TouchPro2
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Possible Palm Pre, Eos, Storm 2, and more revealed in Verizon database
Well would you look at those. Six snaps from Verizon's internal inventory database showing the BlackBerry Storm 2, Touch Pro 2, Omnia II, the Samsung Convoy and a pair of previously unseen Palm devices tagged with "P101" and "P121" monikers. It's just a guess, but we, like PhoneArena, think there's a very good chance that these are the Pre (already shipping on Sprint as model P100 according to the FCC) and its little Eos cousin, respectively. Now, anyone still doubting a Q1 2010 release on Big Red?
HTC Touch Pro2 looking good for September 8 launch on Sprint
Aiming a cameraphone at a computer monitor conveniently displaying names, dates, and prices of upcoming products always seems to end in sweet, sweet leakage, doesn't it? New shots over at SprintUsers are showing some low-end noise in the mix like an orange Rumor 2 and a pair of Sammies apparently too lowly to get actual names, but the real news has to be that the long-awaited Touch Pro2 (Sprint should know better than to question HTC's wisdom in nixing the space between "Pro" and "2" here) looks finalized for a September 8 launch. We wouldn't freak out at the $599.99 retail price, necessarily -- bear in mind that's a totally unsubsidized, rebate-free price that few customers will actually be paying. Interestingly, the screencap is accompanied by a PDF identified as an internal "Quick Reference Brief" for the Touch Pro2; part of the doc includes a comparison chart that pits the phone against AT&T's LG Monaco and HTC Warhawk along with Verizon's Omnia II, all phones that have yet to be released. Wondering where they'd get the lowdown on unannounced competitive hardware? Us, it turns out -- zoom in on the chart for a good look at a super low-res Engadget logo watermarked across the Warhawk. You're most welcome, Sprint -- buy us a drink sometime and we're square. [Via wmpoweruser.com]
AT&T news: Lancaster dead, Warhawk and Fortress coming in October?
We've received some pretty believable information this evening indicating that the HTC Lancaster -- a phone that would've likely been AT&T's first to run Android -- has been shelved. We don't know why, but considering that the rumored specs had it signed up for a weaksauce QVGA display, our hearts aren't really broken by the news as long as they make haste getting a more suitable model to market (and we're not talking about the Fiesta). In happier news, we're hearing that "two new Windows Mobile 6.5 models" will be gracing AT&T shelves in October, and considering everything we know about the carrier and its plans, we've got to believe these are the Warhawk and Fortress (better known as the Touch Diamond2 and Touch Pro2) from HTC. That'd lag T-Mobile's Pro2 launch by a country mile -- but then again, T-Mobile's running circles around everyone in the Android department, so why not WinMo, too?
Verizon's Touch Pro2 in the wild again, just for kicks
Regardless of carrier, we know that these in-the-wild shots of the Touch Pro2 drive impatient buyers within an inch of madness, so we apologize in advance if this latest batch leads to any mental health facility commitments -- but, you know, we're just doing our job here. This time around, we get Verizon's version of the phone pitted against a Sprint Touch Pro, starkly demonstrating that the new model is a good deal longer -- something we hadn't really considered. We also get a good look at the Device Information screen showing 86.85MB of free RAM and 230.69MB of free ROM, though we can't say with certainty that the shot was taken on a bone-stock Touch Pro2 that was fresh out of the box, not to mention the fact that we could still see firmware revisions before it even hits the market. With global roaming capability, we bet this one's going to be a hot seller in certain audiences -- particularly those with far more business attire in their closets than ourselves. [Thanks, morrowa2]
