The AT&T Tilt Unboxed and Discussed

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Yesterday, as my Fujitsu T4215 was experiencing an irritating hardware failure, and as the whole world was grinding to a complete stop, a box in a plain brown wrapper showed up on my doorstep. I had had little advance notice, and there was absolutely no fanfare. Inside, was this – the new AT&T Tilt, AKA the HTC Kaiser.

Finally, a bright spot in my day. And no, I do not get to keep it. ;-)

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The box content list is printed on the side…

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The opened box…

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All of the included AT&T paraphernalia, program disks, special offers, etc…

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Opening the tray reveals the charging and sync cables, the battery, the hermetically sealed Tilt

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…and here they are again.

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The Tilt measures exactly 4.423? tall x 2.33? wide x 0.768? thick, and it weighs exactly 6.6 ounces with a memory card installed. I have to tell you that from the moment I first held it in my hand, I was smitten. The tilt is small, yet fairly heavy – and I like that! I have always liked weighty small things, and the Tilt got the ratio perfect – at least for me. Even though there are two halves to allow for the sliding keyboard, everything feels very solid; there are no creaky parts.

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The top half of the device is composed of black shiny plastic with a brushed aluminum frame and chromed plastic buttons.

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The bottom half is coated in a black rubberized paint, exactly like that on the Touch and Dash. I really like this coating, as I think it makes the device less slippery; it also feels less cheap than plain painted plastic. Notice the 3 mega pixel camera on the rear, the speaker behind the screen, and the rubberized GPS plug cover…

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…and from another angle.

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Ring around the gadget, from the right side first: the stylus is at the bottom, then the camera button, and the power / backlight button.

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The bottom of the Tilt has a microSD slot with rubberized cover, a lanyard holder, miniUSB, reset button, and microphone.

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The left side has a PTT or ‘push to talk” button, a scroll wheel, and an OK button.

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There are no buttons, ports or switches on the top of the Tilt.

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The Stylus is not the extending type – it measures 3.5? long, is quite thin, and although I wouldn’t want to write my memoirs with it – it gets the job done.

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Here’s where things get interesting: like so many other slider PDA phones, the Tilt has a keyboard that stays hidden until the top half is slid back on the dual rails. The action is solid, and there is no sense of flimsiness.

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And then, once the keyboard has been exposed, the rear of the top half tilts up, which yeah…I bet that’s where the device’s name came from. ;-)

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The tilt is almost like a mini-laptop in this configuration, but it’s not quite perfect: for instance, with the screen tilted up, the two softkeys are not very easy to press – people with fatter fingers will really notice this. However, the keyboard feels very solid, it is quite usable, the keys offer excellent tactile feedback, and everything lights up nicely in a darkened room.

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This picture shows the back side of top half when it is extended – and the now exposed SIM card compartment.

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The battery is 1350 mAh, which is fairly large. I was gone most of today, had pushmail on, and made a couple calls. I still had over 50% battery life when I had a chance to plug it in this afternoon.

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So far I am quite pleased with the Tilt – even though it came totally loaded with AT&T programs…tons of them! I’ll cover more of my user experience and the included software in the next half of this review, which you can expect in roughly a month.

Any questions? :-)

Update 11/02/07: Part Two of this review may be found here.

Here is the official press release:

AT&T Goes Full Tilt with the Most Feature-Packed 3G Smart Device Available in the United States

AT&T’s First Windows Mobile 6 Device, The AT&T Tilt Features Groundbreaking Angled Screen, Global 3G Capabilities, Built-in GPS and Wi-Fi

San Antonio, Texas, October 4, 2007

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) has announced that the AT&T Tilt™, the most feature-packed smart device available in the United States, will debut exclusively through AT&T beginning Friday, Oct. 5. The AT&T Tilt is the first AT&T-enabled Windows Mobile 6 smart device and features an innovative slide-out QWERTY keypad design, a 3-megapixel camera, 3G data speeds from AT&T’s UMTS/HSDPA-based BroadbandConnect network and complete global connectivity.

Designed by HTC (TSEC:2498), the AT&T Tilt features a 2.8-inch color screen that slides back to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard, then tilts up to position the screen perfectly for reading and creating e-mail, browsing online, using applications or just playing videos and games. The AT&T Tilt supports Bluetooth® 2.0, which allows for up to six Bluetooth devices to be wirelessly connected simultaneously to the device and also supports Bluetooth Stereo.

“The AT&T Tilt is the most comprehensive wireless device on the market today,” said Michael Woodward, vice president, Business Voice/Data & Mobility Products, AT&T. “In addition to its innovative design, there is no device on the market that packs the number of features that are available on the Tilt.”

