The latest on smartphones (and other gadgets)

The HTC HD2 remains one of the favourities for fiddling with. The phone launched in late 2009 as a WinMo device, with world beating hardware specs. I think it was the first 1GHz device at the time, as well as having the biggest screen at 4.3inches. Now, a year and a half later, its hardware capabilities are still very good.

Now, if you want to make your HD2 sing with the latest version of Android, namely 2.3 aka Gingerbread (Android 3.0 is out I know but is for tablets), then read on. The modding community has been working on various Android incarnations for the HD2, many of which I have experimented with, but for the first time now I think the state of the art is good enough to be used on a permanent basis. Forget about WinMo. With Android Gingerbread your HD2 will be as good, if not better, than the new HTC Desire HD. The latter is essentially an Android remake of the HD2, but runs Android 2.2 only, ha ha.

Take a deep breath and then follow these steps:

1. Backup and format the sd card in your phone.

2. Install Hard SPL (SPL3) a custom bootloader available on XDA. HSPL is required to update the radio and flash custom ROMs to the phone. It is safe to install and can be uninstalled by rerunning the program setup file.

3. Next update to a new radio. Radios and installation instructions can be found at XDA. Be sure to use a compatible version. 2.15.50.14 is a good one.

4. Install MAGLDR bootloader. MAGLDR serves as a second bootloader, which runs after HSPL, and can be used to Flash Nandroid ROMs to the HD2. Download MAGLDR from the forums at XDA.

5. To install Gingerbread on the HD2 first download any of the recent Gingerbread Nandroid ROMs from the XDA HD2 Android NAND Development forum to a PC and extract it. I recommend NexusHD2-Gingerbread V2.5 [Android2.3.3][Kernel: tytung_r8.3].Then perform a soft reset while holding down the power off button until the MAGLDR boot menu appears. Select the “USB Flasher” option and connect the HD2 to a PC using a USB cable. Once the USB connection is established run the Android installer EXE file that came with the NAND ROM to complete the installation.

And there you have it. You are now running Android Gingerbread, recently released by Google for use on the Google Nexus S. RIP Windows Mobile.

You will have to tweak some of the phone settings to get the best battery life. I use the following:

1. SetCPU changes the phone’s CPU clock speed automatically. Get the paid version from the Android Market. If you live in a country that has not yet been enabled by Google for paid apps, check this post of mine on how to enable paid apps. Pay with your credit card. Otherwise google the free version.

2. Ultimate Juice Defender, also available from the Market in paid and free guises, will switch various juice sucking features off and on, e.g. data connection, wifi.

3. Reduce the number of accounts that sync automatically, under Settings -> Accounts, or even disable automatic background sync if you are happy to manually sync your emails.

4. Set the radio to 2g only under Settings -> Mobile Networks

5. Don’t use a live wallpaper

So anyway my new Motorola Droid Pro arrived just over a week ago. My initial impressions were a mixed bag. I liked the relatively low weight, when compared with my HTC G2/Desire Z, and liked not having to flip the phone into landscape mode in order to type on the keyboard, but wasn’t impressed by the screen, which apart from being as small as the screen on the Palm Pre, was not as bright and clear as I expected. The keys were also surprisingly difficult to type on. They are small and have ridges that are unlike other keypads I have experienced. Guess this will get better as I get used to the phone.

I wasn’t surprised when the phone prompted me for a code to unlock it. My supplier, CA-Cellular, warned me that the phone was locked to Verizon, and that they will email me the unlock code. When the code arrived a day later, I was however surprised when entering it failed to unlock the phone. A few email exchanges later I received another code from my supplier, which also didn’t work. I then bought my own unlock codes through Swiftunlocks, but knew I had a problem when these guys sent me the same two codes I had received from my supplier previously. With the aid of Google I soon discovered that the anal suits at Verizon have implemented a sophisticated locking mechanism that changes the lock codes continuously over the air. So apparently the only way to get the code is to phone Verizon and ask pretty please. Except they won’t give it to you if you are not a Verizon customer, which of course I am not, living in South Africa. So I had to send my phone back to my supplier, and am now waiting to see if they succeed in unlocking it. It has been more than a week, so am getting worried…

