Mobile Phone News

HTC Flashlight is a pretty cool app, and really takes great advantage of the powerful LED lights on the HTC HD2.  It does however come with an annoying start-up animation which does make it less useful.

Aho77 has now released a version with this removed, meaning you get light when you need it, and not 30 seconds later.

Download the cab here.

Via Pocketnow.com

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TMoNews brings us the first pictures of the HTC HD2 in the wild, and the smartphone looks reassuringly like its European counterpart.

Unlike that version however the device does come with a generous software bundle, which some have called bloatware.  I on the other hand would have appreciated having a BlockBuster movie download services and MP3 store installed in my device out of the bocks.

The smartphone is still expected to arrive on the 24th this month.

See more pictures after the break

See more pictures at TMoNews here.

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Video by Sitaniance

Case-mate, who is one of our sponsors, have a new collection of HTC HD2 cases. The ones I find particularly interesting, given the sleek looks of the HTC HD2, is the Barely There cases, which are made of impact resistant flexible plastic and only covers the back and corners of the HTC HD2.  The case however also comes with a full-face screen protector to provide all-round protection.

The video above shows the mirror version of the case in action, and Nightfire123 on XDA-Dev published this brief user review of the matt version.

He notes:

For me it was clear that I have to protect the camera and still have a sleek design.

The case itself comes in a plastic box with some micro fibre cleaning cloth and a screen protector.
There are no edges or burrs that could hurt the HD2. The whole case is covered with a rubber finish just like the HD2, but I don’t think as resistant (no scratches yet).

There are also some bad points I want to mention. If you want a case that you put on once and never/only a few times pull off, this is your way, but if you do it like me pull it off every day to put in a cradle you have to face some scratches on the original rubber on the hd2.

The screen protection is not so good; after two days there are a lot of scratches on it, so maybe I’ll peel it off.

It does fit the screen nicely however and there are no issues with the proximity sensor

I have to say that this is in my opinion the best way to protect the camera and to save the smart design of the beloved HD2.

See some of Nightfire’s pictures after the break.

Click for larger versions

The Case-Mate Barely There case is ?17.99 at Inkino.co.uk here.

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It seems after a quick review, the HD2 has achieved its baler status with Cnet. They recently reviewed the HTC device, and it seems the smartphone is now the highest rated on their site.

The review had a lot to say about the phone and there were very few issues.  The only criticism that came out of the review was the large size of the HD2, lack of US 3G, speakerphone and price, and most of these will be addressed by the T-mobile version.

If you remember, the T-mobile version will be very nicely priced, have US 3G, but will still have the huge size and the not perfect speakerphone. This is a start for T-mobile USA, but I am sure they will still have a big battle to fight vs AT&T’s iPhone 3GS, since they are priced the same.

Review

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Google’s Android operating system is still in the clear as far as the Apple lawsuit is concerned. According to recent reports, the 20 patents that Apple claims HTC has infringed pertain directly to hardware and software features in the HTC devices, not the Android mobile platform.

It is already a common fact that most HTC devices use the Sense user interface (or the TouchFlo 3D) which may be the target of the some of the software infringement cases. Despite this, Google has issued a statement that they support and are behind HTC on the issue.

The show of corporate loyalty is touching, and for many, quite expected. Google and HTC have a pretty long history together. HTC, for its part, has been one of the founding and most active members of the Open Handset Alliance. They have played a key role in the development of the Android OS and have been the manufacturer behind many firsts such as the first Android device and the first Google branded smart phone.

With Apple and Google’s industry rivalry getting stronger with each passing week, Apple’s decision to sue HTC can be considered a very smart maneuver to disable an important cog in the Android chassis.

Regardless of whether HTC wins the lawsuit or not, it is predicted that Apple is simply aiming to slow down the pace of the Android OS’ advancement. With the Nexus One already under its belt, the HTC Desire and Legend coming this year and the upcoming HTC Scorpio seeming poised to match the Apple iPhone 4G; HTC has positioned itself as a key player in Google’s plans. A single well placed lawsuit such as this should help Apple pave the way for their upcoming devices like the iPhone 4G.

