HTC HD Mini: Proving Size Doesn’t Matter
Loading ...
Stepping out into the big wide world can be a daunting experience, especially when everything about you hasn’t been met with the most positive response so far. The HTC HD Mini can almost be considered a wildcard device for the manufacturers, following the HD2’s mixed reception. We reckon some might have given up on making a Windows Mobile phone in a market where Android and iOS reign supreme, but HTC have given it one more shot and good on them!
The HTC HD Mini is a typical HTC in looks. It’s minimalistic, sleek and as you would expect from a good manufacturer, a reliable build. The design also has an industrial chic twist with four visible screws in the back. As with most HTC’s, the front of the phone is dominated by an impressive touchscreen. While the HD Mini’s display might not be AMOLED, it sports a TFT screen instead which still produces fantastic quality images and looks even bigger due to the handsets size.
Of course, the biggest question is have HTC adequately harnessed the power of Windows Mobile and will they distribute it effectively? Most are sceptical, but we’ve got faith, if anyone knows how to make this OS work it’s these guys thanks to a secret weapon – HTC Sense. Okay, so perhaps their UI isn’t all that secret but it does make all the difference when it comes to the way the HD Mini shakes its money maker. If you’re expecting a similar experience to Android, don’t, Windows Mobile is on another level – exactly where this sits in the Operating ranks is still up for debate. The HD Mini runs off Windows 6.5.3 and once you throw Sense in, you’ve got yourself one easy to use interface. The icon based menus are straight forward and you can personalise your home screen tabs too. The HD Mini also comes with some of its most popular apps already pre-installed like Peep, HTC’s Twitter application and HTC Footprints, which allows you to keep a diary of places and events you’ve been to all over the world. In fact, with the Sense interface seamlessly intertwined, you rarely encounter Windows software head on. But before the loyal Microsofter’s get all teary eyed on us, there are a few subtle hints around to reassure you of Windows presence. Take Pocket Office for example, where you can edit, create or present Word, Excel or PowerPoint documents on the go – useful for when you can be taken out of the office, but can’t take the office out of you!
HTC definitely haven’t cut short on specs in their mini masterpiece. The HTC HD Mini is powered by a Qualcomm 600MHz processor which is more than enough juice to keep everything running smoothly. The storage department has plenty of love to give too with 384MB RAM and a microSD card slot that can hold up to 32GB of memory. Browsing provides a unique experience, giving you the choice of two different browsers, Opera 9.5 or Internet Explorer 6. It really doesn’t matter which you choose, either way they’re both pretty darn effective thanks to dedicated 3G and Wi-Fi connections.
As with every decent phone on the market these days, the HTC HD Mini has all you need to get the most out of your mobile. You’ve got a 5MP snapper plus video recording to enjoy, Bluetooth, GPS and a mighty 7 hours 15 minutes of talk time – all weighing in at 110 grams, which is lighter than the Desire and dare we say it, the iPhone!
We’re glad HTC gave Windows Mobile a second chance with Sense being the knight in shining armour to a phone that might not have been worthy of red carpet treatment in the smartphone kingdom before. We love it when a gamble pays off, and we bet that anyone who thinks size is everything will live happily ever after with the HTC HD Mini.
Stepping out into the big wide world can be a daunting thing, especially when everything about you hasn’t been met with the most positive response so far. The HTC HD Mini can almost be considered a wildcard device for the manufacturers, following the HD2’s mixed reception. We reckon some might have given up on making a Windows Mobile phone in a market where Android and iOS reign supreme, but HTC have given it one more shot and good on them!
The HTC HD Mini is a typical HTC in looks. It’s minimalistic, sleek and as you would expect from a good manufacturer, a reliable build. The design also has an industrial chic twist with four visible screws in the back. As with most HTC’s, the front of the phone is dominated by an impressive touchscreen. While the HD Mini’s display might not be AMOLED, it sports a TFT screen instead which still produces fantastic quality images and looks even bigger due to the handsets size.
Of course, the biggest question is have HTC adequately harnessed the power of Windows Mobile and will they distribute it effectively? Most are sceptical, but we’ve got faith, if anyone knows how to make this OS work it’s these guys thanks to a secret weapon – HTC Sense. Okay, so perhaps their UI isn’t all that secret but it does make all the difference when it comes to the way the HD Mini shakes its money maker. If you’re expecting a similar experience to Android, don’t, Windows Mobile is on another level – exactly where this sits in the Operating ranks is still up for debate. The HD Mini runs off Windows 6.5.3 and once you throw Sense in, you’ve got yourself one easy to use interface. The icon based menus are straight forward and you can personalise your home screen tabs too. The HD Mini also comes with some of its most popular apps already pre-installed like Peep, HTC’s Twitter application and HTC Footprints, which allows you to keep a diary of places and events you’ve been to all over the world. In fact, with the Sense interface seamlessly intertwined, you rarely encounter Windows software head on. But before the loyal Microsofter’s get all teary eyed on us, there are a few subtle hints around to reassure you of Windows presence. Take Pocket Office for example, where you can edit, create or present Word, Excel or PowerPoint documents on the go – useful for when you can be taken out of the office, but can’t take the office out of you!
