.FLYINGHEAD PRODUCT REVIEW
.TITLE HTC’s HD7, the HD2 update
.AUTHOR James Booth
.SUMMARY Last year’s release of HTC’s HD2 was the final evolution of the Windows Mobile device. For Windows Phone 7, HTC has released the T-Mobile HD7, a Windows Phone 7 update of the HD2. Learn what ZATZ Editor-at-Large James Booth thinks of this updated offering from HTC.
.OTHER
Last year’s release of HTC’s HD2 was the final evolution of the Windows Mobile device. It made the most of the mobile OS and really took it as far as it could go. For Windows Phone 7, HTC has released the T-Mobile HD7, essentially a WP7 (Windows Phone 7) update of the HD2. I took a look at this updated offering from HTC.
.H1 The specs
The HD7 comes with a 1GHz processor, 512 MB + 16 GB (non-removable microSD) ROM, 512 MB RAM, a 4.3-inch WVGA screen with capacitive touch, UMTS 2100MHz AWS1700/2100MHz + GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900MHz network access, a 5.0 megapixel camera with auto focus, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. The HD7, shown in Figure A, even features a kickstand for landscape viewing of video files.
.FIGPAIR A The new HD7 for T-Mobile from HTC.
.BREAK_EMAIL Learn more about HTC’s HD7, click here.
For a cell phone, the HD7’s camera takes excellent pictures and video. I used it to take video of my daughter’s swim meets and was very pleased with the results. Both the still camera and video offer a variety of settings, including an auto-white balance, zoom, auto-focus, and more.
I had no problem with maintaining a solid Wi-Fi connection anywhere in my home, regardless of the floor I was on. When paired with my Jawbone Icon Bluetooth headset, conversations were crisp and clean, with an excellent volume level; much better than the Alcatel phone I was previously using. On several occasions, I was even able to make it outside the far end of the house and still maintain my conversation, although the signal was degrading a bit, making the transmission a bit scratchy for the listener. And the included wired headset is about the best of any I’ve received with a phone.
.H1 The new OS
Even though the HD7 is essentially an updated H2, with the new Windows Phone 7, it’s a completely new device, operating in a completely new way. While Windows Mobile was more like its desktop counterpart, Windows Phone 7 is a much more graphically driven interface; more entertainment-geared than its predecessor.
Personally, I feel as though [[http://www.computingunplugged.com/issues/issue201107/00002647001.html|Microsoft has severely crippled the WP7 OS by imposing certain user limitations]], but the OS does what it was designed to do, and does it quite well. The graphical interface makes good use of the capacitive touch screen, utilizing swipes and gestures for navigation and activation.
Via the Zune connection, users can load their collections of photos, music, and videos in order to have them anywhere they go. Also included on the HD7 are connections to Netflix and T-Mobile TV for mobile viewing, as well as Slacker Internet Radio. Furthering the entertainment value of WP7 and the HD7 is its connection to Xbox Live gaming.
Social networking has been taken to a new level by consolidating the user’s address book with Facebook and various other social networking sites. Conversations across multiple sites are brought together for each contact, making it easier for the user to track updates in a single format.
Like previous versions of the mobile Windows operating system, WP7 includes a mobile version of the Office suite, including OneNote. Documents from the PC can be downloaded to the HD7 for on-the-go viewing, while new documents can be created on the device itself. The transferring of these files isn’t quite as user-friendly as in previous versions, and it’s not possible to edit documents downloaded to the device, but there is at least a limited Office capability.
All software is now purchased and loaded from the Windows Phone Marketplace via the phone itself. There’s already a fair stock of applications, games, and novelties on the marketplace, many for free or only a dollar or two; and every one I’ve tried so far has offered a trial so the user can try before buying.
For a more detailed read of Windows Phone 7, see our earlier article [[http://www.computingunplugged.com/issues/issue201107/00002647001.html|Is Windows Phone 7 for power users?]].
.H1 Final thoughts
There are some users who will not find the HD7 as user-friendly as some of its predecessors. Because of the mechanics of the way Windows Phone 7 has been designed, it’s not exactly tailored for power users. The inability to access the file system and to load anything other than entertainment-related files somewhat cripples the device for power users and techies. But as an entertainment-based mobile device, the HD7 is top notch.
It flawlessly records video and pictures, and delivers seamless playback of same. The ability to connect with Facebook and other like sites provides for social networking at any time or place, and the manner in which WP7 integrates those conversations and posts with your contacts and other apps makes tracking your friends and keeping in contact quite simple.
While the current version of Office Mobile isn’t quite as fluid and accommodating as previous versions, it still does allow for creation of documents in the field, and mobile viewing of previously created ones. Although the HD7 and its Windows Phone 7 operating system may not appeal to hard-core techies and power users, it easily rates a 3 out 5 for delivering the entertainment-driven focus it was designed to.
.RATING 3
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.H1 Product availability and resources
Learn more about [[http://www.htc.com/us/products/hd7-tmobile?view=1-1&sort=0&filters=0-11-0#overview|the HTC HD7]].
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.BIO
