The HTC Shift is classified as an Ultra Mobile Personal Computer (UMPC), and is designed to fill the void between a smartphone and a laptop. Think of it as a true mobile office.
One of the striking elements of the HTC Shift is its minimalist design. Sweeping curves and thoughtful positioning of inputs and controls, it is truly a wonderful exercise in how to pack a boatload of features into a device without ending up with a million extra ports and protrusions. Clean lines and a gun metal finish make the Shift a fine example of electronic craftsmanship. The HTC Shift has some weight to it, too; it gives you the feeling of a device that has been built with good materials and no skimping.
True to its name, the HTC Shift has a screen which slides up to a comfortable angle and locks in place, revealing a comfortable keyboard beneath. The keyboard is obviously smaller than a standard keyboard, however it is designed to be “typed” rather than “thumbed”. The keypad is comfortable and spacious, given the size constraints. This device is to be used much like a laptop and not a smartphone.
The HTC Shift measures 207 x 129 x 25 mm, weighs 800 grams and never gives the user a sense of being cramped.
The 7 inch TFT touchscreen has an 800 x 480 pixel resolution and can reproduce 16 million colors.
The Shift runs MS Vista Business and SnapVUE for OS, offers WiFi, 3G and a front-facing video conferencing camera.
The Shift is not a phone! This device is used for communicating in every conceivable way other than talking, including email via MS Outlook, text, MMS, video conferencing, etc.
The HTC Shift is designed for a very specific portion of the market, for people who want a powerful device to supplement their phone and laptop, when neither can do the job alone.
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Daniel Dumas, WiredTruly horrendous keyboard makes typing anything but short burst messages out of the question.
- The Boy Genius, BGRYou’d be hard-pressed to find a UMPC that is as cleanly designed as the HTC Shift. Taking into account the mechanics with the tilt + slide mechanism, they did a wonderful job. There’s not a huge amount of ports or buttons or switches on it, and that’s a good thing. On the right sid...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the HTC Shift user manual here.
HTC backs up the Shift with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Shift has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact HTC support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find HTC's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
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Resources
Manuals / User Guides
- HTC Shift Manual (PDF)
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