HTC Touch (Sprint)

Htc-touch-sprint If you'll remember, we reviewed an unlocked version of the HTC Touch when it first debuted back in June, which made headlines for its all-touch-screen interface--pre-iPhone release. We thought the TouchFlo interface was cool but had some major problems with the poor text entry input methods (or lack thereof). Still, this didn't seem to bother too many CNET readers as it's garnered an average Sprint has picked up the HTC Touch, with availability starting on November 4 for $249.99 with a two-year contract and after rebates.

Sprint's version of the Touch includes some nice enhancements, including EV-DO support and compatibility with the Sprint Music Store and Sprint TV. It's also a better performer with faster response times, thanks to a faster processor and more memory. Unfortunately the speaker is still on the weaker side, and Wi-Fi capabilities have been stripped out of this version. And while there were improvements made to the onscreen keyboard, we still have issue with the less-than-ideal method of text entry. That said, if you just want a smartphone to help manage your personal and professional life (e.g., e-mail triage, organizing appointments, making calls, and so forth) the HTC Touch is certainly capable and cool to boot.

Design
The HTC Touch is unlike any other smartphone the company has produced in a number of ways. Obviously, the TouchFlo interface is the biggest story, but the Touch also is the smallest touch-screen smartphone that we've seen in recent memory. The handset measures a petite 3.9 inches long by 2.8 inches wide by 0.5 inch tall and weighs just 4 ounces, fitting nicely in the palm of your hand and easily slipping into a bag or pants pocket. Compare that with the bulky Sprint Mogul (4.3 inches high by 2.3 inches wide by 0.7 inch deep; 6.5 ounces) and Palm Centro (4.2 inches high by 2.1 inches wide by 0.7 inch deep; 4.2 ounces). In addition, the device features a soft-touch finish (a la T-Mobile Dash), to give the device a nice,