HTC is realizing that there’s a lot more to a smartphone than simply having the best specs. The HTC Legend features Android 2.1 and the new HTC Sense, but it doesn’t pack the same punch as the HTC Desire. The HTC Legend takes a more subtle approach by offering a unique aluminum unibody design, giving it a leg up over the HTC Desire in the style category.
Though the specs aren’t a huge jump over the HTC Hero, the HTC Legend will feature a 3.2 inch AMOLED display, 600MHz processor, 512MB ROM, 384MB RAM, 5MP camera with flash, GPS, Bluetooth 2.1 with FTP and OPP file transfer capabilities, 3.5mm headphone jack, and USB tethering capabilities.
On the software side, the HTC Legend packs the same features as the new HTC Desire. HTC Sense now has a pinch-to-zoom feature from the home screen which HTC is calling Leap. Just pinch the screen to zoom out and you will see all your home screens panels with their widgets. Tap the panel you want and you will Leap right to it. The second new feature in HTC Sense is the new Friend Stream integration and widget.
The HTC Desire simplifies the way that you tend to all of your social networks. With Friend Stream, your interaction with friends across multiple social networks like Facebook®, Twitter™, and Flickr™ are brought into a single easy to follow stream of updates, photo posts, and shared links. Friend Stream also lets you shout out your thoughts or feelings to all your online friends with a single comment that gets broadcast to both Facebook and Twitter.
The HTC Legend measures in at 112 x 56.3 x 11.5mm compared to the Hero’s 112 x 56.2 x 14.35 mm and weighs 9 grams less at 126 grams. You may notice that the HTC Legend does retain a slight chin at the bottom.
Vodafone will be the first to launch the HTC Legend in Europe in the beginning of April 2010. The HTC Legend will also be released through the direct channel (unlocked) and with other partners around the world and in Asia in early Q2. Expect pricing for the HTC Legend to be right about $550 (same price of the HTC Hero).
For more details on the HTC Legend, check out the product page on HTC’s website
HTC Legend Press release
BARCELONA, Mobile World Congress – February 16, 2010 – HTC Corporation, a global designer of smartphones, today introduced an enhanced HTC Sense experience that will be available on two new smartphones that take Android to the next level, the HTC Legend and HTC Desire.
“At its essence, the mobile phone is the most personal item you have in your possession. HTC Sense was created to magnify your ability to create and define your own unique mobile experience,” said Peter Chou, chief executive officer of HTC Corporation. “HTC Legend and HTC Desire take Android to another level in both substance with HTC Sense and style with HTC Legend’s revolutionary crafted aluminum uni-body design.”
HTC SENSE
HTC Sense is a user experience focused on putting people at the centre by making phones work in a more simple and natural way. This experience revolves around three fundamental principles that were developed by observing and listening to how people live and communicate. These core tenets of Make It Mine, Stay Close and Discover the Unexpected continue to be the key to the new HTC Sense experience.
The new HTC Sense experience continues to focus on improving your interactions with your most important people. This begins with a new HTC application and widget called HTC Friend Stream that seamlessly aggregates all of your social communication including Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr into one organised flow of updates. This simple aggregation makes it easier than ever to focus on what friends are doing as well as to view the images and links that they share. In addition to Friend Stream, people can be organised into specific social circles, such as groups of friends, colleagues or any other way that makes sense.
The new HTC Sense experience also introduces broad improvements to applications including the browser, email client and others. In addition, the new version of HTC Sense includes a new newsreader application and widget, as well as a new seven-screen ‘Leap’ thumbnail view for quick and easy access to specific screens.
HTC Legend
Built around a newly enhanced HTC Sense, the HTC Legend boasts a unique design with a smooth, continuous surface, machined from a single aluminum block into a seamless compact frame. To complement its looks, the HTC Legend includes a stunning 3.2 inch, AMOLED HVGA display. The traditional trackball has also been replaced with an optical joystick, surrounded by a narrow button to improve usability without interrupting its unique design.
I am not to sure about the specs of this phone. It is slightly more powerful than the Hero. Granted it does look very visually pleasing but if it can’t cope under pressure I think the HTC Desire would be a better choice. I wish the Legend had Desires’ power but with the look of Legend.