Windows Phone Thoughts - Daily News, Views, Rants and Raves

"Bad news, HTC HD2 owners: Microsoft has finally come right out and confirmed our suspicions that the mighty HTC HD2 won't be upgraded to Windows Phone 7 Series. Joe Belfiore just told us that the HD2 is "not compliant with the Windows Phone 7 Series hardware specifications," which should end any of the lingering doubt that's clouded this issue since MWC."

Well, it's official. The HD2 will forever remain a Windows Mobile 6.5 device. While it's a bummer, it really shouldn't be all that surprising. Microsoft wants to wipe the slate clean with Windows Phone 7 Series, and that means all-new software and hardware. What we're most interested in is that now that Microsoft has made it official this early in the year, will HD2 sales be negatively impacted? Only time will tell.

"T-Mobile has the release honors and is now showing the HD2 as "coming soon" in its phone inventory. We've also got the first "in the wild" shots courtesy of TmoNews showing that big Blockbuster shortcut linked front and center for downloading On Demand movies directly to the device. Still no firm price or date but $199.99 on contract ($449.99 unlocked) sometime around 24 March sounds about right"

Photo Courtesy of TmoNews, and a piece by Engadget to as well, are the latest proof that the HD2 is about to drop on T-Mobile USA. Start preparing your credit card or bank account now...

"We've had it up here with these shenanigans. You're jerking us around, and we're sick of it. We get it, you have a very particular concept of what sort of phones you want running your new Windows Phone 7 Series OS. Not only do we get it, but we're kind of proud of you for sticking up for yourself for once and ensuring some sort of sameness across your platform. Unfortunately, it's not the holiday season yet, so we can't buy one of these fancy WP7S phones yet. Meanwhile, on the other end of town, HTC is bringing the HD2 to T-Mobile in the US this month. Sure, it runs your soon-to-be-outdated Windows Mobile 6.5 OS which nobody wants, but it's also pretty much the best hardware we've ever seen. Bar none."

Paul Miller published an editorial at Engadget yesterday that made me think about the consequences of corporate secrecy and policy when it comes to the geek community. Even as someone willing to play by these rules (as evidenced by my own NDA with Microsoft), I still long for a time where geeks can have what they want, and companies can keep mainstream customers happy. Unfortunately I don't see that happening any time soon for some very practical reasons. And in the end, as frustrating as it is, I think it is for the better.

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"One of our ninjas just dropped some tantalizing and blurry details for us to feast on. We've been informed that T-Mobile will be releasing the Motorola CLIQ XT on March 10th, the HTC HD2 (listed as "Dark Handset" on the screen capture) is confirmed on March 24th, and a Dell Inspiron Mini 10 netbook, complete with T-Mobile broadband access, on the 24th as well."

While technically a rumor since we haven't had an official announcement yet (Come on T-Mo...!), this looks pretty solid as we've seen other references to the HD2 as the "Dark" handset. I predict come March 24 I'll be visiting a T-Mobile store!

While no specific date has been officially announced yet, T-Mobile has launched a new web page for the highly anticipated HD2 with general information and mailing list sign up. This is obviously the teaser that T-Mobile posted on their twitter page last week. Judging by T-Mobile's history (as a 6 year customer), I suspect we're about a month away of release.

As of now, the HD2 is the only Windows Mobile device upgradable to Windows Phone 7. Do you plan on getting the HD2 when it's released? While I personally don't plan to (due to lack of physical keyboard), I know it'll be an awesome device nonetheless!

"Looks like the HTC HD2 is getting a little spec bump on its way to our fair shores: the official spec page lists the version bound for T-Mobile US with 1GB of ROM and 576 of RAM, a boost over the international edition's 512 and 448MB. What's more, it looks like a bigger 16GB microSD card will come in the box, a big jump over the 2GB stick currently bundled overseas."

Over the weekend Engadget and others repoted that the version of the HD2 that is slated for T-Mobile will get slightly better stats than the first version available worldwide. My HD2 Saving Fund is strong in both amount and desire - how about yours?

In Oz and have a hankering for the almighty HTC HD2? It's now available on Telstra's Next G network in Australia at $150 AUD upfront on a monthly $20 AUD, $30 AUD, or $40 AUD plan, or $0 upfront on other plans. Alternatively, you can pick it up for $829 AUD outright. It's available online and from any Telstra Shop around the country.

"T-Mobile USA, Inc. and HTC today announced that HTC HD2ä is expected to be available for the first time in the U.S. exclusively from T-Mobile USA this spring. With its industry-leading, high-resolution, 4.3-inch capacitive touch display and high-powered features, the ultrathin HTC HD2 phone delivers content in a sharper, brighter and richer way. The HTC HD2 comes equipped with the 1GHz SnapdragonTM by Qualcomm mobile processor and utilizes T-Mobile's high-speed 3G network for a fast mobile data experience. "T-Mobile and HTC have a long history of partnering to deliver innovative, cutting-edge products to T-Mobile customers," said George Harrison, vice president, marketing product innovation, T-Mobile USA. "The HTC HD2 delivers a thin, sophisticated design and powerful features that we are excited to add to our dynamic smartphone lineup this spring."

