The HTC ChaCha and HTC Salsa are two Android smartphones aimed at Facebook fans. Although very different in outward appearance, their function and target market are very similar.
Both the ChaCha and Salsa are based around a 600 MHz processor with 512Mb of RAM, they support 3.5G data and WiFi, have GPS and a microSD slot. On the back of both phones is a 5 megapixel camera with autofocus and flash, and they also both have a front-facing VGA resolution camera for video calling.
What sets these apart from other Android smartphones is the inclusion of a Facebook button on the front of the handset. This acts as a shortcut for sharing things (such as photographs) with your friends.. although at first glance it looks like some sort of operator logo.
Facebook updates are integrated into the phone's regular inboxes, and there are all sorts of widgets and gadgets to keep Facebookers happy. Out of these we think the most interesting feature is one that displays your friends latest status updates and photographs if you are making or taking a call from them which even lets you know if their birthday is approaching.
Out of these two handsets, the
HTC ChaCha is the most interesting. On the bottom of the ChaCha is a nice looking QWERTY keyboard topped out by a small 2.6" 480 x 320 pixel display, which is a bit less than half the size of the
HTC Desire but just as sharp. The whole device curves slightly and it does look quite interesting. The ChaCha weighs 120 grams, comes in at a normal smartphone size of 114 x 65 x 11mm and has a 1250 mAh battery capable of giving up to 7 hours talktime.
HTC ChaCha at a glance |
Available: | Q2 2011 |
Network: | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 +
UMTS 900 / 2100 |
Data: | GPRS + EDGE + UMTS (3G) + HSPA + WiFi |
Screen: | 2.6" 480 x 320 pixels |
Camera: | 5 megapixels (main) 0.3 megapixels (sub) |
Size: | Messaging smartphone
114 x 65 x 11mm / 120 grams |
Bluetooth: | Yes |
Memory card: | MicroSD |
Infra-red: | No |
Polyphonic: | Yes |
Java: | Optional |
GPS: | Yes |
OS: | Android 2.3 |
Battery life: | 7 hours talk / 27 days standby (3G) |
HTC Salsa at a glance |
Available: | Q2 2011 |
Network: | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 +
UMTS 900 / 2100 |
Data: | GPRS + EDGE + UMTS (3G) + HSPA + WiFi |
Screen: | 3.4" 320 x 480 pixels |
Camera: | 5 megapixels (main) 0.3 megapixels (sub) |
Size: | Medium tablet smartphone
109 x 59 x 12mm / 120 grams |
Bluetooth: | Yes |
Memory card: | MicroSD |
Infra-red: | No |
Polyphonic: | Yes |
Java: | Optional |
GPS: | Yes |
OS: | Android 2.3 |
Battery life: | 7.9 hours talk / 22 days standby (3G) |