Review: HTC Amaze 4G
The Amaze does not break any new ground with respect to messaging functions or social networking software.
It offers the stock Gmail, Google Talk, SMS, and email apps, as well as a third, T-Mobile email application. There's no other instant messaging software on board. The stock apps all work well, as they do on other Android devices.
The newest version of Facebook for Android is preinstalled on the Amaze, though the native Twitter app isn't. HTC also tosses in its FriendStream application/widget and its Peep application/widget to cover Facebook and/or Twitter. Peep is acceptable as a Twitter app stand-in, but I prefer the official Twitter app. FriendStream performs better on the Amaze than I've seen in behave on earlier HTC devices. It updates more reliably and much faster. It merges all of your Facebook, Twitter and other feeds in one place. But it still doesn't replace all the functionality available in the full Facebook application.
The Amaze has Qik's video chat application on board, too. This software works, but I find it to be frustrating and limiting. It will connect via 3G, 4G, and Wi-Fi, but only works with other Qik users.
Google's Latitude app is on board; Foursquare isn't.
What's perhaps most boggling is that the Google Talk with Video Chat client isn't available. The Amaze is one of the more powerful Android devices on the market. That it doesn't have access to Google's native video chatting client is a bit odd, especially since that feature is being added to some older phones.
Hands-On: HTC Amaze 4G, Samsung Galaxy S II 4G for T-Mobile
HTC Amaze 4G
