mobile phone

As of July 15, 2010, over half of all Android users are on version 2.1 of the mobile OS.

Unless you’re an Android developer deciding your next strategic programming move, chances are your brain isn’t attuned to the distribution of operating systems among all Android smartphone owners.

However, Google’s periodic pie charts and stacked line graphs reveal some interesting data nuggets, at least for Android fanatics.

According to data collected from July 1 to July 15, just about 60 percent of all Android smartphone owners are running version 2.0 of the Android operating system or higher, with 55 percent of the data set concentrated on version 2.1. (We’ll go out on a limb to guess that of that number, 100 percent of those 2.1 users are hotly anticipating getting the 2.2 over-the-air update.)

Compare this OS 2.1 figure to the merely 3.3 percent of Android users who have already received the version 2.2 OS update, and the 40 percent still stuck in pre-2.0 limbo on older or midrange devices.

What really stands out when you flipping the statistic along the pre- and post- 2.0 OS line is that 40 percent of users running OS 1.5 and 1.6 are missing out on key Android features, including pinch-to-zoom, universal voice search, and a much more powerful Google Maps app with personalized search suggestions.

The figures will certainly soon shift again as more 2.1 phones migrate from “Eclair” to “Froyo” (2.2), but even then, the number of users running version 2.0 and above will still remain just over half until the next waves of Android phones on the latest OS begin to saturate the market, replacing older phones mired in older OS versions.

CNET

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Sprint’s new HTC EVO 4G (HTC Droid Incredible) smartphone is being hailed as the new ruler of the Android empire. But has the crown really been passed?

The HTC EVO 4G, unveiled at the CTIA Wireless exhibition this week, sure has a feature-list fit for a king. The phone boasts a 4.3-inch capacitive touchscreen with HDMI output, dual front- and back-facing cameras, and a superspeedy 1GHz Snapdragon processor. Oh yeah — and there’s that whole 4G thing, too.

Hang on, though: Wasn’t the Android throne just overtaken a couple months ago? Google’s Nexus One, after all, was widely seen as stealing the top spot from Motorola’s once-dominant Droid. (That’s speaking primarily from a specs perspective; the sales figuresactually paint a different picture.)

So with the HTC EVO 4G almost in the wild, is the Nexus One doomed to become a has-been? Consider these comparisons and decide for yourself.

HTC EVO 4G vs. Nexus One: The Display

It’s hard to miss all the gushing over the HTC EVO 4G’s display, and there’s a reason for the excitement: The phone has one sweet screen, and you don’t have to be an Android fanboy to see that. The EVO 4G’s 4.3-inch display beats the Nexus One’s 3.7-inch offering (whichbeat practically everything else back when it debuted). Both devices feature the same WVGA resolution: 800-by-480.

HTC EVO 4G vs. Nexus One: The Data Network

Sprint’s biggest selling point with the HTC EVO 4G is all about those final two characters. A 4G data connection, according to Sprint, brings you download speeds as much as 10 times faster than what you’d get on a flimsy old 3G alternative.

But — and this is a big but (you’re welcome, Sir Mix-a-Lot) — you won’t be able to get those tasty 4G connections in much of the country. So far, Sprint’s 4G network is available only in 27 U.S. cities. The carrier has plans to expand to a handful of other major markets later this year, but that still leaves everyone else with that aforementioned flimsy old 3G.

Plus, the EVO 4G will be available only on Sprint — so if you’re in an area where network coverage is spotty, you’ll be out of luck. The Nexus One, on the other hand, will soon be available on all major carriers, giving you greater choice in the data-providing department.

Which phone wins this category, then, truly depends on where you are and how the carriers’ coverage compares for your specific area.

HTC EVO 4G vs. Nexus One: The Hardware

The HTC EVO 4G is powered by the same chip as the Nexus — that snazzy-sounding 1GHz Snapdragon processor — so there’s a virtual tie in that department.

When it comes to cameras, the HTC EVO 4G is victorious: Its back has an 8-megapixel camera and its front features a 1.3-megapixel one. The Nexus One, in comparison, has a single 5-megapixel photo-snapper.