Don’t know about you, but I think these restrictive business practices are really irritating, out of sync with customer sentiments, and am convinced that they don’t result in the outcomes the providers are seeking. Why lock the phone to your network? If the customer wants to buy a contract from a particular network he will. And a willing customer is the best kind. You know why I don’t have an iPhone 4? Because once I have replaced my normal sim with a micro sim, it makes it that much harder to use another phone again. Apple clearly went the micro sim route as a way to lock in their customers. This kind of strategy can work in the short term, and possibly even for a long time, but at some point it will back fire. Look at Egypt. Mubarak’s customers have had enough of being locked into a single party dictatorship, even if it has been benevolent to a degree. They want freedom of choice of their service provide aka government. Take note Verizon, and Apple. Upshot of all this is that I am still using my HTC G2, and am still happy with it. I know I have called it boring in a previous post, but it is a good phone. Excellent keyboard, fast processor, Android 2.2. Everything works well on it, except that it loses cellphone signal from time to time in places where other phones don’t.

HTC GOES BIG WITH MICROSOFT; LAUNCHING FIVE
NEW WINDOWS PHONE 7 SMARTPHONES

HTC brings its trademark innovation and design to a fresh, new Windows Phone 7 portfolio – HTC 7 Surround, HTC 7 Mozart, HTC 7 Trophy, HTC 7 Pro and HTC HD7

NEW YORK – October 11, 2010 –HTC Corporation, a global designer of smartphones and long-time Microsoft partner, today unveiled five new Windows Phone 7 smartphones: HTC 7 Surround, HTC 7 Mozart, HTC 7 Trophy, HTC 7 Pro and HTC HD7. This strong and diverse family of phones features Microsoft’s new Windows Phone 7 platform and embodies the stand-out design and innovation for which HTC has come to be known. Each new phone includes a variety of cutting-edge technologies and a series of unique HTC applications that can be accessed through the new HTC Hub that complements the Windows Phone 7 Hub and Tile experience.

“Windows Phone 7 is an entirely fresh mobile experience, on which HTC is excited to be going big. We see tremendous customer opportunities with the integration of Microsoft’s most popular services like Xbox LIVE and Zune,” said Peter Chou, CEO of HTC Corporation. “The value Microsoft is bringing to mobile customers around the world sets a new benchmark for the industry. HTC will be introducing five new HTC Windows Phone 7 smartphones at launch to support our customers with a broad variety of choice.”

“HTC has been a partner with Microsoft since we launched our first phones nearly a decade ago, and we couldn’t be more excited to continue this journey with the launch of Windows Phone 7,” said Andy Lees, President of the Mobile Communications Business at Microsoft. “Windows Phone 7 characterizes a new direction for Microsoft and its partners, and HTC is stepping up to support this in a significant way by bringing five new Windows Phones to market.”

Windows Phone 7
Windows Phone 7 has been carefully crafted to help people get more done in fewer steps with a unique Hub and Tile interface. The Windows Phone 7 Hubs offer quick and easy access to a person’s latest and most valuable information and include People, Pictures, Games, Music & Video, Office and Marketplace content. Windows Phone 7 also integrates with many popular Microsoft consumer services such as Xbox LIVE, Windows Live, Bing and Zune.

HTC Windows Phone 7 portfolio
HTC has brought its innovative design and creativity to its new Windows Phone 7 smartphone portfolio by embracing distinctive materials and unique design elements while providing an exciting set of cutting-edge features and technologies. With the new HTC Hub, HTC is providing an exclusive series of applications and utilities that include a new weather and stocks application and a new photo enhancer that enables a person to apply special effects before sharing photos with friends.

