Product Listing

HTC Desire HD - A Worthy Upsize?

By Wong Casandra - 18 Oct 2010
Launch SRP: S$788

Features

More Sense in HD

So, what's in it for the Desire HD? As mentioned earlier, an updated HTC Sense UI as well as the HTCSense.com. The HTC Sense UI remains relatively similar to the one found in the Desire, with a couple of notable changes that makes it easier to customize your phone or to get from one place to another. 

The on-screen tab at the extreme right now allows more variety in customization; previously, users were limited to only adding widgets, shortcuts or folders on your home pages. Clicking on it opens a menu (pictured right) that allows you to personalize your mobile experience more extensively as you can change your wallpapers, ringtones and skins.

The notification page has been updated with a strip that's dedicated to displaying apps that have recently been opened and those that are running in the background. Simply swipe left or right to see the complete list (only 8 shown).

 There are a couple of tweaks for the Mail page - now, users don't have to hit delete for the select/tick tabs to appear beside their emails. Once selected, you can mark read, delete, or mass move them to another folder. We also noted that composing an email is made simpler with a dedicated shortcut on the top.

HTC has kindly added two new shortcuts to its popular FriendStream app: on the left, you have Lists (select which Facebook list you want to view) and on the right, you have a standard Facebook-styled notifications list.

There are a couple of useful additions added to the settings menu. For one, the Power saver allows you to conserve your battery without downloading a third-party app.

The Transfer Data app is a one-stop solution for those looking for an effective way to transfer your information, especially for those transitioning from a non-Android phone. 

 

HTCSense.com

The more major add-on would be the HTCSense.com. For those who have no clue what the HTCSense.com is about, it is a suite of free complementary smartphone services that syncs and backups your data onto a server while providing mobile security and details on a misplaced or lost phone - and in a worst case scenario when it cannot be found, you can remotely lock or wipe the phone from HTCSense.com. Right now, these services are exclusive to both HTC Desire HD and Z, with no official word on its compatibility with older phones like Desire or Legend.

This is easy to set-up; on switching on the HTC Desire HD for the first time, you will be prompted to set up an account on HTCSense.com with your email account and mobile phone number. We encountered minor troubleshooting and had problems connecting to the server, so we would suggest that you head down to the website instead to sign up if the problem persists. After setting up the account and syncing it with your phone (you can further configure it under settings > accounts & sync), you can now fully make use of the new services at HTCSense.com. These can be accessed mostly though the website and partially through the HTC Hub and HTC Likes apps that are available on your phone. 

One of the more useful features on the HTCSense.com is the ability to lock and erase your phone lest it cannot be found. You can also forward calls and messages here as well as backup your SMSes here. Just make sure that you are synced to your HTCSense.com account.

 Part of the HTCSense.com experience, the HTC Hub is a simple add-on that makes it easier for users to customize and further decorate their Desire HD. The app is synced with your device (if the option is chosen) through your HTCSense.com account, updating you as and when the exclusive sections (ringtones, widgets, skins) have new items. Installation is simple, simply click on the items to download.

HTC seems to be moving towards providing mobile security and an online community for HTC users. Part of the HTCSense.com services, the HTC Likes app allows you to leave comments and "likes", and acts somewhat like a recommendation tool for apps.

Join HWZ's Telegram channel here and catch all the latest tech news!
9.0
  • Design 8.5
  • Features 9.5
  • User-Friendliness 9
  • Performance 8.5
  • Value 9
The Good
HTCSense.com and its suite of services
Updated HTC Sense UI
Improved audio capability
Larger storage space of 1.5GB
The Bad
S-LCD screen
Heavy at 164g
Average Imaging quality
Limited battery life
Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.