The AT&T Tilt features the latest version of TeleNav GPS NavigatorTM which provides GPS-enabled turn-by-turn voice and on-screen driving or walking directions, colorful 3D moving maps and traffic delay alerts with one-click rerouting. New features debuting with AT&T on the Tilt include address sharing, which allows users to share their current locations or the location of their favorite businesses with other mobile users. The new version also includes reviews and ratings for nearby restaurants and allows customers to rate them directly from their AT&T mobile phone. Business users also can use TeleNav Track™, a mobile workforce management solution that includes GPS-enabled tracking, timesheets, wireless forms, navigation, job dispatching and bar code scanning.

Inside the AT&T Tilt, users will have a wireless powerhouse at their disposal., With 3G broadband speed connectivity across the globe and tri-band UMTS/HSDPA capabilities that allow the Tilt to operate in Japan and Korea, customers have access to the more than 135 countries in which AT&T offers UMTS, EDGE or GPRS international data roaming. Customers also can use AT&T’s industry-leading international wireless roaming coverage to make or receive a phone call in more than 190 countries

At home, the AT&T Tilt provides access to AT&T’s BroadbandConnect network in more than 170 major metropolitan areas across the U.S., and coverage outside of 3G service areas is available via AT&T’s nationwide* EDGE network, the largest national high-speed wireless data network in the U.S. AT&T’s EDGE network is available in more than 13,000 cities and towns, and along some 40,000 miles of major highways. Users can also connect for an additional charge to Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the U.S. — including any of the more than 10,000 AT&T-owned or branded hotspot locations in the U.S. and tens of thousands more abroad — through the built-in Wi-Fi functionality, supporting the 802.11b and g frequencies. They also can use the AT&T Tilt to link to corporate wireless local area networks or home Wi-Fi networks.

Users will also find the highest-resolution camera available on any AT&T mobile phone today, with 3-megapixel resolution and auto-focus. The device also accommodates 4GB MicroSD flash memory cards and is capable of supporting up to 32GB MicroSD cards to expand storage for pictures, video, music and more.

“The AT&T Tilt represents the ultimate in high-speed connectivity, functional design and Windows Mobile power,” said Peter Chou, chief executive officer, HTC. “The AT&T Tilt provides today’s mobile professionals and consumers with the ability to work and be entertained while they’re mobile.”

Windows Mobile 6 Experience
Windows Mobile 6 provides AT&T Tilt users with the familiar look and feel of their desktop computers at home or in the office. Windows Mobile 6 delivers the ability to view e-mails in their original rich HTML format with live links to Web and Microsoft Office SharePoint sites, which means text and images are displayed as they would be on a Windows PC with pictures, fonts and colors.

“Around the world, a Windows Mobile phone has become a companion for people that want to do more while on the go,” said Scott Horn, general manager, Mobile Communications Business, Microsoft. “The AT&T Tilt brings a wide variety of options for staying connected to colleagues, friends and family with a familiar and easy-to-use experience and a stylish form factor suited for both the office and a night out on the town.”

All Windows Mobile 6 devices include Microsoft’s Direct Push Technology for up-to-date email delivery and automatic synchronization of Outlook calendars, tasks and contacts through Microsoft Exchange Server. Windows Mobile 6 also offers a set of important device security and management features that include the capability to remotely wipe all data from a device should it be lost or stolen, helping ensure that confidential information remains that way. AT&T has the broadest portfolio of Windows Mobile devices of any U.S. carrier.

Email Options
In addition to Microsoft Direct Push, the AT&T Tilt will be the first Windows Mobile device in North America to include BlackBerry® Connect™ v4.0 software, which provides BlackBerry® email service, security and device management for IT administrators and the benefit for users of wireless synchronization of email, calendar, contacts, task list and memo pad information. BlackBerry Connect v4.0 supports push email for Microsoft® Exchange, IBM Lotus® Domino® and Novell® GroupWise® through the BlackBerry® Enterprise Server and personal email through the BlackBerry® Internet Service.

Customers can also use the AT&T Tilt to access their personal email through AT&T’s popular Xpress Mail service. By completing just five easy steps, AT&T customers can set up their Xpress Mail account and begin getting personal e-mail from most major POP3/IMAP personal email services pushed to their AT&T Tilt at pre-set intervals. They also can perform two-way wireless synchronization of their calendars, access contact lists and view attachments.

Unique Force
The Johnson City Police Department, located in Johnson City, Tenn., has been using AT&T smart devices for two years and plans to be one of the first organizations to implement the AT&T Tilt later this year. With AT&T smart devices, Johnson City’s 148 officers can verify identification, search criminal databases, issue citations and submit reports from the palms of their hands. Since implementing the smart devices, arrests for criminal activities and revoked drivers licenses in Johnson City have increased and the time saved handling and processing incidents is equivalent to having five additional officers on staff, according to the police department.

