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How would you change the HTC Titan?
We fell in love with the 4.7-inch HTC Titan's brilliant build quality, battery life and camera -- less so for the bad pixel density, Mango's flakiness and only having 12GB free memory once the OS had made its land grab. But if you found yourself back in 2010 when HTC was hashing out the schematics for this giant of a smartphone, what would you have demanded it do differently? (We'll cover the Sensation XL in a couple of weeks for those of you who grabbed the Android version of this device.) There's a river of comments below, come on in, the water's fine!
Refresh Roundup: week of December 26, 2011
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging to get updated. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery from the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!
Nokia Lumia 710 official on T-Mobile: HSPA+ 14.4, 3.7-inch ClearBlack display, available January 11th for $49 on contract
Go ahead and take that holiday and even some time to celebrate because Espoo's ushering in the new year with the stateside bow of its Lumia 710. This lower-hanging Mango phone, which we first met at Nokia World, has already begun rolling out to markets worldwide in recent weeks and, now, is poised to enter the U.S. brandishing a Magenta banner and $49 on two-year contract price. That's right, T-Mobile has snatched up exclusive rights to the 3.7-incher, which is mostly unchanged from its initial unbranded incarnation, with the same 800 x 480 ClearBlack LCD display, 1.4GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 512MB RAM, 8GB of storage, 5 megapixel rear camera with single LED flash, WiFi and Bluetooth on board. Naturally, both parties have loaded the device up with a fair share of pre-installed apps like Drive, MS Office, ESPN, T-Mobile TV and Netflix, but you don't have to let that clutter up your clean live-tiled look -- it's all uninstallable. The mid-range handset also runs along the operator's HSPA+ 14.4Mbps network, so you're in store for some heady "4G" speeds should you decide to take the plunge this January 11th when it hits stores. Head on past the break for the official presser. %Gallery-141787%
SkyDrive and Windows Phone cozy up, apps can now directly integrate with the cloud
Microsoft, in an effort to continue integrating SkyDrive into Windows Phone, made a few changes to the cloud service's API this week. The new adjustments now give third-party Windows Phone apps full access to SkyDrive, complete with the ability to upload and share pictures, videos and docs. These changes were apparently the result of a lot of feedback from developers, and HandyScan just became the first company to show interest by incorporating the new API features into its Windows Phone app. The program, which offers the ability to scan a document or object, now offers the option of uploading these scanned images directly to SkyDrive. Of course, we imagine we'll soon be seeing a flood of developers proclaim their intent to journey "to the cloud." For more about HandyScan or the API, head to the links below.
Refresh Roundup: week of December 5, 2011
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging to get updated. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery from the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!
Nokia Lumia 710 now shipping, global rollout slated for 'coming weeks'
It's been a few months coming, but today, Nokia announced that its Lumia 710 handset has finally hit store shelves in Taiwan, ahead of its broader international release. Priced at around €270 (or about $332), the Mango-laced handset will arrive in stores across Singapore, Hong Kong, India and Russia over the next seven days, before expanding to other global markets "over the coming weeks." The 3.7-inch device joins the Lumia 800 as Nokia's latest Windows Phone offering, though it remains to be seen whether or not it'll make its way to T-Mobile anytime soon, as earlier rumors indicated. For more details on the phone, check out Nokia's full press release, after the break.
The Engadget app for Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango) has arrived!
It seems like only yesterday that we released our Windows Phone 7 app out into the wild, bringing Microsoft mobile fans the dose of gadget news they were waiting for. But, just as Microsoft made improvements to its OS with Mango, so did we go back in the lab to bring you a better Windows Phone Engadget experience. Now, the fruits of our labor are complete. The WP7.5 version still delivers all the Mobile, HD, ALT and classic content you've come to know and love, but takes advantage of Mango's multitasking to let you play podcasts in the background while perusing our written words. Landscape mode and Live Tile support are also baked in, and we've made it even easier to share and save your favorite posts using Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Evernote, Instapaper, and Read it Later. Sound good? Well, what are you waiting for, hit the source link and see for yourself!
Nokia Lumia 800 and 710 to get limited Latin American release in early 2012
If you're lucky enough to call Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Mexico or Puerto Rico home, and have been craving a bit of Nokia Lumia love, then felicidades! Señor Elop himself announced the 800 and 710 will be lighting up faces in a store near you from Q1 next year. Speaking from Sao Paulo, the Nokia CEO confirmed that both Windows Phone models would get a run out in the above countries, with production taking place in Brazil. Interestingly other large markets, like Argentina and Venezuela, didn't get a name call as one of the lucky countries, but you can bet your bottom peso though it won't be long before this is rectified. Hit up the source link for more info, en Español.
