Mobile UC with the HTC Shift

For the last couple of weeks I've been playing working with the HTC Shift, an Origami 2.0 Ultra-Mobile PC (UMPC).

The Shift differs quite significantly from other "really small" PCs like the Asus Eee PC, which are really just laptops made smaller.  Because HTC are traditionally a maker of smartphones, they have introduced some quite unique, but very useful, capabilities into the Shift.

The Shift has an integrated 3G modem and a feature called SnapVUE, which is a customised version of Windows Mobile 6.  What this means is that the Shift can turn on instantly and allow quick/easy access to email, calendar, contacts, clock and weather.  Because SnapVUE is actually WM6 it supports Exchange Activesync for push email and Hotmail, both at the same time, and the battery lasts for days on end.

However when SnapVUE isn't enough, with the push of a button the Shift fires up a full version of Vista Business Edition, allowing you to run any Windows app.  I've installed Office/Outlook 2007, Office Communicator, Groove, Live Messenger, Live Writer (I am writing this post from the Shift now!), Live Mesh and Digsby.

SnapVUE home screen

The device only has 1Gb RAM and a 40Gb HDD so this certainly isn't a full laptop or desktop replacement, but you can perform most day-to-day tasks pretty easily.

The Shift also has Origami 2.0 pre-installed, which provides an optimised touch-screen interface to the most common Windows features.  This includes Internet Explorer, a RSS reader, email, Media Player, and an awesome feature called Tiles.

Internet Explorer and the RSS Reader are both awesome apps - running full-screen and allowing you to drag the page around with your finger.

Web browser and RSS reader in Origami 2.0

RSS reader

Media Player

Tiles allows you to create your own dashboard of information - email, RSS, notes, and web images.

My Dashboard - including up-to-date images of Sydney traffic that I regularly encounter

When I tap on Harbour Bridge

Tile setup

But web browsing and music aside it is important that this device can be used as a work tool, which of course for me means Unified Communications.

The Shift seamlessly roams between Wi-fi and 3G - so when I'm at home or in the office I use my WLAN, but on the road it automatically connects to HSDPA.

Communications Manager

At home

On the road

The Shift also has an embedded webcam and high-quality microphone/speakers, and ships with a decent headset (as well as supporting Bluetooth for wireless headsets) - so this device is great for VoIP and video calls.

I use Office Communicator (which uses a VPN-less TLS or SSL connection) all day for IM, VoIP and video calls - and on this device the experience is actually pretty good.

When I travel I've also been doing full-screen Live Messenger video calls back home - every time the frame-rate has been great, the picture quality crisp, and the audio clear.

Full-screen video call (my thanks to the lovely Stephen Edmonds)

So although this device is somewhat limited in the CPU/RAM/HDD department and can't replace my laptop in every situation, it does mean that I now have a very small and lightweight UMPC which I can happily travel with (I can do email in an economy class seat without crippling myself!) and do the majority of my work and all of my communications.

In fact - later this month I'm going to Seattle for 10 days and the only device I'm taking with me is the Shift!!!!

The HTC Shift really is a useful toy tool.

</Johann>