HTC EVO 4G vs. Nexus One: The Body

The HTC EVO 4G is slightly larger than its Google-endorsed cousin (4.8-by-2.6-by-0.5 inches, compared to 4.69-by-2.35-by-0.45 inches). It’s about 1.4 ounces heavier, too.

A deal-breaker? Unless you’re Thumbelina, probably not.

HTC EVO 4G vs. Nexus One: The OS

Both the HTC EVO 4G and the Nexus One are running Android 2.1 (eclair), the latest version of Google’s mobile operating system. Despite the matching versions, however, the user experience will be quite different on the two phones.

The reason is that the HTC EVO 4G runs HTC’s Senseuser interface, while the Nexus One uses the stock Android interface. The Sense interface gives Android an entirely different look, with specialized home screen widgets and custom navigation tools. As far as which is better, it’s really just a matter of personal preference.

One area where the Nexus One’s setup will have a distinct advantage, though, is in future Android upgrades: Given the fact that the phone is running the stock Android interface, updating it to a new OS version will be a simple and likely delay-free process (the fact that the Nexus One is Google’s baby probably won’t hurt, either). Custom interfaces such as HTC’s Sense tend to take more time to update, as the manufacturer has to rebuild the interface around the revised platform.

HTC EVO 4G vs. Nexus One: The Data Perks

Sprint is billing the HTC EVO 4G as a mobile hotspot, meaning you can connect up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices to the phone and use its data connection to get them on the Internet.

It’s not difficult to set up tethering on any Android phone (even if some carriers may discourage it). Still, this built-in multidevice functionality is certainly a perk worth considering.

HTC EVO 4G vs. Nexus One: The Final Judgment

Ultimately, the truth is that there’ll never be an end-all Android phone; it really comes down to what’s right for you. Given the nature of the platform’s open ecosystem, a new contender will always be right around the corner, and hyperbole-loving bloggers will always be chomping at the bit to label it the “killer” of everything else.

That, my friends, is the one thing you can count on.

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Design-wise, the Droid Incredible appears fairly similar to the Nexus One, but it is essentially a CDMA version of the HTC Desire, which launched last February in Barcelona, Spain. The Droid Incredible has an 8-megapixel camera (as opposed to the Nexus One and Desire’s 5-megapixel shooters). The Droid Incredible also has a strange rubberdized “topographic” battery cover, which I could have done without. While the Incredible is lighter, it doesn’t feel as solid as the Nexus One.

While the Nexus One has four touch keys, the Droid Incredible has four physical hardware keys running along the bottom (Home, Menu, Back, Search). I actually prefer the Nexus One’s touch keys, though, as it gives the phone a more streamlined look.

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Getting online with your phone isn’t as fussy as it once was. That said, we still want to see the basics of web browsing done with aplomb and will be looking out for speedy online skills from these Android phones at every turn. How does playing back YouTube clips or, in some cases, Flash video work? And how does the browser itself look – does it have added extras that make us coo in admiration?

Sony Ericsson Xperia X10
The browser on the Xperia X10 hasn’t gone under much modding by Sony Ericsson, resulting in a basic version which doesn’t compare so well to the Desire and Legend. That’s not to say it’s bad. Getting around pages is easy, but entering web address should be easier than having to go through the hard menu key at the bottom. YouTube clips streamed and played with no stutter within about 10 seconds. Impressive.

HTC Desire
The Desire’s web browser is great. Not only can you use pinch-to-zoom to get into the nitty gritty of a page, you can also directly tap into Wikipedia and Google Translate on any search term, just by highlighting and holding down on the phrase at the top of the page you’ve tapped in. That means one less page to visit when you need info stat. YouTube streaming is snappy and the inclusion of Flash is ace, even if clips on The Guardian took an eternity to start playing.

