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The HTC HD2 gets a proper unboxing, hardware tour and booted up in two new videos from SlashGear. As expected, they're loving the HD2. They note that the keyboard is a joy to use and after a short while, they were typing on it better than with most hardware keyboards.

The first video shows the unboxing and hardware tour. In the latter half of the video, there is a comparison between the HD2 and Touch HD. After the break, get a glimpse of the first boot demo, which also includes some Sense footage. While we’ve seen an unboxing and other footage of the HD2 before, they usually featured crazy trance music in the background or had foreign commentary. These clips are nice since they’re in English, so sit back and enjoy some new footage of the HD2.




(via: SlashGear)

While no Windows phone is represented as a flagship phone for any major US carrier so far, Samsung has plans on its own to turn Windows Mobile to be a champion. The Korean Windows Mobile licensee is making the AMOLED enabled Omnia II as the official phone of the 2010 Winter Olympics Games. Now, the real question is, how would the athletes feel about Windows Mobile and using the Omnia II at the Vancouver Winter Games?

(via: WMExperts)

To follow up on the successful innovation of Sense for Windows Mobile and Android, it seems HTC may be working on a new touch interface labeled “Virtual Book.” The book-like UI concentrates on flexibility and emphasizes organization with its cataloging system. The pages of the virtual book will act as a placeholder for applications, widgets and all other content on the device. Carriers will supposedly be able to implement their services and apps onto additional pages as well, sound familiar?

The HTC patent application specifies that the UI:

“organizes applications, widgets, and web pages into pages of a virtual book. Each page of the virtual book is the UI of a service or function of the handheld electronic device. Flipping the pages of the virtual book means browsing and selecting the services and functions provided by the handheld electronic device. This book-like UI enables the user to use and manage these applications, widgets, and web pages in an easy and intuitive way like browsing a conventional printed book. The book-like UI hides the differences among applications, widgets, and web pages so that the handheld electronic device can be accessed through a uniform and convenient UI.”

While it’s not clear what kind of device or platform the UI is targeting, the idea sounds quite interesting. It could be the basis of a new tablet product or the next evolution of TouchFLO 3D/Sense for mobile devices. HTC has been praised for their rich, customizable interfaces for Windows Mobile and Android, so hopefully the Virtual Book UI will succeed in extending the user experience for whatever device is lucky enough to sport it.

(via: Unwired View)

In its own version of robotic invasion taking over the world--or at least a consumer smartphone that is seemingly dominated by the iPhone--Verizon Wireless will be taking over Times Square in New York City with huge interactive advertising. It will definitely be a Times Square under siege by the mysterious Droid with a glowing red eye and the lovely green Android robot.

With the launch of Motorola Droid--at least to press and media today and to the public on November 6 for $200 after contract and rebates--it looks like Verizon Wireless may be making the Moto Droid its flagship device, which is a huge boost for the recovering Motorola. Moto's first Android handset that marked its come back with the Moto CLIQ with MOTO BLUR for T-Mobile, a good competitor but it still lacked the mystery, pizazz, and attention that the Droid's been getting. It looks like Motorola's second time--with the launch of the Droid--may be a charm for it and Verizon Wireless.

If you're in New York and want to check out the digital, interactive ad display, be sure to head on over to Times Square between November 6-20, and November 27-28.

We'll have videos of the Droid up in the next few days, so be sure to stay tuned.

Click on to read Verizon Wireless' press release detailing the interactive ad campaign, which calls for digital signage that is controlled in real time with a massive voice activated experience.

To support Verizon Wireless’ launch of the DROID by Motorola smartphone and to showcase the phone’s built-in voice search feature, Verizon Wireless will be creating a first-of-its kind interactive experience in New York City called, “DROID Does Times Square.” This experience will let people control two of Times Square’s largest digital billboards – the NASDAQ and Reuters signs – using only voice commands.

