Showing posts with label HTC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HTC. Show all posts
Mobile World Congress is known for being one of those events that handset manufacturers show off their goods, and try very hard to out do each other. Even with the poor posting of number across the wireless industry in the fourth quarter this years MWC is going to be no exception. Currently there is only one phone in North America that operates on Google's Android platform. This number will change by the end of the show. Samsung and HTC both have another device to add to these ranks. We expect the devices to be revealed with the rest of the telecom world watching in awe. Motorola, LG, and Sony Ericsson have all recently committed to an Android phone development they are too early in the process to deliver the goods by show time. The show is also going to be full of non-traditional vendors such as Huawei, Acer, and possibly even Dell. All three companies are not known for handset production in North America. Huawei is starting to make a forey into the American handset markets, after selling exclusivly in Europe, and intends to start a bang with a handset announcement running Android. Both Dell and Acer will most likely release a Windows Mobile device that integrates well with their PC based business. It seems since Apple produced the iPhone everyone thinks they can make a good cell phone. Time will tell I guess, but its certainly the start of a war.
Everyone is also in high hopes that information will be released about the up and coming Windows Mobile 6.5. This has been pretty under wraps with Microsoft leaking bits and pieces just to get our juices flowing. Will Winodws Mobile 6.5 be the best Windows Mobile yet, or will this too be riddled with seemingly unstoppable super bugs? MWC won't give us the answer, but should leave us wriggling with anticipation.
The day is finally here. T-Mobile, HTC, and Google held a special launch event today. The HTC Dream is finally a reality, and that reality is in the form of the T-Mobile G1. The T-Mobile G1 will be the first phone ever to run Google Android. Here is a quick spec run down on the G1.
Bluetooth, Wifi, Full QWERTY keypad(slider), 3 MP digital camera with photo sharing, trackball navigation, touch screen, GPS, accelerometer, 3G capabilities, quad band GSM, and dual band UMTS. (yes it's international capable!)
Wheeew!
This phone has been highly anticipated, and there is no doubt in my mind that the phone will not disappoint. The G1 could be the phone that will finally dethrone the iPhone as the king of touch screen. As expected, the G1 is closely tied to Google's services. One touch access to Gmail, Google Maps, with street view, and search allow for easy access to everyday things. Like the iPhone the touch interface on the phone works by finger swipe. The G1 has a 3 screen desktop that will allow you to virtually "look" left or right on the home screen to reveal extra space. All applications on the phone are done in a widget like fashion reminiscent of an Apple desktop. The applications can be placed anywhere that you see fit. The phone offers a level of customization that has never before been seen on a mobile device, along with a great web experience.
The G1 employs a great web experience using webkit. The webkit deployment has been executed well to create a perfect fit to the mobile screen. You could call this "chrome lite".
The web browser is full HTML compatible. There is also a full HTML email client built in.
Initially the only two options that I can see forgotten about, are the availability of A2DP stereo Bluetooth, and Microsoft Exchange capability. The phone will sync with Google calendar, Gmail, etc, but does not have a desktop client to allow the phone to sync to outlook directly.
This phone will leave the T-Mobile store for only $179 and a 2 year contract. (I personally expected this to be A LOT more. ) T-Mobile will also require a choice of data plan above your voice plan. $25/month for Unlimited Web and some messaging (some was not defined), $30/ month for Unlimited Web and Unlimited messaging. At launch T-Mobile expects to have their 3G network covering 80% of their customers. The G1 will be available outside their 3G covered area as well.
The HTC Dream has just been approved by the FCC. That's right, the guessing game is half over! The Dream will include Wifi, bluetooth, and Quad band GSM/EDGE, WCDMA 1700. While there is speculation that the Dream will run Google's Android operating system, the FCC documents mention nothing about the operating platform. The Dream however, is a perfect fit for T-Mobile running on 1700 mhz. This is the band T-Mobile is using for 3G. The phone will further include a jog-ball, and a camera of unconfirmed quality, but based on trends expect the camera quality between 2MP and 5MP. I expect the camera to be higher end, given the other high quality features. If indeed this is the famed Android flagship phone, the quality of the entire device will need to be spectacular to withstand the expectations of everyone waiting of this device. Will this be the device to dethrone the iPhone? We will have to wait for its release.
T-Mobile USA is going to be the first carrier to launch Google's highly anticipated Android platform. Android is a new operating system that is expected to open phone functionality further to developers. The flagship phone for Android appears to be the HTC "dream". Confirmed details of the dream are still sketchy, but from a Youtube video it looks like we can expect a full qwerty slide out keyboard (pretty much the Hallmark of HTC) and a touch screen interface that should rival the iPhone. Start looking for the release as soon as October, but definitely before Christmas.
Sprints HTC Victor (touch Diamond for Verizon) will sport a slightly faster CPU, Aluminum frame, 4 GB of internal memory, EVDO Rev A support, and an accelerometer. Verizons Diamond will include MicroSD expansion instead of internal memory, half the RAM, and slower CPU. The only thing Verizons version has going for it right now is my love for stainless steel. (ooooh Shiny!)
The Touch Pro will be named Herman for Sprint and Raphael for Verizon. Details are pointing to a release date in early September for the Victor with the Herman about a month or so behind. Verizons versions of the phone are expected 30 days later than sprints. (exclusivity agreement?)
If these phones are anything like they are rumored to be, Sprint may be on the road to redemtion!
With non-official versions of the windows 6.1 upgrade floating all over the place, HTC and Sprint has decided to release a Windows Mobile 6.1 Upgrade. The upgrade changes the on screen QWERTY keyboard, introduces new high speed broadband capabilities in the form of EVDO REV. A, and integrates Opera into its suit of web browsing capabilities.
The upgrade is available Via HTC website.
This upgrade was release for the HTC Touch, and Mogul.
More available at HTC
