Series Touch initially failed HTC - it includes an unusual and, as a rule, stylish device, the functional which could only envy the many communicators, issued simultaneously with them. In the beginning was the HTC Touch - for its time fairly bright unit. Then - HTC Touch Dual, which became even more convenient to use. And now our attention is the HTC Touch Cruise - the next model, built on the new platform. Despite the numerous transfers of the date of issuance of the HTC Touch Cruise (or HTC Polaris, a digital index model P3650), we finally he came. The first impression of the unit - nice. He is moderately wide, moderately heavy, stuffed to the eyeballs with modern means of communication, and in his hand is good. Let us examine more closely to the new product. Just note that we tested was a preproduction sample.
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Technical data - Operating system: Windows Mobile 6.0 Professional
- Processor: Qualcomm MSM 7200 400 MHz
- Memory: 256 MB ROM, 128 MB RAM
- Screen: 2.8 "transflective TFT, 240x320 pixels, 65K colors
- Memory Expansion: microSD (supports microSDHC)
- Mobile networks: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 and UMTS 850/1900/2100, HSDPA (3G), GPRS / EDGE (Class 10)
- Communications capabilities: Bluetooth (2.0 + EDR, A2DP), Wi-Fi (802.11b / g), port ExtUSB (USB 2.0)
- GPS: 20 channel Qualcomm MSM7200 gpsOne - A-GPS
- FM-radio
- Camera: 3.0 megapixels, autofocus
- Battery: Li-On, 1350mAch, removable
- Audio: microphone, speakerphone, speaker for phone calls
- Dimensions and weight: 110 x 58 x 15.5 mm, 130 g
- Claimed battery life: 7 hours of talk time and 400 hours standby time
Judging from the technical data, the unit is modern and is omnivorous. And thanks to the smartly processor, it's still pretty good and it works. Not to be unfounded, we will compare it with the glofiish X800, Touch Dual and TyTN II.
Supplied
On testing in the editorial HPC.ru was a pre-sale engineering sample, so the final complete set can be changed by the manufacturer. According to preliminary information supplied includes:
- Communicator HTC Touch Cruise
- Stylus
- USB / HTC ExtUSB sync cable
- Storage battery
- AC adapter
- Wired stereo headset (ExtUSB)
- Cover
- CD with MS ActiveSync
- User Guide on CD
For such a powerful communicator, a complete set in our opinion little bit poor, for example, there is at least some memory cards. Nevertheless, all you need is included. The stylus is traditional for HTC - it is small and relatively thin. In his hand is convenient, discomfort when you use does not cause. Slot for the stylus is located below, but rather rigidly holds the stylus - we have never encountered a weakened sense of design.
Appearance
HTC Touch Cruise - one-piece with rounded edges. The whole body dual color - dark gray and black, plastic, c soft-touch coating, which is nice effect on the sensations when using the machine. The front panel is glossy "metal-". Appearance gives the impression of seriousness of the assembly, and assembly is not satisfactory. And this despite the fact that testing was an engineering sample. Nothing squeaks when you use and do not play. The gaps between the hull and hardware keys are minimal.
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Communicator is compact, with its $ 110 x 58 x 15.5 mm and weighs 130 grams with battery, great in your hand and use it comfortably. On the front panel in the center is located 2.8 "touch screen.Above the screen is the speaker for phone calls. The right of the dynamics of the camera for video calls. Inside slots for the speaker, on either side, there are two LEDs that blink in different colors, depending on the current state. The left LED is green when we activated the GSM or UMTS module, and yellow, if you have received new messages. He also flashes red when battery power falls below 5%. Right LED signals on the performance built-in wireless interfaces. Its blue color tells about activity of the module Bluetooth, green - Wi-Fi, yellow - enabled GPS.
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Zest device - navigation unit, the wheel - is located below the screen. Along the edges of the block, we find four recessed buttons, separated from each other by grooves on the surface (for ease of finding them blindly). The top two buttons are traditional communicators - is taking an incoming call and hang up. The third key - call navigation software GPS. Fourth - Internet Explorer. Once we recall that, if necessary, the functions of all keys of the device can be reconfigured for themselves.
