HTC’s TouchFLO GUI has been pictured over and over again in the past months. Samsung’s TouchWiz UI goers even further, as it can be programmed in a cross-platform fashion via a recently-released SDK.
Ai.rs now got their hands onto an Omnia II, and brought us a large gallery of shots showing all aspects of the user interface.
Further information can be had below:
http://ai.rs/2009/10/samsung-omnia-2/
Rumors of an Android-based HD2 have been all over the industry as the device was leaked for the first time – some reputable newspapers even claimed to have received confirmation from HTC that the HD2 would be based on Android.
AliBaba.com now got an interview with HTC’s CEO, who stated the following:
HTC may be updating its brand, but it’s sticking by its longtime partner, Microsoft ( MSFT – news – people ). Though other handset makers such as Motorola have dropped Microsoft’s Windows Mobile operating system in favor of Android, Chou says HTC has no plans to follow. That doesn’t mean he’s not frustrated with the software. “Windows Mobile innovation has been a little slow and interest in Windows Mobile phones has been declining,” he admits.
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Gadget fans have been clamoring for an Android version of the HD2, but Chou hints that the handset will stay as is. “Technically, we could make the HD2 an Android phone, but I have to take care of Windows Mobile,” says Chou.
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As of now, this is all we know – stay tuned for further info as we get it!
Don’t ask me why AT&T insisted on calling its version of the Touch Pro 2 Tilt 2 – the box is based on a GSM transmitter and has minimal modifications when compared to a stock device.
People who work in an environment where camera phones are prohibited can benefit from AT&T though – the carrier has just released a cameraless version of the box.
It can be purchased via the Premium service:
http://www.wireless.att.com/businesscenter/HTC-Tilt-2/index.jsp
Austria’s governmental carrier A1 has worked together with Microsoft on the initial launch of the Windows Mobile 6.5 platform in a variety of ways. One of them involved a TV commercial for the Samsung Omnia II.
It was run but a few times, which has prevented me from getting you a full tape. Nevertheless, enjoy the shots below:
Samsung’s Intrepid was Sprint’s first Windows Mobile 6.5 device. As it had a more traditional form factor than the other launch devices, it didn’t get as much fanfare:
Fortunately, my long-term friends at BrightHand’s looked deeper than most – and ended up pretty unimpressed:
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The Samsung Intrepid fits into the “middle of the road” category of devices. It’s not bad, but it’s not great — and though it’s one of the first new devices with Windows Mobile 6.5, it really doesn’t offer anything that sets it apart from the rest of the mobile pack.
Samsung Intrepid for VerizonWith its “me too” design and less than blazing performance, there isn’t a great deal to recommend it beyond the relatively attractive price, the good camera and the promising performance of TellMe. It’s worth a closer look if you already have your heart set on a Windows Mobile 6.5 device, but it probably won’t end up at the top of your list.
Further information can be had at the URL below:
http://www.brighthand.com/default.asp?newsID=15803&p=3
Love it or hate it, but the world domination of microUSB is now all but confirmed. After getting endorsements from the EU and CTIA, the ITU has now joined the gang of MicroUSB heads.
Ecran Mobile reports the following:
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The ITU move isn’t binding or compulsory, but there’s enough momentum behind micro-USB at this point that it’s pretty much going to happen for any phone you’d ever consider buying going forward, and many of the big players have already hopped on the bandwagon
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Ideas, anyone?
Microsoft’s Marketplace for Mobile is among the slowest-growing application stores on the mobile market. Don’t quote me, but I think that even Nokia’s often-ridiculed Ovi store grows faster. This is surprising, as the Windows Mobile developer community is known to be extremely active.
Either way, a recent tally from PocketNow revealed the following:
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The number of apps in the Windows Marketplace for Mobile has jumped from 190 at launch earlier this month to now 253 here in the US (with far lower numbers in other countries. Soon Marketplace will allow you to switch locality).
