Windows Mobile 7 megarumor: LG Apollo and HTC Obsession running flagship '720p' specs, Zune Phone Experience
By Paul Miller 
posted January 18th 2010 3:05PM
posted January 18th 2010 3:05PM
Alright, this is some wild, heavy stuff, but the folks at WMExperts have compiled what they believe to be true about Windows Mobile 7, including a whole bunch of previously undisclosed info and even a couple of flagship phones. We can't vouch for the rumors, but there's a ring of truth to plenty of it, and most of the rest of it we want to be true. First off, Microsoft is approaching the revision with two flavors: Windows Phone Seven Business Edition, and Windows Phone Seven Media Edition. The former is a stripped down OS that will allow OEM overlays like HTC's Sense UI, and includes lower minimum specs -- though a WVGA "minimum" is nothing to get angry about. Meanwhile, it sounds like the Media Edition is the quasi-"Zune Phone" we've been dreaming of, with a heavy emphasis on HD media playback and capture, along with social networking activities like Xbox Live, Facebook and Twitter. Other features include cloud-style services on the Business Edition side for live manipulation of stored data, a long with a location-aware platform dubbed "Orion."This all sounds great, but what's really exciting is what Microsoft is dictating should be in some of these Media Edition phones. The first two to break cover are the LG Apollo and HTC Obsession. The Apollo is a 3G worldphone (EV-DO and HSDPA) that runs a 1.3GHz Qualcomm QSD8650 processor and a 3.8-inch AMOLED 1280 x 720 WXGA display. The phone also is purported to have a 10 megapixel camera capable of 720p video recording. Meanwhile, HTC's HSDPA-limited Obsession runs a mere 1GHz Qualcomm QSD8250 proc, with a 3.7-inch AMOLED display, 5 megapixel camera and 720p video recording. The Apollo is due in August or September of this year, with the Obsession following in October. Now, some of these specs are admittedly suspect, like the WXGA resolution on the Apollo and that seemingly 10 megapixel sensor, but we want to believe.
As for what we know to be true? Well, we know we'll see something at MWC next month, unless Robbie Bach is just joshing around, and we also know HTC has confirmed its involvement with Windows Mobile 7 -- lending some credence to rumors of the Sense UI sticking around for a new-generation -- and that LG has gone on (and quickly off) record as well saying it'll have a WinMo 7 phone in September. It's all a lot more vague than the pages of specs we're staring at now, but it's clear that something is brewing. Hit up the source link for the full nitty gritty.
i smell a scent of sexy in the air....
@IAMKITTY
and my wife always tells me I'm wearing too much cologne
@cyclops whats a wife?
@IAMKITTY
WIFE = Wash Iron Fornicate Ect.
@IAMKITTY
Yeah, hope some of it comes true...
Hey engadget - since you have nearly 50% rumors and blurrycam posts - how about having a separate hub called "rumor page" or something? The other page can be engadget news or whatever, where you post only confirmed news and reviews. I'm guessing that'll put most of the bitching (myself included) to rest.
@IAMKITTY The sad thing is it never even OCCURED to them to converge Windows Mobile and Zune until they saw an iPhone. Now they're 3 years late to the party. Way to go Microsoft!
@IAMKITTY Do want! But I have the stinking feeling that this great tech is going to be saddled with 4 GBs of flash, if that!
@DirtyVegas
That is a brilliant idea. Engadget, listen to this guy ^^^
@Tchaikovsky
But with the power of SDHC and XC you will not be stuck with that.
@Jon Rubinstein I'm still with you.
@IAMKITTY
Smells more like FAIL to me.
@InlawBiker The main specs of the Apollo device is just uber-amazing. CPU: Qualcomm QSD8650; 1.3GHz, Memory (RAM/ROM): 1GB/1GB, Screen Resolution: WXGA 1280 x 720 px, Camera: 10-megapixel with flash and autofocus; HD 720p video@ 30fps
So far the latest release of LG is the GW990: http://bit.ly/lg-gw990-detailed-views which is still subpar with this Apollo (that is, if all the specs are for real)
@Jon Rubinstein well, you can re-continue WM phones.
webOS + WM Phones = more money
@DirtyVegas there def. should be a tag on it for rumormill. but hey, i like this rumor, so don't jinx it!