Google Nexus One
The standard Android browser that comes on the Nexus One is good, but it’s no match for the tweaked version on the Desire and the Legend. Navigation requires tapping into the menu button, something we’re not fond of. However, the Snapdragon processor helps video from YouTube load up sharpish, a theme we’ve warmed to across a number of the phones on test. The whole thing isn’t quite up to scratch compared to its rivals though.

HTC Legend
The browser on the HTC Legend is very much the same as the Desire. That means it’s speedy and can handle jumping around pages with aplomb. YouTube streaming is great and works within around fifteen seconds of starting a three minute clip. Flash, again, causes some issues and takes an age to fire up. You have to wonder of having Adobe’s video software on board is worth it.

HTC Tattoo
The browser on the HTC Tattoo is pretty standard for Android. It doesn’t have any added extras and isn’t the best you’ll ever use. However, it serves up pages in quick smart fashion and renders them fine if you’re using mobile optimised sites especially. YouTube clips look dandy too and make the Tattoo a very decent bet for budget conscious punters.

Verdict
The web browsing experience on the HTC Desire is the business and definitely squeaks top spot from the Legend. It’s the complete package, with Google Translate and Wikipedia baked in, and it’s a doddle to use. The X10 is a mite disappointing, while the Legend and Nexus One deserve honourable mentions.

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The HD2 smartphone is a design masterpiece that runs a Windows version that will be out-of-date by yearend. A gorgeous, archaic piece of art?

The Good: Largest smartphone screen on the market, lightning-fast processor, 5 megapixel camera

The Bad: Won’t run Microsoft’s upcoming Windows Phone 7 operating system; dearth of applications

The Bottom Line: A great smartphone for consumers who don’t feel they need to own a device running Google or Apple software

Sometimes timing is everything. After several weeks of testing HTC’s gorgeous new HD2 smartphone, I can tell you it’s unquestionably the best device yet that runs Microsoft’s (MSFT) Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system.

Therein lays the problem. Microsoft plans to release a major overhaul to Windows for smartphones—called Windows Phone 7—by the end of the year. As good as the HD2 is, it may have a very short shelf life.

The HD2, which went on sale on Mar. 24 in the U.S., through T-Mobile, is a design masterpiece. It uses Qualcomm’s (QCOM) speedy 1 Ghz Snapdragon processor and sports a stunning 4.3-in. screen surrounded by a thin, black bezel.

Yet HTC’s stunning hardware is hobbled by a lack of applications for users to download from Microsoft’s Windows Mobile Marketplace. By my count, there are less than 1,000, compared to more than 185,000 from Apple’s (AAPL) App Store and more than 30,000 from Google’s (GOOG) Android Marketplace for phones that run its operating system. Worse, Microsoft says many of today’s apps won’t work when it rolls out Windows Phone 7.

If that doesn’t bother you—or you want to take a chance that Microsoft will change its stance—I’d recommend the HD2 wholeheartedly. It’s available for $199 with a two-year contract from T-Mobile.

Adopting the less-is-more approach that’s increasingly common in the smartphone market, the HD2 has hardly any buttons. On the bottom of its face, from left to right, there’s a dedicated phone button, one that calls up a customizable home page of applications, a button to access Windows applications, a back button, and a power toggle.

A COUPLE OF EXTRAS IN THE U.S.

The phone doesn’t have much usable memory, but users can add up to 16GB of storage with an additional microSD card. (It takes some work to remove the rear panel to access the slot where you place the card.)

The T-Mobile version of the HD2 includes Blockbuster on Demand software for watching movies and free access to MobiTV for a month. European versions of the HD2 don’t offer those.

From a usability perspective, the HD2 stands out by cleverly layering HTC’s Sense user interface on top of Windows Mobile 6.5. Reviewers panned the operating system when Microsoft released it last fall, despite a belated move to icon-based applications, or widgets, which do away with a terrible dropdown system that had made navigation a nightmare.

HTC says it designed Sense to satisfy three fundamental needs: customization, discovery, and social computing. The HD2 does all three well. Users can configure the home screen to show nine favorite applications, including Facebook, a compass, and an e-mail program.

