HTC Touch Pro 2 Launching With WinMo 6.1 On Verizon And Sprint

The Touch Pro 2 is coming, with Sprint and Verizon both chomping at the bit to get their own models. And while we're all for new phones, it seems like there are some moments where waiting might be the better route. Not that Windows Mobile 6.1 is necessarily bad, but with the optimizations and functionality promised from WinMo 6.5, this might be the best time to wait and get the best Operating System when it's available.

Yes, when the Touch Pro 2 launches on Verizon and Sprint, it will be fully capable of upgrading to WinMo 6.5, but that is more work for the end user. And sure, upgrading a phone isn't that painstaking, but phones get delayed all the time, and we're sure the people who are excited for the Touch Pro 2 to launch would be willing to wait, as long as it was for a legitimate reason. And WinMo 6.5 is a legitimate reason.

Though, there is some light at the end of the tunnel for this story. First, it seems that both Sprint and Verizon have functioning ROMs of WinMo 6.5, which can only mean they're setting up to update the released devices as soon as they are physically able. Secondly, if you're on the regional carrier US Cellular, you won't have to worry about updating anything for awhile, considering your carrier is happy to wait until the release of 6.5 to launch their version of the Touch Pro 2. But probably the best news available from this, is the fact that Verizon seems to be keeping the GPS unlocked on their version, but Bing/Live Search will apparently be available from the ROM itself. Considering Verizon's pension for removing features that are like their own, this is a pretty big step for them. And, we'll go ahead and say it: it's in the right direction.

[via WM Experts]