vaio TZ-VNX, with HDD (SSD is too expensive yet and 64 Gb seems not enough for my use).
I notice that Outlook 2007 has worse rendering than 2003 version, do not sk me why, but in my old TR2 the 2003 run noticeably faster than the 2007 in the TZ. Resources comsumption is very high with 2007’s version, so… what about browsing the web with Vista and web apps also in vista, and having the PIM into a WM pop-up? Optimization is the issue, only.
Of course, there is a gap between pure pocketable devices and ultraportables… UMPCs and let’s face it: there is no Windows version for that. Might be some Linux distributions, but… you know the rest.

Agree 100%! Waiting for the day when we have a mobile X86 OS specifically for UMPCs!

To be clear on the operation of the Shift. Windows Mobile and Vista run at the same time and a keypress switches the screen to each. HTC kept the two OS’s distinct from each other but USBTool allows them to connect and see each other, allowing the copying back and forth of files or syncing in real time. If Vista is shut down or hibernates, Windows Mobile contines to run and is available at the touch of a key.

It is possible to get remote control software for allowing the viewing of a Windows Mobile attached device within an XP/Vista environment but not sure what the benefit would be on the Shift? There are two processors in there, one for the x86 side of things and one for Windows Mobile so activities in one do not affect the other for a memory/processor point of view.

Thanks Gavin.

This is an interesting workaround, however not a propietary solution. The .pst file from Outlook 2007 and the Outlook mobile should, somehow, be mirrored real-time, so no need to any sinczing process, failures, etc, a more solid solution seems the future. Anyway this is the very first time, up to my knowledge, that to OOSS, one mobile and Vista, run simultaneously on the same device.
Now my next requiremente would be: is it so difficult to have a small QVGA window open within Vista desktop showing WM6 running? Similarly to emulators to test software on XP and Vista. So the method to swap between OOSS would not be the one on the Shift, always running both versions and a Matriuska structure.
Even more… when will Microsoft understand the need for a Mobile-optimized version of Vista? not a WM for phones, just a light version for UMPC and alikes.

It is possible to sync the data. It does mean opening up the full WM 6 on the Snapvue side however. Once this is done it is possible to install a small prog called USBTOOL which when run from Snapvue lets Vista see the device under Windows Mobile Device Center with full syncing of all PIM details and works very well.

There is one important feature many mobile users dreamed about since the DualCor vaporware. Is there a chance to have the same repository of data for both Outlook 2007 and Outlook Mobile?. I mean the PIM data. This could be done by means of the original software that comes with the Shift, or might be some plugin or connector, as a SyncSoftware between the Mobile side and the “remote” (but very near) full Outlook repository.
I’d like to know your impressions, as I consider this as critical in the future of dual OS mobile devices.

Based on your review I’ll watch for these on Woot!

It’s much as I expected because any time a product is delayed. And delayed again. That’s huge sign that it’s about to lay a big turd..

An interesting article would be – at what price would the Shift be a hit?

Reading your article I couldn’t spot a single thing that made me say “maybe” about wanting to use a Shift.

The two hour battery life is a complete deal killer. Maybe HTC will try to cover that up with some type of extended battery add-on.

I’ll start off the “what would you pay” with $299 and I’m totally serious.

Before I lay out $1,500 — I’d be in the Apple store buying a MacBook Air for $1,800 (and 4 hours more of battery life)…..top off that purchase with a $99 Technet Student subscription and you’d have one hell of a fully loaded cranking portable.

James, am I to understand correctly there is NO portrait mode available? I read that in a review and am frankly surprised and wanted to make sure I read right and/or am not confusing it with another device.

Is that true? No portrait option, only landscape? No screen orientation hardware or software button?

I respectfully disagree with your Shift assessment. The advantage has served my purposes fairly well, but there are times when a full computer is necessary. The reason I bought the Shift was because I saw how easy it was to mod. With Windows Mobile unlocked it is my primary device now. I have a full laptop when heavy computing power is necessay. However, Windows Mobile takes care of 90 percent of my needs. I am eagerly awaiting sd card access from Windows Mobile in the near future. As a computer with Snap Vue it would be nearly worthless. HTC should have opened Windows Mobile in the first place. I agree that it is expensive, Especially when adding another battery and power cord. For me it is worth it to have a small, light device always available to me. The Windows Mobile battery life is great. I live in the US and had no trouble getting the gsm version.

