Todays & Tomorrows Technology

While we deemed the HTC Touch Pro2’s hardware keyboard perhaps the best to be had on a Windows Mobile smartphone right now, we saved the usual ire for the handset’s lack of a 3.5mm headphones socket. That’s all changed, however, for the Canadian Telus version; going by MobileSyrup’s video, HTC have shuffled over the ExtUSB port and squeezed in a 3.5mm jack.

Video after the cut

The CDMA version of the smartphone will therefore work with both HTC’s standard ExtUSB headset as well as any other 3.5mm hands-free headset or plain headphones. It’s seemingly part of HTC’s plan to put a 3.5mm audio socket on all of its upcoming devices, though we didn’t expect them to start with a phone already available in other markets.

Otherwise, aside from the CDMA radio, the smartphone is the same as the Touch Pro2 we reviewed earlier in the month. No word on specific release date in Canada as yet, nor when it might make it south to Verizon in the US.

T-Mobile have thrown open the doors to pre-orders for their second Android device, the upcoming myTouch 3G. Priced at $199.99 with a new two-year contract, and set to hit shelves on August 5th, existing T-Mobile USA customers are able to preorder the device – also known as the HTC Magic - from today, with deliveries expected to arrive prior to the official launch.

T-Mobile are concentrating heavily on customization of the myTouch 3G, and will be offering a variety of pre-designed shell patterns. Buyers will also be able to create their own shell from a photo, graphic or text, send off the design and have it made into a unique custom-printed shell.

Otherwise, the myTouch 3G has the same 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen, virtual keyboard, Google Maps and Street View, and all the other usual Google Android software as the HTC Magic available through Vodafone Europe. Pre-orders will be accepted between today and July 28th; however not everybody will be eligible for the $199.99 price.

The iPhone Dev Team have updated their redsn0w jailbreak and ultrasn0w carrier unlock tools to work with the iPhone 3GS, citing the release of rival app purplera1n as forcing their hand. The Team had originally intended to wait until iPhone 3GS adoption was more widespread before distributing their tools, in the hope that it would give Apple less time to close the security hole on which the unlock depends.

“We realize we upset some folks (e.g. existing 3GS owners) with our earlier announcement that we wanted to hold onto the 3GS iBoot-family hole until 3.1 was out. Our aim there was to get as many people as possible onboard (within reason of course) before revealing the hole, since Apple will fix it immediately. But all of that became moot when the purplera1n release was made, since it uses the same hole” iPhone Dev Team

Those wishing to unlock their iPhone – and keep it unlocked – are still being warned to avoid Apple’s official baseband updates. The Cupertino company has apparently stepped up its efforts to remove loopholes such as the one which enables this latest version of ultrasn0w.

Going by the comments over at the Dev Team blog, however, Apple retaliation is not the only problem some users are facing. Some iPhone 3GS owners are experiencing poor signal reception after unlocking, or an inability to connect to WiFi networks, while others claim their handsets have been left bricked or show significant battery drain. Now seems as good a time as any to warn that Apple are unlikely to perform warranty repairs on any iPhone they believe has been tampered with, so you attempt a jailbreak or carrier unlock at your own risk.

Toshiba’s TG01 Windows Mobile smartphone is almost ready to launch in Germany, and a few more details regarding the slimline handset are emerging. Not only have O2 and Toshiba partnered with Nimbuzz to put their cross-platform social networking app on the TG01, but USB Host support has been confirmed.

The latter means that, with an accessory cable, users will be able to plug peripherals like a keyboard and/or mouse into their TG01, converting it into a netbook-style laptop. Since the TG01 has a vast (for a smartphone) 4.1-inch 800 x 480 display and 1GHz NVIDIA Snapdragon chipset, that’s not such a laughable prospect for mobile workers.

As for Nimbuzz, that brings both IM and social networking sites together onto the smartphone, with a homescreen icon for easy access. It’s probably not as slick – or integrated – as HTC have managed with their latest UI developments (TouchFLO 3D Manila 2.5 and HTC Sense), but Windows Mobile needs all the help it can get.

Amazon UK have begun listing the HTC Hero, offering the latest Android smartphone in unlocked, SIM-free form. The dual-band HSPA (900/2100MHz) device is priced at £429.99 ($712) and expected to begin shipping on July 15th; SlashGear was at the Hero launch last week, and you can check out our hands-on video after the cut.

