HTC Tattoo deals & review

In a word or two

The HTC Tattoo smartphone is a smaller and cheaper version of its predecessor, the HTC Hero. However, the phone has a lot more to be said for it besides the budget-friendly price tag.

The Design

The HTC Tattoo is a great looking little phone with an uncommon, curvy style. Its shape makes it comfortable to hold in only one hand and it has the added advantage of a touchscreen for ease of use.

The phone comes with a brown, white, graphite or black exterior. If, however, you want to add your own stamp – or, I should say, tattoo – you’re in luck as you can change the clip-on case to one that reflects who you are. You can even design a case using photos and images of your choice.

Specifications

Run using the Google Android Operating System, the HTC Tattoo is packed with clever features. Its size makes it the ideal on-the-go phone and its technology makes it the perfect mobile communication tool.

The first time you use it you’ll be pleasantly surprised with its applications. It comes with the likes of Google Maps, Twitter app, YouTube app, Email, to name but a few, pre-loaded as standard. And with access to the Android Market, you can download as many more apps as you wish! The Android Market is similar to the Apple App Store found on the iPhone 3G S and allows you to personalise your HTC Tattoo with a variety of gadgets.

A big bonus is that many of the apps in the Android Market are free, and there are a range of music, social networking, practical and games apps available.

The technology, like the design, is geared towards customisation. Using Sense interface, the HTC Tattoo is user-friendly. You can merge all your contacts from Facebook and Gmail into your phone’s address book including any contact pictures. Similarly, you can have not only your photos on the phone but access those on friends’ Facebook accounts.

The phone has 7 home screens and various wallpapers, themes and gadgets so you can personalise how your phone behaves. If, for example, you mainly use your phone for work, you could choose to have the Calendar, Skype, Email and Google Maps apps on your opening screen. On the other hand, you may be music mad, and want to have the music player visible. The choice really is yours.

Considerations

A slight let down in an otherwise truly smart smartphone is the touchscreen. It is relatively small at 2.8 inches which makes text messaging a slightly tricky pastime unless your hands are petite. The resistive technology of the touchscreen makes it less responsive to touch and you need to apply a fair bit of pressure and precision. However, these are mere niggles and after a while, you are sure to get accustomed to the workings of this phone.

Verdict

Perfect for the smaller budget as you still get a powerful Android phone which is full of fun and functionality.