Once again, HTC is in our court conceptually new mobile device. Looking for a hero of our today's review, the communicator HTC Touch, can not help recalling the days when smart phones were big, smart and and even more so with the device easily holds a large man's palm. Much water has flowed since then. The first was a magnificent triumph for the compactness of HTC Magician (Qtek s100), it was followed by no less successful HTC Prophet (s200), quickly won the hearts of users. End of the past and the beginning of this year witnessed the arrival of a couple of HTC Artemis (P3300) and HTC Love (P3350). However, only "descended from slipways" communicator HTC Touch, formerly known as Elf or HTC P3450, can doubt the miniature all its glorious predecessors. Indeed, the machine - a champion for compactness and weight, but on this below. With regard to its filling, it is identical to what we saw in the recent HTC P3350 (Love). Contrary to the popular rumors about the lack of Wi-Fi, this wireless interface is still present. In addition, HTC Touch is the first product from HTC, running the new operating system Windows Mobile 6 Professional. However, the main difference between the apparatus of the majority of smartphones still is not it, and the unique interface of TouchFLO, focused on managing through ... a finger instead of the usual stylus. We must assume, the machine got its present name, thanks to the original organization of the interface (hello, iPhone:)). As a result, HTC Elf was renamed the HTC Touch. Understand how the new interface, visit spetsstranichku site www.htctouch.com. We proceed to consider the direct communicator and begin, as usual, with its characteristics:
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- Operating system: Windows Mobile 6 Professional
- Processor: Texas Instruments OMAP850, 200MHz
- Memory: 128MB ROM (ROM), 64MB RAM (RAM)
- Screen: TFT LCD with 2.8 "diagonal and a resolution of 240x320, 65536 colors
- Memory Expansion: microSD
- Wireless interfaces: GSM / GPRS / EDGE (900/1800/1900MHz), Bluetooth 2.0, Wi-Fi 802.11b / g
- Battery: removable Li-Ion Battery 1100 mAh
- Audio: microphone, speaker, headphone jack extUSB
- Camera: 2.0 MP
- Dimensions: 99.9 x 58 x 13.9mm
- Weight: 112 g with battery.
Just below you can see the comparative table, which together with our hero today got HTC P3350, HTC P3400 and Voxtel W520. All models are very similar in their capabilities and costs, is allocated only P3400 lack Wi-Fi.
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| Comparative table of the characteristics of HTC Touch, HTC P3400, HTC P3350 and Voxtel W520 |
Supplied
As amended HPCru visited pre-production device, respectively, as a complete accessories, however. Personally evaluate only managed to cover, which will be bundled with the machine. The solution - a very unusual, like the ones that come with modern MP3-players, ultrathin sizes. A sort of pocket, where you can place the device.
Quality of execution - above all praise, the surface is made of porous synthetic material with leather trim around the perimeter. The inner part is covered with soft material, so as not to scratch the surface of the display and casing of the communicator.Protective functions of case work out to 100%, the walls of his thick and dense, that will not damage the device even in the event of a fall from a low altitude. What about ease of use is not so unique, yet quickly remove the machine from the tight-fitting "clothes", such as when an incoming call - no easy task. Definitely need the skill. The problem is partly solved through a wired or Bluetooth headset.
Supplement edition. In complete set will include: - Communicator
- Cover
- Wired Headset
- Rechargeable Battery 1100 mAh
- MicroSD Card 1 GB
- USB sync cable
- Mains Charger
- Protective film
- User Guide
- CD c ActiveSync and a trial version of MS Outlook 2007
- CD with additional software (Spb GPRS monitor, Sprite Backup)
- Warranty Card
Ergonomics and Design
This is probably the most interesting section in the case of the HTC Touch. Designers and engineers really did their best. Not every cell phone (not to mention the phone!) Can boast of such a compact. Smooth-cut casing, rounded corners, stylish plain and very small thickness causes a stable association with the iPod, the that, of course, play into the hands HTC. For us to test Touch came in a black casing, but we know that there are also variants of white and green colors. All items are covered with plastic coated soft-touch, which allows the device to hold in your hand without fear that it slip. However, the invariable consequence of such a decision - fingerprints on the procedure considerably, as compared with conventional plastic. Outlining the case is made out of metal. The developer has decided to minimize the number of controls that are not in the best way impact on ergonomics. On the front panel, the bulk of which takes 2.8-inch (!) Display, made only 4-hpozitsionnaya navigation key with the confirmation button in the center and the traditional start button and complete the call. Navigation key is executed successfully, the directions are chosen without difficulty, to touch the key confirmation is difficult. It has a convex surface, which is why it is easy to work with her, pressing is accompanied by a characteristic clicking sound. Progress in directing the keys is somewhat smaller, but it does not keep them well to cope with their responsibilities. Above the display you can find a small hole dynamics, which is located under the grate status LED device. The display is surrounded by mirror-silver inlay, the lower part of which adorns the logo of HTC.
