Conclusion
Sprint's CDMA version of the HTC Touch is an upgrade from the unlocked GSM version of Touch, and is in many ways a step up from every other Windows Mobile device available right now. The TouchFLO UI adds a huge layer of improvement and usability to the WM 6 platform upon which it rests. Commonly used applications and services can be launched via big, clear - and attractive, even! - icons on the home screen, and a swipe of the finger launches an easy to navigate 3-D gateway to second-level features like your Contacts list and Sprint's multimedia offerings. TouchFLO really makes Touch a lot more fun to use than your ordinary Windows Mobile phone.
Beyond that, Touch is cool to look at and great to hold, use, and put away in your pocket. It's small, light, well-proportioned, and easy to hold and operate. And Sprint's network has always been reliable in my testing, and offers great data speeds and a music store that's on par with anyone's when it comes to selection and pricing (though it really needs that UI update). If you're willing to pay the various service fees, you can use Touch for everything from staying in touch with the office to surfing the Web to downloading music and streaming video.
The problem with Touch lies in trying to write words on the thing. While the virtual keypad is better on this Touch than on the original GSM variant, it's still not that great - at least, I had problems using it. Tapping icons and swiping lines on Touch with your fingertips works pretty well, but typing on the 20-button QWERTY layout doesn't. Heavy text and email users looking at Touch should try it out for themselves first, and consider the benefits of a device like Mogul which adds a physical keyboard at the expense of bulk and weight.
Touch begs an
iPhone comparison because Apple set the current gold standard for feature phone usability and Touch's display and interface improvements are clearly meant to address Windows Mobile's usability issues. In my view, Touch isn't in Apple's league when it comes to usability, but that doesn't mean it's bad. Windows Mobile offers a lot of things to a lot of people that no other mobile platform can, and Touch makes it all a lot more usable. And a lot more attractive. If you're in the market for a new smartphone and considering Sprint as your carrier, Touch is definitely worth a look ... and a touch.
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4.5
