featured

Review: Sprint HTC Snap (S511)

By Phil Nickinson, Wednesday, Jul 1, 2009 at 12:34 am

The Snap (S511) by HTC is replacing the venerable Motorola Q9c on Sprint and is its low cost Windows Mobile messenger device ($149 with contract; $399 without). Running Windows Mobile Standard 6.1, the phone packs quite the punch in terms of specs and features HTC’s new offset QWERTY keyboard, meant to mimic a real desktop keyboard.

After three weeks of using the device and putting it through the works, we have our verdict. Read on for our full-featured review!

Review: HTC TV Out ACT100 Cable

By Phil Nickinson, Tuesday, Jun 30, 2009 at 4:40 pm

I have the Sprint Touch Pro, and one of the unique features that I have been dying to play with since I got it was the TV cable feature. With such a small screen on my phone being shown on a big screen like a TV, I wasn’t expecting much. I was pleasantly surprised to be surprised by what I found once I got my hands on the HTC TV Out ACT100 Cable.

Want to see what I found? Then take a look inside at the full review of the joys a simple cable can bring to you…

Review: HTC Wired Remote Control Headset

By Phil Nickinson, Thursday, Jun 18, 2009 at 3:12 pm

While the availability of Bluetooth headsets with stereo capability is growing, some still like the wired versions better. For those HTC users who prefer the wired approach and want more functionality with their headsets, HTC offers the Wired Remote Control Stereo Headphones which not only offers you a stereo headset but also remote controls to allow you to keep your phone holstered while you enjoy listening to music files as well as controlling basic phone controls.

Follow the break to see how the HTC wired headset performed both as an audio device and a remote control.

Review: Horizontal pouch for Samsung Jack

By Phil Nickinson, Saturday, Jun 13, 2009 at 5:46 pm

One of the more frustrating aspects of getting a new phone is finding a case for it, especially if your phone is a new model just hitting stores.

The Samsung Jack snuck up on a lot of us and while the phone is growing in popularity, the case selection has been lacking. Fortunately, Samsung is offering a horizontal pouch for the Jack that might ease the frustration.

Ease on past the break to see what we thought of the Samsung Horizontal Pouch for the Jack along with a few photos.

Sprint HTC Snap: Hands on!

By Phil Nickinson, Friday, Jun 12, 2009 at 7:09 pm

Forget the Palm Pre, never mind the iPhone 3GS, we've managed to get our mitts on the soon-to-be-released Sprint HTC Snap! (insert snicker) Sprint looks to be the first out the gate with this entry-level messenger device and it's made some changes from the GSM version that debuted only a few months ago.

Running Windows Mobile 6.1, the Sprint Snap (it actually keeps the HTC name) is replacing the venerable but problem-prone Motorola Q9c.

Wanna know all the deets, see some pics and get our first-impressions? Read on for our exclusive mini-review!

Review: Samsung Jack (SGH-i637)

By George Ponder, Tuesday, Jun 9, 2009 at 1:15 pm

With the Epix released late last year and the Propel Pro earlier this year, some might have believed that Samsung had wrapped things up for a while with Windows Mobile. The Samsung Jack, the heir apparent to the BlackJack series, came out of left field for some and the time it took to go from announcement to appearing on the shelves was lightning-fast (shame HTC can't follow suit). We're not complaining, but it definitely took us by surprise.

Dieter introduced you to Jack a few weeks ago and shared a hands-on video of Jack. You've seen it compared to other Windows Mobile phones, and recently we had the chance to take the Jack out for a test drive. The latest Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard phone did impress us in several ways. Join us after the break.

Review: Jawbone Prime

By Phil Nickinson, Monday, Jun 1, 2009 at 6:16 pm

Some time ago we reviewed the Jawbone Bluetooth headset by Aliph and found it to be an all-around quality headset with excellent audio quality and noise filtration. A few months ago, Aliph's released the successor to the original, the Jawbone Prime.