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Phone keys, as usual, is on the right and left of the navigation buttons. They are pretty small, but thanks to the convexity of the body, find them quite easily. Pressing the illuminated red and green, respectively. Unfortunately, the manufacturer refused to use the classic six-or at least, four of the keys. There are no buttons context menus, and especially the menu button Start and return. It's quite a strange decision, given the amount of free space beneath the screen device. In the absence of wheel Jog Dial, navigation without stylus is extremely difficult. However, partially solve this problem will help additional software, such as Spb Mobile Shell.Recall that HTC is preparing a unique interface for easy management through a touch-screen smartphone, but because in our sample, this interface add-in is missing, we have to operate so that we can estimate on the fact. At the lower end devices are already traditional slot for HTC ExtUSB, designed to synchronize with your PC and charge your device, as well as for connecting a wired headset. You can also find the opening Soft Reset. On the left hand corner mount for the strap. Perhaps this is the first device, where it is really justified, given the small size and weight of the device.
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In addition, the left face adorns the machine volume control, the same used in the model P3300/P3350, and on the right is the camera button.
Location and execution of the stylus very well. Its nest is located in the upper right corner. Needless pen - monolithic and made of metal with a plastic tip. The length and thickness of the stylus - medium, and certainly will please most fans of smartphones and PDAs. Particularly pleased with well-shaped protrusion for its removal from the pencil case, no complications, this process does not cause. Also note that the pen tightly, "sitting" in the case, his accidental loss is extremely unlikely.
On the back side of the device can see the lens 2 megapixel camera, topped with a small mirror for self portraits, under which there is a connector for an external antenna. The flash is missing. Right of the camera is small, but pretty loud speaker. Under the battery cover is Li-Ion battery.
Oh, and completes the picture of the power button on the upper side of the device.
Definitely something we forgot to include in the enumeration. Well, of course, not enough slots for SIM-card slot for memory cards. Well, HTC continues to experiment with the placement of these is certainly the most important components of any device.Not so long ago we saw an unusual solution, used in the model HTC S710 (Vox), when the connector for SIM-card is on the top side of the device, so that its replacement is not required to remove the battery. Our hero for the replacement SIM-card and memory card is also not necessary to remove the battery. Just remove the back cover and open a long plastic cover, ideal inscribed on the right side of the device. Of course, the extraction of "Simka" device is turned off. Indeed, the solution is very good, unlike the HTC P3300/P3350, which to this day blamed for the lack of hot-swappable memory card.
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Summarizing the interim results, for example, that the ergonomics of HTC Touch deserves a good rating. The main complaint - a lack of hardware buttons. In addition, the standard means the user can override only one of them - down call camera. However, to draw final conclusions of the comfort control device yet. We'll have to wait until the shell TouchFLO, which may compensate for the lack of hard buttons and really allow you to work comfortably with the communicator, moving on to applications and running their fingers without the stylus. Well, in terms of quality performance and design Touch deservedly awarded an excellent rating.
Screen
Screen device has a diagonal of 2.8 "and displays 65,536 colors. As mentioned above, it takes up most of the front panel. It is gratifying that in creating such an ultra-compact devices, HTC has not followed the ways of reducing the diagonal screen. When you work with the Touch it seems that his touch screen - slightly convex and protruding from the surface of the device, although it is not so. Glass, hiding the display rather thick, which is why it seems that between the surface of the screen and the part where the image is formed, there is a gap of 2 -3 mm. In many respects, this effect is achieved by the fact that the display is not "drowned" in the body, and is on par with them. Meanwhile, the sensitivity of the screen - not the tallest, but its enough for comfortable control device. backlighting apparatus has all four levels of adjustment. minimum value is sufficient for reading electronic books in a bad light or absent, and the maximum level of the communicator is convenient to use in bright sunlight or artificial light. For the daily work of sufficient illumination, corresponding to the second level. viewing angles and at a height .
