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At the time it came out, the HTC Hero was, by far, the best Android phone on the block. With the HTC Legend, the manufacturer took everything good about that handset and made it even better.
Physically, it looks a lot like the Hero, down to the trademark chin. The body is cut from a single piece of aluminum (taking a bite out of Apple's aesthetic), making it both more attractive and durable at the same time. Replacing the trackball with a metal-trimmed trackpad also raises the style points up a notch, apart from working just as effectively.
Display is a gorgeous 3.2-inch AMOLED screen, with 320x480 resolution. Colors literally pop out, adding a "wow" factor that you seldom get with the mass of Android phones in the market. At 3mm thinner than the Hero, it's easily one of HTC's more pocketable devices.
As a phone, the HTC Legend manages slightly above average call quality. Voices sound natural with plenty of volume to go, although we did encounter a slight amount of distortion. Speakerphone worked just as well, perhaps lacking just a tad more volume to my liking. Battery life is quite disappointing, though, likely requiring a recharge every day and a half for most common uses.
While the Hero suffered from some form of sluggishness (which they later rectified via firmware), the Legend runs with satisfying speed out of the box. Navigation is smooth, transitions are fast and apps launch quick, putting all 600Mhz of that processor to good use. Web browsing (both over WiFi and HSDPA) is exceptional, with pages rendering almost twice as fast, compared to many Android phones we've seen. Plus, the browser's got multi-touch and some amount of Flash support.
It delivers all the usual Android 2.1 favors, from the nominal music player to the mass of Google apps to extensive messaging capabilities. HTC primps it up with their fancy Sense UI, which adds a lot of value to the device, including features such as being able to add mail to your Outlook folders, an improved mail interface, a very good onscreen keyboard and the MotoBlur-like Friend Stream. The latter, by the way, doesn't work as well as expected. Expect software updates on that end. Camera module is a 5.0 megapixel unit that manages to snap average-looking shots.
Sure, the Motorola Droid and the Nexus One have probably gotten the most press out of today's Android phones. In terms of overall value, though, I'm tempted to side with the HTC Legend, with its great looks, sleek operation and robust feature set. Price should vary from retailer to retailer, but expect it between $550 to $600 unlocked.
HTC Legend: A Sexier, Even Better Hero4.0555555555556noel2010-03-09 13:41:52
Phone ReviewsHTC Legend: A Sexier, Even Better Hero
Apart from HTC's trio of releases during MWC 2010, the company also announced their first phone under Qualcomm's Brew Mobile Platform (Brew MP). Called HTC Smart, the handset bills itself as an “easy-to-use, affordable smartphone.”
While most people won't be overly familiar with Brew, the phone is running HTC's popular Sense UI on top. That means, you can enjoy a similar rich interface experience as found on the manufacturer's newer Android and Windows Mobile devices.
Core hardware consists of a 300MHz CPU, 256MB of ROM and 256MB of RAM, which are considerably low specs for a smartphone, but is supposedly just enough for Brew's low overhead requirements. Details of the HTC Smart include a 2.8-inch QVGA touchscreen, a 3.2 megapixel camera, an onboard accelerometer, a 3.5mm audio jack and HSDPA data speeds.
The phone comes with a slew of widgets (contacts, photos, music and more), along with social networking aggregator HTC Friend Stream. Like other smartphone platforms, Brew MP also provides application downloads via its own online storefront, which Smart buyers can take advantage of to extend their handset's capabilties.
O2 will release the HTC Smart in Germany, Ireland and the UK by April, after which HTC itself will be selling it unlocked in other European countries. No pricing yet. Given that they're positioning it as a budget-friendly product, we imagine this will beat out most other smartphones in terms of affordability.
[O2 Press Release]
HTC Smart, A Budget Smartphone With Brew MP Announcedunratednoel2010-02-18 11:25:47
NewsHTC Smart, A Budget Smartphone With Brew MP Announced
HTC introduced three new touchscreen phones at MWC today, two of them running Android and one running Windows Mobile. The devices are called HTC Desire, HTC Legend and HTC HD Mini.
HTC HD Mini
Like the name implies, the Mini is smaller than your usual touchscreen slab, measuring 103.8 x 57.7 x 11.7 mm and weighing 110 grams. It's not a dainty, little handset, though, sporting a decidedly manly design, including four large screws on the back panel.
Core hardware is a 600Mhz processor, 384MB of RAM and 512MB of ROM. Features include a 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen (HVGA resolution), a 5.0 megapixel camera module, aGPS, stereo Bluetooth, microSDHC expansion, Wi-Fi and HSDPA connectivity. Like its bigger brother, the HD2, it can also be used as a Wi-Fi hotspot. It runs Sense UI over Windows Mobile 6.5.3.
The HTC HD Mini is expected to hit stores in April. No pricing, though.
HTC Legend
A remake of the HTC Hero, the Legend differs only with a unibody aluminum construction and a few minor hardware upgrades. Most of the handset, from the internals down to the trademark chin, are the same. Details include a 3.2-inch AMOLED capacitive touchscreen (HVGA), a 5.0 megapixel camera module, aGPS, microSD expansion, a 600 MHz processor, 384 MB of RAM and 512 MB of ROM. It supports both 3G and Wi-Fi.
The big news here is the revamped Sense UI, which now brings multitouch and a new homescreen feature called Leap. A Motoblur-like service called FriendStream is also integrated for tighter social network capabilities. Like the HD Mini, the HTC Legend is slated for an April release.
