My initial thoughts are as before.. The build quality is good and everythingfeels to be top quality. The problems that I see now are internal issues. Ihave had to pull the battery a few times already since I got it yesterdayafternoon.

The lockup issue seems to be happening to a few users as there is a longthread on the Dell support forums. Seems some people think that they canre create the issue but so far it seems to be random for me.

I am also having an issue running the Crackdown game on this phone. For somereason it claims it can not connect to live but my HD7 starts the title fineso I am not sure what is going on there.

Will give the phone a few days of use before deciding which phone to use asmy daily device. I like the Dell screen and form factor better but the HD7seems less buggy. Both of the cameras are terrible so will use the Nokia N8for that.

Well time to open gifts. Merry Christmas all.

Written on Dell Venue Pro.

1) Returned the one I purchased on 11/8 for a fully working unit.. Well that did not work and none of the units at the MS store would take a SIM card so ended up walking out with a “loaner” HD7. Was told when they got phones in I would be called and could exchange no matter how long it took. All in all Microsoft Store has given me 1.5 years of Zune service now.

2)Ordered a 16GB model from Dell on 12/1 assuming that I would get a call from the MS store long before this came in but wanted to make sure I got something. Was already starting to dislike the HD7.

3) Seems orders are shipping for some direct from Dell. I call the MS store and they still have no word on getting phones back for the people who purchased on 11/8.. Let me do some math.. Hmm.. that seems to be over a month ago.. And hey wait.. Why are the people who ordered almost a month later getting their phones first?

4)My ship date comes and goes and I get an email pushing the ship date back to next year. WHAT? Seems if they had no intention of shipping the product they should not have been giving out ship dates. After more blogs pick up the story Dell comes back with some un-official sounding excuse that they are working to get orders out and they have had problems but are looking into them.. what does this mean exactly. Sounds rather like they are avoiding the question.

5)Chaos takes over the forums where people are trying to figure out what the heck Dell is doing. Some people who ordered after the first of December are getting ship notices.. Anyone heard of first come first served.. Dell blogger then states not to worry.. If you ordered before the 14th you will have your order before Christmas.

6)As the last few days before Christmas hit people are freaking out. EDD dates for many still show next year and now it seems that some who ordered much past the first are getting their phones. My order from Dell still says I will not get anything till next year. I am OK with that but the Dell blogger keeps telling people that phones are shipping and not to worry. Certainly keeps with the company line till the bitter end.

I will post an updated as Christmas draws near. I understand that this is far from a life and death issue but it seems that some major press should call Dell out on this type of thing..

This mockup is pretty cool. Rumors are that Nokia and MS have been talking but who knows if that is really true. People like to start rumors about Nokia switching to some mainstream OS like Android or now Windows Phone 7. I love my N8 hardware but once again the Symbian OS is the only thing keeping it from being great. It was a great OS years ago but it has really not kept up.. Throwing some thing more modern on the Nokia hardware would be cool. N8.. hands down the best camera on a phone I have ever seen.

Back to reality.. I am guessing Nokia may be dipping their toes to see how the water is that that is a long way from actually producing a device with the OS.. But one can always dream…

Update - Pocketnow.com has picked up the story a well..Post

Update - WMPoweruser.com has the story now as well.. Post

Update - EverythingWM.com another site has it also.. Post 

Still MORE - TMoNews.com has just added the story.. Post

TechCrunch.com posted as well ... Post 

Ubergizmo has the news also .. Post

WMBlast! - Post

Electronista - Post

Phonearena.com - Post

My mountain bike shoes finally decided to give up on my last weekend. The cleats are welded on from years of use and abuse. Decided since I had the shoes for so long to get a nice pair that might give me the same years as the last pair. It hurts at first but having bike shoes that fit well is worth the pain of the price tag.

Always likes Sidi from my road days and had one pair of their mountain bike shoes over 15 years ago. Should have them this weekend for a ride which will be fun.. New shoes and new cleats to go with it… WOW