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First 'Twitter mobile' could be high-street Hero to beat iPhone
Mark Prigg, Science and Technology Editor24 Jun 2009
Google today unveiled its first "Twitterphone" in a bid to win the high-street battle against the iPhone.
The new mobile shows contacts' Twitter and Facebook updates alongside their telephone number in an effort to outsell Apple and Nokia.
The Hero, made by Taiwanese firm HTC, goes on sale next month. It is one of the first phones to integrate social networking websites and photo-sharing site Flickr into its software.
Users navigate around the handset using a finger, "flicking" the touchscreen to switch between menu options, in a similar way to Apple's iPhone. The phone is based on a new version of Google's software, called Android.
"In other phones, if you want Facebook, you have to open a Facebook application, read what you want, then go back into the phone menu," said John Wang of HTC.
"We decided this wasn't right. Our software is based around people, which we think are the most important thing to a phone user. We are effectively taking away a lot of the clicks you need in other phones, and we think this makes life easier. You can even have Twitter updates on the home screen. We think this is the right place, as you can simply glance at them - it's rather like having a picture on the wall, you just want to look at it. Asking people to click on an icon every time they want to look at it would be absurd."
Experts say the handset could see HTC, a company which used to make phones for operators without its own branding, challenge Apple. "It's a very impressive handset, and HTC has really taken to heart how much people rely on internet services like Facebook," said Tony Cripps of analyst firm Ovum.
"While I think Apple does still have the edge in terms of the applications you can download, and the overall feel of the phone, the HTC Hero is a really impressive handset, and shows that people really are beginning to catch up to Apple."
This follows the launch of Apple's new version of the iPhone. The faster model, called the iPhone 3GS, costs up to £274 if users sign an 18-month contract. It is also available on a higher tariff.
New features include a three-megapixel camera and more memory (32gb rather than the original 3G's 16gb). Games are faster and there is video recording and voice control.
'Exceptional integration of services'
First review
HTC Hero
4/5
HTC's Hero handset is an odd-looking phone, with its plastic lip and trackball. However, once you pick it up, the logic becomes apparent — it just feels right in the hand, unlike a lot of its rivals.
Graphically, the menu system is superb. The integration of services such as Twitter and Facebook is exceptional, and far more impressive than on any other handset. For instance, when you look at a contact in the phone, you instantly see not just their number, but their Facebook, Twitter and Flickr updates.
It's also got impressive search software, which means you can find contacts far quicker than on any other handset. The lack of a keypad is not a problem, as the on-screen keypad works very well. The trackball is fast and responsive, and getting around complex menus is simple due to the touchscreen controls.
However, the music software is a disappointment, and this is where the iPhone really steals a march. But overall, this is a worthy competitor, and certainly shows that Google really does have the potential to take on the mobile phone world. It is available next month, free on contract.
Reader views (1)
I think the real problem is actually having to interact with other humans to begin with.
HTC, thank you for reducing the number of clicks I have to do from 2 to 1 (but probably in reality still 2) to "interact" with people.
Please reroute your multi-million dollar research budget that discovered the absurdity of actually having to open facebook before using it to developing some sort of product that lets us download friends off of pre-paid USB drives, but then later just sell them on itunes, its easier.
- John, London, 13/07/2009 15:56
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