Well, we’ve said it, Intel has said it, in fact everyone’s saying it. The future of the internet, nay of the very world we live in, is mobile. Devices that will do everything a normal PC can do, but in smaller, easier to carry bodies, whilst on the move. That’s the dream, anyway.
Well, the dream has got some chance of coming true, and dragging into being are two specific devices (I say ‘devices’ not ‘phones’, because in a very definite way, one of them isn’t a phone…)
Sony Ericsson X1 Xperia
First up, a device we’ve already spoken about (and this one is a phone): the Sony Ericsson X1 Xperia. This is another one of those convergence devices we’re starting to see a lot more of, combining all the best bits of a laptop, with all the best bits of a phone.
So, you get a unique ‘arc-slider body’ (where sliding out the keyboard makes the screen tilt up at the same time), a frankly gorgeous metal body, HSDPA (with speeds up to 3.6Mbps), and a whole new ‘panel interface’ whacked on top of the latest version of Windows Mobile by Sony Ericsson themselves.
And basically, it’s stunning. I mean really stunning. As in, “I want one now, that’s it, I’m mounting a raiding party on Sony Ericsson’s R&D labs to get one” stunning.
And that’s before I even start talking about the built-in GPS, which is the big thing I’m looking for on top of normal smartphone features.
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again… Damn you Sony Ericsson for making me want to spend even more money!
Ah, but… the thing is… it’s got competition… there’s something else begging me to spend cash on it…
HTC Shift
This is it, no messing about, no compromises. And as you look at the HTC Shift, as our write-up suggests, no doubt you’re thinking, “Wow, what a chuffing huge phone!”
Well, stop it.
Because it’s not a phone.
No, we’re dealing with a very different beastie here, because the HTC Shift is not a really big phone, but a really small laptop PC. That might sound like some kind of empty boast, but in this case, it’s bang on the money. You see, as a device, the HTC Shift not only features Windows Mobile 6 (granted, it’s in cut-down form… but you’ll see why…) but also the full-on, full-fat version of Windows Vista Business (and as you can see from the photo, that’s in a body smaller than a hardback book!)
Now, that’s really a rather clever design decision, because it means you get all the raw power of Windows Vista when you need it, and when you don’t, you press one button, and it switches to the low-power version of Windows Mobile (known on the Shift as SnapVue). Which of course means you can stay connected without having to use Windows Vista and crucially, without it eating your battery.
So, pretty damn clever, then!
Oh, but it gets better, because as well as the two versions of Windows, you get the full version of Office (perfect for working anywhere), and Windows Media Player 11 (stunning videos and music on the go? yes, please!) And to store all that stuff, the HTC Shift comes with a honking great 40Gb hard drive built in.
Oh, and it’s got some serious protection and security, too. If you’re worried about your Shift getting nicked (since, let’s face it, it IS a small laptop, and you can fit loads of important data on it), you’d not be alone. HTC worry about these things, too, which is why the Shift has a built-in fingerprint reader. That’s better than passwords and PIN’s… you have to actually provide your own fingerprint as the way to unlock the phone!
In fact, I can only see one feasible problem with that, which is if your arm gets lopped off. But then, if it does, using your Shift will probably be the least of your worries…
All in all, then, what we have in the HTC Shift is quite simply the ultimate all-in-one solution for mobile broadband (because, yes, it also connects at up to 3.6Mbps). If you haven’t got a laptop, and you want broadband internet on the move, the HTC Shift is perfect. If you have got a laptop, but you want something more compact, then the HTC Shift is perfect.
Basically, I’m stunned by how good the HTC Shift is, and I really can’t wait to get my grubby paws on one! In which case, damn you, too, HTC, for making me want to spend money on the Shift.
STOP MAKING SUCH NICE DEVICES WHEN I HAVE NO MONEY!
Leave us a comment and have your say!
February 26th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Nice post….yes both are almost complete laptop…I think Xperia is come with the new trend in the market and this innovation give a new energy in mobile industry……both handsets are really nice in shape and operations are also good as we see there specs….let see how they work in future
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:21 am
The X1 does look impressive, and something that might tumble my now old feeling Nokia N95 (which has been an amazing work horse) from its top of the hill position.
The Shift “is” amazing. I have been using mine for a week, and it has ticked almost all of my boxes for what I needed in such a device. The portability is excellent – the keyboard useable but one does need to get used to it – battery life in Vista is around 2hrs so a little limiting – SnapVue from the box is very limited, but this can be “rectified” by liberating the full WinMo o/s. There are limitations though, like the SD card cannot be accessed (at this time) and wireless and Bluetooth also do not work under WinMo. And if you want to link your Vista to your SnapVue to sync contacts and calendars, forget it (well, unless you Liberate it or have Exchange Server set up – yes that’s right, you have to go through to the outside world via networks to sync your device mechanically connected). If I had not known that I could liberate my WinMo side I probably would not have bought this device.
So in short some rather serious dumb functionality issues out of the box, but a) almost all of them can be addressed, and b) it’s shear portability and usability makes up for it. I love it.
I would have preferred XP as an OS…Vista is indeed a pile of junk for this sort of device (and most others). No wonder Linux is appearing on smaller machines. I believe that is the future of these seeing how Microsoft has made it clear it is entrenched on making each OS bigger, hungrier and less responsive. What it really should be doing is making something like “Vista Lite” for UMPC’s or something…you could even use XP and just add the Vista logo and we’d all be happier. Vista in its native state reminds me of where Ford went with the Thunderbird. From it’s sleek good performing 50’s design to something that required more fuel and bigger motor yet was slower and performed worse in the 60’s. It seems to be a path so many US corporates take with product development. More is more, but we all know less is more….
By the way, the Office is only a trial and one must purchase it at the end or it stops working. Frankly, attempting to run clumsy waddling and resource hogging Outlook 2007 on this device gives me the creeps and the first thing I did was put Office 2003 on it. It runs that very well indeed and with M/Softs new compatibility options you can open 07 documents no issue.
Good luck with your decision to buy one!
May 22nd, 2008 at 8:10 am
That was one an exceptionally good comment! Thanks for the info, there, I’ve still not been able to get my hands on one of these to try out, before I grab one, so thanks for the advice.
See, folks? This blog works two ways. If you know something I don’t, then for god’s sake tell me! And to HTC Shift Owner, big thanks, once again!