HP Veer 4G

“As much as we absolutely adore is quaint form factor, we find that it’s also its Achilles Heel at the same time. Specifically, we’re limited in our output with certain functions, like typing up messages or reading emails, that seem to make it become more of a chore than anything else. Even more, the HP Veer 4G lacks the battery stamina to fully provide the juice that smartphone users are accustomed to seeing at this point. Finally, its $99.99 on-contract price point might seem appealing, but when you place it next to other comparably priced devices, like the HTC Inspire 4G, it quickly loses out in a variety of departments – albeit, it still presents us with an acceptable webOS experience.”

“If you're looking for a capable multimedia or productivity device, you can probably tell this isn't the one -- the Veer's scaled-down screen and keyboard aren't well suited for browsing the web or interfacing with mobile software for long durations. No, the Veer is a quick, at-a-glance reference handset for keeping tabs on your world, and at present, it appeals to a user who knows what they want before they whip out their phone.There is one more case where the Veer makes sense, and that's with an HP TouchPad tablet alongside. Then, HP likes to imagine, you'd have your large screen for serious work, your small screen for portability, Touch to Share for a rudimentary take on the Continuous Client, and the Veer's HSPA+ hotspot serving up speedy WiFi. Everything in perfect harmony, right? It's definitely a compelling idea, and one we plan to test when the TouchPad actually comes out, but for now the Veer is a single tiny smartphone charging the Apple / Google beachhead... albeit one modestly well-armed.”

“We definitely see where HP was going with the Veer 4G. There are plenty of customers wanting to make the jump to a smartphone but not necessarily wanting to give up their compact feature phone for a bigger, bulkier design. In that sense, the Veer certainly seems like a good compromise, with the added bonus of a budget-friendly price tag. However, HP went a little too far in shrinking the phone's size, as it affects the usability and appeal of the device.”

“The HP Veer 4G doesn't really offer anything that would tempt an iPhone or Android phone owner to buy this device. It's more like a messaging phone that can do a lot more. But even viewed in that light, the Veer 4G doesn't hit the mark. While the design is remarkably small and pocket-friendly, the screen is tough to read in portrait mode, and you have to attach an awkward accessory just to plug in headphones. We think the phone would have worked better as a landscape slider. The video camera is also unimpressive for a $99 smartphone when you can get 720p video recording--and better games--from the $49 Samsung Focus. The bottom line is that the Veer 4G is more fun to show off than it is to use.”