touch pro 2

While the rest of us have moved on to Windows Phone 7, there once was a killer device (sans CPU) called the Touch Pro 2 running Windows Mobile 6.5. And although some of us have forgotten it, it looks like Verizon and HTC have not as they just released a maintenance package, MR3, on November 30th. It's last update was in June.

Unfortunately, no change log is present though we may get some feedback from fellow readers on any changes. Good on Verizon and HTC for keeping with those updates.

Source PCD; Thanks, Matt H. ,for the tip!

Say it ain't so!

While we don't have official word from Verizon, it appears that the Touch Pro 2's run has unexpectedly come to halt, at least for online sales.

When we (and a few others) go to the Verizon Wireless site, enter our zip and look under Windows Mobile devices, we see the venerable Ozone, Imagio, Omnia II and Fathom, but no Touch Pro 2.

We can't help but think it's been pulled from circulation as opposed to just out-of-stock. This comes not too long after their second MR update and lets be honest, Verizon wasn't the fastest cat out the door when releasing this phone.

On the bright side: gotta clear stock for Windows Phone 7? Plus we're sure stores probably still have one or two hanging around.

RIP Verizon Touch Pro 2, you were unique amongst the herd.

[Thanks, segadc, for the tip!]

T-Mobile is rumored to have one heck of a Father's Day sale where all the phones are free? We're not just talking about last year's models but every phone in the house for free? That would include Windows Phones such as the HTC HD2, Touch Pro 2, and the Dash.

I'm not sure if I'd make plans to camp out at the local T-Mobile Store on June 19th just yet, but Tmonews has stumbled upon scripts for an upcoming T-Mobile commercial. In the dialog the fictional T-Mobile employee indicates every phone is free. There is even reference to the HD2 being free.  To quote the fictional employee, "free, free, free".

There are no details available yet on who could be entitled to a free phone. More than likely these deals will be for new or possibly upgrading customers and should require a two-year contract. Still, if true, T-Mobile could be seeing an increase in their customer base come Father's Day.

[read: tmonews.com]

"Everything must go! Folks we are literally giving away these phones, we cannot hold on to them any longer! We need to make room for the iPhone 4 and Andro...err, Windows phone 7 devices"

That's what we think it sounds like over at AT&T right now as evidently they sent out an email to their "premier" fancy-pants customers noting that you can get some pretty solid Windows Mobile 6.5 devices for bargain rates (*with a new contract of course, they're not that desperate).

For example:

• HP Glisten (review) for free
• Samsung Jack (review) for free
• HTC Tilt 2 (review) for $74.99
• HTC Pure (review) for $39.99 (out of stock)
• LG eXpo (review)for $69.99

A 1GHz Snapdragon device for $70? Oh LG eXpo, we hardly knew you! (-_-)

Anyways, if you need a backup device, want to stock up for the apocalypse or befuddle friends and family by giving them as gifts, head over to AT&T and get them while we still recall their names (Premier account login required).

Hey everyone, remember how like nine-months ago, these devices were the talk of the town and the Touch Pro 2 was a boarderline unicorn? Yup, those days are now over, time to move on, the unicorn is dead.

[Thanks, Mark L, for the tip!]

Well, the always expensive Sprint Touch Pro 2 (originally $350 w/contract; see full review) has been reduced to a somewhat more fair $199 ($150 instant discount, $100 MIR).

Makes sense. The phone is running WM6.5  (albeit a very good build with Sense 2.5) and is hitting its 6 month stride.

Still, with the T-Mobile HD2 running for $99 (see here and here) with comparable pricing plans, that $199 still seems a bit steep. But hey, if you've been holding out for the TP2 and don't mind having a non-Windows Phone 7 device in six months (we hear there are a few of you), then go for it! [Phone News]

Sporting a Euro Touch Diamond 2?  If you are, HTC has released a "official" ROM update for the Windows Phone. The update includes Sense 2.5 and can be found on HTC's UK Support site.  While the Touch Diamond 2 isn't available in the U.S. Market, we do have the AT&T Pure.  Could it be next?

In addition to the update for the Touch Diamond 2, HTC has also released an "official" ROM update for the Euro Touch Pro 2.  However, unlike with the update for the Touch Diamond 2, it doesn't look like HTC is ready to officially put Sense 2.5 on the Touch Pro 2.

[read: pocketnow.com]

Need more proof that the Sprint Touch Pro 2 is finally getting the official Windows Mobile 6.5 update on Friday? Look no further than the official Sprint playbook itself.

And so you can go ahead and torture their servers, bookmark Sprint.com/downloads and htc.com/www/support_select_product.aspx and get your F5 on. Thanks, 99accordv6!

According to a PPCGeeks forum user, Big Red is aiming to update its Touch Pro 2 (again) with a build of Sense 2.5. However and perhaps not surprising, there are no Documents, Footprints, Programs or E-Reader tabs on board.

The ROM itself is not yet available (officially or unofficially) and is only Windows Mobile 6.5. Release is expected "soon" which bodes well for Verizon's customers.

Now we know where this is going and what you are going to ask: What about Sprint?

Sprint has still not yet released their WM6.5 update, which is really starting to push the boundaries as far as timeliness. We reported here a few weeks ago that HTC had made a CDMA ROM with Sense 2.5 on board for a Chinese carrier, so this Verizon news is not that shocking. What this also might mean is the reason why Sprint is taking so long, is to get Sense 2.5 (and one can hope. WM6.5.3) cooked in, which would be a nice touch. 

Either way, it's nice to see companies like Verizon going that extra step for what is one of the most popular Windows phones to date.

[MobileOSNews via WMPoweruser]