For a company HTC, Pocket PC giants-building, 2006 was a very "fruitful" in terms of production of new devices. It would seem that it is time to stop and catch your breath and look back, in order to evaluate the work done and to look through the eyes of competitors, but there it was! Toward the close of the year HTC has made a gift to his fans - the new communicator HTC P4350. Perhaps, it is quite possible to say that the novelty has long awaited. In fact, the range of HTC PDA keyboard is somewhat incomplete: on the one hand, the lowest price segment, the old model Qtek 9100, which for a year, on the other - hi-end device is HTC TyTN. In light of the latest design refinements HTC (P3300, S620, etc.) would seem logical appearance keyboard device without special technological refinements, the already proven platform, but with a new design. About the way it came out, and today we present to the court of readers HTC P4350 (code name - Herald, which translated means "herald" or "messenger").
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Specifications: - Platform: Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC Phone Edition (AKU 3.2)
- Processor: Texas Instruments OMAP850, 200MHz
- Memory: 64 MB RAM (44Mb of user) and 128 MB of memory (43Mb available)
- Screen: 2.8 "(72 mm), TFT, 240x320 pixels, 65536 colors
- Memory Expansion: microSD / SDIO
- Wireless interfaces: GSM 850/900/1800/1900MGts, GPRS / EDGE class B / Multislot class 10, Bluetooth 2.0, Wi-Fi (802.11b / g)
- Battery: removable lithium-ion battery, 1130 mAh
- Audio: microphone, speaker, headphone jack extUSB
- Camera: 2.0 megapixel without autofocus and flash
- Dimensions and weight: 109 x 59 x 17 mm, 168 g with battery.
The closest competitor HTC P4350 can be called the Glofiish M700 - also the keyboard device. However, at a stretch, since Glofiish M700 has a built-in GPS-receiver in contrast to the HTC P4350. In fact, the new HTC - this is a slightly modified Qtek 9100. However, first things first.
Completion
HTC P4350 comes in the now standard HTC configuration: - Battery
- Charger
- Sync cable
- Wired stereo headset with call answer key and a volume control connector (extUSB)
- CD with software
- User's Guide.
For an extra fee you can buy: branded leather case, car charger, Bluetooth-headset monaural, stereo Bluetooth-headset. It is puzzling why the HTC «clamped" case - apparently, the model is considered the budget, and decided to save it. If you recall the Qtek 9100, he has a case, too, was very "budget" type - not leather, but from a thick nylon fabric. Well, it's not critical now. Typically, a complete cover immediately replaced by more convenient, for an additional fee.
Appearance
Perhaps one can say that the HTC P4350 continues the tradition with their design colleagues HTC P3300: the same smooth lines, rounded corners and the buttons of unusual shape. True, no innovation on the part of government is not seen - pure classic. Sorry, but the convenient scroll wheel, as in the HTC TyTN, HTC P4350 in no place. Apparently, this is still the top-level ownership patterns.
The enclosure is made of rough to the touch plastic, which is sometimes referred to as soft-touch. Engineering samples are the colors of dark graphite with black insert in the middle of the perimeter of the housing, commercial same device - all black, and the block of buttons made of frosted silver.
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| HTC P4350: to open the QWERTY-keyboard |
In his hand the device is not bad, except for one thing: the camera lens is somehow made fairly bulging out sideways, and the sharp edge of the ridge on the back of the little bumps in the finger, no matter what hand you hold the device.
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| HTC P4350: back, camera |
On the front panel (by the way, the metal!), As usual, the screen above him - two LEDs (network / charging / alarm / Bluetooth / WiFi). Under the screen - the block of buttons: two command buttons, Windows Mobile, two phone buttons, the Start button and "OK", plus a joystick with a central button. All the buttons are flat and not marked, so that the touch to determine where to click, is somewhat problematic. The whole key block, except the joystick, illuminated nice white color, and, lighting is not associated with the screen.
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| HTC P4350: key block |
At the top end is only the power button. Left - the camera button, slider, volume control, reset button, microSD card slot under the rubber cap and a loop for a strap.
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| HTC P4350: top end |
Right - the call button Comm manager, voice dialing and a silo.
