We snagged ourselves
HTC's new
Elf, er
Touch device -- that new ultraslim soft-touch phone with the TouchFLO sweep launcher / shell that sits atop of Windows Mobile. We love the way this thing feels, it's easily the slickest, most caressable keyboard-free device HTC has produced to date. In fact, it's not only keyboard free, the thing is practically devoid of any buttons -- you get a volume rocker, d-pad, call / end, camera, and power. It's still a Windows Mobile phone beneath the hood though, you'll know as soon as you drill down into the apps, but we think the unraised bezel and solid glass face is a very positive sign of things to come from future touchscreen (HTC) devices.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
davidc @ Jun 6th 2007 12:04AM
wow, that thing looks gorgeous and seems like a pretty intuitive UI
Nando @ Jun 6th 2007 12:08AM
Yes, this phone looks so sexy...
Andres @ Jun 6th 2007 12:10AM
definitely waiting for the full review from you guys. From a couple of videos i've seen looks very disappointing.. specially on one occasion it took three attempts by the user to close a window.
Scott @ Jun 6th 2007 12:13AM
Who would the carrier be?
Owen V @ Jun 6th 2007 12:27AM
how did you guys get one so fast and how can I!!!!
Bryan @ Jun 6th 2007 12:31AM
what kind of weather software is that? it looks similar to SPB mobile shell, but better
Steve @ Jun 6th 2007 12:34AM
I hope the iPhone comes with at least some sort of protective skin/pouch too...
thegrey @ Jun 6th 2007 12:35AM
Let us know first impressions on how it feels to use a virtual keyboard.
Mike @ Jun 6th 2007 12:42AM
wow, sexy... well maybe if you're blind, the graphics, lets not even go there.
illone @ Jun 6th 2007 12:57AM
Too little Too late.
This is what HTC needs to keep up. ( And Im hoping they do so quickly)
quad band
3MP + camera with flash
at lease 2gb built in memory
3G data
Better implementation of TouchFLO
Better use of front real estate (like ad a bigger screen)
and built in GPS
Waylan @ Jun 6th 2007 1:11AM
Judgeing by the Windows/MS packaging...this seems to be the closest thing to the so called "Zune Phone"....and by the way HTC...perfect timing, right before the Jesus Phone....
lotech @ Jun 6th 2007 1:16AM
Yeah - under the hood you hit good ol' WM6 - meaning its time to get your stylus out... I have a feeling it will do basic stuff really well but as soon as you need a 3rd Party app or even the crap that comes with WM6 - you'll be pecking away.
We need this idea - but done to 100% of the OS, oh wait.... someone has already done it.
Andrew Fong @ Jun 6th 2007 1:34AM
If they gave this treatment to the Kaiser, it would be sweet.
Some other nitpicky things:
1) Get rid of the HTC logo on the front of the phone. It works against the Apple-esqe minimalist look they want. Raise the direction-pad up a little into a mildy more comfortable position.
2) Speaker on back + "feet" also don't work well aesthetically -- they should find some way to work that towards the front
Eric @ Jun 6th 2007 1:37AM
That looks pretty sweet to me. I wonder if people will hack the software to make it work with older HTC phones...
Jeff Lewis @ Jun 6th 2007 2:20AM
Wait wait - no one's actually said it yet (although at least three people have hinted...)
IT'S NO iPHONE SO IT HAS TO SUCK!
(There. Now I are an Apple fan too. :)
Cole @ Jun 12th 2007 1:30PM
The iPhone sucks. It lacks so much its not even funny. Apple was so stupid they didn't even put 3G or GPS on it.
tim @ Jun 6th 2007 2:27AM
It does look like SPB Software House programs. SPB is easily the best developer house for Windows Mobile - and I suspect if they wern't based in Russia, Microsoft or HTC would buy them!
Eddie @ Jun 6th 2007 3:51AM
Looks pretty sweet, their site's slick
some farker @ Jun 6th 2007 3:57AM
i can has faek ifone?
E71 @ Jun 6th 2007 4:04AM
Running on an OMAP850? It will die a horrible death.
Jono @ Jun 6th 2007 4:14AM
What I don't understand is how keyboard input is going to work. It seems as of now that inputting contacts and appointments letter by letter (touch by touch) will be painstakingly time consuming and not efficient. I have yet to see a picture of how TouchFLO deals with this... so I suppose time will tell.
Jonathan @ Jun 6th 2007 5:21AM
What does the onscreen keyboard app look like? I'm dying to know if you use your thumbs or if it's the small onscreen keyboard in most smartphones.
