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Hands-on: HTC Arrive on Sprint with Windows Phone 7

By: , IntoMobile
Monday, March 14th, 2011 at 7:54 PM
Sprint HTC Arrive Windows Phone 7 hands-on demo at SXSW 2011
Sprint HTC Arrive Windows Phone 7 hands-on demo at SXSW 2011

The HTC Arrive was announced not-too-long ago but this is the first time that you’ll see the Windows Phone 7 smartphone not being tethered to a stand. Yeah, that’s just kind of how IntoMobile rolls.

The HTC Arrive is a Windows Phone 7 device that will debut on Sprint soon and it will be the first U.S. device that rocks the latest Microsoft smartphone operating system on a CDMA network. It comes on a CDMA network because this device features the NoDo update, which includes the copy and paste feature and support for CDMA networks, like Sprint.

I’m not quite sure how I feel about the HTC Arrive, as the big, roomy keyboard with a full number key is quite easy to type on and it’s remarkably light for having a full, horizontal-sliding keyboard. It’s still going to be bigger and heavier than a full touch device like the LG Optimus Black but it’s a good size for a full tilt-out device.

Speaking of the tilt-out feature, the screen on the HTC Arrive does slide out and then tilt up, much like the old Tilt phones of yore. It’s a nice, spring-loaded feeling but I’m not quite sure it’s excellent for you hardware fanatics because it can lead to a gross gap between the keyboard segment and the screen segment if you’re silly like me and try to push it up on the opposite side. Yes, that probably won’t be a major issue in day-to-day usage but you never know what happens when the handset is in your pocket or bag.

The keyboard on the HTC Arrive with Windows Phone 7 feels nice and it is quite roomy. The typer in me loves the full dedicated number row and the buttons have a solid amount of feedback and tactility.

The HTC Arrive is powered by Windows Phone 7 and you know what we think about the platform. This will also include the company’s specified hub, which includes fancy weather updates and more.


About The Author

Marin Perez

Marin Perez has torture tested cell phones and smartphones for industry leaders like CNET and InformationWeek. He remembers when 4G was just a screen on PowerPoint presentations and is fascinated with the amount of innovation out there. Marin has spent a lot of time with BlackBerry and Android but he finally broke down a bought an iPhone to see what all the hype's about. He also has too many tablets.

  • http://twitter.com/jammbalaja jambalaja

    Wp7 = BETA

    FAIL

  • http://twitter.com/clonewar2 parrotcam

    the home screen doesn’t rotate when its in landscape, which makes this WP7 very weird

  • Guest

    Next time don’t do a video review outside. Outside = FAIL

  • http://dissertationtoday.com/ dissertation

    interesting… but seems tobe not effective… dont know why

  • SEKKDS

    I will so pick up this phone UNLESS there is a future Sprint WP7 device other than this one around the corner…. like one with a bigger screen, other greater specs, and perhaps from Samsung instead!

    Anybody agree?

  • vincentking

    Purchased it on Thu. MAJOR ISSUE: I cannot update Calendar and Contacts from Outlook. I have to load them into the cloud to be able to add/update them to the phone. I just don’t want to do that and IS the only reason I went for a WP7 phone. My old Palm Centro was just fine otherwise.