HTC Touch Pro Windows Mobile Device Review

Staring at the HTC Touch Pro is an easy task thanks to the Pocket PC's superb use of clean lines, glossy finish, and minimalistic features with classy accents that only HTC can offer at the high level of satisfaction found on the Touch Pro.

If you're unfamiliar with HTC the company has become the world lead in Windows Mobile based devices, you may have heard the HTC name via the Cingular 8525 or the AT&T Tilt (Unlocked its known as the HTC Tilt). Essentially the HTC Touch Pro combines the best of the HTC brands, featuring cutting edge connectivity, along with enough business and entertainment features to keep even the most stubborn phone enthusiast happy.

I'll start my review by giving a quick walk around of the device.

First looking at the front side of the device users will quickly notice that the unit features very few buttons or other additions. Above the devices 2.8 inch screen sits the speaker for listening to calls, below the screen is a set of four buttons, the top left button features the device home key which brings users to the popular HTC Home screen, on the opposite right handed side is the back arrow. Below those keys on the left is the Send Call key, while the right offers the End Call feature. In between those keys is a D-Pad button with a surrounding D-Pad arrow pad that features easy to press keys and is flush with the rest of the front side.

Looking to the left users will notice that once again the design is simple and clean (a pronounced them on the Touch Pro) the left side simply features a volume rocker with an up and down area, using this option you can increase and decrease the volume and if you move down far enough you can set the vibrate and silent functions as well.

The right side of the device then features a magnetic stylus which is well built into the device.

The top of the unit offers the Power button which also takes the phone out of and puts it in standby mode.

Looking to the back of the unit users will find the 3.2 mega pixel camera with a flash. The camera is accented by a silver design which I found to be the only mis-step on the device. The silver lining draws attention to the camera, but offers very little in the overall design.

Next the botton of the device holds the units EXT USB port which can be used for charging the device, for data syncing via a USB cable (which comes included with the Touch Pro), and for listening to the included stereo wired headset.

Finally by sliding the device open users can reveal the 5 row Qwerty Keypad, the keys on the keypad are raised for easy typing, and the Function key allows users to quickly launch popular features such as the internet via Internet Explorer and the wireless connectivity features via a Comm. Manager shortcut. Overall the keyboard is well backlit, offers great quick launch functions, and the landscape mode on the device launches quickly when the keyboard gets slide to open mode.

Aside from the actual look of the Touch Pro i'm very impressed with the build factor, the unit is a little thicker than other Touch series devices due largely in part to the built-in GPS function. The keyboard slides well on command and the sliding mechanism appears to be very well built. I also found the Stylus to be of great quality, with a magnetic touch that helps secure the pointer device with ease. The screen is flush with the device and the touch quality is of the highest standards. Overall an excellent build.

There are literally a ton of cool features on the Touch Pro. For the sake of this review I picked a few of my favorite based on the features I found to be the most useful.

The first feature I loved was the GPS functionality of the unit. The Touch Pro features a Sirf III built-in GPS processor, this means you can use paid software such as TomTom Navigator, or freeware applications such as the astonishing Google Maps, either way you have instant access to GPS features. The device also features Assisted GPS which uses cell phone tower information to pinpoint your location, of course you'll want an unlimited data plan for that option, or in the least it requires some type of mobile data connection. The GPS makes the device a little thicker, but with GPS satellite connections happening on average in under 15 seconds I would have to call the offering very capable.

The next feature is the use of HTC TouchFlo technology. If your unfamiliar with TouchFlo its basically an option that allows you to use finger swipes for each access to programs such as your Media Files, Contacts, Web Pages, etc. Thanks to the Touch Pro's ultra fast processor and tons of memory the TouchFlo operation is better on the Touch Pro than base touch devices such as the Touch Diamond or the Touch Dual units.

Opera Mini is also present on the unit. I would highly recommend using this option as it will allow for page zooming, faster page loads than Mobile Internet Explorer, and better bookmarking capabilities than any Mobile Browser currently available. Overall Opera Mini is a welcomed addition to any cell phone and its use on the HTC Touch Pro is no different.

HTC Home Screen - If you haven't used an HTC Device the home screen is the main skin featured on the front screen of the device, the Touch Pro features a large clock that is easily customizable by clicking on the clock. The unit also features TouchFlo 3D technology right on the front bottom part of the screen for easier navigation than ever before.

Finally Windows Mobile 6.1 is also very much welcomes, with 6.1 you receive access to Exchange Server 2007 support, threaded text messaging, better third party applications do to optimized API's, and the ability to take advantage of a cleaner interface that runs faster than previous models. Check out my full article on the Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional Upgrade to learn more