HTC has embraced the Google Android OS with open arms over the past year, releasing a trio of devices – the G1, Hero and Magic – which show off just why Android has taken the mobile world by storm.
While the Android interface brings a brilliant Google sheen to the mobile market-place, it has come at a price, with most of the handsets packing lengthy contracts or expensive one-off payments.
Enter the HTC Tattoo. Alongside the T-Mobile Pulse, the Tattoo is all about catering for the more budget-conscious phone user who wants to utilise Android, but not pay over the odds for the privilege.
We're not talking about masses of money saved – a tenner a month off a contract here, a £100 off a handset there – but the arrival of the OS on the HTC Tattoo does point to a bright future for mid-range devices sporting Android.
When it comes to comparing the phone with its other Android bedfellows the HTC Tattoo has more in keeping with the HTC Hero than it does with the HTC Magic and G1. This is all because the HTC Tattoo uses Sense UI, which is HTC's own 'skinned' version of Android.
So, instead of the now-iconic large Android clock, the main interface is dominated by a digital clock and location-specific information explaining what the weather and temperature is like in your vicinity.
The HTC Tattoo does bring with it something different, however, and that is Android 1.6 – this update brings some rather nice tweaks to the Android interface, which we shall talk a bit more about further on in the review.
Your comments (6) Click to add a new comment
vianaj
June 13th 2011
6. A real S**T. Do not buy it...
Slow, a lot of bugs...
Often disconects the call when you press the green key to answer the call. Touch screen very inaccurate...
All the remaining is awesome, somewhat fantastic... but not as a phone neither a photo camera, only for gadgets, but you have better toys...
Alert a moderator
peteroo
February 12th 2010
5. Can't read other comments here, so don't know if this has been said, but to change the predictive text to the normal kind, use the XT9/ABC button.
Alert a moderator
sparafucile
December 31st 2009
4. Great budget iphone. Android system is very effective. Good upgrade phone for the step up to iphones. Down side of the Tattoo is the poor reception. I am on my second phone as my first Tattoo could not recieve a signal even under a transmitter!! Replacement is better but NOT as good as any of my previous phones. Beware of this if you have a poor signal in your home area!
Alert a moderator
hitime
December 15th 2009
3. there is a utility from htc that syncs with outlook calander and contacts but not emails -- was supplied on mini sd card
Alert a moderator
eddersc
November 26th 2009
2. Great phone, good review.
Just a warning though -- don't buy it on Orange! They've removed several of the Google apps (Gmail, Talk, YouTube) and these can't be downloaded. Get it on another provider or SIM-free!
Alert a moderator
chimpaudio
October 29th 2009
1. Fundamental problem with Android- it can't sync with the most popular PIM software Outlook. Only does it with Exchange server. Android phones are brilliant but you have to buy into Cloud computing to make them useful.
Alert a moderator
Tell us what you think
You need to Log in or register to post comments