HTC Touch Pro review: Heavyweight pro

Tweaks and modding

Now, this is where a WinMo device review gets really exciting. After all, if there is one great thing about Windows OS, it's that it allows vast customization and all you need is a PC to pair with. While some of the tweaks are so logical you can't help but wonder why Microsoft or HTC didn't get them done in the first place, there is also quite some fun in boosting your own device.

As it turns out, most of the applications that were verified to run on the Diamond are now available for the Touch Pro too.

The Gsen app for the Touch Pro makes automatic screen rotation available almost all across the interface - except for the Home screen. An added bonus is that turning the handset face down on a flat surface automatically switches it to standby. However, it has compatibility issues with some of the ROM versions of the Pro.

Gsen allows to freely control the screen rotation without opening the QWERTY keyboard

Probably the most valuable application is the TF3D Config app that allows you to tweak the Home screen tabs - you can hide the unneeded ones or freely re-arrange the current setup. It works nice and deals with our biggest grudge against the TouchFLO 3D Home screen - lack of customizability.

Diamond TF3D Config allows customization of the Home screen tabs and theme

Furthermore, it now allows changing the theme of your home screen, redrawing every single one of its tabs. That functionality wasn't available at the beginning but it sure is a welcome addition now. There is already dozens of themes available, thanks to all the enthusiasts out there, so if you are bored with the same home screen over and over again - give it a shot.

The huge list of system registry tweaks is also there for you. No matter if you want to turn on geo-tagging or unlock some hidden camera modes - all it takes is modifying a few registry settings here and there.

The soft key functions on the Home tab can be altered too. The TouchFLO scroll speed is also adjustable.

You can find a really helpful source of information and downloads here. Most of the just-described applications are covered, plus dozens more.

Conclusion

At the end of this review, we're back where we left off. The Touch Pro and the Diamond just go together. In the face of Touch Pro, the Diamond has lost some of its one-of-a-kind design-driven edge and gained elsewhere (beside the waistline). It's not the most obvious QWERTY add-on only: the TV-out port, better battery and microSD card slot sound just as sweet. It's not as simple as "we liked the Diamond, so we like the Touch Pro even better". It just so seems the Touch Pro comes closer to the definitive PocketPC concept.

Anyway, it's time to draw the line and, from what our experience shows, the Touch Pro quite deserves every penny you spend on it. The price tag is hefty but it's worth noting that HTC Touch Pro costs less than the TyTN II used to upon release. There is no better device on the market in this class (yet) and if this is the kind of phone you are after - just go for it.

The good news for all the rest is that there's choice. The HTC Touch Diamond and the Samsung Omnia make pretty good keyboard-less alternatives.

Needless to say, the Touch Pro is still to receive its trial by fire. The Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 will also have its say on the market success of the Pro. Now, that's good news for all of us: an exciting clash awaits.