T720 hardware versions?

[sc]

With people now exchanging their T720's for new ones that come with 19c software, I have seen in a few places posts about there being slight - seemingly hardware - differences, such as the external display being darker, the internal screen being sharper, etc. on the newer phones. Are those just exaggerated, or is there some truth in it. I guess, the bottom line is - is there some difference between exchanging or just flashing the firmware? For all I know, the battery life on the new ones might be better just because they got rid of some hardware kinks as well. Any thoughts on this?

[DG]

I just exchanged my original 17p phone for a new one with 19c and I haven't noticed any hw differences. If there are any, they must be real subtle.

[blaQPiG]

Ok after hearing much talk of new software I called all over NJ in my local area and noone even knew of a software update . So tonight I went into Verizon and complained of all my T720's problems (which wasn't all true, I havent noticed any real problems) but anyways they exchanged my phone and the new one has .19c on it. I can tell for a fact the screen is a lot crisper, the background and caller ID is a much more blue/purple color then a bright white . The menus are a ton faster, there is no-more lag when dialing or whatever. There is definately some major improvements . They were also able to transfer my phonebook and they said they did it with the V60 cable, the lady tech (who btw was amazingly helpful) said they can use that even though people claim it doesnt work . Well now I know it works only thing is, is that my 2 ringtones that I downloaded did not transfer over, but that is not a big deal and also the few names I had voice recognition for didn't transfer over either . Wow just looking at it now, the screen is so much more clearer, good thing I took the time to exchange my phone .

[DoctorNo]

I had my 720 swapped yesterday due to the fact that Verizon could not flash the software upgrade.

I agree completelly with the above post. Change while not addressing all the problems encounterd definitely cleaned up a lot of them.

Menu is much more responxive and screen is noticeably brighter and clearer.

[sc]

Originally posted by: blaQPiG
I can tell for a fact the screen is a lot crisper, the background and caller ID is a much more blue/purple color then a bright white.

See, that's what I have seen posted. And how can a firmware upgrade change the external screen color? I never thought it was white though - more of black on gray, so how does it end up being blue/purple? Is it a good improvement?

[blaQPiG]

Oh and one more thing I forgot to post . I was looking at the screen and I knew something was different and I couldnt put my finger on it , but just now I noticed what it was . There is no more pre-set banner . It doesnt say "Verizon Wireless" anymore, so you can leave it blank or put in your own and not have to worry about the default one popping back up .

[sc]

That's what I had on the stock 17p T720 out of the store, before I did another *228 PRL upgrade, and then then network banner showed up.

[Dennis]

My new 19c said Verizon Wireless even though the banner field in the set up was blank. I changed it to my name and it appeared to do nothing different. Still VW. I powered the phone off and back on, still Verizon Wireless. I started to write a post asking for help and checked the screen again before I posted and "poof" the banner says my name! For some reason, it took a few minutes to register.

I also noted that the external display shows Verizon Wireless when the flip is open. Does anyone know if this is the new ERI and will change to Extended Network and Roaming as applicable?

I was disappointed that there still are no preloaded games. The Motorola site says there should be 2. Customer service, depending on who you speak with, says there should or should not be any. The manager of the local store is emphatic that there aren't supposed to be any. Did anyone get preloaded games?

With the 19c speed ups, I really like the phone. My 17p had a good screen, so I cannot comment on improvement there.

Thanks for any answers to my questions.

[SlotheadSlim]

On October 5th I bought two T720s at Radio Shack, one for me and one for my wife for my wife's business. Radio Shack claims they have received no notice about replacing or reflashing the T720. I live in Worcester Massachusetts and I've called the local Verizon store several in Shrewsbury MA and they said they haven't heard of this situation. A different post on this forum claimed they were in Boston and their phone was replaced so I called Boston and sure enough they indicated that a software upgrade wasn't available but they have been replacing the phones. I call back to the Shrewsbury store and the Tech tells me once again he hasn't heard of a software upgrade but he seems genuine and when I tell him about the phone switch he transfers me up to Customer Service as they would handle the switch. The Customer Service desk doesn't acknowledge that there is a software change but when I tell them all of the new phones have a blue dot on the outside they tell me they have the phones and to come down for a switch.

Friday I head down and they are pleasant and professional and get the paperwork for the switch. When they open the cabinet that holds the phones ALL of them have a blue dot. I think that all along they new about the phone upgrades and they are only switching the phones if you complain. I imagine the staff are doing only what they are told to do so I don't blame them but it would have made my life a lot easier if they had been honest about the issues in the first place. I think Verizon should be a little more proactive here if they want to keep the customers satisfied. Unfortunately I didn't know they could move the phone book over to the new phone so I had 73 numbers I moved over manually.

Later when I got home I compared by new T720 phone (software 19C) to my wife's phone (17p). The screen is clearer. I agree with a previous post that the 19C screen appears to have a 17P contrast level set to 6 even though the 19C contrast level is still the default 3. Anyone with a 17P phone can set their contrast level to 6 so you can see what you get with a 19c phone.

The new phone's menus are definitely faster, a welcome relief. I haven't had any other freeze ups, ringers staying on etc. with the new phone so I'm satisfied. When I received the phone it had 1/3 of a charge and I entered in about 20-30 phone numbers without any sign of discharge so it appears the battery usage is more efficient. I had one old problem which was sometimes when attaching the charging cable with the phone turned off the ringer mode switches from vibrate to loud but that isn't a big deal to me.

On Saturday I returned my wife's 17p phone and they switched it with no problems. I did watch them move over the phone book from the her old phone to the new phone. They used a device that download the phone book and then uploads the phone book to a new phone so the average person couldn't move a phone book with just a V60 cable.

Thanks for everyone's help on compiling the issues in this forum. Lets hope the Motorola data kit allows you to upload pictures and ringers. Those are the only functions I'm waiting for now.

Best,

Slim