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

"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...

"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!

"Apple's patent lawsuit against HTC will not cause major problems for the Taiwan technology company in the short term, analysts said Wednesday. But it could strain its relations with partners in the crucial U.S. market and test its leadership, adding to its challenges in the increasingly competitive smartphone field."

The article points out that, short term, there's not likely to be any impact on HTC as these types of lawsuits tend to take three to four years to come to bear. It will, however, be a distraction for HTC and a drain on their resources. Engadget asks if Google will come to the aid of HTC since Andriod is part of what Apple is targeting. I still find the whole thing pretty ridiculous; Apple is doing quite well in the smartphone space and I fail to see why they think this will improve their position there.

"Looks like Apple's going on the warpath, kids. Just a few months after Cupertino got into it with Nokia over phone patents, Apple's filed suit against HTC, alleging that the company is infringing 20 patents "related to the iPhone's user interface, underlying architecture, and hardware.""

Jobs is ticked off that the world isn't worshiping his iPad and in a fit of childish rage, he commanded his minions to sue HTC so he'd feel better about himself. ;-) Seriously though, "Conserving Power By Reducing Voltage Supplied To An Instruction-Processing Portion Of A Processor" - it's patentable to reduce voltage to a chip? That's common sense I'd think...that's what bugs me about patents; most are not about inventing anything, they're about a concept, like left-right-left of your feet being walking. I think this is going to blow up in Apple's face; it makes them look weak and foolish, like they can't figure out what to do with the iPhone next, so they'll sue HTC to slow them down and get them off track. Personally, I think Microsoft should partner up with HTC and even Google, all three should dig into their patent chest, and blast back at Apple. Might as well make this a real throw-down. I'm all for companies defending their innovations, but this doesn't seem like that's what Apple is doing.

"While in a recent Twitter Q&A, Microsoft UK's Director of the UK Mobile Business Group Alex Reeve hinted that 'ODMs are free to offer Windows Phone 7 Series upgrades for Windows Mobile 6 smartphones', Natasha Kwan, General Manager for Microsoft's Mobile Communications Business in the Asia-Pacific region, told APC that the HD2 - the hottest candidate for such an upgrade - 'doesn't qualify because it doesn't have the three buttons'."

With its uber-specs, the HD2 was the likeliest candidate among the current crop of WM6.5 smartphones to get an upgrade to WP7. But Microsoft appears to be taking their lockdown of the user experience in WP7 very, very seriously - and the HD2 doesn't qualify. That's going to disappoint a lot of HD2 buyers (in Asia and Europe) and prospective buyers (in N. America). I'd bet the possibility of an upgrade was a factor in the buying decision (I was certainly thinking that way), and with this development sales of the HD2, as well as its resale value, might take a hit with WP7 just 7 months away.

I'm actually surprised to see a video - I wasn't expecting to see this phone in the hands of anyone yet...this is a short video, but it gives you the overall basics of the HTC HD Mini. If the price is right, this could be a very popular phone!

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!

HTC launched three new devices at MWC yesterday (click the link for Engadget's commentary during the press event). The Legend and the Desire will both run Android, but the last of the trio is the HD Mini which will run on Windows Mobile 6.5.3. That's honestly a bit of a come down after all the excitement over Microsoft's big Windows Phone 7 Series launch yesterday, but the Mini isn't a slouch by any means and is quite likely to be successful given it's positioning as a mid-level/entry level device (remember the Magician and all its variants?). Engadget has a hands-on gallery (and soon to come video) on the new device, which will sport a 600MHz processor, HTC Sense, a 3.2" capacitive screen, and the usual array of radios. Jason had a chance to discuss the device with HTC - well worth a read for the insight into the thinking behind its design.