T-Mobile hits the sauce, demands $350 for HTC Touch Pro2
Jumpin' Jehoshaphat! With Apple lowering the smartphone price bar with its last-gen iPhone 3G at $99, any well-specced phone hitting the airwaves these days for over a buck ninety-nine on contract just seems outrageous. And then, there's this. T-Mobile USA has somehow found it within its heart to charge a near-astronomical $349.99 (on a two-year agreement, no less) for HTC's latest WinMo-packin' powerhouse, the Touch Pro2. Look, we aren't saying the phone isn't worth its weight in gold, but a quick look around the marketplace shows just how out of place this obscenely large asking price really is. The silver lining? We're betting this slips beneath the $200 mark just as soon as the HTC fanboys have chipped in their early adopter fees (and it hits every other carrier in America).[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
T-Mobile Touch Pro2 review
Followers, fans, and casual observers of HTC alike all know that when the company launches a new landscape QWERTY model, it's a big deal. In fact, it's more than a big deal -- it's a Big Deal. Many describe it as the ultimate smartphone form factor, the perfect execution of everything a modern handset is capable of doing -- and realistically, no company has as much experience or know-how at making powerhouse landscape QWERTY sliders than HTC does. That's why droves of subscribers on virtually every carrier are on the edge of their seats awaiting the Touch Pro2's release. Whether you love, hate, or feel nothing but pure, unadulterated ambivalence toward Windows Mobile, it's hard to argue that the Pro2 isn't a gorgeous smartphone at a distance, and T-Mobile USA's gently-tweaked version is no exception. Unless you're desperate for SLR-quality photography (which you're frankly not going to get regardless of what phone you buy), the spec sheet reads like a dream -- an expansive 3.6-inch WVGA display, full QWERTY, tilt-up display, all the 3G and WiFi you could ever want, and HTC's latest and greatest build of TouchFLO 3D constantly working to make sure that WinMo cleans up nice -- but is it true love or just lipstick on a pig? Let's have a look.
HTC Touch Pro2 spotted again, this time with AT&T branding -- to be called Tilt 2?
Alright, listen up: we're going to play a little game we like to call, "what carrier isn't getting the Touch Pro2?" Sound easy? Not so fast, partner -- this bad boy gets around like a record, if you know what we're saying. In fact, the beefy, all-business WinMo superphone is well on its way to becoming the first handset carried by every top-tier North American carrier in we-don't-know-how-long (granted, we don't have solid intel on Bell or Rogers, but we wouldn't be surprised to see them coming). We suspected AT&T was signed up for it some time ago, and now we've got it snapped in the flesh, complete with an AT&T logo conveniently assigned as the function on the down key. We don't know when this'll be available, but seeing how all notions of exclusivity appear to be out of the window on this one, we could see an announcement any day now. Better list that Fuze on eBay now, ladies and gentlemen. [Thanks, Ahres] Update: It'd stand to reason that this is going to be branded Tilt 2 in light of the screen shot posted earlier; kinda strange that AT&T would return to the Tilt branding, but... you know, marketing departments work in mysterious ways that we'll never understand.
Sprint HTC Touch Pro2 shows up sporting a 3.5mm headphone jack
We already knew the CDMA HTC Touch Pro2 headed to Telus and Verizon had been upgraded with a 3.5mm headphone jack, so it's not a huge surprise that the Sprint version has one too, but it's still nice to see proof. Still no word on a release date or pricing, but if these things are sneaking out there like this we can't imagine we have long to wait.[Thanks, Kenny]
Sprint and HTC Touch Pro2 tie the knot in early September?