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The navigation unit deserves a separate description. This wheel melkorebristoy surface and selection button in the middle. Moreover, the wheel can not just endlessly twisting in different directions, it combined the functions of a traditional 4-way key. That is, you can use the directions "up", "down", "right" and "left", if necessary. When you scroll, there is clearly the discreteness of the wheel, and this is done is going - you're not "miss" in the selection and always be able to clearly focus on where you want. While seemingly at first glance fragility design, to actually use it conveniently. False positives in the testing process was not observed. Another feature of the navigation unit - a stylish white light that illuminates a circle around the button of choice. Illumination is not annoying and clearly visible in the dark.
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The left side housing HTC Touch Cruise has at the top of the call button wireless communications center, and slightly below the volume buttons. The entire block of buttons in the upper part, which is quite convenient when using the machine with one hand. The volume rocker is equipped serving bar that allows you to touch find it easily, and set the desired volume level. On the right side we find a slot for memory cards microSD (by the way, supported card format microSDHC), a bottom - built-in activation key 3Mp camera. Slot for memory cards safely covered with a plastic lid. A button to call the camera is conveniently located under the right thumb, if you withdraw by turning the machine on its side, that means the manufacturer.
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At the bottom of the device, we find the right stylus. Almost in the center slot ExtUSB, and beside him, slightly to the right - a hole for strap. ExtUSB is located to the left of the microphone.ExtUSB connector itself is universal - through his phone and charged, and communicates with the computer and the headset connects, and headphones through a special adapter.
At the upper end is located right on / off key supply. More over there is nothing.
On the back of the device we find in the upper part 3Mp camera, just above - a connector for GPS-antenna under the plastic lid. And the left, the jack for connecting external GSM-antenna (also under a plastic lid). To the right of all of these connectors are slotted speaker-gromokogovoritelya. 2 / 3 lower part takes over the battery compartment cover. Cap sits tight not loose and does not creak. Another nice little thing - the button-lock battery cover part-time is a mirror - it is convenient when shooting. Under cover - 1350 mAh battery and the SIM-card. To install the SIM-card, you must remove the battery and move the clamp, which, when installed batteries securely presses the SIM-card.
In general, the impressions of the device are positive, the ergonomics of the device does not cause complaints, all the keys pressed clearly, without double positives.
Screen
Screen HTC Touch Cruise is standard size. Diagonal - 2,8 inch, 240 x 320 pixels. Here are just a little pumped up with color - only 65,000 colors. Nevertheless, the display good viewing angles. Reserves the brightness and contrast of the screen is more than enough. In the sun or in bright light, you can work with the communicator, but will have to search a viewing angle at which the screen will not blikovat. Backlight brightness adjustable in 10 steps. The minimum level is comfortable for reading in the dark or in soft areas, and the maximum - to work in bright sunlight.
Subjectively, the screen is clear and the problems with the perception of the information he does not call.
Speed and memory
With the speed of HTC Touch Cruise is all very well - affects the presence of a fast CPU. Navigating the menu does not cause any delays. Applications run fast. Subjective - a very positive experience. But not to be unfounded, we turn to the figures. Traditionally, we use Spb Benchmark.
As can be seen on the outcomes, HTC Touch Cruise is pretty good holding among other models. CPU Index 1575 is only slightly inferior glofiish X800. Graphics index 3535 is clearly superior to the others. These and other indicators give us confidence that, in practice, the communicator will be brisk and comfortable machine, both for work and entertainment. Judging by the results of comparative testing, HTC Touch Cruise has clearly bottlenecks that only confirms the fact that the device came out balanced, with the possibility of its use in a variety of tasks. Traditionally, we have tested and using the player TCPMP (The Core Pocket Media Player) version 0.72RC1. The result is shown in the table:
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The indicators are good, with playing clips 400MHz Touch Cruise copes better than glofiish X800 c 500MHz processor. However, we should not forget that the X800 is equipped with a VGA display, which "absorb" some of the resources. Returning to Touch Cruise, for instance, that he was completely "in the teeth" playing movies in resolving 640h352, minor losses of personnel are observed only in highly dynamic scenes. Well, with rollers, fitted to the native resolution of 320x240, Cruise manages and does the "five". RAM is 128 MB and ROM - 256MB. In reality, the HTC Touch Cruise leaves the user's needs approximately 63 MB of RAM from almost 100 MB of dedicated system, and about 63 MB ROM - for storing user data and programs. As always, helping out support for memory cards microSD (up to 4 GB). Besides, a nice little thing for the owners will be to support hot-swappable memory card, because will not have to take out the battery or power off the device, like HTC P3300.
