Mobility Digest » Pure

Hotfixes Released For The Tilt 2 and Pure

David K — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 05:20:38 +0000

HTC has released hotfixes for both the Tilt 2 and the Pure. These are only for people who are using the stock ROM and the benefit of this is that it does not require a hard reset (so your data is untouched – it’s just like installing any other app). HTC notes the fixes as follows:

Hotfix: Inconsistent Caller ID function on the HTC PURE. | 12.17.2009

This Hotfix when installed prevents inconsistent behavior of the Caller ID function on the device

Hotfix: HTC PURE Freezes in SMS application. | 12.17.2009

This Hotfix when installed prevents the device from becoming sluggish and/or freezing in the SMS application on the device

The Tilt 2 downloads are available here and the Pure downloads are available here. This does not impact Touch Pro 2 or Diamond 2 owners on other carriers.

via WMExperts

Xperia Panels Working On The Tilt2 and Pure

David K — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:40:20 +0000

Herg hasn’t done anything phenomenal since yesterday so it was time for another treat. This time he was able to get the Xperia Panels to work on the current WVGA line of HTC phones and it is confirmed to be working on the Tilt 2, Touch Pro 2, and the Pure (Diamond 2). If you’ve never used Panels before they’re pretty neat actually and they vary from the very simplistic ‘fish’ theme (poke the fish and watch them swim away) to the more complex screens with calendars, appointments, shortcuts, etc but they are very very highly customizable. The stock Panels work and there’s some limited success with additional Panels. FaceBook, Skype and On The Road did not load but WindowsLive did run. If you want to test additional Panels there’s a great XDA thread located here with lots of them to try out. Additional Panels are spread throughout XDA in the Xperia threads.The Panels cab itself can be found in Herg’s Corner in our forums and is located here. Please also report on working/non-working third party panels in that thread in the forums as well so there is one place to keep all of the information together on this project. If you do want to use the Panels as your primary interface you should probably dedicate a hardware key to launch them.

This is another great project from Herg. This one is worth testing out since it’s multiple user interfaces wrapped into one. Don’t forget to thank Herg for his hard work with some coffee, scotch…hey whatever you give he likes

Your Zoom Bar Is Your Friend

David K — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 05:16:28 +0000

For those of you using a Tilt 2/Touch Pro 2 or a Pure/Diamond 2 you’ve probably been pretty disappointed with the space HTC wasted on a ‘zoom bar’ that’s functional in only a few apps. In fact, in our review of the Tilt 2 we noted “HTC has provided a zoom bar that allows you to zoom in/out on select applications. I don’t find this particularly useful or well implemented. I would have preferred to see a trackwheel or touch sensitive dpad instead.” I doubt many would argue with that. So what if that zoom bar were a scroll bar? So lets say you were in the programs directory and it was useful in scrolling to the next app? Maybe in TF3D you would be able to scroll through emails, music albums, favorite contacts and scroll through photos? And when you view a photo it’s original ‘zoom’ function remains in tact. Pretty cool, right? Well XDA mod joshkoss provided the files which dotcompt has turned into a cab that does exactly that. There’s one down side to it – without an ‘ok’ or ‘enter’ button then you can scroll but you still need to eventually tap the screen to trigger the action, so scrolling through a programs list is neat but not practical since you can’t start the app. Scrolling pics and emails is functional though and actually pretty appreciated. It does not work on every screen (like in the stock Windows inbox). One trip across the zoom bar equals two items moves (so scrolling from 1st to 3rd email) but you can stop half way through to move one item.

The complete XDA thread is here. After installing the cab you must soft reset for it to take effect. I can confirm it works on the Pure.

AT&T Pure FREE From LetsTalk

David K — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 01:24:09 +0000

As if $150 wasn’t cheap enough, LetsTalk is giving away the Pure for FREE with a new contract ($100 with a contract extension). And they’re also throwing in a 4gb microsd card with it and shipping is free. You should know that this only applies to some areas (it did not work for NYC, San Fran or Birmingham but did work for Meadowlands, NJ – just tested some random ones:)). If you qualify then you’re in luck.

Nice find mpr_ger.

AT&T Leaks Their Own Tilt II and Pure Video!

Doug Smith — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:55:44 +0000

I love it! If they can’t beat us, JOIN US! AT&T Seth Bloom at AT&T has done a video introducing us to the AT&T Pure, which we had a lot of fun with this weekend, and the much anticipated AT&T Tilt II! The majority of the video is on the Pure and TF3D, but at the 4 minute mark (4:59 total length) Seth picks up the AT&T Tilt II and shows us the PTT Button and the back of the device with the dual speakers, dedicated mute button that makes this a conference call dream come true. Unfortunately he does not turn the Tilt II on.

