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HTC reveals official Windows Mobile 6 upgrade plans
It seems HTC has finally gotten all of its leaves in a pile by releasing the much anticipated Windows Mobile 6 upgrade roadmap; while this news isn't a surprise, it's always reassuring to hear it straight from the manufacturer. Starting in April (the clock is ticking HTC) the updates will begin rolling out on HTC's European site for your downloading pleasure (link below). The list includes the HTC Advantage, HTC TyTn, HTC S620, HTC P3300, and the HTC 4350. All of you folks rolling with carrier-branded handsets will have to wait until June, and to make it a bit more unbearable, no operators or devices are specifically mentioned. HTC's rationale in choosing these handsets over others in their portfolio -- in case you are screaming "why not me?" -- is that devices with a focus on messaging will most benefit from the upgrade. Maybe it's just us, but aren't all of HTC's handsets focused on messaging? We will be bringing you a blow by blow as these things land, so if you see one posted and we haven't mentioned it, drop us a line.[Thanks, Sed]Read - HTC's WM6 roadmap [Warning: PDF link]Read - HTC Europe download site
Sprint's Motorola Q left out of WM6 party?
Shelled out for the newer Sprint Motorola Q with Windows Mobile and EV-DO goodness? That's great -- but don't let the next sentence steam you. Word on the street is that Sprint is not going to be providing a Windows Mobile 6 update for its version of the Q. It's already a bummer that Sprint's Q doesn't have some of the carrier's flagship features (Picture Mail, Wireless Backup, Video Mail, Sprint TV, and so on) four months after release; now, the unit may never even see Windows Mobile 6 in its Sprint lifetime. Ah, what could have been, eh?[Thanks, Ice Cold]
Quanta and Dell collaborating on "Fly" smartphone?
While we aren't exactly keen on the taste of salt trickling down our throats, we're afraid a healthy dose is in order with this one. According to the always questionable DigiTimes, Quanta Computer is actually developing a "PDA handset" for Dell, and considering that it was but eight days ago that the firm's Axim hit the graveyard, the timing here is doubtlessly intriguing. Of course, this isn't the first time rampant rumors have swirled around a newfangled Dell handheld, but the outcome here could be a tad different than before considering the handset guru that just recently punched in. The project is reportedly operating under the codename "Fly," and while no design specifics were handed out, it should sport Windows Mobile 6, HSDPA, and probably a QWERTY keyboard to boot. Whatever the case, at least this thing shouldn't conflict with any Cisco trademarks if it all pans out.
Orange SPV E650 set to hit the shelves
Orange has rolled out the SPV E650 (alias HTC S710, alias Vox) in its mobile shop in the UK, giving Brits their first taste of Orange-flavored Windows Mobile 6 love. The Vox is set to be a kickin' handset in both its CDMA and GSM flavors, though we still wish HSDPA was part of its feature set. We have been waiting for this since HTC made the announcement at 3GSM, and we're sure that many will rejoice upon seeing it in the Orange mobile shop -- only to just as quickly deflate at the label: "Coming Soon." No word on exact shipping date or cost yet, but we hope to turn that frown upside down with something a bit more concrete, real soon.[Via Geekzone]
The T-Mobile MDA is dead, long live the Wing?