Windows Phone Marketplace inches over 40,000 app mark
Windows Phone continues to shore up its app and game selection, hitting 40,000 apps in just over a year since its inception. Granted, there's still plenty of catching up to do before Microsoft's third way can go toe-to-toe with Android and iOS, but it's another (substantial) step in the right direction. According to All About Windows Phone, new content is now being added at the heady rate of around 165 apps per day, although it notes that a chunk of previously released apps are now non-existent, subtracting around 5,000 from the scores we have here. However, app devs have cranked it up a gear, adding around the same amount of new apps in only the last month -- presumably galvanized by Nokia's much-publicized WinPho debut and other Mango-powered delights arriving in stores. Will it crack the 50k mark by the end of the year? We're sure Mr. Ballmer won't be betting against it. [Image credit: Jim Merithew/Wired.com]
Samsung Focus S review
The deluge of Mango devices isn't over yet. Hot on the heels of the Lumia 800, the Titan, Radar and the wallet-friendly Focus Flash comes the Samsung Focus S. There's not a whole lot of mystery to Sammy's flagship Windows Phone 7.5 handset. It's not terribly different from many of its cousins packing Microsoft's mobile OS and, other than size, there doesn't seem to be anything separating it from its little brother, the Flash. What, then -- aside from a few Galaxy S design touches -- does Focus S offer your high-end smartphone dollar? And are those differentiators enough to make it the clear choice when shopping for WP7 device -- especially when considering the $150 premium AT&T is asking for, over the surprisingly satisfying Flash. Head on past the break to find out. %Gallery-139377%
Samsung Omnia W slides through FCC with North American 3G support
The Omnia W isn't exactly a stranger among Julius Genachowski's minions, who first laid eyes upon the device back in October, but apparently, that first round of scrutiny just wasn't enough. That's right. The Omnia W is back, with one fundamental change: unlike the first handset (GT-I8350), which maxes out at EDGE connectivity on our domestic 1900 / 850MHz bands, the latest model (GT-I8350T) has piled on support for WCDMA and HSPA over the 850MHz spectrum. Given the similarity of AT&T's Focus Flash to the Omnia W, it seems terribly unlikely that this one is bound for the States -- which also suggests that this mid-sized Mango may have Canada squarely within its sights. With the utter absence of Windows Phone at Bell and Rogers, and merely the Optimus 7 at Telus, the arrival of some tropical fruit up north seems long overdue, indeed.
HTC Mozart and HD7 go back to grade school, learn how to Internet Share
The ability to use your Windows Phone as a mobile hotspot was originally an exclusive feature extended only to brand new Mango devices, but we're now beginning to see Internet Sharing pop up on the HTC HD7 and Mozart. We're seeing reports that it's showing up in various parts of the world, though we still haven't heard if this will include T-Mobile HD7 users in the US or if it still awaits final carrier approval first. Either way, it's probably worth clicking on that Zune icon to check for the update. Update: Several people have let us know that the update is indeed making its way to T-Mobile HD7 devices. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Nokia Champagne handset spotted on Windows Phone app, dancing the Tango?
Has a Windows Phone app just popped the cork on a new Nokia handset? It very well may have, based on the above image. Extracted from the "I'm a WP7" app and first identified by the folks over at WP Central, this screenshot purports to reveal a Nokia device codenamed "Champagne" -- a rather delectable moniker that, until now, wasn't even on our radar. At this point, little else is known about this mystery phone, though according to WP Central, it's running Windows Phone 7.10.8711 -- suggesting, perhaps, the presence of Tango, the Mango successor for low-end devices. Could this be a mythical, LTE-equipped Lumia 900 / Ace handset for Verizon Wireless? Could we see it at this year's CES? Only time will tell, but we'll let you know as soon as we hear more.
HTC Titan stomps its way over to AT&T on November 20th for $199
You know what they say about people with big hands? They need big phones. Lucky for those of you possessed of mammoth mitts, AT&T's made good on its word and'll be adding HTC's 4.7-inch Titan to its line-up on November 20th. For the $199 on two-year contract price, you get to take a crack at that WVGA Super LCD panel and the refreshed Windows Phone Mango OS running beneath. It's a single core 1.5GHz phone living in a dual-core world, but this big guy's such a standout, you'll hardly even care.
