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.

Continue Reading

As soon as I saw that AT&T would offer up the HTC Pure for $149 under contract I knew that this Windows Mobile 6.5 phone would be destined for freebie status (after contract). Amazon is showing the phone out of stock but they’re probably just waiting for their first shipments. If you still want one after reading our review, head over and reserve it now.

HTC Pure – Free after contract

Okay it’s not in the same price range at the Vertu she’s used to, but could the Giorgio Armani phone – which is manufactured by Samsung and retails for $1,000 – fit into her wardrobe?

The bronze accented device features a 3.5 inch AMOLED screen, 8 gigs of storage, a 5 MP camera, and built in GPS. It runs the Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system and also packs a slide out keyboard.

Seems like a fairly basic phone and like most things what you’re paying for is the brand more than anything else.

Via Gadgetcrave.

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.

Continue Reading

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.

HTC HD2

Last week Wayne and I had the opportunity to sit in on an NDA workshop discussing the new and updated features of Windows Mobile 6.5. Wayne got hung up and couldn’t attend (pesky day job getting in the way, again!), but I was able to sit in an hear a bit about 6.5 and Marketplace, Microsoft’s new software store for Windows Phones.

Those of you who read our GearChat back in February will recognize many of the new 6.5 screens, and yes – the Zune-like interface is still present.

Continue Reading

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.

Continue Reading

The HTC Touch Pro II is currently running $149 after 2 year new T-Mobile service contract on Amazon. The price is even higher, $349, if you go direct to your friendly T-Mobile store. However if you know the secret handshake code you can take advantage of an exclusive offer and get the phone FREE by calling 866-464-8662, press option 3 for new service, and mention promo code “Windows Mobile” when ordering. This offer is only valid via the 800# provided (offer not available at authorized T-Mobile retail stores). PS – Yes this requires a new 2 year service agreement and though the phone ships with Windows Mobile 6.1 it will be upgradeable soon to 6.5, phone also packs 3.6″ WVGA screen, 3G, Wi-Fi, GPS, TouchFlo.

WMDeals via SlickDeals

SPB’s Mobile Shell is one of my favorite Windows Mobile programs and one of the first things that I load on any new device. It’s like a launcher program on steroids, integrating contacts, weather information, and utilities into customizable screens.  SPB just announced the release of their latest version of Mobile Shell, version 3.5.  Among the updates in the new release are:

*–New widgets for tasks, a picture frame, Facebook status, Twitter status, birthdays reminders, four instant wireless switches (WiFi, Bluetooth, Flight Mode, and Phone Switch), internet search, operator’s name, date, and alarm

*–Updated to the contacts, wireless manager, and weather widgets 3D email and SMS viewer

*–Streamlined background change (with cropping and easy to view local gallery)

*–Current weather conditions (in addition to forecast) Improved 3D carousel design (e. g. added reflections)

*–Widget skin selection with preview and new skins for most widgets

*–Widget-based Professional home screen

*–Option to have only one home screen (lifestyle or professional)

*–Option to change the number of screens in lifestyle or professional layouts

*–Weather in Agenda view

*–Tactile feedback on tap-and-hold

*–Option to choose the default tab for Contacts and Launcher

*–Improved design of most dialogs (popup menus, settings, etc.)

*–Category filter in the contact list

*–Improved widget edit mode (widget can be dragged to other pages, recycle bin for easy delete etc.)

*–Color themes support on Windows Mobile 6.5

*–Integration with SPB Weather and SPB Traveler via widgets

*–Improved “Choose Shortcut” dialog box with similar look to SPB Menu

Mobile Shell 3.5 is available at SPB’s website for $29.95 ($14.97 if upgrading from version 2) or you can get it for 15% off at the Gear Diary Store, with the code GDFallTweets.

According to DigiTimes, more than 30 smartphones running on Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.5 from a total of over 15 handset vendors are to be launched before the end of 2009, says Benjamin Tan, senior director, GCR Mobile Team Unit at Microsoft China.

Handset vendors which have expressed their support for Microsoft’s new mobile OS include HTC (High Tech Computer), Acer, Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics (LGE), Sony Ericsson, Toshiba, and Hewlett-Packard (HP), according to market sources in Taiwan.

So, is Windows Mobile dead? With more than 30 WinMo 6.5 devices in 3 months, which average to about 10 WinMo 6.5 devices per month, I would say it is still alive and kicking.

[via DigiTimes]

So there is BlackBerry… then iPhone…and then there is, according to our own Clinton Fitch, the new HTC Touch Pro2 which “could well be the only phone business users could need.” Clinton posted a review of the HTC Touch Pro2 on his website that is dissection goodness, you can read the review here.  His review is one of the most in-depth I have read to date and covers everything from the updated calendar and start menu, to the new TouchFlo3D  v2 and how it changes the Windows Mobile game! There are also nearly 2 dozen screenshots of the phone in action. I am hardcore BlackBerry to the bone, but this review even entices me to stick my toes in the water to check the temp! And for you hardcore business users, remember the term Straight Talk!

Head over to http://www.clintonfitch.com/reviews/htc/touchpro-2/default.asp to check out the full review. You may want to hide your checkbook before hand!

After years of ‘Match 3′ games like Bejeweled and Puzzle Quest and even multi-dimensional ‘Match 3′ games like Puzzle Quest Galactrix, there was only one natural course to follow .. MATCH 4! Of course, since Match 3 games already offered extra bonuses for a 4th matched item, the folks at SPB needed to do something different. Here is the scenario: you make the connection between three sides of a rectangle! So how well does this game work in terms of keeping interesting going in a seemingly saturated matching-game field? Read on and see!

Continue Reading

Over on PocketPC Thoughts, I saw that UAE based PDA Manufacturer i-mate has called it quits, and CEO Jim Morrison is rumored to have left the country. Including Palm’s defection, this makes two Windows Mobile manufacturers either closing down or leaving Windows Mobile behind this week.

Microsoft has a lot more competition now with the iPhone, Android and webOS all vying for a part of the smartphone market.  Windows Mobile 6.5 looks good, but is still not where it needs to be.  Windows Mobile 7 had better be really great in order for the platform to be around much longer.

Also on ITP and Engadget Mobile.

During yesterday’s earnings call Palm announced they’d shipped 823,000 smartphone units last quarter (no breakdown on how many were Pre devices), beat earnings estimates and said their future growth will depend upon on how well their products launch. While no specifics were given about launches the company did hint that in the second half of 2010 they will be launching the WebOS based devices on more carriers. Perhaps most interesting is that according to website Precentral during the conference call Palm made this statement:

Due to importance of webOS to our overall strategy, we’ve made the decision to dedicate all future develoment resources to the evolution of webOS. Which means that going forward, our roadmap will include only Palm webOS-based devices

Palm Abandons Windows Mobile

Resco just continues to show everyone why they are one of the favored developers of Windows Mobile utilities. Today they are announcing significant updates to two of their popular utilities: Audio Recorder and Pocket Radio. Read on for more details!

Continue Reading