It’s a pretty polished ROM, too, with all but the GPS and camera working (though there are a few reported Bluetooth glitches that should be easy to work around).  Obviously in the process of installing you do run the risk of bricking your smartphone, but plenty of people have gone the distance and ended up with a handset showing a new lease of life.

[via Android Community and via CoolSmartphone]

The Diamond3 will apparently be released on AT&T and T-Mobile in the USA, though contrary to previous launches there’ll be no CDMA version.  That’s supposedly the end-result of mediocre sales of earlier CDMA versions on Verizon and Sprint.

Initial release expectations were as early as June 2010, but Windows Mobile 7′s delayed release means the Diamond3 is unlikely to make an appearance until Q4 2010 at the earliest.  Full (rumored) specifications below.

• CPU: Qualcomm QSD8250; 1GHz
• GSM HSDPA
• Device Size: 112 x 56 x 11.7 mm
• Memory (RAM/ROM): 512MB/512MB
• Internal Storage: 4GB
• External Storage: MicroSD (up to 32GB)
• Screen Size/Type: 3.7-inch capacitive AMOLED “Multitouch Supported”
• Camera: 5.0 Megapixel AF with flash; HD 720p video@ 25fps
• Video Support: Windows Media Video (WMV), MPEG-4 (MP4/M4V) H.264, DVR-MS4
• Audio Support: Windows Media Audio (WMA), Advanced Audio Coding (AAC-LC), FairPlay DRM, MP3 (.mp3)
• Battery: Removable 1230 mAh
• Talk Time: Up to 10 hours
• Standby Time: 240 hours
• Internet Use: 6 hours (3G), 7.5 hours (WiFi)
• Video Playback: 7 hours
• Audio Playback: 24 hours

The Pure has a 3.2-inch WVGA resistive touchscreen, a 5-megapixel camera and a new plastic casing rather than the Diamond2′s metal highlights.  As for the Tilt 2, that has a slide-and-tilt 3.6-inch WVGA resistive touchscreen, hiding a full QWERTY keyboard.  Meanwhile there’s also a 3.2-megapixel autofocus camera and HTC’s excellent full-duplex speakerphone.

According to AT&T, the Pure will go on sale today, priced at $149.99 with a new contract and following a $50 rebate.  Meanwhile the Tilt2 will take a little longer to arrive – though AT&T say only a matter of weeks – priced at $299.99 after a $50 rebate and assuming a new contract.

Press Release:

AT&T and HTC Debut HTC Tilt 2 and HTC Pure Windows Phones

Pairing the Best of Both Worlds, the HTC Tilt™ 2 and the HTC PURE™ Unify Personal Communication in Two Very Different Form Factors

Dallas, Texas, Bellevue, Washington, October 5, 2009

AT&T* and HTC Corporation, a global designer of mobile phones, today announced the upcoming availability of the HTC Tilt™ 2 and the HTC PURE™ with Windows® Mobile 6.5. The HTC PURE delivers a touch screen experience in an alluring, compact form factor, and the HTC Tilt 2 features the convenience of a tilting touch screen combined with the practicality of a slide out full QWERTY keyboard.

Powered by the nation’s fastest 3G network and the Windows phone platform, the HTC Tilt 2 and HTC PURE deliver an enhanced TouchFLO® 3D interface on a large vibrant touch screen that makes navigation intuitive and rich while enabling smooth access to desktop like web browsing. Both devices embody HTC’s approach to put people at the center of the communications experience by providing full access to voice, text, or email in a single contact view, regardless of whether voice, text or email was used. This view can be accessed from the contact card or in the in-call screen during a phone conversation, ensuring the latest conversations are always at hand.

“As one of the first carriers to support Windows Mobile 6.5 in the U.S. and the largest distributor of Windows phones worldwide, AT&T has a long history of leadership in smartphones and Windows Mobile,” said Michael Woodward, vice president, Mobile Phone Portfolio, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “Twice as many smartphone users choose AT&T over any other carrier and the HTC Tilt 2 and HTC PURE will lead our Windows phone lineup into 2010.”

AT&T will support Windows Marketplace for Mobile in 2009 for access to a variety of applications on new AT&T devices, including the HTC PURE and HTC Tilt 2. Additionally, AT&T customers’ purchases from Windows Marketplace can be added to their monthly statements. After Microsoft delivers Windows Marketplace later this year for other versions of Windows Mobile, AT&T will make it available to customers using those versions.

Windows Mobile 6.5 received several upgrades that enhance ease-of-use, such as a touch-friendly user interface and improved browser with Flash support. Content and applications are just a fingertip away on the redesigned Start Menu and Internet Explorer Mobile will support the rich experiences that many Web pages offer for desktop computers.

