HTC Flyer

The Flyer tablet represents – and squeezes much use out of – HTC’s expertise in smartphone technology. Beginning with the Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system, the HTC Flyer most excels in reproducing smartphone functions up to and including text messaging on a top-quality LCD screen.

The good/bad news here is that the HTC Flyer tablet’s prime disadvantage is noticed first - put plainly, this is hardly the best-looking tablet out there. A seeming mishmash of black, silver and white parts make up the HTC Flyer and the default screen on the user interface is garish as well (though it does display the excellent color detail possible in this device). In addition, the aluminum shell and some bulky hardware push the HTC Flyer to nearly a full pound of weight at 420 grams. Plus, this is one of the single thickest 7” tablets on the market.

On the other hand, the HTC Flyer delivers many positives – at least until the user gets to the average-at-best video camera and imager. The 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor is super powerful and quick, and the on-screen keyboard function features responsiveness and usability among the tops in this area. But the battery life is not incredible, its 30% less than what Apple iPad users have grown to expect.

The most unique feature of the HTC Flyer, though, is its "Magic Pen." Truly the first stylus to bring extra functionality to the tablet, the Magic Pen allows the user to write or draw on any Flyer screen in addition to a provided children’s paint program and in HTC Notes. Use of the pen is a bit tricky at first, but is easily figured out with a few tries.

As an excellent tablet at any price, we may recommend the HTC Flyer to just about any user – as long as he/she can get past that first impression.