Engadget reviews the HTC Flyer

[Bateluer]

http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/16/htc-flyer-review/

Setting aside the economics, we truly enjoyed our time with the Flyer and will regret to see it depart our testing nest. It's a fine tablet pointing to a bright future for HTC's newly expanded mobile device range. We'd probably advise waiting until the next generation to see prices reduced to saner levels and refinements made on the software front, but that's true of any device ever built. The Flyer will find a market for itself, and there'll be a group of very satisfied users for whom it'll provide a unique blend of functionality. You'll just have to carefully consider your mobile computing needs and how well they mesh with what HTC has to offer.

I like the form factor, 7in@1024x600, and the sturdy aluminum body. But, its Achilles heal in its pricing.

The real issue holding the Flyer from a successful launch, in our opinion, will be its pricing. We got to grips with the 32GB, 3G-equipped variant which retails at £600 in the UK, or £21 more than the similarly outfitted iPad 2. The latter is thinner, faster, and bigger, which in most people's eyes will make the choice between the two a no-brainer in favor of the Apple device. What's even more perplexing is that the 16GB, WiFi-only Flyer will cost £480, or exactly the same as the 32GB WiFi-only iPad 2. How HTC hopes to convince buyers to spend more for less, we're not really sure.

Get the cost down, 399 USD tops, and I'd be very interested in it.


Updated 5 Dec 2011

http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/05/ota-honeycomb-update-rolling-out-to-wealthy-htc-flyer-owners/

You see that? It's a screenshot from a 32GB 3G + WiFi model of HTC's 7-inch Flyer that's suddenly updated to Honeycomb 3.2 without so much as a note from its mother. A tipster to the French site HTC Hub has revealed that the update (version 3.55.405.1) weighs in at 210MB and updated over the air, but so far no-one with a cheaper 16GB WiFi-only edition has been able to replicate the experience. Either the company is staggering the roll out of Google's tablet-optimized software, or it's only interested in looking after the high-rollers.

 

[MagickMan]

looks pretty chunky too.

 

[Pliablemoose]

tech for less blew these out for $199 open box and $179 refurbished last night.

I ordered an open box version through Amazon, hopefully it won't be cancelled.

Full Android market access and the screen should make it an interesting gadget. I just want a larger screened browsing device with access to the Android market, if it ships, I'll be a happy camper. I don't even care about which version of Android it runs as long as I can use the app store and Amazon's App store.

 

[SAWYER]

The tablets wars are insane, I can not imagine how it will be next year and especially around the holidays

 

[Bateluer]

tech for less blew these out for $199 open box and $179 refurbished last night.

I ordered an open box version through Amazon, hopefully it won't be cancelled.

Full Android market access and the screen should make it an interesting gadget. I just want a larger screened browsing device with access to the Android market, if it ships, I'll be a happy camper. I don't even care about which version of Android it runs as long as I can use the app store and Amazon's App store.

Post your experiences with it. I'm only played with the floor models, and whether they were laggy as hell from its weaker hardware, Sense bloat, or just a few hundred people using it every day, I'm uncertain.

 

[Pliablemoose]

As long as it'll let me install the eTrade and NetFlix apps, I'll be happy as hell with it. I don't even care about rooting it or hacking the OS. If my Amazon Android apps work I'll be in heaven, I have a ton of them.

Sold my TB yesterday, so no Android devices anymore (I kept the 32GB mSD card )

 

[bonkers325]

As long as it'll let me install the eTrade and NetFlix apps, I'll be happy as hell with it. I don't even care about rooting it or hacking the OS. If my Amazon Android apps work I'll be in heaven, I have a ton of them.

Sold my TB yesterday, so no Android devices anymore (I kept the 32GB mSD card )

HTC flyer can be rooted, if you're interested. but it's pretty snappy even running stock.

also thinking of getting rid of my TB. i got 7 more weeks until i can renew though.. ill probably hold out!

 

[WelshBloke]

Theres something about Sense that just looks wrong on a big display.

 

[Pliablemoose]

LOL, kidding myself, first port of ICS and I'm there

Sense doesn't bother me at all, guess it's because I've had so many HTC phones over the years. Sort of second nature to me now.

It has a GPS chip and BT, so should be pretty handy...

Wish I knew if the order will go through, I'd get a stylus and a case...

 

[Pliablemoose]

Woot, my status shows "shipped"

Have been going through withdrawal without an Android device to tinker with.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Got my Flyer, am pretty happy with it, downloading all the free Amazon apps I've accumulated, and the stuff I've purchased from the Google App Store.

 

[Slick5150]

Got my Flyer, am pretty happy with it, downloading all the free Amazon apps I've accumulated, and the stuff I've purchased from the Google App Store.

Just out of curiosity, what shipping service did they use? Mine got shipped too but they provide no tracking info.

 

[Pliablemoose]

I paid for expidited service, FedEx delivered it.

 

[Bateluer]

Bump for the update.

 

[ponyo]

http://1saleaday.com/wireless/?CID=173477&AFID=178621

Today only, 32gb HTC EVO View 4G is on sale for $230 new. It's basically same as HTC Flyer but with 3g CDMA and 4g WiMax radio built-in. These are supposed to be new units with no contract required. This is better deal than used/refurb HTC Flyer and better than $200/$250 Kindle Fire/Nook Tablet IMO.

 

[Pliablemoose]

I've been toying with buying one of these all day, Sprint's data plans start at 1GB for $19/month...

 

[Chocu1a]

same here...I just can't actually pull the trigger. I have it in my cart, ...keep looking at countdown timer.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Available again on eBay, seller is bidallies $239 free shipping. I really like the Flyer, the View is the same thing with 4G radios.

IMHO, this is a much better tablet than the nook tablet or the Fire, it has BT, mSD slot, can get a 1 GB data plan for $19 from Sprint, no contract... HC is already out for it, not a ton of custom roms, but it's rootable, and fast with a different launcher...

 

[Pliablemoose]

They pushed out an update, got HC on my Flyer today.

I kind of miss the capacitive buttons...

Do you need a launcher on HC? It takes up screen space I'd like to get back.