Later this spring the HTC HD2 will be coming to those on T-Mobile USA. It's a beautiful machine, so those looking to upgrade may want to fill out the form on T-Mobile's site for updates!

"I had concerns that the HD2 was simply going to be too big. The initial pictures gave me the impression that it couldn't be comfortable to carry, hold or use. I'm glad that first impression was way off target. I found the HD2 very comfortable, and the large 4.3-inch screen a joy to use. The capacitive screen is nice, but had HTC chosen a resistive screen, I believe the HD2 would still be a solid performer. Call quality is very good and the Snapdragon processor moves things along nicely."

WMExperts recently gave the HD2 a spin, and liked what they saw. Unfortunately, for those of you in the US, it's not all that US-friendly at the moment, but hang on to your seats because a US-friendly version of this snappy Snapdragon-based device is expected to land sometime this quarter.

"Not much to say here other than there's a PlayStation emulator for the HD2 and it bloody well works! The original gangster of consoles, already emulated on other WinMo devices such as Toshiba's TG01, has made its way to HTC's finest thanks to version 0.10 of the First PlayStation Emulator for Windows CE."

The above comes from the post on Engadget, with WMPowerUser also reporting that playstation addicts can now find a working port of the FPSE to Windows CE and by extension, the HTC HD2. So if you're in the mood for some old school gaming on the small screen, check it out for a late holiday present!

"I've been honoured to have the HD2 in daily use for the last six weeks (thanks O2) and I'm very impressed with all aspects of its design and function - The Sense tabs that replace the Titanium interface work beautifully well and the deeper integration that HTC have done to hide the somewhat finger unfriendly WM6.5 interface make the device a joy to use - and yes I can say that the stylus has not been missed at all. The speed of the HD2 has to be seen to be believed (videos to follow) everything feels fast and smooth from the transitional tab navigation in the Sense screen to the speed of scanning photos in flow mode, or flicking through large pictures in the Album itself. Transitions from portrait to landscape modes in applications is nigh on instant and the same can be said when zooming in and out of photographs using the two finger pinch system. At one point I actually found I had fourteen applications loaded in the background (including heavyweight items like the Album) and there was no slow down in operation and no applications had auto-closed in the background. During the time I've used the HD2 there have been no problems with the device heating up or behaving in an adverse manner in any way."

I normally don't like to quote as much as I did above from 4WinMobile's review. However you can believe me when I say that I'm not quoting any more than my normal percentage! This thing is massive! And with more screenshots than you can shake a stick at (ANY stick.. large or small), it is worth a read. And I'm fairly sure it would make even the most ardent iPhone supporter admit that the UI is quite nice!

"The HTC HD2 is the world's first Windows Mobile-toting phone with a capacitive screen, and also packs the world's largest mobile phone display too. It's also the first WinMo phone to use HTC's Sense UI, previously used on the company's Android handsets, bringing with it Facebook integration and direct Twitter access, as well as masking well the operating system beneath it."

In an extensive review of the HD2 TechRadar compares it to the iPhone (What else is new?) and while a complete review in it's own right, it does make me wonder: Is it fair to compare a business-oriented OS to a consumer-oriented? Or is it just that Windows Mobile doesn't fit nicely into purely business or purely consumer spaces?

"Sure, you've seen this guy in action in earlier videos... but it's still nice to get a look at this monster up close. We're still blown away by the fact that this is a Windows Mobile 6.5 device -- the skinning job that HTC has done here is nothing short of a miracle."

HTC's Sense-equipped HD2 is one gorgeous Windows Mobile 6.5 device, and Engadget has the eye candy to back it up. Scoot over there and check it out. Anyone planning on picking one up?

"We've been furnished with the above page from an O2 in-store catalog detailing the HTC HD2 (aka Leo), which was set for a UK release on October 12 (though we're hearing that may have slipped to the 26th). Interesting that it's pictured with a stock Windows Mobile 6.5 UI instead of TouchFLO 3D."

HD2, the name now popular for the Leo, appears to be on track for O2 UK - including this possible catalog image that's leaked out. Looks good for my friends across the pond to pick one of these up soon, if they so desire.

"A trusted tipster with a proven past just gave us the launch day scoop on the hotly anticipated HTC Leo. A Windows Mobile 6.5 handset we recently spied with HD2 branding and a 4.3-inch capacitive touchscreen display with 800x480 resolution -- a pixel density that should give plenty of room for finger-friendly TouchFlo 3D navigation"

Looks like the Leo, or the HD2, or whatever it wants to call itself, may be showing up in the UK as early as October 12. Those on O2 may want to be aware if they're interested in replacing an aging device. Or just want another one to play with!

UPDATE: And MAN is that thing fast! Engadget reported yesterday that benchmarks are showing it to have about a 300% increase in raw CPU speed over the original HTC Touch HD!

"This new Leo hotness from HTC sure is making the rounds, and we certainly can't get enough of it. Its latest appearance shows the handset from some sexy angles, but also gives us a new tidbit to chew on: the Bluetooth menu identifies the phone as the HD2."

The Leo is one hot little device, and apparently it now has a new moniker all of it's peeps are calling it (Side note: if a peep is short for person, would other devices be deeps? Anyway...). HD2 isn't any shorter, but perhaps it hints to it's eventual role in the HTC Handset lineup?