Hasta La Gadget!

As expected, Verizon has chosen December 2 as the Samsung Omnia II’s date with destiny, bringing an interesting full-touch WinMo alternative to the HTC Imagio that launched back in October alongside Windows Mobile 6.5. Speaking of 6.5, there were some early concerns that Verizon’s version of the Omnia II would launch on stale 6.1 code, but fear not — it’s now confirmed that you’ll be looking at Microsoft’s latest and greatest stuff when you gaze upon that 3.7-inch AMOLED WVGA display. It’s also got a 5 megapixel camera with autofocus and flash, WiFi, and 8GB of internal storage along with microSD expansion — good news for anyone who plans on making much use of that cam, especially in video mode. Verizon’s site and retail locations both take delivery of the device on the same 12/2 date, pushing it for $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate. Considering the pricing, we’ve gotta ask: Droid or Omnia II?

Verizon announces Samsung Omnia II: December 2 for $200 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It may no longer be the first to launch in North America (that distinct honor now belongs to Bell), but we can finally say with some confidence that Verizon’s version of the Samsung Omnia II isn’t that far off. No, seriously: we’ve managed to get a peek at the carrier’s launch pack for the phone, and the big details here are that it’ll be launching in all channels (meaning telesales, online, and in-store) on December 2 for $199.99 on contract after a $100 mail-in rebate. That pricing puts it solidly in the upper echelon of Verizon’s offerings these days, yes — but when you consider that it’s got a 3.7-inch WVGA AMOLED display, 8GB of internal storage plus microSD expansion, 5 megapixel cam, and WinMo 6.5 Professional (allaying earlier concerns that 6.1 would be on shipping units), we think they can justify the outlay. Especially if you can resist the pull of a Droid Eris for a Benjamin cheaper once you set foot in the store, of course.

[Thanks, WC]

Verizon’s Samsung Omnia II launching December 2 for $200 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Windows Mobile 6.5 users rejoice, you now have a better marketplace experience your way. Microsoft’s added a couple updates to its mobile app store. On the developers’ side of things there’s a new portal for submission, and “more advanced anti-piracy protection” — no clue if it solves those DRM issues we heard about before, but sounds at least like a step in the right direction. For the consumers, there’s now an online store that you can use from your certainly superior desktop / laptop browser. In the vein of Xbox Live Marketplace’s online portal at Xbox.com, purchased apps from the browser will be sent to the connected phone next time you open up the Windows Marketplace client… what’s that? You want support for Windows Mobile 6.0 and 6.1? Microsoft reassures us it’s coming later this month, so hang tight, okay?

[Via Mobile Tech World]

Read – Announcing new features…
Read – Windows Marketplace for Mobile

Filed under: Cellphones

Windows Marketplace for Mobile updates tackle piracy, adds online store for non-mobile browsers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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That’s right… the HD2 has landed. Actually, we took the phone over to Late Night with Jimmy Fallon the other day, but didn’t get a chance to show it off, so here we are. Sure, you’ve seen this guy in action in earlier videos… but it’s still nice to get a look at this monster up close. We’re still blown away by the fact that this is a Windows Mobile 6.5 device — the skinning job that HTC has done here is nothing short of a miracle. So far we’ve found the phone to be snappy and responsive, but we’re currently putting it through its paces. We’ll have a full review shortly, but for now, feast your eyes on the photos below — and start saving for that imminent US launch.

Filed under: Cellphones

HTC’s HD2 has landed at Engadget (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WinMo folks, we wouldn’t blame you for getting a bit of Android envy after last week’s DROID onslaught, but if there’s one thing that could make people pine for your OS it’s HTC’s HD2, and T-Mobile has just confirmed it’s coming on November 9 — a mere weekend after Moto’s new hotness hits Verizon. Mind you, there is some confusion going on here, as the picture on T-Mo’s site is of the old Touch HD, not the HD2 we met and loved, and the mention of “loads of applications to download from Android Market” is particularly perplexing. But, we’ve been told to go ahead and blame a bumbling marketeer rather than to expect some sort of cross-platform app marketplace love fest — groovy as that may sound.

Update: We’ve also just learned that HTC is going to officially launch the HD2 on November 4 ahead of a November 11 release elsewhere. We’re not entirely sure what there is left to learn about the thing, but we’re always game for another press event.

Update 2: Just to clarify things, this is T-Mobile UK. Also, as many have pointed out in comments, we’re now thinking the “09” above means 2009, not November 9, which likely points to a November 11 release. Surely you can swallow that DROID envy for another two days, yeah?

[Via WMPoweruser.com]

Filed under: Cellphones

T-Mobile nabs HTC’s Touch HD2, schedules release for November originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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