The digital billboards will instruct passersby to call a toll-free number (1.888.376.4336) to search locations in the Times Square area. Participants can search for practically anything, e.g. their favorite cuisines, plays, movies, stores, etc. The search results will be displayed on the digital billboards using Google Maps.

This activity marks the first time digital signage of this magnitude can be voice controlled in real-time. The voice-activated experience serves as a large-scale simulation of DROID by Motorola’s built-in voice search, which is unique to Google’s Android phones. After callers are done interacting with the signs, they will receive a text message that directs them to a Verizon Wireless Communications Store near Times Square, where they can purchase a DROID by Motorola.

Special Voice Commands
In addition, there are several special voice commands that will trigger animations, such as speeding subway trains, or make the signs do surprising things like turn on and off. Call in the secret phrase “Droid Does Times Square” to see what happens.

When/Where:
The Reuters and NASDAQ digital billboards are located on 43rd Street between Broadway and 7th Avenue. This activity takes place on the following dates:

• November 6 – November 20
Daily from 12:30 p.m. – 2:10 p.m. and from 6:30 p.m. – 8:10 p.m.

• November 27
Starts at 6:00 a.m. and runs until 2:00 a.m. on November 28

People anywhere in the world can also view this experience in real-time by visiting www.droiddoes.com/timessquare.

For some, Facebook is one of those social networking sites that you just can’t leave home without. That being said, the experience has been pretty underwhelming for Windows Mobile users. After months of outrage from users, Microsoft finally released an official Facebook App, but we can’t say that we’ve been overly impressed with it. Development seems to have stalled and the ever so present bugs are still afloat.

Because of the miserable scrolling experience and bugs that come with the official app, I find myself using Microsoft’s rendition half the time and alternative methods the other half. Why split time? Simple - all methods of accessing Facebook feel incomplete, so I use them for different reasons.

Well, it looks like we have another option on the table as Facebook has just launched a new, touchscreen optimized sub-site for mobile platforms. While the older m.facebook portal was a universal way to access the site from all phones, it appears that the new mobile site is better suited for our touchscreen Windows Phones. Continue reading for more information.

The guys at AllFacebook reached out to Facebook officials and this is the response they received:

“We’ve redesigned our mobile site for touch devices (x.facebook.com and iphone.facebook.com) with new features and to make it look and feel like other Facebook mobile and Web properties.

The site also has a new domain name, touch.facebook.com. A user only needs to type Facebook.com into the address bar of their mobile browser and they will be automatically directed to the Facebook mobile site best suited to their device.

The goal is for our mobile products to offer a familiar user experience that is simple and easy-to-use regardless of the device they choose.”


It's good to see that Facebook realizes that there's a demand for touchscreen mobile support outside of the iPhone community. So if you’re not a fan of the official Microsoft app or you just want another option to satisfy your daily Facebook needs, check it out from your mobile browser of choice at touch.facebook.com.

Note: to compare the experience with that of the older mobile site, scroll down to the bottom of the touch Facebook page and click back and forth between “Mobile Site” and “Touch Site.”

Here’s a funny video, from Hub Strategy, that puts a comedic spin on app submissions for Windows Marketplace for Mobile. It’s basically a parody on rejected apps, so sit back and enjoy!

(via: WM Dev Team)

An internet based television show, Tekzilla, on the Revision3 network takes a look at the highly anticipated HTC HD2 Windows phone in this lengthy video. You may recognize the host, Veronica Belmont, from various media outlets as she guides us through the HD2’s features. They discuss the massive 4.3” capacitive screen, animated weather, Twitter, HTC Footprints, multi-touch and other Sense features. Notice HTC’s new “Quietly Brilliant” slogan is already present on the device when Belmont launches Opera Mobile.

As expected, both hosts are fairly impressed with the device and even refer to it as the “Super Phone.” Skip ahead to the 29 minutes mark to see the segment on the HTC HD2. Either they didn’t get the memo or forgot to mention that the HD2 is heading to the U.S. early next year (T-Mobile). They also take a look at the HTC Hero, Tattoo and Imagio prior to handling the HD2 – if you’re interested.

