One of the original criticisms of the first HTC Touch was the fact it came with no slide-out keyboard or keypad, something that’s quite handy on a device that, despite the very cool (for a Windows Mobile device) TouchFlo software, is still no iPhone or iPod Touch.

HTC rectified this when they brought out the 3G/3.5G equipped HTC Touch Dual, featuring a slide-down numeric keypad for easy dialling of numbers, as well as two-letters per key, like SureType on Blackerry devices, for quick and easy text messaging, email or text entry into any software.

The keypad, a processor that was twice as fast and the 3.5G chipset within the upgraded HTC Touch Dual really transformed the device into one that was much more useful than the original HTC Touch, and quite impressed me.

So, it is with some surprise that the new HTC Touch Cruise does nice things like including an iPod-esque scrolling wheel on the front of the phone – but forces you to, once again, either use your fingers or a stylus to enter numbers or type out information.

Of course, a touch interface is supposed to negate the need for any keyboard. But let’s not forget that Windows Mobile Pocket PC phones have been touch screen devices from the start, and we only need to look at the iPhone to see how miserably Windows Mobile devices have failed in comparison with Apple.

Yes, TouchFlo is a stunningly good advance in bringing a true finger touch interface, and will both impress some existing Windows Mobile users and answer all their prayers. But as far as I’m concerned, the only device that can truly exist without a separate keyboard is the iPhone/iPod Touch – and there are those that would argue with me on that.

Windows Mobile devices need a tactile keyboard/keypad of some sort. It’s sad to say it, but it’s true, at least... in my opinion.

Given that the GPS feature is the new standout for the HTC Touch Cruise, it is slightly surprising that the Co-Pilot Live 7 software isn’t pre-loaded, but then it’s no big deal to install it yourself afterwards. Some people might prefer to install Tom Tom or other GPS software instead, so at least you do have this choice.

What about some of the HTC Touch Cruise’s other features, like the inclusion of Wi-Fi, an FM radio and more?

Also, is the HTC Touch Dual hooked up to a GPS Bluetooth module a better option?

The other cool feature in this new model is built-in Wi-Fi. Why it took HTC so long to offer this feature is beyond me, but they have finally done it.

Unfortunately they have included Wi-Fi but have taken the keypad out, so if a keypad really is important to you, and you still want GPS, the HTC Touch Dual hooked up to a GPS Bluetooth module (and loaded with your own supplied GPS software of choice) will be a better option.

Anyone wanting GPS, Wi-Fi, 3.5G and a keypad or keyboard all built-in will just have to wait for the next version, which will likely arrive before the end of the year, if HTC is planning such a device.

The scroll wheel does actually spin around in circles, but also lets you click in the standard four directions, with an ‘ok’ button in the middle. It’s useful to have the scroll wheel, but I’d have given it up for a keypad.

As you’d expect, Windows Mobile 6 professional is included, which can handle MS Direct Push email and it has a 3.5G HDSPA 2100Mhz chipset (as a 3.6Mbps class device, not the faster 7.2Mbps standard).

There’s 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP, a 2.8-inch LCD screen, an FM radio, a 3.0 megapixel autofocus camera, a front mounted camera for video calls, a Qualcomm 400Mhz processor (as with the HTC Touch Dual), and a microSD slot (SD 2.0 compatible).

So, what about the wildly varying talk times that are quoted, including what appears to be a mistake?

As usual with today’s 2G/3G capable phones, talk time varies wildly depending on what you are doing with the device.

If you make calls and nothing else (i.e. no mp3/video/photo playback, web surfing, email, GPS or other activities), you’ll get ‘up to’ 7 hours of GSM (2G) calls, 4 hours of 3G (UMTS) calls and 2.3 hours of video calls using the 1350 mAh lithium-ion battery – which is at least replaceable, unlike the iPhone.

Oddly, HTC’s website lists standby time at 450 hours for 3G (UMTS) and only 400 hours for GSM. I personally think they’ve got these two the wrong way around, but either way, it’s hundreds of hours in standby if you don’t use the phone for anything else.

With battery installed (as per usual), the phone weighs 130 grams.

The HTC Touch Cruise is available now in Australia for AUD $1149 outright, although you’ll surely soon find it on offer from a range of telcos at cheaper prices, although offered as part of what would presumably be a two year contract.