HTC premiered their new Touch Diamond handset today, and judging by the pictures, it looks like someone actually layered on a nice “looking” user interface on top of the crap-stack that is Windows Mobile.
Considering the wealth of talented designers that list their portfolios and availability on the internet, I’m always shocked by how rare it is to find consumer electronics (from places that don’t rhyme with “schmupertino”) that “get it.”
It is quite possible that my opinion would change upon closer inspection as it does look like it flirts with “too much detail” when minimalism is in vogue, but the engadget screenshots present a visually lush phone with enough eye-candy to displace the failed LG’s and Samsung’s of yesterday.
The real moment of judgment occurs when you have to use these things. Too often, phones trade responsiveness and intuitive controls for glossy images and over-the-top animations. I got to play with HTC last generation Touch while at dinner with JS-developer/globe-trotter Chris Heilmann, and what stood out the most for me was how hard and repeatedly I had to swipe at the screen to navigate. This is diametrically opposed to the user experience of the iPhone and iPod touch, where it isn’t pressure but intent that the software seems to detect.
Check out the full Engadget review with photos here, and tell me what you think.