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Hands-on with the HTC Flyer; an Evernote tablet

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  • 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.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • 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.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • 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.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • 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.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • 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.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • 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.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • 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.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • There are 5 sizes available for your tip as well.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • 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.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • HTC enhances several applications in landscape orientation.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Landscape note taking and mark ups are also supported.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Weather is enhanced in landscape orientation as well.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • The Gallery application also looks great in landscape.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • 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.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • Our two stadiums in Seattle as shown in HTC Locations.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • The Car Dock is another useful utility on the Flyer.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • You can mark up web pages with the HTC Flyer.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • HTC Flyer image gallery thumbnail 1

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

  • HTC Flyer image gallery thumbnail 2

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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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.

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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.

Caption by: Matthew Miller

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