The Best of R3 Media

HTC EVO 4G Best Buy Pricing Leaked: But, only kind of. Yeah, this is about as big a rumor as it gets, but it’s worthy of mentioning because we think it’d be some amazing pricing if it turns out to be true. According to one Darrin Morton, who went into a Best Buy looking for any additional information he could find about the 4G handset, he was told by an employee that the device would cost $199 with a new, two-year contract. We imagine he got a lot more than he bargained for. If this turns out to be true, it’s pretty exciting. If not, well, we wouldn’t be all that surprised. Then again, Best Buy doesn’t use mail-in rebates, so that’s probably something to take note of. [via Android Community]

Apple iPad 3G+WiFi Heading to Best Buy April 30th, Too: If you don’t like your stores all that shiny and bright (like, the Apple Stores), then you’ll be happy to know that you’ll be able to find your next tablet purchase in your regular electronics store come April 30th. Best Buy will officially be carrying the magical and revolutionary device as well, but obviously only if they have an Apple shop inside. Good news for people who like options, that’s for sure. [via Everything iPad]

HTC Triumph Appears in Internal Inventory: And we have no idea what it is. We’d love to tell you that we’re in on the big secret from HTC, but we’re not. They’ve got this one under lock and key, apparently, because it seems to be confusing quite a few folks. Sure, a white version of the HTC Touch Pro2 is cool in of itself, but this may be even better. And we don’t even know what it looks like, or if it’s technically worth our time. Strange how unknown things get our attention, right? [via SlashPhone]

The Dredge Net

Post-It Gun is Great Way to Spread Post-Its: Ever felt like you’ve never been able to hand out post-it notes fast enough? We know the feeling. But, thanks to a designer by the name of Alex Marshall, we may never have to worry about that again. And, what’s better, is that it looks awesome. Sure, you might not want to take it out of the office all that often, but why would you want to do that, anyway? Also, it comes in two color variations: contrast and steampunk, and we love them both. Just hold the trigger and your notes will keep shooting out to your heart’s content. Awesome, right? [via Yanko Design]

MacBook Pro i7 Gets Hot Under the Collar: When you’re using your laptop, you know, on your lap, you don’t want it to melt your pants off. It’s generally not good for anyone. So, maybe getting your hands on the new MacBook Pros, with the Core i7 inside, isn’t the best way to spend your money. According to some Cinebench tests run on the machines, they managed to break the 100 degree mark. Compared to some Fujitsu notebooks running the same components, which ran 20 degrees cooler more often than not. Some pretty impressive numbers, but maybe not the ones that Apple were looking for. [via 9to5 Mac]

HTC Being Sued for Visual Voicemail: Apparently it’s that time of the year where everyone has to sue everyone else. They must all have the itch or something. This time around, it’s HTC being sued by Judah Klausner, which is actually just him adding HTC to a growing list of big phone makers infringing on patents of technology that relate to visual voicemail. According to Klausner, the MyTouch 3G is one of those devices that uses the Klausner patented technologies to display voicemail in the visual way. Also included are Motorola and Research In Motion, and they’ve actually won against Apple and LG, so we’ll have to see how this goes. [via Reuters]

Video demo after the cut

PocketNow booted up their test Pro2 with the new ROM to put it through its paces, and shot the demo video you can see below.  There’s no lag and the Android build takes advantage of the WVGA touchscreen.

Now, we made no bones about our appreciation for the Touch Pro2 when we reviewed it back in 2009, with an excellent hardware keyboard and sturdy build quality only really let down by the native Windows Mobile OS.  Load up Android, however, and the experience is a lot more interesting; in fact this could be the best keyboard on an (albeit unofficial) Android handset to date.

[via Android Community]

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 new price brings Sprint in line with Verizon, who also offer the Pro2.  Some buyers who have already picked up the Sprint handset within the past 30 days are reporting that Sprint customer care have refunded them the difference between their purchase price and the new price.

[via Boy Genius Report]

Said spec-sheet includes a 3.6-inch WVGA touchscreen, WiFi b/g, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR with A2DP stereo support and both EVDO Rev.A and 2100MHz HSDPA cellular data for global use.  There’s also HTC’s nifty dual-microphone speakerphone, a 3.5mm headphones jack and a microSD card slot to augment the 512MB ROM.