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Speed and memory
HTC Touch is based on all of the same OMAP 850 from Texas Instruments with a clock frequency of 200 MHz, which is usually blamed for not very high performance and praise for a very decent power. Fans of the exact figures and tables will be able to find the test results Spb Benchmark and TCPMP just below, but for now we note that the performance of cars subjectively slightly higher than P3300/P3350. Presumably, the presence of a new operating system. As always, significant delays occur only when opening large documents and run heavy applications, and for the basic needs of the communicator, such as working with documents, internet and e-mail TI OMAP 850 is enough.
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| Spb Benchmark: summary indexes |
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| Spb Benchmark: the speed of the graphics |
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| Spb Benchmark: a table of test results |
In most tests, P3400 and Touch showed almost identical results. Among competing devices, they were the fastest. Voxtel W520 lag can be explained using a different processor (it is TI OMAP 730), but the worst performance P3350 is difficult to rationalize. In any case, among equals on the filling of communicators, our hero keeps a very worthy. In the traditional test using TCPMP, our hero passes the nearest competitor. Communicator loses quality video resolution of 320x240, but with a heavier cinematic things are not so good. A serious drawback to call it impossible, given the QVGA screen machines. In any case, among equals communicator HTC Touch is one of the best for playing videos.
Memory
Device has a standard memory capacity, namely, 128 MB ROM and 64 MB of RAM. When you first turn machines available to the user about 22 MB of RAM and about 35 MB of memory for data storage. If the amount of RAM in most cases lacking, then the amount of available ROM more than skoromen. Affects availability of the new operating system. However, the user can replenish the memory with cards microSD. Incidentally, the manufacturers claim that the kit will be available in the card of 1 GB. Recall that the maximum amount of cards of this type available in the market is 2 GB.
Runtime
The back cover hides HTC Touch Li-Ion battery capacity of 1100 mAh. The test device on the battery life is traditionally held in three modes: 1. Maximum load.Vykruchena the brightness to maximum, the speaker volume - too, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi network when searching through the Windows Media Player Mobile to play a video loop. Battery life in this mode was - 4 hours 44 minutes. 2. Normal operation. All wireless modules are disabled. The brightness set to minimum. On the PDA was started reading the text in Haali Reader with automatic scrolling. Time work was - 20 hours 14 minutes. 3. MP3 Playback. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned off. Display brightness set to minimum (fully off the screen using standard can not). Listening through headphones at maximum volume. We used Windows Media Player Mobile and files with a bitrate of 192 Kb / c. Hours - 13 hours 24 minutes. It is noteworthy that the first test runtime player mode, the communicator has worked a total of about 6 hours. This result seemed to us suspicious, because of what the second test, the results of which are reflected in the survey. Most likely, this feature of the test instance. In other tests showed the machine numbers, more similar to what we observed, for example, P3350, built on the same platform.
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Under normal conditions, including 10-15 minutes of calls per day, 20-30 minutes of music and about an hour to use Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, HTC Touch discharged by the end of the second day. This figure is standard for the majority of smartphones running Windows Mobile.
Sound
Audio capabilities HTC Touch merit scores above average. Particularly pleased with the volume of the main speaker. Do not hear it when an incoming call it will be difficult, even if the volume level corresponds to the fourth-fifth division of the available six. It's nice that even when played at maximum volume tracks with pronounced bass or treble, the speaker almost no wheeze, the sound remains clean. Vibrate your device has an average power, his strength will be enough to not miss a call, if the machine is in the pocket. Note also that the rear of the enclosure there are small protrusions, and the speaker a few recessed into the case. So, if your device is on a flat surface, the sound is not wilderness, but rather increased. Listening to music through the headset nothing special stands out, a big difference compared to the P3300 or P3350 was observed. Fans use the communicator as a player, Touch easily replace an inexpensive MP3-Player. We only recall that to get better sound, it is desirable to use the player (not Media Player Mobile), as well as to acquire an adapter for 3.5 mm for a good headphones. As you know, in the latest products of HTC to connect headsets, cables and charger uses a single connector ExtUSB. Voice speaker proved to be not as good as primary. Its volume of no claims. During testing, the volume was set at the fourth position of the six, and this is quite enough for comfortable intercourse. The main inconvenience caused quite a dull sound of voice dynamics. It is not excluded that this feature of the test sample, and a commercial version of the device is no problem with the speaker will not. I want to note and traditional high quality microphone for HTC. In the absence of serious interference, you can record voice from a distance of 5-6 meters, it is noticeable even when recording video. Of course, not without automatic adjustment of the microphone (in the settings of the item is called "AGC"). Recall that this option allows you to automatically adjust the microphone sensitivity, depending on the remoteness of the source.
