Open-Source Windows Mobile: Is Microsoft's Current Licensing Model Dated?
Windows Mobile has long been an "open" and extensible platform built upon the Windows CE core, but openness doesn't translate to open-source, and that might mean adoption problems for the software maker in the future. We've seen some Windows Mobile licensees--both large and small--either defect from the platform or transform to incorporate other open-source OSes like Symbian (which has gone open-source) and Google Android into their product lineup. As manufacturers attempt to keep costs low and introduce powerful features at lower price points--a move ignited by the iPhone's cheaper, on-contract pricing--the licensing costs of Windows Mobile may not be viewed favorably by OEMs and may price the smart operating system out of the reach of consumers, a market that Microsoft is keen in courting.
Mobile Advertising as a Revenue Model
Unlike its competitor Google, Microsoft's platform is geared not to be based off of cloud computing, but rather reside mostly on the handheld. To go open-source and be able to monetize the platform, Windows Mobile would need greater integration with Bing and Live Services. In doing so, Microsoft's shift to cloud-based smartphone computing would enable the software giant to anonymously collect user's data and derive revenue. The mobile advertising market is still nascent, and Microsoft's move into this sphere could help the company take charge of a domain that is dominated by Google. While Google has the desktop search and advertising model down, Microsoft's svelte and quick maneuver into the smartphone space would give the software giant a lead into the mobile ad world.
Putting It Into Conext
The Redmond-based company can use anonymous user data to help place mobile advertising and work with developers and advertisers to place meaningful ads on Windows phones, whether it be on the OS experience or in a browser or application. While it is true that advertising in general is annoying to end-users, whether it be on a phone or on a PC, the rationale here is to make advertising relevant. Google's tactics on the desktop space with AdWords is to make advertising non-obtrusive, basically allowing advertising to disappear--a move that's good for end-users but not great for advertisers. However, Windows phones have long been powerful, connected devices. Coupled with GPS and location-based technology, WiFi and WiFi location trackers, and user data collected from online tools such as Bing. The potential for Windows Mobile here is to make advertising not disappear, but meaningful.
Meaningful ads will be beneficial to advertisers and consumers. If a user is shopping at a clothing retailer at 10 AM, Microsoft's smarter Windows Mobile would know that maybe a McDonald's Big Mac ad may not be the right one to display. If the ads are of value to end-users, perhaps advertising will be less annoying, and in fact, may be welcomed. If you're at your neighborhood market and Windows phone delivers a relevant coupon for juice that the clerk can scan at checkout, your grocery savings may be the saving grace that Windows Mobile may deliver to advertisers.
It Doesn't Have to Be In Your Face
Advertising doesn't have to be in your face. Huge banner ads, pop-ups, and obtrusive ads that appear when you hover need not be the norm on the mobile realm. Rather, by linking Windows phones with a Live ID, Microsoft could aggregate user data and create research and monetize information this way. A linked Live ID can mean that ads can be displayed instead when you log into your desktop computer. If you went shopping with your Windows phone and searched for hot dogs and soda, perhaps an ad and a coupon can be displayed the next time you log into your Live account on the desktop. This way, ads won't bombard Windows phone users on the small screen.
Marketshare for Manufacturers
The move towards open-source will create a larger Windows phone ecosystem. With an advanced mobile platform that is easy to use and attractive--at least from what we can see in the leaked Windows Mobile 7 renderings and shots--it will be hard for manufacturers to not put Windows Mobile on their phones, especially given the price: free. More OEMs and an open-source framework will create help to attract much needed developers to the platform. This will build an ecosystem around Windows phones and help to create value for partners and end-users--think accessories that help to personalize your Windows phones, applications that will deliver simplicity and ease of use, and programs to help you be more productive and kill down time with games that matter to you, the consumer.
Beyond the Phone
There's also a whole other world out there in the connected space besides smartphones, from connected wireless digital frames to car computers to smart refrigerators and other Minority Report-like technologies that have yet to surface. The embedded computing market was once dominated by Windows CE and is now shifting towards Android, with devices like cable boxes and the Barnes & Nable nook e-book reader running Google's OS. The move back to Windows CE and Windows Mobile can help to build momentum behind Marketplace for Mobile, which also helps Microsoft derive a revenue (not profit) stream of 30% per app sold.
The Microsoft Advantage
Unlike other unproven operating systems in the enterprise space, Microsoft can leverage the strengths of a secure Windows Mobile experience with enterprise users. Additionally, Microsoft already has the technologies needed to move towards a more advanced, cloud-computing platform. With its acquisition of the Danger Sidekick platform that is based off of servers in the cloud, TellMe's Internet search by voice, and the potential move of components of Office 2010 into the cloud, the missing piece here is Windows Mobile in the cloud. The platform already has a great start with Windows Mobile 6.5 with the introduction of Marketplace for Mobile and MyPhone, but more is needed to make the experience seamless, effortless, secure, and productive.
Conclusion
Much like how Windows Mobile helps to currently sell Exchange Servers to enterprise customers, the future "free" Windows Mobile OS can help drive users to other Microsoft products, such as Live Mail, Bing, search, and more. Apple has used the iPhone halo effect to make greater gains in the corporate sector as well as to push sales of its desktop and portable computing products. Google's attempting to leverage consumer data on the Android phones for other purposes while at the same time delivering value to everyone in the ecosystem--free turn-by-turn voice guided GPS, a robust smartphone platform that fits the needs of the average consumer, technology and design that blends, and a simplified connected experience through applications. Microsoft has the potential to be there. The focus should start not at the "Start" menu, but on search--aggregating user information and behavior in an anonymous fashion through its online services, delivering value to users, and creating enough buzz to regain hardware manufacturers. And Redmond can do all that, offer a free OS, and still be profitable through context-based advertising.
Study Shows iPhone Owners Need "Ms. Manners" App for Dating
Apple boasts that "there's an app for that" but according to a recent study conducted by Retrevo looking into the social and dating behaviours of iPhone owners, there isn't a little Ms. Manners guide to acceptable social conduct. The study, summarized on Gizmodo, mentions some things that some users may be abhorred about--breaking up with a significant other via SMS, insecurity with a partner who loves a gadget more, and twice as many iPhone users watch adult content on their phones compared to BlackBerry owners:
• One in three iPhone owners has texted or emailed their significant other to break up.
• One in four iPhone users has broken up with their partner because that person spent too much time on their mobile device.
• One in five iPhone owners admits to frequently watching "adult material" on their iPhones. (Twice as many as BlackBerry owners).
