In the last six months, HTC has added higher-speed data connectivity in the form of 3G HSDPA (iPhone, take note), which offers always-on service for those lucky enough to have the upgraded cellphone masts nearby. The observant may notice that the new camera has sprouted on the front as a way for the vain to take self-portraits and the lonely to make video calls. What HTC giveth, though, HTC taketh away, and at the same time that they added the increased cellular data speeds, they decreed that we no longer deserve WiFi, knocking out one of the original's selling points.
Ultimately, it probably does not matter a great deal, as most of the browsing experience has not improved upon the previous generation. What has changed is the addition of the slide-out keyboard from the base of the unit. In some ways, complaints about the previous version's typing ability and frustrating user interface are substantiated by the additional keys, otherwise why bother adding them? No matter, what is true is that it is a step up in usability, albeit at a loss of some elegance.
Overall, the Touch Dual keeps HTC at the forefront of the Windows Mobile game with a very attractive piece of hardware design, but it's difficult to get too excited in light of the Touch Dual's handsome Californian cousin. The onus is surely now upon Microsoft to step up its game, especially with HTC's assured involvement in the impending Google Phone.
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