“AT&T and HTC have a long history of innovation with Windows phones,” said Andy Lees, senior vice president of Microsoft’s Mobile Communications Business. “AT&T, by bringing out the both the HTC Pure with its touch slate, and the HTC Tilt 2 with its keyboard, gives people the ability to choose a Windows phone that matches their preference.”

HTC Tilt 2
Designed for the business professional, the HTC Tilt 2 is designed with distinct style and strength while delivering the most powerful productivity experience available on a mobile phone. The HTC Tilt 2 features a high-resolution 3.6-inch widescreen WVGA display which can be easily tilted for an expanded viewing area and a large QWERTY keyboard, which is optimized for heavy email use. A quality speakerphone experience is enabled by dual speakers and dual microphones with advanced noise cancellation, and HTC’s Straight Talk™ which allows for simplified conference calling and activation of the speakerphone by simply turning over the device. The HTC Tilt 2 also features a 3.2 megapixel camera.

HTC PURE
Leveraging HTC’s TouchFLO 3D experience, the all touch screen HTC PURE offers an advanced touch experience that is optimized for one-hand use, which further evolves the compact smartphone design. Incorporating a large, brilliant 3.2-inch WVGA touch screen, the HTC PURE is crafted to fit perfectly into the hand and accentuates one’s sense of style. With a crisp advanced five megapixel auto-focus camera with video capture, expandable memory, gravity sensor and an ambient light sensor, the HTC PURE brings many of the most sophisticated features to a broad consumer audience looking for the professional benefits of a smartphone, without sacrificing size, looks or functionality.

“The HTC Tilt 2 and HTC PURE are not only powerhouse devices, they also provide a natural simplicity in the way we communicate with the people in our lives whether through voice, text or email,” said Jason Mackenzie, vice president of HTC America. “Our desire is to put people at the center of every mobile experience, and we are pleased to work with AT&T, who shares this common vision.”

Pricing and Availability
The HTC PURE is available at AT&T retail stores nationwide and online at www.wireless.att.com for $149.99. The HTC Tilt 2, will be available in the following weeks for $299.99. (For the HTC PURE, pay $199.99 and receive $50 mail-in-rebate, for the HTC Tilt 2, pay $349.99 and receive a $50 mail-in-rebate. Two-year agreement on a minimum $69.99 plan required.)

Small business customers also can subscribe to AT&T’s new, industry-first BusinessTalk voice plans, which start at $60 a month for five users and 700 Anytime Minutes and can be expanded for $9.99 a line to accommodate up to 40 users and 20,000 Anytime Minutes. AT&T Music, AT&T Navigator, Video Share, Push-To-Talk and MobiTV all require separate monthly subscriptions.

For the complete array of AT&T offerings, visit www.att.com

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

1 Coverage not available in all areas. Other terms and conditions apply.

2 AT&T Promotion Card: Card valid for 120 days wherever major credit cards accepted. May be used to pay wireless bill. Not redeemable for cash and cannot be used at ATMs or gas pumps. Some restrictions and other charges apply. See terms at store or at att.com/wirelessrebate. Limited-time offer. Other conditions & restrictions apply. See contract, rate plan brochure and rebate form at store for details. Subscriber must live & have a mailing address within AT&T’s owned wireless network coverage area. Up to $36 activation fee applies. Equipment price & avail may vary by market and may not be available from independent retailers. Messaging or Data package may be cancelled anytime. Early Termination Fee: None if cancelled in the first 30 days, but a restocking fee up to $35 may apply; thereafter up to $175. Some agents impose additional fees. Allow 60 days for fulfillment of AT&T Promotion Card. You must be customer for 30 consecutive days to receive Promotion Card. Offer expires November 21, 2009.

The document also confirms that the AT&T HTC Warhawk – aka the HTC Touch Diamond2 – will seemingly keep its VGA front-facing camera for videocalls and arrive with Windows Mobile 6.5, while the carrier’s Touch Pro2 will only get Windows Mobile 6.1.  Finally the Verizon Samsung Omnia is confirmed as the 8GB model with the 5-megapixel camera and packing Windows Mobile 6.1.

Of course, some of these details could be wrong – it’s unclear whether Sprint collated them from public sources, spec-sheets or somewhere else – and things like Windows Mobile versions could well be changed as release dates get pushed back.  Still, if you’re in the market for a touchscreen smartphone running Microsoft’s OS, and you can’t decide whether you want a hardware QWERTY keyboard or not, there’s plenty of choice just around the corner.

[via WMPowerUser]

Video demo after the cut

Confusion has spread over the past week or so, over Microsoft’s plans for the “Windows Mobile” brand and their stated intention to begin using “Windows Phone” as a catch-all for referring to the platform.  Contrary to what some are suggesting, Windows Mobile 6.5 has not been renamed to Windows Phone; instead, the latter will be used as a marketing term as Microsoft attempt to position their platform for consumers considering the iPhone or Android-based devices.

