HtcTouch
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Keepin' it real fake, part CCI: dirty Vegas plays Orange UK
Attention, Orange and the random supplier who's manufacturing these ripoffs: the world has moved on from the original HTC Touch's design language. Hell, we've actually moved on twice now; once to the Touch Diamond, and once to the Touch Diamond2. On that note, we're not sure what's possessing a Western European carrier to release a cheesy rip of a such a well-known late model phone -- whose manufacturer Orange has a great relationship with, no less -- other than the fact that they're looking to give entry-level customers a really inexpensive way to get into the touchscreen game. Indeed, the prepaid device will apparently run just £48.50 (about $71) when it launches, but in return, you're only getting a 1.3 megapixel camera, presumably EDGE data, and the mocking of everyone you've ever known -- including your own mother, who we understand uses an actual HTC Touch.[Via mobile-review]Update: If T-Mobile UK is more your style, turns out they're offering the very same device as the Vairy Touch. Thanks, everyone!
Keepin' it real fake, part CLXXXII: HKC Touch clone sports Android looks at a WinMo price
The folks at "HKC" are back on the scene with the Imobile V413 handset. This Touch-esque KIRF boasts a dual WinMo 6.1 / Android OS -- and we're not entirely sure what this means. Other HKC phones have claimed compatibility with both operating systems, and we must admit that the screenshot does look pretty legit. Compared to the for real Touch, this thing appears to have some pretty OK specs, including: a 2.8-inch touchscreen, GPS, WiFi, a 2 megapixel camera and support for audio and video playback. Well played, Imobile. Your move, HTC. Available for $410, or in lots of 50 for $398 each.
Verizon's XV6900 sees official Windows Mobile 6.1 ROM upgrade
It's rather difficult to believe that Verizon's version of the HTC Touch -- less affectionately known as the XV6900 -- is just now seeing an official update to Windows Mobile 6.1, but yeah, that's exactly what's happening here. Just a few short months after the WinMo 6.1 update was leaked, we're now seeing the official ROM update rolled out to the people. The upgrade also provides much needed EV-DO Rev. A support, an updated MMS client, Microsoft Remote Desktop, VZNavigator and compatibility with 16GB microSD cards. Not like we really need to twist your arm here, but if you skipped out on the leaked version, now would be an awesome time to get with the program.[Via Mobile Burn]
Video: Android rocking on the HTC Touch
If you're anything like us, you've been waiting for Android to work its way onto basically every device you own, so this video of the plucky open source OS getting busy on an HTC Touch is an encouraging glimpse of the future. Work has actually been going on for a while now, but this is the best we've seen so far --it's all there, including a custom soft keyboard, and it looks like it runs pretty well, although we're told there are some issues with scaling the UI to QVGA and that GPS, Bluetooth and USB aren't operable yet. The hack is actually available, and you don't have to be too daring to try it out -- all it takes is a restart to go back to WinMo. Who's taking the plunge?[Thanks, Justin]
Verizon XV6900 update leaks, brings WinMo 6.1 and Opera Mobile
Still clutching your trusty XV6900, are you? Not heading out in a few hours to secure yourself a Storm? If you're the mettlesome type, you can surf on over to PhoneNews and suck down the latest and greatest (and unofficial) software update for the Verizon-branded HTC Touch. Version 3.14.605.1 reportedly takes your Windows Mobile to 6.1 and adds in gpsOne, VZ Navigator and Opera Mobile. Don't forget to backup your smooth jazz and whatnot before diving into the unknown, though.[Via jkOnTheRun]
Bell Mobility lets loose white HTC Touch, Verizon next?
The color's been ready for the taking for some time now, but it looks like Bell Mobility is the first to actually offer a pearly white HTC Touch in North America, slightly edging out Verizon, which still haven't gotten official with its less-than-secret offering. Somewhat interestingly, as the:::unwired points out, is that Bell makes no mention of a GPS feature on their Touch, although that apparently is included on Verizon's version (at least last we heard). Otherwise, the device is the same Touch that's proven to be so popular, with it running on Windows Mobile 6 Professional and boasting support for Bell's EV-DO network. Those willing to sign a three-year contract with Bell can get one right now for a mere $100, or you can drop a full $400 if you want to stay uncommitted.
