The HTC Shift is a device best described as an ultra-small laptop with an
integrated HSDPA network connection, enabling the user to keep in contact from
virtually anywhere. However, the small size of the device has led to compromises
in battery life and performance.
Available from mobile operator
Orange
since February, the Shift is a remarkable example of miniaturisation. For anyone
that must have a laptop running Microsoft Office, but who does not want a large
and cumbersome system, the Shift is about as small as you can go before you get
into the territory of ultra-mobile PCs such as the
OQO
Model e2. It is about the size of an old VHS cassette tape and weighs 800g.
Key points for business users are that the Shift comes with Office
Professional 2007 ready installed, and the device’s SnapVue mode allows users to
send and receive email and SMS messages even when Windows is not running. On the
down side, users are unlikely to get more than two hours use while on batteries,
and the system is probably only powerful enough for basic productivity work, at
least with Windows Vista.
We found the Shift poorly suited for running Windows Vista, and performance
would probably be better if Windows XP had been chosen instead. The device is
slow to boot up, and we found its performance extremely sluggish until we
disabled several programs that launch at startup.
We would recommend that users also disable automatic updates, as Vista
otherwise attempts to download multi-megabyte patches even when the mobile
network is the only available connection.
Out of the box, the Shift looks like a small slate-style Tablet PC with a 7in
wide-screen display. A stylus stored in a slot in the base allows it to be used
this way. Most users, however, will slide back the screen to reveal the Shift’s
full qwerty keyboard. The screen also tilts up to a comfortable viewing
position, in which configuration the Shift resembles a miniature laptop.
We were pleasantly surprised by the Shift’s 7in display, which does not feel
cramped despite its low native resolution of 800x480 pixels. However, the
keyboard is too small for easy typing. Because of its small size, the Shift has
its touchpad for controlling the Windows pointer located to the right of the
screen, while left and right mouse buttons are positioned to the left. We found
this touchpad position tiring on the thumb after a while, but the stylus or even
a fingertip can be used to select objects on the touch-sensitive screen.
The Shift is also two devices in one. It has a second environment called
SnapVue that can be accessed at any time by pressing a button to the bottom left
of the screen. SnapVue is a highly customised version of Windows Mobile that
provides access to email, calendar and contact information via the mobile
network, even when the rest of the system is powered down. It also lets the user
send and receive SMS text messages, but does not support voice calls.
SnapVue has its plus and minus points. Its instant-on capability allows the
user to check email quickly, but it also means that the HTC Shift is never truly
“off”, so the batteries can become discharged even when you are not using
Windows. We therefore recommend users do not travel anywhere without the mains
adapter, which fortunately is also small and light.
SnapVue is also independent of the main operating system, so its email client
must be configured separately from Outlook 2007, even if the two accounts point
to the same email server. SnapVue supports push email from Exchange servers, but
also POP3 and Imap accounts.
The Shift has Bluetooth and 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi as well as its HSDPA connection,
and each can be turned on or off individually from the Shift Control Center,
accessed via another button next to the screen. We found browsing somewhat slow
over the Orange network when compared with Wi-Fi, even when HSDPA was available.
A VGA connector, audio jack socket, a single USB port and an SD Card slot
complete the Shift’s I/O ports. An extender supplied with the system plugs into
the USB port and provides three further USB ports, plus an Ethernet port for
connecting to a wired LAN.
The device’s specifications include an 800MHz Intel A110 processor, 1GB
memory and 40GB 1.8in hard drive. It also has a fingerprint swipe scanner for
secure logins, and a camera for videoconferencing.
The Shift has a rated battery life of two hours from its 2700mAh lithium-ion
battery, and this is very close to what we found in practice. Even when turned
off, the battery will only last for a day or two, unless all wireless interfaces
including the mobile network are disabled.