The lower portion of the screen includes a dock that handles the discovery and social aspects of using the phone. The dock includes quick access to a Web browser, YouTube, Twitter, a calendar, and other information, including music and video collections. There’s also weather, in the form of photorealistic animations of clouds moving across the screen and a windshield wiper when it’s raining.

A GOOD BUSINESS TOOL

HTC doesn’t skimp on the extras. It includes a 5-megapixel digital camera with built-in flash and photo-editing features such as white balancing and ISO setting adjustment. You can even send video via multimedia messaging. A built-in speaker on the back delivers relatively smooth playback of MP3 downloads from Amazon.com’s (AMZN) music store and from a personal collection, although most people will likely use the headphone jack on the bottom.

The HD2 is a good business tool, too. I downloaded the Good Technology mobile client, which synchronized my work e-mail, contacts, and calendar. At first, I had some trepidation about the lack of a physical keyboard, but then found that the phone’s virtual keyboard worked fairly well. I was frustrated with the predictive typing technology, which slowed me down by suggesting words that tried to match my typos. It was easier to identify the typos and correct them manually. And unlike Apple’s iPhone and Motorola’s (MOT) Droid, the HD2 doesn’t offer a landscape mode.

Some users may be turned off by the HD2’s relatively large size—about the length of one-and-a-half decks of cards. Yet thanks to its thin, high-resolution AMOLED display, it’s much slimmer than other smartphones. The glossy screen does show fingerprint smudges. The good news is that the screen works well, even in bright sunlight.

Battery life is slightly above-average and lasts all day, even with the Good data connection running at average display brightness. If you’re also using WiFi to access the Internet and have the Bluetooth connection turned on, expect about five hours’ use before you’ll need to recharge.

There’s a lot to like about the HD2. But thanks to Microsoft’s assertion that Windows 6.5 users won’t be able to upgrade their devices to Windows Phone 7, using HTC’s smartphone feels like admiring a beautiful but archaic work of art.

backlink: bussinessweek

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HTC SNAP                                 VS                                       HTC OZONE

GENERAL	2G Network	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
			CDMA2000 800 / 1900
	3G Network	UMTS 900 / 2100 – for Europe and Asia	1x EV-DO 800 / 1900
		UMTS 850 / 1900 – for North America
	Announced	2009, March	2009, March
	Status	Available. Released 2009, June	Available. Released 2009, June

SIZE	Dimensions	116.5 x 61.5 x 12 mm	114.3 x 63.5 x 12.7 mm
	Weight	120 g	105 g

DISPLAY	Type	TFT, 65K colors	TFT, 65K colors
	Size	320 x 240 pixels, 2.4 inches	320 x 240 pixels, 2.4 inches
		- QWERTY keyboard - Trackball navigation	- QWERTY keyboard - Trackball navigation

SOUND	Alert types	Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3 ringtones, composer	Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3 ringtones, composer
	Speakerphone	Yes	Yes

MEMORY	Phonebook	Practically unlimited entries and fields, Photocall	Practically unlimited entries and fields, Photocall
	Call records	Practically unlimited	Practically unlimited
	Internal	192MB RAM, 256MB ROM	192MB RAM, 256MB ROM
	Card slot	microSD, up to 16GB, buy memory	microSD, up to 16GB, buy memory

DATA	GPRS	Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 – 48 kbps	Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 – 48 kbps
	EDGE	Class 10, 236.8 kbps	Class 10, 236.8 kbps
	3G	HSDPA 7.2 Mbps	1xEV–DO Rev. A
	WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11b/g	Wi-Fi 802.11b/g
	Bluetooth	Yes, v2.0 with A2DP	Yes, v2.0 with A2DP
	Infrared port	No	No
	USB	Yes	Yes

CAMERA	Primary	2 MP, 1600×1200 pixels	2 MP, 1600×1200 pixels
	Video	Yes	Yes
	Secondary	No	No

