Getting Started with TouchFLO

Versions of TouchFLO

Manila
Manila is the code name for TouchFLO.

TouchFLO
The original version of TouchFLO which was introduced in the HTC Touch. Main feature of TouchFLO is enabling finger gestures throughout the device. Gestures includes flick scrolling, swiping, panning, etc. Other features includes the Touch Cube which each side of the cube contains easy to use shortcuts to media, contacts and commonly used programs such as calendar, tasks, emails, sms, internet explorer and communication manager.

TouchFLO 2D
This is version 1.0 of ManillaDevices such as Touch Viva and Touch 3G runs a stripped down version of TouchFLO 3D. It is similar to TouchFLO 3D but without the 3D animations on several tabs.
Main difference between TouchFLO 2D compared to TouchFLO 3D are:

1. Analogue clock instead of the 3D generated flip clock on the home tab
2. Contacts table (Similar to TouchFLO contacts screen) instead of the rolodex on the people tab
3. SMS, Mail, Music, Videos and Pictures, Weather tabs does not have 3D animation
   

TouchFLO 3D
All new high end HTC devices starting from Touch Diamond runs on the well known TouchFLO 3D. Different device runs different versions of TouchFLO 3D. (Note: Manila versions written might not be accurate)

Touch Diamond (Manila version 1.1)
This is the original version of TouchFLO 3D.

Touch Pro (Manila version 1.2)
This version of TouchFLO 3D is similar to Touch Diamond and could possibly be the same as the updated TouchFLO 3D version of the Touch Diamond. The noticaable difference is its speed. The animation while switching tabs are stripped of to boost the speed of TouchFLO 3D.
On top of that, TouchFLO 3D on the Touch Pro has an additional landscape screen called the Task screen. This screen appears when the keyboard of the Touch Pro is slide out. It basically contains shortcuts to eight most commonly used tasks which is email, messages, bookmarks, web search, calendar, tasks, notes and contacts.


Touch HD (Manila version 1.3)
This version of TouchFLO 3D improved a lot from the original Touch Diamond. Upgrades of this version of TouchFLO 3D includes:

1. Quick access for voice call, messaging and email in people tab
2. 5-day weather forecast are all displayed on the weather tab
3. Added new stock tab
4. Ability to rearrange TouchFLO 3D tabs
5. Slide-to-answer during an incoming call instead of just on screen Answer/Reject buttons

Touch Diamond2 (Manila version 2.0)
This version of TouchFLO 3D has been upgraded a lot and focusses on the people centric concept. Contact, messaging, mail and call history of a particular person are grouped into a screen with tabs for each category. Besides that, other changes are:

1. Improved creating/editing contact screen
2. Better looking program tab. Removed from TouchFLO 3D tabs but is launched by tapping the Start button
3. New notification screen
4. Better looking alerts such as alarm, power-off warning, etc.
5. Push internet feature with added search bar on internet tab
6. Added calendar tab
7. Upgraded calling canvas
8. New connections manager
9. New keyboard layout10. Improved HTC album
10. New alarm clock interface
11. More options in settings tab
12. New stock tab
13. New wallpaper/background
14. Finger friendly soft key menus implemented throught the operating system
15. New contacts screen

Touch Pro2 (Manila version 2.1)
Similar to Touch Diamond2's TouchFLO 3D, this version adds HTC's Straight Talk technology which enables easier call conferencing. Another major addition on this version of TouchFLO 3D is its landscape version. There is finally a real landscape version of TouchFLO 3D, unlike the version on Touch Pro whereby it is merely shortcuts to applications. Besides, HTC also added facebook integration in this version of TouchFLO 3D.

The TouchFLO Inventor

John Wang is now a Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of HTC and by some is also called "Chief Technology Wizard" at HTC. Two years ago he started work on improvements of user interface and the result of this work - HTC Touch and TouchFLO technology - has been unveiled and released today! John Wang is the person, who designed/developed this new touch screen technology of HTC!

To listen to this interview click HERE. Here are some highlights from this interview:

• multi-touch at HTC
• texting with HTC Touch
• HTC portfolio of phones explained
• recognizing differences between "skin touch" and "stylus touch"
• length of fingernails in relation to gestures in touch screen usage
• will exporting ROM image from HTC Touch to other HTC phone work?
• Jason Gordon from HTC USA joined-in and offered additional comments during the interview
• Synaptics technology used in notebook touchpads compared to HTC's touch technologies
  active digitizer in HTC Shift
• having both at the same time - active digitizer and passive digitizer (touch screen) - in future HTC products
• why HTC is not releasing: a) small-size phones with VGA display, b) phones with touch screen and without QWERTY keyboard for single-handed usage (not slide-out!)
• grabbing, throwing and stopping content in the HTC Touch
• software development kit (SDK) to develop applications that support new touch screen technology of HTC !

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The New Sense of Touch

HTC Touch is the first HTC phone that changed that way how phones are used. HTC included their new technology called the TouchFLO in the device. TouchFLO basically enables finger scrolling and panning throughout the interface of the device, which means that the stylus may not be necessary while using the device.

"Let your fingers guide you with the HTC Touch™, the world's first touch phone that gives you a whole new touch panel experience. The HTC Touch™ with TouchFLO™ revolutionizes the way you use the touch screen by allowing finger scrolling and panning. It also features the Touch Cube which is a unique user interface that makes quick dialing and navigation a breeze."

HTC also introduced the 3D Touch Cube Interface, which is a plugin on the windows mobile today screen that makes accessing frequently used applications easier with just a touch of the finger.

"Quickly call contacts, open applications, listen to music, and browse media files using the Touch Cube. Open the Touch Cude by sliding your finger upward starting from the bottom of the screen and then simply sliding your finger across the screen to go to the Touch Cube face you want to access."

More review could be found here.


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HTC Touch Phone with TouchFLO

Just ahead of the June 29th release of the "multi-touch" iPhone, High Tech Computer has launched the HTC Touch phone with intuitive touch screen navigation.

The HTC Touch features TouchFLO, a new way of controlling touch screen-based devices by recognizing and responding to the sweep of a finger across the screen. HTC Touch homescreen provides one-touch access to emails, text messages, calendar appointments and contacts, as well as current weather conditions and forecasts for hundreds of cities around the world.


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