WinMo Wrap — HD2 Has Multitouch, WM to go Zune
The week marches on and today being Saturday means it is time to recap the recent happenings in the world of Windows Mobile. The HTC HD2 with the Snapdragon processor is looking more than ever like the WinMo phone to beat. More deets are appearing seemingly daily, and a recent video demonstration of the HD2 confirms that multitouch is alive and well on the phone. This might be the first WinMo phone with multitouch, which is just another reason why the HD2 is looking pretty darn sweet. The HD2 is expected to be released Nov. 11 in Europe.
Steve Ballmer confirmed this week that the next version of Windows Mobile, expected to be either WM7 or a mystery interim release 6.5.1, will pick up integration with the Zune to provide a more unified gadget line for Microsoft. An unconfirmed (by Microsoft) release 6.5.1 has been talked up around the web that addresses some shortcomings in the recently released WM6.5. Microsoft is not confirming this interim release.
Microsoft has been searching for members for the Windows Mobile team that can use WM7 to create custom interfaces for different mobile operators. The Microsoft group will “be working with mobile operators to deliver a unique windows mobile experience that seamlessly integrates the mobile operator’s services (such as voicemail services, video-on-demand services, and navigation services for instance).” It sounds like a unified look and feel to WM7 is not something we are likely to see next year when if finally arrives.
I wouldn’t say that Multi-touch is alive and well on that phone. The Microsoft Windows Mobile operating system does not support multi-touch. HTC has added an application which bolts on HTC’s multi-touch to certain apps that HTC has installed.
But this leaves you with the dilemma of switching between multi-touch on the front screen, and functions deep inside the OS which still don’t support multi-touch, and need a stylus pen for accurate navigation. It’s a hodge podge of interface inconsistencies, and one of the reasons that Windows Mobile phones are becoming less popular.
Yes, Windows Mobile 7, apparently to come out next year, will be a Zune phone, and hopefully the interface woes will be fixed. But will this be compatible with the HTC HD2? Probably not. Can you upgrade? Probably not.
The Samsung Omnia 2 is looking like the WM phone to beat. Loses out in RAM and processor speed to the HD2 but has OLED screen, also more 3G bands and possibly better better battery life, going by the specs at gsmarena.