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Touch-screen smartphones
Bonnie Cha,
Senior Associate Editor
October 12, 2009
Smartphones with touch screens certainly aren't new; we've seen them on Palm, Windows Mobile and Symbian devices for years. But what has changed is the way we interact with them. Before, touch screens served as an easy and convenient way to perform simple tasks like opening and closing applications and switching between menus. However, with the introduction of handsets like the HTC Touch and the Apple iPhone, we are seeing (and expect) touch screens to perform more advanced functions.
You can now zoom in and out of Web pages with the pinch of your finger, and drag and drop icons to customize your Home screen. And it's not just HTC and Apple; more and more cell phone manufacturers, including Palm and Samsung, are jumping on the bandwagon and developing new touch interfaces that let you interact with your smartphone in a totally different way. Touch-screen smartphones certainly aren't for everyone, but if you're in the market for one, here are six of the hottest models today.
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| Price | $299.00 | $149.99 | $199.99 | $149.99 to $749.99 | $629.99 to $683.36 | $149.99 |
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| Review date | June 17, 2009 | July 22, 2009 | October 05, 2009 | June 03, 2009 | August 18, 2009 | October 06, 2009 |
| The Bottom Line | The iPhone 3GS doesn't make the same grand leap that the iPhone 3G made from the first-generation model, but the latest Apple handset is still a compelling upgrade for some users. The iPhone 3GS is faster and we appreciate the new features and extended battery life, but call quality and 3G reception still need improvement. | With the T-Mobile MyTouch 3G, the Google Android OS gets a much-needed boost. A few complaints remain, and some users may bemoan the lack of a physical keyboard, but we approve of its eye-catching design and interface, improved features, and satisfying performance. | The HTC Imagio is rich with both multimedia and business features, making it a great all-in-one smartphone for the Verizon globetrotter. | Despite some missing features and performance issues that make it less than ideal for on-the-go professionals, the Palm Pre offers gadget lovers and consumers well-integrated features and unparalleled multitasking capabilities. The hardware could be better, but more importantly, Palm has developed a solid OS that not only rivals the competition but also sets a new standard in the way smartphones handle tasks and manage information. | While the lack of 3G and expensive price tag will keep it out of the hands of the masses, the Samsung i890 Omnia HD is a powerful multimedia smartphone that rivals the other high-end touch-screen devices. | The HTC Pure offers AT&T customers an affordable touch-screen smartphone that showcases a more intuitive Windows Mobile operating system and strikes a nice balance between work and play. That said, those looking for a handset that excels in multimedia and Web browsing should stick with the iPhone. |
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| Features | ||||||
| Cellular technology | WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM | WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM | CDMA2000 1X / GSM / WCDMA (UMTS) | CDMA2000 1X | Info unavailable | WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM |
| Weight | 4.8 oz | 4.1 oz | 6.5 oz | 4.8 oz | Info unavailable | 4.1 oz |
| Wireless Interface | IEEE 802.11b IEEE 802.11g Bluetooth 2.1 EDR | IEEE 802.11b IEEE 802.11g Bluetooth 2.0 EDR | Bluetooth IEEE 802.11b IEEE 802.11g | IEEE 802.11b IEEE 802.11g Bluetooth 2.1 EDR | Info unavailable | IEEE 802.11b IEEE 802.11g Bluetooth 2.0 EDR |
| Service Provider | AT&T | T-Mobile | Verizon Wireless | Sprint Nextel | Info unavailable | AT&T |
| Band / mode | WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM 850/900/1800/1900 / CDMA2000 1X 1900/800 | CDMA 800/1900 | Info unavailable | WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications |
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