TNTS
Some people love the swipes and taps of the touch experience. A few others swear by their Qwerty keyboards. Touch’N’Type phones bring the best of both worlds, marrying a physical keypad with a touchscreen. Here are five T'N'Ts which some feel are pocket dynamites
Samsung Galaxy Y Pro Duos
The sub-Rs 10,000 Galaxy Y Pro Duos seems to be a handset that’s meant for the budget-conscious, especially given its dual-SIM support – in effect, two Android smartphones for the price of one.
The device’s back plate looks like it is built using aluminium, but is actually fabricated out of plastic. Still, the Pro Duos looks good and feels solid. Its keypad is well spaced and the rounded keys feel natural. The highlight, though, is the small trackpad that makes navigating through the phone a smooth experience.
For a large part, the smartphone performs efficiently, but open an app too many and the gadget slows down considerably. Internet browsing is an average affair: nothing spectacular, neither any complaints. Just don’t expect something butter-smooth like what you would find on high-end Androids.
Pros: Compared to other dual-SIM phones in the market, the Pro Duos is more intuitive to use purely because of how streamlined Android is, coupled with the customized Touchwiz UI that Samsung runs on top of the OS. And just in case you find something missing, the well-stocked app market will come to your rescue. The battery life is also quite impressive and easily lasts a whole day with normal usage.
The sub-Rs 10,000 Galaxy Y Pro Duos seems to be a handset that’s meant for the budget-conscious, especially given its dual-SIM support – in effect, two Android smartphones for the price of one.
The device’s back plate looks like it is built using aluminium, but is actually fabricated out of plastic. Still, the Pro Duos looks good and feels solid. Its keypad is well spaced and the rounded keys feel natural. The highlight, though, is the small trackpad that makes navigating through the phone a smooth experience.
For a large part, the smartphone performs efficiently, but open an app too many and the gadget slows down considerably. Internet browsing is an average affair: nothing spectacular, neither any complaints. Just don’t expect something butter-smooth like what you would find on high-end Androids.
Pros: Compared to other dual-SIM phones in the market, the Pro Duos is more intuitive to use purely because of how streamlined Android is, coupled with the customized Touchwiz UI that Samsung runs on top of the OS. And just in case you find something missing, the well-stocked app market will come to your rescue. The battery life is also quite impressive and easily lasts a whole day with normal usage.
Cons: The display’s low resolution makes text look
somewhat blurry and web browsing is where this is most apparent. Also, the
screen doesn’t support multi-touch and we sorely missed the pinch-to-zoom
feature given the small size and resolution. Finally, the camera, which lacks
flash, is mostly a disappointment unless pictures are taken outdoors.
Specs: 2.6-inch capacitive touchscreen (480x360
pixels resolution) | 832MHz processor | 160MB storage, microSD slot (up to
32GB) | 384MB RAM | 3.2MP camera, 320x240 pixels video recording | 3G, Wi-Fi,
Bluetooth, GPS | 9 hours talk-time, 22 days standby time | Google Android 2.3
Gingerbread, Touchwiz UI
Nokia Asha 303
Appearances can be deceiving. The bulky Asha 303 looks desperately in need of a diet, but hold it in your hand and it feels surprisingly light. And while the device lacks the polish of a high-end smartphone, it is inviting enough to make you at least want to try it out.
Given that it has a touchscreen, the 303 can’t escape bad legibility under direct sunlight. On the touch-sensitivity front, it leaves little to be desired and is quite responsive to touches and swipes.
The weight distribution of the phone, however, seems a bit awry. The top end (comprising the touchscreen) seems heavier than the lower gripping/keypad portion of the 303. And while typing, it feels like the handset might topple from your grip. We tried this with several people and the universal first reaction was, “Something is not quite right.” Still, that does not take anything away from a device that performs admirably in all other aspects.
Pros: The Series 40 operating system has been around for quite sometime now, and almost anyone who has ever used a Nokia phone will find the device easy to navigate and use. Besides, the 303’s 1GHz processor makes it quite snappy. Let’s not forget, the phone comes with the Nokia Music app to give you access to a plethora of songs for free. Also, while the battery life isn’t worth boasting about, it still got us through a day.
Appearances can be deceiving. The bulky Asha 303 looks desperately in need of a diet, but hold it in your hand and it feels surprisingly light. And while the device lacks the polish of a high-end smartphone, it is inviting enough to make you at least want to try it out.
Given that it has a touchscreen, the 303 can’t escape bad legibility under direct sunlight. On the touch-sensitivity front, it leaves little to be desired and is quite responsive to touches and swipes.
The weight distribution of the phone, however, seems a bit awry. The top end (comprising the touchscreen) seems heavier than the lower gripping/keypad portion of the 303. And while typing, it feels like the handset might topple from your grip. We tried this with several people and the universal first reaction was, “Something is not quite right.” Still, that does not take anything away from a device that performs admirably in all other aspects.