• One in three iPhone owners say that, if their partner had out-of-date gadgets, it would be a turnoff.
Well, the last one we can kind of understand. When Windows Mobile 7 hits, would you date a companion with Windows Mobile 6.5 or 6.1? That will be so yesteryear!
(via: Gizmodo)
General Comparison of Android 2.0 and Windows Mobile 6.5
In this video series, we take a brief and general look at some of the main differences between Windows Mobile 6.5 running TouchFLO 3D on the Verizon Wireless HTC Imagio compared with the Android 2.0 Motorola Droid. The 3-part video series is not targeted at advanced users to either platform, but rather is a brief introduction to some of the nuances and differences between the Microsoft/HTC and Google way of doing things for beginners.
Part 1: User Interface, Voice Control & Multimedia Features
Part 2: Email & Calendar
Part 3: Programs, Settings, & Marketplace
Additionally, if you're still on the fence about HTC Imagio because of its slab, on-screen only keyboard, you can view our keyboard comparison.
The Droid will be available on Verizon Wireless beginning November 6 while the HTC Imagio is available now.
Which Interface Do You Use on Your Windows Phone?
Which interface are you using on your Windows Mobile Professional device? Are you kicking it classic with the basic Today screen, or are you using the Zune-like interface of Titanium for Windows Mobile 6.5? Perhaps TouchFLO 3D is more your thing, or maybe you like the customizability of Spb Mobile Shell 3.5. Let us know which interface you're running, and if it's not listed, drop us a note in the comments!
Verizon Wireless Motorola Droid Review
The Motorola Droid on Verizon Wireless is the world's first phone running on the next generation Android 2.0 operating system, which offers an evolutionary and incremental upgrade to previous Android 1.5 and 1.6 firmwares. The phone itself is gorgeous with strong angular lines, reminiscent in the wildly popular RAZR consumer flip phone in the earlier part of the decade. Motorola's new smartphone is a gorgeous slab touchscreen device with a thin profile.
Looking at the device's thinness, you would never guess that there is a sliding keyboard, but there is underneath the 16:9 aspect ratio glass capacitive touchscreen--which is perfect for multimedia content--and metal shell. Quality, sophisticated styling, and great marketing buzz are some of the features that this flagship phone from Verizon Wireless has--even beating out the BlackBerry Storm for the new head of the lineup title--but does it do everything you'd expect in a smartphone? Read on to find out.
Update: Test video now included.
Update 2: Comparison shots with other cameras (iPhone 3GS, Palm Pre, Samsung Moment, Sprint HTC Hero) now included.
Editor's Note and Update: We had previously stated that you can't search the server for emails in the GMail application, which is incorrect. Our review unit had a glitch where that feature didn't work. After performing a wipe and restoring the device, GMail email search now works for emails stored on the server for the GMail application. Email search is still not available for the separate "Email" application. We apologize for the error.
Hardware:
The hardware is gorgeous, if not a bit too masculine for female users. The device measures 2.36 X 4.56 X 0.54 inches and is a big rectangular slab with rounded corners and a beveled back so it's easier to hold. At first glance, the Motorola Droid looks like it can be made to be mounted to a wall like a miniature flatscreen television, and that assessment wouldn't be too far off with the 16:9 aspect ratio on the screen, a FWVGA display showing 854 X 480 pixels, and measuring in at 3.7-inch, which sounds larger than it is but thanks to the device's elongated FWVGA resolution is narrow and easy enough to hold and grip.
The device's QWERTY keyboard is thin and the device doesn't feel as bulky as the HTC Touch Pro2 running Windows Mobile. There is no spring assist in the slider mechanism on the Motorola Droid, but there are satisfying clicks when the device locks or closes in its horizontal landscape sliding positions. The built-in accelerometer also helps to orate the screen.
I am torn on the hardware keyboard. Also it is quite good and capacious, it does take some getting used to moving down to the smaller size. After having experienced typing heaven on the Touch Pro2, the keyboard feels like a downgrade. However, it is still one of the finer keyboards out there on the market and users who have never experienced the Touch Pro2's widely spaced, island keys would be none the wiser. I just prefer the on-screen keyboard, which offers a good correction engine.
but solid and has nice click when locked into position.
The metal construction doesn't feel cold to the hand and is a pleasure to hold and grip thanks to the rubberized, soft touch backing that removes the cold steel feel from the phone.
It also comes with a capacious 1400 mAh battery, which easily lasts me through the day of voice turn-by-turn GPS navigation, a few voice calls, web browsing, Tweeting, push and pull email accounts, and some YouTube viewing. With such a gorgeous device, it is hard to not turn on the screen. The Motorola Droid is rated for 6.4 hours of talk time and 11.25 days of standby time. In general, battery life seems stronger than the HTC Hero on Sprint.
The Motorola Droid also has a proximity sensor so that the screen shuts off when you hold the phone close to your face. This helps to conserve battery life while at the same time prevent accidental screen input if your cheeks press upon the screen. Other features include WiFi, Bluetooh, GPS, and a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus, dual LED flash, image stabilization. The camera can also record video at 720 X 480 "DVD-quality" video captures according to Verizon.
The camera takes decent images, but there are strong expectations for the camera to deliver good images with a 5-megapixel sensor. Casual shooters will be happy, but iPhone images still look better than those captured on the Droid's camera. In low light situations. The dual LED flash doesn't seem as powerful or strong when compared with the Palm Pre's imaging capabilities. In direct sunlight, you get good color saturation, but smaller details, like the flower details were not focused. Instead, the larger focusing area meant that the camera focused on leaves instead in our daylight picture below.
For full resolution photos and a comparison of the hardware camera quality against other popular devices such as the iPhone 3GS, Samsung Moment on Sprint, Sprint HTC Hero, and Palm Pre, please go to my Picasa site.
The cinematic display is gorgeous and looks great even in direct sunlight. It performs much better in direct sunlight than the Samsung Moment's AMOLED screen, which can be washed out under the brightest skies. Indoors, the AMOLED display still is more vibrant, but the Droid's screen is one of the best on the market for not being AMOLED. I just wish that Android would implement multitouch natively on its capacitive touchscreen. As for now, in the browser, only double tap works to zoom in. You do have Google's zoom icons to tap on to zoom in or out, but the browsing experience on the HTC's multitouch enabled screen is more rich.
