Android smartphones are great for using Google web services on the way. Services such as Google Mail, Google Talk, Google Search, Google Maps and Google Chrome web browser are already installed on the mobile, new emails are automatically forwarded to the smartphone, and contacts and calendar on the phone are synchronized with the Google server over the air. In Germany, the first Android smartphone T-Mobile G1 appeared one year ago. Vodafone sold the second Android device in the German market, the HTC Magic. O2 Germany was the third German operator and later on E-Plus the fourth operator adding an Android smartphone – in both cases it was the Samsung Galaxy – to their lines of cell phones. Even though by now these phones haven been around for quite a while purchase prices still begin at EUR 260.00 without contract. With the HTC Tattoo there is a new Android smartphone with quite a broad range of features available at stores for less money: In Germany, the HTC Tattoo can be bought for prices as low as EUR 245.00.

HTC Tattoo, Pictures: Phone Guide Germany

The new Android smartphone by HTC is called Tattoo because you can change its covers. This reminds us of the Samsung Corby S3650 which is shipped with three different backplates. The difference is: HTC is offering new covers at the so-called “Tattoo Studio” at www.tattoomyhtc.com for prices beginning at EUR 15.00 and users can also create their own designs for the front cover as well the backplate. Regardless of the design: The HTC Tattoo is a real hand charmer with only a few easy to use keys underneath the touchscreen.

The touchscreen is bright and shows strong colors, however, it lacks sharpness. Since it is a resistive type of touchscreen it is pressure sensitive and due to an accelerometer it displays applications such as the web browser, SMS, email and Google Maps either in portrait or in landscape mode. Multi-touch like on the Apple iPhone is not supported by the touchscreen of the HTC Tattoo, but kinetic scrolling works just fine. For typing messages or emails there are three different virtual keyboards (numeric, compact QWERTz or full QWERTZ) the user can choose from.

The HTC Tattoo runs on Android OS 1.6 with the HTC user interface Sense put on top. There are seven homescreens with widgets and shortcuts for different kinds of activities such as “spare time”, “work”, “travel”, “social networks” and so on. Because the software HTC Sync is installed on the phone, the HTC Tattoo ist one of the Android smartphones that support synchronization of contacts, calendar and notes with Outlook on the PC at home. It also supports Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync as well mobile email via POP3 or IMAP. What’s missing is Office software for reading or editing Word or Excel files, such an application is available at the download platform Android Market. There is also no navigation software other than Google Maps.

For accessing the internet over the mobile network the HTC Tattoo supports GPRS, EDGE, UMTS and HSDPA with up to 7.2 mbps download speed. An alternative way to access the internet on the way is to make use of the integrated WiFi modul. The Chrome web browser supports JavaScript und Flash so that, for example, YouTube videos can be watched on the HTC Tattoo. Since the Android smartphone is constantly connecting to the Google server you better get an adequate mobile data price plan when buying the HTC Tattoo. The Phone Guide Germany offers you an overview of cheap mobile data price plans on a prepaid basis.

So, what are the downsides of the HTC Tattoo? The camera sucks, it comes without an auto-focus. Booting the smartphone takes some time. And, I have mentioned it already, the screen could be sharper. However, with all the features and the purchase price beginning at EUR 245.00 the HTC Tattoo is a good package for first time buyers of an Android smartphone.

Specifications of the HTC Tattoo:
Operating System: Android OS 1.6 (Cupcake)
Processor: Qualcomm MSM7225 with 528 MHz, 512 MB ROM and 256 MB RAM
GSM Networks: 850, 900, 1,800, 1,900 MHz
Data Transfer: GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA 7.2 mbps, WiFi (b/g)
Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB
Screen: 2.8-inch TFT touchscreen with 240 x 320 pixels resolution and 65,536 colors
Keyboard: virtual QWERTZ
Camera: 2,048 x 1,536 pixels resolution (video capture: 352 x 288 pixels)
Other: Media Player with 3.5-mm headset jack, A-GPS
Storage: 150 MB + 2 GB microSD
Size: 106 x 55,2 x 14 mm
Weight: 113 g
Speaking Time: 6.5 hrs (GSM) or 5.7 hrs (3G)

Read more about the Android smartphone HTC Tattoo at www.teltarif.de (in German).