As part of that, the new mobile OS has a more Zune-like feel, which you can see in the video demo below.  There’s also QR code support, plus My Phone synchronization, but multitouch will apparently have to wait until the next Windows Mobile release.

[via jkOnTheRun]

Meanwhile, Motorola’s Calgary was tipped to be the company’s first Android device – and Verizon Wireless’ first, to boot – which made up for the manufacturer canning two other upcoming handsets.  Samsung’s Omnia HD i8910 was reviewed, and managed to whet our appetite for the rumored Omnia Pro complete with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard.  If that wasn’t enough, leaks from the Palm camp tipped the upcoming Eos, a candybar-format replacement to the aging Centro.  Remember, you can keep up with all the latest Android and Palm news at Android Community and My Pre, respectively.

Apple have made their usual rumor round this week, with word that the company have been negotiating with Verizon for an exclusive cellphone.  Hot speculation tips it as an LTE iPhone, though there’s also talk of an “iPhone Lite” and a UMPC-rivaling Apple Media Pad.  Just to keep us on the very edges of our seats, a fan mockup of the latter managed to make us forget the name and manufacturer of every Windows UMPC on the market from the past two years.

Acer’s Aspire One nettop hit review benches, and proved a mixed bag.  The NVIDIA Ion 1080p-capable GPU is every bit as impressive as we were warned to expect, but it’s let down by the single-core Intel Atom CPU they’ve paired it up with.  Not everyone is disappointed with Atom, however: this stunning Filofax MID concept is based on the low-power Intel chip, while ASRock and Pegatron have both based NVIDIA Ion nettops on the processor.

Meanwhile Acer’s Aspire One 751 11.6-inch netbook launched officially, finally including a full spec list, and Microsoft released Windows 7 RC to MSDN subscribers; the general public can expect the OS RC on May 5th, while Acer tip the full release as happening on October 23rd.  While you’re waiting for that, you can read our review of the AAXA P1 pico-projector; can you see it fitting into your life?  Our A/V expert Daniel Lim wasn’t sure.

Physically, the Touch Diamond2 is larger in all dimensions than the original Diamond: 108 x 53 x 13.7mm for the new handset, versus 102 x 51 x 11.35mm for its predecessor.  It’s also heavier – 117.5g versus 110g – though that’s not noticeable in the hand.  Across the front, under the display, there’s a touch-sensitive scroll strip, under which there are four buttons – send, Windows, back and end (which doubles as home) -  while on top there’s the power/lock button.  The left side has the volume control, while the right is blank; the thin stylus draws out of the lower right-hand corner. 

Round the back there’s the new 5-megapixel camera, and HTC have abandoned the textured finish of the first generation handset for a flat panel.  Underneath there’s HTC’s ExtUSB port, which carries USB 2.0 and audio signals simultaneously but can also be used with a standard mini-USB plug.  Wireless connectivity includes HSDPA (900/2100MHz) and quadband GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900MHz) together with WiFi b/g and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR.

Of course, the extra fascia space is given up to a larger touchscreen, now measuring in at 3.2-inches versus the Diamond’s 2.8, and running at 480 x 800 WVGA resolution compared to VGA.  It’s an excellent screen, bright and crisp, although the LCD panel appears a little more inset from the touchscreen layer than other HTC handsets.  We’ve not noticed any particular usability issue presented by that, however. 

In terms of the underlying OS, both the Touch Diamond and the Diamond2 run the same: Windows Mobile 6.1.  Where the former device debuted HTC’s TouchFLO 3D, though, the Diamond2 brings with it the latest, PeopleCentric version of the GUI.  TouchFLO has gradually evolved from a straightforward skinned launcher to an environment which hides most of WM6.1′s key features.  Where the previous version allowed you to read SMS messages but dropped you into the standard messaging app to reply to them, now there’s a threaded TouchFLO messaging system.  This is part of PeopleCentric: SMS is one tab of each contact record, along with email and call history, showing you what contact you’ve had with that person.

Other aspects, like creating or editing a contact, have had a makeover too.  There’s now a more finger-friendly way to add numbers, photos and basic details to contacts, though anything more complex requires you to hit ‘Advanced’ and drop into the old-fashioned dialog.  HTC have also kept an eye on upgrading the Diamond2 to Windows Mobile 6.5, with the the switch from a ‘home’ to ‘Windows’ key in keeping with the demands of the new OS.  Pressing that – or tapping the on-screen Start icon – now jumps to the Programs pane of TouchFLO 3D, rather than the standard pull-down Start menu.  This is, according to HTC, more in line with WM6.5′s default launcher, though for 6.1 users it takes a little getting used to. 

