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HTC HD2 (aka, Leo) launching on O2 UK October 12th?
A trusted tipster with a proven past just gave us the launch day scoop on the hotly anticipated HTC Leo. A Windows Mobile 6.5 handset we recently spied with HD2 branding and a 4.3-inch capacitive touchscreen display with 800x480 resolution -- a pixel density that should give plenty of room for finger-friendly TouchFlo 3D navigation. According to said source, the O2 intranet site lists the "HTC HD2" on its future products list with an October 12th launch date. O2 peeps will immediately recognize the lack of XDA branding which makes the claim a bit suspicious. Then again, HTC has been trying to break the shackles of pointless carrier rebranding for years. Truth be told in the days ahead.
HTC Leo spotted once again, friends call it "HD2"
This new Leo hotness from HTC sure is making the rounds, and we certainly can't get enough of it. Its latest appearance shows the handset from some sexy angles, but also gives us a new tidbit to chew on: the Bluetooth menu identifies the phone as the HD2. So, is this the much-rumored successor to the Touch HD, or an absolutely gorgeous impostor? We'd venture a guess, but we're too busy longing for that 4.3-inch capacitive LCD to care. [Via MobileTechWorld]
HTC Leo Windows Mobile 6.5 slate is capacitive? (update: video!)
The Leo is fast becoming HTC's latest worst kept secret. Pics and video are popping up everywhere with the latest set giving a full visual walkthrough of what appears to be TouchFlo 3D 2.6 riding Windows 6.5. Even better, ai.rs blog claims that Leo is indeed capacitive -- something strongly suggested by the multi-touch video leaked a few days ago -- and not some fancy resistive touchscreen tech. We've got backside action now too, sporting a big "HTCPRO.Three" stamp we presume heralds Pro3 branding whenever this 1GHz Snapdragon handset launches. But man, that 4.3-inch, 800x480 display's looking positively massive next to the 3.2-inch version found on the Touch Diamond2. Check the back after the break.Update: Video showing Leo's very snappy, finger-centric UI added after the break.
HTC Leo caught on video demonstrating its multitouch display
There's been plenty of rumor and speculation regarding the HTC Leo as of late, all serving to pique our interest. If talk of a Snapdragon CPU and an updated TouchFlow 3D UI are not, in fact, greatly exaggerated, it looks like we might have a killer phone on our hands here. And now, to fill in the picture a bit, the kids at PocketPT have helped us to a demonstration of the device's multitouch capabilities. Exciting, no? Make sure you check out the video below, which shows the Leo flipping through photo albums and zooming in / out of stills and video the with style and ease befitting a 1GHz processor. You'll be glad you did.[Via WMPoweruser.com]
HTC Leo spotted in the wild, sports gargantuan 800 x 480 display
Those UI elements still a bit too small in Windows Mobile 6.5? It's no problem at all for the HTC Leo, which has been found at last in the wild. The monstrous handset houses what we've heard to be a 4.3-inch screen, and the hardware info screen shows it to be pumping an 800 x 480 resolution with a 1GHz Qualcomm 8250B Snapdragon processor -- excuse us while we allow a tingle to run leisurely up and down our spine. It dwarfs the Touch Pro2 (a largish handset in its own right) in head to head comparisons, and seems strikingly similar to earlier leaks -- even down to that dual LED flash and the Pro.Three moniker on the back. [Via WMPoweruser.com; thanks to everyone who sent this in] %Gallery-72745%
HTC's Leo-bound TouchFlo 3D 2.6 lovingly demonstrated