HTC 7 Surround
Whether it be gaming, movies or music, HTC 7 Surround is the ultimate multimedia device. With a unique slide-out speaker and integrated kickstand with integrated Dolby Mobile™ and SRS WOW HD™, the HTC 7 Surround delivers high-fidelity audio and virtual surround sound that enable people to share their favorite music and videos with their friends in style. No longer are they forced to use headphones for a great surround sound experience because the HTC 7 Surround speaker makes the listening experience natural and comfortable.

HTC 7 Mozart
Crafted from a single piece of anodized aluminum, the HTC 7 Mozart feels great in the hand and takes HTC’s unibody design aesthetic to the next level. The slim, solid and smart HTC 7 Mozart sounds as good as it looks and integrates Dolby Mobile™ and SRS WOW HD™ for high-fidelity, virtual surround sound. With Microsoft Zune integration, people can synchronize the HTC 7 Mozart with their PC, enabling them to take their music and video library with them wherever they go.

HTC 7 Trophy
HTC 7 Trophy harnesses the power of Xbox LIVE. Gamers will enjoy the speed and responsiveness of fast action gameplay supported by the phone’s high-performance 1GHz Snapdragon processor, and controlled through the vivid WVGA 3.8” touchscreen. High-fidelity, virtual surround sound – through SRS WOW HD™ – brings a rich audio experience whether the user is playing a game, watching a video or listening to their favorite music.

HTC 7 Pro
The development of the HTC 7 Pro was inspired by power users who want to combine the ultimate in business efficiency with the ability to take full advantage of their leisure time. The sleek handset slides opens and tilts to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard for fast, comfortable typing, while productivity features such as the ability to sort, scan and manage Outlook email, open and edit the latest Office documents on the phone and keep track of the markets with HTC’s stocks application, offer new ways to maximize the business day.

HTC HD7
HTC HD7 owners can enjoy their favorite videos and movies in cinematic-style thanks to the large 4.3” high-resolution screen, while its kickstand allows them to sit back and enjoy the action handsfree. For those who refuse to compromise on their mobile gaming experience, the HTC HD7 realizes the power of Xbox LIVE, bringing gameplay to life in a way that takes console gaming beyond the home.

Availability
The five new HTC smartphones will be available through mobile operators and retailers across major European, Asia-Pacific and North American markets from late October.

North America

HTC 7 Surround will be available exclusively in the United States with AT&T as the HTC Surround.
HTC HD7 will be exclusively available in the United States with T-Mobile.
HTC 7 Pro will be available in the first half of 2011 with Sprint.
HTC 7 Surround will be available exclusively with Telus in Canada.
Europe

HTC HD7 will be available from Telefonica O2 in Germany and exclusively in United Kingdom and Ireland. HTC HD7 will also be available with Telefonica Movistar in Spain.
HTC HD7 will be available from Bouygues Telecom in France.
HTC 7 Mozart will be exclusively available in France, United Kingdom, Switzerland and Spain with Orange.
HTC 7 Mozart will be exclusively available in Germany with Deutsche Telekom AG.
HTC 7 Mozart will be available in Austria with Deutsche Telekom AG.
HTC 7 Mozart will be available in Austria with Orange.
HTC 7 Trophy will be available exclusively in Germany, France, Spain, United Kingdom, Austria and Switzerland with Vodafone.
HTC 7 Mozart and HTC HD7 will be broadly available in Italy.
Asia-Pacific

HTC HD7 will be exclusively available with Telstra in Australia.
HTC HD7 will be exclusively available with Singtel in Singapore.
HTC HD7 will be exclusively available with Maxis in Malaysia.
HTC HD7 will be available with Taiwan Mobile in Taiwan.
HTC HD7 will be available in Hong Kong with CSL, 3 and China Mobile.
HTC 7 Mozart will be exclusively available with Telstra in Australia.
HTC 7 Mozart will be exclusively available with Starhub in Singapore.
HTC 7 Mozart will be available in Hong Kong with CSL, 3 and China Mobile.
HTC 7 Mozart will be available with Chunghwa Telecom in Taiwan.
HTC 7 Trophy will be exclusively available with Vodafone in Australia and New Zealand.
HTC 7 Trophy will be exclusively available with M1 in Singapore.
About HTC
HTC Corporation (HTC) is one of the fastest growing companies in the mobile phone industry. By putting people at the center of everything it does, HTC creates innovative smartphones that better serve the lives and needs of individuals. The company is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange under ticker 2498. For more information about HTC, please visit www.htc.com.

