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Sprint kicks off HTC Touch Pro2 sales at $349.99
So, any luck socking away $350 worth crisp, unmarked, non-sequential US currency over the past week since the Touch Pro2 was officially announced for Sprint? If so, we'd just like to offer a friendly reminder that you can now head over to Sprint's online store to place your order -- and yes, that $349.99 you'll be shelling out is after rebate and discount on a new two-year contract. Being second doesn't come cheap, it seems. [Thanks, Wilson]
Oh, by the way: September 7, 2009
Here's some of the other stuff that happened in the wide world of mobile for Monday, September 7, 2009: Samsung's got a version of the Jet for its domestic Korean market, the clumsily-named "Haptic AMOLED." Unlike its international cousin, the Haptic AMOLED packs a T-DMB tuner (as just about all Korean phones do) and it's available in spicy pink and white shades for the usual carriers SKT, KTF, and LGT. Did you know that AT&T used to have a stake in the Indian wireless market? Yeah, us neither, but they did prior to the Cingular merger -- and rumor has it they're looking to get back in by buying a chunk of state-owned operator BSNL, ostensibly because the market -- which is still in a heavy growth phase -- is seen as a powder keg waiting to explode. This one's been going around for a few days, and with the carrier's full-court press on Android, it makes total sense: the Bluetooth SIG is reporting that the Samsung T939 Behold2 for T-Mobile will feature "Google Mobile services," which would fit in with an earlier user agent profile leak. [Via Cell Phone Signal] There's a new Samsung i8910 HD firmware that's starting to hit some regions, and it's a good one -- it features an all-new 3D task switcher and a built-in weather forecast widget for TouchWiz. [Via PhoneArena] Surprise, surprise: Toshiba is relaunching the mighty TG01 with Windows Mobile 6.5 next month, a move that was fully expected all along. If anything, there'd be riots had this not happened. Sony Ericsson's Panel SDK for the X2 is now available, featuring new "Panelizer" tools to convert existing apps into panels in a few easy steps -- and starting in the next few days, devs will be able to submit their work for inclusion in the PlayNow arena. Vodafone has launched a range of eight new self-branded devices that'll be available in time for the holidays this year, and as usual, they're positioned squarely at the lower end of the market. Some of them like the E71 ripoff 1240 (pictured) are straight-up KIRFs, while others like the "Crystal" member of the 533 Catwalk Collection are trying to ooze fashion and style without killing the wad of cash stuffed in your pocket. Whether they've succeeded in doing that... well, that's another question altogether. [Via Unwired View]
HTC Touch Pro2 graces Verizon on September 11
Alright, so maybe a square Nokia isn't your style -- we understand. Maybe you'd like something a little more businesslike, something with a little more Exchange ActiveSync flair and a keyboard with room to spare. What you're looking for, we reckon, is the Touch Pro2 -- and now that Sprint and T-Mobile both have it, it's Verizon's turn to get real with HTC's latest QWERTY beast. Knowing full well that this is a businessperson's dream, HTC and Verizon have gone ahead and stuffed EDGE in there to keep you connected while you're abroad; otherwise, you've got the same WVGA resolution, 3.2 megapixel cam, GPS, and WiFi as the other guys, and just like Sprint, you're signed up for that all-important 3.5mm headphone jack. Global capability doesn't come cheap in this case, though: expect to pay $299.99 on a two-year deal before a $100 mail-in rebate.
Motorola's WinMo ambitions not dead yet: 'Caesar' on the way with WinMo 7?
Look, we don't mean to rain on the 6.5 parade -- it's not even coming out until next month, after all, and both Microsoft and its hardware partners all have a lot riding on its success since competitive pressure from RIM, Nokia, and others is arguably as strong as it's ever been. Thing is, all signs point to an extraordinarily tight schedule for getting Windows Mobile 7 into customers' hands hot on the heels of 6.5's release -- and that means both hardware and software need to be very real by now, in the hands of testers, developers, and engineers responsible putting the finishing touches on the platform. As a key part of its corporate renaissance, Motorola's made no secret of the fact that it's placing a heavy emphasis on Android going forward, putting WinMo's continued role (especially outside Asia) within the company in jeopardy. Thing is, well-trained eyes at UX Evangelist have found a Moto software engineer's job experience on LinkedIn with app development and migration to Windows Mobile 7 beta -- yes, beta -- listed front and center. The project's mentioned for a device codenamed "Caesar," which would slot in nicely with Moto's trend of assigning ancient rulers' names to smartphones ahead of release. We have no idea what Caesar might be, but if everything we've heard is true, odds are good that it'd have to comply to Microsoft's so-called Chassis 1 specifications that require ample touchscreen resolution and processor power. And if 7's seriously in beta, that means it's moving right along with a mid-2010 release totally plausible. Sholes repping the Android camp and Caesar holding down WinMo 7? Sounds good to us. [Via MobileTechWorld]
Vodafone gets first dibs on WinMo 6.5-powered LG GM750 in Europe
The GM730's barely had time to breathe since its intro earlier this year, but Windows Mobile 6.5 awaits -- and with it, the world's expecting a slew of new models to kick things off right. Following the GW550 announcement straight from LG proper earlier today, Vodafone has stepped in to announce that it's secured European exclusivity on the GM750, which largely carries over the GM730's visual cues but swaps out 6.1 for 6.5. The 5 megapixel cam and S-Class support are carryovers from its predecessor, but considering that neither is a slouch, we can't say we're complaining. Look for the GM750 to launch in Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and the UK (along with France through SFR) to celebrate 6.5's initial release on October 6, with other countries following on later.
