A Bunch of Nice Smartphones Coming Soon

Few weeks ago, I wrote an article about "Exciting Windows Mobile Smartphones" which was to show a bunch of upcoming smartphones that are very attractive to a mobile fanatic like myself. Since then, a slew of smartphones have begun to show face and I am here to list a few from my watchlist:

Samsung Omnia aka SGH-i900 (GSM, $800-900, WM Pro 6.1, already available, 3G but not US Supported). The Omnia is a Windows Mobile Professional power house. Like the iPhone, a large LCD w/o keyboard gives it a clean design (resolution is 240x400) Featuring a built-in 8 or 16GB of storage and if that is not enough, you can always add another 8 or 16GB microSD for storage hogs. Samsung has put in a unique TouchWiz UI similiar to HTC's touch-flo layer on top of the basic WinMo control. Also included, is full version of Opera Mobile allowing desktop-like web browsing.

BlackBerry Bold (GSM, est $300, BB OS, release in Oct, 2008, 3G AT&T), the blackberry bold is kind of an old news but it has yet to be released. Its the latest revision of the tried and true QWERTY form factor that made BlackBerry(s) famous. I had a full write up on how important this phone will be for BlackBerry here.

BlackBerry Thunder aka 9500 (CDMA, Verizon, est. $250 contract price, BB OS w/ Touchscreen, release in Q4, 2008, 3G EV-Do). The first ever Touchscreen BlackBerry without a keyboard has definitely rocked the industry with its presence (or phantom presence). This phone has long been in the rumor and I am still surprised to see it come true. From the pre-release photos, I see a very slick product that is known for its reliability and communications ability which will give the iPhone's design a run for the money. Although this unverified video seen here hasn't impress me with its UI and response time, so I hope the video is fake. In any case, this phone should be a strong contender for 2009.

HTC Dream or G1, aka Google Android Phone (GSM, est. $199 contract price, Android OS, est. release 10/13/2008, 3G Tmobile USA). HTC Dream is going to change the smartphone and mobile industry thanks to the first-ever Google Android OS. It will be the first device from the Open Handset Alliance setforth by Google and there are tons of 3rd party applications coming out soon. With Google's massive support for everyone involved, I strongly believe this phone is going to rock the house. On top of the amazing hardware specs (3G, WiFi, Graphics Acceleration, large touchscreen LCD, full QWERTY keyboard, etc.), the Android OS is going to include a full suite of Google apps (Gmail, Gmap, Gtalk, Docs, Picasa, etc.). I may not be able to get this phone right away as I am already tied to an AT&T contract, but you can be sure I will be buying an Android-powered phone shortly. I also anticipate this phone to be as successful for T-Mobile as the iPhone has been for AT&T.

HTC Touch HD (GSM, Unknown $$$, WM Pro 6.1, releasing Q4, 3G, hopefully 3G US also). HTC Diamond has been talk of the town, unfortunately, when compared to the iPhone, it falls a little shy with the LCD screen size and the lack of 3.5mm audio jack has been a turn-off for me personally. Well, HTC has heard their users loud and clear with the Touch HD. An enormous 3.8" LCD touchscreen with 400x800 WVGA high resolution which of course playsback the famous Touch-Flo beautifully. Engadget just got done with a hands-on test with one, overall verdict is positive. Because of this phone, I am now holding off from buying a HTC Diamond.

So these are some of the upcoming smartphones that I am looking out for in the near future, if I missed any good handsets, feel free to give me a shout-out.

HTC Touch Diamond, US Version Available!

Folks, the HTC Touch Diamond for the US market is finally available for shipping from MobileCityOnline.com. I got an email alert this morning. This is a version which supports the 3G bandwidth on AT&T. Going for $630+shipping (and tax where applicable). Sooooo.... tempting!

HTC Touch Diamond Preview

I think HTC Touch Diamond is pretty much going to be my next phone. I am just anxiously awaiting for the US 3G version to become available. Until then, here is a nice footage to tie you over:

Early Report HTC Touch Diamond Not Good for AT&T

According to Howard Forum discussion thread here, if you have gotten your hands on an HTC Touch Diamond, then chances you have a Euro edition which translates into bad mobile experience if you are an AT&T customer.

The reason is because this phone (June 2008 release) is designed for Europe. Not only its 3G data is set for Europe (WCDMA 900/2100MHz), its tri-band (900/1800/1900 MHz) voice network is only tri-band and favors T-Mobile USA instead of AT&T (mostly 850MHz, rarely 1900MHz), where as T-Mobile USA is primarily running on 1900MHz.

In layman's term, you should wait until this phone is available (est. Sept 08) for US edition running on WCDMA 850/1900MHz as well as for its voice network. You'd think going by GSM network, life would be easier right?

