After much anticipation, Apple have finally launched the iPhone in the US, a move many believe will revolutionise the mobile phone industry in the same way the mp3 industry was transformed by the release of the iPod in 2001. The iPhone combines the functionality of a mobile phone, with multi-media functions of an internet browser, mobile phone, and an internet browser – all controlled exclusively via a touch screen.
Consumers of this highly sought after gizmo will, of course, be treated to the master class in design we have come to expect from Apple. Featuring nothing more than a large glass touchscreen with a single main button on the front panel, and a brushed aluminium finish on the rear, the iPhone promises to be a visual delight as well as a joy to use.
Early reports of the iPhone laud the device not only for its looks, but also for its functionality. Applications are said to run flawlessly, the touch interface praised for its simplicity and intuitiveness, and e-mail and web browsing a simple and enjoyable experience. The device also offers a 2.0 megapixel digital camera, Wi-Fi connectivity, and, of course, mp3 playback functionality via Apple’s iTunes.
Certainly, the iPhone would appear to be a heavyweight contender in a competitive mobile industry. If you believe the hype, the Apple iPhone will blow the competition away when it is released late 2007. Apple claim that their new mobile is 5 years ahead current offerings, but there are devices currently on the market which boast features equally as impressive as the iPhone.
Probably the nearest equivalent is HTC’s Touch P3450. The Touch is a small and stylish unit clad in a tactile rubberised finish, which makes it unlikely to suffer from the same cosmetic marks and scratches common to the highly polished Apple devices. It comes fully integrated with Windows Mobile Professional 6.0 (allowing instant access to your Outlook email) an optimised entertainment suite for movies and MP3s, a 2.0 megapixel camera, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, as well as all of the functionality you would come to expect from a Window’s mobile device.
Most notably, the HTC Touch is the first mobile phone to implement touch screen technology as the main interface, well before Apple announced the integration of such technology in the iPhone. The Touch utilises HTC’s TouchFLO interface, which allows you to interact with the device by sliding a finger across the screen, whilst Touch Cube software provides a unique 3 dimensional interface for you to pan and scroll with ease through your software packages, making navigation simple and intuitive.
The fact that the HTC touch features the Windows Mobile platform may also offer a distinct advantage over the iPhone when it comes to third party software. Windows mobile devices have a wealth of third party applications, such as the popular DivX player, but such packages are unlikely with a brand as exclusive as Apple.
Although it seems Apple are set to take the mobile phone market by storm with the release of the iPhone, devices such as the HTC touch do offer a viable option. With the Windows Mobile platform providing the potential for greater third party functionality, the Touch offers an excellent alternative for those who want touch screen technology, but cannot wait for the release of the iPhone later in 2007.
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