LG launching three mysterious Windows phones soon, ten elusive others in 2010
It's cool LG -- it's not like we really need to know model names and BOMs for each of your new Windows phones. In fact, it's completely kosher if you just tease us with launch dates and nothing more. It's not like you've got any rivals out there already sharing a good deal more or anything. And hey, if it weren't for that oh-so-informative blurb underneath the image in your press release, we wouldn't even know that the already-launched GW550 would be amongst the first three WinMo 6.5-packin' smartphones you've got on deck for an "imminent launch." What precious little we do know is that in addition to that there GW550, the first volley of three will feature a full touchscreen device and a touch slider with full QWERTY -- both form factors we'd fully expect represented in force for 6.5 -- and they'll be made available to "early adopters" in Europe, Asia, and the US before being introduced on a larger scale. But listen, we definitely appreciate you telling us that a grand total of 13 new Windows phones will be out and about by the end of 2010, and we'll be patiently waiting for details on the whos, whats, whens and wheres. Toodeloo!
HTC Snap comes to Alltel for $79.99
Alltel customers -- totally legit ones who've been left out of the Verizon integration -- have a few things going for them, not the least of which is a one-year contract policy that applies across the lineup. That means you can get a Tour for the same two bills you'd pay on Sprint or Verizon but with only half the time commitment, but now, it also means you can get an HTC Snap (generic version pictured above) for just $80. Considering it's the same form factor with international roaming capability that the Tour offers, that might be $120 worth saving if you're not married to BlackBerry OS and you're willing to give WinMo a fair shake. That's not so crazy of an idea, is it? [Via Phone Scoop]
HTC Touch2 launching October 6th with Windows Mobile 6.5
Hey, HTC -- pull up a chair. Listen, we admire your tenacity and all, but did you realize that both Nokia World and IFA kicked off today? Cool, just making sure. Now that we're past that, we'd like to introduce you (as in, the audience) to one of the world's first "Windows phones," the Touch2. Packing a full touchscreen and an all-too-familiar design (remember the HTC Mega?), this here smartphone will launch with Windows Mobile 6.5, the outfit's TouchFLO interface, Microsoft Exchange support, a redesigned Internet Explorer Mobile and the new My Phone service to back up and sync photos, music, contacts and text messages for free from the Touch2 to the web. There's no word on exact pricing and availability, but it'll be available somewhere in this wide world October 6th, with broad availability in Europe and select Asian markets promised for early Q4. [Via TechRadar]
HP's iPAQ K3 Obsidian gets FCC approval enroute to AT&T
Sure, we could beat around the bush and say, "well, the test report calls it an iPAQ and it's got both GSM and HSPA on the 850 and 1900MHz bands, so it's probably headed to AT&T" -- but let's cut to the chase for once, shall we? Despite much of the documentation still falling under confidentiality, HP's latest phone has "AT&T SKU" written right on its publicly-available ID label, so that pretty much settles that. Interestingly, the documentation repeatedly refers to the new WinMo-powered handset as the "iPAQ KB1," but we have every reason to believe this is the K3 Obsidian that's been floating around for a while now. To be fair, we don't know whether that's a go-to-market name -- nor do we know the price or launch date, for that matter -- whatever it's called, we can now take comfort in the knowledge that it'll be 100 percent legal to use on American soil.