FEATURES	OS	Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard	Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard
	CPU	528 MHz processor	528 MHz processor
	Messaging	SMS, MMS, Email, Instant Messaging	SMS, MMS, Email, Instant Messaging
	Browser	WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (PocketIE)	WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (PocketIE)
	Radio	No	No
	Games	Yes	Yes
	Colors	Brown	Black
	GPS	Yes, with A-GPS support	Yes, with A-GPS support; VZ Navigator
	Java	Yes, MIDP 2.0	Yes, MIDP 2.0
		- MP3/AAC player - Pocket Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF viewer) - T9 - Organizer	- MP3/AAC player - Pocket Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF viewer) - T9 - Organizer

BATTERY		Standard battery, Li-Ion 1500 mAh	Standard battery, Li-Ion 1500 mAh
	Stand-by	380 h (2G) / 480 h (3G)	380 h (2G) / 324 h (3G)
	Talk time	8 h 30 min (2G) / 5 h (3G)	8 h 30 min (2G) / 4 h 50 min (3G)

MISC

SAR US

0.21 W/kg (head)     1.03 W/kg (body)

0.21 W/kg (head)     1.03 W/kg (body)

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IPHONE                                          VS                  HTC LEGEND

GENERAL	2G Network	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
	3G Network	HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 900 / 2100
	Announced	2008, June	2010, February
	Status	Available. Released 2008, July	Available. Released 2010, March

SIZE	Dimensions	115.5 x 62.1 x 12.3 mm	112 x 56.3 x 11.5 mm
	Weight	133 g	126 g

DISPLAY	Type	TFT capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors	AMOLED capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
	Size	320 x 480 pixels, 3.5 inches	320 x 480 pixels, 3.2 inches
		- Multi-touch input method - Accelerometer sensor for auto-rotate - Proximity sensor for auto turn-off - Scratch-resistant surface	- Sense UI - Multi-touch support - Accelerometer sensor for UI auto-rotate - Optical trackpad

SOUND	Alert types	Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3 ringtones	Vibration, MP3, WAV ringtones
	Speakerphone	Yes	Yes
		- 3.5 mm headset jack	- 3.5 mm audio jack

MEMORY	Phonebook	Practically unlimited entries and fields, Photocall	Practically unlimited entries and fields, Photocall
	Call records	100 received, dialed and missed calls	Practically unlimited
	Internal	8 GB/ 16 GB storage, 128 MB RAM	384 MB RAM, 512 MB ROM
	Card slot	No	microSD (TransFlash) up to 32GB, buy memory

DATA	GPRS	Yes	Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 – 48 kbps
	EDGE	Yes	Class 10, 236.8 kbps
	3G	HSDPA	HSDPA, 7.2 Mbps; HSUPA, 2 Mbps
	WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11b/g	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
	Bluetooth	Yes, v2.0 with A2DP, headset support only	Yes v2.1 with A2DP
	Infrared port	No	No
	USB	Yes, v2.0	Yes, miniUSB v2.0

CAMERA	Primary	2 MP, 1600×1200 pixels	5 MP, 2592 x 1944 pixels, autofocus, LED flash
	Features		Geo-tagging
	Video	No	Yes
	Secondary	No	No

FEATURES	OS	iPhone OS (based on Mac OS)	Android OS v2.1 (Eclair)
	CPU	ARM 11 412 MHz, PowerVR MBX-Lite graphics	Qualcomm MSM 7227 600 MHz processor
	Messaging	SMS (threaded view), MMS(threaded view), Email	SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, Push Email, IM
	Browser	HTML (Safari)	HTML
	Radio	No	Stereo FM radio with RDS
	Games	Downloadable, incl. motion-based	Yes
	Colors	Black(8/16 GB), White (16 GB)	Gray, Black
	GPS	Yes, with A-GPS support	Yes, with A-GPS support
	Java	No	Via third party application
		- Google Maps - Audio/video player - TV-out	- Aluminum unibody - Dedicated search key - MP3/eAAC+/WAV player - MP4/H.263/H.264 player - Google Search, Maps, Gmail, - YouTube, Google Talk - Document viewer - Photo viewer/editor - Organizer - Voice memo - T9

