X

Hands-on with the HTC Flyer; an Evernote tablet

HTC finally entered the tablet space with the HTC Flyer and in order to differentiate their entry into this growing market they added support for inking with a pen. While this may seem like a throw back to a few years ago with the UMPC, the pen functionality works quite well and has its uses. The Evernote integration is also key to the device usefulness and capabilities.
By Matthew Miller, Contributing Writer
6237139.jpg
1 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

HTC finally entered the tablet space with the HTC Flyer and in order to differentiate their entry into this growing market they added support for inking with a pen. While this may seem like a throw back to a few years ago with the UMPC, the pen functionality works quite well and has its uses. The Evernote integration is also key to the device usefulness and capabilities.

Check out my full ZDNet Mobile Gadgeteer blog post with more thoughts and a video walk through of the device.

6237140.jpg
2 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

The back of the box lists the primary specifications and features of the HTC Flyer.

6237141.jpg
3 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

The Magic Pen is not included with the US WiFi only model, but this model is also hundreds less than the European model with the pen so the $80 pen is not as ridiculous as many have been stating.

6237142.jpg
4 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

When you take the top off of the box lid you will find the HTC Flyer encased in soft plastic material.

6237143.jpg
5 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

You don't get much in the package, just an A/C charger, USB cable, and some pamphlets. People have been whining about HTC not including the $80 pen, but the US model is still a couple hundred less than the same model in Europe.

6237144.jpg
6 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

Even though the end of the A/C adapter looks strange, a common microUSB cable will fit into the Flyer and let you charge and sync it up.

6237145.jpg
7 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

This comparison shot shows how the HTC Flyer stacks up to two other new tablets, the BlackBerry PlayBook and iPad 2.

6237146.jpg
8 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

When you stack them up on top you can see the PlayBook is thinnest with the others about the same.

6237148.jpg
9 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

The HTC Flyer is just a bit narrower than the BlackBerry PlayBook, but enough that it lets you put the Flyer in my pants pocket.

6237149.jpg
10 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

You will find a front facing camera on the Flyer, although I haven't yet found a video chat application to use with it. The Snapbooth application lets you use it to take crazy self-portraits.

6237150.jpg
11 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

The back is unibody aluminum and houses the stereo speakers and 5 megapixel camera.

6237151.jpg
12 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

The stereo speakers are mounted on the back and do a fine job with music and movies.

6237152.jpg
13 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

There is a white bezel around the camera with a protective piece of plastic to protect the lens.

6237153.jpg
14 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

You can find the volume buttons, microphone, power button, 3.5mm headset jack, and 5 megapixel camera all in the upper right area of the HTC Flyer.

6237154.jpg
15 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

You can pop off the upper back to insert your own microSD card and expand the memory of the device.

6237155.jpg
16 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

The HTC Magic Pen comes in its own retail package and is available for $79.99.

6237156.jpg
17 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

HTC includes printer functionality right on the HTC Flyer and it was easy to find and setup my WiFi-enabled Canon printer.

6237158.jpg
18 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

You can choose from 8 different colors with the stylus as you capture note.

6237159.jpg
19 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

There are 7 different pen tips, including an eraser, so you can control your inking.

6237160.jpg
20 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

There are 5 sizes available for your tip as well.

6237161.jpg
21 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

You can bring in web page screenshots and combine them with inking in notes that are synced to Evernote.

6237162.jpg
22 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

Websites look great with the default Android browser and you can even install other browsers like Opera, Firefox, Dolphin HD, and more.

6237163.jpg
23 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

You will find 8 available Home screen panels in HTC Sense 2.1 for Tablets. Standard smartphone sense has 7 screen panels.

6237164.jpg
24 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

The HTC eReader application is powered by Kobo so you can purchase and buy titles directly from Kobo. You can also import EPUB titles and read them with the HTC Reader application.

6237166.jpg
25 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

HTC enhances several applications in landscape orientation.