GPS and a chunky battery capable of up to 5.3hrs of CDMA talktime or 13.5 days of standby round out the major specs.  The Verizon HTC Touch Pro2 will go on sale from this Friday, priced at $199.99 following a $100 rebate and assuming you’re willing to sign two years of your life away on a voice+email or email data plan.

There’s no indication of what the two Palm devices might be, at least not on Verizon’s database, but it’s not the first time we’ve seen similar product codes mentioned.  The Sprint Palm Pre, for instance, was codenamed the P100, so it seems eminently possible that the P101 is Verizon’s version of the webOS smartphone.  That could suggest that the Palm P121 is Verizon’s Palm Eos, the candybar QWERTY smartphone we saw leaked earlier in the year.

Also fresh to the inventory is the Verizon Convoy U640, a somewhat more mundane device than the other five.  No pricing or launch dates, unfortunately, but at least confirmation that there’s some interesting telephony on the horizon.

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]

That’s on top of a voice tariff, of course, the cheapest of which is $29.99 per month.  T-Mobile are offering either unlimited smartphone web access alone, for $24.99 per month, or unlimited web with unlimited messaging (SMS, MMS, IM and personal email) for $34.99.

Add that all up, plus the $35 activation fee, and you’re looking at $1,704.51 over the course of two years.  In fact that works out a little cheaper – around $200 – than a 16GB iPhone 3GS on AT&T with the minimum contracts, but even so it’s a hefty price for what will likely see a price tumble once Sprint’s CDMA version hits shelves on October 26th.

First off, the CDMA HTC Touch Pro2 is expected to arrive imminently on Verizon, hopefully with the 3.5mm headset jack as seen on its Telus counterpart.  The existing Touch Pro has dropped from $419 to $99.

Secondly, the BlackBerry Storm 2 is expected to be the next, big smartphone to land, though that’s not predicted to happen before November 2009.  The Storm 2 is tipped to correct many of the issues users had with RIM’s unique click-through capacitive touchscreen, as well as adding WiFi.

[via wmpoweruser]

There’s also a 3.2-megapixel autofocus camera, GPS, Bluetooth and HTC’s TouchFLO 3D to make Windows Mobile 6.1 more palatable.  There’s no word on whether T-Mobile USA will be offering an upgrade to WM6.5 once then new OS becomes available later in the year; the Touch Pro2 has the correct buttons for it, but the carrier has not commented.

Unfortunately, unlike with its CDMA cousin HTC have not retro-fitted this particular Touch Pro2 with a standard 3.5mm headphone socket.  The T-Mobile HTC Touch Pro2 will be available in the US from August 12th, in the somewhat unappealing “mocha” color.

Press Release:

T-Mobile USA Debuts HTC Touch Pro2 in the U.S.

New Tilting Touchscreen Device Available to T-Mobile Customers in mid-August

Bellevue, Wash. — July 29, 2009 — T-Mobile USA, Inc., and HTC Corp. today announced the upcoming availability of the HTC Touch Pro2™, a powerful, stylish device with an intuitive touch screen and user interface that enables customers to simplify their communication and mobile Internet experience while staying connected, informed and in control of work and life. The device will be available in a mocha finish to T-Mobile customers beginning Aug. 12.

Enabled for T-Mobile’s expanding high-speed 3G network and Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g), the HTC Touch Pro2 offers fast data delivery and an enhanced Web-browsing experience along with popular features such as built-in GPS and location-based services. Featuring a 3.6-inch color WVGA touchscreen that slides back and tilts up to reveal a full-QWERTY keyboard, the screen is perfectly positioned for reading and creating e-mail, browsing the Web, using applications, and playing videos and games. A 3.2 megapixel camera with auto focus also provides customers with an easy way to capture and share high-quality images and video as well as view that content on the crisp display.

The HTC Touch Pro2 also offers an efficient way for customers to manage their daily lives, whether at work or play. A single contact view displays the individual conversation history regardless of whether voice, text or e-mail was used. The HTC Touch Pro2 also includes Straight Talk technology, an integrated e-mail, voice and speakerphone experience that provides a simple way to respond to e-mail via a call, allows organizing conference calls from group e-mail, and makes it easy to turn any location into a conference room. Straight Talk delivers a high-fidelity voice and sound experience enhanced by asymmetric speakers and advanced noise suppression with full-duplex acoustics.

