To watch the commercials for the Verizon Droid, being released tomorrow morning, one might get the impression that this is the very first android handset to be released. It certainly has garnered more attention and excitement and previous devices, but there are already a number of android handsets on the market that are actually quite good. I recently had a chance to spend a week with Sprint’s version of the HTC hero, and I found myself more than a bit impressed. So with that in mind, I thought we might take a good look at a fantastic Android device that’s been on the market for a number of months already.

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The new HTC Droid Eris is a jam-packed mobile phone featuring some pretty amazing specifications, namely: a 3.2 inch capacitive touch screen and trackball interface, a 5.0 megapixel auto focus camera, expandable memory with pre-installed 8 GB microSD™ card (up to 16 GB supported), Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi and 3.5 mm headset connectivity, integrated GPS and a digital compass with a sensor that enables the phone to know what direction it is facing … and many more. Priced at a budget friendly $99.99 (after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer plan), the Droid will go on sale both online and in stores Friday, November 6th.

So how about it? Will you be bringing home a Droid?

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Oh, the HTC HD2…if ever there was a Windows Phone that drew a collective sigh of envy from all who saw it, this would have to be the one. With its 4.3″ capacitive touch display (finger based – not stylus based!), its 1GHz Snapdragon mobile processor, and its stunning good looks, the HD2 is a Windows Mobile Dream come true. Unfortunately, the earliest models are European versions, meaning they will not work with US 3G. That’s one of the things that has kept me from ordering, but it looks like I will no longer have an excuse to wait, as the HD2 will be available as a US version in early 2010.

You can see a full list of the Euro/UK version HD2’s drool-worthy specs here, but bear in mind that they may slightly change by the time this powerhouse reaches our shores. For Chris Davies’ unboxing and first impressions of the UK model (including a video), be sure to check out SlashGear. You can also see a full review on the HD2 at Mobility Minded.

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Did you just buy a shiny new Touch Pro 2? Or maybe you snapped up an Imagio or a Pure? (Or any other HTC Windows Mobile devices) If you did, you’ll be happy to know that Sprite Mobile has you covered. Continue Reading

This is a joint review between Wayne and me. Wayne is primarily a Blackberry and iPhone user, and he has also dabbled in Android, Palm, Windows Mobile and WebOS. I am primarily an iPhone and Nokia / Vertu user, with an extensive background in Palm and Windows Mobile.

We were recently sent the new HTC Pure Windows Phone to review, because it is one of the first of several new Windows Phones to use the new Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system. Wayne’s comments will be the ones in black; mine will be in blue italics.

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Tell me this isn’t one nice phone. The HTC HD2 (aka HTC Leo) is one of the first to run the 1GHZ Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. It’s also packing a 4.3″ WVGA capacitive touchscreen with 5 megapixel autofocus camera. Throw in some multitouch, a little HTC Sense UI and you’ve got a drool worthy device. Slashgear pronounces it impressive, solid and well-built. Expect this in the UK later this month and in the US somewhere by Q1 2010. No word on pricing yet. Take a glance at their video demo at the link below.

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Yesterday T-Mobile unleashed the news that their MyTouch3G is going to have a new sibling in time for the holidays. The special edition MyTouch 3G will sport a 16GB memory card and be decked out in authentic 1977 era fake plastic wood. Rather than list this as “family station wagon brown” T-Mobile will slap a 3.5mm headphone jack (which should have been on the device from the start) and co-market it with guitar maker Fender. Rock on.

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Last night I spotted this awesome HTC Here theme (screenshots) that I purchased and installed on my BlackBerry Bold. It can be used on BlackBerry 85xx, 96xx, 88xx, 9000, 95xx, 8900 devices running OS 4.6+. The changes are nothing short of remarkable with the theme copying heavily from the design of the popular HTC Hero’s Sense UI. Your BlackBerry desktop displays a retro flip clock and weather icon (weather icon provided by the free BlackBerry Weatherbug application). Installation is done entirely over the air and except for a couple tricks (pull the battery, double click the main screen menu button twice to refresh) the installation was a snap. The downside? Cost is $6.99 and the theme requires me to manually start up both the home screen and the weather application after rebooting. For some this $6.99 is crazy expensive – for others like me who enjoy having weather and time displayed prominently on the BlackBerry – it’s money well spent.

