Smartphone Thoughts - Daily News, Views, Rants and Raves

The Verizon HTC Ozone (Cedar) is the answer to the aging Motorola Q9 series and fits in nicely with Verizon's revamped and full-featured Windows Mobile lineup. The phone is a sister device to the HTC Snap but differs from that model in significant and beneficial ways.

Ok all you Verizon Ozone owners: chime in and let's hear how you like this device. I'll tell you this much, WMExperts really like it. And why not, it has just about everything one could ask for with this form factor. This blows my original Dash out of the water. It's good looking, fast, WiFi and Rev. A, Bluetooth 2.0, GSM radio, big battery, micro SD, and visual voice mail. For $49? It's a steal. So head on over to the review for all the goodness and if you own one, tell us what you think.

In some ways this is one of those typical interviews where the interviewer asks question after question that he knows he's not going to get an answer to - such as specific questions about unreleased products - but it's worth watching if only to get an insight into the HTC mindset.

"The vast majority of devices we launch after Hero will have a 3.5mm jack. Devices that we have already announced butthat still come out after Hero will not necessarily be a part of this change."

That's a quote from an HTC represenative on the question of why there aren't more HTC devices with 3.5mm headphone jacks on them. This is an issue that I bring up time and time again, and I'm glad to see that HTC finally gets it. No one wants to carry an adaptor with them - it's just a hassle and one more thing to misplace or forget to pack. As long as headphones are standarized around the 3.5mm plug, devices should have a matching plug. It seems that HTC have finally heard the cries of customers who want the 3.5mm jack on their HTC devices, and HTC is going to include 3.5mm jacks on many future devices. Sounds like good news to me!

Jump over to Engadget and watch the video they've posted of the newly-announced HTC Hero, an Android-based smartphone. Look at what HTC has done in terms of porting a version of TouchFlo from Windows Mobile over to Android - but also pay attention to the apps they've added and improved. Now picture those changes and improvements flowing back to future Windows Mobile devices. Between all of the customs apps that HTC has slowly but surely built up (photo viewer, music player, skinned browser, weather app, etc.) and the UI of TouchFlo, Windows Mobile is becoming nothing more than plumbing....which should terrify Microsoft. If the OS is just plumbing, then HTC could switch to whatever OS the wish on a given device. HTC is Microsoft's biggest smartphone partner - so what does it mean to Microsoft when their biggest partner is working to undermine the user interface of their operating system? Read more...

"The specification list of the HTC Snap was already impressive with a super fast Qualcomm MSM 7225 processor, running at 528 MHz. With sufficient memory, and all possible types of connectivity onboard the HTC snap suits various purposes. Foremost the easy and fast device navigation with the Jog Ball and an excellent full QWERTY keyboard (with offset keys) make it simply fun to work with this device on the go. The hardware keyboard design and the offset keys reduce the risk of a typing error, fore [sick] my compliments HTC."

Remo Knops over at Mobility Minded has put together a detailed article about the HTC Snap - it's worth a read if you're considering this device. Knops shares some of my same concerns - the fact that the miniUSB port is on the upper-right side, and the lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack. He didn't seem to find it problematic that the "A" key is in a strange place, so he must have been able to adjust to it better than I could.

Since I have to ship the HTC Snap [Affiliate] back to Expansys today, I thought I'd do one final video (here's my unboxing and first impressions video). In this video, I talk about the hardware and software on the Snap, focusing on the functioning of the trackball and some of the software that HTC ships on the device. This is the first device I've seen that has had Internet Explorer 6 Mobile on it, which is interesting to use on a phone with a trackball - it definitely speeds things up in terms of navigating. Unfortunately, even with a 528 Mhz CPU and 192 MB of RAM - which is more than the last-generation iPhone had - browsing desktop-formatted Web pages feels slow. Oh Microsoft, why can't you understand the importance of fast mobile browsing? Read more...

The HTC Snap [Affiliate] is a Windows Mobile Standard 6.1 smartphone, and the new torch-bearer for the messaging phone that HTC had all but abandoned after making the T-Mobile Dash/Excaliber. The Snap has a 528 Mhz Qualcomm processor, 128 192 MB of RAM, 256 MB of ROM, a 2.4 inch 320 x 240 screen, a microSDHC memory card slot, a trackball, 4-row QWERTY keyboard, GPS, Bluetooth 2.0, 802.11b/g WiFi, a 1500mAh battery, a 2.0 megapixel camera, and is a quad-band 2G (850/900/1800/1900 MHz), and dual-band 3G (900/2100 MHz) GSM phone. It's 116.5 X 61.5 X 12.0 mm ( 4.59 X 2.42 X 0.47 inches) in size and weighs 120 grams (4.23 ounces). Read more...

