Where does smartphone stop and tablet begin? That is the question that power
users will be asking themselves with the launch of the Toshiba TG-01. This
Window Mobile-powered handset has an enormous 4.1 inch touchscreen and veers
into the territory of ultra-mobile PCs.
Toshiba likes to boast about the processor inside the T-01. It has a 1GHz chip
under the bonnet - nearly double the speed of the 528MHz processor inside
the HTC Touch Pro. It’s also has a zippier chip than the recently launched
Samsung Jet which sells itself on the speed of its engine. That’s the theory
at least. In operation, it was certainly faster than the O2 XDA Orbit 2 I
use as my everyday handset but not noticeably different to the Samsung Jet.
Surprisingly, given this vast screen and fast processor, this is a very slim
and light device, clocking in at just 129g, a few grammes lighter than
Apple’s iPhone which it is so obviously targeting.
Toshiba has replaced the traditional Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional interface
with its own user interface based on ribbons grouped according to function,
such as messaging, media and internet. Each ribbon holds ten icons for quick
access the handset’s applications. The screen shows three ribbons at a time
and you move between these with a deft flick of a finger. Windows’ cursed
menus are not far away though; using your finger to access these through the
touchscreen is hard work and you may be forced to resort to using the
supplied stylus.
Talking of finger touches, the resistive widescreen is responsive but not
nearly as much as that on the iPhone. If you have been using Apple’s handset
then you will find it sluggish. Most will find it perfectly adequate.
Looks-wise, the TG-01 is very appealing. It’s wafer thin while it’s smooth
casing, including a lovely matt back panel, means that it won’t catch on
your pocket as you slide it in and out. Perhaps the most immediately
noticeable feature of the phone after the screen is the zoom bar that sits
below it. This touch sensitive panel allows you to zoom in and out by
sliding your finger. I wasn’t convinced by this development, one of my few
gripes with the phone.
The other gripe is battery. All that power in a small footprint means that the
battery has suffered. Toshiba claims four hours talk time and nine days on
standby. I found that a day of only moderate use meant that a recharge was
required.
The spec
Dimensions: 70x130x9.9mm, weight: 129g, 1GHz processor, 3.2MP camera, talk
time: 4 hours, standby: 9 days, HSDPA, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, wi-fi 802.11 b/g,
The hype
They say: “This slim-line and feature packed phone will revolutionise your
mobile world”
The reality
We say: For once, the reality lives up much of the hype. The TG-01 is
super-slim and is bursting at the seams with goodies.
The bottom line
From free on an 18-month, £34.25 monthly subscription up to £195.50 on an
18-month £19.57 plan.
The verdict
I was hugely excited about the arrival of the TG01 and it is a very slick
piece of kit. The screen and the design are gorgeous – certainly on a par or
slightly better tyhan the iPhone. However, Windows Mobile phones will always
be hamstrung by its menu-based operation. The overlying interface is good
but can only go so far to relieve the pain.
A bigger battery would have been a bonus.
The roadwarrior rating
8.5 out of 10
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