HTC’s latest TouchFLO 3D interface is deeply integrated into a customized version of Windows Mobile 6.1 to deliver maximum consistency throughout Windows Mobile applications and menus. This makes it easy for customers to view, edit and update Microsoft documents, conveniently access calendars and manage to-do lists. Access to Microsoft Voice Command also simplifies locating contacts in the address book, making phone calls, getting calendar information, playing music and starting programs. The HTC Touch Pro2 is also stereo Bluetooth® capable.

“This summer, many people are balancing summer vacations and time away from the office with the pressures of the workplace,” said Travis Warren, director, product marketing, T-Mobile USA. “We are pleased to announce the HTC Touch Pro2, a uniquely designed device that will help customers manage their day-to-day activities, whether they are in the office or working from an airport, the local playground or the car.”

“The HTC Touch Pro2 offers the most powerful productivity experience available on a mobile phone, while also delivering unparalleled elegance in both its exterior and user interface design,” said Jason Mackenzie, vice president of HTC America. “HTC and T-Mobile have a history of introducing groundbreaking products, and this collaboration continues with the debut of this highly anticipated device to the U.S. market.”
The new HTC Touch Pro2 is expected to be available nationwide in mid-August at T-Mobile retail stores, select authorized dealers and online at http://www.T-Mobile.com.

For information where T-Mobile 3G service is available or to see T-Mobile’s Personal Coverage Check tool, please visit http://www.T-Mobile.com/Coverage.

Video after the cut

The CDMA version of the smartphone will therefore work with both HTC’s standard ExtUSB headset as well as any other 3.5mm hands-free headset or plain headphones.  It’s seemingly part of HTC’s plan to put a 3.5mm audio socket on all of its upcoming devices, though we didn’t expect them to start with a phone already available in other markets.

Otherwise, aside from the CDMA radio, the smartphone is the same as the Touch Pro2 we reviewed earlier in the month.  No word on specific release date in Canada as yet, nor when it might make it south to Verizon in the US.

[via WMExperts]

In the box there’s the Pro2 itself, a spare stylus, wired stereo handsfree kit, a case with magnetic closure (though no belt clip or loop), a USB to ExtUSB cable and an AC power adapter. Our full unboxing video is further down the page; you can find our first-impressions with the Pro2 here. In terms of connectivity there’s 900/2100MHz HSPA/WCDMA and quadband 850/900/1800/1900MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE, together with WiFi b/g and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR with A2DP support.

HTC’s hardware keyboards have won no small number of fans over the past few years, and we were relieved to find that the Pro2 certainly delivers on that count. The screen section clicks out with a firm, solid slide, revealing a well-spaced QWERTY layout. As well as a dedicated number row there are shortcuts for messaging, SMS, internet and the wireless connection manager. Key travel is good – for a portable keyboard – with a quiet though tactile click leaving no confusion as to whether a button has been pressed. The whole ‘board is backlit, and despite the metal trim on the screen bezel the weight balance in your hands is excellent.

In a welcome comeback from earlier devices, the Pro2′s display also tilts once it is fully-opened, up to around 45-degrees from the horizontal. There’s a little wobble in the friction-fit hinges, though the display itself stays put no matter how long it’s extended. Here, though, the weight balance of the Pro2 is not quite ideal, with the smartphone having a tendency to rock back slightly as the curved back-plate and heavy screen section make themselves known.

The other controls pale in comparison to the keyboard, with the main row of four under the screen – call, Windows, back and end-call – small and with hard to read legends. As with the Diamond2, sandwiched between display and keys is a touch-sensitive zoom bar, used in the Pro2′s browser and image viewer. It allowed for a less-jerky zoom than we found the Diamond2 capable of, though we’d still like to see it implemented in more apps. Why can’t we slide through tabs in TouchFLO 3D with the zoom bar, enlarge text in the messaging app or fast-forward through media playback?

