Windows Mobile Louisville

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…

Someone over at the The Boy Genius Report has happened upon an End Of Life document for Sprint, and amongst others, the Touch Diamond is listed for EOL in July!   There is no replacement for the Diamond mentioned, but that doesn’t mean a replacement is not in the works.  Lord knows, there are plenty of HTC devices Sprint could choose from!

The Motorola Q9c is mentioned as well (EOL in mid-June), and no replacement is mentioned for that model either.  The other WM device mentioned is the Palm Treo 800W, which is slated for EOL in April (with the Treo Pro slated to replace it in February).

That certainly is a short life span for the Diamond! 

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.

Over at XDA-Developers, there is a CAB file that can add in-call recording function to the Touch Pro (and the Touch Diamond as well).  Here is the discussion thread. If you are interested in checking it out, I would highly recommend reading through it to learn of any potential issues.

One note: The version for the Diamond  requires the newer slide to answer phone dialer.  If your dialer looks like this:

Then you have the right dialer.  If not, you need to install that before you install the CAB file for recording calls.

As always, please follow the laws in your area regarding the recording of any phone conversations. Local, state, and federal laws apply and it may be illegal to record a call without the other party’s knowledge.

Source: PocketNow

Discuss it here.

For those of you who were waiting for the Touch Pro to be released, the wait is over…

I am quite content with my Diamond, but I will admit that I want to check out a Pro and hold it in my hands to make a final determination as to whether I’d want to make the switch.  There are times when I miss the keyboard, but I seriously love the small size of the Diamond…!

Sprint has delayed the launch of the Touch Pro, apparently due to supply issues.  Sprint says they want to have enough of the device in stock to prep up for the holiday rush.  The Pro was supposed to have been released October 19.

Good thing I like my Touch Diamond!  I initially got it thinking I would switch it out for the Pro within the 30 day timeframe if I couldn’t deal without having a keyboard!  Turns out, I don’t miss the keyboard as much as I enjoy a super-slim device! 

There is no definite word on when the Pro will be released, but word has it Best Buy will have the device available for sale before Sprint retail outlets will.

Straight from a Twitter post from HTC:

“sad news, US. we looked into it- by the time we could bring Touch HD to the states, it would be old news. we do have other cool stuff coming.“ 

This device will sport an 800-by-480-pixel (WVGA) touchscreen,  GPS, 5 MP camera, and a microSD card slot. It will run Windows Mobile 6.1 Pro on a 528 MHz processor,  with 512 MB of flash memory and 288 MB of RAM.  It will be available in Europe in November.

Let’s just hope that “other cool stuff” includes the U.S. next time!

After much conjecture and speculation on a release date, Sprint has finally made an official announcement (timed perfectly to take place at the Fall CTIA in San Francisco) for the release of the Sprint Diamond and the Sprint Touch Pro.

The press release states “early September” for the Diamond (likely the 14th) and Oct 19th for the Touch Pro.  People are already placing pre-orders for the Diamond, including some members of Windows Mobile Louisville, so if you’re eager to see one before they are available in stores, mark your calendar for our Sept 23rd meeting!