Windows Mobile Louisville

I received my Touch Pro2 on the Friday before Labor Day weekend, which was perfect timing.  It allowed me the entire weekend to get acquainted with the device, install apps and prepare this “first impressions” review.

On Friday, I just played around with the new device in it’s native state - I didn’t install or change anything.  I wanted to check out the changes to TouchFLO3D and other enhancements before I began installing things.

I ordered a car mount, a case and a spare battery in advance of getting the TP2.  The mount and case arrived earlier in the week - I’m still waiting on the battery.  The HAiCOM car mount is just like the one I have for my original Touch Pro (all that’s different is the clip) and it works great. Cost me $12.95, which is a really decent price.  I got the case from Expansys for a whopping $4.49, and while it’s not the fanciest case, at least I have one - Sprint didn’t include a case in the box (more on that later).  The device fits snugly in the case, and it has a magnetic closure (more on that later too).

Read on after the break! (more…)

There have been countless unboxing videos and hands-on reviews of the Touch Pro2 available to see online, but nothing quite compares to being able to hold a device in your hand, to compare it to your current device in weight and size, to run it through it’s paces in the way you would use it.

I had that opportunity last night at the one T-Mobile store in Louisville that currently has a display unit available to play with (most locations have them to sell, but oddly, not out for display).   Being a Sprint customer, I know the T-Mobile version has some cosmetic differences, but for the most part, it’s the same device that will be coming to Sprint in early September (and to Verizon and AT&T soon thereafter).  I will be ordering my Touch Pro2 online from Sprint, so I’m glad I had this opportunity to physically handle one before buying.  It put to rest any concerns I had about size, and reaffirmed to me that the Touch Pro2 is definitely my next device! 

It feels solid, the screen is gorgeous, and it really doesn’t feel big at all in the hand - granted, if you have small hands, you might think differently, but to the average hand, it feels great.  I’m not going to go into great detail on device specifics - like I said, there are countless reviews and videos already out there - but if you’re in the Louisville area, I encourage you to visit the T-Mobile store at the intersection of Outer Loop and Preston Hwy and check out the device for yourself.  And perhaps we might see one at our August meeting?  Who knows!

Two more shots after the break…

(more…)

You have probably read about the HTC Hero (upcoming Android device) that has Sense running on it (very similar to TouchFLO3D).  Recently, the Sense UI has been re-created for some other (non-Android) devices.  Now, if you use Spb Mobile Shell 3 or Wisbar Advance Desktop2, you too can have the Sense look and feel! 

Here it is on my HTC Touch Pro (Sprint):

The UI adds some widgets beyond what Mobile Shell 3 provides, which is pretty nifty.  This just adds another level of customization to the look and feel of your device - gotta love Windows Mobile!

You can get the necessary files here.  The site is French, but the instructions for installing are provided in English too.  You will need to register on their forum to obtain the CAB files. 

As always, a backup is recommended before you proceed with installing anything!  :)

Word on the street has it that both Verizon and Sprint’s upcoming Touch Pro 2 — aka “Rhodium” — are getting closer to launch. Evidently the ROM has been finalized and is ready to ship:

• RUU_Rhodium_W_VERIZON_WWE_1.16.605.1_RS_1.71WV_NV_VZW_1.38_0505_PRL58002_Ship_PPST
• RUU_Rhodium_W_Sprint_WWE_1.21.651.3_RS_1.96WF_NV_S PCS_1.42_0430_PRL60652_Ship.exe

With the ROMs locked down, it seems more about dotting their i’s and crossing their t’s now, specifically time-to-market, FCC, packaging, production, etc. One thing looks certain: Verizon and Sprint are both racing to get this out at the same time.

Here are the radio frequencies available for this CDMA/GSM world phone on both carriers:

• GSM; GPRS; EDGE; CDMA;UMTS-HSUPA 2Mbps; CDMA2000-1xRTT; CDMA2000-1xEVDO; CDMA2000-1xEVDOrA RL-1.8M,FL-3.1M

Looking pretty sweet.  Verizon, along with its HTC “WhiteStone” device, is poised to make one heck of a WM splash in the next few months.

Source: WM Experts

I for one am looking forward to getting the Touch Pro 2 when it is released on Sprint, though the actual release date is still very much rumor.  There are dates ranging from June/July to November at this point!

