HTC recently announced two touch-based devices: HTC Touch Diamond2 and HTC Touch Pro2 at MWC 2009 earlier this year. “Has HTC forgotten the Windows Mobile Standard users ?” The answer is certainly NO, since today the HTC SNAP is announced as a successor of the extremely popular HTC Excalibur. This article will provide an overview of the HTC SNAP specifications and a focus the clever and innovative features.
Specifications
To introduce the HTC SNAP let’s have a look at the picture above, and the specification list below.
- Processor: Qualcomm MSM 7225, 528 MHz
- OS: Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard
- Memory: 256MB ROM, 192 MB RAM
- Memory Expansion: SDHC capable MicroSD slot
- Dimensions: 116,5 mm. x 61,5 mm. x 11,9 mm. (L x W x T)
- Weight: 119,9 grams (including battery)
- Display: 2,4″ QVGA (320×240)
- Battery: 1500mAh Li-Ion
- Network: HSDPA – WCDMA 900/1200 MHz, GSM – GPRS – EDGE 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, GPS / AGPS
- Camera: 2.0 megapixel, with video capture
- User interface: full exposed QWERTY keyboard (with offset keys), and Jog ball
- Operating times: Talk time up to 8.5 hours GSM / up to 5 hours WCDMA, Standby time up to 15.8 days GSM / up to 20 days WCDMA
At first I have to admint that both the picture as well as the specification list above get me really excited about the HTC SNAP. First thing I noticed is the extremely fast but energy friendly Qualcomm MSM processor running at 528 MHz. A while ago a video leaked on YouTube, which shows the fast speed and responsiveness of the device. Second one of the problems I always experience is, that you can’t have enough battery power. The HTC SNAP gets standard a 1500 mAh under the battery-cover, which results in a great standby- and talktime. Finally HTC has implemented some great hardware on the HTC SNAP in terms of daily use or user interface perspective. The HTC has a large front-facing full QWERTY keyboard, with dedicated hotkeys for messaging, e-mail and Inner Circle (which I will talk about in a minute).
“The full QWERTY keyboard is ergonomically designed with extra-large domed keys and responsive tactile feedback to make typing emails and text messages fast, accurate and comfortable.” [ref01]
The full QWERTY keyboard has off-set keys, which is also the case on the keyboard of the HTC Touch Pro 2. Thumbs up for HTC on this one, since it makes life easier for heavy e-mail and messaging people. Another remarkable piece of hardware is the Jog Ball, which replaces the directional pad (on the HTC Excalibur) and makes fast navigation a piece of cake. I must say that this trackball is very well implemented on the Blackberry devices, so I expect the same experience on the HTC SNAP.
Inner Circle Feature what is it?
“A recent study conducted by Harris Interactive® and commissioned by HTC* found that 44% of US adults are often overwhelmed by the amount of email they receive, and over half (55%) of US adults prioritize five or fewer people with whom they communicate via email. In response to these issues, HTC’s innovative Inner Circle feature allows HTC Snap users to press a dedicated Inner Circle key to bring emails from a preselected group of people to the top of their inbox, enabling important messages to be acted upon immediately.” [ref01]
I think this innovative feature is very helpful for business users in particular. While you would normally do a quick scan and put some follow-up flags in Microsoft Pocket Outlook on the device, the Inner Circle feature seems to make life a lot easier and do the prioritizing for you. Honestly I can’t wait to see a demo of this very usefull feature.
“The HTC SNAP is expected to be available in select channels during the second quarter of 2009, rolling out in markets around the world throughout the second half of the year. Additionally, an unlocked version supporting HSDPA at 850/1900MHz for the US market will be made available under the name HTC S522 during the summer. ” [ref01]
The timing of the availability makes me hopful there might also become a Windows Mobile 6.5 upgrade to this device, like it is the case with the HTC Touch Diamond 2 and HTC Touch Pro 2 (announced on MWC 2009).
First thoughts and wrap up
HTC keeps on surprising the public, with every announcement of a new device HTC presents new very clever and innovative features. As I truly love the stability of the Windows Mobile Standard platform, and have put the label on the HTC Excalibur of “one of the BEST smartphones ever made”, I simply can’t wait to get my hands on the HTC SNAP. It really gives me the excitement I had when I first got my hands on the HTC Excalibur. However I don’t think I will be the only happy person with such a device since:
The HTC Snap is powerful enough for experienced business users looking for an affordable, straightforward choice for remotely synchronizing email, calendar and contacts with their Microsoft Exchange server. However, the flexible Microsoft Windows Mobile® 6.1 Standard platform allows the HTC Snap to also be simple enough for first-time smartphone users wanting to keep their family life organized. [ref01]
Finally there is no official word or detail about the pricing of the HTC SNAP, but I would expect it to be in the range of the HTC S740 (+/- E450,-). Anyway I will be saving money, since the HTC SNAP will definitly become my device of choice. Thank you HTC for not just keeping the focus only on the touch-based devices, and the HTC SNAP is a marvelous Windows Mobile Standard device !!
What are your idea’s -as a reader- about this device ?
UPDATE:
The local Dutch PR Press Release provides me with the following info:
- Availability in Q2 2009, which it already is since today April has started !
- The pricepoint is extremely intersting, E329,- including VAT / TAX. In my opinion this pricepoint makes it even more a killer device to hit the market really hard !
Mike Temporale of MobileJaw has written a nice article with some interesting remarks about the HTC SNAP !!
Reference list
- PRESS RELEASE: HTC Snap™ makes staying in touch with more people less complicated
- SPECIFICATION SHEET: HTC SNAP
I don’t think I will be the only happy person with such a device