Toshiba TG01 smartphone review

Intuitive to a point

With a screen this size, it’s natural to want to use some applications (particularly video and pictures) in landscape, rather than portrait mode. But don’t expect instant results.

We experienced, on average, a three-second lag while the screen re-orientated itself. Although this sluggishness proved inconsistent and was speedier for some applications in a seemingly arbitrary fashion.

The touch screen’s responsiveness also niggled. In the main, it was pretty responsive to our commands. Then, randomly, it would decide to ignore them, or choose the thing above the thing we actually pressed, forcing the user to use either their nail or the stylus.

Navigating to where you want using the stylus is actually a much nicer affair – although the stylus itself is attached to a piece of string and small plastic nubbin that looks like a cross between baby reins and bungee jumping apparatus.

The Toshiba ‘free pad’ (operated by the small metal line in between the back and home keys on the base of the phone) must have seemed like a great idea at the time, but it falls a bit short of the mark.

You call it up by swiping a finger upwards on the bar and dismiss it in the same manner, not unlike the Palm Pre. However, that’s where the similarities start and end. Once the free pad appears, it’s claimed you can use it just like a mouse. That’s actually easier said than done and we found it more of a hindrance than a help on most occasions. It’s certainly one of those things you’ll either love or hate straightaway without giving it the chance to grow on you with practice.