Nice review.
I figured SnapVue is just there so the Shift can have an inexpensive 3G radio. Didn’t think it would be very useful other than that. Cool that you can ‘jailbreak’ it and install full WM6.

Ah – I’m sad that this device reviews the way it did. I had hopes for it…

We’ll agree to disagree James

I have an Advantage and I must admit that you are correct, but then of course the Advantage hasn’t got Vista. 2 hours could be worse for short bursts of work through the day but agreed, you’d need a backup power source for a long trip where you couldn’t plugin, although my comments regarding the potential versatility of WinMo with that screen/keyboard and longer battery life stand.

As for phone functionality, well, let’s see what the XDA guys turn up.

I understand fully what you and Matt are saying in your excellent reviews but I still think the Shift can hold its own as a very versatile UMPC. Truth be told, If I could only have ONE device then it would likely be a P1620. However, for the work I do, generally the M700 with slice battery is the no brainer device to take. The device to throw in the car for a trip was the Advantage but now will likely be the Shift (truth be told, probably the Advantag e too, lol). For Site survey work that I do the Advantage will be the one to take. I take pics on the excellent camera for insertion into Onenote Mobile with notes, for syncing later to the Toshiba for converting into full reports.

Anyway, keep up the great work and helping satisfy our gadget lust!

Thanks Matt! I too am going to send my unit back and I’m not regretting it which is very rare for me.

Gavin, I appreciate your views but to me if I was going to install full WM on the Shift I’d rather spend half the money and get an Advantage. I’d have the same functionality in a much easier to carry form and also be able to use it as a phone in the process. If I’m not going to be able to use the Vista side of the Shift mostly and the abysmal battery life insures I can’t, then I’d rather go with the full WinMo Advantage. Just my opinion.

Great review James! It really was a bummer that Amazon blew our cover and made us crank out our reviews faster than planned, but I echo EVERYTHING you stated and experienced with the Shift. It seems to be one year too late and $500 too expensive in today’s market. I am sending my review unit back tomorrow and will check out other reviews as someone else gets a chance to play with it, but this is definitely a device to cross off my possible purchase list. That is one good thing about being a reviewer, we get to play with these gadgets before forking over hard-earned cash and I hope people check out our reviews before doing the same.

Great balanced review James.

The Shift uses some sort of micro dimm – 2Gb is $500! Another 1Gb is $120 but no-one has yet cracked it open.

As with anything, the Shift is a compromise. However, after having used mine for a week now, and ‘jailbreaked’ the WM 6.1 I’ll certainly be happy taking this away on short trips, business and please, but keeping the Tekkeon Mypower 3450 handy for the reasons given by James!

Actually, yesterday it had its first real use in anger where I set it up for powerpoint presentations for a workshop I was running, using my Logitech Cordless Presenter (HIGHLY recommended for anyone who does training/presentations). The form factor was ideal on the cramped podium and freed up my M700 for inking notes/recording the meeting.

It IS expensive, no doubt about that (I got mine used for £650) but it can be had cheaper in the UK on an Orange data plan.

Overall, I’m pleased with it and looking forward to more WinMo features, specifically SD card access and GPS. As James states, of course Vista can be used for browsing etc, but the ability to quickly pull the Shift out my bag, fire up Windows Mobile instantly and quickly check email, a document or a quick fact from the web is going to be very useful, and where battery is critical I can type away for hours in Mobile Office, or surf in opera Mobile and transfer the text later.

This all seems to jive with what JKK has been saying about the Shift.

It’s a shame. The hardware looks excellent. That battery life and Vista performance are killers, though, especially for a device this expensive.

I really have a problem paying this kind of money for a device that will be tied, or tie me, to a carrier as well. But, maybe that’s just me.