HTC's flagship PDA-phone: the TyTN II
Mobile maker HTC unveiled five new devices for the Australian market last week, including an ultramobile PC called the Shift, and a PDA-phone with a slide-out QWERTY keypad called the TyTN II.
With a seven-inch touchscreen, dual operating systems and a QWERTY keyboard, the Shift is positioned as a travel device for the mobile professional, with connectivity options including Wi-Fi, HSDPA-enabled 3G (for data only, no calls) and Bluetooth. It can dual-boot a full version of Windows Vista alongside a stripped down and skinned version of Windows Mobile it calls SnapVUE.
HTC reckons you'll get around 2.5 hours of battery life when using Vista or about eight days using SnapVUE, which gives you quick access to e-mail, your calendar, SMS and contacts. The Shift looked kind of like an extremely shrunken laptop when we had five minutes play with it at the launch, especially with the tiny mouse HTC had plugged into it at the demo booth. It's due to be released locally in December for AU$1,999.
Four Windows Mobile 6 devices are also in the Taiwanese manufacturer's line-up for the rest of 2007.
First up is the AU$1,299 TyTN II, the flagship PDA-phone in HTC's latest collection. It has a 2.8-inch inch slide-and-tilt screen, 3.5G connectivity (up to 3.6Mbps) and built-in GPS. HTC also bundles it with CoPilot Live mapping software.
Ultramobile PC: HTC Shift
The AU$699 Touch II is a straightforward upgrade to the original Touch, with HTC doubling the onboard memory. It still features a customised home screen, called the "TouchFlo" interface, which doesn't really hold a candle up to Apple's iPhone.
Next up is the Touch Dual, which is basically like the Touch II described above, but with a slide-out numerical keypad and 3.5G connectivity. It's due in November for AU$899.
Last is the most consumer-friendly device in terms of form factor in HTC's latest line-up, the candy bar-shaped S730 smartphone. It's probably the first we've seen with a slide-out QWERTY keypad, too. It's 3G and has Wi-Fi built-in and costs AU$899.
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ntn001
06/11/2007 02:19 PM
Am interested to see or hear more about the TouchDual but can't get anything about it for Aus market (is wifi really necessary?). TouchFlo looks great and given the well publicised iPhone shortcomings, the TouchDual looks to be an exciting addition. I look forward to cnet.com.au reviewing the Dual and I'll be first in line with the cash come 20 Nov ... unless you tell me otherwise.
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bchau
06/11/2007 07:48 PM
The HTC Touch II is very appealing. Elegant design and very functional. The TouchFLO is very innovative. One to watch.
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zavster21
16/11/2007 12:08 PM
I have had the HTC TyTN II for a couple of weeks now. It does everything. It is a pleasure to use and certainly worth the money. The only downside: size. Strongly recommend.
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the big t
05/12/2007 03:11 PM
iam after a something that has the ability to hold pdf 's ,down load word documents ,hold photo's maybe mpeg's ,take photo's?? and have phone for ,wait for it...........the cheapest posible price"basically the holy grail"
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ntn001
09/12/2007 06:41 PM
Got it - Love it! The Touch Dual is a sensation! Have only had it for a few days and not yet tested it thoroughly, but what I've done with it works wonderfully. And with the $700 price tag it's a bargain.
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pdafanatical
04/01/2008 07:28 PM
Gave up waiting for this one and grabbed a Dopod 838Pro for $675 from www.pressdigital.com.au - I'm glad I did.. The keyboard is awesome and still suits me better than TouchFlo which I tried on the Touch Dual. .. Just my 2 cents - But I reckon the Dopod 838Pro is better value unless you want something ultra-slim.. That's all the Touch range as going for it really.. IMO..
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pdafanatical
04/01/2008 07:29 PM
Gave up waiting for this one and grabbed a Dopod 838Pro for $675 from www.pressdigital.com.au - I'm glad I did.. The keyboard is awesome and still suits me better than TouchFlo which I tried on the Touch Dual. .. Just my 2 cents - But I reckon the Dopod 838Pro is better value unless you want something ultra-slim.. That's all the Touch range as going for it really.. IMO..
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