Do you own HTC’s monster-sized HD2? Do you really like the hardware, but wishes that HTC didn’t stick Microsoft’s now defunct Windows Mobile software on it? Are you brave? Are you willing to run the risk of bricking your phone? If you are, you will soon be able to enter the much more modern and alive world of Google Android. Read on at Engadget for the good news.

And here to follow the development thread at xda-developers.

I used to think my Motorola Milestone was big. That was until my brother in law lent me his HD2. He went back to his Blackberry Bold as his wife only chats to him via BB Messenger. Hear that RIM? Guess it is exactly what RIM wants. Anyway back to the HD2. That thing is big man. Could have its own zipcode it’s so big. An SA Airlink pilot can land a plane on it it is so big. But it is surprisingly thin and light, so not too uncomfortable in your pocket.

The second thing you notice after the size, is the screen, which fills the entire front of the device. It is a 4.3 inch screen which I think makes it the biggest mobile phone screen out there. And with 800 x 480 resolution it is a thing of beauty. Brilliant for watching youtube videos. Don’t need no reading glasses for this one gramps. To top it off the screen is capacitive not resistive like Windows Mobile touchscreens have been since the iMate Jam. The capacitive screen coupled with the superfast 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor (which is as fast and snappy as it sounds) makes the HD2 very responsive. Scrolling through your mailbox is a pleasure and applications can be launched in a blink of an eye. It must be the fastest mobile phone available today. Certainly the fastest I have used. It begs the obvious question, why now only. This is the type of hardware that Windows Mobile has been lacking – a fast processor and a fast screen. Actually makes Windows quite usable, especially in its HTC Sense disguise. Too late now. Microsoft is bring Windows Phone 7 out soon, so Windows Mobile is basically dead.

Unfortunately as with all its Windows predecessors the battery is not really up to the task. I had Lotus Notes Traveler running on it the first day, in full push mode which kept a GPRS connection live all the time, and by lunchtime the HD2 was ready for bedtime. Switched Traveler to manual sync mode, installed Bandswitch to auto drop the GPRS connection when idle, which helped somewhat. Still if you are going to buy an HD2 you may want to invest in a long life battery. Like this one:

And Windows being Windows you are still going to have to manually switch off the wifi and bluetooth to stretch that battery.

The HD2 comes with a good set of software including the usual Office Mobile with mobile versions of Excel, Word and Powerpoint. Not as good as Documents to Go on Android (which even has track changes if you need it), but it is free. Also comes with the free Adobe PDF reader, which is the only slow thing on the HD2, and it comes with Opera 9.5 which is a pretty good web browser. Not as good as the latest breed of Webkit browsers on Android, iPhone and Palm, but usable, and with the HD2′s monumental screen, you are unlikely to complain about the browser. And then of course there is a huge collection of Windows Mobile software available, but not via Microsoft’s Marketplace which only has a few hundred. Don’t expect new Windows Mobile apps though. The dev community has already turned its efforts to Windows Phone 7 Series.

Did I mention that the HD2 does not have a physical keyboard? It has an onscreen keyboard like many of the new mobile devices since the iPhone. It works ok, but I still prefer a real qwerty. As an interesting alternative try Swipe, which is a new onscreen keyboard app for WinMo (so much for no new WinMo apps). Allegedly lifted from a Verizon Omnia II this keyboard app lets you drag or swipe your finger over the screen instead of poking at it. People are saying that it is the best keyboard for the HD2. Going to give it a try myself. Check it here. Looks similar to SlideIT, but is free.

