HTC Touch Diamond2 review

HTC Touch Diamond2 is next on our roll call of MWC debuts but this time it's less about the brand spanking novelty and more about balanced and sensible upgrades. People tend to have second thoughts about sequels but this one here is signed by HTC and may as well be the director's cut of a blockbuster.

It is only recently that Windows Mobile fans are receiving the treatment they deserve after years of undeserved exile. The WinMo devices are no longer stigmatized as ugly bricks with awkward handling and HTC are one of the main agents of this change. The HTC Touch Diamond was one of the most complete devices and its stand-out styling earned it well deserved popularity.

HTC Touch Diamond2 official photos

We now welcome its successor, somewhat insipidly named HTC Touch Diamond2. Improving the functionality of the original Diamond, the Diamond2 comes with rather different design that is certain to raise some degree of discussion. But it's the performance that will make the difference between a mere Number 2 and a real gem.

Key features:

• 3.2" 65K-color WVGA display
• Latest TouchFLO 3D
• Qualcomm MSM7200A 528 Mhz CPU and 288 MB RAM
• Dedicated graphics chip (64MB RAM reserved for graphics)
• Quad-band GSM support
• 3G with HSDPA 7.2Mbps and HSUPA 2Mbps
• Wi-Fi and built-in GPS receiver
• Stereo FM radio with RDS
• 5 MP auto focus camera with excellent image quality
• microSD card slot
• Touch-sensitive zoom bar
• MS Office Mobile document editor
• Opera 9.5 web browser
• Standard miniUSB slot and Bluetooth v2.0 with A2DP
• Teeter game
• Great audio quality
• YouTube client
• Excellent video playback

Main disadvantages:

• Fingerprint nightmare
• Average sunlight legibility
• Questionable build quality
• No TV out port
• No standard 3.5mm audio jack
• No magnetic stylus

The HTC Touch Diamond2 outdoes its predecessor with a larger and higher-res screen, a vastly superior camera and more RAM. The TouchFLO 3D UI has also been improved and now covers the underlying Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional OS from tip to toe. Sounds like a decent update with a keen eye on the competition too, which is getting stiffer by the day.

HTC Touch Diamond2 views

While the original Diamond had only the Samsung i900 Omnia to tackle, the HTC Touch Diamond2 faces a tougher battle. With a few new arrivals on the touchscreen market (Symbian S60, Android and BlackBerry OS have all jumped in) the Diamond2 will need spotless performance to match its predecessor's success.

Samsung B7610 OmniaPRO

Samsung are not quite the standard-setter in communicator devices but are obviously keen to have their say. Playing catch up seems well in order for a debut but we guess someone here is set to play for keeps. The Samsung B7610 OmniaPRO is a generously spec'd device that's poised to tackle the best in the class and even raise the bet. While sheer size and scope confine it to a niche, the Samsung communicator might be just the right option for those served by that niche.

Samsung B7610 Omnia Pro official photos

Having acquired a pre-release sample of the side-slider PocketPC we are squeezing in a short preview, introducing its most important features. The chunky bloke does give a decent first impression, but handling will be the ultimate test. For starters, let's look at the key items on the Samsung B7610 OmniaPRO's balance sheet.

Samsung B7610 OmniaPRO at a glance:

• General: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, UMTS 900/2100 MHz, HSDPA 3.6Mbps
• Form factor: Full QWERTY side-slider
• Dimensions: 112.6 x 57.8 x 16.2 mm, 159g
• Display: 3.5" 16M color (65K effective) resistive AMOLED touchscreen of WVGA resolution
• OS: Windows Mobile 6.1 (upgradable to 6.5), TouchWiz 2.0 UI
• Memory: 1GB built-in storage, 256 MB RAM, hot-swappable microSD (up to 16GB)
• CPU: 800 MHz processor with dedicated graphics accelerator
• Camera: 5 megapixel auto-focus, with dual LED flash and VGA video at 30 fps
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP, standard microUSB port, GPS receiver with A-GPS, TV out, 3.5mm standard audio jack
• Misc: Accelerometer for screen auto rotate and turn-to-mute, FM radio with RDS, DivX/XviD video support, work and leisure modes
• Battery: 1500mAh Li-Ion battery

Samsung are obviously eyeing market penetration at all levels. The B7610 OmniaPRO is their scout in a long colonized territory. HTC.are clearly the key target, though the communicator game is competitive enough with XPERIA, Nseries and Eseries all keen to take the lead.

Samung B7610 OmniaPRO at ours

LG GD900 Crystal

When talking about good design it's usually all about placing the right elements in the right places. And in the rare cases when an R&D team actually comes up with something innovative, they usually reserve it for a 2000 buck handset like the Motorola Aura. The LG GD900 Crystal and its see-through keypad, however, prefers walking among the mortals to sitting on mount Olympus and drinking ambrosia.