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| HTC P4350: right and left ends |
On the bottom - a familiar already familiar brand extUSB connector and latch-lock the back cover.
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| HTC P4350: bottom end |
On the back of the plug sockets are for connecting an external antenna, external speaker port, camera lens and mirror for self shooting. Under the hood - the battery bay and connector for SIM-card. Despite the fact that the SIM-card is not underneath the battery, remove it without removing the battery, do not turn out - tricky latch connector should move down, which is possible only when the battery is removed.
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| HTC P4350: rear view |
Rear cover - the only fly in the ointment concerning the design: the bottom it has only one point of attachment (latch), which is shifted from the center that allows you to easily hook it over the edge and is strong enough to push from the main body, forming a large gap. I think that is mounting - not the most reliable, and the latch is probably time permission or excuse. Otherwise, the quality of performance hull claims no - everything is done perfectly.
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| HTC P4350: a battery compartment |
It is time to remember about the basic "flavor" model - a sliding keyboard. In HTC P4350 utilizes a new mechanism for a sliding keyboard with avtodovodchikom ": is it worth to push the keyboard by about half, and it automatically pops up in full, the same thing at the closing. Little innovation: a keyboard now extends not to the left, as Qtek 9100 and HTC TyTN, and the right, which is somewhat unusual. Pushing on and close the keyboard, you can assign a beep (or even disable it). This "fashionable" feature is clearly targeted at young audiences.
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Keyboard itself has undergone a fair change from "ancestor» Qtek 9100 and even later HTC TyTN. Now the keys occupy practically the entire surface of the sliding block (it's a stone in the garden TyTN, where for some unknown reasons, the sides left a fair space) and become square. Perhaps, P4350 - the first device HTC (except for the Qtek 9000, but it's very different sizes), where the keyboard is really easy to use, size of the keys fit the holder of his fingers of any size. The keys have a fairly clear course and touch rubber - I personally thought that this is the rubber coating, but could be wrong. In addition, the keyboard status LEDs are present the Fn and Caps, almost as a "big" computer, which is very convenient (for instance, the state TyTN keys displayed in the bottom of the Windows Mobile and not always correctly). The keys light up blue-white color, they can be clearly seen in the dark. HTC P4350 claimed as thinnest keyboard device, but this HTC little slukavila, pointing to the characteristics of the device thickness of 17 mm. In fact, this shell thickness at the narrowest point, near the camera body is slightly thicker, about 2 mm. But in any case, the device has turned out, as it were better to speak ... very straightforward - the word is most appropriate when you look at P4350. True, the weight compared to Qtek 9100 has increased.
Screen
Here, perhaps, lies the main intrigue: for some reason (most likely in order to reduce the cost), HTC P4350 used in the screen without the mirror backing (which is interesting - in engineering samples had normal transflective screen). The main result to which it leads - the screen less readable in the sun. Otherwise, it is quite typical for modern HTC devices with a diagonal screen 2.8 ", 240x320 pixels, 65536 colors, with excellent viewing angles. Backlight levels of 5, which is somewhat little.
Processor and memory
As mentioned above, P4350 is basically a variation on the theme Qtek 9100 (Platform Wizard), the differences mainly only in the design of housing and the version of Windows Mobile. Accordingly, the hardware filling is already familiar to the pain: TI OMAP850 processor with a frequency of 200 MHz, 128 MB Flash ROM and 64 MB of RAM. Memory expansion is carried out using cards microSD, card slot is located conveniently enough, and is closed to clean the rubber stopper. Today, the presence of a microSD slot can not be considered a disadvantage, since available cards with 2GB and their price is not very different from those in terms of miniSD.
Below we present the results of testing of P4350 using the program SPB Benchmark. Apparently, miracles do not happen and the speed of the new device is virtually identical to its predecessor, Qtek 9100.
Performance Testing using TCPMP player has once again confirmed the results of the above test. Recall that testing in this case is conducted as follows. The unit test are run commercials for a player TCPMP, compressed codecs DivX and XviD in the most popular resolutions. Normal playback speed roller deemed figure of 100%, but since TCPMP shows the average result, decided to take the norm of 120%. Of course, the more results the better. The table below shows the achievement HTC P4350 in comparison with devices of competitors and predecessor.