The Hero has a 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen with a fingerprint-resistant coating, a Teflon body and all the usual Android nicities. There’s also HTC Sense, the company’s latest UI advancement, which you can see demonstrated below. Other specs include WiFi b/g, Bluetooth, GPS, a 5-megapixel autofocus camera and digital compass.

Two UK carriers have already confirmed that they will be offering the Hero, Orange and T-Mobile (the latter as the G1Touch). Both will give new customers the smartphone free, but require a new two-year contract.

HTC’s TouchFLO 3D UI for Windows Mobile is arguably the best way to navigate Microsoft’s platform, but now that we’ve seen the latest Sense UI on the HTC Hero it’s losing some of its gloss. Happily HTC haven’t ceased all work on TouchFLO 3D, and screenshots and a video demo of version 2.5 have emerged to whet our appetites.

The most obvious improvement is that HTC have buried Windows Mobile even further underneath their home-grown UI. Looking at the video demo below, you have to really go looking for the underlying OS; general, day-to-day use won’t really unearth it.

There are also new shortcuts on the homepage, the introduction of Footprints – HTC’s geotagging system – and a freshly swollen settings dialog that covers even more options. Interestingly, TouchFLO 3D v2.5 is said to only work on WVGA devices like the HTC Touch HD, Touch Diamond2 and Touch Pro2; no word on when we can expect to see it released, nor if it will be offered as an upgrade to existing smartphone users.

Over at our sibling site PhoneMag they’ve posted the full Nokia N97 review, and if you’ve been as eagerly-anticipating this smartphone as we have then you really need to read it. On paper, the N97 ticks just about every box you could hope for, but when it comes to usability and overall polish it seems that Nokia may have dropped the ball.

The QWERTY keyboard earns much of the N97 dismay, with poor tactile feedback, shallow travel and a frustrating layout, but S60 5th Edition, despite Nokia’s work to integrate touch-control, must share the blame. Compared to rival devices, it seems a lazy implementation, while the resistive touchscreen feels like old technology compared to the iPhone 3GS, Palm Pre or BlackBerry Storm.

There are positive points, including strong multimedia performance (though ugly, basic apps), the homescreen widgets and plenty of onboard storage, but the overall feeling is that the N97 simply arrived too late to capitalize on its potential.

The iPhone Dev Team have announced that they are delaying the release of the updated ultrasn0w iPhone 3GS jailbreaking and unlocking tool. In a post on the Team’s blog, they detail the nature of the exploit used to jailbreak (and then unlock) the 3GS, a loophole which Apple could readily close once it was made public.
“Here’s the critical point, the reason why we’re delaying our version of the jailbreak: Once the jailbreak is out, Apple will fix the iBoot-family bug we use to accomplish it. They will simply stop signing the old iBoots and only sign the fixed ones. If you bought your phone after Apple has done this, there’s nothing you can do…the jailbreak isn’t going to work for you.” iPhone Dev Team blog

According to the Team, the exploit depends on an iBoot-family bug, which can only be addressed if users have a signed iBoot-family img3 from their own device. This contains their ECID, a unique chip identifier different on each iPhone 3GS. If Apple discover the loophole, they could update the smartphone and refuse to sign any old iBoots; then those users would not be able to jailbreak or unlock their handsets.

The Dev Team are counting on an imminent iPhone OS 3.01 update which addresses some of the platforms more buggier aspects, and are waiting until then to see the state of play. They’ve given no indication of when the iPhone 3GS jailbreak and unlock option might be released, a situation that’s prompting no small amount of revolt in their comments.

HTC have confirmed that they are looking to develop an upgrade package to deliver HTC Sense, their latest UI as demonstrated on the new Hero smartphone, to earlier Android models. However, due to licensing issues, devices which are “with Google” branded – such as the T-Mobile G1 and Vodafone Magic – will not get the upgrade.

The limitation comes as part of Google’s three-tiers of Android deployment, and their insistence that anything branded with their name should deliver the full, unmodified Android experience. That insistence has meant that other HTC developments, such as Exchange support on the Magic, have not made it to Android devices officially on sale in the US and Europe. The upcoming T-Mobile myTouch 3G will also be a Google-branded phone, and as such not get Sense.