"The CEO of HTC for France, Frederic Tassy, has been chatting mobiles recently, and released the interesting news that the company still rates Windows Mobile over Android...Tassy said to Mobinaute: "We will always have more flagship products on Windows Mobile," which clearly shows the company believes Windows Mobile 6.5 and 7 will fix the problems inherent in WinMo 6.1, especially on a touchscreen."

It seems that while HTC is dabbling in other platforms like Android, they are clearly focused on Windows Mobile, and like many of us, are hoping that WinMo 6.5 will return some luster to the platform that clearly is in the shadows of more consumer driven phones like the G1, iPhone and Pre.

It seemed like everyone in the world was getting their hands on the HTC Snap, and thanks to our friends at Expansys [Affiliate], I'm able to check it out in person. I'll be shooting a video of it today or tomorrow - I only hope it can live up to the hype...I was such a huge fan of the T-Mobile Dash, I was thrilled when HTC decided to get back into the game with this form factor. Any Snap owners out there yet? How are you liking yours so far?

"HTC, a Taiwan based company, is by far one of the largest PDA and Smartphone manufacturers in the world. So when last year one of my friends, Eric Lin, became HTC Global PR and Online Community Manager for HTC, I had everything at hand to give you an exclusive 40 minute plus video interview with Eric about HTC's latest products, the Touch Diamond 2, Touch Pro 2, and the Snap and the Android based Smartphone the HTC Magic."

Akihabara News had a sit-down with Eric Lin and talks about HTC's branding, markets and latest products. Nothing earth-shattering, but these make good viewing and has some decent info on the devices talked about:

• Part I (embedded above) - 6:54 mins long - covers who Eric is and the HTC brand;
• Part II (17:48 mins) talks about the Touch Diamond 2 and Touch Pro 2 and the improvements made to both (and in passing possible plans for sucessors to the HTC Advantage and HTC Shift); while
• Part III (22:34 mins) shows off an early engineering sample of the HTC Magic (HTC's upcoming Android phone) and also covers the HTC Snap, along with a general discussion on upgrading possibilities to WM6.5 (bad news for Snap fans - no confirmation yet).

TmoNews has uncovered some release dates for a number of Windows Mobile phones on the US T-Mobile network. It looks like the HTC Snap will be available around July 1 and the Wing II, better known as the HTC Touch Pro 2, will be available around July 22. HTC has said that the Touch Pro 2 will have an upgrade made available to WinMo 6.5 later this year. I hope T-Mobile passes that upgrade along.

"A 'snap' in American footbal means the direction of attack in action. But we doubt that this is the meaning that has pushed the marketing guru for HTC to give the name Snap born at HTC, but from the first approach with the terminal shows the hypothesis is realistic. The device, based on Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard, actually seems to want to deliver as an effective director of the daily activities through the management and production of new contacts and messaging, especially email."

SoloPalmari.com has brought us a review of the new HTC Snap handset. The original review was in Italian but luckily it survived a bit of translating - thanks to Google - to give us this mouth savoring look at what we can expect when we can all get our hands on this new phone. I don't know about you guys but I am starting to really love this device! This handset will come equipped with Windows Mobile 6.1 but seeing as how it is going to have a Qualcomm MSM 7225 by 528 MHz there is a good chance that we might see Windows Mobile 6.5 released for the device in the future since it meets the hardware requirements set forth by Microsoft.

"In the hand, the Snap feels almost illicitly good. In an age where everybody else (including, er, HTC) is going with glossy and shiny, the Snap is unabashedly covered in the best "soft touch finish" I've ever laid hands on. The thing is grippable and the best way I can explain the feel is that it's a very good mix of organic curves and hard lines. I also adore the color, which has just enough brown notes to be interesting without falling into Zune territory."

The new HTC handset looks downright incredible. At first I did not think the rendering of the device, with the giant overlapping round buttons, would translate well into the real world. From the looks of the video WMExperts managed to snag of this handset I see this fear was a little premature as the big thumb friendly design is not only pleasing to the eyes but looks really fun to use. I've been out shopping for a new phone as of late and now I am almost 100% positive that I will hold out to buy this bad boy when it is finally available.