HTC definitely haven’t cut short on specs in their mini masterpiece. The HTC HD Mini is powered by a Qualcomm 600MHz processor which is more than enough juice to keep everything running smoothly. The storage department has plenty of love to give too with 384MB RAM and a microSD card slot that can hold up to 32GB of memory. Browsing provides a unique experience, giving you the choice of two different browsers, Opera 9.5 or Internet Explorer 6. It really doesn’t matter which you choose, either way they’re both pretty darn effective thanks to ded
Stepping out into the big wide world can be a daunting prospect, especially when everything about you hasn’t been met with the most positive response so far. The HTC HD Mini can almost be considered a wildcard device for the manufacturers, following the HD2’s mixed reception. We reckon some might have given up on making a Windows Mobile phone in a market where Android and iOS reign supreme, but HTC have given it one more shot and good on them!
The HTC HD Mini is a typical HTC in looks. It’s minimalistic, sleek and as you would expect from a good manufacturer, a reliable build. The design also has an industrial chic twist with four visible screws in the back. As with most HTC’s, the front of the phone is dominated by an impressive touchscreen. While the HD Mini’s display might not be AMOLED, it sports a TFT screen instead which still produces fantastic quality images and looks even bigger due to the handsets size.
Of course, the biggest question is have HTC adequately harnessed the power of Windows Mobile and will they distribute it effectively? Most are sceptical, but we’ve got faith, if anyone knows how to make this OS work it’s these guys thanks to a secret weapon – HTC Sense. Okay, so perhaps their UI isn’t all that secret but it does make all the difference when it comes to the way the HD Mini shakes its money maker. If you’re expecting a similar experience to Android, don’t, Windows Mobile is on another level – exactly where this sits in the Operating ranks is still up for debate. The HD Mini runs off Windows 6.5.3 and once you throw Sense in, you’ve got yourself one easy to use interface. The icon based menus are straight forward and you can personalise your home screen tabs too. The HD Mini also comes with some of its most popular apps already pre-installed like Peep, HTC’s Twitter application and HTC Footprints, which allows you to keep a diary of places and events you’ve been to all over the world. In fact, with the Sense interface seamlessly intertwined, you rarely encounter Windows software head on. But before the loyal Microsofter’s get all teary eyed on us, there are a few subtle hints around to reassure you of Windows presence. Take Pocket Office for example, where you can edit, create or present Word, Excel or PowerPoint documents on the go – useful for when you can be taken out of the office, but can’t take the office out of you!
HTC definitely haven’t cut short on specs in their mini masterpiece. The HTC HD Mini is powered by a Qualcomm 600MHz processor which is more than enough juice to keep everything running smoothly. The storage department has plenty of love to give too with 384MB RAM and a microSD card slot that can hold up to 32GB of memory. Browsing provides a unique experience, giving you the choice of two different browsers, Opera 9.5 or Internet Explorer 6. It really doesn’t matter which you choose, either way they’re both pretty darn effective thanks to dedicated 3G and Wi-Fi connections.
As with every decent phone on the market these days, the HTC HD Mini has all you need to get the most out of your mobile. You’ve got a 5MP snapper plus video recording to enjoy, Bluetooth, GPS and a mighty 7 hours 15 minutes of talk time – all weighing in at 110 grams, which is lighter than the Desire and dare we say it, the iPhone!
We’re glad HTC gave Windows Mobile a second chance with Sense being the knight in shining armour to a phone that might not have been worthy of red carpet treatment in the smartphone kingdom before. We love it when a gamble pays off, and we bet that anyone who thinks size is everything will live happily ever after with the HTC HD Mini.
icated 3G and Wi-Fi connections.
As with every decent phone on the market these days, the HTC HD Mini has all you need to get the most out of your mobile. You’ve got a 5MP snapper plus video recording to enjoy, Bluetooth, GPS and a mighty 7 hours 15 minutes of talk time – all weighing in at 110 grams, which is lighter than the Desire and dare we say it, the iPhone!
We’re glad HTC gave Windows Mobile a second chance with Sense being the knight in shining armour to a phone that might not have been worthy of red carpet treatment in the smartphone kingdom before. We love it when a gamble pays off, and we bet that anyone who thinks size is everything will live happily ever after with the HTC HD Mini.
