Plemix

The long waiting time was passed. HTC Touch2, the successor to the HTC Touch and HTC Touch 3G, is finally out. It sports a revamped design and comes in a budget price which is targeting the mass market. But the most highlight-able point is that the first device featuring the latest version of Microsoft's operating system for mobile devices, Windows Mobile 6.5. And combine the unique goody of HTC, TouchFLO 3D. Let’s check it out.

What’s inside? The device, the battery a charger, a data cable, a handsfree, a user’s manual.

Mostly the design of a touchscreen phone is clean and simple. The same go on Touch2. The 2.8-inch display and few navigation controls and a touch-sensitive zoom bar below it.

At the top, you’ll find the 3.5mm audio jack.

Turn to the bottom, you’ll find the USB port. It doesn’t have the rubber flap here for protecting from dust, but makes it easily accessible.

On the left, you may see a set of dedicated volume control buttons on top and the microSD card slot is just next to it.

On the back of the phone you can find the 3.2MP camera. The lack of auto-focus makes the increased pixel count somewhat meaningless. It is just the same thing on Touch 3G.

Here is the biggest change Windows Mobile 6.5 is bringing - the new homescreen. Pressing the Start menu icon in the top right corner no longer opens a drop down menu full of shortcuts. It's got icons ordered in the oh-so-popular honeycomb pattern.

You’ve got pre-installed Google Maps and Facebook on the phone. Of course, the radio won’t be missed here. Nice!

The new version of the Internet Explorer Mobile web browser has received a nicer touch-optimized interface and way cooler skin. It now sports kinetic scrolling and Flash support, and should give you the browsing experience that its predecessor failed to.

With the powerful CPU, 3.5mm jack on board and the TouchFLO 3D together with the Windows Mobile 6.5 plus high quality of the music sound, which is really something new for a Windows Mobile device. It gives you excellent value for money. Despite the fact that Touch2 is aimed at middle end of the market, I believe that it is a powerful device gets all things done for a business professional as well.

HTC Touch2 T3333 Video Review

Sony Ericsson ‘s new T715 is among an array of mid-range phones released recently. You have nokia 6300 classic, 5130 Xpressmusic, Samsung S3500i, Star and the list goes on. Will T715 stand out from its peer or will it sink into the background as another ordinary phone?

The petit paper box houses the T715 phone, a battery, a charger, a handsfree set and a user’s guide. Nothing fancy, nothing new.

One of the advantages of T715 is its handiness and its favorable size. It weighs only 93g, with dimensions of 91.5 x 48 X 14.9mm - a really pocket-friendly handset. The display is a 256K-color TFT. It performs very well under sunlight as well.

The alphanumeric keypad looks kind of plain but it is functional and practical which is the most important, right?

You have the model number printed at the bottom of the phone. It’s minor, but I would love it to be clean.

Volume rocker and shutter release on the ride side.

Fast Port on the other. A rather standard Sony Ericsson layout.

The color scheme of the phone is very pleasing. Take this rogue pink and metallic silver combination as an example, simple and stylish.

The camera is more than you can ask for: 3.2MP with flash, employing autofocus and onscreen editing software. You can do geotagging and record video with it. The details of the subtle geometric prints are attractive.

I am glad to see MicroSD in a Sony Ericsson phone. One step forward.

The standard Sony Ericsson menu. I like the desktop calendar reminder though. Friends’ birthdays will not be missed anymore.

Sony Ericsson T715 is more than adequate for a mid-range phone. It has a luxurious look. The functionality is sufficient. Integrated camera, HSDPA connection, drag and drop MediaGo, FM radio, there might me a few fanciful features missing, but still a delightful phone.

 

Sony Ericsson T715 Video Review

Just when I am sulking over the fact that Sony Ericsson has not released a proper high-end touchscreen feature phone for quite some time (since X1?), Sony Ericsson launches Aino. Being the long awaited high-end phone, Aino has a lot to live up to. With WiFi connection, 8MP camera, 3-inch touchscreen and Playstaion remote play, Aino seems to have a lot of wow-factors at first glance.

Okay, Aino’s package content is one to look up to. You have got the Aino phone, a battery, a charger, a handsfree set and most importantly the elegant-looking desk stand charger and the matching Bluetooth (which we will look into later).

The front panel of Aino is monopolized by the 3-inch TFT 16-million color capacitive touchscreen. The image quality is excellent. It is good for any media playback. However, one thing about Aino is that its touchscreen is limited to use on merely the media interface. And D-pad will be disabled on those touch-screen enabled media pages. Although the biggest selling point of this handset is the media features, I would still love to see a more purposeful touchscreen.

You need to slide open and get help from the D-pad and alphanumeric keypad when touchscreen function is not available. The fact that it is a slider makes it unnecessarily thicker than a usual touchscreen phone.

The keypad is kind of boring. Don’t get me wrong. The keys are spacious and thumb-friendly but it looks like it’s designed in the 80’s. In general, I think design of Aino is not really its forte.

The right side of the phone accommodates the shutter release and the volume rocker that doubles as zoom lever.

You have got the fast port on the right side. The metallic blue edge is looking good here, I have to admit.

You’ve got a key-lock at the top. (Yes! Even for a slider!)

The camera is an upscale one with 8MP and LED flash. The lens comes without cover which could turn into a scratch nightmare whereas the upcoming Satio has a stylish lens cover.

You have to remove the battery cover for the access of SIM and MicroSD. The package comes with an 8GB extended memory in the form of MicroSD.

Now here’s the best part. The phone comes along with super awesome kits such as the desk top charger and the specifically designed Bluetooth. They look like a handsome gang together that will sure gather some envious glances. And the media menu is Playstation inspired which adds a trendy touch to the phone.

Here’s a closer look at the harmonizing Bluetooth. A love at first sight for me.

With the Fast Port connection, not only can you charge with the desk top charger, you can also leave the phone on the dock and let the Media Home do the job of transferring for you automatically.

Here’s the standard Sony Ericsson menu that is ever-so-smooth to navigate.

You’ve got pre-installed Google Maps and Facebook on the phone

Aino is innovative in a lot of ways. Other than the handsome-looking kit, you can make use of the Wi-Fi connection to control your PS3 or PSP remotely and access the media contents there. You can also record VGA30fps video with it and download movies straight from Playnow Arena. It can surely do everything that a Sony Ericsson feature phone can do and better.

Sony Ericsson Aino (U10i) Video Review