Windows Mobile 6.5 cellphones coming October 6th
Unfortunately for those on the hunt for nitty-gritty details, the headline here just about says it all. In a shockingly vague release from Microsoft, the Redmond-based giant has announced that the first batch of Windows Mobile 6.5 handsets will launch on October 6th, or around three weeks after its Zune HD. If we're reading this correctly, it looks as if this round of cellies will be the first to be called "Windows phones," and aside from promising "new customer experiences" and superior browsing capabilities, they'll also feature Windows Marketplace for Mobile (an app store), Microsoft My Phone (a backup service) and Office Mobile. As for what phones we'll see, all we're told is that HTC, HP, LG, Samsung, Toshiba, Sony Ericsson and a few other big time players are onboard, with just about every carrier in the world (save for T-Mobile USA) also voicing their support.[Via MobileTechWorld] Update: AT&T has informed us that starting on September 14th, customers with Wi-Fi-enabled Windows Mobile smartphones and unlimited / other qualifying data plans will receive unlimited access to AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots nationwide.
Sprint follows T-Mobile's lead, wants $350 for HTC Touch Pro2
We figured the suits over at T-Mobile USA were on some of that good stuff when they slapped an almost comical $350 (on contract) price tag on HTC's Touch Pro2, but evidently said "stuff" has made its way into the halls of Overland Park as well. After months of watching evidence mount, Sprint has finally come clean and admitted that HTC's EV-DO Rev. A-equipped superphone is coming to its network, and with it will come access to Sprint TV as well as NFL Mobile Live and NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile apps. The smartphone will go on sale September 8th, though you'll have to pony up $349.99 (after a $100 mail-in rebate) in order to secure one on a two-year contract. We're all about that 3.6-inch WVGA tilting screen, but with Palm's Pre selling on this very network for a full $150 less, we're thinking this one won't appeal to many outside of the WinMo faithful.
Toshiba TG02 earns WiFi certification, still unclear what it is
The Toshiba TG02's strange path to reality continues to unfold with a fresh Wi-Fi Alliance certification to shove under its belt alongside that FCC approval it earned a few months back. Of course, it wasn't called the TG02 back then -- it was known only by the more cryptic TM5-E01, a phone alleged to be a Windows Mobile clamshell despite the TG01-ish external photos provided with the filing -- but at any rate, it seems that we're talking about the same thing here. There's not a lot of additional detail to go on here, but it's encouraging to see that Toshiba's still hard at work besting its already-awesome first Snapdragon model -- and if it really is a clamshell, that'll be sure to bring out a whole trove of HTC Star Trek fans who've been in hiding for a year or two. [Warning: PDF link] [Via Unwired View and tweakers.net]
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]
Motorola A3300c coming to China Telecom with WinMo, 3G?
It's apparently still not 1,000 percent official, but that A3300 we spied not long ago from Motorola is looking a lot more real now that we've got pictures that look like they've been taken with something remotely resembling pro photography gear. sina.com.cn is reporting that the full-touch WinMo phone has sprouted a "c" on the end of its name, a shout-out to the CDMA radio it's packing as it prepares for a launch on China Telecom's EV-DO-based 3G network. Other goodies on board include a 5 megapixel cam, WiFi, AGPS, and a WQVGA display -- and no, unless you're in China, you probably can't have it since Moto's all about Android now. [Via motorolazine.biz]
China Mobile announces HTC 'Qilin' as Dopod T8388
China Mobile has a vested interest in making sure TD-SCDMA succeeds seeing how it's the only of China's big three carriers to be rolling it out -- and it's not exactly sharing the technology with carriers around the globe -- but money talks, and a portion of the 47 million yuan in subsidies being doled out to advance the standard have gone to making sure this little gem sees the light of day. What you're looking at here is the Dopod T8388 from HTC, a customized version of the still-unannounced Whitestone that appears to take some pages out of the Touch Diamond2's book with WVGA, 5 megapixels of shooting power, WinMo 6.5, and features 3G fashioned just for China Mobile's airwaves. Look for it in the fourth quarter -- question is, will it beat Verizon's version to market? [Via the::unwired and wmpoweruser.com]
Oh, by the way: August 24, 2009
