Against all odds, HTC has set the internet aflame, unveiling the HTC Diamond - a phone that can only be described as really very nice indeed.
Whilst 2007 was seen as 'the year of touch' for phones, HTC are committed to making this year all about making the internet usable on a phone. To this end, their latest phone comes with both HSDPA and HSUPA, for decent downloading and uploading speeds, as well as an intuitive browsing experience. Interestingly, despite being the first phone to run Windows Mobile 6.1, the browser packaged is Opera (Microsoft cite 'timing issues' as the reason for this, rather than anything more sinister).
But what's really neat is the interface, dubbed TouchFlo 3D.
If you were a fan of the iPhone swank, this stuff will really appeal. The phone itself is separated into a 2.9-inch touch screen, and a home, back, make and end call hard buttons underneath. In the middle of these is the HTC Navi, which is a scroll wheel you can use to do things like zoom in and out of photos. The touchscreen takes full advantage in terms of graphics, and aims to create "a more emotional experience" for you, the user. Will it have you weeping? Well, if you're of a seriously emotional disposition, perhaps.
There are pretty touches, such as when the weather feature is brought up, graphics correspond. So, if it's raining, droplets of water appear on the screen, and a little windscreen wiper appears to wipe them off. Wind sees leaves fluttering in the breeze.
Messaging can be done to take advantage of this as well, with emails appearing out of envelopes. The developer described this in the conference as "Beautiful words dancing in the air" which is probably the best line to come out of a press conference, like, ever. Gyroscopics mean the viewing is switched to landscape, no matter what function you're in - photos, messaging, music, etc.
There's 4GB of internal memory, and the media functionality is seen as what can only be described as 'cover flow-esque'.
Personally, my first impression is that they've taken all the bits we loved about the iPhone, and made them better. Yes, it doesn't have the storage, but when you're offering better connectivity, better email and an equally beautiful interface, does it matter?
The phone is going to be available in the UK from June, when it'll be available on all five networks.
Stay with us - we'll have a video of said device up in a moment.
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does this phone have 3g, i am looking forward to it!!
"Yes, it doesn't have the storage, but when you're offering better connectivity, better email and an equally beautiful interface, does it matter?"
-Actually, yes it does matter. No external storage is a big fowl up if you ask me. And from reading around on forums it's the same for a lot of other potential buyers too.
Also, modaco's hands on reported that the scroll does NOT in fact work as a scroll wheel in ALL applications, only HTC applications in Touchflo. Apparently, it doesn't work when you get down into WinMo.
On face value this looks a very nice device, but when you get down and look at the details, I fear they've made too many compromises just to get it so small. I'm sure most users would forgive "2mm more" depth to have external storage capability. It would still be 3mm thinner that the Touch Cruise.