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Android 2.0 emulated on HTC Touch HD, almost fast enough to use (update: it's native!)
The Touch HD doesn't benefit from the HD2's mighty 1GHz Snapdragon, so you might think that emulating Android 2.0 on top of Windows Mobile on HTC's last-gen superphone would end in tears -- but surprisingly, it seems to hang tolerably well. xda-developers has a project coming along to run Android on the handset through a layer called Haret, meaning you can kind of have your cake and eat it too -- if you consider Windows Mobile a cake, that is -- by switching back and forth between the two environments at your leisure, and by all accounts, Android seems to be just a couple notches slower and more stuttery than your average MSM7200 device. It looks like you still need a cold boot to get between the two platforms, but it's better than flashing your ROM every time, right? Follow the break for video of Haret in action. [Thanks, Taimur] Update: Turns out Android isn't running on top of WinMo here -- it's native, which gives us hope they'll be able to speed it up just a wee bit and give those Touch HDs out there a new lease on life. Thanks, everyone!
HTC Leo's TouchFLO 3D build demoed on video
The HTC Leo is shaping up to be a pretty monumental Windows Mobile launch, and not just because of that high-res capacitive touchscreen and 1GHz Snapdragon processor -- it's also running a nicely refreshed version of TouchFLO 3D. The cats at PocketNow managed to grab an early ROM and install it on a Touch Diamond2, check the video after the break to see the new icons, dynamic background wallpaper, and much, much more.[Via MobileTechWorld; thanks Mistyk]
HTC Touch HD2 to be an Android set?
Fanboys the world over swooned over the HTC Touch HD when it launched last year, but word is that HTC's planning on making a major change to its high-res handset for the sequel: it's switching to Android. That's at least the hot whisper 'round the tubes this afternoon, and while that would ordinarily be enough to make the 'droidboys to go crazy, there's even more -- the CPU is reportedly a 628MHz Qualcomm chip, not the slightly overtaxed 528MHz number we've seen in every other Android handset to date. Sure, it's just a measly 100MHz, but if that's enough to make Sense and HD video on the 3.8-inch 480 x 800 display run smoothly we'll be all grins. If any of this is true, that is.[Via BGR]
BlackBerry Connect support comes to smattering of HTC devices
Looking for a bit of BlackBerry love on your new (or old, as the case may be) HTC handset? Fret not -- so long as you're the proud owner of an HTC TyTN II, Touch Diamond, Touch Pro or Touch HD -- as your phone has just picked up BlackBerry Connect support. The read link directs you to a download where you can suck down the necessary bits and bytes and proceed to installation, but we'd make sure everything was backed up before forging ahead. Give it a go and report back, will ya?[Via phonescoop]
Keepin' it real fake, part CLXXVII: HTO HD satisfactorily apes MAX 4G
We tell ya, these KIRFs are getting good. Real good. If we didn't know any better, we'd assume the HTO HD was a bona fide original, and even though we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this thing is a direct rip of HTC's MAX 4G, we're still itching to hold one. In fact, the lucky crew over at Engadget Chinese were able to do just that, and they've hosted up a hands-on gallery to prove it. Specs wise, the handset features a 4-inch WVGA display, 5 megapixel camera (with AutoFocus), 8GB of internal storage, an SDHC expansion slot, digital TV tuner, GPS / FM radio modules, Bluetooth, WiFi and a standard 3.5-millimeter headphone jack. Availability is still unknown (big shock there, right?), though it'll reportedly be priced around 3,000 Chinese yuan, or $439 in greenbacks. In other words, this really might be the most expensive, high quality knockoff we've seen to date. Hit the read link and decide for yourself.
Editorial: All I wanted this year was the best smartphone ever
This year, all I really wanted for the holidays was the perfect smartphone. Not too much to ask for, right? You'd think, but all I ended up with was constant swapping between 3 (or more) devices, hoping to find some balance of features that worked for me. Instead of one "go to" phone, I juggled the iPhone 3G, T-Mobile G1, and BlackBerry Bold for the last few months, desperately wishing I could merge them into one perfect device. I shall now break down my hopes for the upcoming year, with a prayer in my little old heart that manufacturers are listening.