LG GD900 Crystal official photos

And luckily the sleek handset is much more than a pretty face. The rich feature set of the GD900 Crystal places it only a short step away from LG's multimedia flagships. However the lack of GPS is easily made up for with cool features like gesture shortcuts and multi-touch input. Sure, these may seem like fancy additions rather than key features, but sometimes it's all about winning the hearts of the users rather than their minds. And the Crystal seems pretty well designed to do that.

Key features

• Unique see-through alphanumeric touch-sensitive keypad
• 3" 16M color capacitive TFT touchscreen of WVGA resolution (480 x 800 pixels)
• S-Class Touch UI
• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support
• 3G with HSDPA (7.2 Mbps)
• Wi-Fi
• 8 megapixel autofocus camera, LED flash, manual focus, geotagging, image stabilization, multi face detection (up to 3), smile detection
• D1 (720x480 pixels)@30fps, VGA@30fps, QVGA time-lapse and slow-mo video recording
• 1.5GB storage memory
• Hot-swappable microSD card slot(up to 32GB)
• microUSB v2.0, mass storage mode
• TV-out port
• Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP
• Gesture shortcuts
• Accelerometer for screen auto rotate
• Multi-touch input
• DivX and XviD support
• FM radio with RDS
• Dolby for Mobile audio enhancement
• Office document viewer
• Smart dialing

Main disadvantages:

• Poor screen sunlight legibility
• Below average camera image quality
• No built-in GPS receiver
• No standard 3.5mm audio jack
• Records video in 3GP format
• Email attachment size limit is 1MB (both ways)
• Limited DivX/XviD video support
• All-plastic build

So what we have on our hands here is a handset that's dressed to impress and with a mind bright enough to keep your attention. We really like it when there's something new thrown at us and a see-through touch-sensitive keypad is certainly a first in the mobile world.

LG GD900 Crystal live shots

Samsung i8910 Omnia

Introduction

There never seems a shortage of heroes in this industry but every now and then a new breed emerges to change the rules of engagement. Ranks and titles are hard earned and we've seen enough contenders that barely deserve a hero's death. Now, here comes a gadget that knows the best shot at glory is the high-definition one. Will the Samsung Omnia HD be strong enough to bear its name with honor or will it crumble under the weight of expectations?

As all-in-one multimedia touchscreens are battling for dominance, the HD category is now making its way to cellphones. HD is a magical marketing word that has seen as many abuses as it has had just uses. In the Omnia HD case, it's an insignia of its truly superior rank. It's not the first time a handset has claimed this tempting acronym, but the Omnia HD hits it where it matters - video recording and playback.

Samsung were the first to announce and release an HD-video-enabled handset. In the not so short time since then, none of their major rivals managed to introduce a competitor. So, all heads are anxiously turned to Samsung to see if they can deliver.

Samsung i8910 Omnia HD official photos

By the way, the Omnia HD comes equipped with everything that Samsung can put on the table. HD video recording and playback is definitely top-notch stuff but these are just the fancy extras on a full battle suit. There's also a huge AMOLED screen, powerful 600 MHz processor and dedicated graphics chip. The all-in-one count continues with an 8 megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, GPS, generous 8/16 GB internal storage and DivX/XviD HD playback with subtitle support. Finally, the whole thing runs the latest Symbian S60 5th edition skinned with the new TouchWiz 3D interface.

Take the time to check out this genuine all-rounder.

Key features:

• 3.7-inch 16M-color capacitive AMOLED touchscreen, 640 x 360 pixels
• Symbian S60 5th edition with TouchWiz 3D UI
• ARM Cortex-A8 600 MHz processor; HW Graphic Accelerator
• 256MB RAM
• 8 megapixel auto focus camera with LED flash, geotagging, face detection, smile shot, image stabilizer, Wide Dynamic Range (WDR), ISO 1600
• HD 720p@24fps, 720x480@30fps, QVGA time-lapse and slow-mo video recording
• Tri-band 3G with HSDPA (7.2Mbps) and HSUPA (5.76 Mbps) support
• Quad-band GSM support
• Wi-Fi with DLNA technology
• Built-in GPS with A-GPS functionality
• 8/16GB internal memory
• Hot-swappable microSD card slot (up to 32GB)
• TV out (Standard Definition content only)
• FM radio with RDS
• Bluetooth and USB v2.0
• 3.5mm standard audio jack
• DNSe audio technology
• DivX/XviD video support with subtitles (HD video playback)
• Virtual 5.1 channel Dolby surround (in headphones)
• Proximity sensor for screen auto turn-off
• Accelerometer sensor for automatic UI rotation, turn-to-mute and motion-based gaming
• Magnetometer for digital compass
• Office document viewer
• Full Flash support in the web browser

