High Tech Computer (HTC) Corp today confirmed their new HTC HD2 handset (review). The device is powered by a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, runs on Windows Mobile 6.5, a large 4.3-inch WVGA display and a 5MP autofocus camera. The device also features 390 hours of standby time and 8 hours of video watching (or 12 hours of music) until the battery must be recharged.
HTC executive Peter Chou confirmed the phone would be available in the United States sometime in Q1 2010, and is expected to launch in the UK by the end of this month (rumored Oct 12).
Microsoft is continuing to work on lowering costs amid the recession, and now as a new cost cutting move, the company has stopped paying for employee mobile data on personal non-Microsoft Windows Mobile powered devices.
Until now, Microsoft would reimburse the monthly data costs for the iPhone, and BlackBerry devices. Microsoft will now only reimburse employees who have a Windows Mobile handset. However, not all Microsoft divisions are affected. We can confirm that Razorfish (a Microsoft advertising agency) will not be affected and those employees will continue to be reimbursed for any mobile phone they choose to use, including the new iPhone 3G S and the Palm Pre.
It is not surprising that Microsoft has decided to stop reimbursing employees who use competitive handsets. Very few companies even reimburse employees for use of a personal phone to begin with.
SlingPlayer Mobile has just been launched on the iPhone. The app lets you watch live TV from your at home cable, satellite and DVR signals by streaming live content. Note, that SlingPlayer Mobile does not support Sling Classic, AV, and Tuner models, but will work with the new Slingbox and other legacy devices.
The app was delayed because of excessive bandwidth concerns on AT&T’s network. The app has now been launched, but the service is restricted to only WiFi and will not work via 3G as it has been blocked by AT&T.
AT&T today released an official statement saying, “Applications like this, which redirect a TV signal to a personal computer [including the iPhone], are specifically prohibited under our terms of service,” AT&T went on to say, “Slingbox, which would use large amounts of wireless network capacity, could create congestion and potentially prevent other customers from using the network. The application does not run on our 3G
The standard Facebook mobile for phones is fairly basic that really only includes access to status updates, profiles and wall posts. Now, that’s changed for Windows Mobile users who can now have a feature rich Facebook experience on their mobile.
Microsoft has just published part of the features that will be included in the upcoming version of the Facebook app for Windows Mobile.
* Profile - View your profile, update status, write on wall, add photos and videos, and send messages
* News feeds - Compose, view, reply and delete items
* Status updates - View, update and change picture
* Photos and videos - Upload and view pictures, people tag, geo tag, auto upload to Facebook, read photo details, and make comments. The application will be the only version on the market offering the ability to upload video right from the phone.
* Wall - Post and delete items
* Friends profile - Invite, comment on status, view full profile, and email, SMS or call from profile
* Email - View, send and reply
* Notifications - View, poke and accept notifications
* Requests - Confirm friend requests and invites
According to a WSJ report, Microsoft is developing a new Microsoft branded phone dubbed “Pink”, that will likely be powered by Windows Mobile 7, coupled with Zune, Marketplace, and My Phone services, among other services developed by the MS Danger team.
The device will exclusively support the features above; the features will not be available for licensing for other vendors who power their devices with Windows Mobile.
The report also indicates Microsoft is in talks with Verizon to launch the device exclusively in the U.S.
There is currently no other information relating to a possible release, pricing, features, or even what the device will look like.
If you can’t wait to get Windows Mobile 7 on your phone, you can get pretty close with the new WM7 Titanium Project, which aims to bring WM7 to your 6.5 powered device. The project currently only supports WVGA handsets that run Windows Mobile 6.5. WQVGA will be supported in the near future. You can get it from XDA Developers.
Google has just released an update for Google Maps for Windows Mobile devices. The update has fixed various issues, including Google Latitude that now actually works on winmo devices. You can download the new version 3.0.1 by visiting http://m.google.com/maps in your mobile web browser.
The HTC Snap is a new Windows Mobile powered smartphone that is set to have WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and a strong 1500 mAh battery in a small and compact form with a full QWERTY keyboard. You can check out a quick review of the new device in the video below. There is no word on availability or pricing.
The much anticipated Samsung Omnia 5MP Windows Mobile 6.5 powered device has now appeared on Samsungs Canadian site, indicating the phone is closer to launching on both Bell and Telus.
Microsoft has just 
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