Review: Verizon HTC Imagio Hands-on

As the owner of an aging Motorola Q9m, I’ve begun looking for a suitable replacement on the Verizon Wireless network. Since the HTC Imagio was one of the devices I had on my radar, I was very excited to have the opportunity to take it for a test drive for a couple of days.

The first thing I noticed upon pulling the device from the box was how solid it felt. It is truly a well built device with only a few hardware keys at the bottom of the touchscreen, a 3.5mm and power connector (mini USB compatible) at the bottom, and two buttons near the right-top for volume control. The 3.6” touchscreen provides plenty of room for you to interact with the beautiful TouchFLO 3D interface which does a masterful job of making the Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system both intuitive and finger friendly.

Having relied on the hardware QWERTY keyboard of the Q for the past two and a half years, I was skeptical about the touchscreen keyboard. However, after only a couple of hours I felt comfortable with it and my only gripe is that it doesn’t reorient itself horizontally when you turn the device on its side.

The call quality on both ends was crystal clear and I’d go so far as to say that it’s the best quality of any mobile phone I’ve ever tried – my callers literally sounded like they were sitting next to me. One of my favorite features is the City ID application bundled with the device that automatically displays the location of a phone number on incoming and outgoing calls.

In terms of other features, the Imagio packs the POP/IMAP/Microsoft Exchange email capabilities we’ve all come to expect and rely upon. HTC includes Opera as well as the updated Internet Explorer for your web browsing pleasure – the jury is still out on which is better. Other features include an FM Radio tuner, Wi-Fi b/g, 5.0 megapixel camera, and global roaming capabilities with data access in more than 185 destinations.

Other notable applications include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, OneNote, and PowerPoint), Mobile IM, and RSS Hub. Although the Imagio allows you to link contacts with their Facebook accounts, I really wish it included other integrated Twitter and Facebook features like the HTC Leo. Having said that, there are freely available applications to fill this void, so I can’t complain too much.

Overall, I’m very impressed with the Imagio and have to say it’s made a strong argument to become my next phone. In fact, this Imagio is so impressive, I let a friend that recently left Verizon to get an iPhone on AT&T play with it. After a few minutes of flipping through the interface and me walking her through the features she said she really regrets leaving Verizon and wishes she had held out for the Imagio’s release. Now, Microsoft just needs to work on the getting the Marketplace up to snuff and we might have an iPhone competitor.

Here’s the Verizon Press release:

IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES for work and play WITH the HTC Imagio Exclusively from verizon wireless

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and BELLEVUE, Wash. – Verizon Wireless and HTC today introduce the HTC Imagio™, a stylish multimedia smartphone that combines an intuitive user interface with global roaming capabilities for data access in more than 185 destinations.  Verizon Wireless’ first smartphone to support V CAST Mobile TV, the Imagio brings news, sports and entertainment from popular broadcast channels to life on its extra-large 3.6” color display. Together with the mobile productivity made possible by Windows Mobile^® 6.5, the HTC Imagio is engineered to keep customers connected to both entertainment and work.

Key features:

• Global roaming capabilities with data access in more than 185 destinations (Quad-band GSM 850/900/1800/1900 + 2100 HSPA)
• High-speed connectivity in the United States over Verizon Wireless’ Mobile Broadband network (CDMA/EV-DO Rev. A 800/1900 MHz)
• Support for Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)
• Large 3.6” LCD touch-sensitive screen with 480 x 800 WVGA resolution
• 3.5-mm audio jack and five quick launch buttons, including one-touch access to multimedia capabilities
• On-screen QWERTY keyboard for fast and easy typing
• 1500 mAh battery delivers extended operating time

Lifestyle features:

• Support for Verizon Wireless’ V CAST Mobile TV and V CAST Video on Demand services, while the Imagio’s V CAST Mobile TV antenna doubles as a convenient kickstand for easy, hands-free viewing
• Support for Verizon Wireless’ V CAST Music with Rhapsody service gives customers access to millions of songs to download over the air; get the master copy of the songs on their PCs; and sync their favorite tracks, albums and playlists from their PCs to their phones using a separately-sold USB cable
• Complete Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional support with Microsoft^® Office Mobile and Microsoft Office Outlook^® Mobile
• Fully-customizable home screen with ability to add applications of interest
• Integrated communications and seamless access to social networks
• Intuitive HTC TouchFLO™ 3D interface to allow for easy navigation between menus
• 5.0 megapixel camera with auto focus to capture memories with friends and family

Price and availability:

· The HTC Imagio will be available online at www.verizonwireless.com beginning Oct. 6 and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores beginning Oct. 20 for $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers will receive the mail-in rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.

· Monthly access packages for V CAST Mobile TV range for $15 per month.

V CAST Mobile TV

As Verizon Wireless’ first smartphone to support V CAST Mobile TV, HTC Imagio customers can enjoy the best of broadcast and cable television programming – including live shows and other mobile television content – 24 hours a day from many of the best-known entertainment brands including Bravo, CBS, CBS College Sports, CBS News, CNBC, Comedy Central, ESPN, ESPNEWS, ESPN Radio, FOX, FOX News, FOX Sports, MSNBC, MTV, MTV Tr3ìs, NBC, NBC Sports, NBC News, and Nickelodeon.  The live mobile TV service is provided by FLO TV Incorporated. For the latest information on V CAST Mobile TV from Verizon Wireless, including programs, handsets, pricing and availability, visit the V CAST Mobile TV Web site at www.verizonwireless.com/mobiletv.