According to HTC, there are potential logistical and R&D cost issues that might scupper a more limited Sense roll-out to non “with Google” existing devices, however, so an upgrade is by no means definite. It may be that cracked ROMs are the only way for existing owners to beautify their Android device.

Verizon Wireless have announced the HTC Ozone, their counterpart to Sprint’s Snap. The QWERTY-blessed Windows Mobile 6.1 phone has EVDO Rev.A support, VZ Navigator for audible turn-by-turn directions and a 1,500mAh battery. It’s also a global-roaming phone, and comes complete with international power adapters.
To enable that there’s a pre-fitted GSM SIM card, and in a pleasant change for Verizon devices the Ozone offers WiFi b/g too. Visual Voicemail is an option – for $2.99 per month – and the Ozone supports Exchange and webmail email, preloaded IM clients for AIM, Windows and Yahoo! Messengers, and a one-touch messaging shortcut key.

It’s also surprisingly affordable. Verizon are asking $49.99 (after a wretched $70 mail-in rebate) assuming you’re willing to sign up to a two-year agreement, while VZ Navigator is the usual $9.99 per month add-on. The Verizon HTC Ozone will be available from June 29th online, and in stores from July 13th.

We’ve already seen what’s going on inside the iPhone 3GS, now courtesy of iSuppli we know roughly how much it all costs. The analysts have been picking through the iPhone 3GS’ components and have deemed that Apple’s handset costs $178.96 to produce in its 16GB form.

That’s made up of $172.46 in hardware costs, and a further $6.50 in manufacturing expense. Significant components include the flash memory, produced by Toshiba and priced at $24 for 16GB, and the display, with the 3.5-inch LCD estimated at $19.25. The ARM SoC application processor is pegged at $14.46.

The similarity between the iPhone 3GS and its predecessor, the iPhone 3G, suggests – iSuppli posit – that Apple have been able to counter the more expensive components new to the smartphone by taking advantage of lower general prices on legacy parts and buying in bulk. They’ve also taken advantage of combined hardware, such as the Broadcom Bluetooth/FM/WLAN chip which replaces two separate components in the iPhone 3G.

According to an unnamed phoneArena tipster, Verizon have confirmed that they will be offering the CDMA version of Samsung’s Omnia II this July. The source is seemingly Verizon’s customer services, who revealed that the touchscreen AMOLED Windows Mobile phone will be dropping just next month.
Samsung made the Omnia II official earlier this month, surprising with the fact that the device publicly announced was not the GSM HSPA handset expected but a CDMA device. Verizon’s latest smartphone will offer EVDO Rev.A; there’s no talk of it being a “worldphone” with both CDMA and GSM support for roaming.

Also unknown is a specific release date in July, and what sort of pricing the Omnia II might command. The phone has a 3.7-inch WVGA display, 5-megapixel camera, WiFi and A-GPS.

After HTC announced the Hero, we took the opportunity to coerce one of their team to spend a while running through the Android smartphone’s new functionality. The result is the usual excessively-comprehensive SlashGear video, a full fifteen minutes of HTC Hero demo that you can see after the cut.

In the video, you can see how HTC have integrated their new Sense UI with Android, adding an extra bevy of widgets for the newly-enlarged homepage. That same UI will eventually end up on all HTC devices, we’re told, so even if you’re a devout Windows Mobile fanatic you’ll be wanting to see exactly what’s what.

For the full hands-on gallery of live HTC Hero images, check here. If you want all the specs, check out our launch post, or the official Hero page at HTC’s site.

HTC have confirmed that the distinctive HTC Sense UI seen today on their Hero Android handset will in future be featured on the company’s Windows Mobile devices. According to the HTC press release, “all new HTC devices moving forward” will get the new system, which integrates Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and other widgets into the homescreen.

What will be interesting to see is how Sense co-exists with Windows Mobile’s own UI and that of third-party apps and widgets. While Sense obviously has elements of TouchFLO 3D to it, one distinct difference is that it co-exists happily with Google’s own Android widgets and those of other developers. In contrast, TouchFLO 3D pretty much takes over a Windows Mobile device, leaving little to no room for other providers.

While there’s no definite timescale for Windows Mobile devices using HTC Sense, the press-release’s assertion that all new phones “moving forward” will use it does suggest sooner rather than later. Of course, HTC have only relatively recently launched the Touch Pro2 and Touch Diamond2, which means there could be a few more months before a fresh Windows Mobile handset is forthcoming.

