Reviews: Samsung Saga, HTC Touch Pro; Music from Didiom

Verizon’s Samsung Saga, at $200, looks like a solid low-end device. This week we’ll note a review of this device and of the HTC Touch Pro, as well as a hands-on with the new Pharos Traveler 137. I also want to highlight an in-depth review of the TouchFlo 3D interface on HTC Touch devices and the latest offering from Didiom, a music streaming service with over 1 million songs.

Reviews: Verizon Saga, Pharos Traveler 137, HTC Touch Pro

Verizon announced their Samsung Saga late last year, and PocketNow has a video that lets you get a good look at this new unit. It’s a Treo-like device with a front-facing QWERTY keyboard and features a 2.5-inch screen, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Opera mobile browser, and what they call an optical mouse for navigation. The video gives a good sense for how the latter works. The device costs $200 after a $70 rebate, with a two-year contract.

In last week’s column we noted the arrival of the Pharos Traveler 137, which is quite an impressive device — “pretty much the top of the heap,” according to Engadget Mobile. They’ve posted a hands-on gallery of photos. The device has a 3.5-inch VGA screen, 3-megapixel camera, aGPS, and lots of other goodies.

Finally, Pocket PC Thoughts has an in-depth review of the HTC Touch Pro, one of the more popular Windows Mobile devices with an iPhone-like interface and a slideout QWERTY keyboard.

Review of HTC TouchFlo 3D Interface

A primary reason the HTC Touch devices are popular is the TouchFlo 3D interface. If you’ve been wondering what that’s all about, check out the detailed review on Just Another Mobile Monday, which looks at many different facets.

It’s actually a joint review, interweaving the impressions of three different reviewers — who have decidedly different opinions about this interface. You get a clear picture of the pros and cons. Doug criticizes its usability and integration, Sue liked it but didn’t find it finger-friendly, and Lauren loved it: “It has completely changed the way I think about my device.”

Didiom’s Music Offerings

Last week Didiom released a new version of their application for your device that lets you purchase music from their catalog 1.5 million of DRM-free songs as well as giving you the ability to stream your iTunes songs from your computer to your device.

Notable features of Didiom include the ability to: stream 30 seconds of a song to decide if you like it; name your own price, such that you bid for music at the price you want to pay; and participate in a cash bonus program that pays up to 35% bonus toward MP3 downloads. Their fixed prices start at 89¢ for a single track, and $9.99 for an album. You can purchase for your device or PC or both.

The new version now works on Windows Mobile VGA devices. It offers an improved music store search, new ways to search the music on your PC, and more.

Didiom does a good job of bringing together over-the-air purchasing and “placeshifting” (the ability to access and stream the music on your desktop computer).