HTC Adds Sense and Takes Android to The Next Level

This week HTC released their latest smartphone based on Google’s Android platform - the HTC Hero. Unlike the Android devices we’ve seen from HTC thus far, the Hero device comes with the Android version of TouchFlo 3D, and it’s called Sense.  Sense is focused on putting people at the center by making your phone work in a more simple and natural way. If you’ve ever used TouchFlo on a HTC Windows Mobile based device, then you know what to expect from Sense.

Besides the new interface, HTC has packed this device with some really cool features, like an anti-fingerprint screen coating, or how about the Teflon coating for a more durable white surface.  Still not cool enough for you? How about a 5 megapixel camera, 3.2 inch HVGA display, gravity sensor, Quad band radio, 528MHz processor, 512MB ROM / 288MB RAM,  and of course, a GPS.

As with previous Android devices, the Hero still carries the big chin at the bottom edge of the device. There are mixed feelings about this design. From my limited exposure, it doesn’t appear to be an issue when holding or typing on the device.  From a purely looks point of view, I would rather not have it.  But it had little effect on my usage.

The Hero will be available across Europe in July and then in Asia later in the summer.  HTC has promised a “distinct” version will be made available in North America later in 2009.

LG Announces the GW550 Messenger Smartphone

Earlier this year, LG committed to making Windows Mobile the main operating system used on their smartphone devices and over the next 4 years they would ship a whopping 50 devices based on Windows Mobile. With that in mind, the other day at CommunicAsia, LG announced a new business oriented smartphone called GW550. While the name is less than inspiring, the device looks like it could be a winner. It’s a Windows Mobile Standard based device, which means that the device does not have a touch screen. The GW550 is a typical messenger style device with a QWERTY keyboard below the screen. It features a 2.4 inch display with QVGA resolution, a 3 megapixel camera, HSDPA 7.2 Mbps, HSUPA 2.0 Mbps, Quad-band GSM with ‘global’ 3G support, and a 1300mAh battery. There’s no information provided about when the device will be available for purchase or what the expected price will be.  We also don’t know what sort of customizations LG has done to the software on the device.

It’s still very early and hard to say if this device is going to be a smashing success or not.  If LG has packed it with a powerful processor like HTC and Samsung are doing, along with a GPS and WiFi, I can’t see any reason why this device won’t be a hit.  Hopefully we’ll learn more about this device in the coming weeks. I would love to get my hands on a unit and give it a run through.

(Source=PhoneArena.com)

Logo Competition Complete - Buzz Corps Becomes Ivy Worldwide

Remember that logo design contest we posted a while back? Well, the guys at Buzz Corps received almost 4000 submissions! They worked through all the entries and have selected the new logo for the new Ivy Worldwide. Congratulations to the winner and the second and third place finishers. The winning logo can be seen below, the second and third place entries can be seen over at the Ivy Worldwide website.

HTC Snap Smartphone Reviewed at MobilityMinded.com

It’s been a long time since HTC had a Windows Mobile Standard device.  The Excalibur is a great device for it’s time, but it lacks many of the more popular features found on today’s Standard edition devices. Earlier this year, HTC announced an all new Standard edition phone to replace the Excalibur and it’s finally starting to ship.  You can find this device in many of the popular online mobile retail outlets as well as on various carrier networks.

The question is, does HTC still have it?  Is this new Standard edition device enough to win back the market which they once owned? Or does Samsung and Motorola (to a lesser degree) still have the market on messenger devices cornered? The Excalibur was my device of choice for a short time.  I then switched to Samsung’s BlackJack line of devices and haven’t looked back because HTC just didn’t have the features that I was looking for. 

All that should be changing with the release of HTC’s Snap smartphone.  Remo Knops from Mobility Minded has got his hands on the new Snap smartphone and posted a detailed review of the device.  Take a chance to read his review and let us know your thoughts on the Snap.  Is this too little too late from HTC or is it just what the doctor ordered?

Samsung’s Smashing New Smartphones

Samsung has officially announced four new Windows Mobile devices. There was no mention of price or availability of the 3 Windows Mobile Professional and 1 Standard devices. However, it is expected that they will be available in the next couple months. The Professional devices all build off the incredibly successful Omnia product line. The first device is the Omnia II which will feature a large 3.1 inch AMOLED display with 480×800 resolution, 800 MHz processor, TouchWiz 2.0 user interface, and Samsung’s Dolfin internet browser that supports viewing of up to 5 web pages simultaneously. The Omnia II, also known as the Jet, will also sport a 5 megapixel camera, GPS, FM Radio, Bluetooth, WiFi, DNSe and SRS Sound Effect technology, as well as DivX and Xvid video support. The Omnia Pro will have a slide-out QWERTY keyboard allowing fast and easy text input. The 4 row keyboard will slide on the left side of the device. The Omnia Lite will scale things down a little with a 3 megapixel camera and aGPS.