No, that's not a Hero up there. That's an image of the latest version of HTC's TouchFlo 3D, destined for inclusion on the company's next Windows Mobile smartphone -- likely the fabled Leo we've been hearing about oh so much over the past few days. pocketnow.com has posted a walkthrough of the UI, which looks lovely and clean and is a solid step up over previous revisions. It even runs quite well on this Touch Diamond2 it's been installed to, meaning performance should be incredibly snappy on the Leo if its hardware is as solid as is rumored. There's still no confirmation from HTC about any new hardware, but until that comes (it shouldn't be long, now) you can enjoy the enthusiastic video after the break. [Via MobileTechWorld]
Latest HTC Leo render seemingly confirmed by leaked ROM
Remember those weird "Pro.Three"-branded Leo renders that leaked a few days ago? The ones that seemed improbable at best? Well, a ROM appears to have dripped out of the HTC sieve recently that miraculously confirms those renders as having some basis in reality, thanks to an animated start sequence that matches up pretty tightly with the previous leak. We can't confirm the Pro.Three name specifically from this, but if the Leo turns out to be the WinMo superphone everyone's hoping it is, does the name really matter? Follow the break for a video of the ROM in action (on a Touch Diamond2, sadly -- not a Leo). [Via MobileTechWorld and pocketnow.com, thanks Casimir]
HTC Leo rendered again -- maybe by HTC, more likely by fans
So here's what we know about the Leo with some certainty: it's going to be awesomely high-end. Other than that, though, the sky's the limit; no spec is too wild, no physical design too outlandish until we actually get some official information (or at least some really solid leaks). We wouldn't call these latest renders "solid" by any stretch -- in fact, we're willing to bet it's the result of a daydreamer with some graphic design background -- but we want to believe, especially since the front is basically consistent with what we've seen previously. Imagine a rounded-off Touch HD with WinMo 6.5, a 1GHz Snapdragon, and a 5 megapixel cam accompanied by two high-output LEDs. We love the stylish "Pro.Three" branding (and we guess we're going to forgive the "lorem ipsum" gibberish beneath it since this is a rough, unbranded render), but there are a few holes in this story: for one, we still don't know how this dovetails with Firestone; two, the Touch Pro2 just came out, so we're not sure why they'd release a device with the conflicting "Pro.Three" name so soon thereafter, particularly in a different form factor; and three, this might make more sense as one of HTC's inaugural WinMo 7 devices. Given the rumored pie-in-the-sky October availability date, we'll get this sorted out soon enough.
HTC's Whitestone for Verizon, high-power Leo rendered again?
HTC' Leo and Whitestone have been mentioned enough times in different contexts this year so that we have absolutely no doubt that they're real -- the questions at this point revolve around what they are, what they look like, and when they're coming. We still don't have most of those answers, but the situation might be getting a little clearer with the latest round of supposedly leaked renders. First up, the Leo (pictured left) basically sounds like HTC's go-for-broke, ultra high-end model with an 8 megapixel camera, 4.3-inch (yes, 4.3-inch) WVGA capacitive display, 1GHz Snapdragon, and all the trimmings; how it fits in with the Touch HD-replacing Firestone is unclear, so we'll have to keep a close eye on that one. Next, the Whitestone pictured here on the right looks a little less in-your-face than the last shot, though we don't know whether this is a newer or older render; either way, though, we feel good in saying that Verizon's lined up for one of the coolest Touch Diamond2 variants on the block. [Thanks, Brian and sleepymia] Read - Leo Read - Whitestone
HTC Leo and Mega to be awesome and not-so-awesome, respectively?
