Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: Toshiba, TG01, HTC, TouchPro2 | Themes: Windows Tech Talk, Smartphones
2. TG01: Design and Usability
Besides having the largest screen of any smart phone we have ever seen, the TG01 also has the thinnest design, even compared to the iPhone. With no bulging back to bulk it out, it’s also as light as it is thin. In fact, it looks more like a sleek Internet tablet than a phone and the case is as minimal as you can get, with no controls on the top or bottom.
The tiny power button and volume controls are on the left, while the camera button is on the right, next to a flush-fitting and rather fiddly cover that conceals the microUSB connector for power, syncing, and connecting the custom headphone adaptor. With a phone this thin, there simply isn’t room for a 3.5 mm headphone socket, but thankfully, instead of the usual USB headset, you get a USB adapter with headset controls and a headphone socket. There’s a basic set of earbuds in the box but the sound of the TG01 is good enough that you’ll want to plug in a decent set of headphones instead, and thanks to the adapter you can. Having the USB port on the side isn’t ideal though, since there’s really no neat way to put the phone in your pocket with headphones attached.
The only other controls are the back and home buttons at either end of the zoom bar below the screen (or beside it when you turn it sideways to enjoy video clips or full-width Web pages), which also lets you launch the Free Pad on-screen controls (swipe your finger up or across the zoom bar, depending on which way you're holding the phone). An LED blinks green as a reminder that the phone is on, blue if you’ve missed a call or text message, and red when the battery is running low (if you find it distracting you can turn it off).
A border around the screen makes the phone even bigger, but it does make it feel sturdy and it stops you getting fingerprints on the screen when you hold it. The width makes it easier to hold the TG01 with your thumb over the screen, ready to swipe and tap, than in the palm of your hand like a phone. The form factor, as we describe below, only works well some of the time.
- Previous page What's Behind The Screen?
- Next page TG01: Touch and Tap, Swipe the Stripe
Ill still stick with the pre
The Touch Pro2 is a hot phone. The local T-Mobile has been out of stock since the day it was available. Unfortunately there aren't enough complaining customers to make T-Mobile offer great upgrade pricing for people in the middle of their contracts. (Like AT&T and the latest iPhone) No phone is worth $500+ but for my needs (and wants) the Touch Pro2 is pretty close.
I'll stick with my Storm until WinMobile 7 comes out and then I will decide if I should switch over.
Why isn't Google Android taking off yet? Its been a disappointment.
Got burned big time with windows mobile 6.1 on my HTC Diamond. Worst phone and interface ever. So they're really going to have to wow me to get me to get another windows mobile device.
that touch pro 2 is too bulky for me. i like a slim phone (i miss my moto RAZR) that's why after having to replace my touch dual i went with the HTC touch diamond because of of its slim size and is the same size as a kit-kat bar.
the phone handsets sure are pretty. too bad they have WinMo stuck on 'em. i'd be down with basically anything but WinMo. chug, chug, chug, reboot. chug, chug, reboot. remove battery. chug, chug, yawn.
I love my Tilt phone running SPB shell
Just waiting on the second gen Tilt 2 (touchpro 2). Screen size is important to me. You can see more in a single look, more room to type, enjoy media files, etc. Can't wait!