"There's a reason companies around the world often go to HTC when they need to outsource handsets - they're without a doubt among the best when it comes to build, form and design. This year at CTIA, the HTC Snap announced this morning was the only new addition the company showed off, but that doesn't mean we can't take another look at two of the most exciting upcoming handsets currently on deck too, right? Hit the jump and get your gawk on."

Want to have a look at some of the new models HTC have come up with? Boy Genius Report dropped in at the HTC booth at CTIA and took some nice snaps (pun intended) of three upcoming models, including the Snap, Touch Pro2 and Touch Diamond2. Hit the link for the gallery.

"It seems we will soon know exactly how many screws hold together HTC's 2009 smartphones. FuzeMobility has just come across a spreadsheet listing some more details and some new code names we have not heard mentioned before...New to us are the Star, Superstar, Tachi, Chief and Captain."

This is getting better and better! Not only do we have more details of the HTC 2009 models mentioned before, we now have 5 more models to slaver over - note that two of the new ones are WM Standard devices. What strikes me most is the general move toward 128MB RAM and WVGA as standard, and the first debut of nVidia in the Windows Mobile space. Thinks are looking up in terms of hardware - any chance of capacitive screens making an appearance?

"We have just received a tip regarding HTC’s 2009 line-up which includes details on a number of upcoming devices. First, the exciting ones:"

While nothing's set in stone, we're finally getting some details on the roadmap leaked in January. We have here quick details on six models - Firestone (Touch HD update), Whitestone (GSM/EVDO combo), Thoth (Advantage update), Twin (GSM/CDMA combo), Maple (Excalibur update) and Cedar (CDMA version). There's also a picture of the HTC Tungsten, but no details are forthcoming on that model. Launch/announcement dates vary from May to September this year, so not long now - look for FCC leaks in the next couple of months. Hit the link for more details!

"High Tech Computer (HTC) is expected to launch Qualcomm Snapdragon-based mobile devices in the second quarter of 2009, according to market sources in Taiwan... HTC and Toshiba are among more than a dozen device makers that have signed up with Qualcomm to develop mobile computing devices using Snapdragon solutions. Those device makers also include Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Acer, Asustek Computer, Quanta Computer, Compal Electronics, Wistron, Inventec and Foxconn International Holdings (FIH)."

Can't get enough of the Snapdragon in the TG01? Well, it seems HTC and a few more are gearing up to release Snapdragon devices of their own. According to Digitimes, HTC's device will hit the market one quarter after the TG01. And the rest? We're guessing they'll trickle into the market as the year progresses.

Product Category: Windows Mobile Standard

Manufacturer: HTC

Where to Buy: eXpansys USA [Affiliate]

Price: $474.99 USD

System Requirements: Compatible system or service for syncing

Specifications: Windows Mobile 6.1, QWERTY keyboard, 528MHz processor, 2.4in QVGA display, 256MB ROM/RAM, Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE, 900/2100 MHz HSDPA, 801.11 b/g, Bluetooth 2.0, 3.2MP camera

Pros:

• Small form factor
• Great keyboard with a lot of keys, functions, and shortcuts
• Quick and responsive

Cons:

• Small screen makes it horrid for web browsing
• Navigation keys are poorly designed
• The device is really thick

Summary: Off the bat I want to thank eXpansys for loaning us the HTC S740 that I have been using for the past few weeks to put together this review. I will start off by saying the time I have spent with this device has been really enjoyable and it was really nice to carry around a Windows Mobile device again for a bit. In the interest of full disclosure though I would like to state that I unfortunately could not use the HTC S740 continuously throughout the time I had the device as my only handset since due to the nature of a project I was working on for work. I had to switch back to my Google Android device for several hour stretches every few days. Now that we have that out of the way, onto the review! Read more...

"High Tech Computer (HTC) has lowered its guidance for revenue growth in 2009 amid the global economic slowdown, according to a Chinese-language Commercial Times report. The paper quoted HTC CEO Peter Chou as saying that the company expects its revenues to grow at a double-digit rate in 2009, compared to a robust 20% growth Chou projected in a conference call last October."

This just goes to show that not even the venerable are immune from tough economic conditions; although, double-digit rate of growth is still solid, considering many other major companies have experienced losses in the past half year, and are expecting further losses in the year ahead.

I'm not sure how many of the images at this site are real. Could be all or none, but I suspect it is somewhere in between. HTC seems to be readying a whole slew of devices for a varity of networks to keep marketshare from the iPhone and other devices.

Code-name Rhodium

How much credence do you give the shots over at PPCGeek?