TouchFLO 3D’s changes have extended to various pop-up alerts and menus, too.  Gone are the standard app menus triggered by the lower-right softkey; they’re now reskinned, better animated, much larger and support kinetic scrolling.  Similarly messages like the power-off warning and alarm alerts have been redesigned, and look far more up-to-date.  A significant difference is in the behavior of the status bar: where tapping that on an HTC device used to call up a pane of buttons, linked to connectivity, battery status and the like, now it summons a single Notifications page.  This has a list of active connections, together with alerts such as New Mail or Missed Call, but confusingly has dropped the battery shortcut.  This was always useful to check battery status mid-charge; you now have to access the gage via the Settings menu, an extra few taps. 

Elsewhere there’s a new search bar in the browser tab of TouchFLO 3D, which saves a tap, and the new Push Internet feature.  This allows you to set up to four different sites which you regularly check, and have the Diamond2 monitor them for you.  That way, even without a data connection you can read the latest version of the site that the Diamond2 cached; you can select how frequently updates are checked for, as well as turn off Push Internet altogether (or off when roaming).  Bear in mind, there’s no way to control how deep into a site’s links the phone will cache; in our experience it’s the page you select and no further, so any outgoing links will require a connection.

Also new is the calendar tab, offering day and month views of appointments.  This is certainly more aesthetically pleasing than Windows Mobile’s standard app, although it lacks either week or year views.  Selecting a date in monthly view flicks over to that day’s full schedule; however creating a new appointment drops you back into the standard dialog, rather than one of the new HTC pages.  We’re a little unclear why HTC spent time making the contact entry form so harmonious with the rest of TouchFLO 3D, only to drop the ball in the calendar.

Other changes are smaller, though no less welcome.  The email tab now has a larger preview window that shows more text than before; a subtle difference, but it makes quickly flicking through your inbox more productive.  The weather tab gains the Touch HD‘s four day forecast running underneath the larger current weather indicator, making good use of the screen’s high resolution.  Incidentally, you can preview all of the excellent weather animations by tapping first to the left and then the right of the Weather title.

In fact, as before there are plenty of neat touches.  The stylus is no longer magnetically latched, having a physical clip instead, but it still wakes the phone when pulled out.  Where the Diamond came with a fixed 4GB of storage and no way to add to that, the Diamond2 has a standard microSD card slot that, while requiring the back cover be removed, can be switched without pulling out the battery.  The connections manager – which allows you to toggle on and off Airplane Mode, the phone, Bluetooth, WiFi, ActiveSync and the data connection – will also now take you into the individual settings for each of those connections if you tap the icons on the left.

There are also, inevitably, some niggling usability flaws.  HTC’s on-screen keyboard now offers more straightforward auto-complete of words – pressing space mid-way through tapping in a word automatically accepts the suggestion – but, in the SMS app at least, no longer auto-capitalizes at the start of a sentence.  It does, though, in the standard Windows Mobile apps.  HTC have also added screen rotation to the WM6.1 Messaging app, a much-requested feature, though it only rotates to the left and showed occasional visual glitches; strangely, the same rotation isn’t possible in HTC’s PeopleCentric version of the app.  Notifications are now redressed in the new TouchFLO 3D style, popping up from the bottom of the screen, but the snooze tab – which in WM6.1 let you choose multiple periods, from a few minutes to several hours – now defaults to just five minutes. 

The touch-sensitive zoom bar seems chronically underused.  While it replaces Opera Mobile 9.5′s on-screen zoom control (as seen on the Touch HD), as well as in the photo viewer, it has no effect on font size or anything we could find elsewhere.  An obvious implementation might have been volume or track-search control in the media player, or paging through the TouchFLO 3D tabs, but sadly not.  Another obvious shortcoming is the absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack; we had hoped HTC had finally seen the light after its inclusion on the Touch HD, but that doesn’t appear to be the case.  Adding insult to injury, HTC don’t include the mini-USB/headphone-jack breakout adapter in the box.

Voice call quality is excellent, much better than the Touch Diamond – which was never particularly a disappointment – with both parties clear and well-balanced, even at low volumes.  Similarly, Bluetooth performance showed little echo, and range was decent enough to have the Diamond2 tucked away in a pocket or bag.  WiFi signal tenacity was on a par with the Touch HD, itself an improvement over the Diamond, though we noticed the occasional delay in connecting.

Image quality from the 5-megapixel camera is similar to that of the Touch HD.  HTC told us at MWC that they realize other manufacturers are ahead of them in camera quality, and that rather than add a flash they preferred to make some more meaningful software tweaks.  There’s perhaps a slight difference to shots taken with the Touch HD, but lighting and simply holding the phone steady are more significant factors.  Snaps are taken quicker than before, though, and the camera app itself loads faster; we miss not having a hardware camera button.

Media playback is unchanged over the Touch HD, with the same tab in TouchFLO 3D and Windows Media Player still lurking in the background if HTC’s own app won’t suffice.  It’s a workable solution, but it’s nowhere near as elegant as you’d find on the iPhone.  For its larger display and standard headphone jack, the Touch HD remains our Windows Mobile media-playback phone of choice.