Service manual reveals there might be a Touch HD with North American 3G after all
Last time we spoke to HTC on the subject, they'd told us that there wasn't -- and to the best of their knowledge, there would never be -- a Touch HD that supported 3G on the 850 and 1900MHz bands. For Windows Mobile fans in the New World, that depressing realization has been like a knife through the heart since the WVGA monster's September reveal. But hey, hold up a second, because the Blackstone's (HTC's internal name for the HD) service manual just got outed, seemingly suggesting that there's another version of the phone floating around that supports North American 3G. It's hard to say whether this phone exists and was canceled, never left the drawing board, or is simply yet to be announced -- CES, perhaps? -- but a fan can dream. [Warning: PDF link][Via wmpoweruser.com]Update: We've heard back from HTC on the matter, and the company is reiterating the same stance it always has: "There are no plans to launch a version other than the 900/2100 model on the market today." Come on, guys, please? We've been extra good this year, honest.
The handsets of GITEX 2008: HTC, SE and TechFaith
Given that Dubai pretty much has it out for every other spectacle in the entire universe, it's no shock to see the mecca pick up a major consumer electronics trade show of its own. This year's GITEX 2008 has come and gone, but there are still images left to remind us of the show that was. PocketPCDubai was fortunate enough to tour the show floor with a camera in hand, and while the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 wasn't a shocker, there were quite a few intriguing WinMo handsets in attendance. For a look at what all TechFaith had to offer (along with a few shots of the luscious Touch HD from HTC), head on down to the read link.
HTC Touch HD review roundup
The HTC Touch HD may be somewhat hard to come by 'round these parts, but it certainly hasn't been making itself shy overseas, where it has been unboxed, examined, and given the early review treatment. Now that it's readily available in the UK, there's even more reviews of the phone cropping up, which seem to mostly agree that while it's not a phone for everyone, it definitely impresses. Among those completely blowing things out is Phone Arena, which, as you might expect, was especially impressed by the phone's screen, and describe it as "the phone for document viewing." Pocket Now was equally impressed by that "HD" display, as well as its overall performance and battery life, which they were pleased to find was about on par with the HD-less Touch Pro. CNET was even more effusive in its praise, saying that, despite its drawbacks, it is "HTC's best Windows Mobile phone yet." Windows Mobile, and HTC's GUI, proved to be a point of contention for the folks at Slash Gear, however, who say the phone would be even better running a next-gen version of the OS, or possibly even Android (a sentiment also echoed by Phone Arena). Other drawbacks include the phone's sheer size, some poor performance from TouchFLO 3D (despite an update) and, of course, it's lack of US 3G bands, which presents a bit of a problem for folks considering importing one. Still undecided? Then dive into the links below and watch the time slip away.Read - Phone ArenaRead - Pocket NowRead - CNETRead - Slash Gear
Italian HTC Touch HD gets unboxed, looks highly desirable
Not that you don't already have an awesome idea of what HTC's luscious Touch HD looks like from all the hands-on love it's been receiving overseas, but how's about an official unboxing in Italy to really put the cherry on top? Go on, Europeans -- enjoy your Touch HD. It's not like we want one in our part of the world anyway. In fact, don't even bother checking out the read link, there's nothing worth being completely envious of in there, anyway. [Via Coolsmartphone]
HTC's Touch HD now available for 514.99
It's not apt to ever go on sale in America (okay, so maybe there's a sliver of a sliver of a chance), but HTC's Touch HD is now on sale for fortunate Britons with a fair amount of poundage to spare. The drop-dead gorgeous WinMo 6.1 handset can be procured right now for £514.99 ($821) sans contract, but if you're a North American mulling an import, you should obviously tack on a few more bills to that. You're still mulling, aren't you?[Via MoDaCo]
HTC's Touch HD gets overseas hands-on treatment
While the Touch HD remains an overseas treat for now, we're left to check out the realm of CNET's UK branch in order to get an up close and personal look at HTC's finest (arguably, of course). As we already saw in the pre-release pics, this beauty is as fine as ever, boasting a marvelous screen and striking curves. Enough chatter -- tap the read link to get all sorts of envious yourself.[Thanks, T.I.]
HTC goes Asia-Pacific; G1 in China by July?
While the iPhone has an on-again off-again relationship with the Chinese market, seemingly unable to commit to that most populous of nations, unlocked HTC G1s are said to be selling like gangbusters there, a tidbit that surely didn't escape HTC's notice. By the sound of it the company is ready to make its feelings official, pledging its undying love (and Android handsets) to arrive in Asia-Pac markets in the first half of 2009. Additionally, the Touch 3G should be on sale in Taiwan as of now, with the Touch HD hitting there before the end of the year. While China isn't specifically mentioned in the report, it's certainly the major market in that region. If HTC could beat Apple to the streets of Shanghai that would be a coup of epic proportions, setting the stage for a global battle of smartphone dominance. Place your bets, folks.
