HP Veer Review

While super-sleek smartphones are the current rage, it is indeed quite cute when a company ‘veers’ into new territory with a release that takes mini to newer heights. Enter the HP Veer, a 4G compatible phone that packs quite a bit of power into a miniscule pocketable device.

In terms of design, the Veer feels distinctly light and at 103 g it is probably the lightest around. Much like the Palm Pixi’s, the Veer is sleek with a touchscreen that occupies the bulk of the front panel, and a slide-up keyboard that opens up to reveal an array of tiny keys on a pad that seems quite tricky to maneuver. Much like a toy phone, the handheld is quite easy to misplace given its barely there heft and size.

In all fairness though, the HP Veer really isn’t a device to underestimate, and definitely not a toy at that. With 4G capabilities supported by a reliable webOS interface that creates the perfect amalgam of a simple OS that is remarkably intuitive and powerful. HP’s custom search engine Just Type makes it easy to integrate your web browsing with local media playback in what HP terms the ‘exhibition’ mode. The absence of a headphone jack can also be an annoyance although the headphone adapter means you can still plug in your favorite pair of earplugs.

The magnetic power cord is another cool innovation that ensures that the phone attaches to the cord via a set of magnetic terminals on the side. With 8GB of internal storage, which unfortunately cannot be upgraded, the Veer offers optimal performance stats with a 800MHz processor that makes multi-tasking much easier. The basic 5MP camera offers optimal photo and video quality, although the lack of any user-definable settings can be a major turn-off.

Yet, one must admit that the screen size itself is a serious incapacitating factor and makes any meaningful smartphone usage tough. Finger swipes for instance often goes unrecognized, and any long-term browsing or viewing proves to be taxing on the eye. Although HP purports it to be 4G, the Veer is wanting of a dual-core processor to truly reach 4G heights. Nevertheless, The Veer is still a handy, pocket-friendly purchase that offers decent features and tools for those seeking a basic smartphone experience.

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