WSJ reviews HTC Touch Diamond: "can't disguise WinMo's flaws"

It was only a matter of time before the WSJ (Katherine Boehret, in this case) got their hands around Sprint's still-not-official Touch Diamond, and we can't say that the conclusion she drew is at all shocking. As Mossberg and his partners so often do, Katherine mentions Apple's darling just as much as the topic of the review itself, and while she seemed impressed with the hardware, it was the software that suffered the brunt of her attacks. She proclaimed that "despite its handsome TouchFLO 3D software and animated icons, the device failed to disguise the frustrating interface of Windows Mobile often enough for [her] taste." Beyond that, she also found room to gripe about the "cramped" keyboard, which she felt was "next to impossible" to use with just her fingertips. On the plus side, she did give the browser a decent amount of praise, but if you were looking for support from this critic before picking up the forthcoming handset, you'll be sorely disappointed.

[Via phonescoop]

[Timothy Sottek @ Sep 3rd 2008 11:51PM]

Too bad the battery didn't explode and engulf him in a Windows Mobile Inferno (TM).

[rock99rock @ Sep 4th 2008 12:07AM]

I dont even know why this jackass reviews Windows Mobile devices. Same OLD Walt, different day.

Not that I would approve of starting the Inferno (WMI (TM)), but i can understand why someone would want to.

[white_ultras @ Sep 4th 2008 12:08AM]

It must have been rough time for him, and with all those remarks and comparisons to JesusPhone...

[ByronGman @ Sep 4th 2008 1:07AM]

Pffffffffft.... WSJ


Like I would trust them... I'm going to wait and see what Steve Jobs has to say about this device.

[Surur @ Sep 4th 2008 2:21AM]

I posted this in the comments, but "strangely" its been waiting 8 hours for "moderation" when comments after have shown up already.
------------------------------------
“Unlike the iPhone, Web sites that are opened on the Diamond’s browser don’t resemble the actual site as you would see it on your computer. I opened CNN.com and WSJ.com, two sites that are packed with text and graphics on a regular browser. On the Diamond, they quickly were rendered in list format with mostly text-only. I easily touched the screen to follow links to full stories.”
—————————-

What crap. Here’s screenshots from CNN and WSJ, and except for the absence of flash, they look near identical.

WSJ - HTC Touch Diamond
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/929/wsjhx5.png

WSJ - Desktop
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/4471/wsjdtzv2.png

CNN - HTC Touch Diamond
http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/801/cnnmc3.png

CNN - Desktop
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/7127/cnndtvl7.png

She complains about the keyboard, when the Touch Diamond has 3 finger-friendly versions built-in, one with gigantic keys. She complains of WM popping up all the time, and gives the example of e-mail, when thats the only place where it goes straight to the wi-mo (very powerful) e-mail client.

She is basically full of crap. (btw its not Walt who did the review, but his secretary)

[rock99rock @ Sep 4th 2008 12:22PM]

I like how you got 4 URL's in there.

Hackahh!!

[Josh @ Sep 4th 2008 12:49PM]

And i thought apple fanatics were bad on engadget - they are terrible on Moss' site - i think i just puked.
WMI (TM) would be wonderful over there...

I love my MacBook Pro and iPod touch but those kids are on something else over there...

[Jeremy @ Sep 4th 2008 1:46PM]

Google should start another multi-million dollar challenge where they challenge somebody to write a phone review that doesn't mention the Iphone. This just in, The WSJ reviews hot knew smart phone, and whats the second word of this review?Iphone. When it comes to phone reviews, regardless of what phone it is, I feel like I'm watching the movie Being John Malkovich and I just witnessed the Iphone go through it's own head portal. "Iphone Iphone Iphone. Iphone, Iphone Iphone? Ipnone Iphone Iphone Iphone."

[Adderz @ Sep 3rd 2008 11:52PM]

Cant wait for the next iteration of WinMo.

These hardware manufactures and resellers creating their own interfaces is not good. We need some consistency, hopefully MS bring something good to the table so resellers dont have to resort to covering it up.

