Simplify your laptop buyingAT&T unveils Windows 6.5 phones: HTC Tilt2, Pure
HTC Pure
(Credit: HTC)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, and support for Windows Marketplace for Mobile, which will launch later this year.
In addition, the mobile OS offers a more touch-friendly user interface with a new Today screen, Start menu, and Lock screen. As part of the HTC Touch series, however, you can choose to stick with the company's TouchFlo 3D interface.
Designed to have both consumer and business appeal, the HTC Pure features a slick design and offers a 3.2-inch WVGA touch screen with both a gravity and light sensor. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and 3G support are all onboard as well as a 5-megapixel camera and a music player. The Pure is available now for $149.99 with a two-year contract and after a $50 mail-in rebate.
HTC Tilt2
(Credit: HTC)Meanwhile for AT&T's power business customers, they'll finally get their turn at their own version of the HTC Touch Pro2 in the coming weeks. Dubbed the HTC Tilt2 (and obviously the successor to the AT&T Tilt), the smartphone has a leg up on T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon's version of the smartphone by shipping with Windows Mobile 6.5 out of the box.
The rest of the features are similar to the other models, which include a 3.6-inch WVGA tilting touch screen, a full QWERTY keyboard, and HTC's Straight Talk Technology for improved speakerphone quality. The HTC Tilt2 is expected to be available in the coming weeks and will cost $299.99 with a two-year contract and after a $50 mail-in rebate.
On Sale Now:
$299.99
View the latest prices for HTC Tilt2 (AT&T)
Bonnie Cha is a senior editor for CNET, covering smartphones and GPS. When she's not testing the latest gadgets, you can find her chasing after her crazy lab or surfing in the chilly waters of Northern California. E-mail Bonnie.
I was thinking more along the lines of HTC wooing people away from the iPhone than any kind of carrier switch.
As for the capacity, that's interesting to know, though I suspect that it may be a turn-off that folks have to buy extra capacity. With prices from $16 for 8GB (amazon) up to $99 for the 32GB chip - you'd be paying at least ~$220 up-front, just for the equivalent of a $99 entry-level iPhone. An iPhone 3GS w/ 32GB onboard will set you back $300, but an HTC + 32GB chip will still require $300 up-front as well (though to be fair you do get $50 back eventually w/ mail-in rebate).
Now coupled with no iTunes or Zune Marketplace sync (though I suspect the latter might or might not be an eventuality), and the lack of a viable app store of any kind right now? The dealbreakers keep adding up.
Note that I'm not even bothering to compare OSes here - Only a raving fanboy would bother in this case.
These phones have got slots for adding memory using micro sdhc cards. You just have to remove the battery cover, take the battery out, and you have easy access to the SIM card and Micro SD slots.
Verizon has their own as well... none of them are turning any actual profit (hence they are not viable), and don't exist in most folks' eyes. Dilution is generally considered a bad thing for marketing, and Microsoft still has no store.
After all, I can get stuff for my computer from Apps Bodega, but how many people are going to know that exists?
"WM has apps all over and did way before the iPhone!"
...and approximately how many of them will work on Windows Mobile 6.5?
--
"Requiring the installation on my computer of some lame software to use a device is a weakness, not a selling point, IMO"
I can respect that - I treat my Crackberry like a spare HDD when I plug it in, since I don't bother with any format other than .ogg or .mp3 for my music (I convert the former format into an mp3 copy as needed). OTOH, we're not most people. The masses have their stuff in iTunes somewhere. That's what Microsoft is going to have to aim for (Palm tried, until they found out that violating USB standards to do it is generally considered a no-no).
--
"You just have to remove the battery cover, take the battery out, and you have easy access to the SIM card and Micro SD slots"
Yep - found out. Just like the Blackberries.
Dude -- you're just annoying me now. Why for the love of god are you even present on this thread? We know the iPhone is the answer to everything you ever wished for. Go buy one and be happy. It's so freaking annoying to have people like you that turn everything into a conversation about the iPhone.
Read the article again. It doesn't mention the iPhone. Not once. Nobody proclaimed these phones were gonna be iPhone killers. The phones are being released by AT&T that sells the iPhone exclusively in the US -- that would be cannibalizing their own customer base, no? They're just releasing new phones for the love of god -- now can you please get over your iPhone fixation or at least use it to post on threads that are actually about the iPhone? Jeez!
And regarding your attempts at FUD: do you seriously expect me to believe that you didn't know about removable SIM cards and Micro SD cards? IF that's true, you are not qualified to comment on an article regarding smartphones. IF it's not true, then you're a troll.
The iPhone is an awesome and phenomenal product. The only part about it that pisses me off is that we have to listen to jerks like you talk about it all the time, even when the conversation is about something else entirely.
I mention the iPhone/app stores/etc because that's what these phones are going to be compared against straightaway (especially at the prices they put up). If I were HTC (or Microsoft, or AT&T), I'd be busting my hump to at least try and produce something more compelling than the competition, so that I didn't blow into vapor all that capital I spent producing the things. Heaven knows they won't be able to rely on the Microsoft fanboy base to keep it salable...
(as for the iPhone itself? I personally have no use for one - my Crackberry works just fine, thanks.)
"Wow - touchy, ain't ye?"
>> just sick of trolls that make every single conversation so one-dimensional. Whether it's you or shycelticwitch, or pentest, or CDubber, or whoever -- why the hell do you guys read articles about MS-related products if you hate them so much? Why does everything have to turn into a stupid slug-fest?