The final phone, and the only Windows Mobile Standard based device announced, is built from the extremely popular BlackJack I/II line of devices. The new Omnia Pro B7320 phone is very much the same as the Samsung Jack that has been released on AT&T’s network. The only noticeable difference in features is that the B7320 model will add an FM Radio.

The Omnia II and Omnia Pro devices appear to be very nice units. I’m not so sure about the Lite at this time, we’ll have to wait and see how that one turns out. And the B7320 (Jack) device is a solid follow-up to the BlackJack II. Samsung is sure moving hard and fast in the mobile space. It will be interesting to see what HTC announces later this month at their big event.

HTC Touch Pro 2 Gets Reviewed

Back at Mobile World Congress, HTC announced the new Touch Pro 2 device which builds upon the successful Touch family of products – specifically, the Touch Pro (no surprise there, eh?). The Touch Pro 2 has recently become available for purchase. Currently the device is shipping with Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, but HTC has publicly said that they will be releasing a Windows Mobile 6.5 upgrade for this device. So if you’re looking to move from your current device, but you want the latest and greatest version of Windows Mobile and you don’t want to wait until the fall, then this device is a great option for you.

Recently the Gear Diary review team of Judie Lipsett and Drew Guttadore joined forces with Clinton Fitch to post a really interesting 3 person review of this hot new device. I had a chance to play with this device for a short time back in early March, and it’s an amazing piece of hardware. My initial thoughts back then, was that the Touch Pro 2 could be the first device that makes me want to switch back to a touch screen device.

Check out the review (on ClintonFitch.com or Gear Diary)  and let us know what your thoughts are on the Touch Pro 2.

Palm Pre - Latest from Palm is Reviewed Around the Web

I’m pretty sure that you’ve heard a little rumble about Palm’s new smartphone over the last couple days.  Palm has been trying hard to generate some buzz around their all new smartphone which runs their new “webOS”. So far, it seems to be working.  It hasn’t reached the level of buzz that Apple managed to generate.

Palm first announced the Pre back in January at CES in Las Vegas. Last Saturday, Palm, along with Sprint, officially launched the Pre to mixed reviews.  It’s still early and there’s a lot of miss-information floating around about this new device.  The biggest concern seems to be around battery life and whether the device has enough power to make it through a day. We’ll have to wait for more tests to see how it fairs with daily usage.

If you’re looking to learn more about Palms new device, check out the list of reviews that Craig has assembled over at GearBits. It’s a great list of reviews and provides a great amount of information about the Pre. Give it a read and see what people are saying about the latest device from Palm.

Happy 12th Anniversary Ilium!

Ilium Software has been celebrating their 12th anniversary this week. All week long they’ve been offering a discount on all of their products.  You can save $12 off any purchase over $12 – how cool is that?!  Head on over to this page on their website for all the details and to select what products you want to buy. I’ve been using eWallet since forever.  It’s a great app, just like all of Ilium’s applications, and I recommend it to everyone. 

And my apologies to Ilium (especially Julie) for not posting this earlier.  They sent me all the details last weekend, but I’ve been so busy this week that I totally forgot about this until now.  I hope the celebration has been great!

Maggie’s Pantech Matrix Pro

We just got word that Maggie, the winner of our AT&T Pantech Matrix Pro,  has received her device and is she ever enjoying it. I have a feeling this device is going to get a lot of use.  Congratulations Maggie, Enjoy the new phone!

Thanks to Pantech and AT&T for providing us, along with the 25 other websites, a Matrix Pro to giveaway, and thanks to everyone who entered the contest. For those that didn’t walk away with a new Matrix Pro, you can grab one from your local AT&T store for around $100 with a contract.�

Logo Design Competition for Buzz Corps / Ivy Worldwide

You may not know the Buzz Corps name, but I expect most of you to know their work.  They are the force behind contests like the HP 31 Days of the Dragon, and the HP Magic Giveaway. They also work to promote community events like CNTRSTG, which provided community influencers and bloggers from around the world with open forum access to industry leaders and countless scheduled events.

Buzz Corps has grown rapidly since they started a couple years ago.  With that growth comes a new name – Ivy Worldwide. To kick off the new name, Ivy Worldwide is running a contest for a new logo.  They are looking to the communities that they work with to have a hand in the designing the new logo.  The contest runs until June 12th and is open for anyone to enter. The winning logo will be used online, in print, and on merchandise. You can get all the details on the temporary Ivy Worldwide web page. The prizes are as follows:

Winning Design Grand Prize 

• $2,500 Cash

2nd Place Design Prize 

• Loaded HP Mini 1000 XP edition series (up to $500 in value) or HP Photosmart Pro B8850 Printer (up to $500 in value)

3rd Place Design Prize 

• Wacom Intuos4 Small Pen Tablet (up to $200 in value)

 

Good luck to everyone that enters.  I look forward to seeing the new logo!

Next Page »