HTC Snap

HTC Snap at a glance
Available:	Q2 2009
Network:	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 + UMTS 900 / 2100 or UMTS 850 / 1900 (HTC S522)
Data:	GPRS + EDGE + UMTS (3G) + HSDPA + WiFi
Screen:	320 x 240 pixels
Camera:	2 megapixels
Size:	Compact messaging device 117 x 62 x 12mm / 120 grams
Bluetooth:	Yes
Memory card:	microSD
Infra-red:	No
Polyphonic:	Yes
Java:	Limited
GPS:	Yes
OS:	Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional
Battery life:	5 hours talk / 20 days standby (3G)

The HTC Snap is a compact messaging device in a "BlackBerryesque" form factor. Designed for ease of use, the Snap introduces a new feature called Inner Circle to help users prioritise their email.

Before we look at the HTC Snap's improved message handling, a quick tour of the handset's specifications is in order. This is a Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional device with a 2.4" QVGA display, basic 2 megapixel camera, dual-band UMTS support plus HSDPA and quad-band GSM, WiFi, microSD expandable memory, stereo Bluetooth and GPS.

The keys on the Snap's keypad are domed to make them easier to use, and most user interface functions are controlled by a small trackball. The large 1500 mAh battery provides a maximum of 5 hours talktime and 20 days standby time on 3G.

"Inner Circle" is a simple but compelling idea. You can specify a list of priority contacts for email, and when you press the dedicated key those contacts are sorted to the top of your mailbox. This allows you to answer important messages first, and perhaps get to less important ones later.. perhaps when you are using your PC's email rather than the Snap.

If you are not yet familiar with Windows Mobile 6.1, then briefly it comes with a web browser, email client, media player and document handler. We don't know if the Snap comes with a satellite navigation application, but we guess that Google Maps should work with it. HTC say that they have designed the Snap to be easy for first-time smartphone users to get to grips with.

The European and Asian version of the HTC Snap supports UMTS 900 / 2100 MHz, and should start to be available in certain markets from Q2 2009 onwards. A US version of the Snap with UMTS 850 / 1900 support (called the HTC S522) should be available as a SIM-free device during the summer

We think that the Snap goes to show that it is possible to come up with simple innovations that can be useful to customers without having to add stacks of expensive technology, and that this device has a good chance of being successful.