“The AT&T Tilt provides a new level of wireless field support,” said Sgt. John Hames, Johnson City Police Department. “The embedded GPS will help us track officers’ whereabouts, identify the fastest route to incidents and download mapping data for onsite traffic reports. AT&T Tilt’s angled screen and high-resolution camera are attractive for people taking and reviewing images in the field and Windows Mobile 6 Professional will allow the department to more efficiently perform office applications on the mobile handset.”

Multimedia Features
Beyond enterprise functionality, the AT&T Tilt is made for fun and games as well. The device is preloaded with free and premium games and applications including Ms. PAC-MAN, Brain Challenge, Bubble Breaker, Midnight Pool, Solitaire (MS), Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07, MobiTV, and MyCast.

The Tilt provides access to AT&T Mobile Music — an integrated, on-the-go music experience that delivers “your music, your way” by providing simple access to the most robust collection of music content available today, including XM Radio Mobile, which comes pre-loaded on the device and is available for $8.99 per month. The AT&T Tilt will also feature AT&T’s CV streaming video service. Customers can watch a large selection of video clips of their favorite television shows, sports, news and weather, entertainment and premium content, including hit HBO programs and exclusive mobile content from World Wrestling Entertainment.

Pricing and Availability

The AT&T Tilt will be available for a promotional price as low as $299.99** beginning Oct. 5 at AT&T retail stores nationwide, online at www.wireless.att.com, at select national retailers and through AT&T’s business-to-business sales organizations. Unlimited monthly data plans that include corporate email are $44.99 with a voice contract***. Personal data plans, which include personal email, begin at $29.99 a month for 20 MB of data***. AT&T also offers an international data plan for the AT&T Tilt — 20 MB in nearly 30 countries — for an additional $24.99 a month. TeleNav GPS Navigator is available for additional monthly charges of $5.99 for 10 trips and $9.99 for unlimited trips. TeleNav Track service plans range from $12.99 to $21.99 for each device.

For the complete array of AT&T offerings, visit www.att.com

*Not available in all areas.

**With two-year contract and mail-in rebate.

***Price reflects a $5 a month discount for voice and requires that an eligible wireless voice plan be activated and maintained on the same device. (Limited to one discounted price per eligible voice plan.)

16 Original Responses to “The AT&T Tilt Unboxed and Discussed”

  1. Gravatar Icon 1 TrvlngDrew Oct 3rd, 2007 at 11:43 pm So I’m assuming that this will bridge the gap between the Advantage and the Shift… :grin:I’m curious as to your battery life, my Jasjam gets through the day sort of, whereas the Advantage goes and goes for a couple of days..Would love your comments as compared to the Advantage..

    Enjoy!

  2. Gravatar Icon 2 Judie Lipsett Oct 4th, 2007 at 12:06 am I don’t know that anything will quite get the Advantage’s battery life – it has that monster 2200 mAh battery vs. the Tilt’s 1350 mAh.But yes, it is bridging the gap for now. :mrgreen:
  3. Gravatar Icon 3 Mitchell Oke Oct 4th, 2007 at 4:25 am You do realise how extremely jealous I am of you right now :P
  4. Gravatar Icon 4 Wayne Schulz Oct 4th, 2007 at 4:36 am What’s the memory situation?Sample picture taken with the camera?What does the mobile speed test show on the Tilt (ATT) vs Mogul (SPRINT)?

    What makes this more than a tilting Mogul that runs on ATT?

    I see they left the two buttons at the bottom edge of the keyboard. I love and hate those buttons on my Mogul. First , they’re convenient when the keyboard is closed – but when typing with the keyboard open my fingers hit them all the time – causing the device to power down, etc.

    I would ask about Blackberry Connect, but frankly I’ve been so happy with Direct Push and WM6 that I don’t think I’d worry about using Blackberry. I might even be able to switch devices — except that the keyboard on the Mogul is more for show than go — and the Tilt looks to share pretty much the same layout.

  5. Gravatar Icon 5 i-bystander Oct 4th, 2007 at 9:31 am I started writing a comment, but it went on and on, so I just decided to drop you an e-mail.Thanks!
    Ray
  6. Gravatar Icon 6 markf Oct 4th, 2007 at 9:52 am it seems like this thing is one extended battery and a cooked ROM without all the carrier bloat away from perfect.
  7. Gravatar Icon 7 Judie Lipsett Oct 4th, 2007 at 11:12 am Wayne, you are worse than me! “I want to know now!! :lol: I’ll cover a lot of this in the next part of the review, but here goes…

    What’s the memory situation?

    It’s great!!

    124.91MB Storage/ 101.38MB Program. With nothing but push mail running, I have 62.33MB available!

    Sample picture taken with the camera?

