HTC Snap review

I have just replaced my HTC Touch Diamond with a HTC Snap.  I have been using a Touch Diamond for over a year and haven't really been that pleased with it.  Looking back on the review I wrote on it over a year ago, I can see that my initial impressions weren't far off the mark.

My initial impressions with the HTC Snap couldn't be more different.  The unit boots up quickly and is very responsive to use.  I love the QWERTY keyboard - I have had Blackberrys in my work life on a couple of occasions and this is about as close to a Blackberry as you are going to get for a Windows Mobile (6.1) device.  However, the keys are still a little close together for me, but it is still pretty good.  Even some of the Blackberry like UI features (e.g. inserting a capital letter after a fullstop) are present.  About time!

The battery life seems pretty good for a 3G device and in normal use I find it will go 3 days between charges.  Obviously battery life depends on usage, so your mileage may vary.  The GPS works well with Google maps (preinstalled on the device) and if you are a big Facebook user, I recommend downloading the Windows Mobile version (you will find it here).

The overall build quality is great- it feels robust and the matt black finish works really well.  The screen is bright and clear (if a little small compared to some other devices these days).  It locks/unlocks very easily and considerable thought seems to have gone into the UI to make it even more usable.  Somehow all the features that you need are right at your finger tips.  The email was easier to set up and internet connectivity was a breeze. 

I did have a HTC S620 which was the 2G predessor to this device.  I loved it, but unfortunately it had an accident (let's just say it suffered severe water ingress!).  This is a great replacement for the S620 and I feel relieved now that I have retired my Touch Diamond.

Innovation - Breadth vs Depth: Part 2

Well, following on from my previous blog on the role of domain knowledge in innovation, here are some more thoughts (and a bit of an experiment!).

Remember that in-depth domain knowledge can often "blind" inventors to the true value of their innovation. Let's look at an example and they don't come any more famous (or infamous) than the telephone.

The diagram to the left was produced by Elisha Gray, a professional inventor, in February 11 1876. Elisha Gray discussed the idea with his peers and investors, but the conclusion seemed to be that it was “nothing more than a toy”. At the time, Gray was exploring solutions that would enable more than one set of telegraph signals to be sent simultaneously across a single pair of wires. The solution relied on using tuning forks to produce an electric current and led to a technique known as "harmonic telegraphy". In due course, the concept of the telephone was an extension of this idea. However, following the advice of his investors, Gray shelved the idea and concentrated on improvements to the telegraph.

The next diagram was produced by Alexander Graham Bell, a school teacher, it is dated March 9 1876. It would appear to post date Elisha Gray's work.

In a last minute dash to the Patent office, history would have it that Bell got there first. However, there is significant controversy around the details, but most of it is fuelled by the fact that the two diagrams look similar even though they are said to have been developed independently. If you want to find out more, try starting here on Wikipedia.

Whatever the truth, the fact remains - Elisha Gray, a professional inventor, failed to recognise the value of his invention.

The more you read about Elisha Gray and his invention, the more you have to wonder about why he didn't spot the value in what he invented. But this isn't an isolated incident. It happens all to frequently that the "great new idea" ends up being used for something other than it's original purpose - often, completely missed by the original inventor.

So, if you were Elisha Gray, would you have seen the value in the telephone? Would you to miss the obvious?

Try this. Watch this video and see if you change your mind. I bet it will make you think twice!

You will find the video here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=voAntzB7EwE