Main disadvantages:

• No xenon flash
• No camera lens cover
• Sluggish browsing in the image gallery
• HD video recording sometimes drops below 24fps or duplicates frames to equal 24
• Samsung Mobile Navigator doesn't come with any maps or voice-guided navigation license
• No smart dialing
• Touch web browser zooming needs tweaking
• Somewhat limited 3rd party software availability
• No office document editing (without a paid upgrade)

Well, the Omnia HD is packed with all kinds of goodies, but not without a few setbacks on the way to retail. If the whole thing is put together right though, the i8910 Omnia HD may have every reason to claim its rightful place on the throne as the unchallenged king of HD video.

Some of you must be wondering what took us so long to get an Omnia HD for a proper in-depth review as it's been around for a while. Well, it's true and it's not. Samsung i8910 Omnia HD was released in the end of May through selected carriers but shortly after that Samsung froze production and stopped supplies, reportedly due to software problems. Now, the official release has been announced and the Omnia HD is available worldwide, all bugs fixed…though let us be the judge of that. But anyway, the i8910 Omnia HD is ready to roll.

This is our third and last meeting with the handset and we're still excited about exploring an industry leading device. The verdict of course is a few pages away, but a device that ticks off the wishlist of high-end features and marries Symbian and TouchWiz is certainly worth a closer look.

Samsung Omnia HD in our office

Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 mini review: Shrink to fit

Introduction

It took a while before mobile phones became portable not only in name. At one point, small size alone made a phone something special. Calling and texting were all there was and twelve buttons were nonnegotiable.

Those times seem prehistoric now that a contemporary smartphone is expected to do all but the dishes. There we are – 3.7” touch screens are now the norm. It sounds like pushing the limits of portability but most people won’t mind as long as there’re virtually no limits on functionality. With nearly desktop-like browsing, video and TV – displays are only supposed to get better, crisper… and bigger. Who would want it the other way? Small touchscreen doesn’t make sense.

Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 mini official shots

Now, everyone’s entitled to an opinion. And Sony Ericsson are keen to disagree. Small touchscreen may be against the simple logic, but just don’t rush to judgment yet. Not till you’ve seen the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 mini. It has more smartphone powers than most users will ever need. It’s a little sweetie, and it’s cool and gadgety too. Just don’t let the size fool you.

Key features

• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support
• 3G with HSPA
• Customized Android OS v1.6 with Timescape UI
• Ultra compact body
• 2.55" capacitive touchscreen of QVGA resolution
• Qualcomm MSM7227 600 MHz CPU
• 5 megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash and VGA video recording
• Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
• Built-in GPS receiver and digital compass
• Accelerometer sensor for auto-rotate and turn-to-mute
• Standard miniUSB port for charging and data
• Stereo Bluetooth (A2DP)
• microSD card slot with support for up to 8GB cards (2GB card included)
• 3.5mm-compatible audio jack
• Direct access to the official Android repository

Main disadvantages

• QVGA resolution doesn’t do Android graphics justice and limits the number of compatible apps
• Battery not user replaceable
• Limited Android homescreen functionality
• No smart dialing
• Typing long messages is very hard on the small screen
• No Bluetooth file transfers from the gallery
• No Flash support for the web browser
• Very basic camera interface

So, long story short, crowds probably won’t be flocking to the shops to replace their full-sized XPERIA X10 units for the mini version. The X10 mini doesn’t have it all and isn’t the ultimate smartphone, but all is not what everyone needs.

The X10 mini is easy on your pocket – and we don’t just mean size. The phone uses less expensive hardware – low-res screen, a midrange CPU. But if you think of it, it’s not just blatant cost-cutting.

The XPERIA X10 mini at ours

It looks like they made the right choices and in the end you don’t have to pay for something you cannot use anyway. Anything higher than QVGA wouldn’t have made much difference on a 2.55” screen (which is the most you can fit in a phone this small really). Anything faster than the 600 MHz Qualcomm CPU is simply unnecessary given the low pixel count.

Sony Ericsson Vivaz pro review: HD gets a Pro flavor

Introduction

Modern always-on web-connected generation need so much equipment to get through the day it’s a small wonder they don’t have to lug tool bags around – the small wonder in this case is the Sony Ericsson Vivaz pro. It’s a full-featured smartphone with a QWERTY keyboard for great messaging and 720p video recording, all in an impressively compact body.

Sony Ericsson Vivaz pro official photos

The term “cameraphone” emerged soon after pictures taken with a mobile phone began to look less like impressionist paintings and more like actual photos. Today we’re at a point when 5MP are nothing to write home about.