Orange helps itself to British exclusive on Touch HD
There are exclusives, and then there are exclusives -- and a Touch HD exclusive definitely falls into the latter category. HTC's undisputed WinMo heavyweight of the moment will be found only on Orange (well, as a locked device, anyway) in the UK through the end of the year for £79.99 (about $127) on a standard 18-month contract, launching delightfully soon in early November. Follow-on launches on Orange's French and Romanian networks are expected soon thereafter.
HTC not bringing Touch HD to the States
This shouldn't be surprising at all to anyone even remotely familiar with HTC's tendencies, but the Touch HD is officially not ever shipping to America (unless you import, obviously). The news was dropped via a Tweet (of all things), but evidently, the outcry over what we figured was common knowledge has caused some windows to be rattled in the penthouse offices. Another official Tweet followed to thank everyone for "expressing their desire for the HD," with the author noting that "US management now knows there's a grassroots demand for high-end HTCs here." Really, HTC? You needed a flood of angry Twitter comments to understand that Americans would give their second born for a phone like the Touch HD?[Via WMExperts, thanks to everyone who sent this in]Update: We've received official word from HTC that they've been really overwhelmed by the "strong" demand for the HD in the States and other markets where no launch has been planned (with that insane display, it seemed like a no-brainer to us!). Sadly, due to the engineering time required to get a North American 3G version in the pipeline, they say they're better off just waiting until the next round of products launches -- hopefully with some extra bands in the radio this time, eh?Read - Touch HD not coming to the USRead - Thanks for the concern
HTC's Touch HD gets very early review, called an iPhone killer in German
Not even a fortnight after HTC's Touch HD went official in Germany, out pops a review from Deutschland calling it the best thing since sliced bread. Okay, so maybe our translation skills are a bit off, but one thing's for sure -- it was hailed as the first "iPhone killer to deserve that name." Right off the bat, reviewers praised the TouchFLO 3D interface for masking Windows Mobile, and of course, the expansive display was drooled upon numerous times. Additionally, critics praised the Opera browser while scolding Internet Explorer, and while it's hard to say for certain whether the battery life was remarkable, it definitely seemed to get their vote of approval. Of note, the 3.5-millimeter headphone jack was also loved, making us weep while thinking of what could have been with the T-Mobile G1. At any rate, it seems pretty clear that the Touch HD is going to rock some socks off, but we're trying to push it out of our minds until it becomes available on this side of the drink. Too bad that approach isn't working at all.[Via WMPowerUser]Read - Early Touch HD reviewRead - Video showing off Stocks tab
HTC's Touch HD gets official for O2 Germany
That didn't take long, we only got wind of this set a couple weeks ago and it's already landed in exclusive-style at the O2 Germany's feet. Arne over at the::unwired had a chance to play with the device -- sans branding -- and while nothing is divulged as to date and pricing, we're betting on pricey. Interesting to note that the Touch HD won't be branded as an XDA device, this is apparently a first for O2 and its smartphone line. Of course we're sure our mail will balloon with news as we get closer to the yet-unknown release date, so please, do check back.
FCC gives two thumbs up to HTC's Touch HD
The rock stars over at the Federal Communications Commission took some time out of their fiendishly busy schedules recently to grant approval to HTC's monster-spec Touch HD, revealing a model number of BLAC100 (the "BLAC" stands for "Blackstone"). EDGE 850 / 1900, check. WCDMA 850 / 1900, on the other hand -- yeah, not so much. Approval of the Euro piece doesn't really get us any closer to having a version with North American 3G bands, but okay, it's a start.
HTC's Touch HD, Diamond and Pro get together for photo shoot
You've seen HTC's Touch Diamond, Touch Pro and Touch HD handled in separate instances, but CNET Asia took the opportunity to get all three of the handsets together for a little get-together. Atypical for most sibling relationships, these three seemed to get along fairly well, though we did overhear the Touch Diamond calling the Touch Pro "a fatso." Hit the read link for a few more looks.[Via SlashPhone]
HTC's Touch HD makes its video debut
We've already heard the good word about the HTC Touch HD's performance and general excellence, but if you're like us you want something more. Specifically, something on YouTube narrated in French. That's just how we roll. Nothing in this video (embedded after the break) we haven't heard before, but make sure to tap that "high quality" button to really taste the magic.[Thanks, Ghengis]
