HTC has unveiled today their response to the Iphone. It is a PocketPC phone with only a D-pad and phone answer and end keys, and a large touch screen, running WM6. Just like the Iphone, it eschews advanced features like 3G or GPS. Its main selling point seems again, similar to the Iphone, a new way to interact with the device.
"The HTC Touch is the first device to feature TouchFLO, the new underlying touch screen technology developed by HTC. Consumers simply sweep their finger up the display to launch an animated, three-dimensional interface comprising three screens: Contacts, Media and Applications. The interface can be spun by swiping a finger right or left across the display, providing efficient access to the features consumers use most. TouchFLO also enhances finger touch scrolling and browsing of Web pages, documents, messages and contact lists."
The HTC Touch features an additional UI layer, much like the recent SPB product, that exposes the underlying apps in an easier to use UI. A look at the video shows how well it really works, which is cool.
It also exposes the underlying problem with the concept - underneath the UI is still the same old same old WM6 UI, designed for styluses, and the transition is pretty jarring.
The HTC Touch is not going set the world on fire (unlike the Iphone) but it will demonstrate that even when it comes to ease of use Apple is not necessarily 5 years ahead, maybe more like 3.
Read more about the device and view these videos to see the UI in action.
http://www.theunwired.net/?itemid=3899
Surur