With more enhanced interface features that facilitate better task management in Windows Mobile, the HTC Touch Cruise promises to be the best of the trio – the original Touch, Touch Dual and the Touch Cruise. As far as connectivity issues go the Touch Cruise makes up for the lack of features in its predecessors.
Classy and fashionable design
The exterior casing of the HTC Touch Cruise is smooth and chic with a classy design. If you had gotten used to the curvy edges of the Dual and the Touch, then the Cruise promises a surprise. The Cruise has more sharp edges and also comes with a glossy finish near the LCD region. The durability of the exterior is quite high and the coating is entirely wear resistant. The extremely small dimension of this phone coupled with its neatly designed ergonomics makes it excellent to hold. The interesting feature is that the external USB port is now placed on the bottom of the phone unlike the Dual where it was placed on the left side. This way even when the headset is plugged in, there is no interference with operability. Without the OK as well as Start buttons, there are only about 4 keys in the phone.
However if you have been overly used to these buttons, you have the option of reassigning keys. The scroll wheel comes in handy when viewing large web pages. It also allows the zoom in and out feature while viewing picture galleries in the phone. The memory expansion card slot is a great new feature that allows for swapping support in the phone. As a great alternative to the regular hardware Keyboard, the Touch Cruise also comes with a virtual keyboard. You can use the stylus to enter textual messages and also use the keypad without having to open the device. The icons in the Cruise are overall much larger which allows for better finger touch movement instead of using the stylus all the time.
Responsive optimal performance
Overall the Touch Cruise promises a good level of performance as well as responsiveness. This, inspite of having several applications opened up while navigating the device. While the Touch Cruise uses the same Qualcomm MSM 7200 processor as in the Dual, it has been rumoured to contribute to its slow performance in image-heavy pages. The battery shelf life is remarkable as with just one single charge you can normally use the phone for upto 3 days.
Improved connectivity features
While the Dual version did not come with WiFi and the Touch did not have GPS the Cruise promises both ruling out any connectivity issues. The phone has HSPDA 3G wireless connectivity. The HTC Touch Cruise comes with a QuickGPS application that automatically downloads current satellite information to facilitate easier GPS locks. The FM Tuner is another notable feature in the Touch Cruise as it does not require you to plug in a wired headset in order to listen to music. Even with available regular headphones you can listen to average quality music reception.
The modified interface called TouchFLO facilitates much better navigability and the new and improved home screen is great for finger tapping functionality. The Cruise comes with new virtual cube functionality along with the option of sorting out most common icons in every menu used. As opposed to the raised surface that you would expect out of a swiping action button, the Cruise comes with a flat screen button. You can also use the WorldCard Mobile facility in order to sort through namecards, use the CE-Star facility if you wish to input Chinese text and get accelerated access to background programs with the customized Task Manager functionality.
Predictions and outlook
If you are willing to forego a QWERTY keypad but still want all the features of a great touch screen interface, then the Touch Cruise is for you. Video playback can be a little sluggish as has been reportedly found with the Qualcomm MSM 7200 processor in it. However, on the whole it is stylish, elegant and compact with intuitive touch screen abilities.
The HTC Touch is available for $428.00 at ElephantCellular
tagged: 3G, GPS, Keyboard, QWERTY, Touch Cruise, Touchscreen, TouchFLO, HSDPA