BATTERY		Standard battery, Li-Ion	Standard battery, Li-Ion 1300 mAh
	Stand-by	Up to 300 h	Up to 440 h (2G) / Up to 560 h (3G)
	Talk time	Up to 10 h	Up to 7 h (2G) / Up to 6 h 10 min (3G)
	Music play	Up to 24 h

MISC	SAR US	0.52 W/kg (head)     1.29 W/kg (body)
	SAR EU	0.56 W/kg (head)     0.23 W/kg (body)

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http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/

The top end Android phones duke it out

The days when the T-Mobile G1was the big cheese in the Android world are happily gone. Now, the Android OS is being used to create some truly industry leading handsets and HTC is behind some of the best.

But which is the one for you to spend your hard-earned on? The Hero-a-like Legend? The insanely powerful but stupidly monikered Desire? Or do you trust your mobile dollar in Google with the Nexus One?

The HTC Legend

What makes a phone good? Well, the easy answer is one that packs the most into the smallest frame – but Apple came along with the iPhone and changed that perception almost overnight.

No, apparently what’s best is the combination of beautiful hardware and a slick user experience – so step forward the HTC Legend.

If you imagine an HTC Hero met an Apple Macbook Air one night in a bar, got along famously and ended up getting so drunk that they woke up shame-facedly together in the morning, this would be the result.

The HTC Legend is hewn from a single block of aluminium, giving it a polished and expensive look, in the Marmite-esque ‘lip’ chassis. Not only that, but the 3.2-inch screen is actually an OLED, which means colours are gloriously saturated and the blacks are wonderfully dark.

The HTC Sense UI is also in full force here, and while we could witter on about the social networking integration in the contacts menu or the improved camera UI, we just care about the fact we can pinch the home screen in to view all our open widgets in one glance (called Leap view).

We’re also digging the ability to see all our friends’ feeds in one place through Friend Stream – we know that it’s an option on the HTC Desire as well, but it seems to suit the Legend a little more.

It’s a smooth, sleek and ultimately satisfying to hold phone – and it’s packing a fair whack of grunt under the hood as well.

Who’s gonna buy the Legend? If you’re the kind of person that values form as much as functionality (and for some reason don’t want the iPhone) then you should definitely give the HTC Legend the once over.

Sure, it’s not got the processing power of the Desire or the bells and whistles of Google’s device, but it looks superb, handles better than most phones out there and what’s more – it shouldn’t break the bank when it appears.

The HTC Desire

< THE HTC DESIRE

The HTC Desire

The TechRadar office is currently divided between those that want the HTC Legend, for all its Fancy Dan looks and svelte charm, and those that crave the raw power of the HTC Desire.

(We’re keeping an eye on the situation, lest it break out into a dance numbera la The Jets and The Sharks).

It would be wrong to say the Desire is an ugly device, as it comes in at less than 12mm thick, which means it’s ultimately pocket-friendly.

And by Jingo, it’s a powerful beast. Yes, it’s ‘only’ running the Qualcomm 1GHz Snapdragon processor (we say ‘only’ because it’s about the tenth phone to do so), but there’s more than just a decent chipset in action here.

The whole Sense UI has been optimised for the HTC Desire, and this means that it excels in two key areas beyond the Legend: multimedia and internet.

The screen is 4x the resolution of the Legend, which means a high-res display and a terrific device to watch video and view photos on.

There’s an 8GB memory card in the box too in order to help you start stuffing content onto the device, and while it doesn’t have the same standby time as the Legend, it does have a larger battery to help cope.

And the internet experience on the HTC Desire is phenomenal (we might have to rethink the battery claim, as we’ll probably be on the internet all the time when using this device).

Somehow HTC appears to have optimised the browser in such a way that even over EDGE connectivity, heavy web pages load in seconds. The text reflow (which admittedly is the Legend as well) is a dream, allowing users to zoom into text as and when they like at the size they want.