As for the screen, at 3.6-inches that gains a welcome 0.4-inches over the Diamond2 (though is still 0.2-inches less than the Touch HD) with the same WVGA 800 x 480 resolution. Colors are bright and well-saturated, and the active backlighting – which adjusts brightness in accordance to ambient conditions – seems to have more scope for change than on previous HTC phones we’ve used. The Pro2 uses a resistive touchscreen, which will obviously have its detractors among the capacitive-camp. In this case it requires a firm touch or tap, harder than on the Diamond2, and lacks some of the glass-like stiffness of the Touch HD. One side-effect of this is that you’ll have to support the back of the phone while tapping the folded-upright screen, otherwise it rocks backward. Still, it proved accurate and usable, as well as reluctant to accidentally respond when held to the face during calls.

Call quality often gets dumped to the bottom of a smartphone review, with other, glossier features getting the attention. In the case of the Touch Pro2, however, it deserves equal billing: this is an excellent device for voice calls. The earpiece is full-bodied and clear, while the microphone does an excellent job; callers had no problem hearing us. HTC have also included their latest speakerphone technology, “Straight Talk”, activated by flipping the phone face-down. Do that, and the Pro2′s speakers and dual microphone array click into action, using noise-cancellation technology to maximize sound quality. Cellphone speakerphones often turn out better suited to acting as a music loudspeaker than for hands-free calls, but the Pro2 does an admirable job keeping things clear and very loud. Meanwhile software tweaks make adding participants into conference calls is far quicker than on rival handsets, while taking part in third-party calls (admittedly not something we do that often) has its own dedicated scheduler with time and PIN reminders together with an on-screen “call” button. The oversized volume controls are easily accessible, and there’s a handy microphone-mute button just below the camera.

As for that camera, it comes in at 3.2-megapixels with autofocus but no flash. Like earlier HTC cameras, you can selectively focus by tapping a point on the preview screen; shots are taken relatively quickly, and there are a range of settings – white balance, exposure, etc – that can be tweaked, together with basic effects such as sepia and negative. Image quality didn’t impress as much as with other recent HTC handsets, looking a little more grainy than we’ve come to expect, while video shows the usual cameraphone proclivity to blurring and smearing when shooting fast-moving subjects. Unlike other platforms, Windows Mobile lacks any sort of quick-upload feature for either stills or video footage, something we wish HTC had carried over from their Android devices as part of TouchFLO 3D.

What you do get with TouchFLO 3D is a far more integrated Windows Mobile experience than on any other Microsoft-based device – bar the Diamond2 – to date. Contacts are linked into recent calls, messages and emails, while the calendar gets promoted to its own homescreen tab. There’s still the occasional Windows Mobile 6.1 dialog – adding a new calendar entry, for instance, or if you want to load anything but the most basic contact details to the address book – but this latest iteration of TouchFLO 3D is the best yet at hiding the ugly underlying platform. In fact, it’s not even Windows Mobile 6.5 that presents the most challenge to TouchFLO 3D: it’s HTC’s own Sense UI as seen on the recently-announced HTC Hero Android smartphone. HTC have already admitted that Sense as on the Hero is the culmination of three years of TouchFLO development, and we’re hopeful that this new platform returns the favor and hands back some of the gloss to upcoming Windows Mobile devices.

Internet access on the Pro2 is courtesy of Opera Mobile, and as ever it’s a slick method of browsing. The same push-page system as on the Diamond2 – where you can have the smartphone cache recent versions of a webpage on a preset schedule, for speedy access even without a connection – is present, while the Google search box is on the internet tab in TouchFLO 3D thus cutting out an extra tap. Considering its proficiency, some of the standard settings for Opera are confusing; we’d suggest increasing the number of simultaneous tabs from the default three, together with changing the “minimum overview zoom” figure under “Adaptive Zoom” to 70 to 100-percent. The latter will allow you to select links without having to zoom in first, something eminently possible with the Pro2′s expansive display.

The Pro2 also has GPS, which works as you’d expect from previous smartphones. Google Maps with Latitude support, satellite views and directions is pre-installed, while the QuickGPS app is used to speed up satellite acquisition times. We found the phone a little slower than others to fix its position, and the tougher touchscreen made smooth map panning a little trickier, but the hardware keyboard made tapping in addresses far quicker than trying to do so on-screen (especially when trying to walk at the same time).

