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HTC Trophy review
Why yes, yes it is another Windows Phone 7 device review. Not that we're complaining. It's not everyday that a new mobile operating system this polished arrives at our doorstep. Having already gone in depth with Microsoft's entirely new OS and half dozen or so other WP7 devices, it's now time to dive deep into the life and times of the HTC Trophy (codenamed, Spark). And it's about time. We first saw the words "HTC" and "Trophy" on the same page in a roadmap leak all the way back in 2009. Several of the leaked handsets eventually launched -- but not the 3-inch portrait QWERTY Trophy running Windows Mobile 6.5. Perhaps that original design was scrapped along with WinMo's relevancy to the consumer smartphone market. We don't know and we may never know. What we can tell you is what it's like to live with a production HTC Trophy for a week -- an average speced touchscreen slate offering anything but a middle-of-the-road experience. This review is primarily of the HTC Trophy hardware. Check out our full review of Windows Phone 7 for our thoughts on the OS.%Gallery-106244%
HTC 7 Pro arriving in UK and rest of Europe 'early next year'
So what if Microsoft's nicest WP7 slate phones all went to Europe and the rest of the un-American world? At least we'll have the HTC 7 Pro, the true Windows Phone 7 workhorse, with its tilt-sliding QWERTY keyboard and compact 3.6-inch size. Well, as it turns out, that device will be available in Europe too! We've just confirmed with HTC that the 7 Pro is definitely headed to the UK and its Euro neighbors, with the current roadmap set for "early next year." It's still too soon to discuss potential carriers, but we're sure our British buddies will be chuffed just to know the handset's coming their way.
Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 keynote video now available to watch... again and again
In case a liveblog and a never-ending stream of Windows Phones weren't enough for you yesterday, here's a chance to relive Microsoft's launch presentation of its grand OS redesign. It's kicked off by the big dog himself, Steve Ballmer, followed by Ralph de la Vega and Joe Belfiore giving us the lowdown on carrier pricing and new features. It's good, we promise. Though we can't guarantee it's quite as awesome as the UK presentation, which included a Stephen Fry soliloquy on the subject of smartphones, diversity, and Microsoft's redemption. That one we've got stored in our hearts, which, regrettably, don't yet come with a HDMI output. Video after the break.
Zune 4.7 in cahoots with Windows Phone 7, caught on camera
So, you can go and nab Zune 4.7 right this minute. Also, Microsoft is showing off Windows Phone 7 right now behind semi-closed doors (sorry, public). Can we bring these two beautiful stories together? Turns out we can, and we did. Now, if you've ever used a Zune before, this isn't going to be that revelatory of an experience, but there are enough minor tweaks and one major one (the Windows Phone 7 Marketplace) that we thought were worth a quick video walkthrough. Find it after the break. Don't be a square!
Xbox Live for Windows Phone 7: your Xbox isn't in your phone yet, but we're getting there
We just spent some serious, and we mean serious time with Xbox Live for Windows Phone 7. Just like your Xbox, this is sort of an amalgamation of "the place you go to play games" and "the place you go to ping and taunt your friends who also play games." Unfortunately, it seems there's a bit of a disconnect between phone-based scores and records and Xbox achievements -- they all add up to the same gamerscore, but you can't easily there are separate charts to pull up your most recent Halo exploits to show off on your mobile, for instance. Luckily, that still puts Microsoft in a better position than any other mobile games platform (until Apple can get Game Center to stop sucking, at least). Being able to message and challenge friends all from the same "hub" where you keep your games is great, and being able to view your avatar and the avatars of friends (you can even play dress-up with your own) is nice gravy on top. Of course, what really matters is the games, right? Luckily, Microsoft has a pretty strong launch lineup, with some of the regulars like EA's The Sims 3 and Need for Speed, along with some exclusives like Rocket Riot and the hotly anticipated The Harvest. The good news? Games look and play great, just like you might expect from an iPhone or Android level capacitive touchscreen platform, with The Harvest as an obvious and very important standout in complexity and polish. The bad news? Everything takes forever to load (our rough estimate is about three minutes to start playing in The Harvest), and when you don't have any multitasking, that's a really bad thing. Check out some of the Xbox Live hub and capabilities after the break, along with some games, and make up your own mind.