Speaker sound is loud and clear, and there was not much distortion at all even at the highest volumes. The device is surrounded in black with some minor gold accents. To some, it may look like audio equipment from the 80s, but the gold is inconspicuous enough to be a nice touch. Also, it serves to break down the monotony of the black paint and may help Motorola attract a female, fashion-forward, geek-chic audience. The gold is found on the camera button, a small speaker grill found in a strip on the bottom of the back, the directional pad, and as alternative characters on the keyboard. Some reviewers have noted that chrome or silver accents should have been used, but that may have created too much contrast on this subtle, yet sophisticated handset. Speaking of the keyboard, the keyboard is a contiguous, membrane-like keyboard that offers good tactile feel. Windows Mobile users who have seen the Touch Pro (AT&T Fuze) or the TyTN II (AT&T Tilt) should feel at home with this keyboard styling.
Performance:
You get the same Palm Pre and iPhone ARM Cortex A8 600 MHz processor, which seems to be downclocked to 550 MHz, probably to preserve battery life. The processor made things on the Android 2.0 Motorola Droid zippy with no lags, great multitasking, and little slow down.
Software:
Android 2.0 offers an incremental upgrade to previous iterations of the Google Android mobile operating system. You do need a Gmail or Google Account to experience all the Android features and make app purchases through the Android Marketplace. Those who are familiar with previous generations of Android will feel right at home with Android 2.0, which adds some new features such as native Exchange support for multiple Exchange accounts, Exchange calendar, and Google Maps with Navigation for turn by turn.
Native Exchange support is now included, which can support multiple Exchange, POP, and IMAP email accounts. On the email front, if you have email from the large, popular email providers, setup will be easy and simple. Just enter your username and password, and the Droid and Android 2.0 will detect all your settings. If you have a more obscure email account from work or a small service provider, be prepared to enter the settings manually. Compared to the BlackBerry on the BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) and the Palm Pre--both of which could automatically detect email settings even from custom domains and obscure email hosts--the Droid could be more consumer friendly in pulling those email settings.
What really may be confusing to some users is that email is divided into two categories--those with GMail and anything not GMail. You have a GMail icon--which you can switch to different GMail accounts and doesn't offer unified GMail message viewing--for your Google mail needs, and then there is a generic "Email" icon for all your POP, IMAP, and Exchange account, though you can also setup GMail accounts here. Under the Email account, if you do setup your GMail there, it will be pull-based email rather than push email--push GMail needs to be under the GMail icon. That said, if you want push GMail, you can't have a full, unified inbox experience.
Like email, Calendar also takes on a split personality. There is your regular Calendar, which synchronizes with your Google Calendar, and is more of the consumer-friendly calendar. Also new is the Corporate Calendar, which will synchronize with Exchange.
Speaking of Exchange, the positive thing, as we had mentioned, is that Android 2.0 can handle Microsoft's push email standard and can support multiple Exchange accounts without OEM customizations (HTC Hero) nor third party applications (Moxier Mail on the Samsung Moment). Additionally, Verizon Wireless and Motorola are touting the "ability to see who has RSVP'd to your meeting invitations" as a feature. You can create meeting invitations within the Calendar (and add guests) but what is lacking is the ability to accept meeting invitations on your phone, which really is a shame.
Furthermore, another deal-breaker for more corporate, or business, customers is the lack of ability to search for Exchange email. In fact, there really isn't any email search for emails on the "Email" application; searching is, however, enabled through the GMail interface. However, beyond the number of days you want emails to be stored on the device, even the GMail email search capability is limited to what's actually stored on device and cannot pull additional search results from the servers as you can with Exchange on Windows Mobile or accounts on the iPhone.
Editor's Note and Update: We had previously stated that you can't search the server for emails in the GMail application, which is incorrect. Our review unit had a glitch where that feature didn't work. After performing a wipe and restoring the device, email search now works, even for emails stored on the server for the GMail application. Email search is still not available for the separate "Email" application. We apologize for the error.
Also, on the Exchange front, I could not get Google Sync--Google's Exchange implementation of push email for the masses--to work with the Email application for my GMail account. That would have solved the GMail application push email versus Email application unified inbox dilemma that I was describing earlier. Regular, corporate Exchange accounts should sync fine. When setting up Google Sync Exchange-style email, emails did not pull in on the Email application, but calendar appointments still synchronized within the Corporate Calendar application for Exchange calendars.
While Google's push into the corporate environment may seem a bit rudimentary, it will hopefully make Android 2.0 more of a prosumer operating system with on-board Exchange support. However, consumers need not fear that Google is going to be buckling down to those in suits and ties. The Internet search giant is also including turn-by-turn voice navigation--currently in beta and only for Android 2.0--for free! The solution doesn't store maps on your devices and instead opts for over the air routing and map downloads. The voice guidance, although robotic, is clear, and you can add layers to your maps to get a real-time, location-based contextual feel to where you are at. Cool features, indeed.
Google Voice Search (for Internet-based search, navigation searches, and searches on the device) along with Voice Dial are on the device. This should give the Samsung Intrepid a run for its money with its implementation of Microsoft TellMe (Voice Search competitor) and Voice Command (Voice Dial competitor); I personally find Google Voice Search more feature-rich than TellMe.
The browser has been much improved and now can render complicated web pages a lot faster. It felt like opening a web page and waiting for pages to load on previous generations of Android OSes took forever, but not so with the speedy Android 2.0 browser that offers a desktop-like browsing experience.
Also, HD videos on the YouTube player can now play without black borders on the 16:9 screen. All you have to do is set the video to play in higher quality. Unfortunately, you can't set this as a default setting and have to enable higher quality streaming for each video you view.
The contacts application also got an overhaul. Tapping on the contact icon now shows the many different ways you can connect with that person, whether it be through a third-party IM application (Meebo, in my case), through Google Maps, facebook, Gmail, your corporate email, SMS, or phone. Android 2.0 definitely is emulating some of the connected features advertised by Palm on the Pre as part of the Synergy engine of webOS, but does so in a less elegant manner. However, Android 2.0, at least on the Motorola Droid, seems a bit zippier at opening contact cards and juggling things than the Palm Pre, which can feel slugging.
What's really missing is WiFi tethering to share your Internet connection, which at this time is neither natively supported not available via Android Marketplace. Also, you cannot download and install applications to an SD card. Memory on the Droid is limited to 256 MB RAM and 512 MB ROM, though a 16 GB micro SDHC card is included in the box.