[John @ Sep 4th 2008 12:03AM]

Retailers like having their own unique interfaces. It gives their phone a unique look. The great thing is that since they all use WinMo, they can all take advantage of the huge software library. If WinMo forced you to have the generic Windows look, then that would be a pretty good reason to want a new version or a new OS.

[Flashpoint @ Sep 4th 2008 12:07AM]

I think the real problem is that Microsoft didn't build the phone and the OS together THEMSELVES.

One of the reasons Apple's computers and the iPhone are so successful is that their software and hardware is tied together and all managed by them. I do not believe that windows mobile will work equally well across all the different platforms built for it. I've never known a Windows CE product to always be equal across devices.

Microsoft needs to BUILD A PHONE from the ground up. To some extent, building the ZUNE by themselves has worked very well and we all know how well the XBOX 360 and XBOX have done. Microsoft designed them from the ground up with their own individual operating systems and got winners.

[who? @ Sep 4th 2008 12:13AM]

@Flashpoint

So true. If they took the time to design hardware + software (like Apple) I might actually buy one. As it is, I'll stick with my crappy Samsung D807. God it's old...

[Shamasis Bhattacharya @ Sep 4th 2008 12:59AM]

Ah yes! And then you can go to court for Monopoly issues and screw MS for doing everything!

Also, Windows Mobile is evolving, like most other mobile OSes. Give it some time. It is still way ahead of competition. You can literally develop WinMo applications in minues, even if you are doing it for the first time.

[Quikboy @ Sep 4th 2008 1:16AM]

It would be ideal, if MS could just make their own device all by themselves, but that'd mean losing partners and friends if they made their own phone. I mean if Microsoft would continue to sell the same OS to all their hardware partners, it'd be kind of awkward to compete with Microsoft on the hardware level, yet also using Microsoft's software. Tensions arise, those open source or Symbian OS's will go up in their other phones, and it wouldn't be good in the end for MS.

The "best" thing Microsoft can do to ensure that the "experience" on a WinMo phone feels smooth and good as the iPhone, is to really release an OS with a package chock-ful of great features and a nice beautiful functional UI, and REQUIRE hardware makers to use better technology built-in to the phone (such as Bluetooth, GPS, some CPU, A-GPS, etc.) to STANDARDIZE the WinMo phones in some sort of way. Makes it easier for developers, and users can't complain about more features improving the experience.

I also like Microsoft's business strategy here : WinMo sells the OS, hardware makers put together a phone. Instead of just one company does all, several companies are getting profit. Think how many jobs Microsoft creates indirectly by using this method, and "sharing the wealth". Microsoft just needs to make a dynamic OS and get hardware makers on the ball with better hardware solutions.

[Awake @ Sep 4th 2008 1:20AM]

@Who?

Since when does Apple design hardware?.. Last I checked all the hardware components in the Iphone are foreign made, the CPU in the iphone is made by Samsung!

[Sarig @ Sep 4th 2008 1:39AM]

Awake: there's a ocean of difference between designing a product, and making the things inside said product.

[who? @ Sep 4th 2008 1:42AM]

@Awake

Yes, the parts usually come from elsewhere, but Apple still designed the product.

Designed ≠ Built from scratch with their own hands and parts;

Someone back me up here!

[PynkFloydd @ Sep 4th 2008 1:40PM]

@Quikboy:

You're right... Microsoft's success is largely due to the fact that they work with and for their customers. This is what sometimes gives them their negative image with general consumers. Since Microsoft's direct customers are OEM manufacturers and large business clients, those customers have full control of the product.

I've had to call HTC for the Sprint Mogul that I bought and was enlightened to how complicated the cell world is. The guy at HTC explained to me that the carriers order the model with their own specs/configuration to fit a price point and max their profit. The way that he explained it...it's similar to how the Zune is designed by Microsoft but, made by Toshiba (if I remember right). Apple broke away from this because they just made one model with one configuration and told AT&T to sell it as-is.