I was part of a conference call with Eric Lin from HTC last Friday, and in that call he told us about three new phones coming out soon. Two of them were Andriod-based (HTC Legend, HTC Desire) so of little interest to me, but the third was very exciting: the HTC HD Mini. Before I get to that, it's interesting to note that all three of these phones were designed by One & Co, an industrial design firm that HTC purchased in late 2008. One & Co continues to serve other clients, but when it comes to wireless phones, they only work for HTC. One & Co designed the HTC Diamond, which, love or hate the angled back, you have to admit was a phone that looked unlike anything else HTC had ever created. One & Co has also designed the Microsoft Arc mouse and Arc keyboard.

[click here to check out the 9 megapixel high-resolution of the above image]

The visual theme for the HD Mini is "Hidden Power". Lin described this as "Nothing is cool for the sake of being cool". Everything that looks cool about this phone is also functional. Here's what I was told about the HD Mini in the conference call. Read more...

"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?

The Boy Genius Report has a piece on a new HTC device codenamed Obsession, that may just be the first native WM7 device to hit North America. The prospective specs matches or exceeds that of the HD2 (except for screen size), and the device is expected to be picked up by AT&T and T-Mobile as the successor to the Diamond 2. We've have no firm idea on the release date, but given how early this leak is and how close we are to MWC, there's a chance the Obsession//Diamond 3 will be announced at the same time as the expected official unveiling of WM7 this month.

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!

This is a two-part unboxing and first impressions video of the HTC HD2 [affiliate], a Windows phone running Windows Mobile 6.5. The HTC HD2 has is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, at an amazing 1024 Mhz. It has 512 MB of ROM, 448 MB of RAM, and a microSDHC card slot for expansion up to 32 GB. It weighs 5.54 ounces (157 grams), and measures 11mm thin (0.43"), 120.5mm tall (4.74"), and 67mm across (2.64"). Read more...

I really like a lot of things about my T-Mobile Touch Pro 2. However one thing I detest is the SIM card slot. The provided method you are asked to use (pressing down on a small silver latch and then sliding the card out) simply doesn't work. I've tried jamming the stylus under it, on it, around it, and that isn't the best solution either. Finally this morning I found a method that works very well, is easy to do, requires very little outside funding, and is safe: A Paperclip! Bent up paperclip to be precise, with a small loop that can lift the SIM card up just enough to slide it out. Check out the video below for my simple fix, and be free to swap SIMs like a maniac (a.k.a. like me).

"If you live and die by HTC, you might be very excited to know that the company's portfolio for the first half of 2010 has been leaked online. HTC's portfolio was presented in Vienna back in October in a global meeting, and now it's available for us to see. The phones are broken down by category: Design, Performance, Social and Productivity (can't a phone be two or more?). Lined up are a number of Windows Mobile 6.5 devices and Android devices, so we hope you're sitting down for this one."

Boy Genius report has a number of tidbits about HTC's upcoming headsets (They and other sites like Gizmodo got it from Android and Me) and does a good job rounding all the information up. For those of us who make HTC our preferred phone vendor, it's nice to get a glimpse behind the curtain every so often.

HTC's Touch HD2 is perhaps the most hotly anticipated handset of the holiday season, which says a lot given the competition. Is it too big? Is Snapdragon all its cracked up to be? Is this (finally) Windows Mobile answer to the iPhone? Read on for the reviews, hands-on, and first impressions:

• Engadget
• Akihabara
• Infosync
• ZDNet
• Gear Diary
• Mobility Minded

"A video review of HTC's flagship Windows Mobile Touch screen phone, the HD2. This is the first Windows Mobile phone with a capacitive touch screen, and the glass display measures 4.3". The HD2 runs Windows Mobile 6.5 with HTC's Sense UI which is their new version of TouchFLO 3D. It has a 1GHz Snapdragon CPU, 488 megs RAM, a 5 MP autofocus camera with dual LED flash, WiFi, Bluetooth and a GPS. This is one of the best smartphones we've seen and is definitely worth a look!"

Lisa Gade from MobileTechReview does a great walk-through of the HTC Touch HD2. I haven't had a chance to shoot mine yet, so until then, enjoy...