Samsung i730 to get Windows Mobile 5.0 / VZW to get HTC Apache as XV6700?

Not that we'd be terribly surprised by the development, but from what appears to be a leaked Verizon presentation (though we don't have any way of truly verifying this, even though it looks pretty legit) it looks like all you i730 owners out there no longer need worry about what happens to your device's OS: yes, you should be getting a Windows Mobile 5.0 upgrade for the thing next year. Other interesting bits: this document confirms a new EV-DO BlackBerry 7100-series device called the 7130E, and also confirms their intentions to carry the HTC Apache (aka Sprint PPC-6700) under the name XV6700 (how terribly coincidental, given both carriers carried the HTC Harrier as the PPC-6600/ XV6600). [Warning: PDF link]

[Thanks, Joel]

[Pete Nice @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

I like how they talk about UMTS as the upgrade path to GSM and point out that it is slower than EV-DO. But they don't mention HSDPA (which Cingular is deploying) will be faster than EV-DO....

[Raphael Salgado @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

Interesting how "they're offering a Q106 upgrade" to Windows Mobile 5.0 for a device that's already Windows Mobile 5.0 from the manufacturer... the HTC Apache aka Sprint PPC-6700... http://www.sprint.com/business/products/phones/ppc6700_allPcsPhones.jsp

[murph @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

as someone who is surfing engadget.com on a i730 right now, let me just say....

HELLS YEAHHHHHHH!

[EMOrtal @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

Personally the presentation looks real enough but the i730 image itself looks too dark and very pixelized compared to every other phone image in the presentation. I believe it was pasted into the presentation. I do hope the i730 gets WM5 though.

[tsuyopon @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

when is the 6700 from verizon coming out? is the data plan cheaper on sprint? i've been hearing people paying only $15/month for unlimited evdo on sprint with their 6700...if that's true, i'll drive that tanker.

[ckeegan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

First of all, I believe this presentation to be extremely legit since I am the one that posted it on pdaphonehome.com yesterday. I had been googling "XV6700" every other day for about 3 weeks, and sure enough, yesterday my method paid off.

This presentation originated on the TrioTek website, which is "a national master agent providing fulfillment logistics for the sale and deployment of carrier-based, wireless technology products such as handsets, smartphones and data cards for Cingular, Sprint and Verizon Wireless."

I don't know if you could get anymore legit than this. The presentation itself suggests that the XV6700 is to be released in the 2nd half of '05, but I'm still confused by the "upgradable to WM 5.0 1Q06" for the 6700. If that's the case, just hold the release until 1st quarter.

[Allen @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

Thank you to whomever posted this! I was about ready to pull the trigger on the PPC6700 and renew my Sprint contract for another 2 years. But I like the looks of the XV (black and silver) over the straight silver on the PPC and have kinda been wanting to switch to Verizon anyway. Plus, after 2 Treos (600 & 650) I'm ready for a new user experience. Sweeeet~!

[pete @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

Has Cingular said they are deploying HSDPA?
It would be logical roadmap for them, but haven't heard any concrete plans.
Links/info anyone?

[PHug @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

HSDPA? LOL
Cingular/T-mobile won't have that till 2007 at the earliest.
By then HTC will have 5 or 6 superior phones on the market and just beginning their world domination.
So get with Verizon/Sprint now and dump them for Cingular/T-mobile later

[tsuyopon @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

I agree with Allen, VX6700 does look better than the Sprint offering. But Verizon charges $80 for unlimited data plan, which is a little steep for my liking, since I already have an EVDO PC Card from Verizon, I can't afford another $80 ontop of that...bummer.

[Jabes @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

Verizon DOES NOT charge $80 for unlimited data for PDAs... they charge $49.99 or $44.99. The $80 is for PCMCIA cards only. Please don't post blatantly wrong information.

[joel purvis @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

If you have a voice plan already, you can add unlimited data to your plan and dump your $80 pc card, because with a little research you can see find out how to use your I730 as an EV-DO modem quite easily (trust me, I know that of which I speak).

[Alex B @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

HSDPA?? The GSM fans are already looking forward to this huh? Wow, that's optimism for you. One thing at a time guys, Cingular doesn't even have UMTS deployed yet. (yes, I know they're testing it in a few markets but c'mon) I would be surprised if they had HSDPA rolling by 2009. By that time we'll at least be on EVDO Rel-A, if not higher - which will every bit as fast if not faster.

[Allen @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

Hey, what happened to the link with the PDF presentation? I was so amped up about the XV6700 I went back to take another close up look and it was gone! Did anyone download it? If so, please email it to me at golferal2 at yahoo dot com. Thanks!