Stated Aliph CEO and co-founder Hosain Rahman in a press release:

“We watched our customers closely and saw how they struggled to be heard in extreme noise environments. So, we focused our engineering team to go deeper on the tough problems like crying babies, pounding jackhammers, beeping elevators and the like. As a result, we are excited to announce Jawbone PRIME, with orders of magnitude better noise suppression, so our customers can continue their conversations wherever they happen to be.”

We were curious if the Jawbone Prime performed as well as the original Jawbone did and took the Jawbone out for a test drive with the AT&T Fuze. After the break, you can see product shots and our observations in using this new Bluetooth headset.

Review: Verizon Touch Diamond

By Phil Nickinson, Friday, May 29, 2009 at 6:07 pm

After reviewing the HTC Touch Diamond 2, taking a look at Verizon's version of the original Touch Diamond felt like a step back in time. Why Verizon waited so long to come to the table with the Touch Diamond is a mystery. But as they say, "better late than never." Right?

The Touch Diamond isn't a new phone and while most will be familiar with it, once it's branded by a service provider a phone can take on a life of its own. It's no secret that the Touch Diamond runs Windows Mobile 6.1 and comes loaded with TouchFLO 3D. But what other changes did Verizon throw onto the Touch Diamond?

Find out after the break.

Samsung Jack Hands On Video and Gallery

By Dieter Bohn, Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 6:22 pm

Thinking about picking up a Samsung Jack? We don't blame you - the upate to the BlackJack series seems minor and we suppose it is, but the addition of WiFi and a speedy processor in a newer, smaller form-factor has us pleased.

There's more than a little AT&T-based hassles on this device, but not so many that we'd advise against it. We'll have a full review up for you in the very near future, but in the meantime check out the hands-on video above and a big old set of photos after the break -- including comparisons to BlackJacks of yore, the Morotola Q9h, and the BlackBerry 8900.

130

Review: Palm Treo Pro

By Phil Nickinson, Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 3:42 pm

Review: Seidio 3500mAh Battery for Palm Treo Pro

By George Ponder, Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 6:33 pm

The Seidio 3500mah battery for the Palm Treo Pro ($69.95) is hands down the mother of all batteries. More than doubling the stock 1500mAh version, it offers unparalleled power and performance for those with an insatiable thirst for WM usage. Of course the big question on everyone’s mind besides battery longevity is size. Surprisingly it is quite modest in girth and in a lot of ways, makes the Treo Pro, dare I say, feel better? Curious about how long a monster 3500mah battery will get you at 528MHz? Wondering how it compares in size to the 800w, Moto Q9c and others? Read on for my take.

Review: Mobi Products AT&T Fuze Cradle

By George Ponder, Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 6:31 pm

Ever loose your Windows Mobile phone on your office desktop? Wouldn't it be nice to have a port in the storm for your AT&T Fuze to dock to? I've always liked docking cradles. Granted they might not be perfect for laptops on the go but they can be an island in a sea of paperwork for your Windows Mobile Phone to anchor to on your desk.

A while back we looked at the HTC Desktop Cradle for the AT&T Fuze a nice, thought pricey, way to dock your Fuze/Touch Pro/Diamond/etc to your computer and provide a boost to your phone's battery during the day.

Recently, we had the opportunity to take the Mobi Products Desktop Cradle out for a test drive to see how it measured up. The Mobi Cradle not only offers you a docking port for your AT&T Fuze but also a charging slot for a spare battery. So without further adeau, follow the break to see how the Mobi Products cradle fared.

Review: HTC Touch Diamond 2

By Phil Nickinson, Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 11:21 pm

HTC took center stage at the 2009 Mobile World Congress with the introduction of the HTC Touch Pro 2 and the HTC Touch Diamond 2. While we patiently wait for these two new devices to hit U.S. soil, they are finding their way into the European and Asian markets. When offered the chance to review the European version of the Touch Diamond 2, we didn't hesitate. There will may be differences between the European and U.S. versions of this phone, but there should be enough similarities to give us a good idea of what to expect when the Touch Diamond 2 hits U.S. shelves later this year.