Windows Phone 7 launch guide
Windows Phone 7. We came, we saw, we took lots and lots of photos. Today, Microsoft unleashed its global domination plans on the world, and we wanted to give readers some insight into what happens now, what happens next, and what the more distant future holds for Redmond's smartphone play. As we saw today, the WP7 push is going to happen in multiple countries (more than 30), on multiple carriers (more than 60), and involve lots and lots of hardware. Ten devices to start -- all announced today -- and a slew of others likely to follow. Overall, the first approach of Windows Phone 7 into the marketplace looks strong. Microsoft has built a surprisingly solid new OS (which we previewed in-depth back in July), has a strong set of carrier relationships in place, and is introducing hardware that if not revolutionary, is certainly competitive. So, where are the holes in the plan right now?
Windows Phone 7 handsets: spec comparison
Having trouble keeping track of all the new Windows Phone 7 handsets today? We don't blame you -- even we had trouble remembering all the minor differences between the similarly specced devices. To end our frustration, we've compiled a big chart that lists out the carriers and specs for all 10 devices (with a couple extra MIA) to make our lives a tad easier -- head on pass the break if you need the peace of mind.
HTC 7 Pro first hands-on!
There aren't many CDMA Windows Phone 7 phones hanging around the WP7 launch event, but Sprint's 3.6-inch HTC 7 Pro ended up in our warm hands just moments ago. Sadly, HTC didn't have a working unit (no IMDb demos for you!), but we did get to check out the hardware and its extremely comfortable five-row QWERTY keyboard -- with clicky keys, a dedicated number row, and a properly staggered layout for once. As for the slider mechanism, it's quite sturdy, and we're definitely digging HTC's good old tilt capability, here in its finest iteration yet -- whereas previous devices typically floated the screen somewhere above the keyboard, here the front lip actually sinks into the phone's frame for extra stability and class. That's all we've really got for now as this bad boy won't be hitting Sprint until the first half of 2011, but in the meantime you can check out a quick video of it below. %Gallery-104803%
AT&T U-verse Mobile preview
We just got a look at U-verse Mobile running live on Windows Phone 7. It looks just like every other Windows Phone 7 app, of course, but it looks like AT&T isn't cutting this thing off at the knees content-wise. From the phone you'll have access to your entire DVR for scheduling and checking the program guide, and you'll also be able to see any episodes you have recorded on your box. Within that view you can find a subset of shows that have been flagged by the content providers to allow streaming (free-for-all Sling this is not). Additionally, the phone can access a mobile version of U-verse's on demand deals over 3G WiFi, which should hopefully be comparable to Zune or iTunes offerings -- though we'll have to see the specifics to find out for sure. The show we were shown buffered quickly over WiFi and was able to skip around within the episode even faster. Check out the video walkthrough after the break.
Samsung Omnia 7 first hands-on (update: video!)
Samsung's Omnia 7, ladies and gents. Equipped with the only Super AMOLED display in Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 stable, the Omnia 7 provides suitably vibrant and richly saturated visuals. To be perfectly fair, we didn't note a major advantage in using its display relative to the other WP7 devices, but that's more a mark of distinction for the other phones on show today. The hardware really is looking polished to perfection on all these devices, and the Omnia 7 isn't really breaking with that trend, showing off a remarkably lightweight body that combines straight lines with a nicely curved back that sits well in the hand. The power/lock button is curiously positioned on the side of the device, but all points of input seemed to perform very nicely once you know where they are. The depressed Windows key is basically identical to the iPhone's, dare we say it, iconic home button. As to performance, we've nothing to say that we haven't said about the other WP7 launch devices, it's blindingly, ridiculously, delightfully quick. Update: Hey, who wants to see Engadget being pinch-to-zoomed on a 4-inch Super AMOLED screen? How about a quickie size comparison between the Omnia 7 and the iPhone 4? Both are in the video now available after the break.%Gallery-104793%
Windows Phone 7 launch day app roundup
With thousands of developers churning out thousands of apps, we've no doubt exploring the Marketplace is going to be a full-time job for at least a day or two after you nab your Windows Phone 7 device this fall -- but with all the hullabaloo today, we thought this would be a good opportunity to highlight a few that Microsoft and its partners have been talking about recently. Dig in!