Pros: The Series 40 operating system has been around for quite sometime now, and almost anyone who has ever used a Nokia phone will find the device easy to navigate and use. Besides, the 303’s 1GHz processor makes it quite snappy. Let’s not forget, the phone comes with the Nokia Music app to give you access to a plethora of songs for free. Also, while the battery life isn’t worth boasting about, it still got us through a day.
Cons: Albeit familiar, the S40 interface simply does
not feel like a smartphone OS. The app store is terribly limited, multi-tasking
is a no-show, and we missed small refinements such as smoothened edges on
icons. Also, while the processor is fast, the pre-loaded Angry Birds seemed
sluggish and was not fun to play. Finally, the Asha 303 misses the mark in
camera performance with images looking grainy and saturated.
Specs: 2.6-inch capacitive touchscreen (320x240
pixels resolution) | 1GHz processor | 170MB storage, microSD slot (up to 32GB)
| 128MB RAM | 3.2MP camera, VGA video recording | 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Over 7
hours talk-time, 35 days standby time | Nokia Series 40 OS, Angry Birds Lite,
Whatsapp, Zenga TV
HTC ChaCha
True to HTC’s form, the ChaCha looks and feels classy. The body feels solid while a metallic backplate gives it that premium tinge. Its rubber keys only add to its looks, although they can take some time to get used to. Overall, it’s the type of phone you want to show off to friends.
What differentiates this phone from the other devices in this roundup is the fact that it is targeted at those who can’t live without Facebook. The gizmo comes with a dedicated FB button. And apart from one-click access to the social network, it also promises instant ways to update your profile status, and even upload a photo – complete with your friends tagged appropriately. If you love the world’s biggest social network, then this phone will be a treat to use – but don’t worry, you aren’t going to be pushed into using FB if you don’t want to.
Since most Android phones are used in portrait (vertical) mode, the screen faces problems with some apps that aren’t oriented to its landscape (horizontal) view. But it’s not a dealbreaker as the ChaCha generally works well with most popular apps.
Pros: Most importantly for a touch-and-type device, the touchscreen is quite responsive and the keypad never feels cramped. Also, its FB integration works like a charm. While Android phones are notorious for low battery life, the ChaCha is an exception that easily lasts a full day of normal usage.
Cons: HTC’s customized Sense UI can be a little
difficult for a first-time Android user to get accustomed to. And there are a
lot of unnecessary apps preloaded on the phone’s limited memory. Couple this
with the 800MHz processor and the ChaCha struggles in multitasking and
intensive apps. The phone has a weak antenna and was sometimes unable to pick
up signals in areas where other phones on the same network worked fine.
Specs: 2.6-inch capacitive touchscreen (480x360
pixels resolution) | 800MHz processor | 512MB storage, microSD slot (up to
32GB) | 512MB RAM | 5MP camera, LED flash, geo-tagging, 720x480 pixels video
recording | VGA frontfacing camera | 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS | 7 hours talk-time,
27 days standby time | Google Android 2.3 Gingerbread, HTC Sense UI
Nokia E6
Nokia’s E series of phones have always been able to stand the test of time. In fact, the four-year-old E63 is still a good smartphone by modern standards. So it’s no surprise that last year’s Nokia E6 can go 15 rounds with the best touch-and-type devices in its class today.
It’s a phone for professionals and it feels like one. The metal trimmings make it feel polished and sturdy, while the little chin below the keyboard makes typing extremely comfortable. If you are used to a BlackBerry keypad, you will adapt to the Nokia E6 in no time; and if this is your first Qwerty keypad, then it’s going to be the easiest way to break into speed typing.
However, the slider key to unlock the screen, placed at the side, is a major annoyance. We can’t fathom why such a convoluted and difficult mechanism would be needed instead of a simple click-button.
Pros: The phone supports Microsoft Exchange so your business email can be set up easily. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we really liked the keyboard. Its high-resolution touchscreen is not only responsive, but also makes everything look crisp and sharp. And there are enough apps available for basic social networking. The battery life is good enough and lasts through the day on moderate to heavy use. As a business phone or a general touchand-type device for the chatty Kathy, the E6 is a solid piece.
Cons: While Microsoft Exchange is a plus, emails don’t refresh automatically and consistently. In fact, we had to eventually set it to a 15-minute update cycle because auto-update just wasn’t working. Also, the phone struggles when multi-tasking with some apps and even hanged and rebooted on its own a few times. And the lack of sufficient apps in the Nokia Store will eventually make you cast an envious glance at your Android- or iPhone-toting friends. Finally, the camera – even though it’s an 8-megapixel sensor – is a huge disappointment with images looking saturated, grainy and out of focus.
