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...

"This morning, Samsung announced the list of countries that are slated to get the Omnia II in August. Missing from the list is the United States and other major markets including the UK, France and Germany. Pretty odd, considering we know Best Buy is (or was) slated to score it later this month. We’re guessing: 1) Something was delayed. 2) BBYM will get shipments on the 23rd but the handset won’t be available for sale until early September. 3) Samsung just can’t mention the US yet as there has been no official announcement with AT&T."

Release dates for the Samsung Omnia II (For this month) have surfaced, and while we may have a clue that the Omnia is coming to the US, US isn't listed in the dates. But hopefully we'll know more regarding that soon!

"Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a leading mobile phone manufacturer announced the launch of Omnia, Samsung’s all-in-one mobile phone in the Italian market on July 22. Starting from Italy, Omnia will be available through major European mobile operators and in most of GSM supporting open markets during July and August.  Omnia meaning ‘everything’ in Latin and ‘wish’ in Arabic, goes beyond the current top-of-the-line features available in today’s mobile phones. As the first market in Europe, Samsung had pre-order promotion for Italian consumers in cooperation with Media world, the electronics stores in Europe. The consumers who made the reservation for Omnia from July 14 will receive Xbox 360 Arcade gaming systems when  will be available. The price will be at 499 Euro (8GB) without subsidy."

In just under a week, the Omnia will make its long-awaited debut in Italy. Other European markets can expect to see it later this month or next month in two versions - an 8GB and a 16GB; the former will sell for €499 ($793.7 USD) outright. Anyone here planning on picking one up when released?

... uh, Handango, not Sony Ericsson. This is, perhaps, the first definitive launch date we've heard since Sony Ericsson announced the XPERIA X1 back in February, and matches the company's ever so vague claim of a "second half" release. Anyone still have their sights set on this device?