The clock is counting down to HTC’s London press event, with a little over three hours to go until we get to see exactly what the smartphone manufacturer has in store. We’re fully expecting to see a new Android handset, most likely the HTC Hero, which we’re hearing that the company has been quietly showing off to select groups of journalists and analysts. SlashGear will be at the event this morning, bringing you all the details.

The Hero is expected to feature similar hardware to the HTC Magic, so figure a capacitive touchscreen, 3G and WiFi connectivity, GPS and a camera. What stands it apart are the modifications HTC have apparently made to Android; while the company’s first two devices have pretty much delivered the typical Google platform experience, leaked ROM builds from the Hero suggest a new UI called “Rosie”.

Rosie blends some of HTC’s TouchFLO 3D UI, as seen on their Windows Mobile devices, with Android, and we’re hearing very positive things from those running the ROM on their devices. Other rumors, though, are saying that HTC will bring a second device, similar to the Hero but with a QWERTY keyboard, called Memphis along today. We’ll only know when the curtain (likely metaphorically) goes up, so keep reading SlashGear to find out all the news today.

OnLive have already woken up interest in cloud-gaming, using a system of remote server processing and rendering that means local computers can be little more than viewing devices, but now that system has been shrunk down to cellphone size. OTOY use the same sort of server-side rendering system as OnLive, but promise that it’s usable even through the web browser on a cellphone. To demonstrate it, they’ve released a video showing an Xbox 360 controller being used to control a FPS on a Samsung Omnia.

According to OTOY, just about any mobile device – whether Palm Pre, iPhone, iPod touch or Android-based smartphone – will be able to access the service. They’re currently working on control methods, which will range from accelerometer control, on-screen joypads and even external peripherals.

While it works best over WiFi, it’s still supposedly playable with a 3G connection; we’re not sure how they’ve got past control lag, though, nor instability in the phone’s connection, especially when mobile. Still, HD-quality gaming without a huge, overpowered mobile console is nothing to be sniffed at, so we’ll be watching with great interest to see when OTOY will be coming to market.

It’s unlikely to be taxing their production line all that much, but notorious ink-lovers ColorWare have announced they’ll be offering custom versions of the iPhone 3GS. As with other ColorWare creations, the end result can be as tasteful or as lurid as your mora

The usual range of solid and metallic colors are available, and you can have your earphones dyed to match too. The basic process changes just the back-plate of the phone, but you can also customize the normally-chrome bezel, the home button and the SIM holder.

Pricing starts at $150 for the back, then add $20 each for the bezel frame and button, or $15 each for the SIM holder and earbuds. Currently there’s only the option to send in your own iPhone 3GS (in the US); ColorWare aren’t offering the smartphone themselves at this stage.

Developers playing with Palm’s webOS have discovered a method whereby software can be installed on an unhacked Pre. The system emails a .ipk link to the app, and seemingly takes advantage of a loophole in the platform to bypass Palm’s security.

For the end-user, installing an app is as straightforward as tapping on a link in their email and allowing the Pre’s browser to open it. That automatically downloads and installs the software; currently the only publicly available app is a proof-of-concept that installs a non-functional shortcut icon to the Pre’s launcher.

Frankly, we’re fully expecting Palm to step in and put a stop to this sort of software distribution with an update to webOS. Not only does it present a security risk, where naive Pre users may click to load a malware app without realizing, but it bypasses the official app store and thus denies Palm themselves any cut of paid-app profits (or the ability to decline certain apps it doesn’t want released). They’re likely to put more emphasis on the security reasons, though.

Apple have announced sales figures for the iPhone 3G S, and while there was talk of fewer buyers turning out for their latest-gen smartphone the numbers are still undeniably healthy. The company sold over one million iPhone 3G S handsets through Sunday, June 21st; meanwhile six million users have downloaded iPhone OS 3.0 in the five days since it was released on Wednesday last week.

Apple haven’t revealed how many people picked up the iPhone 3G 8GB in the past couple of weeks. Their previous-generation smartphone was reduced to $99 with a new contract after the iPhone 3G S was announced, offering a new point-of-entry to iPhone ownership though lacking the newer handset’s autofocus camera, extra megapixels, digital compass and other functionality.

For our hands-on first impressions of the iPhone 3G S, check out this post. We’ll have our full review up later this week!