On Sunday, Nov. 13, I decided to pole around in My Account on the vzw web
site. Lo and behold, when I checked on upgrading to an e815, it said I was
eligible for NE2 and my final price on the phone would be $0.00 after
instant online savings. I thought about it for a few hours and ordered late
that night.

First, everyone talks about how they get their new phones in 2-3 days. I
ordered late Sunday, the online status said processing as late as Wednesday
morning, then said shipped Wednesday night. The phone arrived Friday.

Second, I specified to ship it to me at work; they sent it to my home.
Luckily, someone was there to sign for it.

After charging the battery, I tried to go online and activate it. Failed.
Repeatedly. Finally had to call in. Then it took another few minutes before
*228 would program it.

Lots of people have complained that the hinge is flimsy. Doesn't seem like
it to me. I think it's just as solid as my now-semiretired VX4400, and if
anything, the flip is harder to open (possibly because the 4400 is in a
leather case; more on that below).

People also complain that it's bulky. Again, Huh?

I do now understand why everyone said the 4400 was a battery hog. The 815
lasts longer on its standard battery than the 4400 on its extended. I don't
think I'll be buying an extended for this one.

As for the 815's highly vaunted reception, it might be just a teeny bit
better than the 4400, but not enough to really mention. It has already
dropped a call while I was sitting at my desk at work.

I can't quantify the reception, though, because I can't figure out how to
get to the field test screen. Thanks to a recent thread on how to get into
various models' service menus, I can get into there, but when I try to see
the field test, it just goes back to the menu. I looked through
Howardforums a bit, but couldn't find it there.

The speaker phone. I love it, but Amtrak's automated agent Julie hates it.
She keeps confusing herself, even with the speaker volume turned down to
minimum. No one else has given me any feedback on it, so I don't know if I
have the famous echo problem.

I especially like the voice command function, but does it always verify
CALL commands or only when it's not sure?

As for the camera, nice toy, could be useful in a pinch, but I'm not going
to confuse it with a real professional digital camera. I already bought a
trans flash card (128MB, $18.99, the only one they had at the tigerdirect
outlet store). Someone mentioned that Realplayer can play the 815's video
clips; I misremembered that tip and discovered that Quicktime can as well.

Can someone tell me what the latest software version is and whether I
should take it into a store and have it updated? I have 8720_01.17.03 .

Oh, just remembered another question: is there a way to answer it in
speakerphone mode without opening the flip? I know I just have to open it a
bit and let it close again and the speakerphone will stay on, but even that
requires two hands or a more coordinated single hand than I have.

Several people have said that they prefer a drop-in holster or pouch over a
case that the phone fits into and stays there. I bought a generic one in a
store, and decided in one day that I will be ordering a flip case like the
one I have for my 4400. First, it can take too long to get it out of the
holster case, and second, I already dropped it on blacktop while trying to
put it into the holster.

I guess that's all for now.