Unlike most of the phones I spout forth about on this blog, the HD2 is actually available in South Africa from the mobile networks on contract. So, if you want the fastest mobile phone with the biggest screen and you don’t mind that it runs a defunct and clunky operating system, go get the HD2. You will not be disappointed. If you can’t bear Windows Mobile, then go get its newer Android sibling the HTC Incredible, aka the HTC Desire. Or even the Google Nexus One. Both has excellent, but somewhat smaller than the HD2, screens. Both run the latest Android and both have the self-same Snapdragon processor. Neither are available in sunny South Africa via contract yet, but can be picked up for a song (an expensive song at ZAR9000 or US$1200) from internet retailers. Or you can wait for the HTC Supersonic, which rumour has it will be exactly like the HD2 except it will run Android.

Hi everyone. I am back from 2 weeks in Verbier Switzerland where the skiing was fast and the internet even more so. Took my Droid/Milestone and Pre with. Thought maybe I could get apps via the Palm appstore while in Switzerland, but no luck. Maybe that will change once HTC has bought or merged with Palm. Have you heard the rumour? I hope it is more than a rumour. HTC and Palm are well suited to one another, and has a long-standing relationship as HTC has manufactured many of the recent Palms pre the Pre. HTC makes very good hardware and Palm makes very good software. Put the two together and it may just work. Gaining WebOS will be brilliant for HTC who has been at the mercy of Microsoft and Google etc with respect to software. The HD2 is a case in point: brilliant piece of hardware but is stuck with the old Windows Mobile. Palm has been less successful at building solid hardware, as most Pre owners will testify to. HTC will also gain Palm’s treasure chest of patents, which can only help to defend itself against Apple’s patent attacks. Branding could be a problem for the new entity. Palm is a well known brand with a lot of brand value built up over many years, but HTC has spent much money and effort to build its brand over recent years so may not want to let go of it. I could live with HTC Palm. Sounds better than Lenovo Palm, which is another rumoured suitor. Also sounds better than no Palm.

For the record I have used the Droid since the end of February and have been impressed with it. Fast, big screen, big qwerty, lots of apps. And now that my employer has implemented IBM Traveler the Droid also syncs over the air with my corporate email, calendar and contacts. I use a 3rd party app called Touchdown by Nitrodesk for this. Works beautifully. My Droid travelled the Verbier ski slopes with me, in my ski jacket pocket. Fell on it a couple of times. Still works.

The combination of a 1Ghz Snapdragon processor, 4.3inch screen and a 1320mAh battery has been worrying me. Windows Mobile is not exactly known for the sparing way in which it sucks on your device’s battery. This cool-looking accessory combines anextended battery,  with double the capacity of the standard battery,  with a kickstand and promises to keep your HD2 going (or standing) for much longer.  It was spotted at Cloves the UK-based retailer and is expected to sell for around US$90 from some time during February.

HTC is targeting the lower cost feature phone market with its new HTC Smart. It runs Qualcomm’s BREW operating software which promises a more limited smartphone experience than found on its phones running Winmobile and Android. BREW, which stands for Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless, is  not new, but runs mostly on US phones and is virtually unknown outside of the USA. Apparently Qualcomm makes it quite expensive for developers to release software on the platform, which has probably throttled the growth of 3rd party apps. HTC’s strategy makes sense and is likely designed to counter the competition from the new batch of high-end feature phones from Samsung, LG and others. These phones promise functionality nearly as good as smartphones, with faster response times and better battery life. Samsung’s Star is being marketed as “faster than a smartphone”. Once again HTC has stuck its brilliant Sense user interface on top, which should make the user experience on the Smart very similar to the experience on its latest Android and Winmobile phones. The Smart can do the basic stuff such as making calls, emails, messaging, photos, html browsing, twitter and so on. For many users this is likely to be sufficient and the Sense UI BREW combination may be less intimidating to deal with than a phone running Android for example. The phone comes with a 2.8inch touch screen – hopefully and likely to be a capacitive one, 3mp camera, 3g, but no wifi. The battery is only 1000mAh which hopefully indicates the lower power consumption of the BREW platform. If it had wifi I might even be tempted to try one.