We've seen more than enough evidence surface to convince us that HTC Touch Pro2 is making its way over to Sprint at some point, and now this morning comes two interesting piece of information each pegging a release date for early September. Only problem is, the pair can't seem to agree on exactly what that day will be. Phone Arena's gotten its hands on an alleged leaked document hailing straight from the Now Network that claims Thursday, September 3rd is the lucky day, while on the flip side, Engadget reader Louis wrote in to let us know of an apparent reply he got from Sprint customer service that told him it'd be up for sale on Tuesday, September 8th. That last one's pretty peculiar, given the carrier's yet to even confirm the device's existence, but that hasn't necessarily stopped blabbing reps before. With both of these days now less than a month away, chances are we won't be waiting too much longer to know for sure. [Via pocketnow; thanks, anthony] Read - Customer service letter Read - Leaked document
Sprint's developer site reveals Touch Pro2's innermost secrets
We've seen enough dead-to-rights evidence at this point to say that the Touch Pro2 is Sprint-bound, barring some sort of bizarre, unforeseen series of events leading to... oh, say, Sprint's acquisition by Nokia in the next few weeks. That would be odd, wouldn't it? Anyhow, the latest piece of irrefutable proof comes courtesy of Sprint itself, which has now listed the Touch Pro2 -- along with all of its specs -- on the carrier's developer site. There's nothing ground-breaking here -- we've got the usual 3.2 megapixel cam and WVGA display -- though we're saddened to see no mention of the all-important 3.5mm jack. Not every spec is listed here, of course, but we'd be feeling better about the situation if we saw it here.[Thanks, Shawn]
Verizon-branded Touch Pro2 plays 'spot the difference' with previous spy shot
It's been some time since we last spotted HTC's Touch Pro2 in the wild with a Verizon tattoo, and yet, there's a tinge of unfamiliarity with these new shots. For whatever reason, on this model the HTC logo has been banished to the opposite reaches of the front display, whereas previously it was fit to share space right next to the Verizon logo / check mark. Everything else seems to be identical, however, including any indication of when and for how much we'll be able to pick one up ourselves. Hey VZW, how's that fire sale of the original Touch Pro coming along? Update: As a good number of readers have pointed out, there's now also video of the phone, with 3.5mm headphone jack to boot. See it after the break. [Thanks, ckeegan]
HTC Rhodium spotted in Sprint "compatible phone" list, Touch Pro2 definitely maybe imminent
While AT&T, Telus and Verizon Wireless customers have long since known that HTC's luscious Touch Pro2 was heading their way, fans of Dan Hesse have been twiddling their thumbs wondering if said handset would ever cruise along at Sprint Speed™. We wouldn't call this anything close to official confirmation, but an official Sprint portal for the outfit's NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile application definitely lists the HTC Rhodium as a "compatible phone" that supports full audio and video content. For those unaware, "Rhodium" is just another way of uttering "Touch Pro2." Don't get your hopes too high, but feel free to have a stiff drink on us.[Thanks, Kenny]
Verizon: Touch Diamond, Touch Pro now $99 with contract
Looks like Verizon's up to something (and we're not talking about Sholes). A quick trip over to VZW's site has confirmed that $99 -- and a two-year contract -- will land you just about any smartphone that they offer (one notable exception being the Samsung Saga), including HTC's Touch Pro and Touch Diamond. Could this mean that the new Touch Diamond2 and Touch Pro2 are soon to rear their pretty little heads? We'd be down with that.
HTC Snap, Touch Pro2 officially land on Telus
Best Buy may have beaten Telus to the punch by offering the HTC Snap on the cheap all by itself earlier this month, and it hasn't been much of a secret that the Touch Pro2 was also headed Telus' way, but if you've had any doubts about the carrier's commitment to either of the handsets, you'll be pleased to know that it's now gotten fully official with the pair of 'em. Better still, Telus has even undercut Best Buy's already low $29.99 price for the HTC Snap by offering it for free on a three-year contract, while the HTC Touch Pro2 will set you back a considerably heftier $249.99 on that same contract. Those with an aversion to commitment and money to burn can also snag the Snap for $400 and the Touch Pro2 for $650, or take advantage of some not-very-attractive one or two-year contract deals.Read - MobileSyrup, "HTC Snap now available at TELUS"Read - MobileSyrup, "TELUS HTC Touch Pro2 finally available in Canada!"[Thanks, John]
T-Mobile announces HTC Touch Pro2 for August 12 availability
Sure, the Touch Pro2 from HTC is available from a variety of carriers around the world at this point -- but you won't find many (read: none) that are offering it in the US right now, which makes T-Mobile's launch especially notable. As expected, it'll be hitting on August 12, bringing a 3.2 megapixel camera, AWS 3G, GPS, a glorious 3.6-inch WVGA display, WiFi, and that unique Straight Talk tech that should make the phone one of the best speakerphones you've ever used (frequent conference callers, take note). Pricing hasn't been announced, but expect it in the lovely shade pictures above, which is being termed "mocha" (your choice of vocabulary may vary).