Media functionality isn’t the focus of the Pro2, but that doesn’t mean it’s incapable. As well as the usual Windows Mobile media player there’s HTC’s own audio and video playback, together with a decent range of supported formats. AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, AMR-NB, AMR-WB, QCP, MP3, WMA, WAV, MIDI and M4A audio is accommodated, as is WMV, ASF, MP4, 3GP, 3G2, M4V and AVI video. The Pro2 actually makes for a neat desktop video player, with the tilting screen ideal for hands-free viewing; it’s also compatible with HTC’s TV Out cable, meaning you can pump out footage (or, if you want to stick it on expenses, PowerPoint presentations) to a TV or projector. Sadly there’s no such cable included in the box, while another odd omission is the FM radio you find on the Diamond2. HTC have been accused of failing to software-enable an otherwise present FM radio module on previous handsets, so we’re not sure whether this is a technical limitation or a case of jaded product positioning.

The Pro2 isn’t without flaws, and one of the most frustrating is the lack of a 3.5mm headset socket. HTC still maintain that this is reserved for their consumer range of devices, but in our experience business customers are just as likely to want to plug in a wired hands-free kit of their choice (or enjoy a few MP3s on the commute into work) as anybody else. The omission is compounded by the fact that HTC don’t bundle the ExtUSB-to-3.5mm-jack adapter with the Pro2, a miserly touch considering this is effectively their Windows Mobile flagship. The included headset is reasonable, but only in terms of what you might typically find bundled in with a smartphone.

Perhaps the missing socket is a casualty of space shortages, but the upshot to that isn’t a compact handset. At 116 x 59.2 x 17.25 mm (4.57 x 2.33 x 0.68 inches) and 187.5g (6.61oz) this is a hefty chunk of smartphone; you can carry it in a front trouser pocket, certainly, but you’ll definitely know it’s there. HTC have attempted to save some weight with a plastic back cover, but it ends up being the cheapest-feeling aspect of the Pro2 and frustratingly can’t be easily removed without first whipping out the stylus. At least the microSD card slot is accessible without then needing to remove the battery.

That battery needs to share some of the weight blame, being a considerable 1,500mAh Li-Ion pack. HTC quote up to 510 minutes GSM talktime (390 WCDMA) or up to 500hrs GSM standby (750 WCDMA) and the Pro2 can certainly stand up to some heavy use. Left to its own devices it happily sat for a full week in standby, chewing through less than half its charge, while over the course of two days of heavy internet and messaging (over 3G and WiFi) with occasional short calls it still had power to spare at the end. If you’re regularly let down by the runtime on your iPhone, Palm Pre or T-Mobile G1, it’s safe to say the Touch Pro2 will prove a revelation.

Target market for the Pro2, then, is clear. Windows Mobile’s excellent integration with enterprise-friendly Exchange servers, together with the phone’s strong voice call support, lag-free Qualcomm MSM7200A 528MHz processor and capacious 512MB ROM (with 288MB RAM) add up to a resolute business device that should also satisfy the heavy-duty message addict. The QWERTY keyboard on the Pro2 is among the best we’ve tested on a mobile device, and if you do as much email sending on your smartphone as you read messages then you’ll likely find your productivity gets a welcome kick.

The payoff to all that functionality is the heft of the device and the overly-sensible Windows Mobile operating system. TouchFLO 3D does its best job to date of hiding the aging platform, but we’re very much looking forward to seeing WM6.5 make its appearance. Similarly, while resistive touchscreen technology may have come on in leaps and bounds from its spongy heydays, we’d still love to see some of HTC’s capacitive magic from their Android range cross over to their Windows Mobile line-up.

Lengthy battery life, broad functionality and a surfeit of input methods win the day, however, for the HTC Touch Pro2. Handsome, though perhaps lacking the instant style-appeal of Apple or Palm’s latest devices, it’s a solid business buy and a strong contender for anybody prioritizing text-entry when mobile.

If Apple isn’t your choice of platform, then we also unboxed HTC’s new flagship Windows Mobile smartphone, the Touch Pro2.  A slide-out QWERTY keyboard, huge touchscreen and more connectivity than you could legitimately ask for, we’ll have the full review this coming week. 

