PhoneEdition -- Engadget

PhoneEdition posts

Engadget Mobile meets, greets Sprint Mogul

by Chris Ziegler posted Jun 18th 2007 at 8:48AM

For our Mobile squad, no smartphone launch is complete until we've touched it, analyzed it, and -- knowing our butterfingered selves -- dropped it on a concrete surface (just kidding, our Mobile editors would sacrifice life and limb for the safety of a handset). But when said smartphone happens to be a frickin' CDMA device from HTC... well, that's like a once (or twice) in a lifetime event. Head on over to Mobile for our first impressions of Sprint's Mogul by HTC with a full gallery to boot. Heck, it's almost as good as actually buying one!

Evidence grows for imminent T-Mobile Wing launch

by Chris Ziegler posted May 21st 2007 at 7:16PM

We're not sure if it's the newfound presence of the Wing on T-Mobile's support site or the ever-growing throng of individuals reporting that customer service agents and in-store reps are touting May 22 as the launch date, but something tells us that tomorrow's starting to look pretty good for getting some Windows Mobile 6 Professional love. Seeing how T-Mobile is without a Pocket PC phone option right now, the Wing's arrival isn't just welcome -- it's necessary -- and as 2.5G Pocket PCs go, the Wing's a doozy. The slim case and soft-touch finish alone are enough to make Wizard owners shed a tear, but the real prize is likely Windows Mobile 6 Professional and a revised, spring-loaded keyboard with a more traditional numeric layout. Get your pocketbooks ready, ladies and gentlemen.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

T-Mobile Wing gets unboxed

by Chris Ziegler posted May 11th 2007 at 6:16PM

MyMobile911 has somehow managed to acquire a "production package" of T-Mobile's upcoming Windows Mobile 6-equipped Wing, and perhaps the most interesting news here is that it is, in fact, called the "Wing." Previous reports had suggested that execs weren't happy with the name, but hey, they could call it "Poo" for all we care -- the fact that retail packaging is in the wild suggests that a release could very well be imminent. The box's contents turn out to be pretty standard fare: a charger, stereo headset, cables, software, and a handful of manuals, though one gem is the audio/charging dongle that appears to let you juice the battery and rock out at the same time. With the MDA axed from the lineup, T-Mobile's Pocket PC-less shelves are looking a wee bit bare; Wing, you can't possible get here soon enough.

[Thanks, Wally S.]

O2 gets HTC Panda as "Xda Argon"

by Chris Ziegler posted May 2nd 2007 at 11:26AM

If this wasn't actually on O2's website, we'd think it was just a late (really late) April Fool's joke; alas, it now seems that the HTC Panda is the real deal in all its throwback glory. Looking pretty much like an HTC Himalaya or Alpine, the Panda reminds us of everything that was great about 2004 -- and thankfully, O2 has decided in its infinite wisdom to pick up the device as the "Xda Argon." Don't get your hopes up for modernized guts, though -- those are throwback, too, with EDGE data and Windows Mobile 5 leading the charge. On the other hand, Bluetooth, WiFi, a 2 megapixel camera, and a gloriously large 3.5 inch display all help make the Panda's case for a place in the sentimental Pocket PC user's pocket. Get it now on O2 for as little as... well, nothing, depending on the contract you select.

[Via the::unwired]

HTC reveals official Windows Mobile 6 upgrade plans

by Sean Cooper posted Apr 19th 2007 at 4:25PM

It seems HTC has finally gotten all of its leaves in a pile by releasing the much anticipated Windows Mobile 6 upgrade roadmap; while this news isn't a surprise, it's always reassuring to hear it straight from the manufacturer. Starting in April (the clock is ticking HTC) the updates will begin rolling out on HTC's European site for your downloading pleasure (link below). The list includes the HTC Advantage, HTC TyTn, HTC S620, HTC P3300, and the HTC 4350. All of you folks rolling with carrier-branded handsets will have to wait until June, and to make it a bit more unbearable, no operators or devices are specifically mentioned. HTC's rationale in choosing these handsets over others in their portfolio -- in case you are screaming "why not me?" -- is that devices with a focus on messaging will most benefit from the upgrade. Maybe it's just us, but aren't all of HTC's handsets focused on messaging? We will be bringing you a blow by blow as these things land, so if you see one posted and we haven't mentioned it, drop us a line.