[b>Software Compatibility:
Certain applications on Android Marketplace seem to crash and we're not sure if it's support for the new WVGA and FWVGA screen resolutions or if it's the new 2.0 that breaks the coding. However, as Google adds on additional screen sizes and hardware support, the platform may experience some disparity that some Windows Mobile handsets have experienced in the past. Take for instance, the less common 320 X 320 or 240 X 240 square screens implemented on Palm Treos. Previously, Android standardized in HVGA resolution screens in landscape and portrait.
Pricing and Availability:
The Droid will be available on November 6th for $200 after a two-year service agreement with voice and data plan as well as rebates, which will arrive in the form of a $100 debit card.
Accessories:
A home charging dock and car mount will also be made available, each going for $30. The charging dock will put the phone into clock mode while the car mount will give you a nice Car Home screen. That home screen has a nice GUI that makes things more finger-friendly and will help to make navigation safer while driving. To make things even safer, use Google Voice Search and say "Navigate to location" and let the new Google Maps with Navigation handle the tricky inputs.
Conclusion:
Android 2.0 may not offer all the power and robustness that pro Windows Mobile users have grown accustomed to, but for many people the platform does its purpose--and does it well in offering a refined, cohesive user interface that blends the hardware and software together in an elegant package. It is more open than the iPhone as a platform, combines the best from Windows Mobile, the Palm Pre (Synergy), and connected features from the MOTO BLUR and the HTC customizations on the Hero to enable native Exchange support. The device is the right step in Android's evolution and offers a more cohesive UI and user experience compared to the aging Windows Mobile platform. Android is definitely designed for touch and you can see that throughout the entire OS.
The device is one of the best on the market today. Strong software, potent hardware that makes Android zippy and not feel sluggish, and great marketing buzz from Verizon and Motorola will probably make this one of the more successful products on the market today. Welcome back, Motorola, to the big leagues. This is definitely Motorola's come back phone, Verizon's iPhone and Pre competitor, and Google's emergence into a basic corporate-capable operating system.
Pros:
-Multiple Exchange accounts supported
-Gorgeous FWVGA cinematic 16:9 display
-Large display at 3.7 inches doesn't feel too big thanks to the widescreen format
-Loud speakers
-Google Maps with Navigation offers free turn by turn voice guidance for GPS navigation
-Faster browser than on previous generations of Android OS
-Contacts well integrated with communications (like Palm Synergy)
-Google Voice support is awesome!
-Google Voice Search for Internet searching and GPS navigation so you don't have to type
-Touch friendly capacitive touchscreen is bright even in direct sunlight
Cons:
-GMail and Email apps can be confusing, should integrate into one app
-No Exchange email searching
-Enterprise support
-Some apps may not be compatible
-Requires a GMail account for full features to be operational
-Camera photo quality could be better
Quick Summary:
This is the Android handset to beat if you're in the Android market. If you're not in the Android market, the hardware on this device is compelling enough where it will still be the handset to beat in terms of build quality.
Goodbye Transcriber
Handwriting recognition has always been a feature of Windows Mobile that went unrivaled by most other smartphone operating systems. Admittedly, most people either didn't use the feature or didn't know that it existed. About a year ago, we did a tutorial on how to use the features of Transcriber to get fantastic handwriting recognition.
The upcoming HTC HD2 has a capacitive screen, meaning that traditional styli cannot be used with the device. Because of this, HTC has stripped out the Transcriber option, as seen below from the HD2 ROM. Also of note is that there is now only one keyboard option, which is HTC's Touch keyboard. Gone is the small stylus keyboard that we've come to know for many generations of Windows Mobile.
With Transcriber gone, will you miss it?
Chuong's Pick: Shure SE115 Earphones Brings Quietude and a Symphony
Shure's SE115 headsets are some of the best sounding personal earphones at the $100 price point (retail is $99, MSRP is higher at $120). If you're in the market for earphones that fit comfortably in your ears, sound great acoustically, and block out the sounds of crying babies and fighting spouses on your next air travel, the SE115 should be on your list of items to pack. The earphones offer up to six ear tips to ensure a comfortable fit and its noise isolation technology performs much better than the noise cancellation technology found on the competing Bose earphones at around the same price point. Because of its exceptional performance and its ability to mute out screaming infants with lungs of steel on my recent claustrophobic plane trip from Los Angeles to Boston trip, I am awarding the SE115 earphones from Shure a Chuong's Pick Editor's Choice award.
Chuong’s Picks is a series that features electronics, gadgets, and gears that I have used and selected due to the product’s balance between performance and value, form and function. Essentially, it is my personal “Editor’s Choice” and recommendation to you to hopefully help the beginning gadgetphile pick from among the best products in a category without having to spend too much money or time researching a group of products.
Read on to find out more.
Noise Cancellation v. Noise Isolation:
So you've hard me used the term noise cancellation and noise isolation before, what the heck do they mean? Shure uses noise isolation, which isn't necessarily the most high tech solution to blocking out background noise. Rather, with memory foam ear tips that expand to fill out in your ear canal, the Shure SE115 works to really create a physical barrier between your ears and the noisy environment. Noise isolation is done passively.
Noise cancellation, on the other hand, is done actively and works to cancel the noise from the external environment before it reaches your ears. This is achieved through a process of active noise control. Headphones or earphones that use this method requires electronic circuitry and requires a battery or power source, and Bose is the champion of this method. Noise cancellation works by using a microphone to detect ambient, white background noise and create a sound wave on the opposite polarity of the noise being picked up by the microphone. This cancels out the noise within the headphones through a means known as destructive interference. Noise cancellation works best for ambient, background noise, like the wind noise on an airplane.
Hardware:
Unlike the complicated, circuit-filled hardware of Bose noise cancellation headphones, the Shure SE115 earphones look like traditional earphones. Shure went a unique route. You get the earphones (left and right) which comes together on a connector. That, you may notice, would be too short to connect to your Windows phone. Well, you connect the left and right earphones (which omes together to a single 3.5 mm connector) to another cord. That allows the earphones to have that "Y" shape. The best part? Shure makes another component--called the Music Phone Adapter (at another $50 cost)--with a microphone so you can swap out that secondary cord with a cord that has a microphone for those who prefer to use their smartphone as an MP3 device and the earphones as a corded headset for phone calls.
The earphones come in a number of colors--black, blue, red, and pink. The model that I got is red.