HTC Desire
Essentially a Nexus One without the Google branding, the HTC Desire trades in the trackball for an optical pad and throws in Sense UI over Android. Like the Nexus One, it's running on a 1GHz Snapdragon CPU, 576MB of RAM and 512MB of ROM. Notable details include a 3.7" AMOLED capacitive touchscreen (WVGA resolution), a 5.0 megapixel camera module (with HD video recording), aGPS, HSDPA, Wi-Fi and Adobe Flash 10.1 support.
It's coming in March, with no pricing details disclosed.
[via GSM Arena]
HTC Intros Three New Phones: Legend, Desire And Miniunratednoel2010-02-17 00:02:40HTC introduced three new touchscreen phones at MWC today, two of them running Android and one running Windows Mobile. The devices are called HTC Des...
NewsHTC Intros Three New Phones: Legend, Desire And MiniHTC introduced three new touchscreen phones at MWC today, two of them running Android and one running Windows Mobile. The devices are called HTC Des...
Still want a Windows Mobile handset for your next smartphone? Have it your way. If you're looking for the best the platform has to offer, there's really only one unanimous choice: the HTC HD2.
Physically, it's a heck of a looker and is arguably HTC's most beautiful release. While build and construction feels solid, it's a tad big (67 x 121 x 11 mm). You can fit it into a pocket, but probably not when you're wearing your skinny jeans. It's tough to complain, though, when you glance upon the gorgeous 4.3 inch capacitive touchscreen with 800 x 480 resolution.
Despite the generous screen size, the device didn't turn out as huge as I expected. Credit to the company's design wizards here. Not only is the screen bright and detail-rich, the extra size actually makes using Windows Mobile easy (especially the parts HTC didn't cover up).
As a phone, it manages excellent calls - clear sound, no interruptions and natural voices. Speakerphone performed similarly, although there was noticeable tinniness at the upper ranges. Battery life didn't disappoint either. Despite the huge display, it lasts for a good two days of regular use before requiring a recharge.
Now, HTC has become the most popular Windows Mobile handset maker for one reason - they craft amazing UIs for the platform. The same holds true for the HD2, especially the social network-friendly homescreen, although they did leave out some parts (such as Activesync and the email viewer). Props should be given for the onscreen keyboard (easily one of the best I've ever used) and the multi-touch implementation (across many apps).
On the features end, the phone doesn't let expectations down either. It's got the Windows Mobile staples, from heavy messaging capabilities to useful PIM tools to a bevy of preinstalled apps. Software runs fast on the HD2, by the way. Sure, Android will probably be faster on this kind of hardware - but this isn't bad at all.
With both 3G and Wi-Fi available, getting online is a pleasant experience here. It comes with Opera Mobile as the default browser and looks amazing on the bumped-up display size. You might want to switch between Opera and IE, though, as the latter supports some amount of Flash.
Media playback, by the way, is excellent, whether you're watching a video from a microSD card, using the built-in YouTube app or listening to music. It's a very capable entertainment phone. The 5.0 megapixel is decent, but nothing special. Other features include aGPS, stereo Bluetooth and, of course, support for the Windows Mobile Marketplace.
Overall, there's not a single Windows Mobile phone that can claim they're better than the HTC HD2. Not by a mile. We know not everyone loves the Androids and iPhones of the world, so there's a huge market out there for this handset. The Euro version is priced between $700 to $800 unlocked (costs may vary depending on where you purchase), which is admittedly expensive. If you want the champion of Windows Mobile phones, though, there's nowhere else to turn to.
HTC HD2 Is The Undisputed Champion Of Windows Mobile Smartphonesunratednoel2010-01-28 10:36:13
Phone ReviewsHTC HD2 Is The Undisputed Champion Of Windows Mobile Smartphones
Good things may not necessarily come to everyone who waits, but American users looking to grab an HTC HD2 sure will. Released in Europe and Asia back in November of last year, it did seem odd that the US was at the rear end of the handset's rollout schedule. Now we know why: they're getting a better version of the best Windows Mobile phone currently around.
According to the smartphone's official page (link below), the T-Mobile USA version will come with 576MB of RAM and 1GB of ROM. That's a serious upgrade from the 448MB of RAM and 512MB of ROM on the previously-released variants. It will also get a 16GB card preloaded, compared to the default 2GB on the lowly European and Asian versions.
Apart from memory, the rest of the HTC HD2 will remain unchanged. To recap the specs, the handset features a 4.3-inch touchscreen (800 x 480 resolution), aGPS, a 5.0 megapixel camera module and high-speed connectivity (both HSDPA and Wi-Fi). The US version will also come with Windows Mobile 6.5 pre-installed.
Now, why is memory such an issue? Because the Windows Marketplace insists on installing apps on internal storage. That means, the bigger your memory, the more apps you can cram into the phone. More importantly, though, Windows Mobile 7 will require 1GB of ROM - a spec HD2s in other regions won't be sufficiently qualified for.
The HTC HD2 will debut in T-Mobile USA's roster beginning early Spring. Pricing isn't known yet. Given the tendency for smartphones to use the iPhone as the bar, though, expect it at around $200 with a two-year tie-in.
[HTC via WM Power User]
T-Mobile Getting A Better, WM7-Ready HTC HD2unratednoel2010-01-25 14:21:19
NewsT-Mobile Getting A Better, WM7-Ready HTC HD2
