A Mini Computer on T-Mobile (1/4)
T-Mobile HTC Touch Pro 2
INTRODUCTION
T-Mobile USA's last
attempt at a Windows Mobile Professional device was
the Wing which was released in May of 2007. That's a
really long time ago, and even at that time it was
based on the Herald device which was very obsolete at
release time to begin with. Then in September, HTC
released the TyTN II, which was the ultimate PDA phone at the
time. It had everything! Tilting screen, GPS,
WiFi... the works! Today, we finally see an
update to the famed TyTN II, and a long-overdue
upgrade to the Wing on T-Mobile. The HTC Touch Pro2 is
scheduled to be available on almost every carrier in
various flavors. T-Mobile's version is the first
to be officially released in the USA. Read on to see how it performs!
WHAT'S HOT
The tilting screen is back!! The TyTN II's
tilting screen was the most innovative feature in
smartphone hardware back in 2007. For some reason, HTC
neglected it with the Touch Pro last year, but
thankfully it's come back to the Touch Pro2.
The tilting screen is back! Loves it.
What else is hot about the Touch Pro2? How about that keyboard? Heck, this keyboard is the best I've ever used on a mobile device. Once you start using it, it's truly a moment of epiphany. Finally I can use my big fingers without having to point at tiny Tic Tacs with fingernails.
The Touch Pro2 sports a Qualcomm MSM7200A processor running at 528MHz. It has 512MB ROM (with 290MB accessible), 288MB RAM (with 188MB accessible), and has a microSD/HC expansion slot for added memory. The resistive touchscreen is 3.6" and is WVGA 480x800 resolution, making for a pixel density of 259ppi (the Touch Diamond's screen is 285ppi, the Touch Diamond2's screen is 292ppi, and the iPhone's screen is 164ppi). It's a quadband GSM (850/900/1800/1900) phone with dualband UMTS (1700/1900) with HSDPA and HSUPA. It also has assisted GPS, WiFi b & g, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, USB 2.0, a proximity sensor, and an accelerometer for screen rotations in Opera Mobile and while viewing the photo gallery. The rear camera is 3.2MP with auto focus and no flash, and the front camera for video calls is VGA resolution. Powering all of this is a 1500mAh battery. For even more specs, check out PDAdb.net.
In your hand, the Touch Pro2 feels very big and heavy especially if you're used to something like the original Diamond. Then again, it seems big-screen big-phone devices are all the rage these days, so maybe that's a good thing.
WHAT'S IN
THE BOX
The Touch Pro2 comes with a USB sync cable, AC adapter, stereo headphones, leather pouch case, screen protector, software CD including ActiveSync and a trial version of Microsoft Outlook 2007, extensive full color manual, Getting Started guide, and an audio adapter for 3.5mm, 2.5mm headsets, and two ExtUSB ports.
THE DEVICE
The Touch Pro 2's slide out keyboard and tilting screen combination allows the device to transform from a touch-screen phone to a table-top mini-computer. You can easily set it on the table and tilt the screen up to watch a movie or read through email while poking at the keyboard and touch screen with your fingers.
The GPS works well, and if you're in the shade outdoors, the screen maintains excellent visibility. Direct sunlight is another story.
There are only four hardware buttons on the front of the device; call send, home, back, and call end. I wish there was a D-pad, a Start menu button, some soft-key hardware buttons, and maybe a few customizable application hardware buttons. You've also got a zoom slider area. Slide your finger from left to right to zoom in using Opera, Photo Album, or Google Maps.
On the top is the light sensor, proximity sensor, speaker grill, and LED light indicator along with the HTC and T-Mobile branding.
The keyboard buttons are very large and offset in a similar way to a desktop computer's keyboard. The layout is very familiar as well. The only bad thing about this keyboard is that there isn't a Start menu key or OK/Back button and of course, softkeys for accessing menus.
On the left side, there are volume up/down buttons and a MicroSD card slot. It's very difficult to open the MicroSD card slot without taking off the battery cover though.
At the bottom, you'll see the ExtUSB connector, a microphone hole, and stylus silo. The ExtUSB connector is used for everything including Audio, Charging, and Syncing. This comes in handy when connecting to your car stereo since you only have to connect one adapter for audio and charging.
The right side includes a secondary microphone and a soft-reset button.
The top end shows the power button.
On the back is the 3.2 MP camera (no flash), speaker grill for two speakers, speakerphone mute button, and at the bottom is a lanyard hole. One of the cool features of this phone is that when you set it face down on a desk or table while you're on a call, the phone vibrates a bit and automatically switches to speakerphone mode. It uses the dual microphones for noise reduction in this mode. It's extremely convenient to be able to switch to speakerphone mode so easily!
Here's a closer view of the back battery cover, camera, and mute button. The mute button glows red when it's on and green when the caller can hear you.
Only the brown piece of the backing slides off to reveal the battery. The SIM card slot is under the battery, and it's a bit difficult to switch SIMs with this model. You can also see the MicroSD slot flap, which is much easier to open when the battery cover is off.
Here's a closer look at the hardware of the T-Mobile Touch Pro2.
COMPARISONS
Here you'll see from left to right, the Palm Pre, ATT Fuze, T-Mobile Touch Pro2, T-Mobile Dash 3G, and T-Mobile G1.
From top to bottom: Palm Pre, T-Mobile dash 3G, ATT Fuze, T-Mobile Touch Pro2, and T-Mobile G1.
Click onto the next page where we'll cover the software interface!