Meet the new AT&T Windows Phone 7 family
Here they are. Are you impressed? From left to right we have: The Samsung Focus, HTC 7 Surround, and the LG Quantum. Indoors at least the Focus is easily winning the screen game, with the best blacks of the bunch thanks to AMOLED (and of course the requisite oversaturation), but the Surround and Quantum don't slouch on LCDs. While the Surround speaker is fun, it really seems like HTC spent some serious thickness on what might be perceived by many as a gimmick. The Quantum is barely thicker but gives you a QWERTY keyboard for the trouble. So, where do you think your $200 US dollars are going come November? There's a poll after the break. %Gallery-104790%
HTC 7 Trophy first hands-on (update: video!)
Here's yet another HTC handset from the WP7 launch today: the 7 Trophy. Features like the 3.8-inch WVGA LCD, 1GHz Snapdragon and the 5MP camera certainly sound familiar; even the phone's battery cover has taken a design cue from the Desire -- same peel-off method, and same matte texture. Not all that exciting, really, but the OS was running pretty smoothly except for the buggy HTC Hub and browser. For now, help yourselves with our hands-on shots below. Update: Video added after the break.%Gallery-104779%
LG Optimus 7 first hands-on (update: video!)
If you've got enough time to breathe, you're not doing it right. Our crazy tour through Windows Phone 7 land is continuing at full pelt with the LG Optimus 7. We must admit we were very pleasantly surprised by this handset. The 3.8-inch display is a mere LCD and the construction appears to be wholly plastic, but both seem to be punching well above the weight of their constituent elements. It's a well chiselled, handsome, and light phone, with a trio of physical buttons at the bottom. Whether you like those will really depend on personal preference, we tend to like the clicky tactile feedback of real buttons more than the stillness of touch-sensitive capacitive keys. LG has outfitted the handset with the bone stock WP7 interface, but has augmented the offering with its own apps, namely Play-To for getting friendly with your TV over DLNA and Voice-to-Text for easing your textual inputs. We're definitely fancying the general build quality and design, tell us what you think after checking out the pics below! Update: Video now embedded after the break. Update 2: Turns out we were unfair to this little gem. The reason the Optimus 7 felt so ruggedly awesome in our hand was because it does indeed feature a metal back plate covering its battery compartment. Good stuff, we say.%Gallery-104781%
Samsung Focus first hands-on!
And it's Samsung's Windows Phone 7 turn! We just got to check out the Samsung Focus (formerly known as the i917 Cetus), and if you're looking for the WP7 version of the Galaxy S, this is your guy. The curvy, glossy slate has a 4-inch WVGA Super AMOLED display, and feels a lot like the Samsung Vibrant. AT&T's touting that the 9.9-millimeter / .3-inch device is the slimmest Windows Phone handset yet, and we do have to say it's pretty darn slim. We'll be going back for more soon, but feast your eyes on the gallery and video below...%Gallery-104775%
LG Quantum first hands-on! (update: video)
LG's representing the QWERTY slider sector for AT&T during this Windows Phone 7 launch with its new Quantum handset (formerly known as the C900), which goes by the Optimus 7Q moniker outside the US. It's a little frumpy at first glance, but it's just as impressive under the hood as the rest of this lineup, so we'll give it some more time before we form our full impressions. Super early first impression? We love this keyboard. For now check out the gallery below. Update: There's video after the break! Here are some thoughts: We're very torn on the LG Quantum. From the outside you've got a design that can only be named as "frumpy," with wasteful curves and rubberized edges, along with the smallest screen of the AT&T bunch. Still, slide this puppy open (if you can manage, it has a really stiff mechanism), and you're treated with one of the best QWERTY keyboards in the business. Not only is each key nicely articulated and easily but responsively clicked, but you can really feel each key with your thumbs. It's the touch typist's dream, at least for the landscape orientation. %Gallery-104774%
HTC 7 Mozart first hands-on (update: video!)