Get more info about the Apple-HTC lawsuit at the Telegraph UK.

Oded Ran, head of consumer marketing, Windows Phone UK has once again confirmed Microsoft’s stance on upgrading Windows Mobile 6.5 devices to Windows Phone 7 series:

“We’ve received many questions about the upgradability of HTC HD2 and we currently do not have plans to update the HTC HD2 to Windows Phone 7 Series”, he said.

Clearly trying to placate owners of the premier handset, he notes that Windows Mobile 6.5 is not a mere compromise.

“We are proud of the Windows Phone experience we introduced with Windows Mobile 6.5 and we will continue to partner closely with mobile networks and phone manufacturers to support and invest in the platform". "Windows Mobile 6.5 represents a significant part of the portfolio family that is Windows Phones. With over 50 phones available around the world today, it offers customers the freedom to choose from among the widest selection of device form factors and price points”.

He goes on to note that, as we already know, new handsets will be released with Windows Mobile 6.5 over the coming months and of course these handsets, even if they fit the “Chassis” criteria will likely not be eligible for an update either.

“For Windows Phone 7 Series we are enforcing a strict set of hardware requirements to ensure a consistently great experience for end-users and developers…we cannot confirm that Windows Mobile 6.5 phones that satisfy those requirements will be upgradeable”.

If there is one consolation it is that Microsoft is in fact promising future upgrades to Windows Phone 7 devices, just not Windows Mobile ones.

"Every Windows Phone 7 Series device will be upgradeable with improvements and features we deliver with subsequent Windows Phone 7 Series releases" Ran ended.

Do you think HTC HD2’s are better of with Windows Mobile 6.5 than Windows Phone 7? Let us know below.

Source: Pocketlint.com

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For months now the TouchPro2 world has been trapped using the HD2’s version of Sense 2.5, but that will all change soon. Verizon Wireless is reportedly working on a TouchPro2 version of Sense 2.5, and it is said to be available soon.

This news is coming from a ppcgeek thread where a test ROM was made available to employees for testing.

brent372 from ppcgeek had this to say about it.

Recently posted for internal testing…
A new 6.5 (sorry to say not 6.5.3) VZW ROM – the big surprise was Sense 2.5

Before you ask… NO – I cannot send you the ROM – I like my job way too much to jeapordize it – please don’t bother asking.

Screenshots below show the phone exactly after the ROM flash.
The only thing installed was SOTI Pocket Controller for screen caps.
The only other thing done to this phone was connect it to my WiFi, as this is a test device, and is not active.
Screenshots have been reduced in size by 50%

One thing I did note – most of the green highlights have been replaced by gray.
There are no PROGRAMS, E-READER, DOCUMENTS, or FOOTPRINTS tabs

It is plain to see this was stripped down so it could work quite speedy on the 528mhz processor on the Touch Pro2.

What do you guys think? will you use it with its speed but lack of big new tabs?

Via:MobileOSNews

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It seems HTC’s official training videos, which show how to assemble and disassemble the device, has leaked onto the internet.

If you are brave enough to try this (for example to repair a broken screen) you may also want to see the re-assembly instructions, after the break.

Via Pocketnow.com

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We already know the T-Mobile USA version of the HTC HD2 is set to be best specified version, with a larger ROM and a better software package. Now it seems it will also be the cheapest, with the handset available for $199 on a two year contract, or $449.99 contract free.

At the moment the future of Windows mobile handsets are very uncertain, but at these low prices I see no reason not to jump in.

Source: Tmonews via WMExperts.com

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Even though the new HD mini though is not available just yet, its lock screen has been ported. The porting job was established by one of XDA’s very own.

Mickyprima, from XDA has successfully extracted the standby screen, and it is now available for current HD2 owners to try in his ROM.

The lock screen is not too different, but is significantly better than the original Windows 6.5 look. The new look brings a very nice slide down unlock method, and all with a Windows Phones 7 Series like look and design.

Give the ROM a go:XDA-developer
Via:Pocketnow

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