HTC

The 411: Touch-screen durability

Welcome to the 411, my Q&A column answering all your questions about cell phones and cell phone accessories. I receive plenty of queries about these subjects via e-mail, so I figured many of you might be wondering about the same things, too. At times, I might solicit answers from readers if I'm stumped. Send your questions and comments to me at nicole.lee@cnet.com. If you prefer to remain anonymous, let me know in the e-mail.

Hi Nicole, I'm thinking of upgrading my mobile phone in the near future. I've been a BlackBerry user for the past couple of years, and I've really given this thing a beating. I have dropped it more times than I can count, sometimes at a great enough velocity to send the battery cover flying well past the rest of the phone. What I am wondering is, how durable are today's touch-screen phones? I've heard that the Pre is particularly fragile. Are the OLED devices any better or worse? Would you recommend someone like me sticking with a non-touch device, since once you crack a touch screen, you are left with an expensive paperweight? -- Jay, via e-mail.

If you abuse your phone that much, I would say touch-screen phones are probably not the best for you. Touch-screen phones usually have a glass surface as the display, which, of course, is particularly susceptible to cracking. You might consider a durable case of some kind to prevent everyday nicks and scratches, though. There are also many manufacturers that make scratch-resistant screen overlays, like the Zagg invisible shields, for example. But if you're truly concerned, then yes, perhaps a more durable phone is in order. You can check out phones like the Sonim XP3 Quest or the Casio Exilim C721, both of which are rugged enough to withstand the elements. Check out our reviews of other durable phones, too, if you want more options.

I am due for an upgrade in October and was seriously considering a BlackBerry Tour on Verizon Wireless. The only thing is that I have big hands and while some people might laugh it makes for an uncomfortable experience on those BlackBerry devices. My question is this: Does RIM have any plans on coming out with a BlackBerry device that has bigger keys? Or am I doomed to never be able to use a BlackBerry device at all? -- Stu, via e-mail

RIM has been pretty consistent with the size and shape of its BlackBerry handhelds, so I don't think RIM will enhance the size of its keyboards any time soon.… Read more

Hands on with the HTC HD2

Of all the Windows Mobile 6.5 smartphones announced this week at CTIA Fall 2009, the HTC HD2 is arguably the sexiest and most powerful of the bunch.

The HD2 boasts a 4.3-inch WVGA (480x800) capacitive touch screen and is powered by Qualcomm's new 1GHz Snapdragon mobile processor, all while measuring just 0.43 inches in thickness. It also offers an HTC Sense user experience, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1, a 5-megapixel camera, a 3.5 millimeter headphone jack--the works.

With those kind of impressive specs and sexy looks, can you blame us for being disappointed when it was … Read more

Qualcomm chips rule Windows Mobile roost

Consumers won't see a "Qualcomm Inside" sticker on new Windows Mobile phones, but the chip supplier is playing a big role in powering the first crop of phones based on Microsoft's new operating system.

Microsoft announced on Tuesday the first phones to carry the Windows Phone brand and run the Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system--which offers Adobe Flash support, an upgraded browser, and menus that can be navigated with a finger. AT&T has already announced smartphones, with dozens more expected to be rolled out by the end of the year.

The Tilt 2 … Read more

HTC HD2 revealed with HTC Sense

On Tuesday, Taiwanese handset manufacturer HTC unveiled its fifth Windows Mobile 6.5 smartphhone, the HTC HD2. It will be the company's first Windows Mobile phone to rock HTC's Sense user interface, which debuted on the HTC Hero. The HD2 will also be powered by Qualcomm's new 1GHz Snapdragon mobile processor and boasts a 4.3-inch WVGA (480x800) capacitive touch screen. Other highlights include Bluetooth 2.1, a 5-megapixel camera, and a 3.5 millimeter headphone jack.

The HTC HD2 will be available through select European operators later in October and will ship to other regions of … Read more

HTC Imagio wields multimedia prowess

If you took away the keyboard from the HTC Touch Pro 2 and boosted its multimedia features, you would get something very similar to the HTC Imagio. Indeed, they both have a 3.6-inch WVGA touch screen, HTC's TouchFlo 3D interface, Microsoft Office Mobile productivity apps, and once Microsoft rolls out the Windows Mobile 6.5 update to the Touch Pro 2, both of them will have the same OS as well.

But the Imagio is very clearly the multimedia-focused handheld here, with a 5.0-megapixel camera and camcorder, access to V Cast video streaming and V Cast Music with Rhapsody, … Read more

AT&T unveils Windows 6.5 phones: HTC Tilt2, Pure

With the launch of the first round of Windows Mobile 6.5 devices just a day away, AT&T threw its hat into the ring and announced two of its own Windows phones, the HTC Pure and the HTC Tilt2.

The Pure is a rebranded version of the HTC Touch Diamond2, which we took a look at earlier this year, and sports some design changes and, of course, the new features of Windows Mobile 6.5. This includes the Microsoft's MyPhone backup service, an improved Internet Explore Mobile browser that offers Flash Lite support and better navigation tools, … Read more

Verizon Wireless introduces HTC Imagio

On Thursday, Verizon Wireless premiered the HTC Imagio, the carrier's first Windows Mobile 6.5 device and the first smartphone to support its V Cast Mobile TV service.

Known in inner circles by its codename, the HTC Whitestone, the Imagio is being billed as a multimedia smartphone and also works with V Cast Video on Demand and V Cast Music. Verizon typically has not made these services available on its other smartphones, such as the HTC Touch Pro2, in order to focus on the business benefits of smartphones, so the Imagio is a nice change of pace.

To make … Read more

The 411: BlackBerry choices

Welcome to the 411, my Q&A column answering all your questions about cell phones and cell phone accessories. I receive plenty of questions about these subjects via e-mail, so I figured many of you might have the same questions, too. At times, I might solicit answers from readers if I'm stumped. Send your questions and comments to me at nicole.lee@cnet.com. If you prefer to remain anonymous, let me know in the e-mail.

Thanks to Bonnie Cha for her help with the first couple of questions!

I am thinking of getting the BB Tour or … Read more

Sprint HTC Hero reviewed

Sprint was one of the first carriers to join the Open Handset Alliance when it was founded in November 2007 to promote Google Android. However, unlike T-Mobile, which released the T-Mobile G1 and the T-Mobile MyTouch 3G, the carrier wasn't so quick to offer an Android handset to its customers because it simply didn't think the operating system was "good enough"; that is, until now.

Starting on October 11, Sprint will offer its first Android device, the HTC Hero, for $179.99 with a two-year contract and unlimited data plan. We've actually had a few … Read more

And you thought your HTC Touch Pro2 was big...

We've heard rumors of the HTC Leo and saw a rendered image two months ago, but it looks like there's finally something concrete to back those up. Leaked photos have emerged of this upcoming Windows Mobile (WM) device and they show a product that dwarfs the HTC Touch Pro2.

The WVGA display on the Leo is absolutely massive with a diagonal screen size of 4.3 inches. The largest panel on a WM device currently on the market is the Toshiba TG01's 4.1-inch LCD. According to a screenshot showing its specs, the Leo is powered by a 1GHz Qualcomm processor and has 320MB of RAM. More information and pictures after the jump. … Read more