Performance:
The earpieces fit comfortably in my ears. There are rubber tips, which comes in small, medium, and large, as well as foam tips, also comes in three different sizes. The foam tips are like memory foam. You squeeze them in and plug them into your ears. The foam does take a little bit of time to expand again to fill and fit the shape of your ear canal to create that noise barrier in noise isolation so don't be alarmed if they looked crushed or squished after you squeeze them. Once expanded, you can hardly hear the outside world. I wouldn't recommend using the SE115 for street jogging, running, cycling, driving, or in situations where you would need to be aware of the surroundings and be conscious of what's happening around you. Otherwise, on a plane they work marvelously well.
Acoustically, the sounds produced by the SE115 were great. The sounds are balanced, rounded, and rich. There are a number of various models for consumers to choose from, but the SE100 series are the beginning point--as you get higher, you get better audio quality and will need to spend more money. If you're a big audiophile with a huge earphone budget to spend, Shure also makes higher end earphones with multi tweeters, multi drivers, and multi woofers! Imagine that--a stereo system in your ear drums! Of course, be ready to shell out $500 for the SE530, which comes with dedicated tweeter and dual woofers. For my purposes, the SE115 sound better than my Zune and iPod headphones and beat out the Apple In-Ear Headphones ($80) and the Bose In-Ear Headset ($130). I was extremely pleased with the audio quality that the SE115 provided.
Value:
If you're a frequent traveler or find yourself wanting more performance from your headphones, the Shure SE115 will definitely give you plenty. It's great noise isolation system, comfortable fit, and great performance earns it a 5 out of 5 stars and the title of Chuong's Pick. I would highly recommend these headsets to anyone who needs some quietude while enjoying their tunes.
Roku's Netflix Box Brings Promise of Mobile Movie Rental
Today, Roku--a set-top box that allows you to play on-demand content from Netflix and Amazon.com on your television--announces the availability and extension of three products to their lineup. The promise of mobile movie rental is there, but not quite available yet.
On its own, Roku is more of a home entertainment companion, but coupled with Slingbox--when support officially arrives for the two to play together on the same broadband connection--there is a lot of potential for on-demand movie rentals and viewing on a Windows phone; the company is in talks with Sling Media to allow the Slingbox to sling and control the Roku so you can watch on-demand content on your smartphone.
Roku costs between $80 and $120 depending on the model, and asks for no subscription costs other than your broadband connection and your existing Netflix or Amazon rental subscription. The box will stream content to your television. I've been talking with both Roku and Sling Media and the companies state that they are working together in hopes of having Roku be compatible with Slingbox. When that does happen, Windows phone can have an iTunes Movies-like experience that iPhone owners have enjoyed. With Slingbox and Roku, Windows phone users can potentially watch Netflix content on their phones or rent and view Amazon movie rentals on their smartphone. Hit the jump for more.
Official support for Roku and Slingbox isn't yet here, but Sling Media's engineers pointed me to their unofficial community forums where "he enterprising individual can add support for Roku and Vudu without too much trouble." When official support arrives, Roku's rental streaming hardware coupled with Amazon's and Netflix's content will enhance the mobile entertainment on smartphones and laptops via Slingbox's user interface and will provide users with added content and value while traveling.
The promise of watching movie rentals on Windows Mobile devices have thus far been elusive. Back in August of this year, there was a rumor that Netflix would stream their content directly to Windows phone, but so far we haven't heard of anything further on that front.
On the iPhone, movie rentals can be made via the iTunes Store either over a 3G network or WiFi. It does take some time for rentals to download.
More about the Roku players:
-Roku SD player: $79.99 (composite video outputs only with L/R RCA audio, Ethernet and Wi-Fi b/g)
-Roku HD player: $99.99 (product that is currently shipping today w/ HDMI, component, composite, s-video and L/R RCA and optical video outputs along with Ethernet and Wi-Fi b/g). This model supports HD streaming from our partners
-Roku HD-XR: $129.99 (same video and audio outputs as Roku HD player and also includes Wi-Fi n/b/g and a USB port for future use. The Roku HD-XR is the first Netflix streaming device to incorporate 802.11n connectivity protocol)
The Roku Channel Store will also be launching in the coming weeks, which will bring new content providers to the Roku platform as a slew of new channels will be launched for customers to choose from. The customer will ultimately have control over what channels they choose to add to their Roku home screen, giving a level of personalization not available prior.
Roku has won many awards for its simplicity and ease of use in connecting with existing services like Amazon's on-demand movie rentals and Netflix streaming service with subscription. We'll definitely keep you posted on compatibility of Roku with Slingplayer.
Microsoft Retail Store Features Underwhelming Windows Mobile Placement
The "I'm a PC" retail channel that is owned by Microsoft, the first of which opened in Arizona, seems to feature an underwhelming Windows phone presence. The devices said to be represented on display include the Samsung Intrepid on Sprint, HTC Pure on AT&T, HTC Imagio on Verizon Wireless, and Tilt2 on AT&T.
It seems that only Windows Mobile 6.5 devices are on display as the Touch Pro2 variants on Verizon Wireless, Sprint, and T-Mobile were all missing from the Microsoft retail store.
We'll have to wait and see if Microsoft adds more Windows phones to the mix as some Windows Mobile 6.1 devices will soon receive upgrades while others are yet to be introduced to the market.
(via: WMPowerUser)
Verizon Wireless BlackBerry Storm2 First Impressions
The hardware tour and software overview videos have been posted for the BlackBerry Storm2 on Verizon Wireless' CDMA network, which will officially be available to the public on October 28. Here are some of my first impressions.
Read on for the initial impressions of the Storm2.
1. Having WiFi on board is nice. This feature is new to the Storm2 and since its hardware-related, won't be available on the original Storm via a firmware upgrade.
2. The browser could use a bit more speed to it. In our non-scientific test comparing the Storm2's browser to the original Storm's browser on Verizon's EVDO data speed, the Storm beat out the newer Storm2 in rendering the pocketnow.com webpage with Javascript enabled. Compared to other smartphone platforms, almost every other platform had beat out the Storm2. Compared to the BlackBerry Tour (a more traditional keyboard candybar BlackBerry on Sprint's 3G network), the difference in rendering speed became apalling. The Storm2 kept chugging away while the Tour finished so much earlier.
3. Gestures: Flick scrolling as Apple calls it or kinetic scrolling as RIM likes to say is now part of the software. It is nice to flick through long documents, lists, or web pages. However, that same feature will also make its way to the original Storm via a software package. Also included is a gesture for cut, copy, and paste, which is done by tapping two fingers on the screen. I didn't think it worked all too well, but that's debatable. It does take getting acclimated to and I've only had the unit for two days.