Check out the video:

So AT&T beat us all to the pre-release frenzy on the AT&T Tilt II. Don’t worry, we will still be digging in the trenches trying to keep you up to date on the AT&T Tilt II. Why? It’s just what we do. LOL We’re just crazy like that! And please, if you have some information, leaked photos, on the Tilt II, or any device, please drop us a line. We respect all privacy or will credit you 100%!

. AT&T You Tube Link: Click Here

Read

AT&T Pure review

Ramon Trotman — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:32:44 +0000

The Diamond 2 has been around for a while now, and as if right on queue (what seems like 30 years later) AT&T releases their iteration of the device. AT&T wouldn’t be AT&T if they didn’t change the physical look and feel of the device some way somehow. And guess what? They sure did change it. But not without slapping on a name that makes no sense, HTC Pure.

I’m not sure if the changes to the phone itself are for the better or the worse. Although it retains a close resemblance to its European cousin, the Pure still has a look of its own. Instead of the grey tone worn by the original Diamond 2, the Pure is out fitted with an all black casing. Even the hardware buttons on the device are black. Not that I mind, I’ve always been a fan of shiny black electronics.

On the top you’ll find the power button. On the side you have your volume up and down buttons. And on the front of the device you have answer and reject call buttons and the back and start menu buttons between those. Noticeably missing are a dedicated camera button and even the now expected AT&T PTT button. The lack of a dedicated camera button really gets under my skin, only because of the excellent camera that is included.

The speaker is placed on the right side of the device. This is an odd but great place for it. When the phone is being handled or is rested down somewhere, the speaker isn’t covered. I can appreciate this design. On the back of the phone you’ll find a long brush metal strip with the HTC brand and a 5.0 Mega Pixel marking. Over all, the device maintains its appeal and offers a solid feel in the hand. I find the size to be more or less perfect for my personal taste.

On to the software. You can expect HTC’s prize winner UI to be present and accounted for here. Touch Flo 3D makes its presence known on the device. From the very first boot up, you see very little to none of the Windows Mobile UI. I suppose this isn’t a bad thing, seeing as how ugly Windows Mobile can be sometimes. Fine…it’s ugly all the time! You’re treated to Touch Flo 3D 2.1, which is pretty much HTC’s latest production build of the UI. You can expect features like a calendar tab, animated weather tab, stock market tab and even Facebook integration in the contacts tab. HTC has worked very hard to give the user a great experience when using the device. And they’ve pulled it off nicely!

AT&T on the other hand, I’d swear they worked just as hard to screw up the experience for that very same user. At first glance all is well. You’re greeted by the not so ugly AT&T themed Touch Flo 3D UI. Their theme of many blues and some grey works well. But that’s about all the good I can say for AT&T. Scrolling over the Touch Flo 3D bar, you’ll see a new tab. The good ol’ AT&T tab. They’ve gone ahead and given you some short cuts to applications they think you’ll really enjoy. So you’ve got a AT&T Mall, AT&T Music, you know what, I’ll just copy and paste AT&T a few more time simply because I feel as though I can top their ignorance. So here goes…. AT&TAT&TAT&TAT&TAT&TAT&T. Right!

The AT&T Music link opens a window with a few apps. You’ve got Music sync, Music Videos, MusicID, Shop Music, Windows Media Player and XM Radio. Of those six apps, I will only be using two in the next year or so. Right!

The AT&T Mall link takes us over to a window with one icon. And this icon is called Media Mall 2. Not 1, but 2. Why couldn’t the link access the application directly? I wish I could tell you a little more about the new and improved Media Mall 2, but every time I launch the app, I get an error. Right!

Away from the AT&T tab on Touch Flo, lets head on over to the start menu, by now you’re anxious to see what goodies await! Oh no! More AT&T madness! I see the good ol’ AT&T Navigator. Truthfully, this is a great app. It’s almost worth its monthly price tag if you care to sit down and crunch some numbers. So for the sake of remaining bitter, we’ll act as if we never saw that.

Then I see games, so like any self-respecting adult, I click the games icon a little harder in hopes that it will launch a little faster. Wow what a line up, games like Monopoly, Ferrari GT Evolution, Ms. Pac-Man and more. You know what? AT&T can deface my Touch Flo 3D tabs anytime, as long as they keep pumping out games like these! But wait! Hold on a minute. Of the 10 games given, 7 of them are trials. Right!

