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View Full Version : HTC Tattoo (Android) hits the UK around £287



Hands0n
25th September 2009, 09:13 PM
Wow! What an attractive looking Android from HTC. I like, I like very much. This is the HTC Tattoo (http://www.htc.com/uk/product/tattoo/overview.html).

Available in a number of colours (see here (http://www.htc.com/uk/product/tattoo/gallery.html)) this is a gorgeous handset that HTC seem to have made a real effort to address one of the key criticisms of its past Androids, that darned "heel" on the G1, Magic and latterly the Hero. With the Tattoo that is all gone, it looks like a regular candybar smartphone of uniform shape and size.

The Tattoo sports Google Android 1.6 (Donut) with the Hero UI that is all the rage right now. It is a very intuitive UI that blends in access to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube with its own apps. Of course, if these are not good enough for you there is always a huge selection of alternatives on Android Market.

Now for the very interesting bit. The HTC Tattoo, due out in early October, is available SIM-free from Handtec for £287.49 inc VAT (http://www.handtec.co.uk/product.php?xProd=2370). Check that URL for an easy read of the specs although the HTC site [above] is prettier.

While I would not endorse any one particular seller this is a compelling price for a brand new handset incorporating Google Android. Is this the direction that smartphone prices are heading? At that price Apple need to start worrying.

If SIM-free is not for you, or you don't want to lay out £287.49 up front then the HTC Tattoo can be had from Vodafone in October (http://shop.vodafone.co.uk/shop/mobile-phone/htc-tattoo?WT.Srch=1). Although, right now, there is no tariff published it is reasonable to expect the Tattoo to replace the HTC Magic from Vodafone on its £35 and other Magic tariffs.

On the subject of tariffs, I must warn you to be very careful when buying SIM free to use on your network of choice. These new breed of smartphones do make good, and extensive, use of the 3G mobile data networks. If you do not have a data bundle in your tariff you may be faced with a huge monthly bill from your network operator. So just do the checks on your tariff and what is available to add on, and for how much, before you commit to a SIM free handset.

So there you have it. With the Tattoo HTC have taken another evolutionary step in their journey to produce high quality and very sophisticated modern day smartphones.

The HTC Tattoo, absolutely delightful.

Edit: Here is a Google Shopping search (http://www.google.co.uk/products?hl=en&q=htc+tattoo&scoring=p&lnk=pruser&price1=120&price2=300) that will look for all Tattoo offers between £120 and £300

Hands0n
26th September 2009, 12:01 AM
Latest info on the HTC Tattoo, it has a Resistive touchscreen rather than Capacitive (as on the iPhone, G1 and HTC Magic).

Resistive is now dated technology, it is usually less sensitive and accurate to the human finger, preferring the user of a stylus. So if you are considering an HTC Tattoo please be aware of this.

HTC claim that they have had to use Resistive instead of Capacitive because of accuracy issues with the small screen of the Tattoo (see one of several articles here (http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/08/htc-claims-tattoos-screen-is-too-small-for-capacitive-to-work-w/))

Sadly this is not for me. I'll be phoning to cancel my pre-Order on Monday :(

Ben
26th September 2009, 12:32 AM
Oh noes! :( I was so excited, too, I need an upgrade on Voda!

*cries a river*

Hands0n
26th September 2009, 09:12 AM
Yea, that is so annoying. It is a gorgeous looking handset from HTD. What on earth were they thinking? Twats :mad:.


I'm beside myself with grief! ;)

Hands0n
27th September 2009, 09:25 PM
Right - I have slept on this ... Here's the plan ...

Take receipt of the Tattoo, check it out. If its okay then swap it for the Magic. If not then pass it on to the Hands0n junior :) He's due a smartphone, me and his bigger bro has one (the girls don't want this stuff!!). So its really not much of a risk to me, he'll get along just fine with the resistive screen as a first Android. Although there are some reports that it really isn't as bad or as much of a problem as perhaps one might think it to be!

gorilla
28th September 2009, 08:34 AM
That's a good plan - that way the rest of us can make an informed decision based on your experience :D

Looking forward to the review! Will you post pics?

Hands0n
28th September 2009, 07:08 PM
Looking forward to the review! Will you post pics?

Oh hell yea I will :D

We'll have to wait until mid-October according to all that I read.

I'm particularly interested as it seems to be the smallest Android around at the moment - that may, or may not, be a problem for me.

miffed
28th September 2009, 07:18 PM
I'm not sure thats a good thing , TBH If I have anything to moan about with the magic , it is that text is too small in some situations , and the UI is a little fiddly in places - a smaller screen would make matters worse IMO

Hands0n
28th September 2009, 08:38 PM
That has been a slight concern of mine - but ... I'm in a bit of a win-win situation here. I was going to give Jnr the Magic (he's been after the iPhone 3G but I sold that ...). He would get on well with either the Magic or the Tattoo. I quite fancy something a little smaller for the shirt pocket when going out and about in my glad-rags.

So, either way, I end up with an Android ...