Sweaty palms, darting eyes, hyperventilation -- the anxiety attack induced by the knowledge that T-Mobile is without a clear-cut QWERTY solution from HTC can be downright frightening, we know. After seemingly euthanizing the MDA, customers of T-Mobile's US outpost have been sans a replacement in the wings, but it seems that this sucker might be the lucky winner. A variant of the HTC Atlas (new to us!), the T-Mobile "Wing" appears to take some cues from HTC's newer QWERTY-based Pocket PCs by adding Function and Caps lights, a spring-loaded slide, and a more traditional numeric keypad layout. The whole shebang is said to be covered in a rubberized blue material, which we suspect should be comfortable and easy to grip as long as it's not too sticky, thick, or soft. If this holds up, look for it to hit around August -- Windows Mobile 6 Professional and all.[Via Boy Genius Report and Gadgets on the Go]
i-mate's bumper crop for '07
i-mate has wisely decided to keep its release tempo on the up-and-up following its disassociation from Windows Mobile megagiant HTC -- at least that's what we're believing following a strong showing at 3GSM this year and now this, a leaked roadmap document detailing what we can expect out of the Middle Eastern outfit for the next few months. Notable models include the "Odyssey," a Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC Phone Edition device with UMTS 1900 / 2100 (what, no 850?), 2 megapixel cam, and WiFi; a four-pack of so-called "X Series" devices in a variety of form factors, blacked out and chock full of dual-band HSDPA, Windows Mobile 6, Bluetooth 2.0, and WiFi; and a Fastap-equipped handset in the Ultimate line -- codenamed "Acorn" -- with triband HSDPA and the video out that is a signature of the series. Healthy competition for HTC? Bring it on, folks. [Warning: PDF link][Via Boy Genius Report]
FCC gives Samsung i760 two thumbs up
Just in case there was any lingering doubt that the feds would look kindly upon Samsung's upcoming i760 for Verizon, we can (thankfully) put those doubts to rest now. As is quite common for a Samsung FCC filing, details are kept to a bare minimum with only the ID label documentation giving us visual confirmation that this is the phone we think it is. No matter; we've seen the Windows Mobile 6 Professional-equipped device in the public domain plenty at this point -- only thing left, it seems, is to get it out the door.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Canadians get HTC Vox before US
Our Canadian friends who are fortunate enough to subscribe to Telus Mobility will become the first North Americans to get their paws on the new HTC Vox handset. The CDMA Vox (GSM version announced a few moons back at the 2007 3GSM World Congress) will feature Windows Mobile 6, WiFi and Bluetooth, microSD, 2 megapixel cam and a 2.4 inch color display, though the real draw here is the dual keypad design. At first glance, the Vox looks like a standard Windows Mobile Smartphone candybar, but lurking underneath is a full QWERTY keyboard (which we hear is just how Canadians like it).[Via Crave]
Treo 750, BlackJack with Windows Mobile 6 in the wild
We'd reported this would happen, and, well... it happened. In Microsoft's booth at CTIA, anyway. It's anybody's guess exactly when it is end users will be able to drop Windows Mobile 6 on Treo 750s and Samsung BlackJacks of their very own, but we take it as a pretty solid sign that Microsoft is comfortable showing it off already.
LG's KS20: Chocolate / Prada / whatever with WM6
As expected, this slick little Windows Mobile 6 Professional device could very well stand to be the first to benefit from LG's newfound relationship with Microsoft. Whether it'll get slapped with Prada branding remains to be seen, but the KS20's resemblance to its proprietary stablemate can't be overlooked; the Windows Mobile variant gets a thumb stick near the bottom in place of the KE850's buttons, but that's the only major change we see up front. The guts are just as pretty as the outside, too, with WiFi, Bluetooth, the obligatory microSD slot, HSDPA and (possibly) HSUPA, FM radio, TV out, and a 2 megapixel shooter. Needless to say, we're pulling for a radio that can suck down some American 3G, but we're not getting our hopes up. As soon as we catch wind of a release date, price, or any other solid 411, we'll pass it right along.[Via Slashphone]
Lenovo's lovely ET600 with Windows Mobile 6
Windows Mobile 6 Professional? Check. Brushed metal (or metal look, at least) body? Check. Dedicated Google button placed prominently front and center? Okay, sure, whatever. HSDPA? Eh, sorry folks, this one's a China-only special; GPRS still reigns supreme in those parts. Lenovo's not really known for its smartphone offerings in the western hemisphere, but on home turf, it's a different story -- this here ET600 is the latest example. Besides the rather comely exterior, you get a tri-band GSM radio sans 850 (no need for it over there), the usual QVGA display, 2 megapixel autofocus cam, Bluetooth 2.0, microSD expansion, and a 200MHz OMAP750 core. Like it? Us too -- bring back a few for us on your next trip to Beijing, wouldya?[Via Engadget Chinese]