I have read and watched several hardware/software reviews of the Touch Pro 2 and have compiled a list of some things that are worth knowing if you are a Touch Pro owner considering the upgrade:

Hardware

• According to reviews, the battery life appears worse than the original Touch Pro, despite having a larger battery (likely due to screen size)
• It weighs 13g more than Touch Pro (but doesn’t seem to be an issue)
• It is taller and wider than the original Touch Pro, but it is thinner
• The stylus is not magnetic
• The keyboard is more ergonomic, with staggered, spaced out & larger keys (but Ctrl and Tab keys are missing)
• The camera has no flash (it is replaced by a mute button)
• Massive 3.6″ screen dwarfs the Touch Pro screen and has higher resolution
• Soft-reset button is hidden under the battery cover (that is just plain stupid)

Software

• TouchFLo 3D works better in Landscape
• There is an improved Text Messaging interface
• There is a Unified Communication Screen - when in that screen, you can see all emails, calls and Facebook info for that particular person.
• The calendar integrates with weather
• Screen rotation is much faster
• There is a Push Internet feature, where you can set up web pages to pre-load
• Conference Call feature
• The device should be eligible for a free WM 6.5 upgrade once available

Have some things you want to add? Discuss it here!
 

Engadget, WM Experts, PocketNow and various other sites are reporting that Sprint is VERY close to releasing the Touch Pro 2.  Here is a shot of the device, complete with Sprint logo:

If rumors are correct, the Sprint Touch Pro 2 will be released in June, which, if true, would beat T-Mobile by a month, making them the first U.S. carrier to release this much-anticipated device!  Word has it this device will also be a World Version, meaning it will have a SIM slot available to use when abroad. 

The Palm Pre has been confirmed as being released in early June, so this would make a nice one-two punch for Sprint, particularly since version 3 of the iPhone is anticipated this summer.  Sprint needs all the tricks it can possibly pull out of the bag at this point, since they’ve been losing subscribers steadily.

As for Verizon, heck, they only just recently released the HTC Diamond (version 1) with no mention of the Touch Pro (version 1), so I would anticipate they will release the Touch Pro 2 in February 2011 or so!  :)  Sorry VZW users!

According to this article over at WM Experts, Verizon will allegedly release the Touch Diamond this week.

I know that Verizon prides itself on making sure a device works solidly with their system before releasing it to the public, but given the fact that the Touch Diamond 2 will likely be seen at another U.S. carrier by summer, they’ve once again sat on something that is already becoming “yesterday’s news”!

Expect the Diamond 2 by Summer of 2010 at this rate…!   And the Pro 2?  Who knows…!

Today, HTC announced the second generation of both the Touch Diamond and the Touch Pro at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Touch Diamond 2

 Here are some notable specs on the Diamond 2:

• WiFi, GPS, FM Radio
• 528MHz Qualcomm MSM7200
• 512ROM/288 RAM
• MicroSD Expansion
• 5mp Camera
• 3.2″ 480×800 WVGA screen

A big improvement is the expandable memory - the Internal Storage concept without a MicroSD slot was not received very well in the first model.  Higher screen resolution as well.  Also note the Zoom bar and re-designed buttons at the bottom of the screen.  Very Touch HD-like…   And a 5mp camera - nice!

Touch Pro 2

 
Click here for a larger image of this beauty!

Here are some notable specs on the Touch Pro:

• WiFi, GPS, FM Radio
• 528MHz Qualcomm MSM7200
• 512ROM/288 RAM
• 3.6″ 480×800 WVGA screen

The biggest difference in this model appears to be screen resolution and the HTC Tilt-like feature.  A very nice looking device indeed!

HTC says both models will be available overseas first (of course) late Q2 or early Q3 of this year. U.S. release dates unknown at this time…

Verizon’s product road-map for 2009 has leaked out and it looks like VZW will carry the Touch HD, the device from HTC best known for its 3.8-inch WVGA touchscreen.

We’ll confirm more details when possible.

The AT&T Fuze (known as the HTC Touch Pro at Sprint) has just been released.   You can find it on AT&T’s web site.

$499 outright, or $299 with a new 2-year contract and $50 rebate.

AT&T sure is building up one heck of an arsenal of devices to choose from!