HTC’s Legend smartphone is being launched exclusively in Australia through Vodafone and Three Mobile, countering Telstra’s exclusive deal with HTC covering the powerful HTC Desire.
The HTC Legend offers all the same Android software features as well as SenseUI that the more expensive HTC Desire offers, but is manufactured from a single piece of machined aluminum (video below) and comes with a less speedy processor. In the limited time I used the HTC Legend at the launch last night, in comparison with the HTC Desire I’m using as my personal phone, it performed faster than the processor speed difference would indicate.
“This device, launching on Vodafone and 3 mobile, allows users to create and define their own unique mobile experience through HTC’s user interface, HTC Sense. The HTC Legend also includes social media integration with Facebook, HTC Peep for twittering and Friend Stream” said Anthony Petts, Sales and Marketing Director ANZ, HTC Corporation
HTC’s Sense User Interface is core to the HTC Legend experience and aims to focus on improving your interactions with your most important people in the right time. This begins with a new HTC application and widget called Friend Stream that seamlessly aggregates all of your social communication including Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr. In addition to Friend Stream, people can be organised into specific social circles, such as groups of friends, colleagues or any other way that makes sense.
For people who find themselves using the one mobile for both work and play, HTC Sense offers a unique way to switch between the two groups called ‘Scenes’ which allow you to customise the phone to aggregate your most important feeds (work email, SMS, calls) under one ‘scene’ profile, and when you leave work at the end of the day switch ‘scenes’ to one that places your personal email, twitter and facebook updates up front where they are most relevant to you when you need them, very handy.
Vodafone may have missed the boat on the HTC Desire, which Telstra has exclusively for six months, but VHA hope by offering the HTC Legend at a more competitive price point will be enough to attract people away from their rival, with Ross Parker, General Manager Devices and Pricing, Vodafone Hutchison Australia confident the HTC Legend will appeal to Vodafone and Three Mobile customers.
“Exclusively on Vodafone and 3 we will be bringing customers the HTC Legend at a great price point, with all the benefits of our leading caps plans including unlimited free talk Vodafone to Vodafone or 3 to 3 within Australia. It’s a highly anticipated mobile, combining great aesthetics with the evolutionary Android OS. It’s a mobile we think our customers will love,”
HTC Legend will be available for $0 upfront on the $49 cap plan, or can be purchased outright for a RRP of $599. It will be available from Vodafone stores and dealers from 3rd June and launch dates to follow soon on Three Mobile.