4. The new click screen: This is what everyone's been asking and wanting to talk about--how does the new click screen work? Well, the short answer is the same. It feels more sturdy and more solid than the original Storm--there is no light leakage around the screen borders as on the original Storm, and it seems to be anchored more solidly rather than the single anchor point in the center of the screen on the Storm. However, in use with the touchscreen BlackBerry OS and user interface, it feels the same--when typing, you still have to click in, the keyboard still is the same and you'll get the SureType two-character per key keyboard in portrait and a full QWERTY layout in landscape. In actual use, the paradigm for the clickscreen, which RIM labels as a SurePress screen, is still the same idea carried forward from the original Storm. The hardware just is a bit better. That means if you were annoyed by the clickscreen, those feelings won't go away with the Storm2.
5. Is it worth the upgrade? Probably not for original Storm owners. The hardware is more refined, but you'll get very similar functionality with the original Storm getting a firmware upgrade to take advantage of features like cut, copy, and paste as well as kinetic scrolling. If you can live without WiFi on your Storm, the Storm2 may not be a compelling upgrade. If you're new to the touchscreen BlackBerry, this may be a good device to you if you like, can tolerate, or can't live without that SurePress screen technology.
6. Comparisons: Compared to other touchscreen devices like the Windows Mobile 6.5 HTC Imagio on Verizon Wireless' lineup, the capacitive screen really does make a difference in being able to see the display outdoors. It really does depend on what you need your device to do--TouchFLO 3D and the new Today screen on Windows Mobile 6.5 offers you a lot of information at a quick glance without having to open specific programs but the BlackBerry brand is still strong among enterprise and prosumers, which the device is targeted. Will it remain top dog on Verizon's lineup? Probably not as Verizon Wireless is now focusing its attention on Android, and more specifically the Motorola Droid, which will be unveiled to media the same day as the Storm2 gets launched, casting a dark cloud on the Storm2's launch day.
Do You Have Smartphone Platform Loyalty?
We've witnessed somewhat of a transition of the last few years. Readers of this site who once had loyalty to Windows Mobile no longer have the same feeling of allegiance. For them, it's no longer about buying a device with a specific operating system, it's now all about the experience and features. iPhone users are going Android, Windows Mobile are going iPhone, and BlackBerry users are checking out the Palm Pre.
What about you? Do you have smartphone platform loyalty? Vote in our poll!
Motorola Droid is a Windows Phone Abducted by Android?
The Verizon Wireless Motorola Android phone is speculated to have originated as a Windows phone, perhaps designed for Microsoft's Windows Mobile 7 operating system. Those claims were made by Mobile Tech World recently. The site claims that the specs of the Droid Android handset closely mirrors the requirements for the chassis 1 design of Windows Mobile 7 hardware.
The curve ball? According to Mobile Tech World, the Droid runs on a 854 X 480 screen resolution and has a rather lowly 553 MHz processor. The basis for the speculation? Well, Mobile tech World is stating that Motorola was deeply involved as a Windows Mobile OEM, but recently defected to the Android side.
Let us know what you think? Is the Droid designed for Windows Mobile? Was it abducted by Google's green Android monster?
(via: Mobile Tech World)
Have You Bought Something from Marketplace Yet?
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). We all know the saying: "Rome wasn't built in a day", and that will be true of the Marketplace considering the slow start in app availability.
That makes us wonder - have you purchased from the Marketplace? Why or why not? If you have, what app did you buy? Don't forget that if you're running a Windows Mobile 6.0 or 6.1 device, you can still install the Marketplace.
Poll: Will Those Windows Mobile 7 Shots Be a Reality?
Between reading about the Windows Mobile 7 shots here at pocketnow.com and over at WMExperts, what do you think? There has definitely been a reaction to those renderings, and people seem to be hopefully optimistic that Microsoft will implement some of those design elements into the release version of Windows Mobile 7. We've already given you our brief analysis. Do you think they are real? Vote in our poll and sound off in the comments!
Verizon HTC Imagio Review
The HTC Imagio is so far the best Windows phone released for the North American market. In fact, if the HTC Touch HD were to hop on a plane, fly across the Atlantic, and in the process transform itself to get a radio compliant with US 3G bands, it would arrive as the stunning HTC Imagio on Verizon Wireless' large 3G network. The Imagio does include some nice features that its European counterpart doesn't, including a Windows Mobile 6.5 experience out of the box, mobile television based on Qualcomm's MediaFLO technology, a nice kickstand for comfortable viewing, and a sleek design that is both understated and glamorous.
In fact, the only thing that the Imagio lacks is a capacitive touchscreen, which HTC will be bringing to a future model called the HTC HD2--that won't arrive on US shores until early 2010 and probably only in GSM flavor as far as rumors go at this time. In the meantime, this is the handset to get if you're not looking for a slide out keyboard like the Touch Pro2. As such, it is awarded the Chuong's Pick Editor's Choice award for 2009 in design and performance, bringing the best features of the tablet form factor that the slate HTC Pure offers and marrying it with the technological HTC innovation that comes with the larger Touch Pro2.
Read on for our full review of the HTC Imagio.
Chuong’s Picks is a series that features electronics, gadgets, and gears that I have used and selected due to the product’s balance between performance and value, form and function. Essentially, it is my personal “Editor’s Choice” and recommendation to you to hopefully help the beginning gadgetphile pick from among the best products in a category without having to spend too much money or time researching a group of products.
Hardware:
The HTC Imagio is a well-built design that takes its form as a tablet. Like the iPhone, the device feels really nice in the hands with its beveled back edges, giving it the illusion that its slimmer when held. Unlike the iPhone, however, the HTC Imagio comes with a removable 1500 mAh battery--the same variety that's found in the HTC Touch Pro2 and HTC Hero--that will give you plenty of charge to last through a day of heavy use. However, despite the user-replaceable battery, there is no creak or flex when the battery door is pressed, which is quite the engineering feat for the Imagio--the comparable US Diamond2 variant, the Pure, on AT&T's network has a bit of flex and creaking noise when the back is pressed.
To remove the battery door, you actually have to dig your nails onto a notch found at the top edge and pry the battery door open. Don't worry about feeling like you're going to break the device in the process--the door is really that hard to remove--as you'll probably end up breaking a nail before you're actually able to remove the door.
Once the door is removed, you'll have access to the micro SD card on the side, which can hold cards up to 32 GB although the maximum capacity on the market at this time is 16 GB, a reset hole, and removing the battery will give users access to the SIM card, which means that the Imagio is a world phone for globe-trotters.
