HTC Wildfire S disadvantages

HTC

HTC Wildfire S disadvantages

By Moonlight → الأربعاء، 29 يونيو 2011

Introduction

Mini phones are hot and HTC don’t want you take Sony Ericsson’s word on that. What started as a small niche is now a segment that keeps growing – and one that no manufacturer can afford to ignore. Sony Ericsson have just announced their updated mini lineup while Samsung and LG routinely have more than one thing going on in the midrange.

HTC know they can’t afford to stop right in the middle of what they’ve been doing with the Wildfire, the Aria and the Gratia. Going all the way back to the Tattoo, which first put Android on the radar for budget shoppers.

There’s plenty of choice already for those who like their droid in a small package. The HTC Wildfire S seems to be aware of that and does well to make itself seen. The lively paintjobs and friendly compact size are the right features to show to potential buyers. The Wildfire S has found a way to further reduce size while keeping the same 3.2” screen.

One thing we should keep in mind though. HTC seem to be in power-saving mode currently with all their recent releases but facelifts offering minor improvements over predecessors. That holds true for the Wildfire S too, though this is not to say that it shouldn’t be on your list if you’re looking for the next hot mini. HTC seem to have worked exactly on the things that most needed improvement. Display is key here, HVGA finally bringing it to acceptable levels. CIF video-capture was upped to VGA and the phone runs the latest Android Gingerbread.

These things should give it enough value as an upgrade. The Wildfire S is well-designed and well-built – a colorful little droid to offer good bang for buck. Let’s look at what else the S stands for.

Key features

·                 Quad-band GSM and dual-band 3G support 

·                 7.2 Mbps HSDPA, 384 Kbps HSUPA support 

·                 3.2" 256K-color TFT capacitive touchscreen of HVGA (320 x 480 pixels) resolution

·                 600MHz Snapdragon MSM7227 CPU, Adreno 200 GPU; 418MB of user-available RAM

·                 Android 2.3.3 (Gingerbread) with HTC Sense 2.1 UI 

·                 Wi-Fi 802.11 b, g, n with hotspot functionality

·                 GPS with A-GPS connectivity; digital compass 

·                 5 MP autofocus camera, LED flash, geotagging and face-detection

·                 VGA video @ 24fps 

·                 microUSB port (charging) and stereo Bluetooth v3.0 

·                 microSD slot (up to 32GB, 2GB in box)

·                 Standard 3.5 mm audio jack

·                 Accelerometer and proximity sensor

·                 Gorilla Glass display

·                 Stereo FM radio with RDS 

·                 Light and compact 

·                 Turn-to-mute, lift-to-tone-down, flip for speakerphone

·                 Smart dialing

·                 XviD video support

·                 HTCSense.com integration

·                 HTC Portable Hotspot 

·                 Ultra-fast boot times (if you don’t remove battery)

Main disadvantages

·                 Poor camera performance

·                 No HD 720p video recording 

·                 No shutter key for the camera 

·                 No Adobe Flash player, Flash Lite only 

·                 No Document viewer

·                 No secondary videocall camera

·                 No ambient light sensor 

The Wildfire S is the usual all-round smartphone – with the latest Android inside at that – but now in an even friendlier shape. All work and no play wouldn’t do for the Wildfire S and HTC have added some twists to the old recipe to make it 2011-ready.

Balance was sought above all – no groundbreaking features are to be expected. Not in this price range, not in a pint-sized package. Minis are friendly and playful. Let’s see if the HTC Wildfire S matches the description

HTC Touch Pro2 disadvantages

HTC

HTC Touch Pro2 disadvantages

By Moonlight →

Introduction

 

Amid talk of Android and would-be heroes we're about to revisit HTC on their hallowed PocketPC ground. Good things seem to come in pairs for the company while out-and-out upgrades are always good news for the user. With two jewels in the crown and two pros on the squad, HTC march towards PocketPC dominance and the Touch Pro2 looks like it has what it takes to lead the campaign.

More powerful gear and more impressive shell than the original Pro, HTC Touch Pro2 is in charge of the armored unit, while theDiamond2 tackles the infantry.

PocketPC is definitely the HTC game but it sure isn't a one horse race. The list of prominent number 2's is perhaps about to be continued with an XPERIA. On the other hand, the launch of the Touch Pro2 is perhaps timed just right to beat another major headliner from the Symbian camp - the nokia n97.

Anyway, that's just the background. The real thing is how the Touch Pro2 handles and performs. A number two can't be much of prophet we guess but a well-done upgrade can bring in enough profit.