In short, if you’ve got deep pockets or carry a bag with space for a phone with a 3.7-inch screen, there’s very little reason not to pick up the HTC Desire.

Who’s gonna buy the Desire? Trust us when we say that Technophiles are going to be all over this phone. Multi-touch, flash video, WVGA screen – it’s the spec-enthusiast’s dream. It might be a little bit pricier than some, but it will apparently come in at a lower cost than the Nexus One.

The Google Nexus One

Looking over the other two on trial here, you’d be forgiven for thinking that theGoogle Nexus One doesn’t really have a prayer against the might of HTC’s own children.

But the Nexus One is a powerful beast in its own right – pulling in some of the same specs as the HTC Desire, but adding in some upgrades too.

Take for instance active noise cancellation. This means that when you’re walking down the street and the traffic gets too noisy, the person on the other end of the phone won’t notice almost at all – which is a pretty handy trick.

It’s also got support for a dock as well – meaning you can pop your phone onto your desktop and play Bluetooth music in wonderful A2DP stereo sound too.

And while many are cooing over the Sense UI used on the HTC Legend and Desire, it’s certainly not suited for all tastes, with the plethora of home screens looking a bit much at times.

The Nexus One also has the added weight of Google behind it – which device do you think will always get the next Android upgrades first? That’s right – its own child.

The trackball and smooth touch sensitive keys are bound to appeal to another demographic, especially those that find the optical trackpad a very strange experience to use.

And the little touches, like living wallpaper, are present on the Nexus One – we’re not sure it’s automatically better than the HTC Desire, but it’s certainly another option worth considering.

Who’s gonna buy the Nexus One?

Those hat are clued in to the way Google is working will probably favour a little bit of the Nexus One over the HTC Desire – simply because it’s a native home overlay, making it much easier to code over the top of.

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HTC Legend takes Android 2.1 to a new level with HTC Sense

Singapore – 25 March, 2010 – HTC Corporation, a global designer of smartphones, today introduced an enhanced HTC Sense experience that will be available on its latest addition of smartphones that take Android to the next level, the HTC Legend.

“At its essence, the mobile phone is the most personal item you have in your possession. HTC Sense was created to magnify your ability to create and define your own unique mobile experience,” said Jack Tong, VP of HTC Asia. “HTC Legend takes Android to another level in both substance with HTC Sense and style with HTC Legend’s revolutionary crafted aluminum uni-body design.”

HTC SENSE
HTC Sense is a user experience focused on putting people at the centre by making phones work in a more simple and natural way. This experience revolves around three fundamental principles that were developed by observing and listening to how people live and communicate. These core tenets of Make It Mine, Stay Close and Discover the Unexpected continue to be the key to the new HTC Sense experience.

The new HTC Sense experience continues to focus on improving your interactions with your most important people.  This begins with a new HTC application and widget called Friend Stream that seamlessly aggregates all of your social communication including Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr into one organised flow of updates. This simple aggregation makes it easier than ever to focus on what friends are doing as well as to view the images and links that they share.  In addition to Friend Stream, people can be organised into specific social circles, such as groups of friends, colleagues or any other way that makes sense.

The new HTC Sense experience also introduces broad improvements to applications including the browser, email client and others. In addition, the new version of HTC Sense includes a new newsreader application and widget, as well as a new seven-screen ‘Leap’ thumbnail view for quick and easy access to specific screens.

HTC Legend

Built around a newly enhanced HTC Sense, the HTC Legend boasts a unique design with a smooth, continuous surface, machined from a single aluminum block into a seamless compact frame.  To complement its looks, the HTC Legend includes a stunning 3.2 inch, AMOLED HVGA display.  The traditional trackball has also been replaced with an optical joystick, surrounded by a narrow button to improve usability without interrupting its unique design.

Pricing & Availability
The new HTC Legend will be available in early April at all authorized resellers at a suggested retail price of S$798*. Standard retail HTC Legend package will come with a 2GB microSD™ card.
*All prices are subject to pricing policies of individual operators.

The names of companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

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