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So, play unconverted video, our hero, as expected, will not pull. More or less go to him videos with a resolution of 320x240, and then delayed. Subjectively, the machine is still running quite quickly, almost podtormazhivaya when performing tasks common to the communicator. Delays are observed, it begins to objectively for its CPU time-consuming work, such as opening large files (documents or photos). In such cases, we have to wait sometimes for 10-15 seconds.
Battery
P4350 is equipped with a battery pack with quite a modest capacity 1130mAch (which is even less than the Qtek 9100, approximately 10%), so that some records on the runtime can not count. Communicator was tested in three different modes by the standard procedure. 1. Stress test: GSM-module, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled, the brightness and volume - the maximum, the communicator lost in a cycle of "hard" video. Hours - 4 hours 15 minutes. 2.Reading e-books: GSM-module, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned off, the light - in the first division of the minimum, the reading program was carried Haali Reader mode avtoskrolla memory card. Hours - 19 hours 20 minutes. 3. Audio playback: GSM-module, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and the screen - are off. Play was performed on a regular headset. Used the program GS Player, files with a bitrate of 192-256 KBps played with the memory card. Hours - 11 hours 45 minutes. But looks like our hero from the competition.
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As can be seen, the results are very respectable for such a weak battery. However, practice has shown that under normal use (talking, reading books, some of GPRS and Bluetooth) battery life is pretty enough little more than a day, so get ready to charge P4350 frequently (almost - every day). Just in case, always carry a charge.
Sound
Audio path has not undergone significant changes: P4350 traditional "issues" sound is very decent quality, without any impurities or interferences. Remains the only available option - to activate or deactivate the automatic volume control microphone. When used as a sound recorder can record at distances where a 1.5 meter on the volume and quality of entries fall considerably. Established headset is not habitually a distinctive sound quality and plug extUSB make a difficult test search headphones to replace staff. Fortunately, not so long ago, HTC has released a special adapter with a "proprietary" connector to a regular 2.5 mm audio jack, but whether it is available from us - I do not know. In general, the audible during calls with the device - very good. Call itself by a rather loud speakers hard to miss. In an extreme case, connect to business vibrate mode, on-then certainly will not fail.
Wireless interfaces
As usual, the wireless interfaces P4350 convenient way to manage (enable, disable and configure) from the "corporate" applications Comm manager, which is probably familiar to you.
Phone
Because this is still the same phone module processor TI OMAP850, then some special differences from the other HTC devices on the same chipset, it is difficult to expect - it's the same quad-GSM-module 850/900/1800/1900MGts with support GPRS class B multislot class 10 and EDGE. Constantly updated only version of phone software is responsible for working with GSM-equipment - bugs are fixed. Over time, using the phone I could not find any problems - everything worked well, to make and receive calls, GPRS working, SMS and MMS sent. The quality of connection, too, no complaints - all at a very high level. Perhaps the only complaint (which applies equally to all devices on the TI-platform) - the phone is not very quickly searches the network (compared with, say, TyTN, using chipsets Qualcomm). But this is somewhat subjective assessment of someone with her and can not accept. One of the innovations (the truth, but rather refers to the Windows Mobile, rather than to a phone module) - this is support for sending SMS via GPRS, but this service should also support and mobile operator. The ringer volume is at P4350 - average, vibration - powerful enough to not miss a call while the phone is in a case on your belt. Recently, HTC became very serious about the quality of the telephone module (and remember, for example, about old problems Qtek 9100/S200 network "MTS"). All new devices are thoroughly tested for correct operation in the networks of Russian mobile operators, which involved several engineers and a large number of devices simultaneously.