The back cover of the device is actually dual-tone. About a third of it is glossy black, attracting finger prints, and the bottom two third is a matte, soft finished black finish.
while the matte side is prone to attracting oils.
Also on the back side, there is a speaker grill, a kick stand, and a five-megapixel auto-focus camera.
the device's tilt viewing angle is comparable to the HTC Touch Pro2.
The device is relatively clean and minimalist. On the front side, you get a textured, perforated mesh that's like a honeycomb that surrounds the entire front face, giving it a cool look like a sports car. The front is engulfed by a massive 3.6-inch WVGA resistive touchscreen, which is of the same size and resolution as that on the Touch Pro2. Below the touchscreen, there is a zoom slider bar with hash marks, also like the Touch Pro2, Diamond2, and Pure.
Below that, you have a row of five buttons--Call Send, V-Cast TV, Windows Start Button, Back, and Call End.
The sides are clean. There are no buttons on the left side, save for a small opening for a non-collapsible stylus on the bottom left side. There are also no buttons on the top. The right side has discrete volume up and down buttons.
The bottom of the device, like the CDMA versions of the Touch Pro2, has a 3.5 mm headphone jack and a proprietary mini USB plug.
Although the device has an accelerometer for auto-rotation, many programs will only work in portrait mode. When in the browser--either Internet Explorer Mobile or Opera Mobile--and a number of third-party applications, auto-rotation is enabled. However, on the Windows Mobile 6.5 lock screen and the TouchFLO 3D today screen, the Imagio will operate solely in portrait mode, which is quite a shame as the kick stand can make this a great digital clock from the main TF3D home screen.
Another feature that the Imagio borrowed from the Touch Pro2 is the speakerphone function. Although the Imagio has 1 speaker and 1 microphone compared to the latter's two speakers and stereo microphone, placing the device on its screen will automatically activate the speakerphone function. Your calls are clear and clean, though not as rich as the Touch Pro2's Straight Talk speakerphone conference calling feature. It also has a proximity sensor so that the screen automatically turns off when you place the phone close to your face.
Pressing and holding the Call End button will also bring up a screen asking whether you want to completely power down the device, lock the screen, turn the screen off, or quickly set the device into vibrate mode before entering a class or meeting.
Software:
The HTC Imagio comes with the "HTC experience" to simplify the process of using Windows Mobile. This Windows phone comes pre-loaded with a version of HTC that asks you customize and set up the device upon initial use. When you first power on the device, a welcome wizard will guide you through setting up your email, using visual voicemail (which is available with an added monthly subscription), establishing Bluetooth connections, configuring WiFi access points, setting your ringtones, establishing your home location for weather-based information, and customizing your TouchFLO 3D tabs.
The HTC Imagio comes pre-loaded with a version of HTC's TouchFLO 3D interface that is capable of detecting location for location-based services. As such, the main home screen of TouchFLO 3D with the clock can also show weather, which is based on location.
weather is shown for San Diego, CA at the CTIA show in the Fall
To use the GPS and location-based settings, you can enable that in the Settings menu of TouchFLO 3D.
location will change automatically and update as you travel.
Once you enable location-based settings, you'll notice a little GPS sign on the location-based weather panel in TouchFLO 3D.
you must accept the terms and conditions to Google's services when
using location settings.
weather is shown for San Diego, CA at the CTIA show in the Fall
TouchFLO 3D--which we have reviewed in other walk-throughs previously, can also display favorites (contact information), stocks, bookmarks for Internet pages--which are linked by Opera Mobile 9.5, and email.
navigate through them quicker in the favorite contacts tab on TouchFLO 3D
open Opera Mobile. Additionally, users can type in an Internet search
word or phrase directly from within TF3D without opening the browser
first, or launch a bookmarked site.
than one email account can be defined in the ToufhFLO 3D email tab.
you weather forecast for the work week.
that day; you can customize the tab by adding your own stocks to
manage and monitor
give you additional information about the stock, including charts.
weather is shown for San Diego, CA at the CTIA show in the Fall
If users decide to go with TouchFLO 3D, hitting the on-screen Start menu (upper left corner of the screen) or the Windows Flag hardware key will give them a favorites grid with 30 favorite programs shortcuts. Some of the shortcuts are pre-configured and you can delete and add more applications and programs at your will as this menu is highly customizable. Hitting the left soft key on the screen will give you a TouchFLO 3D programs menu, which will display all of your programs and applications in a full list. Unfortunately, with TouchFLO 3D enabled, you won't get the classic Windows Mobile 6.5 honeycomb Start Menu or Programs Menu.
a list view rather than the honeycomb look of the default Windows
Mobile 6.5 Start Menu
If TouchFLO 3D isn't your thing, you can go to the Setting menu, then go to "All Settings" and tap on "Personal" and go into "Today" to uncheck TF3D and enable the default Windows Mobile 6.5 look, which will give you the Zune-like panels interface on your Today screen and the honeycomb look of your Programs menu.
re-enabled in the Settings menu; you'll have to choose between
TouchFLO 3D or the Windows Mobile 6.5 look.
back the honeycomb Start Menu or Programs Menu rather than the
TouchFLO 3D list view of your applications; it's really a
matter of personal preference.
Verizon Wireless also includes a Visual Voicemail application in the HTC Imagio. Unfortunately, the service requires a nominal monthly subscription fee tacked on to your wireless bill. However, the cool part about Visual Voicemail is that you can check messages, compose new messages, and listen to only the messages you want to hear and in the order that you want to hear them all without having to actually waste your airtime minutes and call into your voicemail box.
just about listening to your messages.
inside Visual Voicemail and send it to a recipient without even
having to dial them! It works by using your Windows phone's
audio recorder, recording the message, and having the system ping
your recipient's number and deliver the message. No voice calls, no
dialing, and no outgoing messages need to be heard for
you to send a voicemail.
display an on-screen notification.
have access to your visual voicemails. The Visual Voicemail application
will use your data connection to download the voicemail recordings.
And since the Imagio is a world phone, you can have set up the phone to auto-detect or use only the GSM bands when overseas. Be sure to check with Verizon Wireless to inquire about voice and data roaming charges or else your trip will end up costing you an arm, a leg, and maybe another limb in roaming charges.