6237168.jpg
26 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

The four lock screen icons can be customized and you can have your local weather appear too.

6237169.jpg
27 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

Bible study is made easy on the Flyer with the pen.

6237171.jpg
28 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

Landscape note taking and mark ups are also supported.

6237174.jpg
29 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

Weather is enhanced in landscape orientation as well.

6237175.jpg
30 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

HTC is known for their weather functionality and the HTC Flyer is their premier weather device.

6237176.jpg
31 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

You should never wonder about the weather when using an HTC Flyer.

6237177.jpg
32 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

Apps like YouVersion Bible are great on the HTC Flyer. Here you can see YouVersion lets you listen to the Bible on the go.

6237178.jpg
33 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

The HTC Music player is pretty slick, especially in landscape orientation.

6237180.jpg
34 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

When an alarm sounds for an appointment you can use the lock screen drag and drop to manage it.

6237183.jpg
35 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

There are 3D and scrolling effects on the Home screen when in landscape orientation.

6237184.jpg
36 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

Peep lets you preview Tweets, including images, on the right side of the panel in landscape.

6237185.jpg
37 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

The Gallery application also looks great in landscape.

6237187.jpg
38 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

Google Music is great on the HTC Flyer and support for this service may compel people to pick up this device.

6237188.jpg
39 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

There are different actions you can take with a tap and hold on your songs.

6237189.jpg
40 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

There are several options when tapping and holding on Google Music, including enabling offline music support.

6237190.jpg
41 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

HTC News is a Google Reader application with enhanced landscape support.

6237191.jpg
42 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

The HTC Press Reader application lets you enjoy your daily newspaper.

6237193.jpg
43 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

Frys tempts me with its newspaper ads, but there are no Flyers there so no reason to visit.

6237194.jpg
44 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

The HTC Dock Mode gives you some cool options, including a photo frame with music support.

6237195.jpg
45 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

The HTC News widget with integrated Google Reader support will change how I read the news.

6237197.jpg
46 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

HTC Locations, powered by Route 66, gives you the ability for offline map navigation. There is a subscription fee to use it, but you get 30 days to test it out.

6237198.jpg
47 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

Our two stadiums in Seattle as shown in HTC Locations.

6237200.jpg
48 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

The Car Dock is another useful utility on the Flyer.

6237201.jpg
49 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

You can mark up web pages with the HTC Flyer.

6237202.jpg
50 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

HTC Flyer image gallery thumbnail 1

6237203.jpg
51 of 51 Matthew Miller/ZDNET

HTC Flyer image gallery thumbnail 2

Related Galleries

Holiday wallpaper for your phone: Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's, and winter scenes
Holiday lights in Central Park background

Related Galleries

Holiday wallpaper for your phone: Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's, and winter scenes

21 Photos
Winter backgrounds for your next virtual meeting
Wooden lodge in pine forest with heavy snow reflection on Lake O'hara at Yoho national park

Related Galleries

Winter backgrounds for your next virtual meeting

21 Photos
Holiday backgrounds for Zoom: Christmas cheer, New Year's Eve, Hanukkah and winter scenes
3D Rendering Christmas interior

Related Galleries

Holiday backgrounds for Zoom: Christmas cheer, New Year's Eve, Hanukkah and winter scenes

21 Photos
Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6: Electric vehicle extravaganza
img-8825

Related Galleries

Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6: Electric vehicle extravaganza

26 Photos
A weekend with Google's Chrome OS Flex
img-9792-2

Related Galleries

A weekend with Google's Chrome OS Flex

22 Photos
Cybersecurity flaws, customer experiences, smartphone losses, and more: ZDNet's research roundup
shutterstock-1024665187.jpg

Related Galleries

Cybersecurity flaws, customer experiences, smartphone losses, and more: ZDNet's research roundup

8 Photos
Inside a fake $20 '16TB external M.2 SSD'
Full of promises!

Related Galleries

Inside a fake $20 '16TB external M.2 SSD'

8 Photos