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

If you're a Touch Pro2 user with Vodafone UK and are eager to upgrade to Windows Mobile 6.5, your moment has arrived. The update is free and yours to grab at the Vodafone UK site.

"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.

"Orange today announced that the HTC Touch HD handset will be available in the UK from early November, exclusively on the Orange network. The Touch HD is a premium multimedia enhanced mobile handset, designed with a focus on entertainment that is set transform how people experience multimedia on the move. Its extensive 3.8 inch, high resolution, widescreen WVGA touchscreen offers users stunning clarity and vibrant colours, providing an unrivalled experience when watching movies or using Orange’s mobile TV service, browsing the internet on Orange’s high speed data network (3G+) or even scanning through photos taken with its 5 megapixel auto focus camera. The Touch HD also renders websites quickly and in full-page width, providing a browsing experience closer to that using fixed line broadband and allowing users to navigate more easily. What’s more, the stylish new device features HTC’s beautiful TouchFLO 3D user interface to provide quick and intuitive access to the people, messages and content that are most important, and a standard 3.5mm headphone jack has been incorporated, allowing customers to use high-performance headphones with the device for the best possible sound quality."

Exclusivity sucks, but at least it's better than nothing. To our UK readers, if you're in the market for a new device and like what you see in the Touch HD, then starting early November, you'll be able to pick it up with Orange from £79.99 (~ $126 USD) on a £40 (~ $63 USD) per month plan for 18 months. The plan includes a monthly quota of 250MB, which should be enough for light e-mail access and the odd browse.

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"Feature rich Windows Mobile 6.1 device utilising HTC's new Touchflow UI. This device is in a tablet form factor meaning it is touch screen only. It comes loaded with Vodafone Email Plus and the Vodafone Sat Nav program. Launch expected in July."

If you're a Vodafone UK customer, keep your eyes open for an HTC Touch Diamond release in July. You will have the option of paying $0 for the device, with some unspecified pricing plan. And each purchase includes a free Bluetooth hands-free car kit. More information on the Vodafone Business Shop webpage.