Two months ago, I switched to an HTC phone. Its microphone seems either poorly made or just broken, as many people complained that it’s become hard to hear my side of the conversation. The phone also spontaneously dials random numbers from the recently dialed list.
I called both HTC and AT&T and they said it would take 7-10 days to repair the phone. I wasn’t able to figure out if they would provide a loaner phone, but that seems unlikely. Looking for suggestions on how to get my number forwarded to another phone (and where to get the spare phone in general) to tide me over the repair period.
In general, how common are these problems with HTC Inspire phones?
I like my HTC phones. But porting your number to Google Voice might be a good option. I give my GV number to everyone now. Calls to my GV number rign on my phone, my work phone, and my computer, and i get emailed text messages and voicemail transcripts. I like it a lot.
The ‘random dial’ thing is an intermittent bug I’ve head about on Android phones, but I don’t think it’s HTC specific. From what I can tell in my own use, it tends to happen when I start to call someone, then change my mind and leave the Dialer ‘app’ via the ‘back’ button rather than the ‘end call’ button. When I go to make another call, sometimes the canceled call is still queued, and it tries to complete that call instead.
At least, I *think* that’s what’s happening. I haven’t done extensive testing.
I’ve had similar random dialing problems with my HTC EVO (I select a recently called person, but it dials someone else from my contact list. Same has happened with text messages). It happens infrequently enough that I’ve learned to live with it. I don’t really need my phone for work. Never looked into repair.
Port your number to Google Voice (or get a new number there, so you can get a vanity number)
Once you have a GV number, you can direct it to any phone: landline, SIP, or mobile.
(I’ve heard a rumor that they are working on a tincan compatible version, but I’m not holding my breath for it…)
BTW I’ve always been pleased with the HTC products I’ve owned.
I’ve got a couple of extra AT&T phones lying around
Google Voice is a great thing, but it doesn’t solve your “temporary” phone for the interim. Perhaps a “disposable” phone, like a Trac-fone or similar would fit the bill during the repair? The phone is about $20 at places like WalMart and you can add minutes to suit your usage and there is no contract.
Forward your HTC number to it (before sending it in for repair) and when done with it and you have a “spare”, pay-as-you-go phone available. Since 911 is always a free call, even without “service”, it can be kept in your car as a spare emergency 911 link. Just keep a car-charger with it or remember to top off the charge every couple of months.
I have one that I top off if I know I am travelling to a place where Sprint (my main cell provider) has limited coverage or no roaming. I believe TracFone piggybacks on AT&T’s network.
If you’re able to live without all the features, pick up one of those little GoPhones and stick your sim card in it. They’re cheap, and it’s a good way to make sure you have an emergency phone if yours dies for some reason.
If the problem is specifically with the microphone on the phone a quick workaround might be to use a wired or bluetooth headset (if you can still find a wired headset). Otherwise as previously noted google voice is a great way to have one number that gets transparently forwarded to different phones with a lot of complex options.
Can’t help you with the random dialing issue.
I second the opinion on Google Voice. As an added bonus, the emails with the transcript of a voicemail are quite hilarious.
You might try using a Bluetooth headset to see if that helps out with the voice quality. You could always borrow somebody elses’ headset to try if you don’t have one already.
I have a Sprint HTC Touch Pro 2. Hardware wise… no problems. O.S. wise…. Windawg Mobile leaves a lot to be desired. My next phone will be an Android O.S. phone of some type.
If you just need a phone while yours is in the shop, go spend $20 at your local Walgreens or CVS or Wal-Mart, and pick up one of these: http://www.walmart.com/ip/AT-T-GoPhone-Prepaid-Samsung-A107-Cell-Phone-Silver/15421486
You can pull the SIM card out of your HTC phone, plug it into the prepaid phone, and continue to use your phone number and your plan while your HTC phone is off for repair. Plus you’ve got an inexpensive backup phone in case your main phone dies.
+1 on buying a cheap prepay phone, or any AT&T phone you can borrow will work with your SIM card.
I bet you need a new SIM card. Go to an AT&T store and tell them what’s up, a new SIM fixed my HTC phone right up a few years ago.
I’ve had no problems with my HTC Sensation. Quite like it.
Russell beat me to it. I keep a $20 pre-paid as a back-up.
We offer expedited cellphone repair service for a nominal fee. You can see how our cellphone repair process works here:
http://www.cellulardr.com/cell-phone-repair-process.php
And here is the repair service you will need for your HTC phone:
http://www.cellulardr.com/cell-phone-speaker-microphone-ringer-repair.html
Perform a master reset on the device. First back up all your numbers to the SIM card and then back up all the other information (pics, ringtones, etc.) to your PC. I used to work for a warranty repair center for AT&T…they don’t provide loaner phones, so getting a cheap “GO PHONE” is the only way to have a phone if you chose to go the warranty route. They’ll send you a refurb unit (sans battery cover, battery and SIM card), once received you’ll send your defective unit back to them. If you call the warranty center, they’ll walk you through troubleshooting including the master reset so go ahead and back everything up to be proactive. Bark loud enough about being without a phone and demand they waive the priority shipping fee to get it within 3 business days…standard shipping with them is up to 7 biz days. If you have any questions, feel free to email me, always glad to help out.