We got our hands on the HTC Advantage, now running Windows Mobile 6 and bound for the U.S.; we also took pics of the Motorola Q q9; a new Vox for CDMA users from HTC; Nokia's QWERTY clamshell; and more.
Samsung F700
It was curious that at their "Blogger's Breakfast" here in Orlando at CTIA 2007, Samsung did not have a working model of the F700 Ultra Smart phone, like seeing Gallagher without a sledgehammer (which is also strange, because he was at the breakfast, and there was no watermelon in sight). We know people who have spent quality time on the phone, so there is a working prototype out there somewhere, but not enough prototypes that they can't make casual press appearances. Does the lack of a working unit mean problems for the iPhone competitor?
The HTC Advantage X7501 is an interesting piece of design, even though most people who see it come away wondering the same thing: "Who's it for?" It is an internet tablet with 3G telephony built-in, and we'd have to spend some quality time with the strange, two-piece contraption, but there is no denying the appeal of letting those two powerful magnets slap together. Also, now that Windows Mobile 6 is officially on board, we should see some better media, and more functional Office editing on this "Smartphone's" 5-inch touch screen.
The Motorola Q q9 looks every bit like a Q, in person you could walk right down the line of devices and hardly realize that you're looking at a new device. Still, it is much more rounded, making it easier to hold, than its cousin. The BlackJack still feels less wide, but the keyboard on the new q9 was very satisfying to use. We look forward to a longer test to put the new device through its paces.
There isn't much to say about the HTC S720, except it isn't the Vox. We were surprised at how much effort goes into creating what is essentially the same phone but with a different radio. Though every aspect is nearly identical, from form factor through features, HTC claims the S720, which is available first on Telus' CDMA networks, is still a completely different device, designed independently from the S710 Vox.
There was far too much noise to really give the iPaq 510 Voice Messenger's voice functions a proper workout, we'll have to wait for a review unit for that. Otherwise, there isn't much to get excited about with this phone. In photos, it could easily be mistaken for a larger, older Nokia candy bar phone. Now that Windows Mobile 6 supports higher resolutions, we'd rather see HP fix up some of the older iPaqs in the 6900-series, to improve their already large screens.
The Nokia E61i is a natural evolution for the Nokia E61. It is improved a little bit in almost every way. The keys are a bit more rubbery, providing a more tactile, less mechanical feel. The body is noticeably thinner, and tapers to a thin edge. We didn't have a good enough network connection to see it in action, but we'd like to hear more about an American model - E62i anyone?
The Nokia E90 is big, very big. In person, it looks like a larger, more polished version of the LG enV. It isn't a pocketable device, more something you'd toss into a briefcase or bag. Closed, the phone is ridiculously large, like a parody of a candy bar. Open, however, you see the wonderfully large keys and the bright, sharp screen. Nokia should have ditched the external phone, and placed this phone more in competition with the HTC Advantage than with an average smartphone.
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