Wireless interfaces
In terms of wireless capabilities, the hero of our review is fully consistent model HTC P3350. Telephone part represented by 3-band GSM-module, operating at frequencies 900/1800/1900 MHz. Switching between modes is not provided.As with all the latest products from HTC, Touch supports EDGE, which allows to increase the data rate of approximately three-fold. Ability to work on 3G is not available. To dial through a standard program Phone in black and white with an add-Smart Dialer, which allows to easy search for phonebook and dialed.
In the device installed Bluetooth module version 2.0, which supports all the necessary profiles, among which wants to highlight:
- File Transfer Profile - used to exchange data between devices
- Network Access Profile - to create a wireless network using the resources of Internet access
- OBEX Object Push - to exchange business cards
- Voice Gateway - for speakers and a microphone connected to your PC as a handsfree headset
- A2DP for listening to music through Bluetooth stereo headset
- AVRCP to control the player via the hardware buttons headset.
Average speed data transmission via Bluetooth fluctuated in the range of 45-50 kb / c, not bad, given the lack of support for high-speed technology EDR. Bluetooth-module running the standard drivers from Microsoft.
With regard to Wi-Fi, we recall that numerous rumors hovering around Touch, agree on one thing: a new device from HTC will be deprived of Wi-Fi. Fortunately, the popular wireless interface is still present in the machine, but also supports both the standard 802.11b, and in high-speed 802.11g, delivers transfer speeds up to 54 MB / c. Transmitter power - average. For example, in a home network based on Wi-Fi communicator Glofiish worked at greater distances from the source than the novelty from HTC. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that with respect to signal stability HTC Touch proved to be quite decent. Wi-Fi-Network of access in the area were fast enough, the connection kept confident. As a result, during the test is no failure of the Wi-Fi has not been noticed.
Luggage
HTC Touch is equipped with a camera with CMOS matrix, and 2 Mp. This is a standard solution for today's phones and communicators. Autofocus and flash are not available. The camera interface has remained virtually unchanged compared to previous models of HTC. We list the main options available in camera mode:
- White Balance: auto, day, night, incandescent, fluorescent (it should be noted that the automatic white balance works pretty decently, and to resort to the preset settings will not often)
- Effects: grayscale, sepia, cold, negative
- Metering: center, an integral (though much of a difference in the camera when you select different metering modes have been reported)
- Resolution: 120x160, 240x320, 480x640, 1200x1600.
Also has a self-timer (2 seconds or 10 seconds), enable or disable the shutter sound, display a composite grid and otpechatyvanie "time in the picture. In short, many settings, it is unlikely the majority of owners will use them in full.
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The quality of images - a common for communicators. Photos obtained by a fairly sharp, but colors seem oversaturated at times. Also catches the eye a large amount of color distortion and noise, which is not surprising, given the small matrix, used in communicators. Subjectively, when viewing the impression that the photos passed through the automatic filters sharpness and contrast. In fairness, once again, we note that images are obtained fairly sharp, and their quality can satisfy most users of such devices. Of course, not without its video recording capabilities. You can choose the format of the three options: H263 (3GP), MPEG4 and MJPEG. It is possible to enable or disable sound, as well as limit the duration of the video. With examples of photos and video you can see below.