Here's some of the other stuff that happened in the wide world of mobile for Monday, August 24th, 2009: Sony Ericsson is taking its Java runtime downmarket, committing to roll it out to what it's billing the "entry 3G segment." On a completely unrelated note, is it just us, or was the mini-golf game that came on the T610 one of mankind's greatest entertainment achievements of all time? It appears that parts of Europe will be receiving a tweaked version of the Samsung B7320, creatively rechristened the B7330. Differences are mainly cosmetic with one critically important material change: the screen's now up to 320 x 320 resolution from the original model's QVGA. German site AreaMobile is quoting a local release in October, but other than that, it's anyone's guess. [Via the::unwired] A whole bunch of new 850MHz 3G spectrum is now online in AT&T's San Francisco and New York City networks. 850 does a better job of penetrating buildings than 1900, and if there's one thing the Big Apple has plenty of, it's buildings -- so we'll see if this improves the dropped call situation at all. If you have a curious tendency to drop your phone into kiddie pools, throw it at brick walls, and engage in lengthy heart-to-hearts from Antarctica's Base Esperanza, you'll be delighted to know that Sonim's ultra-rugged XP3.20 is now shipping in the US unlocked for $399. [Via Gearlog]
Acer posts S200 user manual, looks like an F1 to us
Just because you can't buy Acer's mighty F1 yet doesn't mean you can't do a whole lot of learning about it now that the company has officially posted the beastly handset's user manual online. Actually, if you want to get technical about it, they've posted a manual for an "S200" -- but browsing it quickly reveals that they're talking about the F1 judging by the diagrams and specs, which leads us to wonder whether S200 is the official go-to-market name, a regional variant, or something even more sinister. No bother -- at any rate, the manual is a good opportunity to learn about Windows Mobile 6.5, which the F1 will be shipping with; you're also reminded of that totally bangin' Qualcomm 8250 (that's Snapdragon to the lay folk) running at 1GHz, the 3.8-inch WVGA display, the full HSPA, and the 5 megapixel autofocus camera. Americans will be bummed to see the lack of HSPA 850, though they should be able to cling to 1900MHz in many markets -- and it's not like North America has gotten a lot of mobile love from Acer in the past, so it certainly comes as no surprise. [Warning: PDF link] [Via MobileTechWorld and wmpoweruser.com]
Microsoft tells WinMo devs they're beautiful, worth more than 99 cents
For many (if not most) iPhone developers, the App Store's overheated competition and bloated inventory have led to scorched-earth pricing that makes it virtually impossible to parlay mobile development into a valid for-profit business model without turning to subscriptions or in-app advertising. RIM's tried to nip that behavior in the bud by capping the minimum sale price at $2.99, and it sounds like Microsoft feels the same way in light of the flowery, motivational language being thrown the way of developers at learning sessions ahead of the Marketplace's launch. "I know, 99 cents is interesting -- yes, consumers like to pay 99 cents for applications," admits Microsoft's Loke Uei, "but 99 cents, come on, I think your app is worth more than that." You heard it straight from the horse's mouth, people -- your app is worth more than that. Ultimately, Uei says the goal is to set the bench higher by keeping low-quality apps out of the Marketplace, but to start out and beef up, they might consider taking all the crap they can get and worrying about stroking devs' egos after the fact. If the store's client app makes it easy enough to browse, search, and get to best-of-breed content, this point should be moot anyhow.
Verizon's HTC Whitestone garners FCC approval
HTC's making some serious moves in North America at the moment -- not to say that's necessarily anything new -- and the Touch Diamond2 and Pro2 are both getting love from every angle. That's a good thing, we figure -- and the parade of high-end Windows Mobile hardware continues with the Whitestone, a presumed Diamond2 variant with a 3.6-inch WVGA display and 5 megapixel cam. Test documents confirm that it's CDMA / EV-DO, though we're not seeing any evidence of GSM; that doesn't necessarily mean it's not there since the FCC doesn't care to test non-US bands, but we definitely expected to see a full report on EDGE 850 / 1900. Now that the approval's in, Verizon, it's your move -- let's get the ball rolling, shall we?
Windows Mobile 6.5 'touch interface' update in February to coexist with WinMo 7?
The evidence that Windows Mobile 6.5 could soon be moving beyond the stylus to gather finger-friendly, multi-touch, capacitive screens into its long, loving arms has been mounting with the leak of the HTC Leo ROM and TouchFlo 3D 2.6. Such a move would quickly put Microsoft back on track to compete with the iPhone and Android devices like the HTC Hero. Now DigiTimes, based on sourced information from Taiwanese handset makers, is reporting a "touch interface" version of Windows Mobile 6.5 set for release in February 2010 -- an upgrade to the initial Windows Mobile 6.5 launch expected on October 1st. However, instead of phasing out Windows Mobile 6.5 with the Q4 2010 launch of Windows Mobile 7, DigiTimes asserts that Microsoft will lower the price of WinMo 6.5 to compete against open-source Android devices while positioning WinMo 7 to go head-to-head with the iPhone. In other words, Microsoft appears to be adopting a dual-platform mobile strategy like we've heard before, regardless of Steve Ballmer's recent grandstanding against Google's dual-platform approach.