HTC Kaiser in the wild
Whoa, what's that HTC Kaiser doing there? Don't whip out your Wizard or Hermes and try this, folks -- you'll only end up with tears and a broken Pocket PC -- it's a hot new trick HTC's Hermes follow-on has up its sleeves. Besides the wacky flip-up action, the Kaiser ups the camera to a full 3 megapixels (an extra million pixels over its predecessor), adds HSUPA support for crazy fast uploads, GPS, and the now-obligatory Windows Mobile 6 Professional. No word on release, but we know with certainty that HTC wants this thing in users' hands in 2007, so we'd expect it to start showing up on European networks before too long. Click on for plenty of gorgeous photography.[Via Howard Forums]
Aries rising: ASUS M530w at CeBIT
ASUS had the Aries on the show floor and we just couldn't resist asking it to say "cheese" and give us a big smile. Reminiscent of devices like the HTC Excalibur and just about every Blackberry, the M530w has a full QWERTY keyboard for your typing pleasure, a huge d-pad and scroll wheel for Blackberry-style play. For connectivity, this half inch thick wonder has triple-band (900 / 1800 / 1900) GSM, 2100 MHz (can you feel the pain? can ya?) UMTS / HSDPA, and of course EDGE. What self-respecting Windows Mobile 6 powered device would be complete without WiFi and Bluetooth to round out a fairly sweet set of features. As a bonus, the placard boasts that the 2 megapixel camera can add contacts using a "business card recognition function" -- cool beans. Click yonder linky to get a peek at its other sides. %Gallery-2150%
E-Ten's Glofiish X800: everything but the QWERTY
Let's start with what E-Ten's latest Glofiish -- the X800 -- doesn't have: a QWERTY keyboard. Otherwise, it's packed to the, uh, gills. We're talking Windows Mobile 6, large VGA display, HSDPA/WCDMA like we heard, GPS, WiFi, quad-band GSM (like the X500, we presume), Bluetooth, and a 2 megapixel camera on the back with a second up front for video calls. Hell, it even sports a Skype client which may or may not be in the final product as they "work out the final details." All this without any noticeable increase in size from the already svelt X500. Expected to hit globally before summer is done with an MSRP somewhere between $850 and $900. Hands on? You betcha, just check the fat gallery below.%Gallery-2121%
O2 Germany announces new HTCs as Xda "terra" and "nova"
Though O2 spends plenty of time getting cozy with Quanta for its Windows Mobile needs, that doesn't mean they've thrown HTC to the curb. The latest two HTCs to get the O2 treatment -- in Germany, anyway -- will be the Herald and Elf, released as the Xda "terra" and "nova" respectively. As you might recall, the Herald is the facelifted Wizard, replacing O2's own Xda mini S and offering all the same slide-out QWERTY action in a 17 millimeter shell; 3G data is sadly missing, though O2 is going to one-up the competition here by rolling out Windows Mobile 6 Professional on this bad boy out of the gate -- expect it in May for €150 (about $200). Meanwhile, the Xda nova (also a 2.5G device) brings Windows Mobile to the masses with a relatively low price point -- €100, about $130 -- while still managing to pack 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 2.0, microSD expansion, and version six of Microsoft's ubiquitous platform. Look for it a month after its Xda terra stablemate in June.Read - O2 Xda terraRead - O2 Xda nova
HTC slides in with "Nike" P5500
We don't generally associate the terms "HTC" and "slider" -- at least in the traditional, numeric keypad sense -- but it seems the Taiwanese patron saint of all things Windows Mobile would like us to have a change of heart in that regard. The rumored HTC "Nike" (these code names of theirs keep getting weirder and weirder, we swear) should bow as the P5500 when it becomes available this fall in HTC-branded trim, rolling deep with a 400MHz Samsung core, 128MB ROM / 64MB RAM with microSD expansion, integrated FM tuner, Bluetooth 2.0, a 3 megapixel cam, and a 2.6-inch QVGA touchscreen. Best of all, it'll pack GPS and industrial-strength data via both 802.11b/g and HSDPA (no word on bands, though) -- and yes, that is Windows Mobile 6 Professional you see there, hence the touchscreen.[Via Navigadget]
Softbank Mobile set to launch WM6 devices in Q2
If you're into Toshiba and HTC WM6 handsets -- and you're in the Far East reaches of Japan -- Softbank Mobile may like to speak with you. The carrier recently stated that it would be launching WM6 Smartphones by Toshiba and HTC by the end of the second quarter (read: before the end of June). Softbank wants to be the first Japanese carrier to have WM6 units available to customers, apparently. The launch units? Well, they include the Toshiba G900 and the HTC unit (no model announced yet). We're glad to see the Toshiba-developed G900 alongside the presence of HTC, and like Softbank Mobile, we don't know which HTC unit will be forthcoming. Maybe a -- gasp -- new model?
