HTC Touch Review - Messaging, Internet & Connectivity

Messaging, Internet & Connectivity

Messaging on Touch was a mixed bag. While the speed of Sprint’s EV-DO network made sending and receiving Email quick and easy, writing messages on Touch wasn't quite so quick or so easy. If you're looking for a device on which to regularly write emails and texts, you might want to wait for Touch Dual and it's slider keyboard to make it to the states. At the least, try Touch out for yourself and see how you like the virtual keyboard before you buy one.

Windows Mobile 6 provides support for multiple POP and IMAP email accounts and while there’s no ultra-friendly setup wizard, I was able to configure a few of my accounts - including server options and signature files - with no trouble. Outlook Mobile features good integration between messaging accounts and contacts, and Windows Mobile 6 upgrades Outlook to support full HTML email. Email attachments are also supported, and as mentioned, Touch ships with pocket versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint which allow for document creation and editing in addition to viewing.

Web Browsing using the included Internet Explorer browser was okay, but things perked up considerably when I downloaded and installed Opera Mobile. The TouchFLO system made it easier to click links and scroll through Web pages on Touch than on other Windows Mobile phones I've used, and the D-Pad may also be used for navigating around Web pages.

There's no WiFi antenna on Touch, which some will see as an oversight but probably contributed to HTC and Sprint being able to offer an exceedingly small, slim device that combines good power and good battery life. Apple chose to leave 3G access off of the first-gen iPhone in the name of battery life - HTC seemingly opted for 3G over WiFi for the same reason. In any case, Sprint's Power Vision network is fast enough that I really didn't miss having WiFi when browsing the Web or retrieving Email.

Touch may also be used as a cellular modem, and Sprint’s new Internet Sharing app makes the process even easier. You will, of course, need to subscribe to a data plan to access all of this high speed Web goodness.

The HTC Touch for Sprint is locked to the Sprint network in the United States. It combines a CDMA cell phone with EV-DO data services for Email, Web, and other Net-based applications. The device ships with 151MB of onboard memory accessible to users, and the integrated microSD card slot allows for expansion up to 4GB per card.

HTC built Bluetooth v2.0 into the Touch, and file transfer, information synching, voice dialing, laptop tethering, and both mono and stereo (A2DP) audio are supported. The integrated mini-USB jack can be used to connect to a computer for synching, file transfers, and use of the Touch as a cellular modem. The USB jack is also used for charging the device and for connecting to the included stereo earphones. A dual port-replicator/2.5mm headphone port USB cable is also included..

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