Sound
Sound external speaker for HTC Touch Cruise is average. He was well-heard in the room, but on the street or in the car while driving - not always. This is especially noticeable when the GPS-navigator tells something while you are driving. Even at maximum volume could be heard only if clearly listened. But the sound momentum for telephone claims does not cause.
Sociability
HTC Touch Cruise, as well as Touch Dual, and the TyTN II, built on a platform of Qualcomm, thereby, has extensive communications capabilities and potential. Telephone module HTC Touch Cruise is designed to work in networks GSM (900/1800/1900 MHz) and 3G (850/1900/2100). From the minutes of receiving / sending data supports GPRS / EDGE (Class 10) and UMTS (3G). In terms of wireless capabilities, the device has a quite good performance. Communicator supports Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR (including the profile A2DP) and Wi-Fi (802.11b / g). The Bluetooth does not satisfactory. Files are transferred quickly, wireless headsets are defined and connected without problems. Control playback from a compatible Bluetooth-headset and stereo to work there quite well. Bluetooth capabilities allow the communicator is a host - other devices can see the list of available files communicator and perform various operations on them as if it were on a standard PC. Similarly, HTC Touch Cruise can interact with other available via Bluetooth files and folders in your Windows Explorer - the usual way, as well as with local files. For Bluetooth printing is possible and Synchronization ActiveSync.You can also specify a time to appear to others via Bluetooth.
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Wi-Fi module specification supports 802.11b / g, which allows you to easily use the features available hot spots. As a test of reliability and stability of the Wi-Fi was used a mobile VoIP-client fring. Voice passed without failures, the sides heard each other perfectly (used for testing network fring, Skype, Google Talk and SIP-provider sipnet.ru).
HTC Touch Cruise supports USB 2.0, which provides high speed and reliable communications device with your computer. Application configure wireless modules for device brand - it allows a convenient way to enable / disable, view the current status and settings of a module.
GPS
HTC Touch Cruise, as we mentioned above, is equipped with integrated GPS-receiver. Testing was performed with navigation capabilities using iGO. Navigation Moscow did not cause any problems. Navigation accuracy - excellent. The task of routing unit copes with a bang, re-routeing takes a few seconds. Cold start: embedded GPS, located under the windshield of the car took a little over 5 minutes, which is quite standard for devices of this class. Hot start has always been less than a minute.
In general, the use of built-in GPS has caused only a pleasant feeling.
Multimedia
Capabilities built-in camera
Lens embedded in HTC Touch Cruise 3Mp camera is covered with glass. There is autofocus, but no flash. 3 megapixels - above average for a PDA running WM. In addition, the front panel is placed a standard VGA-camera for video calls (available only in the networks of 3G). When shooting, use the proprietary interface HTC, allowing even without using the stylus to quickly view and adjust shooting modes.
Available modes of the main camera: - Photos
- Video
- MMS-Video
- Photo Contacts (Portrait)
- Theme images
- Panorama
- Sports
- Continuous shooting
The maximum resolution for still images in Photo mode - 2048x1536. Also available, and smaller standard resolution (3M - 2048x1536, 2M - 1600x1200, 1M - 1280x960, L - 640x480, M - 320x240, S - 160x120). Macro is available under the autofocus capabilities. There are 4-times digital zoom. Available as the basic shooting modes: Portrait, Self timer, Continuous, all settings are made in the corporate interface HTC. Capabilities and settings of the camera are identical to what we saw in the HTC TyTN II, the quality of the photographs is the same. Learn more about camera features, see examples of photos and video can be in review HTC TyTN II.
FM-radio
Built-in FM-tuner and software for its easy to use. Radio allows you to remember 9 stations and has support for RDS.
