By James Booth
The words "most anticipated" and "iPhone-killer" are tossed about quite a bit in the mobile tech industry. With each new handset that comes down the pike, pundits wonder whether or not it will be the iPhone-killer everyone is looking for. The HD2 from HTC shown in Figure A was no exception.
FIGURE A
HTC's HD2, iPhone-killer or handheld filler? (click for larger image)
The HD2 is the first Windows Mobile phone to utilize a capacitive-touch screen, like the iPhone. Initially released to the European market in late 2009, the HD2 is now available in the US via T-Mobile. While at their core they are the same device, there are some slight variations in bundled packaging; such as the Blockbuster, Barnes & Noble, and other apps in the T-Mobile version.
"Microsoft and HTC have tried to make this device too much like the iPhone."
The specs
The HD2 has a 1Ghz Qualcomm processor with 512MB of ROM, 448MB of RAM, and runs Windows Mobile 6.5. The US version has a bit more memory, though. It is a GSM network phone, and fully 3G compatible, depending on the available networks, of course. Due to a variation in frequency ranges, the European 3G HD2s will not have 3G access in the US; nor can the T-Mobile HD2 get 3G on AT&T's GSM network. It also comes with a 5MP digital camera, Bluetooth and WiFi, a microSD slot, and features a 4.3-inch WVGA screen.
It is this screen that sets the HD2 apart from other Windows Mobile phones and puts it in the same category as the iPhone; it is a capacitive-touch screen. This means screen input is triggered by the alteration of an electrical field via the interference caused by the human finger. A standard stylus will not work on a capacitive-touch screen, nor will gloved hands, or a long fingernail. Like the iPhone, users tap icons, scroll up and down, side to side, with their finger directly on the screen.
The OS
The HD2 runs Windows Mobile 6.5, which for some reason, Microsoft decided to completely change from version 6.1. It no longer has the familiar, classic layout of Start Menu, Programs, and Settings like in previous versions. Nothing is where it used to be. Many things are somewhat difficult to find and some things are just gone. Oh, there's still a Start Menu, but it leads directly to Programs, of which Settings is now a sub-directory. Take a look at Figure B to see the new Programs screen.
FIGURE B
The Program directory's all-new look. (click for larger image)
If the icons could be rearranged via drag-and-drop, it might not be so bad, but they can't. The only way to rearrange them is to tap-and-hold for the context menu, which consists of "move to top" and "move down," which sends it to the bottom. So, in order to organize them the way you want, you have to reposition them from top to bottom in reverse order. Quite frustrating.
