HTC Legend review

The HTC Legend was probably the most anticipated release that stemmed from Mobile World Congress this year. We take a look to see just how good it really is.

HTC Legend

The new HTC Sense UI makes the Legend even better.

There are a number of additional features including the Friend Stream app and widget that unifies your social networking contacts. When you first turn the device on, you'll be encouraged to enter details for your Flickr, Facebook and Twitter accounts. Do this and Friend Stream will automatically stream all status updates posted in chronological order when you view the home screen widget.

We found this slow to update and scroll, although it's such a massive network operation to do, so that's no wonder.

Other aspects of the enhanced Sense UI include the ability to add groups to the People tab rather than just favourite contacts.

Multi-touch is included as standard. Upon meeting HTC before the official announcement of the Legend, the Taiwanese manufacturer was quick to insist all of its device would be coming with multi-touch as standard going forward something to look out for in the future.

This functionality is integrated into HTC's default browser, allowing you to pinch to zoom. There's also a handy feature that allows you to highlight text in the browser and look up the meaning in Wikipedia or translate it using Google's translation tools.

Another advantage of multi-touch is the ability to pinch the home screen to view all seven widget-filled displays in miniature. Any widgets present on any of the home screens are sketched out too. To head straight to one of the home screens, simply tap it and it'll take you there.

Clare Hopping
Freelance writer

Clare is the founder of Blue Cactus Digital, a digital marketing company that helps ethical and sustainability-focused businesses grow their customer base.

Prior to becoming a marketer, Clare was a journalist, working at a range of mobile device-focused outlets including Know Your Mobile before moving into freelance life.

As a freelance writer, she drew on her expertise in mobility to write features and guides for ITPro, as well as regularly writing news stories on a wide range of topics.