Overall, though, HTC have moved the Windows Mobile game on with the Touch Diamond2, producing a handset that’s more attractive, more usable and more integrated than those that came before it.  Ironically, the handsets they’ve just bettered are generally their own: sometimes it seems as though HTC are the only Windows Mobile game in town. 

At MWC, the PeopleCentric announcement felt like HTC’s answer to Palm’s Synergy: a more connected way of handling information on a mobile device.  If we’re honest, it can’t quite live up to how Palm webOS manages data, but it’s the best performing data management system on a Windows Mobile device we’ve seen.  The few consistency flaws we’ve run across – which could well be fixed in production firmware – haven’t undermined how useful it can be to isolate conversations on a contact-by-contact basis, and if you’ve been looking for an excuse to tidy up your address book then this is it. 

The HTC Touch Diamond2 is, then, most of what’s best about the Touch HD, with the compact scale of the original Diamond, and the cleverest incarnation of TouchFLO 3D.  That adds up to the best Windows Mobile 6.1 handset on the market, and one which is well-placed for the Windows Mobile 6.5 upgrade later on in 2009. 

Elsewhere, netbooks suffered a hiccup after MSI, ASUS and Acer all apparently saw fewer sales than expected in the first quarter of 2009.  That hasn’t done much to sway the tide of new machines, though, with the Aspire One Pro 531 finally getting official, along with the MSI Wind U100 PLUS.  Toshiba are also getting in on the action, with the Dynabook UX, while Sharp have prompted no small amount of interest with their Mebius NJ70A with its LCD touchscreen trackpad.  Meanwhile we saw the Acer Aspire One 531 unboxed on video, while a review of the ASUS Eee PC 1004DN flagged up the problems Windows XP presents to Intel’s GN40 graphics chipset.

We still can’t get enough of the Viliv S5 MID, and it seems we’re not alone.  Presales for the 4.8-inch touchscreen device kick off on Monday this week, albeit for the non-3G model, and if the reviews are to be believed then it’s a very alluring MID that should find no shortage of buyers.  No such luck for OQO, who have canceled all pre-orders for their Model 2+ UMPC.

If OQO’s struggles weren’t bad enough, SlashGear favorite Ugobe have also hit some unsurmountable trouble.  The Pleo-makers have filed for bankruptcy, leaving the robodino’s alluring IP up for grabs by the highest bidder.

Elsewhere, MSI’s X-Slim X340 ultraportable finally got an official price-tag, though we’re sad to see it missing its sub-$1000 predictions and instead coming in at $1,099.99.  To make up for the disappointment, someone promptly opened up their X340 to reveal compact components and a surprising amount of masking tape.

Don’t forget, SlashGear is giving away a year’s subscription to Slacker Radio Plus to one lucky reader.  Head over to this forum thread to find out more, plus details on how you can answer (hint: it’s very, very simple); entries will be accepted up until the end of the month.  Good luck!

HTC Touch Diamond2 unboxing video after the cut

As well as the larger display, the Touch Diamond2 also gets a 5-megapixel autofocus camera, new touch-strip zoom control, reworked buttons (to fit in with Windows Mobile 6.5) and a flat rear panel rather than its predecessor’s faceted back.  In terms of software, HTC have given TouchFLO 3D greater depth, with more interaction between contacts, calendar and messaging; it’s not quite Palm webOS’ Synergy, but it promises to be a big step up from native Windows Mobile.

We’ll have the full review of the HTC Touch Diamond2 very soon, but until then enjoy the unboxing video below and the gallery of hands-on photos.  We’ve thrown in the first-gen HTC Touch Diamond, together with the HTC Touch HD, to put the new Diamond2 into perspective.

Update: There’s also a leather slip-case hiding in the box, which we didn’t spot in the video; you can see a photo of it in the gallery below.  Also, HTC tell us that the packaging is not final, but shouldn’t differ too much from what you see here.

The Touch Diamond2 features a 3.2-inch touchscreen with a 480 x 800 resolution. Other features include a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus and touch-sensitive zoom and an 8GB memory card.

TouchFLO received some updates as well including Push Internet. Data is covered by 3G on a 7.2Mbps HSDPA or Wi-Fi. Following the Taiwanese release this month, the HTC Touch Diamond2 will be released in Europe in the spring and in the U.S. in the summer. Pricing is expected to be NT$21,900, which is the equivalent of $647 USD.

Update: Video now added – and in HD!

To recap on the specs, the HTC Touch Pro2 has a 3.6-inch 480 x 800 WVGA resistive touchscreen, dualband 3G/HSDPA, WiFi b/g and Bluetooth 2.0, together with GPS, a 3.2-megapixel camera with autofocus and a touch-sensitive zoom control.  There’s also a slide-out five row QWERTY keyboard, and the display tilts up and can be positioned at any angle across its range.

