MWC: Hands-On with HTC’s Newest Devices

Gear Diary is reader-supported. When you buy through links posted on our site, we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

You can learn more by clicking here.

Helena and I were able to spend some time at the HTC VIP lounge this afternoon, time that was well spent fondling the six devices introduced by HTC earlier today. Of course the one that most captivated us was the 7″ Flyer, HTC’s new tablet device. It will be shipping with Gingerbread instead of the newer Honeycomb, which seemed odd given that all of the other tablets and the majority of new phones we’ve seen have featured the newer version of Android. If it means that we can get our hands on it sooner (and that there might be a future update possible), then I suppose I can’t complain. 🙂

Contrary to what I was afraid of, the flyer is NOT too thick, and it isn’t too heavy. It’s just right for one-handed use.

The Flyer comes with one of the nicest stylus-pens I’ve ever seen; perhaps the coolest thing about it is how the pen is integrated into every facet of using the Flyer; you can even draw on the Flyer’s home screen and send a screenshot of your apps and drawing to a friend

HTC Flyer’s magic pen transforms anything. It can draw, paint, write, and even retouch pictures. It can be a highlighter for the reader (and by the way all your highlights will be collated when you’re done). The HTC Flyer can link audio to the notes you take for work, and it can add voiceover to a storybook you’re drawing up at home. Work or play, it’s magic for the whole family.

I’m thinking that Livescribe needs to watch their back on this one! 😮

Conveniently compact and light for travel, yet amazingly powerful, the HTC Flyer tablet with a 7″ display and a superfast 1.5 GHz processor is perfect for web browsing at home, in the car or on a business trip. To make it even better, it features Adobe Flash support, multi-window browsing with pinch to zoom, and a clever quick look-up that lets you tap into Wikipedia, YouTube and other web resources.

HTC Flyer / HTC Flyer detailed specs

The other device that really captivated me was the HTC ChaCha. After using the BlackBerry Bold this week, with its tiny little keys that I still am not used to, the generously sized keys n the ChaCha, along with its softly curved body … I so wish that my Tru SIM was installed in one of these babies. And while I am on an anti-BB-Bold rant, I’ll repeat what Helena just said, “it is the greasiest, slimiest bastard ever.” Truer words were never spoken.

The ChaCha on the other hand, looks like an absolutely fantastic messaging phone. It’s one of the two new “Facebook phones” introduced today (along with the Salsa), and since I am a ridiculous Facebook addict — always posting pictures for my friends and replying to wall post comments — this would be a great phone for when I am out and about. If HTC were to add a dedicated Twitter button on the bottom, then I would be in social networking heaven.

The fingerprint-lovin’ BB Bold next to the sexy HTC ChaCha

HTC ChaCha has a Facebook button that lets you share just about anything with just one touch. Take a photo – straight to Facebook. Make a video – straight to Facebook. Show whatever, whenever, at the touch of a button.

The big domed buttons on the ChaCha are nicely spaced and they just … they feel really, really good under my fingers (and fingernails) after days of trying to figure out a way to comfortably tap on the BB Bold. The ChaCha is very, dare I say it? Female friendly. It’s keyboard also reminds me of some of the better Treo keyboards, back in the day.

Heaps of friends, heaps of things you want to say. HTC ChaCha comes with a QWERTY keyboard, so you can knock out your messages fast. Whether it’s an email, a new Facebook posting, or instant message chat, you can now knock ’em out like a champ.

Everything about the ChaCha is first-rate … I think I’ll be picking one up. My wallet is hating me right now, as it considers the soon to come purchases of the Flyer and ChaCha. Ah well …

HTC ChaCha / HTC ChaCha detailed specs

And of course, there are a bunch of pictures of the other devices for you to peruse, too …

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for your support!


About the Author

Judie Lipsett Stanford
Judie is the co-owner and Editor-in-Chief of Gear Diary, which she founded in September 2006. She got her start in 1999 writing software reviews at the now-defunct smaller.com; from mid-2000 through 2006, she wrote hardware reviews for and co-edited at The Gadgeteer. A recipient of the Sigma Kappa Colby Award for Technology, Judie has written for or been profiled by nationally known sites and magazines, and she has served on multiple industry hardware and software award panels. She is best known for her device-agnostic approach, enjoyment of exploring tech, gadgets, and gear, and her deep-diving, jargon-free reviews.

11 Comments on "MWC: Hands-On with HTC’s Newest Devices"

  1. The phones look nice but the tablet… I want I want I want I want. The Flyer looks good in the pictures and the Livescribe-esque functionality looks great.

  2. I wish there was a place to pre-order … and I suppose pricing might be nice, too. 😉

  3. Francis Scardino | February 15, 2011 at 11:51 am |

    I was losing hope for HTC until now. So many great new tablets out, I think 7-9″ is the sweet spot when it comes to portable. I’m not worried that Honeycomb is not yet onboard, will be soon whether HTC does it or not. The chassis looks to match the high quality of HTC standards and the aluminum backing sets it off. All glass front and obviously very touch friendly screen. And whether people want to beat the dead horse or not, Flash is alive and well, and very much appreciated. If price stays low then they clearly have a winner.

  4. Christopher Gavula | February 15, 2011 at 1:31 pm |

    I don’t know. These devices aren’t quite doing it for me. The tablet is the most interesting of the bunch, however. The phones with the Facebook buttons, though? That’s just gimmicky and cheesy to me and actually makes me want to run away from them and actually detracts from their other features. Smells too much like “the Social” for my taste. Anyone for another slice of Kin?

    • Francis Scardino | February 15, 2011 at 2:21 pm |

      yeah, Facebook buttons make me throw up in my mouth a little. The tablet is looking good, but I have my eye on the new Samsung stuff Facebook Button free.

    • Facebook buttons don’t bother me at all because I USE Facebook. Give me a dedicated Twitter button, too — I’d be in social network heaven. 😉

  5. RT @geardiarysite: MWC: Hands-On with HTC's Newest Devices http://bit.ly/eNDfWL

  6. RT @techvudu: RT @geardiarysite: MWC: Hands-On with HTC's Newest Devices http://bit.ly/eNDfWL

  7. MWC: Hands-On with HTC's Newest Devices | Gear Diary: MWC: Hands-On with HTC's Newest Devices. Posted on 15 Febr… http://bit.ly/fkAeQb

Comments are closed.