Is it a cell phone or a laptop? |
12 Comments |
Posted by Marc Saltzman at 9:26 PM | E-mail this post
While pricey, we recently had a chance to play around with the HTC Shift ($1,599 with 3-year Rogers Wireless plan), a mini laptop with many wireless features, therefore borrowing from both the mobile computing and telecommunications space.
HTC Shift is considered Canada's first UMPC ("ultra mobile personal computer"), featuring four kinds of wireless connectivity to help you stay connected: cell phone (GSM/GPRS/HSPA), Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth.
Not only will you get emails pushed to you when out and about, but Rogers' 3G network means you can also download files in seconds flat or use the built-in camera for real-time video conferencing. The very lightweight (1.8 pounds) Windows Vista-powered HTC Shift also rocks a convertible design: use the bundled stylus to tap n' draw on the 7-inch touch-screen, while a slide-open QWERTY keyboard glides out of the bottom when you need it (including the option for the screen to prop up and face you).
Other features include a fingerprint scanner, 40GB hard drive and access to your media without having to boot up. Oh, and it makes a mean Espresso, too (OK, so I made up the last one).
More details at the product's official website.
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Posted by Marc Saltzman at 9:26 PM in Computers & Software
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| Comments (12)
SuperGeekFace on September 11 at 6:47 AM | Report abuse
I have to have one. If it can play world of warcraft then I'd pay 5x the price for it. This thing is great!!!
Courtney on September 11 at 6:02 PM | Report abuse
hi yes it is both
Pit on September 12 at 8:44 AM | Report abuse
Looking good with great features.Scanner and 40GB hard drive attract me most but i don't like vista because it's not easy to handle.
Regal on September 12 at 9:24 AM | Report abuse
Yes, it's both. But are you sure you really want to bring a 1.8 pounds cell phone with you all the time even though it's powerful?
claudia on September 12 at 2:36 PM | Report abuse
Three year Rogers Wireless plan. How much per month? Surely they didn't include unlimited access for 3 years in the $1,599. purchase price? And Rogers only works in cities. If you travel there could be problems.
Desi sloan on September 12 at 4:36 PM | Report abuse
This seems like another step in the right deriction forcomunication and portability, way to go ... lets give the G phone a run for it's money.
jenix on September 12 at 5:27 PM | Report abuse
In response to Claudia's question regarding price - check out the url; also summarized below.
Device Price: $2,099.99
if you pay Month To Month it will cost you: $1,999.99/year
if you pay for a year 'up front' it will cost you: $1,899.99
...2 Year: $1,799.99
...3 Year: $1,699.99
3 YEAR PROMO: $1,599.99
Michael on September 12 at 6:46 PM | Report abuse
In response to Regal:
Hell no, I dont wanna carry a Pound of cell phone with me! ha! i wouldnt even wanna carry the Iphone. you can call me old fashion or whatever you want, but a phone stays a phone. not a computer...
when technology imporves, us human-beings will get lazier. there should be a border drawn when technology imporves
i think they should come up with a new name for a phone-that-can-be-use-like-a-computer.
julie podwinski on September 12 at 8:35 PM | Report abuse
I think this is WAY over priced. I am a mother of two that would LOVE to have such a thing. Unfortunatly with NO good paying jobs in Canada for a person like me I would NEVER be ever to afford it. Its really too bad that the can make all these awesome toys for the rich, why is there never any company out there that can make one for the little guy.
Mesue on September 12 at 9:30 PM | Report abuse
that is a sick phone/laptop if it wernt so expensive i would buy it in a second
Nate on September 13 at 10:55 PM | Report abuse
Considering the price of other cell phones that have, oh, 1/4 the memory (if that) and the fact that it's powerful enough to support vista, the price isn't actually that high. Try condensing a tablet PC into a 1.8lb miniature version of itself, add on cell phone capabilities and see how much you'd sell it for. I see this as being a business class laptop alternative. In the mPC class... this thing could destroy it's competition.
Beth on November 10 at 3:25 PM | Report abuse
This is pretty sweet.. and for the price, if you want a cell phone and a lap top you would be paying that amount seperately.. so together plus added convenience.. it seems about right. But I have an Iphone and I have to say Rogers is not known for making decent monthly plans. It won't be as cheap as 1999/year no matter what.. if you use data AND voice regularily, you are looking at minimum 100/month for the lower amounts of both. Something acting as your laptop will run you closer to 200/month with them. I love Rogers more than any other one out there.. but they all sorta rip you off.. I guess if you can afford one of these, you can afford the monthly usage bill. Definately for the business exec on the go. Under 2 pounds isn't heavy.. seriously.. carry your laptop around for a while and tell me that wouldn't be a step up