If you happen to own the HTC Tattoo, then you find out now the real reason why they called it Tattoo. HTC has a dedicated website where you can decide how unique your Tattoo is.

Head over to www.tattoomyhtc.com and choose from a variety of designs to tune your Device up with. And if none of them seem to suit you, there's an option that allows you to create your own design, so make sure inspiration is on your side today and go paint some plastic!

HTC has just released the first official Windows Mobile 6.5 Upgrade for the HTC Touch Pro2, initially a Windows Mobile 6.1 device with promissed upgrade.
The update is a ROM update that will clear all data on your device and replace the current Operating System with the new one. Not much info on that, except for the fact that is is ROM version 1.86.401.0.

Download from the official HTC website, run the application and follow the instructions carefully!

Note: Make sure to backup contacts, emails, messages, call history.
Hint: use PIM Backup for all the above.

It looks like eXpansys has updated its site to reflect a release date of November 11th for the unlocked version of the HD2 for £549 which comes out to about $870 USD. This unlocked version will be the usual Euro variant that won't support US 3G. Hopefully within just a few months those of us stateside will have our HD2.

Thanks for the tip, Rizzo.

A new video from ai.rs blog gives us a 10 minute tour of the HTC HD2, the first capacitive screened Windows Phone that will supposedly come stateside in Q1 of 2010. They note that the HD2 performs tasks flawlessly, even when many programs are running in the background - thanks to the 1GHz Snapdragon processor. They also commented that the battery life is somewhere between the HTC Diamond and Diamond2.

In the video, we get a walk-through of some mobile web browsing, the multi-touch feature while viewing pictures & video, Marketplace/Youtube action, as well as some other features of HTC "Sense." The soft keyboard on the HD2's massive 4.3" screen looks like it’s a joy to use.

(via: ai.rs blog)

In an interview with HTC’s Peter Chou, SlashGear was told that the beastly HTC HD2, formerly known as the Leo, will be coming to the U.S. in Q1 of 2010. This is great news to hear as the HD2’s predecessor, the Touch HD, was never released stateside. There’s no word yet on which carrier will see it first, but as you can imagine there will probably be a heavy bidding war for the first capacitive screened Windows Phone.

It’s alright, let out that sigh of relief and begin counting down the days to next year.

(Via: Engadget & SlashGear)

Look what we’ve found, a working CAB of Windows Marketplace for WM6.1! Do the guys at XDA-developers work quickly or what? Although there were reports of Marketplace not being available for WM6.1 for another month or so, it appears that won’t be a problem anymore. Simply install the CAB from XDA-developers, click on Marketplace from programs, go through the installation process and then you’re good to go. To confirm it works fully, I went ahead and signed in with my Windows Live ID and downloaded/installed a free program (on a Touch Pro2). Enjoy!

Note: This will work for those who are having trouble with WM6.5 installations as well.

B3ler3fonte has made several lengthy posts today on XDA-developers regarding the HTC Leo (HD2). He revealed full specs and other interesting tidbits about the first capacitive screened Windows Phone.

He also followed up on some benchmarks he provided in the past. This time he concentrated on video benchmarks using Coreplayer. In addition, he dropped off 13 new pics of the beast. Hit the break to see all the info.

B3ler3fonte expanded on his general video and system benchmark results that he posted earlier by providing further details on the video aspects. As requested by many Windows Mobile users, he posted the rest of the video info that was missing from his original results (shown below). He also posted a new benchmark of an H264 quality video using the latest version of Coreplayer (v1.3.6.Build.7427). Thirteen new images were also taken today showcasing the device's hardware.


