T-mobile

In regards to the latest ROM update to the T-Mobile HTC HD2, people's reaction fell into two camps:

1. It made it better
2. It made it worse

Guess who won? 

T-Mobile has pulled the ROM update due to complaints, one of which is that touch-sensitivity starts out very high but then degrades to the point where you have to mash the screen to get it respond. Another is dialing 611 reportedly screws up the speakerphone till you soft reset. Others complain of freezing and general instability (see this thread at HTC.com)

It is unclear when T-Mobile will release an updated version or what they plan on fixing, but most of seems to focus around Sense 2.5 and areas of customization. We'll keep you posted on any changes.

[via T-Mo News]

Strategy Analytics has released the highlights of its 2010 First Quarter report for U.S. Wireless carriers. Verizon gets overall top marks with AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile, and MetroPCS finishing out the top five carriers.

The grading took into account six reporting categories; subscribers, net adds, churn, service revenue, data percent of service revenue, and ARPU (average revenue per user). While Verizon led the way in more categories, there were other stand outs.

AT&T received top marks in Net Adds (1.857 million) where additional subscribers outweighed losses. Sprint led the way with regards to the Data Percentage of Service Revenue (35.3% of $6.432 Billion).

Clearwire skews the data by earning 100% of their revenue from data but they are a data service provider. U.S. Cellular (ranked overall 6th) led the way in Average Revenue Per User at $52.42 per user.

Strategy Analytics is due to release their full report next week but it's clear that the wireless industry is doing well and their report will give each of the top six carriers something to hang their hat on.

Follow the break for a graph showing how all the U.S. wireless carriers fared.

[via: boygenuisreport.com]

It's no secret that T-Mobile is enjoying a lot of success with the HTC HD2. The HD2 is a fantastic Windows Phone and it's surprising that other carriers haven't followed T-Mobile's lead.

Unfortunately, with this success comes supply issues. Supply so thin that T-Mobile had been restricting the HD2 to new customers only and limiting that to only one per customer.

Comments such as "I would think that since loyal customers like me who want to (re)commit for another 2 years that such loyal customers would be at the top of their priority list. I would be wrong." were surfacing over at the T-Mobile Community Site. In response, T-Mobile has offered the following.

"T-Mobile understands the inventory challenges for the HTC HD2 and continues to work diligently in order to supply our customers with this highly popular product. As we receive additional inventory of the HTC HD2, we are giving priority to our existing customers. However, the demand for the device is still exceeding our supply."

"Depending on the location, some T-Mobile retail stores may still have some HTC HD2 inventory available. We suggest that interested customers contact their local T-Mobile store via phone before visiting to see if they have the HTC HD2 available. If they do not have the HTC HD2 available, some stores are taking names and contact information, and will be able to notify customers once that location has product available."

Not exactly a firm commitment to existing customers but it is a start.

[via: engadget.com]

T-Mobile appears to be at it again. Last month they released the HTC HD2 and now it looks like they are poised to possibly release the HTC Tera. The Windows Phone just passed through the FCC and if the speculation is correct it will be headed to a T-Mobile network near you.

The similarities are close enough between the Tera PB65100 and the Touch Pro 2 that many are dubbing it the Touch Pro 3. There is some thought that maybe the Tera will be eligible for upgrade to Windows Phone 7 but the design (has more than three buttons) and the specs (see below) will have to undergo a major overhaul.

The Tera has a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, runs Windows Mobile 6.5, has a 3-inch WQVGA resistive touch screen, 512mb ROM, 256mb RAM, 3.5mm headphone jack and a Qualcomm 600mhz processor.

There's no word when the Tera might become available but we'll keep a watch for it. [via cellphonesignal.com]

For those still on the fence about the HD2 (we imagine Hulu would look great on that screen), HTC Shop America, their direct sale store, is pimping the phone directly with a T-Mobile plan for $99. No rebate, no waiting.

Rumor also has it that this deal may not last, but who knows with these things (that 35 percent Bing cashback is still available as is the Wirefly deal). And considering how often T-Mobile is running out of stock/replacing stock on this device, we take it to mean it's selling quite well.  Go here to get started.

T-Mobile apparently has a trade-in program that may help those who can't decide what to do with that old iPhone. From April 1 through May 19, you can trade in an iPhone for up to $350 credit towards a new HTC HD2.

Participating T-Mobile dealers will be authorized to give a minimum of $100 credit (max $350) to those trading in their iPhones. The iPhone must be functional and in working condition; screen not broken, damaged or leaking; and no liquid damage or corrosion present. According to the details, activation is not required with the credit being applied to the fully priced HD2.

The HD2 is already priced extremely well and for those who have an iPhone lying around collecting dust (we're looking at you, CrackBerry Kevin), the trade-in program makes the HD2 even more attractive of an offer. [via tmonews]

So you want a T-Mobile HD2 but not sure about the price? (Even though we feel $449 is pretty good with no contract already).

Fret not as Microsoft's Bing is offering a whopping 35% off of the full $449 price which brings down the total cost to a nice comfy $292, give or take a few cents.

To take advantage, simply follow these directions:

• Open web browser to www.bing.com
• Type in "T-mobile HD2"
• Select the "Sponsored Links" at the top with the 35% off info

Now to be clear, you won't get the 35% savings right away. Bing cashback works by refunding the difference after 60 days (read 'How it works' here, their FAQ here). The refund is either by check or, if you have Paypal, they will automatically deposit the money after the alloted time.

Still, for customers who want this baby for a fair price without committing to a two year contract, is $292 your number?

And for those who don't mind a two-year commitment, WireFly is offering the HD2 for a low $99, which ain't too shabby either.

Edit: As noted in comments, if you do both Bing cashback + Wirefly, you can have a spankin' new HD2 for $50 + 2 year contract.

[Thanks, JB6464, for originally noticing this deal!]

Want the new T-Mobile HD2?  Live near a Wal-Mart and don't mind dropping $500? You may want to swing by your local Walmart and see if you can grab yourself one today and see if you can beat the official sell date of March 24.

Seems as a few people are having luck doing this trick and while they are paying the full-retail price, they get the joy of having what is no doubt one of the best Windows Mobile 6.5 devices to grace this planet.

Your best bet is to call ahead and just see if they have it available, then go down and see if you can find a store employee who is hopefully unaware of the launch date.

And if you want to vicariously experience unboxing the darn thing, you can check out these related videos of someone who did the above.

[Thanks, Jeremy, for the tip!]

We're at T-Mobile's HD2 event in New York City. Follow us on Twitter or check out the stream below for all the happenings.