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Anyone who ventured into an AT&T store could tell you that the HTC Pure (Formerly known as Touch Diamond2) launched yesterday with Windows Mobile 6.5 installed. The launch was a bit of a surprise since WM6.5 is not due to arrive until tomorrow. According to several sites the Windows Mobile Marketplace is live too.

Incorporating a large brilliant 3.2-inch WVGA touch screen, the HTC PURE is crafted to fit perfectly into the hand and accentuates one’s sense of style. With a crisp advanced five megapixel auto-focus camera with video capture, expandable memory, gravity sensor and an ambient light sensor, the HTC PURE brings many of the most sophisticated features to a broad consumer audience looking for the professional benefits of a smartphone, without sacrificing size, looks or functionality.

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[Ed note: This review is being simultaneously posted on Gear Diary and Just Another Mobile Monday.]

Quite often HTC will release several versions of a single model, and depending upon whether you buy an unlocked or carrier subsidized version, you might end up with very different features. Such is the case with their new QWERTY Windows Mobile Smartphone, the Snap. I was sent their unlocked European version, and Doug received the US Specific Sprint branded device; my comments will appear in black, and Doug’s will be in blue italics.

The Unlocked HTC Snap (European Version)

The first thing that impressed me about the Snap was its sleek design; it’s the heir apparent to the popular HTC Dash, but it manages to pack even more Smartphone goodness into an even more compact package. The Snap is roughly the size of an iPhone 3Gs, measuring approximately 4.6″ tall x 2.4″ wide x 0.5″ thick, and weighing just over 4 ounces.

Since almost everyone knows the rough dimensions of the iPhone, I’ve included photos of the Snap with an iPhone 3G S in the gallery for comparison.

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Now here’s a device that could get me interested in a Windows Mobile…errr Windows Phone again.

Leaked pictures of the upcoming device show it to be BIG! With a WVGA display of 4.3 inches it offers some serious screen real estate. With a 1GHz Qualcomm processor and has 320MB of RAM it has some serous power under the hood. Add to that the rumor that it may have a capacitive touch screen with 800 by 480 resolution and you have a totally pimped out handheld.

What would I especially like to see??? This thing running Android!

Two more shots after the jump..

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With recent announcements by both Sprint and T-Mobile that they were offering the new HTC Touch Pro 2, it was only a matter of time before Verizon Wireless jumped into the fray! And today we got that news, with Verison announcing the HTC Touch Pro 2 available to order on Friday September 11th online and in stores.

The device is largely the same as seen on the other carriers, with the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack as seen on Sprint but not T-Mobile. The major differentiation is price: while Sprint and T-Mobile each wants $350 after $100 mail-in rebate and two-year contract, Verizon is only charging $199! Keep reading for more details! Continue Reading

It’s great to see the new Android handsets trickling in, and as usual – HTC is leading the pack with a new cutie called the Tattoo. Of course, the minute a case is put on it, the cuteness factor will all but evaporate.

So is there anything else that sets the Tattoo apart from every other matte black handset? According to HTC, “people [will be] able to design and purchase their own unique covers or search and select from popular cover designs, altering the look of the phone to reflect their mood or individual tastes.”

It will be the second phone to “embody HTC Sense, a mobile experience focused on putting people at the centre by making your phone work in a more simple and natural way.” And under the hood?

HTC Tattoo integrates Google’s innovative mobile services including: Google Maps, search, Google Mail, and Android market where users can download thousands of popular applications and games. It also comes complete with a broad variety of hardware features including a 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera, 3.5mm stereo headset jack and expandable microSD memory

So the question arises…

Will you show your mama this Tattoo?

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You can spend $349 at T-Mobile for an HTC Touch Pro 2 – or visit Amazon.com and purchase one for $149 with free two day shipping and yes both deals require a new 2 year activation on a compatible T-Mobile plan. The Amazon deal does not require any rebates. PS – Shopping in a carrier’s store is a guaranteed way to pay the absolute highest price for a phone – but only after you’ve waited 45 minutes behind 7 people trying to pay off their delinquent bills or asking insane amounts of questions about every freebie phone in the store.

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