I really don't see Microsoft starting to cater to end users anytime soon. I don't blame them! ...public tastes change too quickly, business use doesn't. (Seriously...I go to the VA hospital for my medical care and they're still on Windows 2000!) Remember how the Razr was the new "it" phone just a few years ago? MS and RIM have never had a spike in sales but, they've always enjoyed steadily rising sales. I wouldn't expect WinMo 7 to be radically different. I'd like to see it smoother with more HTC-like skins, though!

[Chris @ Sep 3rd 2008 11:53PM]

What a surprise, Walt Mossberg doesn't like something that's not made by Apple.

[who? @ Sep 3rd 2008 11:56PM]

Exactly. Normally I would be all for that, but pro-Apple is an opinion, and a lot of people count on him to give unbiased and fair reviews to all products.

[someaudioguy @ Sep 4th 2008 12:41AM]

And he seems to be doing it wrong, typing with his fingertips on a thumb board...

[PynkFloydd @ Sep 4th 2008 1:47PM]

Reviewing a phone and using the whole review to compare it to the iPhone is like going out with a girl that talks about her ex the whole time. Ok...once I hear what the "product" is all about, go for it. Give me a little 5 minute run-down of how you're not over your ex (i.e. - iPhone). ...but, if you're gonna talk about your ex (err, iPhone) the whole date (errr...review), I'm just gonna have a "business emergency" and you're taking a cab home by yourself. ...cause I can't take your seriously when you whine like that.

[lorddshadow @ Sep 3rd 2008 11:53PM]

umm engadget treats most phones the same way so...yeah...

[who? @ Sep 4th 2008 12:01AM]

Kind of. What Engadget does is exposes any and all major flaws they discover, without holding back. Walt's reviews are strongly influenced by his opinions and preconceived notions ('cramped' is a matter of perspective), and he only mentions the flaws if he wants to. I'm not saying his reviews are worthless, far from it, but rather that you shouldn't take everything he says as a fact.

[who? @ Sep 3rd 2008 11:53PM]

I think Walt is one of the most bias people on Earth when it comes to technology. Anything Apple he gives a good review, and anything else is 'flawed' and 'cramped'. Who cares what some old guy thinks? Anybody could write a review like that!

And yes, this is coming from me, one of the biggest Apple fanboys out there.

[Jeff @ Sep 4th 2008 12:06AM]

I think you should make it your life goal to take his place. I can't imagine someone making a good income being bias to Apple products but this guy does it.

[who? @ Sep 4th 2008 12:18AM]

No way! I would be even worse than him! (and proud of it!)

[PynkFloydd @ Sep 4th 2008 2:24PM]

I skimmed the review. Ignoring the Apple issue, it's pretty ridiculous on its own. The girl is actually expecting a desktop experience from what I could see. She praises the email interface from HTC but, then she goes on to say how answering/writing all of your emails would be frustrating from the phone. ...well, yeah! It's a phone! I don't think you can expect a desktop experience from any phone at the moment!

She didn't even mention making a call in the whole review. I'd imagine that you'd like to make a call on a phone. ...but, hey! That's just my stupid assumption of what I'd buy a phone for.

[Hangster @ Sep 4th 2008 12:01AM]

isnt the iphone keyboard even more cramped? o.o

[Tehfraekornottehfraekeslaquestionquepasa? @ Sep 4th 2008 12:07AM]

Not really. The buttons on the touch screen are bigger than most other smartphone's, especially when you are typing horizontally. I actually was able to type out half of the Gettysburg address in under one minute with some practice.

(I have an iPod Touch)

[white_ultras @ Sep 4th 2008 12:15AM]

WTF are you talking about man!?, JesusPhone has the best virtual keyboard ever, you just need to use that key 'release' trick, also the key-font is the best, really, there is nothing even close for me to match my speed of typing, the pleasure of typing, the feel of typing on that God sent device (can't really use any other mobile xx now, after i experienced it).