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Doesn’t look too bad now, does it?
Many countries have censorship boards for video games (btw: Austria doesn’t). These boards tend to be made up of useless government officials who think to understand the market, but sometimes fail at the very first level of the game they should “rate” (proven case in Germany).
itnews.com.au now reports the following:
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“I recently wrote to the minister regarding my concern that some so-called mobile phone applications, which can be purchased online or either downloaded to mobile phones or played online via mobile phone access, are not being submitted to the board for classification,” Australia’s Classification Board director Donald McDonald told a Senate Estimates committee in Canberra on Monday.
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I guess that there is little need to explain this topic further – if these guys get their wishes, Apple could effectively close the Australian branch of the iTunes app store. The reason for this is that these reviews tend to cost about 2000$ a pop, and also take some time…which means that they will be uneconomical for all but the largest developers.
Ideas, anyone?
This one should probably be filed in the non-existing “fan base support section”. However, those of you who feel like some real-life interaction with the Tamoggemon Content team and want to learn more about Symbian in the process should mark the 25th of October in their calendar.
Austria’s MetaLab hosts its famous Linuxwochenende: a weekend full of talks about open-source technologies. I will be there on the 25th – my talk begins at 12h local time:
So: see you all there. Don’t leave /me hanging 
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Microsoft has just released Windows Mobile 6.5. While the upgrade in itself is not too bad (even though I prefer 6.1, being the old stylus head that I am), recently-leaked builds have shown a completely different user interface.
If we think back of past rumors, we already know about Microsoft’s plans to release another mini update to 6.5. istartedsomething now claims the following:
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For example, the “Start button” and “Close” button have all been moved to the more accessible lower toolbar, freeing up the entire top row for status icons which is now thinner. …
On the UI side, controls including buttons, checkboxes, radio buttons and the like have all been remastered, finally replacing the Windows 3.1-like graphics with modernized anti-aliased equivalents. Tabs have also been replace with a new “pivot” control that sits at the top of the screen where users can flick and toggle between.
Finally, even more recent builds include a new contacts application that is much more touch-friendly with larger buttons (albeit with a few bugs).
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The retailer line-up for the HTC HD2 is getting more and more complete – the latest new member of the batch is Amazon UK:
Currently, their HD2 goes for 550 GBP(599 Euro / 900USD) and comes with a free bluetooth mono headset – expected arrival date is the 20th of November…
Steve Ballmer has confirmed his intentions to merge Zune services and Windows Mobile in the past – he has just reconfirmed this once again…
Engadget got the following quote out of Steve Ballmer:
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while for Zune he says Windows Mobile is going to get integration in the next release — which is a comforting thought, if perhaps a bit late.
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As of now, no further information is available.
Whether you like it or not – the HTC HD2 is hot.
ActMedia now reports the following:
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Orange, Microsoft and HTC launched Windows Phone terminals with Windows Mobile 6.5 software including HTC Touch 2, HTC Touch Pro 2 and Toshiba TG 01 in Romania on Tuesday.
“We expect to sell a few thousand units and in December we will launch HTC HD2. This model is in stock but does not have applications Windows Mobile 6.5 installed yet”, said Razvan Sturza, M2M Proposition manager Orange. ……
From my personal point of view, this announcement is significant. Orange Romania is part of the Orange network, which tends to negotiate out device deals on a network level. This means that the HD2 could hit more shores in the near future…
Apple’s iTunes App Store is the largest mobile application store currently on the market. This gives it a disproportional amount of media attention – even though it still is far from perfect.
Microsoft has now launched a funny video making fun of craplet apps, Apple’s extremely complex rejection/approval process and a variety of other issues.
The full video is below – hit the play button if you feel like a good laugh:
The FCC has just approved the European version of Sony Ericsson’s XPERIA X2.
As usual, interested souls can find a few shots and the manual at the URL below:
https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/reports/ViewExhibitReport.cfm …