The Pro2 uses a 528MHz processor, like the Diamond2, and has 512MB of ROM and 288MB of RAM; onboard storage can be augmented with a microSD card.  In addition there’s an FM radio and accelerometer, together with HTC’s latest version of TouchFLO 3D, and a new dual-speaker, dual-microphone speakerphone.

To understand the key differences to HTC TouchFLO 3D, check out the Diamond2 demo video.  Software across both devices is the same, with greater integration between the different GUI tabs: you can now do more communicating – whether by voice, email or IM – without dropping into Windows Mobile,

The obvious hardware difference is the physical QWERTY keyboard.  Eric told me that the Pro2 was in no small part prompted by user requests for a handset with the display of the Touch HD but the keyboard of the HTC Kaiser.  The end result is a very impressive input offering, with large, well laid-out keys that have decent travel and good tactile response. 

Less obvious, but also impressive, is the integrated speakerphone technology.  HTC have given the Pro2 dual microphones and dual speakers, which, together with some home-grown DSP software, Eric assures us gives the best audio quality on a smartphone to-date.  Turning the Pro2 screen-down onto the table automatically kicks in the speakerphone; there’s a small pause while the DSP works its magic, and then we’re told it’s crystal clear.  That wasn’t something we had an opportunity to try in the demo, but we’ve high hopes for it; not only might it make impromptu conference calls easy, it could also be useful in a car when you don’t want to wear a Bluetooth hands-free.  There’s also a dedicated mute button underneath the camera.

Like the Diamond2 compared to the original Diamond, the Pro2 will get a larger standard battery than the first Pro; Eric estimated two days between charges, even with regular use.  Being further down the roadmap than the Diamond2 though – the Pro2 is due in the second half of 2009, while the Diamond2 should land in Q2 – there’s more work to be done finessing the larger device.  HTC are still flushing out the last bugs, but of most interest to us is Eric’s promise that the final build will be faster and more responsive.  That’s something to bear in mind when you’re watching the demo video: the Pro2 you’ll be able to hold in your hands will be another degree slicker than the pre-production unit I looked at today.

If I had any grumble about the Touch Pro2, it’s the smartphone’s balance.  When opened up, and sat on a table, touching the display can cause the device to rock backward; to get around it you have to support the back with your fingers, or steady the base.  It’s not a deal-breaker, by any means, but it’s a mild frustration all the same.

For those addicted to messaging, the HTC Touch Pro2 could just be their fingers’ salvation.  They keyboard really is that good, and HTC’s improvements to TouchFLO 3D turn what started out as an attractive launcher into a real GUI alternative to Windows Mobile.  We’ll have to wait until our full review device arrives before we can make any real conclusions, but just like the Touch Diamond2 we’ve got very high hopes.

Update: Video now added – in HD!

To recap the specs, the Touch Diamond2 has a 32.-inch 480 x 800 WVGA resistive touchscreen, dualband 3G/HSDPA, WiFi b/g, Bluetooth and GPS, together with a 5-megapixel camera, FM radio and accelerometer.  There’s 512MB ROM and 288MB RAM, together with a touch-sensitive zoom bar and microSD port, all in a package 107.85 x 53.1 x 13.7mm in size and 117.5g in weight.

In terms of physical design, the one of the more obvious changes from the original Diamond is the newly-flattened back panel.  According to Eric, customer feedback didn’t score as highly as HTC themselves felt about the faceted design, and as such the phone is flat – and also sits flat on a table.  Up front there are four hardware keys – send and end, Windows and back – while there are volume controls along the top left side and a lock key on top.

HTC have used the two new Touch smartphones to debut the latest version of TouchFLO 3D.  There’s now greater integration between different tabs, so that you can for instance go into a recent contact, immediately see emails and IMs you’ve exchanged, and trigger any of a number of responses.  It’s much easier to watch and understand than it is to explain in text, hence our hands-on demo video.

Something we’ve certainly wondered about is what difference users will notice after the transition from Windows Mobile 6.1 to 6.5, especially given the latter’s more obvious changes are in the launcher and new lock screen.  According to Eric, the device will offer the choice of using the new Microsoft GUI or the existing TouchFLO 3D GUI; otherwise there’ll be little obvious difference.  HTC had no real input into Microsoft’s GUI development; when I suggested that this might be to the detriment of both companies, in terms of time and duplicated effort, Eric countered that in fact HTC see it as offering greater flexibility to the end-user rather than a one-size-fits-all product.