    Coming in the review – but it had better be god if they are calling this 3 mega pixel. :-P

    What does the mobile speed test show on the Tilt (ATT) vs Mogul (SPRINT)?

    OK – realizing that I don’t have EVDO in San Angelo, but I do have EDGE, here are the results:

    Mogul: 100k test – 83 kbit/sec, 2.401s latency, 11.664s d/l time

    Tilt: 100k test – 192 kbit/sec, 0.655s latency, 4.813s d/l time

    What makes this more than a tilting Mogul that runs on ATT?

    I’ll talk more about this in the review, but obviously:
    CDMA vs. GSM, available memory (big deal), total overall feel – they are really quite different. I’ll have tons of comparisons – don’t worry.

    I see they left the two buttons at the bottom edge of the keyboard. I love and hate those buttons on my Mogul. First , they’re convenient when the keyboard is closed – but when typing with the keyboard open my fingers hit them all the time – causing the device to power down, etc.

    Thankfully I haven’t had that problem on either – but I can totally see how one might. My biggest issue right now are the two soft keys that are right under the screen and nearly impossible to hit when the screen is tilted back.

    I would ask about Blackberry Connect, but frankly I’ve been so happy with Direct Push and WM6 that I don’t think I’d worry about using Blackberry. I might even be able to switch devices — except that the keyboard on the Mogul is more for show than go — and the Tilt looks to share pretty much the same layout.

    I wouldn’t be the one to answer that question unfortunately – I have never had a BB. :-/

  8. Gravatar Icon 8 Patrick L Oct 5th, 2007 at 4:43 am Hey Judie!
    I think I’m most intrigued by how the camera performs – at the moment, I carry a pda, phone and a camera for digitizing written notes, papers, etc. Can I request a test of the macro functions of the camera? Can’t wait to read your thoughts on it :)Cheers!
  9. Gravatar Icon 9 thinkerati Oct 9th, 2007 at 6:18 pm Hey, I’ve been hearing rumors that unlike the HTC TyTN II (aka Kaiser) version of this phone, the AT&T Tilt does NOT have TouchFlo technology. Is this true? I know that the Tilt has different software than the TyTN II, and they took off the front camera on the Tilt as well. Having seen both the Tilt and the TyTN II, what else has been stripped from the Tilt that is on the TyTN II? Could you compare the two phones? Thanks!
  10. Gravatar Icon 10 dstrauss Oct 16th, 2007 at 9:06 am thinkeratiI’ve been using the Tilt for about a week now. It has part of the TouchFlo technology (the scrolling by finger dragging/flicking), but I haven’t found that of much use except in PIE (which I have already replaced with Opera Mini for an even snappier response). Xda-developers and other sites have the HTC home page plug-in which is a great addition to the Tilt in that you get a good interface (with large clock), a quick dial app (nine favorites with pics if you have them attached to your contacts), a none slot quick launch app, and best of all, a “profiles” like app that lets you quickly switch from normal ringer, to vibrate, to silent (don’t understand why WM6 Professional doesn’t have this when it is an essential on WM6 Standard devices).Other than the missing front facing camera, not much else has been stripped from the Tilt (although a lot of Mossberg’s “craplets” are added on). One other quick note – the GPS does work with third party solutions (Google Maps, Tom Tom, etc.) and is not locked to the fee based Telenav service.

    Now if only we’d get 3G in my area…

  1. 1 AT&T Tilt – Launch Tomorrow & Some More Reviews, Unboxings – Just Another Mobile Monday – Mobile News, Views and Reviews Pingback on Oct 4th, 2007 at 11:59 am
  2. 2 AT&T Tilt 8925 Released 10-05 It’s Official! – Aximsite Pingback on Oct 4th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
  3. 3 TextGuru’s Phone News: The best news about the latest phones! Pingback on Oct 5th, 2007 at 2:45 am
  4. 4 AT&T Tilt specs, users manual, videos, reviews, etc – Aximsite Pingback on Oct 12th, 2007 at 12:57 am
  5. 5 AT&T Tilt specs, users manual, videos, reviews, etc – Mobility Site Pingback on Dec 30th, 2007 at 9:19 pm
  6. 6 At&T Tilt Pics – Dogpile Web Search Pingback on Feb 3rd, 2008 at 12:22 pm

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About the Author

Judie Lipsett Stanford
Judie is the co-owner and Editor-in-Chief of Gear Diary, which she founded in September 2006. She started in 1999 writing software reviews at the now-defunct smaller.com; from mid-2000 through 2006, she wrote hardware reviews for and co-edited at The Gadgeteer. A recipient of the Sigma Kappa Colby Award for Technology, Judie is best known for her device-agnostic approach, deep-dive reviews, and enjoyment of exploring the latest tech, gadgets, and gear.