Alex @ Jun 6th 2007 5:23AM
Ryan do you have any idea if this software is specific to HTC branded phones? For example if I bought an O2 Xda Nova would it have this functionality?
Erik @ Jun 6th 2007 5:30AM
I would have thought this thing would have 3G data on it.
Jeff @ Jun 6th 2007 6:07AM
Real talk I need this modded to work on a 8525. Apple has all mobile phone makers steppin their game up. This is good for the modding/rom cooking community...Bring It!
Marc @ Jun 6th 2007 8:07AM
I've posted a video of me using the new TouchFLO software here: http://www.msmobilenews.com/videos/video-using-the-htc-touch.html
AyeGuy @ Jun 6th 2007 9:32AM
I must say - the gang here at engadget rocks - but you guys take some sorry photographs. lol Theres never anything next to the gadget showing a sense of scale, no pics actually holding it to show how it fits in the hand, etc.. Theres no need for 15 close-ups of USB ports and keyboards all the time.
As far as the device goes, its definately an awesome lineup from the impressive HTC. Unfortunately I agree with the above comments, its a little too late. Had you shown me this phone last summer I would have been very impressed. Right now it just looks like something to keep Windows Mobile afloat before iPhone comes and spanx it.
Matthew @ Jun 6th 2007 9:55AM
I'm curious about the solid glass flat-bezel touchscreen. How does that work? It seems that it would make the screen much more durable and scratch resistant, especially for a device operated with your fingers instead of a stylus. I assume the iphone uses something similar. Any other touchscreen devices with solid-glass flat bezel screens (other than something like that MS computer table that uses cameras to identify where you've touched)?
Jeff @ Jun 6th 2007 10:11AM
The BBC have a quick report, and shows the HTC Touch in operation. Very slick interface!
See it here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6722629.stm
chris @ Jun 6th 2007 10:53AM
I think TouchFlo is way more useful on a phone then apples multitouch. Face it, the only think you would use multitouch for for is image browsing and looking at google earth. Probably 2 of the lower usage applications on a phone. Having TouchFlo enables a totally more natural way of using a phone for almost all main applications, not just a couple.
Call me Kenneth @ Jun 6th 2007 11:17AM
There is no 'keyboard app' - just the usual Windows Mobile pop-up keyboard, block recogniser, etc. TouchFLO is little more than a program launcher and once you launch the program, say hello to the usual Windows Mobile suckfest -- and the teeny tiny stylus.
TechCF @ Jun 6th 2007 12:49PM
I have had the Qtek (HTC) S100 and the S200 and you don't need a protective skin.. not for the Touch or the iPhone. Keyboards are useless, handwriting recognition is much faster and easier + the touchscreen has many other advantages.
SGI Tim @ Jun 6th 2007 1:20PM
Sorry if this has already known, but i can't find it.
I want to know WHEN? WHERE? and How much this phone will set me back.
I want one NOW!
iWhat?
vaguelyamused @ Jun 6th 2007 4:17PM
I would guess the first operator in the US to get this will be T-Mobile. I'm basing this conjecture on a couple things:
1) AT&Tingular wouldn't want to launch this direct of a competitor with iPhone (and his Steveness may not approve)
2) It doesn't have 3G and wouldn't need it for T-Mobile
3) T-Mobile would have an interest in having an iPhone competitor and has in the past worked with HTC on the Wing and Dash
4) It's not CDMA per the listed specs although I wouldn't be suprised if that changed.
sprint MAN @ Jun 6th 2007 5:25PM
does it have a slide out keyboard?
bobbypenguin @ Jun 7th 2007 9:47AM
the HTC touch looks actually very good! have you guys seen the Touch screen implementation with the new WM6? from what i've seen here http://www.htctouch.com/viral/ it seems to me very easy to use and efficient! and even if it doesn't look as good as the jesusPhone..let's not forget that the Touch will cost half the money!
Stig M. Nilsen @ Jun 7th 2007 1:18PM
Wonder if anyone have seen the sms function on this?
David Myrow @ Jul 16th 2007 5:04PM
We're now out of contract. If Verizon is going to keep us, they'll need to get this one (or something also with similar capabilities to the iPhone) out in a hurry!
DM
Sid @ Aug 4th 2007 6:39AM
The phone ROCKS. All the problems can be easily solved. For speed issues, overclock the processor. I easily achieved 273Mhz, making it a snappy phone. Install HTC Phonepad for quick typing. The current videos that show people attempting to use the TouchFLO interface 2-3 times doesn't do it justice, since it takes a bit of getting used to. You have to press a bit hard for the swipe to get registered.