Nokia Music breaks free from Lumia's chains, brings Windows Phone users together
Sure they're "stylish and light," but is that enough of a lure to rope you into the Lumia line's Mangofied wares? You'd want something a little extra to compensate for the underspecced goods, like a spate of exclusive apps, perhaps. Well, the good news is you don't have to buy what Espoo's selling to get a taste of its special sauce. Thanks to some mobile hackery, Nokia Music's just joined the jailbroken ranks alongside Drive and Maps and is available now for sideloading onto your Windows Phone 7 device. You can snag the .xap file at the source below, but first you might wanna make sure you're rocking an unlocked handset. Try it out and let us know how you fare in the comments after the break.
Tango video calling app prances its way into Windows Phone Marketplace
We were expecting to see Tango pop up for Windows Phone users this week and, sure enough, here it is. The video calling service finally hit the Marketplace today, more than a year after launching on iOS and Android, and barely a month after expanding to PCs. Compatible with Windows Phone 7.5 or higher, Tango for Mango allows users to make free phone and video calls over 3G, 4G and WiFi connections, including free international calls to fellow Tangonians. Users can also chat with Tango members across other operating systems and platforms, which should help tide them over until that Skype integration becomes a reality. Loquacious legions can download the app now, from the source link below.
Samsung Focus Flash review
Microsoft: Windows Phone Mango now being delivered to '100 percent' of compatible devices Samsung Focus S hands-on Motorola Atrix 4G reviewThe Focus Flash is really a rather unassuming device. Sure, it packs Mango and a 1.4GHz Snapdragon, but its 3.7-inch Super AMOLED screen (no Plus here) and $49 price point aren't the sort of thing that scream "buy me" to gadget fiends and power users. In fact, since it was first announced, the Flash has been living in the shadow of its bigger brother (literally and figuratively), the Focus S. But, considering the number of similarities between the two devices (and most of WP7 handsets for that matter), is it right to regard the Flash as the runt of the litter? Is it the Windows Phone equivalent of those bargain-basement Android devices that aren't worth the paper your receipt is printed on? Obviously, we're not gonna tell you up front -- you'll have to keep reading after the break.%Gallery-138513%
T-Mobile unleashes HTC Radar 4G, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, myTouchQ and more today
We knew it was getting cold and dreary outside, but today at T-Mobile it's shiny and warm. The carrier has released several handsets today, including the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, HTC Radar 4G, myTouch and myTouchQ (online only until November 9th), LG DoublePlay, and the Samsung Exhibit II 4G. It's not too often we see six devices launch on the same day, but 'tis the season, right? If you've been eyeing any of these luscious gadgets for yourself or a loved one, it's high time to make the move.
Stephen Elop: Nokia sees 'the opportunity' in tablets, reveals no plans to seize it
Sometimes a CEO has to be coy. We understand that. So what should we make of Stephen Elop's remarks to Bloomberg Businessweek? Asked about the growing tablet market, the Nokia head replied, "There's a new tablet opportunity coming. We see the opportunity. Unquestionably, that will change the dynamics." So should your start holding your breath for a Nokia tablet? Not necessarily. While he didn't rule out doing so, Elop had no plans to announce, and he's made similarly vague comments before, including, "Our team right now is assessing what's the right tablet strategy for Nokia." Interpreting these quotes is a bit like reading tea leaves, but for now we're willing to believe the Finnish firm is still mulling its options.
Acer's first venture into Windows Phone arrives in France as the Allegro
Remember the Acer W4? After seeing it at IFA 2011, it seems that it's finally ready to make some first impressions, and its blind date is with France. Known officially as the Allegro, Acer's inaugural Windows Phone isn't going over the top in the spec department: it has a 3.6-inch WVGA (800 x 480) display, 1GHz single-core Qualcomm MSM8255 CPU, 8GB internal storage, 5MP rear camera with LED flash and a 1,300mAh battery. However, a unique addition to this €299 ($425) device is a feature called Fast Charge, which allows the Allegro to get juiced up to 2.5 times faster than the rest of the company's lineup. Expect the device to land in France in mid-November with two color options -- white and dark blue iceberg. Just make sure, Acer, to walk your date all the way back home from dinner.