Meanwhile, we also reviewed Amazon’s latest ebook reader, the 9.7-inch Kindle DX.  Aimed at students, newspaper & magazine addicts and businesses, the big question is whether it offers a realistic leap over the Kindle 2 that’s around $100 cheaper.  Finally, we featured our review of Sleek Audio’s CT6 Custom earphones, individually molded to the wearer’s ear-canal and promising tailored audio. 

Elsewhere, we saw the Palm Pre jailbroken and running Doom, heard a glowing review of the Viliv X70 UMPC, and saw leaked details of Intel’s upcoming Atom CPU range.  There were also hands-on videos of Pixel Qi’s incredible 3Qi low-power display, leaked photos of Sony Ericsson’s XPERIA X2, and confirmation that the Nokia N97 and N86 8MP were both arriving in stores across America.  Archos also held their long-awaited press conference, sadly not delivering the Android MID we’d been promised but dropping the Windows 7 Archos 9 UMPC instead.

Video unboxing after the cut

First impressions of the HTC Touch Pro2 are good; it’s a solid, weighty phone (the full specifications say 178.5g) and not exactly small at 116 x 59.2 x 16.65mm, but it feels well made and sturdy.  The metal screen bezel is a nice design element, though we’re glad to see the rear panel is matte rather than the fingerprint-grabbing gloss of the Diamond2.

Software is the usual Windows Mobile 6.1 Pro – with a 6.5 upgrade catered for with the requisite buttons – together with HTC’s TouchFLO 3D UI.  That’s had a neat upgrade to deal with the Pro2′s horizontal orientation when the keyboard is out, and of course includes the People-Centric tweaks we appreciated on the Diamond2.  The keyboard itself is tactile and has an impressive amount of button-travel considering the size; we’ll be battering away at it some more before giving our final opinion.  Until then, enjoy the unboxing video and short demo below!

If spending about the same as a couple of netbooks is shocking, bear in mind what your money gets you.  The Touch Pro2 has a massive 3.6-inch 480 x 800 touchscreen, slide-out QWERTY keyboard,  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.

We spent some hands-on time with the Pro2 back at Mobile World Congress in February, and you can see the gallery and video here.  We’re waiting to hear back from HTC’s PR people in the UK to see whether they’ll corroborate that June 12th launch date.

[via wmpoweruser]

T-Mobile USA had been tipped as a likely carrier for the smartphone, which replaces the aging HTC Touch Pro, but no official announcement has been made.  The Touch Pro2 was announced back at Mobile World Congress in February, where HTC confirmed it is a dualband 3G/HSDPA handset.  You can see our hands-on and video demo of the phone here.

Much of the capabilities of the new smartphone – certainly when it comes to the PeopleCentric amendments to TouchFLO 3D – are the same as the Touch Diamond2.  However the Pro2 has a bigger, 3.6-inch display and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, in addition to WiFi b/g, GPS and a 3.2-megapixel camera.

[via phoneArena]

The full list of release dates is as follows:

• “Blade” (Sidekick 2009) – May 13
• HTC “Maple”/”Snap” – July 1st (contrary to earlier speculation, this seems to confirm a T-Mobile variant)
• HTC “Rhodium”/Wing II – July 22nd (also known as the Touch Pro 2)
• HTC “Sapphire”/”Magic” – TBD (aka G2)
• Sony Ericsson “CS8″ – June 24th (8mp camera? Is this the Android device they’ve been talking about?)
• Nokia 1661 (prepaid) – April 29th (a week later than previously mentioned)
• Samsung T349 (prepaid) – May 6th
• Samsung T239 (prepaid) – May 13th
• Samsung T559 – July 15th
• Samsung T469 – July 15th (just a simple two-tone gray, apparently)
• Samsung T749 – July 22nd (2 colors for this one: red/orange and two-tone gray)
• Samsung T659 – August 19th

The Sidekick 2009 in-the-wild image leaked back in February.  According to earlier specification leaks, the handset will have 3G connectivity, a 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera with flash, YouTube access and integrated GPS.  That’s along with the traditional QWERTY keyboard and a flip-up screen believed to be 3.2-inches running at 854 x 480 resolution. 

[via MobileCrunch]

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.

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.