Nokia’s E series of phones have always been able to stand the test of time. In fact, the four-year-old E63 is still a good smartphone by modern standards. So it’s no surprise that last year’s Nokia E6 can go 15 rounds with the best touch-and-type devices in its class today.
It’s a phone for professionals and it feels like one. The metal trimmings make it feel polished and sturdy, while the little chin below the keyboard makes typing extremely comfortable. If you are used to a BlackBerry keypad, you will adapt to the Nokia E6 in no time; and if this is your first Qwerty keypad, then it’s going to be the easiest way to break into speed typing.
However, the slider key to unlock the screen, placed at the side, is a major annoyance. We can’t fathom why such a convoluted and difficult mechanism would be needed instead of a simple click-button.
Pros: The phone supports Microsoft Exchange so your business email can be set up easily. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we really liked the keyboard. Its high-resolution touchscreen is not only responsive, but also makes everything look crisp and sharp. And there are enough apps available for basic social networking. The battery life is good enough and lasts through the day on moderate to heavy use. As a business phone or a general touchand-type device for the chatty Kathy, the E6 is a solid piece.
Cons: While Microsoft Exchange is a plus, emails don’t refresh automatically and consistently. In fact, we had to eventually set it to a 15-minute update cycle because auto-update just wasn’t working. Also, the phone struggles when multi-tasking with some apps and even hanged and rebooted on its own a few times. And the lack of sufficient apps in the Nokia Store will eventually make you cast an envious glance at your Android- or iPhone-toting friends. Finally, the camera – even though it’s an 8-megapixel sensor – is a huge disappointment with images looking saturated, grainy and out of focus.
Specs: 2.46-inch capacitive touchscreen (640x480
pixels resolution) | 680MHz processor | 1GB storage, microSD slot (up to 32GB)
| 256MB RAM | 8MP camera, fixed focus, Dual-LED flash, geo-tagging, HD video
recording | VGA front-facing camerea | 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS | Over 7 hours
talk-time, 31 days standby time | Nokia Symbian, QuickOffice Document Editor
BlackBerry Bold
9790
The Bold 9790 is wonderfully built. It sports a metallic trim that runs along its contoured side and a back cover that has a lovely rubbery finish; a discreet rubber-coated volume rocker and function button nestles in its side. Completing its sleek look is a screen lock flush with the sloping top, and a robust Qwerty keypad that responds with noticeable tactile feedback to every press.
Needless to say, this RIM device boasts of all the features that BB is known for: multitab browser, great support for email, BB Messenger, social networks and chat messengers. Simply, the 9790 is a good gizmo for young execs looking for a no-nonsense smartphone that means business. Add to the package some good multi-media support (though its lacks FM radio) and a camera that provides decent photo/video output, and you have a touch-andtype that you’ll be proud to flaunt after office hours.
The Bold 9790 is wonderfully built. It sports a metallic trim that runs along its contoured side and a back cover that has a lovely rubbery finish; a discreet rubber-coated volume rocker and function button nestles in its side. Completing its sleek look is a screen lock flush with the sloping top, and a robust Qwerty keypad that responds with noticeable tactile feedback to every press.
Needless to say, this RIM device boasts of all the features that BB is known for: multitab browser, great support for email, BB Messenger, social networks and chat messengers. Simply, the 9790 is a good gizmo for young execs looking for a no-nonsense smartphone that means business. Add to the package some good multi-media support (though its lacks FM radio) and a camera that provides decent photo/video output, and you have a touch-andtype that you’ll be proud to flaunt after office hours.
Pros: The 9790’s screen is receptive to touch and
works smoothly without any lag. The new OS 7’s updated graphics and 24-bit
colour high-res display make it visually appealing. Then, of course, there’s
its office productivity offerings—secure email, BB messenger, browser, et
al—that RIM is well-known for. As far as battery life is concerned, this gizmo
boldly lasts over a day on normal to heavy usage so you’re not stranded for
lack of juice.
Cons: Walk into areas where network might be spotty
and the 9790 gives up without a fight. Call drops are a recurring problem and
can be rather annoying. Also, the 2.45-inch size of the 9790’s touchscreen
seems like an afterthought. While it functions smoothly, it is too small to be
of any consequence, apart from a few taps and slashes. And yes, aggressive
pricing south of a few thousands would have made this a more compelling buy,
but is now its primary undoing.
Specs: 2.45-inch capacitive touchscreen (480x360
pixels resolution) | 1GHz processor | 8GB storage, microSD slot (up to 32GB) |
768 MB RAM | 5MP camera, VGA video recording, flash, geo-tagging | 3G, Wi-Fi,
Bluetooth, GPS, NFC | Over 5 hours talk-time, 18 days standby time | BlackBerry
7 OS, BB Messenger, Documents-To-Go, BlackBerry Protect
Mihir Patkar, Javed Anwer and Savio D’Souza STOI120520
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