We'll admit, when we
caught wind that there was a CDMA version of HTC's stylish
Touch in the pipe, we were skeptical that it'd be a faithful reproduction. We can't even really put our finger on why, either; we just somehow assume (unfairly so, may we add) that when you take a GSM device and shove it through the CDMA transmogrifier, the phone that comes out the other end is going to be a little thicker, a little less attractive, a little slower, a little harder to use, or some combination of the above. We're delighted to report, though, that the fears are utterly unfounded with this little gem. In fact, if it weren't for the silkscreened Sprint logo front and center, we wouldn't be able to tell the difference. The similarities carry through to the UI, where the TouchFLO-driven interface gets an ever-so-mild Sprint makeover to add in support for Sprint TV (also, notice how all the icons have a Sprint Yellow hue -- cute). The thing about TouchFLO is that the finger friendliness doesn't go far beyond the home page -- all the standard Windows Mobile apps are here and are designed with a stylus in mind -- and while the stylus
is there on the Touch if you need it, we were pleasantly surprised with how accurately we were able to navigate using one hand and a thumb alone. Bottom line: if you liked the original Touch, you'll like Sprint's version, and the addition of 3G certainly doesn't hurt.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ShortFuse @ Nov 26th 2007 10:49AM
You guys have an erroneous conception as to what TouchFLO is. TouchFLO is just the feature to flick your finger up or down and have the application auto-scroll. When you tap the screen, it stops scrolling. That's what TouchFLO is. The AT&T Tilt aka Kaiser has TouchFLO but it doesn't all the applications that the Touch has (though can be added via a new firmware and installing it manually)
The applications are HTC Home Plug-In and HTC Touch Cube
Chris Ziegler @ Nov 26th 2007 10:54AM
Yep, that's fair -- I've clarified the post a bit. Thanks.
Chris
Mike @ Nov 26th 2007 10:56AM
No offense engadget but this phone has been out for over a month and your just getting the hands on article out the door now. Thanks but this info would have been useful 3 weeks ago. I expect better out of you guys.
Mark Richardson @ Nov 26th 2007 8:20PM
Ditto.
Outdoorist @ Nov 26th 2007 11:24AM
It might have been important to note that Sprint doubled the RAM, and Processor. 400mhz and 128mb of RAM. They also added EV-DO. I might be wrong but i think the original Touch was only 2.5G. I've done speed tests on EV-DO and gotten over 1.2 MB/s ....I get about 1.4MB/s on my DSL line so with sero plan (unlimited data), I couldn't care less that they ditched the wifi! Using Orb, I can stream music/video/tv from my computer at home flawlessly.
I upgraded to this from the 8125 (Wizard), and its a HUGE difference. I was worried that I'd miss the hardware keyboard, but I can type almost as fast on the screen, and I like not having a slider that can wear out. (I was on my 3rd 8125 b/c the screens kept failing).
I'm sorry, my opinion could be slightly biased since i own this phone, but it is a great phone and I would highly recommend it to my friends. And sprints Sero plans are unbeatable...which is what ultimately made me switch from ATT/Cingular.
cortez @ Nov 26th 2007 12:36PM
i agree with Outdoorist... the addition of 3G, double the RAM/ROM, the Touch form factor and the SERO plan (in my case $49.99/mthly for 1250 minutes, N&W starting at 7 pm, unlimited text and unlimited internet) made it easy for me to move from Verizon to Sprint. a similar plan at Verizon would cost twice as much. a Rev A upgrade and an activated GPS radio (similar to what HTC did with the Trinity) would be icing on the cake!
JayMonster @ Nov 26th 2007 12:57PM
Cool... so this means we can expect a Verizon Wireless Version... somewhere in 2009.
Malatesta @ Nov 26th 2007 3:17PM
Actually, the Sprint Touch *is* scheduled to get a firmware upgrade in Q1 2008 that will enable *GPS* on the device (I don't know about Rev A though).
So that is something to consider if you are interested in this device.
Read:
http://www.wmexperts.com/articles/rumors/sprint_to_finally_switch_on_gp.html
laughallway2bank @ Nov 26th 2007 3:47PM
if only sprint would have picked up the touch with the slide out keyboard... :(
GPS and a slide out qwerty, then i might have a look at it.
Mark Richardson @ Nov 26th 2007 8:19PM
Ditto.
Convergenista @ Nov 26th 2007 7:02PM
I've followed the rise of the Touch-interface handset for more than a year now, and after serious research, this is the phone for me.
I've had the Touch for about 3 weeks now and love it. Once you've (easily)customized your HTC tabbed home screen, you can navigate around like lightening.
I've played with friends' iPhones, and I prefer my Touch. Even out of box (no 3rd party apps), my calendar and contact info is already better organized and presented than it would have been with an iPhone. (And when I get Agenda Fusion on there, it's going to be perfect: I'll have my color coded categories back!).