What HTC have done, in fact, is design the Touch Diamond2 with 6.5 in mind.  There’s a Windows flag key, just as required for the new version, and even in 6.1 it now calls up the TouchFLO 3D Programs menu, rather than the drop-down Start menu, to preview what 6.5 users will see with the new launcher.  As for the upgrade process, according to Eric it will be “as simple as flashing a new ROM”; whether that’s something most Windows Mobile users have ever done, we might argue with, but we imagine there’ll be a more streamlined upgrade path once the new OS arrives.

Headed for a Q2 2009 release, the Diamond2 will still get some fettling before its launch.  That should make it even faster, though I noticed very little lag in the pre-production unit today.  The touchscreen is even better than that on the Touch HD, which if you’ve read our review you’ll know was a revelation in resistive panels; when I asked HTC about this, they told me that they’re at a point where they can produce resistive and capacitive touchscreens with pretty much the same responsiveness and finger-feel.  Therefore the decision goes beyond simply technology, and instead asks which is the right panel for the implementation; since Windows Mobile is not fully finger-friendly, that means a resistive display is the obvious choice.

Also carried over from the Touch HD are the camera and optics, a 5-megapixel unit with autofocus but no flash.  Rather than change the hardware, HTC have tweaked the software to improve quality; we discussed the absence of a flash, but according to Eric the company believes it can make a bigger difference at this point by refining code rather than anything else.  HTC admit that, thanks to their enterprise background, they’re playing catch-up in some consumer functionality, such as imaging, so they prioritized their development as to what would make the biggest difference in the timescale available.  We’ll have to wait and see what image quality is like, but taking a shot was certainly quicker than it was on the Touch HD.

Overall, it’s hard not to like the HTC Touch Diamond2.  The screen quality is superb, and we imagine the Diamond2 will make for a great media player during your downtime.  The latest incarnation of TouchFLO 3D might not match the interconnected intelligence of Palm’s webOS Synergy, but it’s finally more than a glorified launcher and you can now do many common tasks without dropping into Windows Mobile.  It’s still pretty rare to see a device in which the software usability has been as well developed as the spec sheet.  We’ll obviously save our final judgement until we get the HTC Touch Diamond2 in to review – it’s expected in around a month, HTC tell us – but we’re already confident that it’ll be a strong performer.

Full hands-on gallery with both HTC handsets, the Touch Diamond2 and the Touch Pro2, after the cut

Despite running Windows Mobile 6.1 at launch – they’re expected to hit the market before 6.5 is available, though HTC will offer all buyers before that point a free upgrade once the new OS is available, HTC’s updates to TouchFLO 3D go some way to disguising the less than ideal platform.  Particularly impressive is the new level of integration between software – contacts, calendar, location and media such as photos – with less app-hopping required to carry out typical tasks or locate contact-related information.  We particularly like the links between email and contacts; you can pull up a list of recent messages from someone calling, allowing you to check correspondence while still on a call.

The Diamond2 is a huge improvement over the original Diamond, keeping the slim form-factor and high-resolution display, but cranking up the panel size so that it’s now even more usable without the stylus.  Although it still uses a resistive touchscreen, HTC have obviously learnt from the Touch HD feedback and used a glass backplate to minimize touch-panel flex.  It’s still not quite as zero-pressure usable as a capacitive panel, but sweeping between tabs in TouchFLO 3D is easier than ever; we’d say it’s one of the best resistive panels we’ve encountered.  We didn’t have a chance to shoot images with the new, 5-megapixel autofocus camera – HTC are still tweaking it prior to the smartphone’s launch – but we’ve got reasonable hopes assuming it uses a similar sensor to the HD.

As for the Touch Pro2, it’s obviously bigger to accommodate the slide-out keyboard, but we’re glad to see the tilting display making a return to HTC’s portfolio.  Unlike the Nokia N97, the Pro2′s display can be adjusted for angle, which makes longer typing sessions far more flexible.  The keys themselves are very comfortable and have great typing feel, and that’s been paired with a screen that’s just as impressive as that on the Diamond2 in terms of tactile feedback, and even larger in terms of screen-estate.  This could well be the executive’s best friend once it hits the market; we’ll need more time with it for a full review, obviously, but so far we’re impressed and Windows Mobile 6.5 will make it even more compelling.

Best of all, both devices feel like they’re in far more of a market-ready state than, say, the Samsung Omnia HD.  That’s a good thing, as they’ll be on the market relatively soon too: the HTC Touch Diamond2 is expected in Q2 2009, while the HTC Touch Pro2 will follow early in the Summer.  We’re hoping to get review devices in asap.

We’ve got live video of both devices that needs editing and processing; we’ll add it as soon as it’s done.  Until then, enjoy the gallery!

Each handset also has the TouchFLO 3D GUI, 3G, WiFi b/g and Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP stereo wireless. The Touch Diamond2 has a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus, while the Touch Pro2 has a 3.2-megapixel camera with autofocus.

