Together with today's
HTC Touch Diamond announcement, HTC also announced a
new version of its HTC TouchFLO UI
- previously
codenamed as "Manila UI" and now called TouchFLO 3D - which follows the
first TouchFLO UI which was initially introduced last year with the launch of
the HTC Touch.
Like last year, we already had some quality time with HTC's latest GUI
development which we tested on a preproduction unit of O2 Germany's upcoming
O2 Xda diamond.
Unlike the first TouchFLO, TouchFLO 3D is now part of the Windows Mobile Today
screen or better - it completely replaced Microsoft's Windows Mobile Today
screen.
Therefore, TouchFLO 3D isn't launched anymore by flickering the finger from
down to top but it's already there, right after the device is turned on:
HTC's TouchFLO 3D features a new Start-screen which includes a clock,
information about missed calls and about the next appointments.
Furthermore it includes a smart-dial list which is customizable and where
you can add you favorite contacts. Next is a SMS and MMS overview followed by an
E-Mail overview. Photos and Videos is the next screen and finally, TouchFLO 3D is
also able to play videos without opening Microsoft's Windows Media Player. Next
to it is the Music screen which shows all your available tracks with cover-art
followed by a shortcut to the Internet which either starts Opera Mobile or
predefined favorites (in this case shortcuts to O2 services). Next is the Weather information which now shows
a forecast of up to 10 selectable cities, followed by Settings and the Programs
menu which is also partly customizable as well as gives a direct link to all
available applications without using the Pocket PC typical Windows Mobile flag
anymore.
As you can see in the above video, the HTC Diamond includes an
orientation sensor/accelerometer which rotates some
predefined applications automatically, like Opera Mobile or the photo viewer.
TouchFLO 3D will be part of all new HTC Touch devices (but carriers are free
to exclude it from their own devices). However, a TouchFLO 3D upgrade for
current HTC Touch smartphones (like the Touch, Touch Dual or Touch Cruise) isn't
planned due to increased and changed hardware requirements.
Cheers ~ Arne