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| HTC Touch: an example of the photo (jpg, 1600x1200, 783,6 Kb) |
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| HTC Touch: an example of the photo (jpg, 1600x1200, 814,0 Kb) |
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| HTC Touch: an example of the photo (jpg, 1600x1200, 456,9 Kb) |
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| HTC Touch: an example of the photo (jpg, 1600x1200, 523,8 Kb) |
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| HTC Touch: an example of the photo (jpg, 1600x1200, 459,4 Kb) |
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| HTC Touch: an example of the photo (jpg, 1600x1200, 445,2 Kb) |
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| HTC Touch: Video sample (mp4, 176x144, 731,9 Kb) |
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| HTC Touch: Video sample (mp4, 176x144, 737,9 Kb) |
Soft
Recall that the HTC Touch is the first communicator of this manufacturer, running Windows Mobile 6 Professional.
The main changes the new OS, we will not list with them you can read in a recent review of the communicator Glofiish X500 +. We note only those components that are absent in the communicator HTC Touch. So we were not able to find:
- Appendix Marketplace, designed to simplify the purchase of third-party software via the Internet.
- Smart Dial, which allows a quick search on the note-book device. This is not surprising, because the built-in shell with consonant with the name Smart Dialer performs a similar function.
- Live Search Mobile - socket search on the home page of Internet Explorer. Instead, it displays the default page with the logo of HTC. All other services were in place.
The variety of bonuses in the form of additional software was never a strong point of HTC. Recently, the situation is slowly beginning to change, it suffices to recall P3400 or P3350. In the case of our guinea in the list of additional software have been discovered: the Task Manager version 1.5. At one time, HTC offers users built-in to close the application and windows by pressing or holding down the «X» (as you know, by default, this button only turns off the window, respectively, the program remains "hanging" in memory). It's nice that the idea has continued as a full-fledged task manager. A neat application icon in the top right corner of the screen and by pressing a list of all running applications. You can close a custom program or all applications at once. Change the location of the icon can not.
Streaming Media - a program designed to listen to music and watch video over the Internet. The interface resembles a simplified Windows Media Player Mobile.
Voice dialing - the infamous application from the company Cyberon, adds communicator feature voice dialing and menu control. The program supports the Russian language.
Zip - program from HTC to work with the archives of Zip.
SIM-manager - a simple tool for working with contacts stored on SIM-card. Adobe Reader LE - needs no introduction to the program for viewing files with extension PDF. Audio Manager - a small add-on Windows Media Player Mobile, which allows for easy management of files and playlists
Esmertes Java - wrapper to run games and applications written in Java. Pleased that the company Esmertec finally decided the problem with openly crooked localization of your application.
Again, that is in our hands proved to be a pre-sale version of the device. In commercial models Preinstalled software may differ from what is described in this review. Recall that the main highlight of the apparatus should become a software interface for easy management of the communicator via touch screen, a la iPhone. If so, then I want to believe that its implementation will brighten up the obvious flaws on the part of the ergonomic controls HTC Touch. Once in our hands will be the commercial version of Communicator, you, dear readers, will certainly get a detailed description of the add TouchFLO.
Price and Availability
HTC Touch will be released tentatively in the early to mid-July and will be available at a price of 16,990 rubles. Price adequate, considering that the device is unique at least in its size and control system. In addition, recall that the package includes a microSD card of 1 GB.
Conclusions
So, HTC Touch - the first communicator of the industry giants to the dimensions of an ordinary mobile phone. Small, lightweight and compact, this device is able to draw attention to themselves as those who choose an advanced phone, and buyers of "smart" machines, calling attention to the weight and size. Watching the latest trends in kommunikatorostroenii can talk about the gradual convergence of PDA with mobile phones. It suffices to recall the Samsung i710. However, in the case with this unit has played a decisive role is an outstanding program stuffing that simplifies the development of mobile Windows standard user. In short, if HTC, having gone in the footsteps of Samsung, is actually realized in the new model unique control system and make it qualitatively, certain sales of Touch provided.
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Despite the complete functional identity of our hero unit P3350, these devices still will not compete with each other. On the side last at least control RollR (albeit grabbed a fair share of criticism) and FM-radio (a music device all the same). HTC Touch - for those who prefer a radio compact size. Now put it all together and experience the traditional section of the advantages and disadvantages.
Pros: - the most compact smartphone in the market
- nice set of wireless interfaces, including EDGE and Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g
- Good battery life
- hot-swappable memory card and the possibility of replacing SIM-card without removing the battery
- unique control system of the communicator
Cons: - a single connector for charger, headset and cable ExtUsb
- small number of hardware buttons
Part II: Review of the shell TouchFLO. The authors, translation:
