News

HTC HD2 available on O2 – Now

I just received an email from O2 stating the HTC HD2 should be in store today!

HTC HD2

O2 is pleased to announce that the HTC HD2 will be on sale in-store today, bringing the eagerly awaited handset to the home of smart phones. Available from free on O2 Pay Monthly, the HD2 packs in a massive 4.3-inch touch screen, fast processor and camera with LED flash into a package just 11mm thick and weighing in at 157 grams.

 

“The HTC HD2 is the first HTC branded phone to be sold on O2. We love the large screen and combination of Windows Mobile 6.5 with HTC Sense,” said Steve Alder, General Manager Devices for O2 in the UK. “We are proud to be the home of smart phones and the HTC HD2 adds a new dimension to the range of devices we offer to our customers.”
Jon French, Executive Director UK & IE, HTC, said, “The close partnership between HTC and Microsoft means we are able to bring HTC Sense, a customer experience which makes the phone work in a more simple, natural and personal way, to a Windows phone for the first time with the HD2. With one of the largest screens in the market, the powerful and ultra-thin HD2 offers users an amazing mobile experience.”
The HTC HD2 is powered by a 1Ghz processor and has built in Wi-Fi, GPS, and FM radio. It has YouTube, Facebook and Twitter integration and a MicroSD card slot for expandable memory, as well as a standard 3.5mm audio jack, Bluetooth and microUSB charging port.
The HTC HD2 will be available in-store and over the phone. To find your nearest O2 retail store, visit http://www.o2.co.uk/shop/retailstores.

I have requested a review device from O2 so we can see if they have implemented any changes to the handset. Obviously we will let you know when we have tested the device.

Posted by: James

HTC HD2 SMS Bug?

Has the HTC HD2 got an SMS bug?

HTC HD2

On a previous post, forum user chriscamplejohn mentioned that his text messages were being delivered hours after being sent.

I too had a similar problem with our review device but I presumed it was a network problem. As chriscamplejohn is using Vodafone and I use Orange this is either a hardware problem or a strange coincidence. We’ve heard similar stories from T-Mobile customers too.

Not it does seem odd for so many people to be reporting this but personally I cant see how this can be caused by the handset itself. Can anyone offer any insight?

If anyone else has experienced similar problems with the HD2 we would love to hear form you!

Posted by: James

HTC HD2 Camera Problems?

If you read our HTC HD2 review last week you may recall that James mentioned some issues with the camera in our review device, he noticed a purple-ish halo or ‘pink splodge’ in the middle area of the photos.

At the time neither James nor I took much notice of this, putting it down to odd lighting conditions rather than a specific camera issue. However, there are more reports coming in from other users about the camera quality issues and now even HTC have confirmed that this is indeed a caused by a hardware fault and as such can only be resolved by repairing/replacing the handset itself.

Dear valued HTC customer, Thank you for your enquiry about your handset. This is a hardware issue and you can contact your re-seller to exchange the device for another one or contact us and we will send this device to be repair. If these steps have not helped, please let me know by responding using the link provided and I will be happy to check again for you.

Shame to hear that this is an issue that comes right on the back of many reported problems with battery life. Again, if you are experience either of these problems please post on the forum and left us know!

Posted by: Matt

[Source]

Motorola Milestone (Droid) coming to the UK

SuperETrader have informed us now that they will have the Motorola Milestone in stock next month and you can pre-order it now!

Motorola Milestone

The Milestone is the European name for the Droid which has been available in the USA on the Verizon network for a little while. For some strange reason this nice looking Android device will get some extra spec in Europe though!

The major difference is that the our version will support multi touch which is fantastic news. I have no idea why we are getting it and the Verizon Droid does not. 

The other noticeable change is that the U.S version is running the beta of Google maps navigation. We will not get this but it has been replaced with Motonav instead. Once Google maps navigation is out of beta I hope we will be eligible for the upgrade.

Motorola Droid

The Motorola Milestone has some great specs and you can view them in full on the SuperETrader site but as a teaser here are the best bits:

3.7 inch touch screen TFT-LCD

Google Android 2.0

Slide out QWERTY keyboard

5.0mp camera

Wi-Fi

HSDPA

Multi Touch

I think this one is going to be popular so of you want one I suggest you get your order in quick.

Posted by: James

HTC HD2 review almost done

Just a quick update as we’ve had a few emails today asking where out HTC HD2 review is. Well the good news is that it’s nearly done and James is working feverishly to get it finished and online today.

There’s still time to ask questions about the HD2 and we’ll either include the answers in the review or else directly on the forum. Please send us your questions on the HD2 thread on the forum and we’ll get an answer to you one way or another!

Don’t forget you can also ask general questions or ask for help and advice on the HD2 or any other handset on the Mobiles Phones forum too.

So head back to the site later today and we’ll have the HTC HD2 review for your viewing pleasure!

EDIT: Our extensive HTC HD2 review is now live on site.

Posted by: Matt

Special weekend offer from Devicewire

Have you been coveting the brand new HTC HD2? If you yearn for a new mobile but the HD2 is perhaps too big for your taste or just too much lolly then we have a couple of option for you which also have special offers attached to them!

First of all, if Windows Mobile is your OS of choice, there’s the excellent HTC Touch2 that we reviewed recently. The Touch2 is a worthy successor to the massively popular Touch. Featuring Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional, 528 MHz CPU, RAM – 256 MB / ROM – 512 MB, 2.8-inch TFT-LCD touch-sensitive screen, Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11 b/g and Internal GPS antenna. An excellent little WinMo 6.5 handset weekend’s special price of just £249.99 including delivery

Read the HTC Touch2 review to see if it’s for you. Order the HTC Touch2 HERE.

Or if you fancy a change from Windows Mobile and Android’s your thing then why not try the HTC Tattoo which we also reviewed just a few weeks ago. The HTC Tattoo is the smallest of the Android powered handsets that you can buy at the moment, featuring a 2.8" touchscreen, 528mHz CPU, 256MB RAM and 513MB ROM, GPS, Compass and lots more to boot. It’s well worth considering especially at this weekend’s special price of just £249.99 including delivery!

Take a look at our HTC Tattoo review to help make up your mind! Order the HTC Tattoo HERE.

The special offers are any available this weekend. Normal pricing will resume on Monday 16th November. Don’t forget to mention Tracyandmatt.co.uk when ordering! 🙂

Posted by: Matt

Buy the HTC HD2 from Vodafone – NOW

If you want to get the new HTC HD2 on contract and are happy with Vodafone then today is your lucky day.

HTC HD2

You can now order the HTC HD2 from the Vodafone website and its free as long as you don’t mind a 24 month contract.

What did puzzle me slightly though was the fact that on the website it showed the HTC HD2 as available on four different tariffs, but I could only view two of these and they were both 24 month. Is this intentional to get customers to sign up for longer?

Posted by: James

Buy a Blackberry 9700 today

I posted earlier today that Clove would have the Blackberry 9700 in stock tomorrow. If you cant wait that long SuperETrader have them in stock today and ready for dispatch.

Blackberry 9700

I have feeling that this device is going to be one of the biggest sellers worldwide in the next year so if you fancy being one of the first people to own one please click here to place your order.

Posted by: James

A New PC For The Older Generation

I know that here on Tracyandmatt.co.uk we are constantly looking at flashy new gadgets that tech lovers are keen to hear about, but I thought I would come away from that for a minute or two.

I was reading through the BBC News web pages and this caught my eye. It was an article about a new PC that’s designed for people over the age of 60 who are unfamiliar with PCs. Now we all have a relative or know somebody who fits into this category so this might be a bit of interesting reading for you.

A new computer aimed at people aged over 60 who are unfamiliar with PCs and the internet has been unveiled.

The simplified desktop – called SimplicITy – has just six buttons directing users to basic tasks such as e-mail and chat.

The computer comes pre-loaded with 17 video tutorials from television presenter Valerie Singleton.

 

.The SimplicITy computer has no log-in screen when started up, and contains no drop-down menus.

It opens straight to a front page called "square one" containing separate clickable buttons for e-mail, browsing the web, files (for storing word documents and photos etc), online chat and a user profile.

The e-mail system is a modified version of an Italian design called Eldy.

All SimplicITy users with an eldy.org address will be able to chat to each other via the "chat" button.

The pc has been built using Linux operating system (used on most netbooks these days). If the user decides that they no longer need the SimplicITy desktop they can then replace it with the standard Linux desktop.

I think this is a brilliant idea. I’ve been trying to show friend (who is over 60 and has never used a pc) how to use the basic function of a pc and it’s been a lot for her to get her head round. This SimplicITy computer would actually be ideal for her.

Posted by: Emma

Matt on the Mobiletech Addicts podcast

A couple of days ago Matt was invited to be a guest on the Mobiletech Addicts podcast so last night, with Skype-phone in hand he recorded the show with regulars Gareth and Andy.

I’ve been a regular listener to this podcast almost since the beginning some 48 shows ago and really enjoy the light-hearted banter between Andy and Gareth. In last nights show Gareth, Andy and Matt discussed:

• Unlock your iPhone with O2
• O2 launches Total Connectivity for iPhone customers
• Vodafone taking Pre-orders for the iPhone
• Meet the HTC HD2
• Motorola Droid not coming to T-Mobile or O2 in the UK
• Palm Pre With UK Qwerty on Pre-Order

I’ve just listened to the show and it’s a good one! Head on over to the Mobiletech Addicts podcast page to download or to subscribe through iTunes and see how Matt got on in what was his first ever podcast appearance!

Well done Matt!

Posted by: James