E-TEN to go WM6, 3G at CeBIT
Never mind 3GSM -- for Taiwan's E-TEN, the big news is happening at CeBIT this month in Hannover. Despite being pretty active in the Windows Mobile arena as of late, there are two big things E-TEN has failed to do thus far: 3G data and Windows Mobile 6, and they intend to rectify both of those grave injustices with a new "glofiish"-branded handset to be introduced at Europe's largest consumer electronics tradeshow. That's all we have at the moment, but we're guessing that anonymizing mosaic on the left of the CeBIT invite here is the device in question.
Windows Mobile 6 review roundup
Now that the mobile world has had a little time to digest Microsoft's latest offering, we thought we'd take this opportunity to circle back, put our ear to the ground, and have a look at some of the press Windows Mobile 6 is generating. LAPTOP Magazine spent most of its time with a Standard device ("Smartphone" in the Windows Mobile 5 world), and although the OS bears a striking resemblance to its predecessor in pretty much every respect, the review manages to focus on the positive: Office document viewing, improved stability (our apologies if we just jinxed anyone), and the modestly improved Pocket Internet Explorer. PC Magazine took a more critical view of Microsoft's failure to revolutionize its mobile platform, passing on correcting some of its more serious flaws -- the lack of true process management possibly the biggest -- but still calls it "the best mobile operating system out there," giving it big props for smooth Vista integration and little efficiency boosts like the email client's SmartFilter. CNET draws the same conclusion about Windows Mobile 6 being evolutionary rather than revolutionary, pointing out that many basic tasks still require more clicks than they should, but the bundled Office apps were a crowd pleaser. As far as we're concerned, the biggest news here is not the software but the new (and varied) hardware that's being launched to run it -- at least until Microsoft gets serious about a next-gen mobile UI, anyway.Read - LAPTOP Magazine (3.5 / 5, '...less intimidating and more approachable...")Read - PC Magazine (4 / 5, "...doesn't disturb the OS's underpinnings or solve some of its deeper problems...")Read - CNET (7 / 10, "...brings a collection of noteworthy improvements...")
Windows Vista gadgets running on WM6
If you're already a Windows Vista fan, are you using all the gadgets on your desktop too? If so, would it not be great to take some of the sleek usefulness of those Vista gadgets on your WM device? How about Vista gadgets on that shiny new WM6 handheld -- or even newer Windows Mobile-powered digital picture frames like the i-mate Momento 70? There is a proof-of-concept being worked up by Microsoft-ite Mel Sampat that may indeed allow you to get those wonderful gadgets on that WM6 device -- hopefully soon. Perhaps Microsoft will get official on WM6 gadgets soon before the iPhone's OS X steals a little thunder. Until then, those WM6 gadgets are apparently in pre-beta stage for the time being with no available timeline on an official Microsoft release. [Via Slashgear]