Speaking of phone, you also get a cool location-based application (subscription required, though a 15-day trial is included) on the device. The application is called City ID and will display the city and state of the caller so you can narrow down who is calling you. Unfortunately, it won't display where the caller is at the time of the call. For instance, if I have a California number and am presently in New York and calling my friend's Imagio number in Florida, his Florida Imagio will display my location as being from Los Angeles, California rather than from New York.
up the location of a specific caller
name and/or number as well as the location based on City ID's reporting
For multimedia features, you have a number of Verizon-based services, some are subscription and some are on-demand. We won't cover them all in this review, but just to give you an idea, you can subscribe--for $15 per month--to Verizon Wireless V-Cast TV, which will play a select number of television shows over Qualcomm's MediaFLO streaming technology so that it doesn't eat up your data plan.
replicate your at-home cable or satellite television service.
And the YouTube video below compares how the V-Cast service is in relationship to the popular SlingMedia Sling Player with Slingbox. Unlike Slingbox, there is no up-front hardware cost other than your smartphone. Also, unlike Slingbox, you do have a monthly subscription cost.
You also have access to the Verizon Wireless V-Cast Rhapsody music store for on-demand music downloads. You can preview tunes and purchase them over the air on your HTC Imagio. Billing is done through your phone bill.
premium over competing services like iTunes on the AT&T Apple iPhone
or the Amazon Music Store on Sprint's handsets.
There is also an FM radio built into the device; you do need to plug in headphones to use the FM service.
standard 3.5 mm headphones and don't need to use the
proprietary mini USB audio out.
Mobile IM applications are also included with the device.
and Yahoo! Messenger; if you prefer other applications for
instant messaging, you may try Marketplace for Mobile,
which is also pre-loaded on the device.
Since the Verizon Wireless Imagio has GPS, it also comes with Verizon Navigator. The VZ Navigator service isn't as elegant and nice as the more widely used TeleNav service but it does provide directions pretty seamlessly. Maps are downloaded over the air and are always up to date; no local storage of maps are needed.
over the air so nothing is stored locally.
From the previous screenshot to this one above, you have to
minimize or hide the keyboard to hit the red "NAV" button at the
bottom center. The keyboard hides this button and hitting "Enter"
on the keyboard doesn't give you the NAV option either. This is clunky.
When using other navigation applications like TomTom, I did find that there is some GPS lag where TomTom shows me four blocks behind where I should be. This issue was also noticed on the CDMA versions of the Touch Pro2, but not on my GSM Touch Pro2 on T-Mobile.
The camera is a highlight of the device. It comes in at 5-megapixels, which is higher resolution than the 3-megapixels found on the Touch Pro2. In addition, on the Imagio, you can select the focus area on where you want the camera to focus. There is a cross-hair icon on the screen. Tapping on a different area on the screen moves that cross-hair focus indicator to that particular screen area, bringing the focus to that area in your shot.
screen before hitting the shutter button on the bottom center of the
screen to capture the image.
You also get a number of controls and options in camera. The downside is that the camera can be somewhat slow in focusing and taking a picture. However, you can also shoot videos.
can play around with the settings to tweak the options for the best shot.
For productivity options, the device comes with the pre-requisite Office Mobile Suite. You also have some standard games to pass the time away in between Word documents and Excel spreadsheets. Microsoft and HTC wants you to balance work and play with your Windows phone.
You also get an HTC-made YouTube player. As our friend on Twitter, Mr. Hi-Definition, pointed out, the HTC application for YouTube on Windows Mobile and HTC Android devices allows you to set the streaming quality so you can get high quality video streaming. Beware, as this does eat into your data plan.
When you need more applications to keep you busy, you can also head into Microsoft's Marketplace for Mobile to download and try other applications.
conveniently for more applications.
Other applications include Voice Command, which can be accessed by a long-press of the Call Send key.
setting option are included
For a look at Voice Command, check out our video comparing Microsoft Voice Command with Microsoft Tell Me, another voice control application designed by a Microsoft subsidiary.
HTC also skinned a number of applications to hide the Windows Mobile look. Although Microsoft updated the Today Screen, Lock Screen, and Start Menu on Windows Mobile 6.5, they didn't update the look of core applications such as Calendar, Contacts, and others. HTC did a nice cover up of some of the major ones. You can see the Windows Mobile 6.5 Programs Menu on the HTC Pure on the video below to see which applications remain the same and which got updated with 6.5:
Performance:
The HTC Imagio feels like a zippy device and is nicely optimized for Windows Mobile 6.5. For additional specs on the HTC Imagio, you can head on over to PDAdb.net to get the scoop. In fact, there was little slow down with the 288 MB RAM and the 512 MB of ROM is capable of quite a number of Marketplace for Mobile applications download. You'll want to equip the device with a storage card if you want to play tunes or watch videos on the device's large display.
The only hiccup that I noticed is that in my unit, Opera Mobile seems to run out of memory--even after a fresh, hard reset--on complex sites like pocketnow.com. Internet Explorer Mobile didn't fare much better either.
to load complex sites like pocketnow.com
Other than that little annoying glitch, the device never really slowed down and reseting the device isn't necessary.
Conclusion:
The HTC Imagio, for those who prefer the thin, tablet form factor of this Windows phone, offers exceptional value in both hardware and software. On the hardware front, you have a proximity sensor, light sensor, accelerometer, GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, CDMA/EVDO radios, GSM/HSPA radios for global roaming, mobile TV antenna, and one of the best resistive touchscreens that I have used. On the software side, the improvements brought by Microsoft in Windows Mobile 6.5 combined with HTC's TouchFLO 3D optimizations make this a truly customizable, finger-friendly, and useable devices. Power users will be able to enjoy Windows Mobile's high degree of extensibility while novice users will appreciate the glamor that TouchFLO 3D offers. The only weakness is that add-ons such as visual voicemail, mobile TV, and VZ Navigator, all require additional subscription services. However, the winning, solidly built hardware coupled with the great software and UI customizations earn this device a Chuong's Pick Editor's Choice title.
Pros:
-Conference call feature when the phone is turned over
-Beautiful, sturdy design
-Kickstand for comfortable desk viewing
-Mobile TV for those who need on-the-go entertainment
-Large, responsive touchscreen
-Finger-friendly UI
-Location-based service
-WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS
-World phone: CDMA/EVDO and GSM/EDGE/HSPA
-Accelerometer, light sensor, proximity sensor
Cons:
-Subscription services can add up
-GPS lags with other third-party navigation software
-No hardware keyboard (for some people)
-Juggling the End key for its multi-function presses can be confusing at times.
-Not enough hardware/navigation buttons
Final Verict:
My rating of this device comes in at 4.5 out of 5 stars. The device also earns itself honors as a Chuong's Pick Editor's Choice device for a Windows Mobile 6.5 US release.
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