The HTC Touch Diamond2 will be available in European and Asian markets in early Q2 2009 with broader global availability coming later in the year. The Touch Pro2 will be available across major global markets beginning in early summer. No word on prices as yet.

Press Release:

new HTC Touch Diamond2 and HTC Touch Pro2 SIGNAL a new wave in communication

New phones simplify information access with HTC Push Internet and unify personal communication with single-view contact integration

BARCELONA ó Feb 16, 2009 ó HTC Corporation, a global designer of mobile phones, today unveiled two new flagship devices, the HTC Touch Diamond2??and HTC Touch Pro2?. Integrating innovative simplicity with unique style and an intuitive interface, the devices balance function, form and cutting-edge technology to personalize the communication and mobile Internet experience.

ìThe HTC Touch Pro2 and HTC Touch Diamond2 introduce a mobile communication experience that simplifies how we communicate with people in our lives whether through voice, text or email,î said Peter Chou, president and CEO, HTC Corp. ìHTC is delivering the latest, cutting-edge sophistication in a broad portfolio of mobile phones that improve how people live, work and communicate.î

HTC TouchFLO 3D Integrated with Windows Mobile
The HTC Touch Diamond2 and HTC Touch Pro2 utilize HTCís latest TouchFLO 3D interface. TouchFLO 3D has been more deeply integrated into a customized version of Windows Mobile 6.1 to deliver more consistency throughout Windows Mobile applications and menus. Focused on making navigation easier and more intuitive, TouchFLO 3D brings important information to the top-level user interface, including quick access to people, messaging, email, photos, music and weather. As part of this improved Windows Mobile integration the touch focus areas have been enlarged to be more finger-touch friendly.

BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER
With the HTC Touch Diamond2 and HTC Touch Pro2, HTC is introducing a new people-centric communication approach, providing a single contact view that displays the individual conversation history of contacts regardless of whether voice, text or email were used. This can be viewed from the contact card or the in-call screen during a phone conversation, ensuring the latest communication contact-by-contact is always at hand.

SIMPLIFYING HOW PEOPLE ACCESS THEIR INFORMATION
Continuing its commitment to making the mobile Internet easier and more enjoyable, the HTC Touch Diamond2 and HTC Touch Pro2 introduce HTCís Push Internet technology. HTC Push Internet alleviates slow downloading and rendering of Web pages on a mobile phone. Users can preselect their favorite Websites to get immediate access to them when needed.

HTC Touch Diamond2
The HTC Touch Diamond2 is the next step in the evolution of the successful HTC Touch Diamond. Crafted to fit perfectly into the hand, the Touch Diamond2 evolves the compact design and iconic style of the original HTC Touch Diamond. It incorporates a larger 3.2-inch high-resolution wide-screen VGA display for a greater viewing area in a design just 13.7mm thick. The phone also includes a new touch sensitive zoom bar for even faster zooming of Web pages, emails, text messages, photos or documents.

Leveraging HTCís TouchFLO 3D experience combined with a people-centric communication approach and HTCís new Push Internet technology The Touch Diamond2 offers an advanced touch experience that is optimized for one-hand use.

With fifty-percent better battery life, a five mega-pixel auto focus camera, expandable memory, gravity sensor and an ambient light sensor, the Touch Diamond2 brings the most sophisticated capabilities to a broad consumer audience looking for the professional benefits of a smartphone without sacrificing size, looks or functionality.

HTC TOUCH PRO2
Designed for business professionals, the HTC Touch Pro2 is architected with distinct style and strength while delivering the most powerful productivity experience available on a mobile phone. Leveraging HTCís TouchFLO 3D, people-centric communication and Push Internet technology, the Touch Pro2 features a high-resolution 3.6-inch widescreen VGA display for an expanded viewing area and large finger-friendly QWERTY keyboard. With improved battery life, expandable memory, a touch-sensitive zoom bar as well as gravity, proximity and ambient light sensors, the Touch Pro2 is optimized for touch as well as heavy email use.

Introducing HTC Straight Talk? for HTC Touch Pro2
The new HTC Touch Pro2 leverages voice in a new way to create one of the most sophisticated communication experiences found on a mobile phone. † HTCís new Straight Talk technology delivers an integrated email, voice and speakerphone experience. Users can transition seamlessly from email to single or multi-party conference calls and turn any location into a conference room.

In addition to the new simplified calling experience, Straight Talk includes an innovative mechanical and acoustic design that features a sophisticated speakerphone experience similar to those found in corporate boardrooms. Straight Talk delivers a high-fidelity voice and sound experience enhanced by asymmetric speakers and advanced noise suppression with full duplex acoustics. When the Touch Pro2 is flipped over it automatically turns into a conference room speakerphone system.

Availability
The HTC Touch Diamond2 will be available to customers across major European and Asian markets in early Q2 2009 with broader global availability coming later in the year. The Touch Pro2 will be available across major global markets beginning in early summer.