So I go back one level in the start menu, feeling a little upset, I try to shake it off. The next icon I see is labeled “get YPmobile with navigation.” Any time I see “get” I am already thinking some sort of demo. But what the hell, I’ll see what it’s about any way. Who knows, maybe this app might be worth whatever money its being sold for. Why being sold for? Because so far, AT&T has given me nothing! After clicking the link, I’m taking to a mobile yellow pages web site. What? I am confused; I thought I was getting a mobile app with some sort of navigation? Instead I am taken to a mobile site? Where is the navigation? Oh, silly me. Anytime the browser accesses a site, its navigating to that site. Right AT&T? Right!

Back to my start menu. The next few icons are all the same icons that were given in the Touch Flo 3D tab, so I’ll save myself the frustration and skip right over them. Next would be an icon simply labeled “apps.” Really? I’ve got to see this! In this folder there are some interesting apps. MobiTV, FaceBook, Mobile Banking, WikiMobile, Mobi4Biz, JuiceCaster and the Weather Chanel. I’ve only tried three of these. The Facebook, Mobile Banking and WikiMobile. All in all, pleasant apps. I have no beef here. Not that I know what JuiceCaster is, neither do I care to find out, but for the sake of hoping AT&T can even up the score here, I’ll just write off the whole “apps” category as a plus.

Next is an icon labeled “tools.” With little confidence at this point, I go ahead and click it any way. Here you’ll find a bunch of standard windows mobile….well….tools. So nothing special here. The last icon of interest in the start menu is labeled “Microsoft Services.”

In here you’ll find things like the wonderful MyPhone app, live search or recently rebranded bing app, a few widgets and the Windows Mobile Marketplace. To my surprise the marketplace was actually live when I toyed around with it. The layout was straight forward and easy to use. One couldn’t ask for more.

I decided to set all the annoyances aside and give the camera a try. I was actually impressed. You are able to focus in specific area of the screen by simply tapping the screen (and you thought apple did it first with the 3Gs.) Even without the flash dark pictures came out decent as long as you didn’t move.

Messaging on the phone was a huge concern of mine. I was very nervous about ditching my hardware keyboard for an on screen option. I’m happy to say I am never looking back. The onscreen keyboard works wonderful! It took a few hours to get use to the feel, but I am sold!

So, what is my impression of the device? I wish AT&T sold me a Diamond 2 and not an AT&T Pure. The user experience out of the box really should have been better. This is part of a much bigger problem. Microsoft is trying to line their ducks up to streamline everything and prevent this type of misfortune from happening. HTC is going full force forward and flexing their innovative muscle, while hiding any and everything Microsoft. And AT&T is ego tripping trying to slap AT&T on any and everything while trying to sell the customer ever service they offer. It’s really a sad thing to witness. There is no reason a user should have three different “app stores.” AT&T should know when to back off and just include the Microsoft Marketplace. And if they don’t like that, then pull the Microsoft Marketplace and one of their other options and just have one remaining. It really bugs me that a user requiring the abilities of this phone will walk in the store and be subject to this corporate madness.

It is important that anyone reading this review understand that I’ve been around for a long time, and I am a different caliber of user. Some of the things I’ve mentioned here may not be a deal break for many. Even with the AT&T bloat, the phone still performed its tasks like a champ. There was no slow down what so ever when the phone was required to perform. If you’re looking for a true smartphone to carry out your day to day duties as well as your business agendas, then this might be the device for you.

Even with the horrible software experience, this phone still receives many praises from me. Once you get comfortable with the device, you might find yourself over at xda-developers.com looking to take the device to the next level. It’s a great phone and is without doubt worthy of your contract renewal.

AT&T Officially Announces The HTC Tilt II and Pure

Doug Smith — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 06:44:52 +0000

As you know, we have been cranking out the AT&T Pure (HTC Diamond II) News all weekend and had several of our Team down at the AT&T Stores this morning making their purchases! After today’s Pure frenzy had subsided, AT&T makes the Pure, and the Tilt II official.

AT&T* and HTC Corporation, a global designer of mobile phones, today announced the upcoming availability of the HTC Tilt™ 2 and the HTC PURE™ with Windows^® Mobile 6.5. The HTC PURE delivers a touch screen experience in an alluring, compact form factor, and the HTC Tilt 2 features the convenience of a tilting touch screen combined with the practicality of a slide out full QWERTY keyboard.

As a ton of other people will do, I scoured the press release (Jump after the break for the entire release) and did not find the one thing I was looking for, the official October 18th release date for the Tilt II:

Pricing and Availability
The HTC PURE is available at AT&T retail stores nationwide and online at www.wireless.att.com for $149.99. The HTC Tilt 2, will be available in the following weeks for $299.99. (For the HTC PURE, pay $199.99 and receive $50 mail-in-rebate, for the HTC Tilt 2, pay $349.99 and receive a $50 mail-in-rebate. Two-year agreement on a minimum $69.99 plan required.)

