New HTC Phones Coming Down the Pipe

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.wmexperts.com/verizon-diamond-2-htc-mega-and-more-tachi' target='_blank'>http://www.wmexperts.com/verizon-di...-and-more-tachi</a><br /><br /></div><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com//ppct/auto/1250346464.usr1.png" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>First up, we have Verizon's version of the Touch Diamond 2, code-named "Whitestone". The release date is September or October, and the Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional phone (hopefully a free 6.5 upgrade will be offered?) will feature a Qualcomm 7600 CPU at 528 Mhz, 512 MB ROM, 256 MB RAM, a 3.6 inch touchscreen (one would presume 480 x 800 in resolution), a 5 megapixel camera with autofocus and anti-shake (sensor-based stabilization?), gpsOne (aGPS and full GPS), and both a GSM and CDMA radio, making it a true "world phone". The body design sure looks different than any other Touch Diamond 2 I've seen, but that's a good thing - every Windows Mobile phone looking identical gets a bit boring. <MORE /></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com//ppct/auto/1250346472.usr1.png" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>The HTC Mega looks to be a low-end HTC phone, though the specs are still decent: Qualcomm 7225 CPU at 528 Mhz, 256 MB ROM, 256 MB RAM, a 2.8 inch QVGA screen (this is how we know it's "budget"), GSM/HSDPA, a 3 megapixel camera, and on-board GPS. It still has the hardware zoom bar that the newer HTC device have, but based on the screen size this looks like an update to the original Touch or possibly Touch Cruise line.</p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com//ppct/auto/1250346990.usr1.png" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>Lastly, we have the HTC Tachi - a phone that, based on looking at that big d-pad, looked like it was probably going to be a Windows Mobile Standard phone, but after a bit of research I've read that it's going to be a Windows Mobile Professional device - which is a bit curious given that most touch-screen phones don't have quite that much space used at the bottom for controls. The rumours are it will have a 2.8 inch VGA screen, 512 MB ROM, 256 MB RAM, and the ubiquitous 528 Mhz Qualcomm processor. As you can see by the render, it will be released by Dopod, so those of us in North America will probably never see it.</p>

[alese]

The Whitestone looks more like the upgrade (or possibly Verizon version) of Touch HD (HTC Blackstone) than Diamond 2 - the screen is just too big...

[BBF]

http://images.thoughtsmedia.com//ppct/auto/1250346990.usr1.png
Lastly, we have the HTC Tachi - a phone that, based on looking at that big d-pad, looked like it was probably going to be a Windows Mobile Standard phone, but after a bit of research I've read that it's going to be a Windows Mobile Professional device - which is a bit curious given that most touch-screen phones don't have quite that much space used at the bottom for controls. The rumours are it will have a 2.8 inch VGA screen, 512 MB ROM, 256 MB RAM, and the ubiquitous 528 Mhz Qualcomm processor. As y ou can see by the render, it will be released by Dopod, so those of us in North America will probably never see it.


You must have a short memory... it looks a lot like a stripped down version of the HTC Raphael platform... aka the Touch Pro or Fuze, using many of the same components. But you are correct that the current generation of touch screen phones tend to look a lot more like the iPhone.

I actually like a few buttons on my phones since a purely touch screen interface is hard less convenient for commonly used features that could be mapped to hardware buttons... but non-expert users (the general public) tends to like huge screens with one button on the front. Also they tend to like flush power buttons that look good, but are easily pressed accidentally (as opposed to recessed power buttons that are hard to accidentally press, but also hard for people with long nails to press.) :(

[otispodd]

Jason,

I purchased the unlocked HTC Touch Pro 2 in late June and use it on the AT&T network. I really appreciate the included OCR software (World Card Mobile) that allows one to take a picture of a business card and capture the text into your contacts. I was even able to get the AT&T mobile backup to work on this phone so that I can keep my contacts backed up with AT&T's mobile backup site. I also was able to get the Slingmedia software to work on the device so that I can receive my Slingbox signal from my DirecTV DVR. I am very pleased with this phone!!

Do you think there will be a firmware update in the future to get this phone to receive a 3G signal. I understand that AT&T will be coming out with its on verion of the HTC Touch Pro 2 coded as the TILT 2...etc.. but the latest reports suggest that the keyboard will be missing the top row number keys. My current device would be almost perfect if it had 3G.

[alese]

Jason,

I purchased the unlocked HTC Touch Pro 2 in late June and use it on the AT&T network. I really appreciate the included OCR software (World Card Mobile) that allows one to take a picture of a business card and capture the text into your contacts. I was even able to get the AT&T mobile backup to work on this phone so that I can keep my contacts backed up with AT&T's mobile backup site. I also was able to get the Slingmedia software to work on the device so that I can receive my Slingbox signal from my DirecTV DVR. I am very pleased with this phone!!

Do you think there will be a firmware update in the future to get this phone to receive a 3G signal. I understand that AT&T will be coming out with its on verion of the HTC Touch Pro 2 coded as the TILT 2...etc.. but the latest reports suggest that the keyboard will be missing the top row number keys. My current device would be almost perfect if it had 3G.

I wouldn't expect any official upgrade that will enable this, that's for sure.
But it really depends on the hardware in TP2. If like in original Diamond the HW is actually supporting the US frequencies, then it's possible that someone will hack the ROM and enable the feature. But I'm not sure if it's possible - my advice to you is go to XDA-Developers and do a search in TP2 forums - I'm pretty sure that's your only chance - but of course flashing hacked ROMs can bring other problems and could potentialy be dangerous to your machine.
So if you are not a hacking type, you are almost certainly out of luck.