The keyboard takes a little longer to get speedy with than the iPhone's. (I'd say a week, vs. a couple of days with the iPhone), but once you get past that week, it's great.
I've got my Pocket Word and Excel, so I can edit documents on the fly.
I haven't purchased a headset yet, but everyone on the forums is pairing up bluetooth with zero problems.
Yes, Safari is better than either Pocket Internet Explorer or Opera Mini. And the Windows Media Player isn't ideal (although now that I've got my playlists set up, it's really not an issue).
But the Touch is actually smaller, truly pocketable, and because of all the wonderful people out there developing third party apps, I have a funny feeling the user-friendly gap is going to get bridged very quickly.
That's not even mentioning the faster EVDO data. And the affordable SERO voice/data/text plan.
It took more than a year for the right phone for me to hit the market, but for me, this is it.
Robin Haswell @ Nov 27th 2007 7:15AM
"but it is a great phone and I would highly recommend it to my friends"
It's still beggar's belief to me that anyone can consider a phone without a keyboard to be "great".
A few months ago I leant to a friend my old Treo 650 when his SPV M3000 burned. A week later he got his replacement, but he still uses the Treo specifically because it has a keyboard.
Outdoorist @ Nov 27th 2007 12:33PM
When using a qwerty hardware keyboard I tended not to use the predictive text because it was a hassle to continuously switch from the keyboard to the screen to select the predicted word...but with an on screen keyboard i am constantly using the XT9, and I find myself typing at about the same speed as the keyboard on my 8125. Trust me, I was VERY skeptical about not having keyboard (which is why i never bought the unlocked touch)...until i went to the sprint store and tried it out. It took a little getting used to, but after a week of using it I have no regrets.
And the on screen keyboard is changeable (numbers, abc, xt9, symbols...etc) so typing numbers especially, and symbols is WAY less of a hassle then the shift and function(red dot) keys on my wizard.
My only complaint for the touch's keyboard is the lack of a tab key...but once again, I'm already typing on the screen, so tapping the next text box isn't that bad(which is what i wanted it for).
I mainly use the 20 key "Touch Keyboard," but there is also the usual qwerty (stylus), a 12 key Touch keyboard, transcriber, block recognizer, and letter recognizer...not to mention the dozens of 3rd party keyboards available. There shouldn't be much of a problem finding an input method you like.
Robin Haswell @ Nov 27th 2007 12:57PM
"Tapping"?
Palm users don't use Styli :-)
Seriously though, typing with the stylus on my friend's M3000 is reasonably fast but no match for actual thumbs. I don't think you can accurately use them with an OSK, no matter how small your fingers are. That especially counts against HTC devices which have quite insensitive and inaccurate touchscreens, compared to others.
I don't really want to get into a slanging match over the Internet, but I won't believe that stylus+T9 is faster than two thumbs and a keyboard until I actually see it.
And as for one-handed :-P
Ken L. @ Dec 1st 2007 6:45PM
I just received my Sprint HTC Touch yesterday and already in the process of making it "My Touch". One of my goals are to have my TomTom Navigator 5/6 loaded onto the Touch. I did so easily on my T-Mobile MDA. However, when I tried loading 5 before upgrading to 6, I was unable to do so. Does anyone know of a work around? Would it have something to do with Sprint? Also, does anyone knos how I can completely remove the Sprint TV, and Music (program, icons, shortcuts, etc.) Thanks.
Ken L. @ Dec 1st 2007 8:40PM
Never mind, I just figured it out. You need to install everything onto your storage card. Unlike with my old MDA, the TTN 6 Application and maps needs to be on your storage card, not the device. I hope that helps.
Wilson @ Dec 4th 2007 1:35PM
What is this SERO plan that some of you are talking about and how do you sign up for it? I'm currently with Verizon and want to switch real bad because of the lack of new devices offered by them. This cheaper plan would definitely help me make the switch.
Outdoorist @ Dec 6th 2007 12:37PM
Sprint Employee Referral Offer (SERO)
www.sprint.com/sero --> use email "savings@sprintemi.com" to login (if it doesnt work read the website below for more addy's)
I found out about it here: (detailed instructions)
http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=0&t=563252&highlight=sprint+sero+faq
I love it...unlimited data with every plan...free! and unlimited texts free too if you order before the end of the year!
dre @ Dec 10th 2007 9:58PM
hey guys. Can anyone confirm if Sprint is releasing the HTC Touch Dual in the first quarter of 2008? I went to a Sprint Store and the lady working there said so.
nezar @ Jan 28th 2008 11:12AM
yes
xReDRaYnEx @ Feb 7th 2008 2:45PM
Would anyone happen to know if the HTC Touch Cruise will be available on Sprint SERO anytime soon?