Toshiba TG01 > Reviews (3)

My suggestion is avoid this product at all costs.

The idea of a mobile phone working on a similar platform as a PC seemed a good idea. My Daughter’s boyfriend has an I-Phone (He writes software and understands these things). The “Apps” that he has loaded on his phone do amazing things, and I was intrigued.

When my contract phone was due for replacement in January 2010 I went to the local shop to actually “see” (to hold and experience) the phones. Previously I have just re-ordered the latest Sony-Ericsson (which have always been good and reliable – but sadly the batteries don’t seem to last the 18 months that the phone companies demand before offering a new handset).

On this occasion – the young sales person seemed to be extolling the virtues of the New Toshiba TG01. It looked very much like a slimmer version of the I-Phone that my daughter’s boyfriend uses.

It had a large clear screen (useful for myopic members of saga…)

It had a touch screen – and when writing Text Messages the screen is easy to use.

However….

It is a hit and miss affair to connect to a laptop for synchronisation. Sometimes the phone will connect and is visible in windows explorer as a hard-disc… but is still showing “no phone connected” in the “Windows Mobile Device Centre” software.

Also, the screen goes off after 10 seconds…. And I found it difficult to determine whether the phone is “asleep” or actually flat and dead. Obviously the screen needs to go off otherwise the battery will not last… but there is no distinct warning that the battery is dead. In fact after a while I thought the battery was only lasting 1 day… but I realised that the battery compartment is a few millimetres wider than the battery – and the contacts do not line up. I had to wedge a piece of paper between the battery and the case to make the contacts connect.

This was not much use and I eventually (1 month later) received a new handset.

The new handset suffered the same problem….. 1 month later handset 3 arrived.

Handset 3 started off satisfactorily, but after a while the screen started to “fade”, almost to the point that I couldn’t see it. Opening the rear cover to remove the battery I found that there was a distinctly vile smelling liquid inside the rear cover – the lcd contents were escaping.

Handset 4 arrived.

After a day it was obvious that the paper wedge was going to be invaluable again.

Handest 4 has lasted 6 months – rather a case of defeat on my part…..

So – to the pros and cons. Please note that these have been experienced on all 4 phones.

Pros first…

Good Screen, Good colour, good storage (I have 8GB card), nice shape, nice size. Bluetooth and connects to my car (eventually).

Cons.

Battery compartment needs modification (paper wedge).
The tones and alarms are hopeless (I never know when it is going to be flat so I have to look constantly).
Connection with laptop is hit and miss
Alarm clock – offers 3 alarm times – but there is no snooze facility. Also the alarm bleeps once……… that’s it. If you don’t hear it – you don’t get up.

The phone regularly “Locks up” and you need to remove the battery and re-install to turn the phone back on.
The phone offers music playback – which I use through Bluetooth in the car. However I cannot set playlists – so I can only play one song at a time. If the car stops or re-starts the Bluetooth plays that same song from the start again.
Turning the on/off/screen button “on” to illuminate the screen sometimes doesn’t work. Sometimes you press it repeatedly to find the phone flickers and does nothing.
Sometimes answering a call – the call cuts off.

From a functional perspective;-

Using the instrument purely as a phone I would give it 7 out of 10 for the call quality

But taking all the other issues into account and it’s reliability I would give it 3 out of 10 in total as a piece of equipment offering so much potential and giving so much disappointment.

We have many Toshiba products – but I feel that their good name has been blighted by this foray into new markets.