Post by KC on Jun 6, 2007 17:32:40 GMT 6
blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/microsoft/archives/116259.asp
With the launch of Apple's iPhone approaching, Microsoft has made it clear that it plans to continue relying on its hardware partners in the mobile-phone market, rather than making a phone of its own. So it's going to be interesting to see the new devices those hardware companies produce to run on Microsoft's Windows Mobile software.
The latest, unveiled today, is the HTC Touch. As the name implies, it has a touch screen, so it's inevitable for people to compare and contrast it with the iPhone. Here's an animated demo on the HTC site. Some of the online reaction so far:
Gizmodo: "The base OS is still the same Windows Mobile 6, but on top, HTC's added TouchFLO, their own touchscreen app. It can tell whether you're using your stylus or your finger, and if you're using your finger, you can activate a 'three-dimensional interface' with 'three screens' made up of your contacts, your media, and your apps."
Bonnie Cha, CNet News.com: "First, using the touch screen was a frustrating experience. I could never get it to work right. Swiping left to right didn't do much, and I couldn't really close out of apps by using the downward motion. I also noticed the screen held a lot of smudges, which bugged me. That said, I'm sure I could learn to use the Touch with more time. ... No, my biggest gripe is there isn't an easy way to enter text. Given the compact design, a full QWERTY keyboard is clearly out, but are you telling me I'm left to peck out messages with a stylus and tiny virtual keyboard?"
Ryan Kim, San Francisco Chronicle: "The HTC is not going to be a replacement to e-mail workhorses like the BlackBerry Curve, released last week, or the T-Mobile Dash, also made by HTC. It's more aimed at consumers who want more oomph from their phones."
Engadget: "[T]he Touch is the first device to feature TouchFLO touchscreen technology 'developed by HTC' -- though we think Microsoft had a little something to do with it. It's not multi-touch like the iPhone, but it does offer a "new and unique" way to sweep a finger (or stylus) across the screen to control the 3D interface.It's not multi-touch like the iPhone, but it does offer a 'new and unique' way to sweep a finger (or stylus) across the screen to control the 3D interface."
Michael Gartenberg of Jupiter Research points out that HTC is launching the Touch outside the U.S. initially, while the iPhone will be launched inside the U.S. at first. "This is a great tactical move by HTC and it was a good way to gain some buzz without going head to head directly as others are going to try to do," he writes.
With the launch of Apple's iPhone approaching, Microsoft has made it clear that it plans to continue relying on its hardware partners in the mobile-phone market, rather than making a phone of its own. So it's going to be interesting to see the new devices those hardware companies produce to run on Microsoft's Windows Mobile software.
The latest, unveiled today, is the HTC Touch. As the name implies, it has a touch screen, so it's inevitable for people to compare and contrast it with the iPhone. Here's an animated demo on the HTC site. Some of the online reaction so far:
Gizmodo: "The base OS is still the same Windows Mobile 6, but on top, HTC's added TouchFLO, their own touchscreen app. It can tell whether you're using your stylus or your finger, and if you're using your finger, you can activate a 'three-dimensional interface' with 'three screens' made up of your contacts, your media, and your apps."
Bonnie Cha, CNet News.com: "First, using the touch screen was a frustrating experience. I could never get it to work right. Swiping left to right didn't do much, and I couldn't really close out of apps by using the downward motion. I also noticed the screen held a lot of smudges, which bugged me. That said, I'm sure I could learn to use the Touch with more time. ... No, my biggest gripe is there isn't an easy way to enter text. Given the compact design, a full QWERTY keyboard is clearly out, but are you telling me I'm left to peck out messages with a stylus and tiny virtual keyboard?"
Ryan Kim, San Francisco Chronicle: "The HTC is not going to be a replacement to e-mail workhorses like the BlackBerry Curve, released last week, or the T-Mobile Dash, also made by HTC. It's more aimed at consumers who want more oomph from their phones."
Engadget: "[T]he Touch is the first device to feature TouchFLO touchscreen technology 'developed by HTC' -- though we think Microsoft had a little something to do with it. It's not multi-touch like the iPhone, but it does offer a "new and unique" way to sweep a finger (or stylus) across the screen to control the 3D interface.It's not multi-touch like the iPhone, but it does offer a 'new and unique' way to sweep a finger (or stylus) across the screen to control the 3D interface."
Michael Gartenberg of Jupiter Research points out that HTC is launching the Touch outside the U.S. initially, while the iPhone will be launched inside the U.S. at first. "This is a great tactical move by HTC and it was a good way to gain some buzz without going head to head directly as others are going to try to do," he writes.