HTC XV6975 picks up GCF approval en route to Verizon
If you're holding out for a Touch Pro2 on Verizon... well, we really don't want to jump the gun and say that your wait won't be much longer -- the original Touch Pro just launched last November -- but signs of a XV6975 in a major certifying body are certainly a step in the right direction. We've heard from our sources that the XV6975 is going to be the go-to-market model number used by Verizon for its version of the Touch Pro2, and the Global Certification Forum has just gone ahead and approved precisely that model. If you're wondering what's up with all the mentions of GSM and HSDPA, wonder not -- like Telus, Verizon will be getting a global device for the business-minded folk that are likely to be latching onto this thing. Add in a 3.5mm jack and it's just a bag of awesome, isn't it?[Via the::unwired]Update: We're being told by commenters Yums and Verizon Tester that this'll actually be the Touch Diamond2 -- probably not as hotly-anticipated as the Pro2, but still a nice little device to have nonetheless (especially with a global radio thrown in). Guess we'll have to wait and see how this shakes out.
HTC Touch Pro2 calls dibs on 3.5mm audio jack for Telus and Verizon
That was quick. We heard that HTC was moving to standardize around 3.5mm audio jacks but we weren't necessarily expecting the meaty Touch Pro2 to be on that list of devices. After all, it's already shipping in its GSM version. Nevertheless, MobileSyrup has a soon-to-be released CDMA version of the Touch Pro2 for Telus (and ultimately, Verizon) that goes straight-up 3.5mm -- no goofy ExtUSB jack converter required. Oh, and they've got video to prove it. See it after the break.[Via WMExperts, thanks Guill M.]
Oh, by the way: July 13, 2009
Here's some of the other stuff that happened in the wide world of mobile for Monday, July 13th, 2009: Samsung has released a new firmware for its i8910HD that enabled AAC audio while recording HD video. The problem? Right now, only Italian firmwares seem to be eligible for the update, which comes through Samsung's PC Studio app. [Via Softpedia] Excellent music identification app Shazam is now available on the BlackBerry Storm. And let's be honest, Storm owners need all the entertainment they can get. In France, the Samsung S5230 Player One has been re-released in Zadig & Voltaire livery; we've never heard of 'em, but we bet it's a big, important fashion house somewhere. [Via Unwired View] NuevaSync recently launched its interesting push email service, which simply uses IMAP IDLE on the back end and Exchange ActiveSync to connect to your device (because as push goes, more devices support EAS than IMAP IDLE). [Via Smartphone Thoughts] GSM / CDMA dual-band versions of the HTC Snap and Touch Pro2 have been confirmed for launch on Telus, though dates and pricing haven't been given. [Via Smartphone Thoughts]
T-Mobile's Touch Pro2 gets unboxed
Most of us have a few weeks to wait yet before this thrilling moment arrives, but someone out there doesn't. Rather than sit here, turn bright green with envy and throw a fit, though, we're just going to do our best to enjoy a few shots of T-Mobile's version of the Touch Pro2 being unboxed on a lovely granite countertop. The shots aren't of the best quality, but they're almost certainly real -- everything checks out visually -- so at least it's of some comfort to know that these puppies are boxed up and ready to drop the moment corporate gives the word.
Telstra rolling out seven Next G phones this month
Australian carrier Telstra's taking the "go big or go home" approach with its latest announcement, dropping no fewer than seven phones this month compatible with its Next G HSPA network -- table scraps for a Japanese carrier, granted, but a bounty by any other standard. Among the phones in the new lineup are the Xenon, Viewty Smart, and the Windows Mobile-powered GM730f from LG (the first version of the GM730 to launch anywhere, interestingly), the Touch Pro2 from HTC, and Sony Ericsson's W508 and W995. All will be available before the month of July draws to a close for prices ranging from AUD $30 (about $24) on contract for the W508 up to a mind-numbing AUD $1,499 (about $1,190) contract-free for the Touch Pro2.