Key features

• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support and HSDPA 7.2Mbps
• 3.6" 65K-color touchscreen WVGA display
• Five row full QWERTY side-sliding keyboard of brilliant ergonomics
• Revamped TouchFLO 3D Home screen and gesture controls
• Wi-Fi and built-in GPS receiver with A-GPS
• Qualcomm MSM7200A 528 Mhz CPU and 288 MB DDR SDRAM
• Dedicated graphics chip (64MB RAM reserved for graphics)
• 3.15 MP auto focus camera
• Active stylus
• Touch-sensitive zoom bar
• Standard miniUSB port and Bluetooth v2.0 with A2DP
• microSD memory expansion
• TV out
• Teeter game aboard
• Cool YouTube client
• Excellent video playback
• MS Office Mobile document editor
• Opera 9.5 web browser

Main disadvantages

• Considerable size and weight
• Average sunlight legibility
• No standard 3.5mm audio jack
• Poor camera performance
• No camera flash
• No FM radio by default (can be enabled with unofficial third-party software)

Talking upgrade, the HTC Touch Pro2 takes a leap forward in screen terms pumping up both resolution and size. It inherits the original Touch Pro but stands on the shoulders of a TytN too. The return of the tilting screen will sure be cheered. Now, add the revamped and improved exterior and you've got upgraders by the balls.

Oh, and that TouchFLO UI facelift we got a  glimpse of on the new Diamond2 is just begging for another shot. So, the upgrade kit is all there but justifying the extra dime is the real deal and that's exactly what we are about to check.

We hailed the new Diamond and as long as the new Pro follows suit it sure has nothing to fear. But it'd better be keen on action and fit to play along, cause we're not letting it go unchallenged. Unboxing starts right after the jump.

HTC Touch Diamond2 disadvantages

HTC

HTC Touch Diamond2 disadvantages

By Moonlight →

Introduction

HTC Touch Diamond2 is next on our roll call of MWC debuts but this time it's less about the brand spanking novelty and more about balanced and sensible upgrades. People tend to have second thoughts about sequels but this one here is signed by HTC and may as well be the director's cut of a blockbuster.

It is only recently that Windows Mobile fans are receiving the treatment they deserve after years of undeserved exile. The WinMo devices are no longer stigmatized as ugly bricks with awkward handling and HTC are one of the main agents of this change. The HTC Touch Diamond was one of the most complete devices and its stand-out styling earned it well deserved popularity.

We now welcome its successor, somewhat insipidly named HTC Touch Diamond2. Improving the functionality of the original Diamond, the Diamond2 comes with rather different design that is certain to raise some degree of discussion. But it's the performance that will make the difference between a mere Number 2 and a real gem.

Key features:

• 3.2" 65K-color WVGA display
• Latest TouchFLO 3D
• Qualcomm MSM7200A 528 Mhz CPU and 288 MB RAM
• Dedicated graphics chip (64MB RAM reserved for graphics)
• Quad-band GSM support
• 3G with HSDPA 7.2Mbps and HSUPA 2Mbps
• Wi-Fi and built-in GPS receiver
• Stereo FM radio with RDS
• 5 MP auto focus camera with excellent image quality
• microSD card slot
• Touch-sensitive zoom bar
• MS Office Mobile document editor
• Opera 9.5 web browser
• Standard miniUSB slot and Bluetooth v2.0 with A2DP
• Teeter game
• Great audio quality
• YouTube client
• Excellent video playback

Main disadvantages:

• Fingerprint nightmare
• Average sunlight legibility
• Questionable build quality
• No TV out port
• No standard 3.5mm audio jack
• No magnetic stylus

The HTC Touch Diamond2 outdoes its predecessor with a larger and higher-res screen, a vastly superior camera and more RAM. The TouchFLO 3D UI has also been improved and now covers the underlying Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional OS from tip to toe. Sounds like a decent update with a keen eye on the competition too, which is getting stiffer by the day.

While the original Diamond had only the Samsung i900 Omnia to tackle, the HTC Touch Diamond2 faces a tougher battle. With a few new arrivals on the touchscreen market (Symbian S60, Android and BlackBerry OS have all jumped in) the Diamond2 will need spotless performance to match its predecessor's success.

There is quite a lot to test so let's not waste any more time. On the next page we open the box and meet the contender. Will it be diamond hard or will it crumble under the lightest of touches?

HTC Touch2 disadvantages

HTC

HTC Touch2 disadvantages

By Moonlight →

Introduction

 

Affordable isn't the most common word in the HTC vocabulary but a company whose sole line of business is smartphones is not quite expected to speak the language of the masses. That said, we really need to define affordable first. It's what HTC Touch2 tries hard to be but… let's face it… doesn't get too close to. After all, there's little a PocketPC full of high-tech goodies can do about it.

But there's much a company needs to do to keep pace with an evolving market. HTC are busy updating their portfolio and the Touch2 is yet another in a growing line of sequels. Alright, it may be a small step for PocketPCs but a solid move for HTC in the midrange.

The launch of TouchFLO is a landmark but the original Touch will also be remembered perhaps as the first HTC device to actually have some exterior design and compactness. No offence, but prior to that PocketPC's were just big enough to get away with the lack of style.

Anyway, the Touch Viva and the Touch 3G followed soon after - near clones that tried to give PocketPC's mass appeal.

So, that means the HTC Touch2 will be trying to walk in three pairs of shoes and give the 

 company some flexibility in the midrange. The newbie is smart, fast (in fact, surprisingly fast), compact, and friendly. The sharp contemporary looks are a definite asset but there's more than enough stuff under the hood to motivate upgraders too.