This is all pretty well unsubstantiated at this point, but evidence is building that HTC has a couple heretofore-unknown codenames in the works -- Leo and Mega -- that are being prepped to help usher in the wide world of Windows Mobile 6.5. Contrary to what its name might suggest, Mega might be the weakling of the pair, rocking a mere QVGA display, which as far as modern WinMo sets go, is pretty much the only spec we need to know to put us to sleep. The Leo, though, might be a far more serious device, likely moving up to wide VGA; furthermore, information gleaned from the leaked TouchFLO 2.5 build suggests that it supports OpenGL ES 2.0, which would demand a high-potency core like Snapdragon. It's actually all starting to sound a little bit like Firestone, but given the sheer quantity of phones HTC produces, we wouldn't put it past 'em to be hard at work at several Snapdragon-powered phones with virtually identical specs right now, possibly with different markets in mind.[Via wmpoweruser.com]
Around Azeroth: Everyone has to sleep
Silverbolt of Malygos was preparing to take down Leotheras the Blind in Serpentshrine Cavern when he noticed these bunk beds, nestled in a cobweb-filled corner. Says Silver, "The Broken in the room holding Leo captive apparently sleep in bunk beds during their downtime!" But, really, here at WoW Insider, despite the fact that we run on a 24-hour schedule of playing, researching, and writing fueled entirely by Red Bull, we recognize the fact that everyone has to sleep sometime!Do you have any unusual World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? Because we'd love to see it on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@wow.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next! %Gallery-1816%
Happy Birthday CMs
Does anyone but me think it's a little weird that three of the WoW community managers have birthdays within days of each other? Today is Neth's birthday, and apparently Eyonix and Drysc just had their birthdays this past weekend. Happy birthday to all three of them!Of course, having early August birthdays means they're all Leos. And of course that means that they're born leaders, known for their enthusiasm, determination and charisma. They have a fondness for competition, dance, and gambling.Oh, and they're also very prone to work with both animals and children. Ahem. Read into that what you will. Happy birthday again to the Forum CMs!Update: Ugh, Astrology. Apparently they're not Leos, they're Cancer, which means they're kind, emotional, imaginative and romantic, and they're strongly associated with "tribes, clans, and closely-knit family groups." Which I guess fits, too.
DS releases for the week of August 6th
Want a little Mega Man in your life? We sure hope so if you're looking for a new game this week, because it seems that's what there is. And perhaps Pet Alien, which didn't seem to make it out last week. Mega Man Star Force Dragon Mega Man Star Force Leo Mega Man Star Force Pegasus Pet Alien To see what's coming out in the rest of the world this week, take a stroll past the break.
Leo Laporte might go 100% Mac: "So long Suckah"
Leo Laporte, podcaster extraordinare and the web's general tech-guru-on-steroids, has blogged that the Soundbooth beta Adobe announced today just might let him jump ship to the Mac entirely. Since the first days of his podcasting adventures, Leo's been using Adobe's Audition for all his podcast recording and editing, but it's Windows only. While Soundbooth isn't entirely a Mac counterpart (Leo's initial impressions are that it's an "Audition Elements"), his "So Long Suckah" post title sounds like he's optimistic.Still, I agree with Leo and I'm a little disappointed in the offering. Soundbooth's biggest ding right now is that it only does single track recording and editing. For Adobe's girth as a company, I'm a bit surprised this feature is missing. Here's hoping the term 'beta' is applied for every ounce it's worth right now.Either way, it's nice to hear Leo might be able to make the jump entirely. One less workflow intrusion is a good thing.
My Dream App Semifinals voting ends tonight
Voting for the Semifinals round of the My Dream App contest ends tonight at Midnight (EDT), and with it, seemingly any chance of Desktop Wars (my original choice) making it to the final round. Digg founder Kevin Rose, Peter Cohen and Jason Snell from Macworld, David Pogue of the New York Times, and netcaster Leo Laporte are just some of this rounds Big-Name™ judges. Everyone who votes in this round will get a free copy of playful recording software Voice Candy.So get out there and Vote! Show your patriotism.... or something like that.
Get that distraction-free, uncluttered desktop with latest MacBreak
It seems there are two slowly diverging schools of thought in terms of working on a Mac: to multi-task, or not to. While an independent (though Apple-commissioned) study has been released supporting the increased productivity theory via larger displays and more stuff on-screen at once, not everyone sits in the same camp. Merlin Mann of 43folders is one of those campers who is thinking different, and Russell from our sister-blog DV Guru dropped a note to say the latest episode of MacBreak (iTS link) features Leo and Mr. Mann waxing ecstatic on all things uncluttered and distraction-free. They cover techniques and tweaks for clearing your workspace in the Finder, as well as using 3rd party tools like our TUAW-favorite Quicksilver, Spirited Away (which we've covered) and MenuShade from Nullriver Software (scroll down, it's under their Open Source section).While I myself am firmly rooted in the 'more on screen = productivity' camp, I am a big fan of enabling users to work the way they need to, and I think this is a nice, quick video (it's only 4:20) to get started with the digital zen art of working clutter-free.