HTC Touch hits another milestone with two million sold
HTC's outrageously popular Touch handset line hit the million sales mark in mid-November 2007, and now, just two months later, they've doubled that number. While HTC hasn't set a sales record with these sets -- including HTC Touch, Touch Slide, and Touch Color -- they've certainly found a product with a pile of fans who're eating up all that touchscreen fun. End of year sales goals were in the 1.5 to 1.8 million range, so this'll have a few sales types grinning wealthier grins. This kind of success screams "please make more, now" which gives us hope for the QWERTY Touch.
Keepin' it real fake, part XCIX: HTC Touch clone by Santek is almost Meizu good
It's so much harder to poke fun when a clone manufacturer gets this close to the real thing. Santek's SSG730 runs Windows Mobile 5, bills itself as a "samrt phone" and of course has other minor hardware differences from the HTC Touch, but we've gotta respect Santek going the extra mile here with the inclusion of a fingerprint reader. There's also a surprising amount of hardware left intact, like GPS, Bluetooth, a WiFi option and a 2 megapixel camera. The split screen is kind of odd, and we're not even positive it's touchable, though we'd venture a guess that it is with this kind of commitment to fakery.
Orange's HTC Touch Dual gets unboxed, strikes a pose
Orange UK seems set to begin shipping this lovingly branded handset and CoolSmartPhone was kind enough to introduce us all by way of some fresh unboxing pics. As we'd already heard, the Orange version of the outrageously popular Touch device will ship with a 16-key keypad, and not the painful SureType 20 key jobby we've also seen. Orange has also chosen to pack in a 1 GB microSD card for your expansion pleasure and has priced it anywhere from £99 (roughly $200) to £free (roughly $free). We're pretty confident that this set combined with a dash of holiday enthusiasm will most definitely help HTC reach its sales goals for the year.[Via CoolSmartPhone]
HTC Touch gets more memory, new color options
Same HTC Touch we all know and love but now HTC's thrown down a couple new color choices and beefed up the memory. Word has it that the new color choices -- The plum and white handsets above -- will initially only be in Asia, but we know that they'll eventually find a way to sneak on over. Memory gets a bump from the current 128 and 64 MB ROM / RAM to a more reasonable 256 and 128 MB -- which may help speed it up a wee bit. They're apparently shipping now and will just slot into existing stock, so if you were waffling on picking one up, we'd suggest you wait. [Via the::unwired]
HTC's Touch Cruise with GPS gets official
HTC just went live with their Touch Cruise. "Touch" as in that TouchFLO interface, "Cruise" as in GPS-enabled. The third addition to HTC's Touch lineup packs HSDPA, WiFi, Bluetooth, a 3 megapixel camera, microSD expansion, and a 2.8-inch touch-screen lying on top of a Windows Mobile 6 foundation. Oh, and it's loaded with TomTom Navigator 6 software to make the most of that GPS receiver. Yup, everything mostly what we thought it would be. Available this month from European retailers or SIM-free direct from HTC. Update: We're still digging but HTC was a bit unkind by not providing specific country launch information or supported radio bands. At the moment, this looks like Europe-only.Update 2: Good news, specs are now posted and it's quad-band GSM like we originally heard with HSDPA/UMTS riding 2100MHz for Europe and 850/1900MHz for the ol' US. Hoozah!%Gallery-10114%[Via Pocket-lint] Read -- Press Release [warning: PDF]
Bell to launch HTC Touch, include unlimited data for $7?