Key features

• 2.8" 65K-color QVGA display
• Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional OS with TouchFLO
• Qualcomm MSM7225 528MHz CPU and 256MB RAM
• Quad-band GSM support
• 3G with HSDPA 7.2Mbps
• Wi-Fi connectivity
• Built-in GPS receiver with A-GPS support
• Stereo FM radio with RDS
• 3 MP fixed focus camera
• microSD card slot
• Touch-sensitive zoom bar
• Standard miniUSB port and Bluetooth v2.1 with A2DP
• Standard 3.5mm audio jack
• Great audio quality
• MS Office Mobile document editor
• Opera 9.5 web browser
• YouTube client, Facebook integration
• Excellent video playback performance

Main disadvantages

• Low-end display resolution
• Camera lacks auto focus, flash, geotagging or a dedicated camera key
• No accelerometer sensor
• Poor screen sunlight legibility
• Preloaded CoPilot Live navigation software is a trial version
• No secondary video-call camera
• No handwriting recognition

Actually, the real troublesome bit is screen estate. The QVGA 2.8-incher on the HTC Touch2 is so 2000-and-late - an unpleasant surprise in a phone that takes meticulous care to upgrade its predecessor. Less than the Cookie and on par with the Corby   is hardly a compliment for a PocketPC, be it midrange. While the user interface is quite thumbable, the display does feel small at times and the stylus unavoidable.

At the end of the day though, the Touch2 seems to have enough to make up for this misfortune. And if size looks like an invitation to lower your expectations don't be too keen to take it. The Touch2 - among other things - is the first HTC phone to run Windows Mobile 6.5.

Even if sticking to the size limit was vital, HTC were quite generous with the equipment of the Touch2. From processing power to connectivity - the Touch2 is a solid and extensive upgrade. The smartphone runs the latest WinMo, packs Wi-Fi, HSDPA and an inbuilt GPS receiver. The fixed focus camera is not much of a perk but the standard 3.5mm audio jack will sure come in handy.

There is quite a lot to test so let's open the box and meet the handset in person. We're back after the jump with unboxing, design and construction. It's Touch2 time.

HTC Tattoo disadvantages

HTC

HTC Tattoo disadvantages

By Moonlight →

Introduction

The HTC Tattoo wants to redefine smart in smartphone. This affordable little thing was among the first droids to go mass-market. But run-of-the-mill specs don’t mean a boring personality. The HTC Tattoo wears its heart on the sleeve and a shirt for every day of the week means no shortage of sleeves. What do you know, HTC are busy running a tattoo shop.

The Android Market is a huge part of the deal with every droid phone. The HTC Tattoo has two: a beauty shop and a food store to go to. Back at launch, the QVGA screen resolution wouldn’t let the Tattoo make the best of the Android Market. Things should be different a few months later with more QVGA droids around.

HTC Tattoo official photos

The HTC Tattoo is the unlikeliest of phones to be bored with, but there’s more to this than the custom-designed covers: the Tattoo will be getting the Android 2.1 Éclair update. Nice one, we say: some happy users and a review that’s at least remotely on time. Here go the full specs to get us started:

Key features

• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support
• 3G with HSDPA 7.2 Mbps
• Heavily customizable: exchangeable covers
• Android OS v1.6 (Sense UI), upgradeable to 2.1 Eclair
• 2.8" resistive touchscreen of QVGA resolution
• Qualcomm MSM 7225 528 MHz CPU, 256 MB RAM, 512 MB ROM
• 3.15 megapixel fixed-focus camera
• Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g and GPS receiver
• Accelerometer sensor for auto-rotate
• Standard miniUSB port for charging and data
• Stereo Bluetooth (A2DP)
• microSD card slot, up to 8GB support (a 2GB card in the box)
• Standard 3.5mm audio jack
• Direct access to the official Android repository
• Smart dialing
• Stereo FM radio with RDS

Main disadvantages

• QVGA resolution doesn’t do Android/ Sense UI graphics justice
• No video-call camera
• Camera lacks auto focus, flash and has a rather basic UI
• CIF@15fps video recording (352 x 288 pixels) is below par
• No voice dialing
• No DivX or XviD video support or a third-party application to play that
• Poor MP4 playback performance - barely watchable in video resolution above QVGA
• No Flash support for the web browser
• No Bluetooth file transfers (not without rooting)
• No TV-out port

It’s the custom-designed covers that make the HTC Tattoo a unique package, a phone for users who want to express themselves. The unique customization is the right thing perhaps to make an otherwise average smartphone stand out – and inspire mass users to endorse a new platform.

HTC Tattoo live photos

The top-notch connectivity aside, the HTC Tattoo is a standard smartphone package. This is a first-gen Android with all the inherent weaknesses. On top of that, you get a smallish low-resolution screen. Well, that’s one part of the deal you sign for. But it’s still all fair and square we think when you throw in the reasonable price tag and the chance to express your artistic self.

So, is the Tattoo really your kind of phone? You know, even if it’s not, that’s easier to fix than any other phone out there. The HTC Tattoo has been around long enough but it’s keen to offer a new experience every time. Let’s see