This article is more than 1 year old

HTC Touch Dual smartphone

Good to see HTC back on track

The 'next' face gives direct access to nine pre-set contact phone numbers, just tap to dial, while the final face offers direct links to your messages, the internet browser, file explorer, communication manager, calender, tasks and games.

All in all the touchscreen UI is reliable, quick and nice to look at, and benefits from the the fact that the screen itself doesn't show up fingerprints too badly - nor is it cursed with a dubious haptic feedback system. More importantly, it allows you to access what we would guess to be the most regularly used 80 or so per cent of the Dual's functionality without having to get too up close and personal with the basic Windows OS.

HTC Touch Dual Windows smartphone

Same two megapixel camera on the Dual as on the Touch

Having said that, getting up close and personal with Windows 6 is not quite the pain in the behind some would have you believe. Sure, Windows Mobile 6 sub-menus are not really designed for stylus-free use, but with just a modicum of care most can be accessed readily enough by using the thumb or finger. The only real exception to successful Fingerbobs usage is the Windows Media Player, but we have already crossed that bridge.

HTC's virtual Touch Keyboard deserves a mention in dispatches. It takes a little getting used to, but you can text at a fair old clip once you have got the hang of it. The separate icon to toggle between T9, ABC and numeric input is a simple but welcome touch.

HTC's own bespoke home or 'today' page is another attractive and useful UI feature. The big if pointlessly LCD-looking time display is a great touch, as are the four direct links to the home page, the local weather, the phone's sound settings and a launcher that allows you access to ten lesser settings and functions including screen brightness, screen orientation and screen lock. Three smaller icons allow direct access to your e-mail, sms messages and phone log.

The touchscreen has also been employed to aid navigation of the photo album. Swipe up and down to move from one picture to the next, swipe a semi-circle left or right to rotate a picture, circle left or right to zoom in and out. The system does what you intend about 75 per cent of the time, so not quite up to iPhone standards.

Next page: Verdict

More about

More about

More about

TIP US OFF

Send us news


Other stories you might like