Video Results:

Matrix Trailers Results on Core Player 1.3.2 version

RL_XQ_640x480_1500_128.avi --> 232.99 / Video Frames: 3635
RL_MQB_320x240_512_128.avi --> 477.69 / Video Frames: 3634
RL_HQ_640x352_1024_128.avi --> 209.79 / Video Frames: 3635


Video Specs:


RL_XQ_640x480_1500_128.avi

Container

File Length Correct / OpenDML (AVI v2.0 / Interleave: 1 vid frame (42 ms), preload=522
Audio frames: Split across interleaves / Video: 26.7 MB (91.49%) / Audio: 2.30 MB (7.91%)
AVI Overhead: 181 KB (0.61%)

Audio

0x0055 MPEG-1 Layer 3/ 44100Hz 128 kb/s tot , Joint Stereo

Video

Codec: XVID / Name: XviD 1.0 RC4 (Hola) / Length: 2:31.460 / Frames: 3,635 / Kbps: 1478 / Frames: 24.000


RL_MQB_320x240_512_128.avi

Container

File Length Correct / OpenDML (AVI v2.0) / Interleave: 1 vid frame (42 ms), preload=522
Audio frames: Split across interleaves / Video: 18.4 MB (88.14%) / Audio: 2.30 MB (11.02%)
AVI Overhead: 181 KB (0.84%)

Audio

0x0055 MPEG-1 Layer 3 / 44100Hz 128 kb/s tot , Joint Stereo

Video

Codec: DX50 / Name: DivX 5.1.1 (Maupiti) / Length: 2:31.460 / Frames: 3,635 / Kbps: 1022 Frames: 24.000


RL_HQ_640x352_1024_128.avi

Container

File Length Correct / OpenDML (AVI v2.0) / Interleave: 1 vid frame (42 ms), preload=522
Audio frames: Split across interleaves / Video: 18.4 MB (88.14%) / Audio: 2.30 MB (11.02%)
AVI Overhead: 181 KB (0.84%)

Audio

0x0055 MPEG-1 Layer 3 / 44100Hz 128 kb/s tot , Joint Stereo

Video

Codec: DX50 / Name: DivX 5.1.1 (Maupiti) / Length: 2:31.460 / Frames: 3,635 / Kbps: 1022 Frames: 24.000


_Bleach_238_<7557A643>.avi (H264)

Container

File Length Correct / Multipart OpenDML AVI (2 parts), "rec list" style / (114 frames in first part, 34439 frames follow) / Interleave: 371 ms (8.9 v.frames), preload=216 / Audio frames: Aligned on interleaves

Audio

0x0055 MPEG-1 Layer 3 / 44100Hz 128 kb/s tot , Joint Stereo

Video

Codec: H264 / Name: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC / Length: 24:01.137 / Frames: 34,553 / Kbps: 861 / Frames: 23.976


Core Player Results on H264 video (under v1.3.6.Build.7427)

Average Speed : 121.58% / Video Frames: 6434 / Audio Samples: 12885846 / Amount of Data: 41463Kb / Bench Time: 03.40.723 / Bench Frame Rate: 29.150 / Bench Sample Rate: 58380 / Bench Data Rate: 1.54Mbits

The Verizon Wireless Razzle has been announced for October 6--the same day that the HTC Imagio is getting released. The device, a low-cost messaging phone with a bottom that twists to reveal a keyboard or music control was once thought to be made by HTC as the Taiwanese company's first non-smartphone. However, according to the Verizon Wireless announcement and CNET, the Razzle, slated to replace the current Blitz in the carrier's lineup, is made by PCD.

It's unclear who the maker of the phone is, however, as PCD, the company that acquired UTStarcom, is also responsible for re-branding devices made by others--one such example is the Verizon Wireless XV6800 (also called the Mogul on Sprint, which is actually an HTC phone that got re-branded with the UTStarcom logo and was formally called the UTStarcom XV6800.

As far as features, the Razzle sports a 2.2-inch screen with stereo Bluetooth support, a 1.3-megapixel camera, and will have support for V-CAST Music but the phone can't download tunes over the air as it lacks support for Verizon Wireless' high speed EVDO connection.

The device will be available online on October 6, and according to the Boy Genius Report, will also be available in other retail channels once inventory of the aging Blitz dries up. It will cost $70 with a 2-year agreement.

(via: CNET and BGR)