HTC's Touch.B gets demonstrated, featurephone status confirmed (video)

This isn't going to be fun, so we'll just say it and get it over with: the HTC Touch.B isn't the updated Android smartphone we'd been hoping for. As it turns out it isn't even a smartphone, relegated to the realm of the featurephone by running Qualcomm's BrewMP OS. Full Flash support is nice, and we must say the UI has a charming, simple look to it, but it all looks a little... limited, and that screen seems awfully small given the size of the phone now that it's been turned on. See for yourself: there's a quick video demo after the break to get you primed for this one to ship sometime next year.

[spacemanspork Posted Dec 4th 2009 12:58PM]

@Patlex The big difference is with this feature phone is you can get away with paying $30/month instead of getting a smart phone plan which usually runs you at least $60/month (usually $70/month or more).

That's why feature phones are more popular than smart phones. Cheaper phone plans. Web access on feature phones is usually cheaper than web access on smart phones I believe. I think my coworker said it's +$25 or so on t-mobile for smart phones, and $10 or $15 for feature phones.

[SirMully Posted Dec 3rd 2009 12:53PM]

Oh look!... It's the Zune phone we've all been waiting for....

[nastro Posted Dec 3rd 2009 12:57PM]

This would be my going on a date and dont want any distraction phone. as long as GPS and a webkit broswer is built in i am ok with it. Sometimes you just want something simple.

[Cam Posted Dec 3rd 2009 1:06PM]

CDMA? GSM? I NEED TO KNOW.

Sarcasm aside, I may be actually interested in this one. I really can't justify an extra $30 a month for a smartphone plan.

[Cam Posted Dec 3rd 2009 1:09PM]

@Cam Never mind, Watched the video, saw SIM manager, it's GSM. bah.

[phelxian Posted Dec 3rd 2009 1:10PM]

Worst 30 second intro... EVER!!!!

[speedbacon Posted Dec 3rd 2009 1:20PM]

That was a terrible idea for an OS 4 years ago...

[Cena Posted Dec 3rd 2009 1:26PM]

Someone wake me up when HTC brings out another Android phone for T-Mobile.

[RITarded09 Posted Dec 3rd 2009 1:31PM]

I'm very okay with FeaturePhone + WiFi (if it has WiFi) so I can dodge the need to have a data plan on ATT. I'm almost NEVER outside of a WiFi hotspot so I don't need a data plan.

[crow610 Posted Dec 3rd 2009 2:29PM]

this phone is just one big ugly UITableView

[ch0mch0m Posted Dec 3rd 2009 2:30PM]

wifi?

[fourthletter Posted Dec 3rd 2009 2:32PM]

Does this really warrant 2 pages of comments ?
It's a cheap OEM phone for Pay-As-You-Go and VERY cheap contracts.

SO ? Samsung, LG etc. all amke phones like this why is this news ? and commentors why is it such a big deal ?

[br4nd0nh347 Posted Dec 3rd 2009 3:15PM]

For a feature phone it seems fine. I think everyone is just used of HTC being awesome that they figure even a feature phone has to make bacon and eggs for breakfast.
Imagine this as an ATT or Verizon pay as you go phone, way better than any that are out. Heck even one of those upgrade or free phones.

[Karl Olson Posted Dec 3rd 2009 4:23PM]

If this is under 50 on contract, it'd be a huge shift in the featurephone market. I mean, if I had the choice of a psuedo-blackberry, a crappy flip-phone/candybar or this htc thing, I'd be all over the htc. I'd even point my parents to it, as that screen would be much more readable than what they've got on their off-brand razrs, and they could make more use of the features in that layout.

[troyboytn Posted Dec 3rd 2009 5:20PM]

Uhhh Hello HTC.....Brew has been done already and was a massive failure that is the Samsung Instinct. Learn from the past and stick with what you do well....Sence on Android/WinMo!

[Ki113dbysw0rd Posted Dec 3rd 2009 7:08PM]

looks like someone wrote the interface in notepad. its almost too basic/clean for my taste. I would prefer something like the Droid Eris

[eka Posted Dec 3rd 2009 8:00PM]

Many more people use affordable feature phones than smartphones! That is why Nokia still No 1.So this is a very welcome move for HTC , to boost their brand recognition.