Back when we reviewed the Toshiba TG01 in July, we concluded that Windows Mobile 6.5 might turn the Snapdragon-based smartphone into a more attractive device. Now, with the new OS official, Toshiba have confirmed that existing TG01 owners will be able to download the WM6.5 update from their site.
Windows Mobile 6.5 may not be provoking all that much interest compared to rival platforms, but one device which is certainly perking up attention is the HTC Leo, aka the HTC HD2. Tipped to arrive in October, the 4.3-inch flagship smartphone’s prize is its 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor; now one beta tester has released some benchmarking for the handset, and it’s looking to be a real stormer. The HD2 ousted HTC’s Touch HD in 3D graphics performance by around 300-percent.
We weren’t so keen on Toshiba’s TG01 back when we reviewed the Snapdragon-based smartphone in July. While the spec sheet paints an alluring picture, the failings both of Windows Mobile 6.1 and the UI tweaks Toshiba attempted to address that with meant we couldn’t recommend it over its HTC WinMo counterparts. Now Toshiba are back with the TG01 Windows phone variant, the same hardware as before but running Windows Mobile 6.5.
The Toshiba TG01 came out awhile back, and while it may not have been the greatest phone to release this year, it did have some promising aspects: like that huge screen and thin framework. But that didn’t stop Toshiba from dropping word on the phone’s successors, the TG02 and TG03, which were pictured back in April. But now it looks like the Toshiba TG02 has made another appearance. Or has it?
With product announcements and launches often so far apart, there’s always the risk that another company will steal your thunder. Toshiba, though, have managed to pilot their TG01 Windows Mobile smartphone to market still wearing the “biggest screen” and “first Snapdragon” crowns. Problem is, in doing so they’ve arrived well in advance of Microsoft’s new mobile platform. Can the Toshiba TG01 still deliver enough to seize not only the Windows Mobile 6.1 top-spot, but push the iPhone off its pedestal? SlashGear has been finding out.
Less than twenty-four hours ago we were waiting to see the TG01 unveiled (albeit already knowing what was coming); now Orange’s latest exclusive is on our desk waiting for its full SlashGear review. At first glance, this smartphone is a whole heap of superlatives: biggest touchscreen, thinnest Windows Mobile device, first to market with Qualcomm’s 1GHz Snapdragon CPU; check out our video unboxing and UI overview after the cut
Unboxing video after the cut
As you’ve probably seen, Orange launched the Toshiba TG01 today, and SlashGear went along to the launch event 31 floors above the city of London. There’s not much about this smartphone we didn’t already know – after all, we were also there in February when it officially debuted – but today was an opportunity to play with the Orange branded version and the latest firmware. Read on for our first impressions, plus a hands-on gallery, video demo, and comparison shots with what up until now has been the Windows Mobile heavyweight, HTC’s Touch HD.
Hands-on video demo after the cut
We’re not sure whether Orange have scooped Toshiba in advance of their event later on today, or this is all carefully planned, but the carrier has announced it will exclusively be offering the Toshiba TG01 from July 10th. Already on sale with Orange France, the UK version of the handset will be priced from free with a £39.15 ($63) 24-month contract with unlimited on-device browsing.
Video demo from Orange after the cut
Given that we’re going to the official UK launch event on July 9th, it comes as little surprise to see Toshiba’s TG01 Windows Mobile smartphone appear on the site of carrier Orange UK. Listed as “coming soon”, the 4.1-inch touchscreen has no pricing or specific availability given, but we’d expect all that to change by the end of next week.
It’s been almost five months since Toshiba first revealed their TG01 Windows Mobile smartphone, and now the company has invited us back to London on Thursday July 9th for what we’re assuming is the handset’s official release. Set to go on sale in Germany and Japan imminently, the TG01 has a vast 4.1-inch WVGA 800 x 480 touchscreen, 3G UMTS/HSPA, WiFi, A-GPS and Qualcomm’s 1GHz Snapdragon chipset running the show.
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