HTC Touch Viva review

From the TouchFLO shortcut menu, which you can get to by sliding your finger across the on-screen slider at the bottom, you can also access YouTube. The YouTube app works best via Wi-Fi, and there's a competent mobile version of the popular video site that's useful if you want to share videos with friends.

One of the Viva's most disappointing aspects is its lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack -- you're stuck having to use the earphones in the box, and they're not great. It's a small detail, but we think the jack is essential on today's smart phones and, hopefully, something we'll see on all future HTC handsets.

Performance
In terms of features, the Viva is rather pedestrian, but it does perform well overall. We found the interface surprisingly fast and, if you're looking for a Windows Mobile phone that does the basics and does them well, this is definitely a contender.

Battery life is quoted at 480 minutes' talk time and 270 hours' standby time. We found that, with moderate use, the battery lasted for over a day. These figures will, of course, change depending on how much you use certain features, such as Wi-Fi. You may also want to check how often you send and receive emails, as this is a major battery drainer.

Conclusion
The HTC Touch Viva is a basic Windows Mobile device that will disappoint anyone looking for a high-end smart phone with all the trimmings. But what we really like about the Viva is that it's snappy and does the basics well. There's no 3G or GPS and yet we still enjoyed using it for email.

The Viva will suit you if you need access to email and Microsoft documents. But, if you want to write long emails and simply can't handle a touchscreen, check out HTC's Touch Pro or S740, which feature full, mechanical Qwerty keypads. Or, if you'd rather avoid HTC altogether, check out the BlackBerry Curve 8900.

Edited by Charles Kloet