Runtime
We remind that the capacity of the complete battery HTC Touch Cruise is 1350mAch. Traditionally, testing is done by the conventional method for our resource. Maximum load. Vykruchena the brightness to maximum volume of the speaker, too, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules, via Windows Media Player in the cycle is played a "heavy" video. Given that the sample was tested in engineering, when you play the video in this mode, the machine hovered a few times while significantly warmed. But restarting the video as the right to correct the situation, and therefore to test this mode we finally succeeded. During playback device twice reported that the charge comes to an end - for the first time in 2 hours and 30 minutes for the second time - 10 minutes before full discharge. Battery life in this mode was 3 hours straight. Reading of the text. All wireless modules are disabled. The brightness set to minimum. On the PDA started reading the text in the pre-program Haali Reader with automatic scrolling. During playback device once said that the charge at the end - for half an hour before the trip. Time work was 12 hours and 50 minutes. MP3 Playback. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned off. Screen repaid. Listening comes through the headphones at maximum volume. Used a standard Windows Media Player and composition with a constant bit rate (192 kb / c). During playback device once said that the charge is completed - for 1 hour to full charge. Total operating time in this mode was 10 hours and 20 minutes. For a device with such a processor is the normal results. On the following diagram shows how the results look like HTC Touch Cruise in comparison with models from other manufacturers participating in our survey.
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At the same mixed mode device lives on a half day to two.
Software stuffing
HTC Touch Cruise runs on Windows Mobile 6 Professional. In our surveys we have repeatedly described the features of the OS, why dwell on it will not. Tell only about non-standard software is preinstalled in the unit. First and foremost, it should be noted branded shell from HTC, inherent to all models HTC Touch - TouchFLO. Because of this, in addition to standard OS features, we get comfortable and unusual interface, and easier to machine. The latest version of TouchFLO made weight optimizations. For example, in the contact list is now on the right is an alphabetical index, holding a finger on which can be quickly positioned to contact the desired letter (complete analog iPhone).
Generally, this interface is made so much so that you can use your finger rather than stylus. Start menu can be made increased.View images and video is maximally simplified to "manual" operations on piktogrammki connections and batteries, too, you can press your finger, thanks to a special drop-down menu.
Special attention is given a virtual keyboard and input methods. The keyboard can take several forms and they are almost all just convenient for bezstilusovogo use. Of the remaining additional software is worth noting: HTC Home - proper shell for screen ToDay from HTC, adapted to bezstilusnomu use. In Touch Cruise has 4 tabs - fast run programs, weather, time and setting a sound profile.
The "dialer", traditionally the HTC, there are Russian letters.
Corporate Task Manager, with a number of useful features. For example, you can configure closing programs by clicking on the "cross" rather than a standard folding. In simple and accessible way, you can view the download of RAM, and that the running of programs. And in the mode «Today» manager is in the upper right corner and is always available as a menu system.
Audio Manager for music playback. In fact, nearly complete analog standard Windows Media Player.
Streaming Media for streaming video and audio. Enough to specify the source address of the multimedia content and playback process starts automatically. The program allows you to play files like 3GP, MPEG-4 and SDP (Session Description Protocol). In Internet Explorer you can now open a web page with links RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol) for streaming media.
JAVA - Larry the appropriate programs. ZIP - a full-fledged manager of similar files. Adobe Reader LE - a mobile version for viewing PDF-documents. Simple in functional voice recorder.
Voice dialing - a program to perform actions on voice commands. They need to be pre-written for every action, of which there are dozens of settings. WEB-browser Opera. Everything else is consistent with the standard stuffing WM6.
Price issue
The recommended starting price of HTC Touch Cruise will be about 24,000 rubles. Sales staff will begin in January 2008.
Conclusions
HTC Touch Cruise is an interesting device. Thanks to powerful communications capabilities, it would allow "the maximum" use it in different terms. And the availability of GPS, can feel comfortable even in unfamiliar places. Powerful multimedia capabilities will pass more than one hour's travel or business trip. In addition, 3Mp camera will make reasonable quality images and video clips. All this is seasoned with excellent original programming shell by HTC.
Pros: - complete set of wireless modules
- excellent proprietary interface from HTC
- fast processor
- good set of useful software preinstalled
Cons: - high price
- low rates of time
Editors note: We recall that we tested was an engineering sample, not all the features of the communicator able to test in full. Also, some confusion has caused a short in comparison with other representatives of Touch-series time. Probably this is test copy costs, as soon as the first commercial samples, we will retest. The authors, translation:
