subject: The HTC Desire Z is boasting the new Android 2.2 OS (Froyo) [print this page] Released alongside the Desire HD, the Desire Z is a spin-off of one of 2010's best Android smartphones; the Desire. HTC have delighted fans by slapping a full QWERTY keyboard on to the back of the touch screen handset. The HTC Desire Z is loaded with messaging features and has been packed with tons of online connectivity.
The basic design of the phone is based on the Desire; however a slide out QWERTY keyboard is the key difference. HTC have provided the Desire Z with a 3.7 inch capacitive touch screen which utilises the multi-touch input method. The screen can produce over 16 million colours in a 480 x 800 pixel resolution. The keyboard is very well made and as the slide mechanism takes the keyboard away from the phone before finally settling flush with the chassis, HTC have been able to raise the individual keys for more accurate typing.
The HTC Sense UI works beautifully over the Android 2.2 OS (Froyo). The Desire Z is loaded up with the same seven-screen interface which can be pinched for a full overview, and features like FriendStream have been inherited from its successful predecessor the Desire. The spunky 800MHz processor handles the media heavy applications comfortably while multi-tasking is tackled with ease.
As standard the HTC Desire Z uses its 3G network coverage for an internet connection, however for a faster connection, Wi Fi can be used to pick up a connection from nearby WLAN hotspots. HTC have throw in an accelerometer so the UI can be switched to landscape which opens up access to the keyboard, it is also the ideal way to surf the web, as pages are displayed in a widescreen format.
It is now considered mainstream for a smartphone to integrate your social networks into your contacts list, and the Desire Z does just that. FriendStream can be given its own home screen to work from and streams information like status updates and tweets from Facebook and Twitter into one easy to use application. The Desire Z is also equipped to handle multiple e-mail inboxes and IM clients with all the mainstream e-mail and IM account providers being compatible.
The camera is a 5MP effort which is capable of filming in 720p HD, stills are captured in high resolution and all of your work can be uploaded to the web directly from the camera menu. The video player is able to playback a wide range of file types and the WVGA screen delivers gorgeous on-screen imagery every time.
The device is pre-loaded with an enhanced music player which can also play a large selection of formats and with support from a superb on-board speaker system and a 3.5mm jack the sound quality is of a high standard. The phones memory can be expanded via microSD card and access to online stores allows users to download tunes on the go.
HTC have provided satellite navigation in the form of HTC Footprints and Google which are supported by A-GPS. The HTC Desire Z has been loaded with quite a few Google goodies, but the best of all is the uncensored access to the Android Market which has an ever-growing population of applications which deliver there services in all areas of day-to-day life.
HTC are having a mighty good year; with the release of the Legend, and then the Desire, and now the dual release of the Desire HD and the topic of today's article; the HTC Desire Z. The Taiwanese firm have a fine selection of phones in there Android stable, with all impressing in there own way, but most importantly they are all competing at the knife edge of smartphone technology.
The HTC Desire Z is boasting the new Android 2.2 OS (Froyo)
