Sounds picky. But it’s up to Microsoft, which lately is becoming Apple-esqe in asserting control over phones using the Windows 7 Phone OS. Perhaps understandable given the Wild West that Windows Mobile had become. If you want Wild West now, go Android. Though per jkOnTheRun, Google may soon reassert control too.

Also, per Slashgear, another Microsoft rep indicated that the HD2’s hardware may have other Windows 7 Phone upgrade shortcomings. Though what they may be likely will be unknown until the full, official hardware profile for WP7 devices is outed at MIX 2010 starting on March 15. Update: Another confirmation from a Microsoft rep.

If this bad news holds – I don’t consider it 100% yet – then it nixes my thought of getting an HD2 through T-Mobile USA. Why pay a lot of $$ for a device destined to have an obsolete OS by the end of the year? Can’t imagine TMo is too happy either.

Of course, the cooks at XDA may cook a Windows 7 Phone ROM for the HD2. May? More like probably. Still, for all the $$ you’re paying for an HD2 …

[picture credit BGR]

Rumor Mongerers

EXCLUSIVE Breaking News: Windows Phone 7 Details Emerge From The Depths

More Windows Mobile 7 rumors…grab some salt!

Rumored Windows Phone 7 details surface ahead of MWC launch: Zune-like UI, no multitasking

Windows Phone 7 details leak: No multitasking, UI lock-down & Zune/Xbox integration?

My $.02

I agree that Windows Mobile 7 will be announced at MWC.

I would be surprised and disappointed if WM7 doesn’t support multi-tasking. More Windows Mobile 7 rumors; will it really not support multi-tasking? puts it well IMO:

“One that really shocks me in the list is the lack of multi-tasking. Really Microsoft? Everyone harps on Apple because the iPhone doesn’t support this and all indications are that iPhone OS 4 will add it. Microsoft has always supported multi-tasking in its mobile operating system and I would be shocked if they took a step back and removed this capability.”

Supposedly in lieu of multi-tasking, applications will “pause” when in the background, but will support notifications via push notifications. I’m not satisfied (as if MS cares) with this poor man’s substitute for multi-tasking.

I likewise would be surprised and disappointed if WM7 locks down the UI. More Windows Mobile 7 rumors; will it really not support multi-tasking? again puts it well IMO:

“It is also interesting to see the part about other interfaces not being supported. One thing that I really like about Windows Mobile is the ability to customize it to your heart’s content and if this is true then no more HTC Sense, Spb Mobile Shell, Samsung TouchWIZ, etc. Then again, if the OS is excellent then maybe none of these are necessary.”

Maybe it’s just me, but no matter how good the OS interface may be, I’d like choice. After all, not everyone likes the same thing; UI tastes and needs differ.

I’m only mildly disappointed with the reports that there will be no Flash support initially because there wasn’t enough time to implement these features – since it sounds that Flash support will be forthcoming later. Similar comment for the initial lack of backwards compatibility of the .NET Compact Framework – I’ve bought and paid for those apps and would like to use them on my new device.

I’m disturbed about reports that only official apps allowed, and no installation via the storage card. Coupled with the UI lockdown, no multi-tasking, no Flash, I’m beginning to wonder if Apple has taken over Microsoft.

On a brighter note, I would be happy if the rumors are true about the death of ActiveSync (or ActiveStink as I called it)  and the only slightly better Windows Mobile Device Center (WMDC).

There may be a Zune phone that is WM7. But not all WM7 phones will be Zune phones.

I’m sure we’ll learn more soon. Like next week at MWC.

[via wmpoweruser]

Pocketables’ HTC HD2 size comparisons follows the adage “a picture is worth a 1000 words” by providing … a lot of pictures. Specifically, pictures comparing the HD2 to many different devices. I mean many. The one above shows, left to right, the Archos 5 Android, the HD2, and the iPhone.

In case you’re not into pictures, here’s another comparison:

As you can see from both the pictures and the table, the HD2 is surprisingly not much larger than the iPhone (and indeed thinner) considering the rather substantial difference in screen size (4.3” vs. 3.5”).

The most obvious difference is the HD2’s screen is 4.3” vs. the Nexus One’s 3.7”. Despite this substantial difference in screen size, the two devices are very similar in height and thickness, the only meaningful difference being width:

In the USA, both devices are going initially to T-Mobile USA, though Verizon will get a CDMA version of the Nexus One this Spring.