My next smartphone: Sony Ericsson Xperia X1

I have mentioned a few times in the past that I am searching for a good Windows Mobile smartphone for this blog. At this point, I've narrowed down to two: 1). Sony Ericsson's Xperia X1 and 2). HTC Diamond Touch. I think considering all the features, X1 may be the winner. Having SVGA resolution (800x600) makes it very attractive, 3.5mm audio jack is a must and a true world wide support (quad-band, and 5-UMTS bands supported). While I wish it has the cool touch-flo as the HTC, I think I will go for the bigger screen, full QWERTY keyboard and world-wide support of the X1.

Found a nice clip of its UI below:

HTC Touch Diamond in Stock at MobileCityOnline

I noticed MobileCityOnline getting the HTC Touch Diamond (Euro 3G version) in stock since a couple of days ago, but when I checked back again, they were in pre-order mode again. Well, it looks like as of tonight they've got these hot new WinMo phones back in stock again. If you have to get one, better act quick as these things won't last. It will cost you a cool $749 to be the coolest kid on the block!

They also have a US version priced at $699 slated to arrive by July 21st for pre-ordering.

Exciting Windows Mobile Smartphones

Exciting? Windows Mobile? Did I just use these two phrases in the same sentence? Yes and it is not a mistake. As I have stated in a couple of previous blog entries, I am in the market for a Windows-Mobile powered smartphone. I need a Windows-powered phone in order to maintain and review some stories for this blog. As I am researching for a qualified phone, I am seeing some interesting options coming up in the pipeline. These phones seem to have unlocked the potential in Windows Mobile by adding some layer of widget-like functionality to a plain-jane OS (ie. Touch Flo, Custom Menu, VGA grid display). Lets begin:

1. SonyEricsson Xperia X1 (est. $999, avail Q3, 2008) - is the first windows mobile powered smartphone in its line up. This is a features power-house: 3G international (850 /900 /1700 /1900 /2100MHz), WiFi, aGPS, 800x600 resolution, 400MB memory, MicroSDHC, QWERTY, Bluetooth, FM Radio, 3.2MP Camera/Camcorder. This is an absolute gem and I want it so badly. If the price tag is approaching $1,000, it would make it very difficult to justify. Around $500-600 seems more reasonable.

2. HTC Touch Diamond (est. $750, avail June 2008) - is one of the sexiest smartphone to be released by one of the biggest smartphone ODM in Taiwan. HTC must have pulled all the tricks out of the hat on this one. With a slim design and slick finish, this phone is going to be hot. Aside from its elegant "Touch Flo 3D" UI, this phone packs 3G Euro/Asia for now, VGA resolution, WiFi, GPS, WinMo, SDHC, 4GB internal memory, Bluetooth, 3.2MP camera, etc. Its a phone with very high potential. The only thing missing from this phone is a 3.5mm headphone jack. Kind of an achille's ankle to most HTC phones.

3. Velocity 103 (est. ?, available Q2 2008) - A relative new comer to the smartphone scene has a mystery-like presence. Its minimalist design with a glossy black finish spells elegance and high end design. With a host of amazing specifications such as GPS, 3G (850/1900/2100MHz), WiFi, VGA resolution, Bluetooth, . It doesn't look like TouchScreen is available so all of the commands are done through the trackball which can make it quite difficult to perform simple tasks (ie. dialing number, select a menu icon, etc.)

Potential Contender: Samsung BlackJack II (SGH-i617). This phone has the perfect size and form. With 3G data, full QWERTY keyboard and GPS at the cost of $319 without contract from Newegg.com, I am almost ready to commit except that it lacks WiFi which is still an important function to have.

HTC Touch Diamond Available June 2008

More news on the HTC Touch Diamond, quite possibly the best-looking Windows Mobile smartphone ever produced. According to this article, Touch Diamond will be available to France's Orange carrier and estimated arrival is next month. HTC has been working hard to tweak the Windows Mobile operating sytem to rival the slick touch and feel of an iPhone. They've put in a lot of small touches like three different types of on screen keyboard and a more three-dimensional feel/interaction. There is a nice flash animation at HTC Touch Diamond's product page for your reference.

With 3G HSDPA data, WiFi, Bluetooth, 2.8" VGA (640x480) display, 4GB internal memory, GPS on top of Microsoft's enterprise support (Windows Mobile based). This phone is very likely to bring me back to the dark WinMo side.

PS - The most appealing thing about this phone is probably its design, at a mere 11.3mm, its beyond more beautiful than any of the previous product offerings made available by HTC or other Windows Mobile phone on the market today.

HTC Touch Diamond is Gorgeous

Engadget just got a a hold of leaked image and information on the HTC Touch Diamond which is not only looking good also spec'd out well. VGA, fast 528MHz CPU, WinMo Pro 6.1, eGPS, WiFi, 3.5G, 3.2MP Cam, etc. Aside from its rock solid spec, it looks pretty slick. This will give Sony's X1 a good run for the money (although HTC is the supplier for the X1). Hope on over to Engadget for more updates.