@Jon Rubinstein
Both would be great! I have addapted to Pre's non square screen!
i swear i will buy both types and use one i feel like on the right days!
I have gone palm nuts! (new prod name possibllity?!
i am the one from sinagpore by the way!
@Jon Rubinstein
plus i like anything palm
@DirtyVegas O n also Engadget can u start a page like all news related to Winmo7 like u did for the Zunehd... so we can have all compiled info bout it on one page...
@serenaburkes HTC Obsession should include a 1GHz processor, 512MB of ROM/RAM, 4GB of internal storage, MicroSD memory card slot (32GB), a 3.7-inch capacitive AMOLED display, 5.0-megapixel camera. Insane! More details: http://bit.ly/htc-obsession-details
@erwinaroin Some of the features of LG apollo is really high-end: 3.8-inch capacitive AMOLED multitouch display with WXGA resolution (1280 x 720 pixels) CDMA / EV-DO and GSM / HSDPA connectivity, Wi-Fi, Qualcomm CPU at 1.3GHz, 1GB of RAM, 1GB of ROM. 10MP autofocus camera with flash and HD 720p. Details: http://bit.ly/lg-apollo-details
I wonder if it will even need Sense...
@B3astofthe3ast
What it doesn't need is two different operating systems. Just have it default to a brainless front end like sense but allow some serious drilling down into the OS for some serious customization and control.
Mmmmm.
I can just imagine a Zune OS on some LG Chocolate-y design.
@Kantanax
Zune HD in phone form would be perfect! Except for those pesky ads before apps...
I just cried out of my penis...
@oldpass56 ....shhhhhh......me 2
@oldpass56
You guys may want to get that looked at...
@oldpass56
Wait, you mean that's not normal....?
@oldpass56
That's a normal fanboy reaction.
do my eyes deceive me? a winmo rumor taking over valuable islate rumor space? is it 2012?
@SaintAndrew
It better not be! I need 2 years to enjoy that Apollo before my contract is up!
@SaintAndrew
It better not be, or I just missed my free Verizon phone upgrade
I smell sexy coming back..
but, where did it go?
@SkyNew
Was it ever gone?
@SkyNew
That was just me taking a dump... oh look a Zune in the toilet...I guess that is proper placement if I've ever seen it :)
Well the specs of the Obsession at least imply that the Nexus One is capable of 720P video recording.
@DestrictoEnse
Of course it's "capable" but what exactly does THAT mean?
The chip is capable of alot of things, but what gets implemented is a totally different story...:P
Finally a WinMo phone that can do 720p video though...I am loving it.
@DestrictoEnse
Same goes for HD2, but it would be pointless seeing as the screens are only 480 lines.
Unless of course the Nexus One has video out (I hear the HD2 does not).
@Syphon Filter
Well, it has USB, that's good enough for me.
@Syphon Filter Thats a stupid question- a lot like asking why video cameras do HD even though their tiny LCDs can't display it. Ever heard of YouTube, Google Video, Yahoo Video, Viddler, etc??
@Palomino
My bad, I misread the comment about the Nexus One, I thought the OP was referring to 720p playback (on the device). I totally didn't read the "recording".
I apologise if my comment offended you.
what thou smellest is the scent of mobile devices cooking in MS's underground lab....
I'll take any rumor as long as "apple islate" is not in it.
Nice.
But I have to ask; what will the battery life be like? :)
@Jonathan K archos 5 internet media tablet(omg its a tablet) - 1 hour= 0
@Jonathan K
Well considering it's powered by stale Apple rumors, I'd say nearly infinite. There's a never ending supply after all.
@Jonathan K
Judging by what is posted, two minutes unless they have one heck of a battery.
@Jonathan K
I reckon about 12 hours. Educated guess based on how long my HD2 lasts, but that goes down fast if you use the WiFi, Bluetooth and media playing capabilities heavily. Today I managed about 45mins of avi playback, 10-15 minutes of calls, syncing some emails, bit of browsing in the morning (maybe 15minutes) and some light SMS.
"AMOLED 1280 x 720 WXGA display" Is this a phone or a damn computer? I can't imagine that on a measly 3.8in screen.
@prewreckless
seriously. That resolution can't be right... you're eyes would bleed.. no?