HTC Surround Impressions
Obviously this new sliding slab of sexiness is running the Windows Phone 7 operating system. I won’t bore you with too many details on that because I’m sure after today 7 will be your least favorite number to hear or see in printed text if you can in fact be over stimulated by a number. Without further ado…
The HTC Surround is a “delightful” 3.8″ WVGA SLCD display with the other requisite hardware requirements. The Surrounds primary differentiator is its inclusion of a premium speaker set-up that (hopefully doesn’t suck) slides from the side of the device to also reveal a kick stand. This is going to be an ideal set up for mobile media but should also greatly increase the quality and usability of speakerphone in office or desk style environments so the sound can be better directed towards the user. Regardless of its slightly smaller screen size I believe the 3.8-4.0″ screen size will come to dominate the market. The 4.3″ is often described as too large by many (particularly one handed) users. Touching all four corners of an HD2 with one thumb requires awkward shuffling. The additional screen size also reduces screen DPI at the same resolution resulting in a sharper screen at smaller sizes as well. What also separates this and many other US handsets is its onboard storage of 16gbs, giving you twice as much room as the Europeans. Let us know what you think below.
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@stefymarty:
http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/devices/windowsphone.jsp?rel=nofollow&wtSlotClick=1-0044XR!CIHPM01V313DCA-1-1#fbid=D3KQaWzgGo9
confirmed
i like it. i like it alot.
is the 16GB for the at&t version confirmed?
My concern is: When would I need that speaker? If I’m home, I’ll use the TV or computer. If I’m on the go, I’m using the headset. So … why?
@Stefy – The 16gb is from the official press release so that is about as confirmed as it gets.
@MartiM – As far as the speaker goes, I hang out with friends a lot. Sometimes we sit around and drink beer and don’t do shit. Speaker works great in such a situation. Also, just cleaning my house. I like listening to music while cleaning and this fascilitates me shaking my dust busting booty all over my house where ever the dirt should take me. Plus speaker PHONE would be the shit on a good quality and slightly more directional speaker.
@MattA – lol Well, I have a fairly small house with minimal walls, so that’s what I have a stereo for. 🙂 (And it’s a house, not an apartment/condo, so I don’t have to worry about shared walls.) Yeah, if I had shared walls, that would be a problem.
I have a small child. I don’t see my friends anymore. 🙁 I guess I just don’t see a use for me. That’s why MS is going with lots of different designs. Which I appreciate. Unlike some other fruitcake companies. 😀
so glad this badboy has 16gb, this will definately be my first WP7 phone, and matt a is right about hanging with friends and wanting a phone with a decent speaker, that would come in handy
Would be hard to part with a slide-out keyboard, but I do like HTC hardware (I think LG sucks monkey balls). Not sure when/how I would use the speaker but I don’t mind it being there. Definitely a contender.
i just bought a used Desire so i could save my upgrade discount for a WP7 and it looks like this will be the one. loving that slide out speaker!
Looks like the battery on this phone is tiny (3 hr talk time). And can someone confirm the screen size. DavidK’s MS post states 3.6″ for the Surround (3.8″ for the Trophy).
@Jimski – http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/11/htc-7-surround-graces-atandt-with-a-slideout-speaker-windows-phon/ 3.8″ confirmed by press release on Engadget. I don’t know what DK’s using for his source (but I can say if he’s right then I retract my vote for the awesomeness of this phone.)
Cut and paste from Microsoft’s website (that’s where DavidK got his info):
The HTC 7 Surround is designed to entertain with a fold out kickstand for hands-free viewing, and a slide out the speaker lets you share music and videos with friends in virtual surround sound.
Features include:
3.6″ touchscreen
I also hope this is a typo. I have seen the 3.8″ size stated in other posts/videos, etc.
Hmmm, I do have a tendency to want to play songs for other people. Since I’m on AT&T, it’s either the Surround or the Focus, I think.
@Anyone Still following this thread – HTC Surround has been confirmed by Microsoft’s website as 3.8″ as well. Typo was fixed when the devices were uploaded in detail, by carrier, following the launch.
thanks matt for the confirmation. we have now three links that confirm the 3.8″ screen size haha. I still cant decide on a phone
Cool! Well I guess its back in the running. Oh, and that was my screwup on the talk time (240 minutes = 3 hrs – duh). There are times when I do wish there were 80 minutes in an hour but when looking for a phone you have to stick to the facts.
The Surround is silly and gimmicky. What *SHOULD* have been imported was the Trophy–basically the same form factor but without the stupid slide-out speakers. I’d buy one today if it weren’t for the speakers.
The Samsung is plastic and cheap feeling….the iPhone 4 feels like diamonds and gold in comparison. It’s just “ok”. The LG has a small screen and I’m not into landscape-oriented fold out keyboards. And of course, the Surround is just stupid.
So here I am–wanting to upgrade my WM6.5 HTC Excalibur but hating all three AT&T form factors. *sigh*. Do I wait? Do I finally go ahead and pull the trigger on iPhone 4? Do I try an import a Trophy that doesn’t support 850MHz 3G operation?
Very bummed. This article sums up my frustration:
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/207504/windows_phone_7_shows_why_device_exclusivity_sucks.html