So, this here pro is the lesser cameraphone of the Vivaz pair. And “camcorderphone” does sound clumsy. But if competing phones are any indication, 5MP stills and 720p video is quite an exciting combo.

Less attention grabbing, but no less useful is the hardware QWERTY keyboard. Sure, there are plenty of phones around with a full keyboard, but how many of them can match the Sony Ericsson Vivaz feature set?

To answer that, we need to know what those features are of course, so here’s the traditional list of pros and cons.

Key features

• 3.2" 16M-color resistive touchscreen of 640 x 360 pixel resolution
• 5 megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash, face and smile detection, geotagging and touch focus
• HD 720p video recording @ 24fps with continuous auto focus
• Symbian OS 9.4 S60 5th, topped with a custom-brewed homescreen and media menu
• 720 MHz CPU, PowerVR SGX dedicated graphics accelerator
• Quad-band GSM support
• 3G with HSDPA 10.2Mbps and HSUPA 2Mbps support
• Wi-Fi b/g; DLNA
• GPS with A-GPS support
• microSD card slot (up to 16GB, 8GB card in the box)
• Built-in accelerometer; Turn-to-mute
• TV out
• Wisepilot navigation software preinstalled (30 day trial)
• Four-row QWERTY keyboard
• Office document viewer
• Stereo FM Radio with RDS; TrackID
• microUSB and stereo Bluetooth v2.0
• Web browser with full Flash support
• Decent audio quality

Main disadvantages

• Camera downgraded from 8MP on the regular Vivaz
• No camera lens protection
• The S60 5th edition UI isn't the best in usability
• No auto locking of the screen during a call
• No DivX or XviD support out-of-the-box
• No smart or voice dialing
• No secondary videocalling camera

The scales are swinging both ways. A point in favor of the Vivaz pro is the mature Symbian platform. It cannot hide its age and is struggling to catch up with the best in business. But it’s been around since the dawn of time (the time of smartphones that is), which makes it well supported and very reliable.

The QWERTY keyboard, the document viewer and the ActiveSync support are real must-haves for the business crowd. High-quality photos and videos may be a teenage thing but they can help be creative with a presentation too.

Another way to look at the Vivaz pro is as a great travel companion. Posting status updates on Twitter and Facebook is a breeze thanks to the keyboard and dedicated apps. And so is uploading 720p videos to YouTube. There’s even voice guided navigation included.

How the Sony Ericsson Vivaz pro stacks up against the competition

Follow us on the next page to explore the hardware of the Sony Ericsson Vivaz pro and find out how the form factor and keyboard affect handling.

HTC Smart review: First grader

Being a veteran in the smartphone market is huge advantage when you decide to come up with something new. After so many Windows Mobile and Android devices, HTC surprised us with a completely different product – HTC Smart. It’s a semi-smartphone that runs on the unusual Brew Mobile platform strengthened with the fancy Sense UI.

HTC Smart official photos

Throwing another mobile OS on the market is hardly the right move since the smartphone arena is already over-crowded. But it seems HTC Smart is HTC’s way of making a feature phone. The Linux-based Brew Mobile platform used for the HTC Smart hardly makes it a proper smartphone to boot. Truth is, there are modern touch feature phones that have more “smart” in them than this one.

But enough about software, let’s see what HTC Smart has to offer in terms of hardware.

Key features

• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support
• 3G with HSDPA 3.6 Mbps
• Brew Mobile software platform with HTC Sense UI and social networking integration
• 2.8" resistive touchscreen of QVGA resolution
• 300 MHz processor, 256 MB RAM, 256 MB ROM
• 3.15 megapixel fixed-focus camera with LED flash
• Standard miniUSB port for charging and Mass Storage data transfers
• Stereo Bluetooth (A2DP)
• microSD card slot, up to 16GB support
• Standard 3.5mm audio jack
• Smart dialing
• Stereo FM radio with RDS
• Excellent loudspeaker performance

Main disadvantages

• No Wi-Fi connectivity
• QVGA resolution doesn’t do Sense UI graphics justice
• Screen has poor sunlight legibility
• No video-call camera
• No voice dialing
• Camera lacks auto focus, records QVGA@15fps video only
• Only few applications preinstalled and no access to app repository for native BREW apps
• Limited organizer functions – no notes/memo, no voice recorder or an office document-viewer
• No multi-tasking
• Web browser poor and rather slow

HTC Smart at ours

Exploring its features and the possible drawbacks leaves us with mixed first impressions from the HTC Smart. But we are still in the beginning of our Smart meeting and things may still change.

HTC Smart is a stylish, pocket-friendly device powered by a new OS and skinned with one of the best mobile user interfaces – the Sense UI.