[Origins @ Sep 4th 2008 12:02AM]

Here is my review.... who really gives a crap?!

[Tehfraekornottehfraekeslaquestionquepasa? @ Sep 4th 2008 12:04AM]

About his review, or the phone? A lot of people care about both, sadly enough.

[Joe @ Sep 4th 2008 12:05AM]

Mossberg is irrelevant. He used to be in touch with the biz-tech masses, but he is not. The iPhone fawning is so old; I mean, how can you get that excited for a phone that does not have a replaceable battery? Most people I know (that are not media/artsy types) with iPhone have two phone - the great PMP and web browser that the iPhone is, and a "regular" phone. Biggest complaint: I need to be able to swap a battery in if needed. The Touch Diamond is far from perfect, but it's damn good compared to most that is out there.

[Jeff @ Sep 4th 2008 12:07AM]

I swear every paragraph started with either "Like the iPhone" or "Unlike the iPhone".

[Alan Strangis @ Sep 4th 2008 12:09AM]

Just the kind of review I'd expect from an Apple fanboy. Though it's credited to Katherine Boehret, not Walt, so maybe I should say fangirl.

Opera (at least on Telus), renders the full websites that are mentioned in the review. And seriously, Kinoma over CorePlayer (or even the free TCPMP)? Hell, I'd just stick with the built in WMP instead of using Kinoma.

Amongst other glaring problems.

[Armando @ Sep 19th 2008 11:08PM]

Alan: Obviously you've never tried Kinoma Play, or even know what it does. It's really a new type of application never seen on mobile (more akin to Miro + iTunes than typical mobile players), and it lets WinMo users do lots of that iPhone users can only dream of doing.

[Cardbored @ Sep 4th 2008 12:10AM]

Whenever I read HTC all I can think of is a certain drug with the same letters...

[allislost @ Sep 4th 2008 12:42AM]

...dude... follow me.... he.....hehe......hehehe......HAHAHAA! ohhh YEA!!!!!!

[BChau @ Sep 4th 2008 12:10AM]

A die-hard Apple fan like Mossberg willing to accept that the HTC TouchFLO 3D interface is handsome. Now that speaks volumn about how good the TouchFLO is.

[CL @ Sep 4th 2008 12:11AM]

Yeah, thanks Captain Obvious...
How did this guy became such a tech 'celebrity' or authority on tech/gadgets in the first place? He just reverts back to obvious comments and observations and makes no meaningful contribution whatsoever.

[who? @ Sep 4th 2008 12:12AM]

@Flashpoint

So true. If they took the time to design hardware + software (like Apple) I might actually buy one. As it is, I'll stick with my crappy Samsung D807. God it's old...

[who? @ Sep 4th 2008 12:13AM]

Oops. Misreply. Disregard. Sry.

[lolwhat @ Sep 4th 2008 12:36AM]

My D807 just died yesterday. The screen just turned white. :| Anyway, finally a reason for me to get IT. :D Sorry about the off topic.

[who? @ Sep 4th 2008 1:47AM]

No, it's cool. How old was it? Mine is 2.3 years old and still works like new! Best phone I ever had.

[1234321 @ Sep 4th 2008 12:13AM]

Where did Moss get his reputation, I wondered the same about Tila Tequila

[1234321 @ Sep 4th 2008 12:16AM]

and please don't tell me the Wall Street Journal picked him up cause he had a million MySpace friends too

[Jubei @ Sep 4th 2008 12:26AM]

Mr. Mossberg is correct with his assessment on this "me too" product. Comparison to the iPhone is proper. After all these devices are nothing more but a flawed shadow of the iPhone. These devices are all trying to copy a product born out of true innovation. Mr. Mossberg is not being bias, he is being true and accurate with his review. Apple leads as always, while MS and it's soon to be screwed partners just follows.

[John @ Sep 4th 2008 12:37AM]

How can MS be following here, do you have any idea how long Winmo 6 has been out?

[1234321 @ Sep 4th 2008 12:39AM]

do you know how long HTC's been making products?