I really like the HD2. However, it doesn’t appear to be going to either of my carriers, Verizon or AT&T Perhaps I can buy unlocked an HD2 variant heading for South America to a carrier that has the same 3G bands as AT&T. A long shot though. Otherwise, I need to decide whether to sign up with TMo to get the HD2.

I like the Nexus One, not as much as the HD2, but enough that I am glad I decided to hold out and not spring for the Motorola Droid. The Nexus One likely will replace my Blackberry Storm on Verizon unless something better comes along to Verizon in the meantime.

I’m underwhelmed. Except by the Bravo (picture courtesy of XDA-Developers). This Android packs a 1GHz Snapdragon processor with a 3.7” AMOLED (capacitive?) touchscreen and HD 720p video capture. Also a 16GB microSD, 1400mAh battery and HTC Sense interface. Coming in April 2010. GSM/HSPA, so not going to Verizon. Update: Unfortunately, may not be going to US first either. Initial 3GSM frequencies the European 900/2100MHz.

But … what about the Dragon, Passion and PassionC? I discussed them only yesterday in HTC Dragon or (not aka) Passion. There’s some hope: HTC Passion runs Android on 3.5-inch OLED and Snapdragon in Verizon’s early 2010? But nothing definite.

So how much longer can I stay strong for the Passion and resist the Motorola Droid? Martha and the Vandellas said it well in Jimmy Mack: “I wanna say, I’m not getting any stronger, I can’t hold out very much longer. Trying hard to be true, but Jimmy, he talks just as sweet as you.”

Translated to geek, I’m still dithering in my Upgrade Decision. Do I wait for the HTC Dragon aka Passion, which per Softpedia may not be available until first quarter 2010. and even then maybe only in Taiwan?  Or do I snap up the already available Motorola Droid?

While dithering, along comes another choice: Samsung Omnia II. I’d have to wait for it also. But not for  long. It’ll be available December 2 at your local Verizon store. See Verizon press release.

The OS is Windows Mobile 6.5, with the user interface enhanced by Samsung’s proprietary TouchWiz. OK. 800MHz processor. Not bad. 3.7” screen. Good; I like large screens. AMOLED (active-matrix organic light-emitting diode) screen. That’s exciting. But the screen is resistive, not capacitive. Gizmodo says Looks Okay, But Why the Resistive Touchscreen? Why indeed? May be a show stopper for me. Though not necessarily for you.

Android is getting all the excitement. WinMo is more ho-hum, version 6.5 regarded as a retread of prior versions. But is Android really “better”?

Of course, there’s no one size fits all answer. These types of comparison depend largely on your planned usage.

Nevertheless, comparisons can be made. James Kendrick of jkOnTheRun has done so in Windows Mobile vs. Android: WinMo Is Better Than You Think. The title gives you a pretty good clue of his verdict. Excellent reading. As is Windows Mobile vs. Android OS – My Take.

A common criticism of WinMo’s user interface (UI) is that it’s a Frankenstein-ean attempt to graft a Windows desktop UI on to a phone. OEMs like HTC have their own proprietary UIs such as HTC Sense to supplement (to be kind) WinMo’s UI. Did HTC address Windows Mobile 6.5′s initial shortcomings? discusses whether HTC Sense successfully does so.

My take? My decision on my next phone will be determined by the hardware specs. It won’t be influenced by the OS. I regard Android and WinMo as relatively even. Each has their pluses and minuses, which will change with new versions.

Uh, HTC, define “early.” This 4.3” capacitive touchscreen with a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor is my dream phone. Yeah, its OS is Windows Mobile, but I’ll overlook that. Hurry up HTC; my nomadic AT&T SIM card wants a home. But can the HD2 be its home?

That question raises another question I posted recently in HTC HD2 – Which US 3G Bands?: Which US 3GSM frequencies will the HD2 support? AT&T’s, T-Mobile’s, or both? AT&T’s 3G bands are 850 and 1900 MHz (though ATT is migrating towards the former). By contrast, T-Mobile’s are 1700 and 2100 MHz.

Perhaps not both. The press release states the HD2 will be available through a “major US carrier.” The betting is T-Mobile USA will be the carrier. If it means anything, the HD2 is coming to T-Mobile … in Germany.

Sure, an unlocked T-Mobile USA HD2 will work on the AT&T network. But data will only be at the slower EDGE speeds. For a quality (and expensive) device like the HD2, that seems an unacceptable compromise.

Though there’s still hope even if T-Mobile USA gets the HD2. There are indications that yet another flavor of the HD2, perhaps for a South American carrier, will support the same 3G bands as AT&T. If so, you could buy that model unlocked … for mucho bucks.