Taking a Tour of the T-Mobile Dash 3G

Also known as the HTC Snap, the T-Mobile Dash 3G is HTC’s latest Windows Mobile Standard based device. It’s the first messenger style device since the original Dash was released all those years ago. The Snap features a much faster 528MHz processor, GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, a Trackball for navigation, 256MB ROM / 192MB RAM, 2.0 Megapixel camera, Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE, 7.2 Mbps HSDPA, a 2.4 inch screen, and weighing in at 4.23 ounces. Besides the physical specs, the device comes loaded with Office Mobile, Google Maps, Live Search, QuickGPS, TeleNav, a YouTube client, T-Mobile My Account application, a number of IM applications, and some video and camera utilities.

There’s a couple things I noticed right away. First, the scroll speed on the trackball by default, is slower than I would have liked. I changed it from Normal to Fast and that made it more responsive. The other thing that caught my attention is the mouse pointer that appears when you open IE Mobile. I changed the speed of the trackball for IE as well, but still found the trackball to be very unresponsive in IE Mobile. Once you learn that the trackball doesn’t support diagonal motion, you start to get better response out of it. At that point, two swipes would get me all the way across the screen.

HTC has done away with the JOGGR scroll bar that can be found on the original Dash / Excalibur. The only buttons found on the side of the device is the volume up and down switch. Otherwise, the top, bottom, and sides are free from quick action buttons. On the right side of the device, towards the top, you will find a little door that has HTC’s special power/sync/headset port.

The offset keys on the QWERTY keyboard are a pleasure to type on and have a good feel to them. I’m not sold on the location of the number pad on the keyboard. Because the keyboard is offset, the number pad doesn’t line up in the regular manner. It’s not the end of the world, but if I’m not looking at the device and I’m trying to dial, the numbers aren’t where I expect to find them. It will take a little getting use to.

One thing you may notice with the above picture, is the metallic paint job. The Snap has red and green sparkle to it. It’s hard to see, but it does give the device a nice twinkle when you look at it.

Under the battery door, you’ll find a spot for your SIM and MicroSD card. The SIM can’t be inserted or removed without removing the battery. There’s a small little switch that you need to flick up and this isn’t possible with the battery inserted into the device. There doesn’t appear to be any thing to prevent the MicroSD card from being removed.

Overall, I think that HTC has done a real solid job on this device. The trackball makes a wonderful addition for faster navigation and browsing. If you get a chance, it’s worth taking a look at this new Smartphone from HTC.

About Mike Temporale

Mike Temporale has written 497 posts on Mobile Jaw..

Mike Temporale grew up fascinated by computers since an early age. His first hands on with a computer came when he was 7 years old and a travelling lab of Commodore PET computers made a stop at his school. Hooked on the new world these devices offered, he took any chance possible to get in front of a computer. When Compaq launched the iPaq 3600, he was hooked again. This time on a whole new world of mobile computing. Today, Mike spends his day helping clients deploy and manage their mobile device around the world. From installing custom software, to locking and securing data, and everything in between. He is also the Editor in Chief at Mobile Jaw - a site focused on today's mobile world.

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