Bluetooth
HTC claims full support for P4350 standard Bluetooth 2.0 (and this is perhaps the only hardware platform unlike the Wizard), but I was not able to check whether there is support for enhanced data rate EDR, because of my lack of such devices. I think that, as in the HTC P3300, this functionality is not supported (yes, it would be strange to see such innovation in a budget model, if it is not even in Hi-End devices). Continue to use standard Bluetooth-stack from Misrosoft supported by a set of profiles is also quite typical for a device with AKU3:
- GAP (Generic Access Profile)
- A2DP - stereo audio output through Bluetooth-headset
- FTP - the ability to view the file structure of any other device with built-in utility FTP Explorer
- PAN (Personal Area Network) - an opportunity to use the device as an access point to multiple computers
- OPP (Object Push Profile)
- GOEP (Generic Object Exchange Profile)
- SPP (Serial Port Profile) - serial port emulation
- SAP (SIM Access Profile) - the ability to access the numbers on the SIM-card with car system with Bluetooth Handsfree
- HSP (HeadSet Profile)
- HFP (HandsFree Profile)
- HID (Human Interface Device profile)
- AVRCP (Audio / Video Remote Control Profile)
- SDAP (Service Discovery Application Profile).
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It is interesting that since version AKU3 Bluetooth-stack from Microsoft does not support Profile DUN (Dial-Up Networking, Remote Access), which does not use the communicator as a modem, as it can be done with devices based on AKU2.x. On the one hand, the setup when using PAN profile is easier on the other - the older devices (eg PDAs), about the PAN did not know.
Wi-Fi
The work of Wi-Fi is traditionally at a height, but the P4350 can not boast too good sensitivity. A similar situation with the HTC TyTN, maybe it has something to do with the sliding design of the device. Settings manager - a standard Microsoft, setting a minimum, but this is quite sufficient for normal operation. The only innovation AKU3 - Support wireless data encryption standard, WPA2, which is important for corporate users.
Luggage
The communicator is equipped with a P4350 which has recently become almost a standard for HTC camera with a matrix resolution of 2 megapixel. Close-up, in contrast to the TyTN, there is no flash either. Set of options as is typical for devices Pocket PC Phone: resolution, image quality, white balance, special effects (sepia, black & white, etc.), adjust the sharpness, saturation, contrast, timer mode (photo / video / ... ), etc. About them, we have repeatedly been told, so do not dwell on this detail.
The quality of shots is not bad enough, but only in good light. Worth a try to take pictures in low light or shade - just the problem starts, and the macro P4350 has been difficult. Below are examples of photographs taken by a camera of our hero.
Software
HTC P4350 is powered by the latest (for now) version of Windows Mobile 5.0 AKU3.2. In addition to standard applications, HTC added a few more set, including its own design.
ZIP - utility for working with ZIP-files on your device. Has already become the standard for all new devices, HTC.
Adobe Reader LE - software for viewing PDF-documents, replaced used hitherto ClearVue PDF.Midlet Manager - virtual Java-machine from the company Tao Group to run on the device MIDlets Java. Functionally very stripped-down version that does not support many advanced features J2ME. Task Manager - with this program (more precisely, the applet in System Preferences) you can make the application actually closed (and not just went "on background") when you click on "x". You can adjust the type of depression - a single, pressing the retention, or both. Audio Manager - application incomprehensible proprietary HTC, for listening to music. Why is it needed in the presence of embedded Media Player - a complete mystery, since it does not know how virtually nothing.
Voice Speed Dial - also the de facto standard software for HTC voice dialing from a company Cyberon.
Price and Availability
Currently, HTC P4350 is already on the domestic retail price of 20,990 rubles (about $ 800).
Conclusions
HTC P4350 - purely an evolutionary product that uses the proven platform and a good form factor side slider. Recall that his predecessor, Qtek 9100, became the first device made in such a case, then this a good idea has been taken note of the producers and the beginning replicated. Its main trump card - a full QWERTY-keyboard in a compact size. So, our today's hero is ideal for those who want to buy a keyboard model, but the performance and features GPS prefer modern design. Any particular innovations in the device is not, except for an improved sliding mechanism, the keyboard itself and impressive appearance, so its current price is very high, especially given the more advanced competitors facing less. However, this model introduces a certain variety in symmetrical rows of virtually "identical to the face of" smart pipes, not differing design refinements and, therefore, attract a new audience. Let us as usual we expand our impressions on the shelves.
Cons: - weak fastening the rear cover
- lack of a standard headphone jack
- low productivity
- inflated starting price
Pros: - catchy look
- excellent keyboard with a new mechanism of disclosure
- partially metal body
- good battery life.
The authors, translation:
LF Goresky