We've heard various whispers that Bell Canada is expected to release its own HTC Touch midway through the month of November to keep up with the Joneses, aka Rogers and Telus. We're fine with that and at a rumored $449 off contract, $399 one year, $299 two year, and $249 three year deals, Bell seems mostly inline with the other major's thinking. While we like the Touch, the more interesting rumor in this news lies in Bell's apparent decision to consider the Touch a normal cell phone -- and not a PDA -- thereby enabling it to use a $7 unlimited data plan. Of course, some traffic and usage exceptions will apparently apply, like no tethering, streaming, and the like, but seven bones for unlimited data! This is game changing in Canada's savagely priced data market and we're decidedly envious if this really comes to pass. Go Bell, go Canada![Thanks, RileyFreeman]
Rogers Wireless launches HTC Touch
Rogers' website has seen some updates -- and lordy, have they been busy -- in the last couple days and our mention that the HTC Touch was coming seemed to have been bang on. Pricing is rumored to be $349 on a 3 year data only plan, $299 on a 3 year voice plan or $199 on voice and data. So if you're looking for a non-3G Windows Mobile handset -- and we feel for ya if you are -- keep refreshing the read link 'til the handset goes live.[Thanks, Treatz]
iPhone trumps HTC Touch, N95 in usability study
We've given you your chance to choose a champion amongst the iPhone, HTC Touch and LG Prada, and while the latter wasn't included at LG's request, the other two were recently pit against Nokia's N95 in a study of usability. The test was reportedly conducted by Perceptive Sciences, a Texas-based usability consulting firm, and relied on data from just ten individuals who had "never used any of the three devices." The group was asked to "perform a series of tasks on each handset with quantifiable results, such as the time needed to find and use the on / off switch," and when all was said and done, the iPhone managed to snag the gold. Of course, we wouldn't take these results to be the bonafide truth, but if you're interested in seeing what all the mobiles (and guinea pigs) went through before a winner was chosen, head on over to the read link.[Via iLounge]
Sprint's Q4 lineup: Rumor, Centro, Touch, and Pearl 8130
What started as a trickle of unofficially official shots from Sprint's Q4 pipeline has suddenly become a deluge. Check the LG Rumor, Touch (aka, Vogue), and Blackberry Pearl 8130 all dressed up with Sprint logos and sales-goon positioning points for a Q4 launch. We already saw Palm's Centro, OQO Model 02, LG Rumor and Touch yucking it up in the wild this morning but this is the first time we've seen the 8130 in Sprint, not Verizon attire. The 8130 sports a GPS receiver but no WiFi like we saw in those RIM slides last month yet still packs all the rest of the EV-DO niceties you'd expect. The Touch is EV-DO revision A upgradeable like we heard while the LG Rumor does its QWERTY thing for the non-Pro crowd. See for yourself in the gallery below.%Gallery-7262%[Thanks, Stephen]
HTC Touch now available with T-Mobile in Germany
As we mentioned back in June, the HTC Touch should be popping up at all the big carriers in Germany. Well today is T-Mobile's day to show off the TouchFLO-enabled handset, give us a peek at the carrier branding, and show us some pricing. Unlike O2, T-Mobile has followed the reference design of the HTC-branded Touch -- we're liking the O2 "look" a bit better mind you -- and opted to just slap a logo on the housing. Pricing is -- as seems typically European -- outlandishly cheap with this set running from about $68 on contract to $535 off. Interesting that the pics up on the site are black and white, could they be hiding the fact that this guy is rolling in the Wasabi Green color?
HTC's Touch with TouchFLO -- the Elf with new 3D sweep interface
HTC just made their "major" announcement. Are you ready for it... wait... it's the Elf now official with its "Touch" street name. Right, the Windows Mobile device we first saw six months ago and already formally announced by O2 Germany as the Xda nova. HTC's big surprise? Well, the Touch is the first device to feature TouchFLO touchscreen technology "developed by HTC" -- though we think Microsoft had a little something to do with it. It's not multi-touch like the iPhone, but it does offer a "new and unique" way to sweep a finger (or stylus) across the screen to control the 3D interface. To recap, the diminutive 99.9 x 58 x 13.9-mm Touch runs Windows Mobile 6 with TouchFLO UI on a 2.8-inch display and OMAP850 processor while packing tri-band 900/1800/1900 GSM with EDGE, 802.11b/g WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0, 1GB microSD expansion included, and a 2 megapixel cam. Best of all, it's available now in the UK, later this month around Europe and Asia, and then North and Latin America in the 2nd half of the year.%Gallery-3652%Read -- press releaseRead -- TouchFLO interactive