"I mention the iPhone/app stores/etc because that's what these phones are going to be compared against straightaway"
>> No. You trolled, and you used FUD. Let me explain:
1) You said "So, err, what kind of storage capacity are we talking here... some garbage about price... isn't going to win any converts".
>> Knowing full-well that these phones have micro SD slots. That's FUD.
2) You said: "it may be a turn-off that folks have to buy extra capacity."
>> It may also be a turn off to not be able to replace a battery. Six of one, half a dozen of the other. Different people have differnet needs. Live with it and stop trolling.
3) You said: "Now coupled with no iTunes or Zune Marketplace sync (though I suspect the latter might or might not be an eventuality), and the lack of a viable app store of any kind right now? The dealbreakers keep adding up."
>> See? you clearly have an agenda. The market place has been announced. It supports WM 6.0, 6.1, 6.5. This has all been announced, but you want to keep spreading FUD. When somebody points that out, you'll claim fragmentation with the Verizon marketplace. If somebody debunks that you'll claim something else. What is that if not trolling? We get it -- you love the iPhone. Let me repeat -- it's an awesome product, and it's completely understandable that you love it so much. Why the hell do you feel the need to keep spamming windows mobile threads with it?
4) "If I were HTC (or Microsoft, or AT&T), I'd be busting my hump to at least try and produce something more compelling than the competition, so that I didn't blow into vapor all that capital I spent producing the things."
>> And you expect us to believe that you give a damn about MS or HTC? Riiight. These comments were for MS's *benefit*. I get it now..
5) "Heaven knows they won't be able to rely on the Microsoft fanboy base to keep it salable... "
>> What does this even mean? See how retarded the thread becomes because of your comments? Can you once, for the love of god, please try to make an insightful comment instead of participating in useless flamewars?
6) "(as for the iPhone itself? I personally have no use for one - my Crackberry works just fine, thanks.)"
>> Great! more power to you! Why then do you feel the need to post iPhone related stuff on every windows mobile thread?
Then, your phone knows when you don't want to hear your e-mails, and it doesn't disturb you!
* I simply ignore mine when I don't want to be bothered. Is it that hard for you and him to do likewise?
* it's very nice to get an eyeball on what I can expect to see once I get to work.
I know you're not that bright but here we go anyway: If your boss (who is paying for the phone service) knows you get corporate mail on you phone it sets an expectation. When you ignore that "important" email at 8 o'clock at night the boss tends to be a little irritated the next day. Then again most people find you irritating so you might not even notice.
The primary use of a phone is the make and receive calls. browsing and email are secondary features (just my opinion).
Why on earth anyone wants to spend $300 on a phone and have to hack it with XDA mods is beyond me, but to each his own. If your friends have not had any problems with the Tilt, it is likely due to the fact that no one ever calls them. Just kidding, but the phone was that bad.
You have been warned...but if you do get the Tilt 2, maybe HTC will provide the video drivers this time. LOL
HTC makes what the rest of the world calls the HTC Kaiser - AT&T calls this phone the Tilt.
HTC makes what the world calls the HTC Diamond(AT&T doesn't have this phone).
HTC makes what the world calls the HTC Diamond2 (AT&T brands this as the Pure)
HTC makes what the world calls the HTC Touch Pro(AT&T calls this the Fuze)
HTC makes what the world calls the HTC Touch Pro2(AT&T brands this as the Tilt 2)
As you can see, the so called "Tilt 2" is ATT's branding of a product that is meant to be a successor to the HTC Fuze.(or the Touch Pro as its called everywhere else)
Was waiting to see if AT&T would come out at $199, but I think I'll pass.
Including 6.5 is no real bonus because after a few months, the other carriers will get access to the 6.5 as well.
This was just another missed opportunity for AT&T.
Yes it can and no, I doubt that they will. :(
But after three windos phones I am going to stay away from them like I stay away from American automobiles.
apps. most sites have 100's to 1000's of free apps. Granted sometimes store bought apps are betters. you would be surprised how good many free apps are available
apps. most sites have 100's to 1000's of free apps. Granted sometimes store bought apps are betters. you would be surprised how good many free apps are available
as well as there isn't a dedicated numbers row just like on their Touch PRO version ?
I'm really puzzled as to why AT&T did this when the other Touch Pro2 will get upgraded to WM6.5.
Course, the Push to Talk is a bonus - but I'm just not sure if it's a fair trade off.
Thanks Bonnie for the post!
-
by hysonmb
October 6, 2009 4:04 AM PDT
- A lot of people seem to feel that the Tilt was a flop. I have a Touch Pro on Sprint and have had it since it launched. I love the phone and the only problems that I've had out of it have been due to things that I've done to it.
-
Like this
Reply to this comment
-
Showing 1 of 2 pages (55 Comments)Right now, I'm running a cooked ROM with 6.5 on it and have all of the software function the TP2 will once it gets the official upgrade. Sure, I want the new phone but I'm not going to spend the money now only to turn around and get a Windows Phone (WM7) next year when my current phone is perfectly fine and the TP2 will not likely support WM7.
On the point of this story, good on AT&T for waiting until 6.5 was ready to go rather than rushing hardware out. Sure, the other guys can push ROMs, but there are bound to be problems with that and there will be people who simply don't want to deal with "the hassel" of upgrading. Then again, they can charge customer to come in the store and have an employee click OK for them...