Compatibility Amongst the Different Touches?

[TAhsifter88]

I first off would like to start off by saying I'm in the market of getting a new cell phone, and am really interested in the touches. I'm a college student, so I really can't afford TOO much, but am just wanting some good bang for my buck, and I feel the touches are just what I'm looking for.

However, I really don't have much of a clue which I'm wanting to get. First off, my carrier is GSM (T-mobile). My concern is the number of applications or ROMs that the various touches have. For example, do roms and apps that are meant for the elf work on the Opal? I'm wanting something like the touch, but a bit faster, as I've heard many complain that the elf is a bit slow. Also, is the Opal considered the "Touch Enhanced"? There are WAY too many nicknames, and they are all very confusing for me.

Simply put, I'm trying to find a touch that can at least play youtube movies at good frame rates (from wi-fi), and run most apps or roms well. However, I don't want to buy a model of touch and realize that there are no real mods for it to "pimp" it out. I have looked around on the search, but I feel these questions are a bit too "common sense" to be easily found anywhere.

Lastly, I'm not interested in a data plan, as I'm mainly wanting to use it as a PDA (don't need push-email or internet everywhere I go). Frankly, I live in a city dominated w/ wifi, and will be covered by that everywhere I go. Without a data plan, what apps or features will I be missing out on?

I really appreciate ANY help. Thanks for everything!

[hotrod101]

I first off would like to start off by saying I'm in the market of getting a new cell phone, and am really interested in the touches. I'm a college student, so I really can't afford TOO much, but am just wanting some good bang for my buck, and I feel the touches are just what I'm looking for.

However, I really don't have much of a clue which I'm wanting to get. First off, my carrier is GSM (T-mobile). My concern is the number of applications or ROMs that the various touches have. For example, do roms and apps that are meant for the elf work on the Opal? I'm wanting something like the touch, but a bit faster, as I've heard many complain that the elf is a bit slow. Also, is the Opal considered the "Touch Enhanced"? There are WAY too many nicknames, and they are all very confusing for me.

Simply put, I'm trying to find a touch that can at least play youtube movies at good frame rates (from wi-fi), and run most apps or roms well. However, I don't want to buy a model of touch and realize that there are no real mods for it to "pimp" it out. I have looked around on the search, but I feel these questions are a bit too "common sense" to be easily found anywhere.

Lastly, I'm not interested in a data plan, as I'm mainly wanting to use it as a PDA (don't need push-email or internet everywhere I go). Frankly, I live in a city dominated w/ wifi, and will be covered by that everywhere I go. Without a data plan, what apps or features will I be missing out on?

I really appreciate ANY help. Thanks for everything!

Please read WIKI's for information on each device

ELF - http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Elf

Elfin - http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Elfin

Vogue - http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Vogue

OPAL - http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Opal

JADE or Touch 3G - http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Jade

To answer your other question - most apps and programs can work with any windows mobile device - Most programs will say whether they are Windows 5 only or 6 only or 6.1 only if so. Also screen resolution is a factor for some programs vga - qvga etc..

ROM upgrading is device specific - do not put a ROM intended for Opal on a ELFIN or a ROM for Elfin on a Vogue etc....... Despite there similarities, there are differences and they are different devices.

[TAhsifter88]

Thank for the response!

I've taken a look over those wikis, and they helped quite a bit. However, I'm a bit lost with the elfin. In concerns of updating ROMs, is it the same as the Elf? There is no board for the Elfin, and there's not much data about the Elfin. I understand the main difference is the increase in RAM, as well as the jump from wm6.0 to 6.1, but I've also heard that the elf is compatible with 6.1. Would elf roms work just fine w/ elfin? I know that's not the case /w most others, but it just seems to me that the site combined the two.

Lastly, I can imagine the best place to find a list of roms is on the boards dedicated for that specific phone. Are there any major apps or features that won't function if I am not on a data plan? I tried searching, but it seems the majority have plans, and the few that do not don't mention the downfalls. I understand there is no push-emailing or no internet everywhere, but do some apps flat out not work at all w/o a data plan? Will the apps that require internet work over wifi? I know blackberry is STRICT with what they limit you on, and I was wondering if it's the same case here?

Thanks again for the reply!

[hotrod101]

Thank for the response!

I've taken a look over those wikis, and they helped quite a bit. However, I'm a bit lost with the elfin. In concerns of updating ROMs, is it the same as the Elf? There is no board for the Elfin, and there's not much data about the Elfin. I understand the main difference is the increase in RAM, as well as the jump from wm6.0 to 6.1, but I've also heard that the elf is compatible with 6.1. Would elf roms work just fine w/ elfin? I know that's not the case /w most others, but it just seems to me that the site combined the two.

Lastly, I can imagine the best place to find a list of roms is on the boards dedicated for that specific phone. Are there any major apps or features that won't function if I am not on a data plan? I tried searching, but it seems the majority have plans, and the few that do not don't mention the downfalls. I understand there is no push-emailing or no internet everywhere, but do some apps flat out not work at all w/o a data plan? Will the apps that require internet work over wifi? I know blackberry is STRICT with what they limit you on, and I was wondering if it's the same case here?

Thanks again for the reply!


Actually, my elfin only came with Windows 6.0 not 6.1. With regard to Rom's I havn't upgraded mine ever, so I can't tell you much about it but that there are some WM 6.1 custom Roms available for the Elfin in these forums. Most are linked to the Elf forum and Elfin Rom's I have found in Elf ROM threads with Elfin ROM Links. I don't have a data plan with mine - Use only WIFI as there are tons of open WIFI networks in my area. I havn't yet found any apps that dont work over WIFI instead of using data plan but I havn't tried every single app out there yet. Most apps that require internet will work over WIFI though. I check my email, surf the web, use various weather apps, listen to internet radio and Sirius radio online and even use google maps etc... all work great over WIFI. I live in Canada so (rediculous data plans here) so do not have a data plan for that reason. Would love an unlimited data plan to be able to listen internet radio anywhere I go.

[TAhsifter88]

Wow.. you're a goldmine of information. I really appreciate all the help! I feel completely sold on it now. Thanks again!