[Thanks, Sed]

Read - HTC's WM6 roadmap [Warning: PDF link]
Read - HTC Europe download site

Sprint PPC-6800 (HTC Titan) in the wild

by Chris Ziegler posted Apr 19th 2007 at 12:53PM

Canada's Telus may be in the process of beating it to the punch, but that's not stopping Sprint (and Verizon, for that matter) from prepping its own variant of the HTC Titan, the PPC-6800. A PPCGeeks forum member recently got the enviable opportunity to screw around with a prototype of the Sprint-branded unit -- and besides coming away with a veritable cornucopia of imagery, they've posted a few key details: in addition to rocking Windows Mobile 5 AKU 3.3 (Pocket PC Phone Edition, of course), the device will use a Qualcomm MSM7500 to push bits and bytes at around 400MHz (as we've already seen in its XV6800 sibling) and end up with about 174MB of usable Flash and 49MB of RAM. Of course, this is a prototype -- specs are subject to change -- but seeing how the Telus version is already on the streets, what you see here is probably darned near what you're going to get. Follow the break for some key shots.

[Thanks, Brian C.]

Continue reading Sprint PPC-6800 (HTC Titan) in the wild

HTC's voice-free Census coming to Sprint?

by Chris Ziegler posted Apr 3rd 2007 at 11:31AM

If this is the device Census Bureau workers end up getting to use come 2010, we've gotta say, we're a little jealous. The aptly-named "Census" from HTC crossed the FCC's wires several months ago, and a fresh visit reveals that pictures of the device and a user's manual are now available. Sticking with the Bureau's claim that their device would be strictly used for data collection, the Windows Mobile Pocket PC-powered Census dispenses with calling functionality, instead loading up with a variety of options for transmitting collected data back to home base: 1xRTT / EV-DO, WiFi, and a phone jack (oh, my!) are all on board. Though we're not certain, we're guessing the jack is an analog modem, ensuring that even the most rural Census visits -- places where even CDMA may not penetrate -- won't go unreported in short order. The device also includes a fingerprint reader, which gives us some sense of security (however false it may be) that the intimate details we share with those workers are safe. A screen shot in the user's manual reveals Sprint as a possible carrier, but if this is in fact the Census device we've all been hearing about, it's uncertain whether it'll ever be made available outside the feds' bureaucratic hands.

[Via phoneArena]

HTC "Gene" makes FCC appearance

by Chris Ziegler posted Feb 21st 2007 at 3:24PM

After a fairly productive 3GSM last week showing off new Windows Mobile 6 wares in the form of the Vox and the Advantage, everyone's favorite Taiwanese Windows Mobile ODM has graced us with this here "Gene" (or at least we think that's what it's called, based on its model number, GENE100) via our usual Tipster Extraordinare, the FCC. The specs aren't really enough to knock our socks off -- data tops out with quadband EDGE, the cam is a simple 2 megapixel unit, plus the usual Bluetooth 2.0, 128MB of ROM, 64MB of RAM, and QVGA display atop a 201MHz TI OMAP850 -- but at this point, we're still happy to get whatever new Professional hardware we can get.

Palm makes Treo 700wx official for Verizon

by Chris Ziegler posted Feb 20th 2007 at 12:40PM

Palm and Verizon have made official today what we've known now for a while (as have Sprint and Alltel): 32MB of RAM in a Windows Mobile 5 device just doesn't really cut it. The Treo 700wx rights the 700w's wrongs with an extra 32MB of memory for a grand total of 64MB; otherwise, though, the device is all but identical to its older sibling, with Windows Mobile 6 sadly nowhere in sight. Get it now while it's hot at Verizon stores or online for a stiff $399 on 2-year contract after $100 rebate.

Lenovo shows Windows Mobile 6 offerings

by Chris Ziegler posted Feb 13th 2007 at 1:11AM

Lenovo's been pushing phones in its native China for some time -- including some bearing Windows Mobile -- and the company is among Microsoft's launch partners for version six at 3GSM this week. Details are slim for both of these units, but we're guessing the Standard device on the right will be destined for Russia on account of its rather, um... Russia-ish keypad. The Professional handset on the left, though, we're going to call the "Peacemaker." We're not sure exactly how a Google logo found its way prominently onto the frontside of a Microsoft-powered handset, but hey, if all parties involved are cool with that, we're cool with that, too.