Follow the break to see what type impression the European version of the Touch Diamond 2 made.

Review: Golla Horizontal Cases

By Phil Nickinson, Monday, May 18, 2009 at 4:52 pm

Golla Cases aren't your typical phone cases. They break away from your traditional black leather case by offering fabric pouch-styled cases with flashy colors to help them stand out. Golla cases, for the most part, have been vertical in design but with the Golla Stunt Pouch and the Golla Tracks Pouch they are venturing into the horizontal case design. They follow the Golla tradition of being unique and I had the opportunity to take both out for a test drive with my HTC Fuze. Follow the break to see what kind of impression these two new cases made.

WMExperts Head-to-Head Vids. Oh, and the Samsung Epix

By Phil Nickinson, Monday, May 18, 2009 at 5:32 am

Review: Samsung WEP-430 Sport BT Headset

By Phil Nickinson, Monday, May 18, 2009 at 5:31 am

Software Keyboard Roundup

By Phil Nickinson, Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 11:21 pm

One of the big selling points of Windows Mobile at this point is the amount of choice you have when you are looking to buy a device. Whereas some of Microsoft’s competitors in the Smartphone market are pushing one piece if hardware on one carrier, you can find Windows Mobile phones in all shapes and sizes on your carrier of choice. Honestly it’s kind of ironic that Microsoft is one of the more “open” or “accessible” choices when it comes to buying a handheld.

A priority when choosing a new piece of Windows Mobile hardware is what input method you prefer to use. I think most of us would agree that the software keyboard in Windows Mobile leaves a bad taste in your mouth, especially when compared to what is offered on some of the more popular hardware on the market.

With that in mind, we’re going to take a look at a small selection of what is available from third party developers in the way of software keyboards.

Roundup: Mobile Photo Viewers

By George Ponder, Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 1:10 pm

For anyone who has lifted a camera to take a picture of their favorite place, children, friends or a memorable event there is a compulsion to share those photographs with others. Historically, you either had to trap someone in front of an old Kodak slide projector or have the wallet photos get crushed from everything else that was in your wallet. Gone are those days of peeling pictures out from behind your library card.

Your Windows Mobile device is already fitted with a basic viewer but what if you want more? The other day we touched on SPB's Imageer, a photo manager/editing application for Windows Mobile but what other applications are out there if you don't need the editing capabilities but do need the organization and viewing abilities?

Several photo viewers are available for your Windows Mobile device that lets you share your favorite photos without the mess of wallet photos or the torture of a slide projector. Viewers that let you organize, view, and send your photos to friends and family. We decided to look at a few of the photo viewers that are available for Windows Mobile devices. I've been known to take a few pictures here and there(shameless plug) so it was interesting to see how these mobile photo managers measured up.

Read on after the break to see what photo viewers made it out of the darkroom and which ones ended up being overexposed.

Review: Sony Xperia X1

By Phil Nickinson, Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 4:10 pm

Sony's Xperia X1a created a rather lengthy story line last year in anticipation of its release. While they are now available at local Sony Stores and other outlets, Dieter was fortunate enough to capture one while attending MacWorld in San Francisco. I was able to get Dieter to look the other way and took off with it. I only had the weekend with the Xperia X1a before the alarms sounded and a massive manhunt began. Luckily, I had it long enough to take it on a test run to see if all the excitement surrounding the Xperia had any merit. As the saying goes, "Read on after the break" to see what type impression the Xperia made.

Review: SPB Mobile Shell 3.0

By Phil Nickinson, Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 2:08 am

SPB has released the much anticipated updated version of Mobile Shell 2.0. It's hard to say that Mobile Shell 3.0 is an update to the previous versions of this popular utility because of the dramatic changes present with 3.0. Just looking at the home page of both versions, the casual observer would think they are looking at two unique applications.

We received an advance copy of Mobile Shell 3.0 about a week ago and found it to be very feature rich and more customizable than its predecessor. You know the drill, to find out more about Mobile Shell 3.0 plus plenty of screen shots, simply follow the break.