The first word that came to our mind when handling the HTC 7 Mozart was "classy." The aluminum unibody construction conveys a rare sense of rigidity and durability to this phone, while its overall curvature, 3.7-inch LCD screen, and ergonomics invoke memories of the company's Desire and Nexus One Android products. Which is no bad thing, particularly if you thought the Desire was a fine phone that could do with a more upmarket enclosure. We feel like this melting of the Legend's aluminum shell and the Desire's proportions is a match made in heaven, and Windows Phone 7's responsive ways have done little to dissuade us. The whole 7 Mozart package feels like a perfectly pitched (we had to!) ploy for the mainstream market, with its good looks, slick profile, and sharp-looking OS. The somewhat generic hardware on offer is a spectral presence hanging over all of HTC's phones at this launch, but we're too in love with the 7 Mozart's build quality to care right now. Enjoy the pictures below, video coming soon! Update: The video's done! Check it out after the break.%Gallery-104770%
HTC HD7 preview (update: video!)
Alright, so by now we all know that HTC's HD7 is mostly a HD2 in imperial new clothes, but let's give the new phone a chance, shall we? We've just gotten to grips with the latest member of HTC's 4.3-inch brigade and predictably enough it feels just as snappy as the rest of the Windows Phone 7 devices introduced today. Navigation is blazingly quick, interrupted only by Microsoft's excessive fascination with animated screen transitions. Clearly, designing the new WP7 OS around hard-set minimum specs has paid off for Microsoft, whose end product exhibits a great deal of polish. T-Mobile, the HD7's exclusive carrier in the US, is keen to point out that it's the largest Windows Phone 7 launch device, so if size is atop your list of priorities, this will be the phone you'll want to start your journey with. We've got some in-depth impressions of the hardware after the break and a video is coming right up as well. Enjoy! Update: As promised, a lengthy video exhibition of the HD7 awaits your eyeballs just past the break.%Gallery-104772%
HTC 7 Surround first hands-on! (update: video)
We just got a quick look at the HTC 7 Surround for AT&T, running that brand-spanking-new Windows Phone 7 OS you've been hearing so much about. The phone has a kickstand to help it show off its standout feature: a slide-out "Dolby Surround Sound" speaker. Stand by for more impressions and video, but for now check out the gallery below. Update: Video is live! Here are some thoughts: We were impeded by the security device holding the phone down, but from what we could tell the Surround is a quality device -- we'd expect no less from HTC. It is built of plastic, but it pulls off that certain premium look and feel. Like we noted in the family post, however, the slide-out speaker seems like an expensive addition when you consider the thickness it's adding. Once we get a chance to play back some media and be "blown away" by the Dolby Surround we'll be able to tell if you if it's truly worth the tradeoff. Somehow we're in doubt. Overall the phone comes off as a slightly inspired design in a sea of fairly uninspired designs (at least in the US). HTC HD7 this is not.%Gallery-104771%
Live from Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 launch event
The party starts soon! We're at the venue and about to get going, so tune back in at the times below! 03:30AM - Hawaii 06:30AM - Pacific 07:30AM - Mountain 08:30AM - Central 09:30AM - Eastern 02:30PM - London 03:30PM - Paris 05:30PM - Moscow 10:30PM - Tokyo