Gallery: Lenovo's Windows Mobile 6 launch handsets

i-mate goes deep with Ultimate line, five models promised

by Chris Ziegler posted Feb 12th 2007 at 8:53PM

i-mate is taking a pretty interesting approach with its newest range of Windows Mobile devices -- the WM6-equipped "Ultimate" range -- by shoving a full five models out the door, all differing only in form factor. Clockwise from the upper left, we have all five in purely theoretical, rendered form: the 5150, 6150, 7150, 9150, and 8150. The strategy makes sense, really; everyone wants a solid spec sheet, but getting everyone to agree on a single shape is an exercise in futility. With 256MB of ROM, VGA displays across the board, tri-band 3G radios, Bluetooth 2.0, and FM radios, the Ultimates definitely hold their own in the spec department -- the only question, then, is whether they've nailed the industrial design. The first model being shown all public-like, the 5150 slider, is admittedly an acquired taste, but some of the others really caught our eyes (7150 and 9150, we're looking at you).

Gallery: i-mate's Ultimate line

Palm Treo 750 running Windows Mobile 6

by Chris Ziegler posted Feb 12th 2007 at 7:59PM

And now, for your viewing pleasure, a Treo 750 supping upon Windows Mobile 6 Professional's sweet, sweet nectar. No, we've no details on when, where, or how this might find its way to existing Treo owners, but it's an encouraging sign, is it not? Follow the break for a little more visual confirmation.

Continue reading Palm Treo 750 running Windows Mobile 6

i-mate JAQ4

by Chris Ziegler posted Feb 12th 2007 at 3:00AM

By any measure, i-mate and one of its post-HTC era manufacturing partners, Inventec, had some explainin' to do after the debacle that was the JAQ; while packing Windows Mobile Pocket PC Phone Edition into a device of its form factor was pretty innovative for its time, the chubby dimensions and somewhat bizarre appearance left us wanting. Enter the JAQ4, which will become i-mate's first phone to launch with Windows Mobile 6 (Professional, no less) and makes good on the JAQ's indiscretions with a more understated look integrated into a black shell. Specs are pedestrian but workable, starting with a quad-band GSM / EDGE radio (no 3G here), 802.11b / g, 128MB ROM, 64MB RAM, Bluetooth 1.2, a camera of the 2.0 megapixel variety, and a 2.8 inch QVGA touchscreen. Follow the gallery link for some shots of the JAQ4 doing its thing, including some alongside i-mate's Ultimate 5150, which is also being announced today. Oh, and don't worry about the blasphemous presence of Windows Mobile 5 on the phone -- we've been assured that it'll be hitting with 6.

Gallery: i-mate JAQ4

Windows Mobile 6 Professional in pictures

by Chris Ziegler posted Feb 9th 2007 at 5:21PM

So Smartphone Edition's successor, Windows Mobile 6 Standard, is really only half of the story behind the launch of Microsoft's tweaked mobile platform next week. Well, technically, it's a third of the story if you count Classic, which we don't -- Classic is to Pocket PC what Standard is to Smartphone, and it's not the phoneless Pocket PCs that get our hearts pounding these days (our apologies, Axim). Instead, it's Professional that's the real prize here, filling Pocket PC Phone Edition's shoes. Revolutionary it ain't, but for folks who love (or own and merely tolerate) Windows Mobile devices, this sucker's fresh look makes it the new king of the hill on the Microsoft side of the fence. Enjoy the eye candy!

Gallery: Windows Mobile 6 Professional in pictures

Verizon XV6800 in the flesh

by Chris Ziegler posted Feb 9th 2007 at 4:06PM

Hold on, Apache owners, your knight in shining armor is just around the corner! At least we think it is, now that we've seen some shots of a Verizon-branded XV6800 doing its thing in the wild. It may not look much different than the XV6700 it replaces, but we figure that if the EV-DO Rev. A doesn't tempt you -- or the promise of a Rev. A upgrade at some point, at least -- the 2 megapixel camera and 256MB of Flash just might. Hit the gallery for more pictures.

[Thanks, anonymous tipster]