As I’ve mentioned in some of my previous posts (here and here for example) I’ve been looking for the perfect mobile device, and not finding one. At some point today UPS will be dropping off a fresh new HTC TyTn II. I already know it isn’t perfect, but it is a nice incremental upgrade to the TyTn I’ve been using since last fall.
The TyTn II upgrades the original model in a number of ways. It has a new CPU (still the same 400 MHz clock as before, but with a secondary core and acceleration for 3D and Java) and twice the internal memory, and runs Windows Mobile 6 out of the box. The screen now flips up to an angle for better viewing while you use the keyboard. The camera has been upgraded to 3 megapixels. And last but certainly not least, it has an internal GPS which works both on and off the mobile network.
I won’t say more about it here yet, because I’ll be reviewing it for The Gadgeteer — look for my review soon, perhaps next week. In the meantime, you can catch up by reading my Gadgeteer review of the TyTn from last year.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Hi Rob,
I read your review of the HTC TYTN II and feel pretty much the same as you. I just bought it at a mall kiosk on Friday night and find the tiny beast to be impressively fast, and adds some interesting usability elements that replace applications I needed on my old device.
When using the camera, I never experienced the problems with artifacts as you did. I find the lighting sensitivity of this cell phone camera to be quite capable, even without a flash. And the picture quality is smoother than your sample image.
That said, the shutter lag is way too slow when shooting at 3MP (one of the main draws to this phone). I’ve counted a 6-second delay from the time I click the button to the time the photo saves. When tracking my two very active elementary school aged sons, I lose them before I get the shot off. Fortunately there’s a burst mode that takes up to 30 shots in rapid succession, albeit at 640 x 480. What’s with THAT?
The usability feature I love the most is the redefined X button and battery indicator. In WM pre-6, the X minimized apps instead of exiting them which would free up RAM. The new X button can be held to close the current app, or tapped from the home screen to display all running apps that you can close by tapping their individual X. I also like having the quad-stage power meter visible as well. Combined, it does the function of Transcreative’s Magic Button app. Though, Magic Button’s battery meter is more descriptive. I may install it on this device to see if it affects performance.
I wasn’t going to buy a PDA phone until after I compared it to the I-Mate Ultimate 9502, expected to be released next month. I just got so sick of my old clamshell phone shorting out when I answered a call, and my pocket PC rebooting itself while listening to tunes at the gym. And my wife got sick of hearing me whine about the problems I was having, so she gave me the green light.
We’re on day two, and I’ve just started experiencing problems using this phone with my bluetooth headset. That’s the next on the upgrade list. Stereo headset on the way….
Peace,
-Tony