So there ya have it folks, another AT&T press release stating that which we already knew. Stay tuned and we will keep beating the bushes trying to find out the exact release date. Until then, enjoy our coverage of the Pure as we put the device to the test and let you know what we find!

Enjoy the full AT&T Press release after the break.

Read

AT&T* and HTC Corporation, a global designer of mobile phones, today announced the upcoming availability of the HTC Tilt™ 2 and the HTC PURE™ with Windows^® Mobile 6.5. The HTC PURE delivers a touch screen experience in an alluring, compact form factor, and the HTC Tilt 2 features the convenience of a tilting touch screen combined with the practicality of a slide out full QWERTY keyboard.

Powered by the nation’s fastest 3G network and the Windows phone platform, the HTC Tilt 2 and HTC PURE deliver an enhanced TouchFLO^® 3D interface on a large vibrant touch screen that makes navigation intuitive and rich while enabling smooth access to desktop like web browsing. Both devices embody HTC’s approach to put people at the center of the communications experience by providing full access to voice, text, or email in a single contact view, regardless of whether voice, text or email was used. This view can be accessed from the contact card or in the in-call screen during a phone conversation, ensuring the latest conversations are always at hand.

"As one of the first carriers to support Windows Mobile 6.5 in the U.S. and the largest distributor of Windows phones worldwide, AT&T has a long history of leadership in smartphones and Windows Mobile," said Michael Woodward, vice president, Mobile Phone Portfolio, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "Twice as many smartphone users choose AT&T over any other carrier and the HTC Tilt 2 and HTC PURE will lead our Windows phone lineup into 2010."

AT&T will support Windows Marketplace for Mobile in 2009 for access to a variety of applications on new AT&T devices, including the HTC PURE and HTC Tilt 2. Additionally, AT&T customers’ purchases from Windows Marketplace can be added to their monthly statements. After Microsoft delivers Windows Marketplace later this year for other versions of Windows Mobile, AT&T will make it available to customers using those versions.

Windows Mobile 6.5 received several upgrades that enhance ease-of-use, such as a touch-friendly user interface and improved browser with Flash support. Content and applications are just a fingertip away on the redesigned Start Menu and Internet Explorer Mobile will support the rich experiences that many Web pages offer for desktop computers.

"AT&T and HTC have a long history of innovation with Windows phones," said Andy Lees, senior vice president of Microsoft’s Mobile Communications Business. "AT&T, by bringing out the both the HTC Pure with its touch slate, and the HTC Tilt 2 with its keyboard, gives people the ability to choose a Windows phone that matches their preference."

HTC Tilt 2
Designed for the business professional, the HTC Tilt 2 is designed with distinct style and strength while delivering the most powerful productivity experience available on a mobile phone. The HTC Tilt 2 features a high-resolution 3.6-inch widescreen WVGA display which can be easily tilted for an expanded viewing area and a large QWERTY keyboard, which is optimized for heavy email use. A quality speakerphone experience is enabled by dual speakers and dual microphones with advanced noise cancellation, and HTC’s Straight Talk™ which allows for simplified conference calling and activation of the speakerphone by simply turning over the device. The HTC Tilt 2 also features a 3.2 megapixel camera.

HTC PURE
Leveraging HTC’s TouchFLO 3D experience, the all touch screen HTC PURE offers an advanced touch experience that is optimized for one-hand use, which further evolves the compact smartphone design. Incorporating a large, brilliant 3.2-inch WVGA touch screen, the HTC PURE is crafted to fit perfectly into the hand and accentuates one’s sense of style. With a crisp advanced five megapixel auto-focus camera with video capture, expandable memory, gravity sensor and an ambient light sensor, the HTC PURE brings many of the most sophisticated features to a broad consumer audience looking for the professional benefits of a smartphone, without sacrificing size, looks or functionality.

"The HTC Tilt 2 and HTC PURE are not only powerhouse devices, they also provide a natural simplicity in the way we communicate with the people in our lives whether through voice, text or email," said Jason Mackenzie, vice president of HTC America. "Our desire is to put people at the center of every mobile experience, and we are pleased to work with AT&T, who shares this common vision."

Pricing and Availability
The HTC PURE is available at AT&T retail stores nationwide and online at www.wireless.att.com for $149.99. The HTC Tilt 2, will be available in the following weeks for $299.99. (For the HTC PURE, pay $199.99 and receive $50 mail-in-rebate, for the HTC Tilt 2, pay $349.99 and receive a $50 mail-in-rebate. Two-year agreement on a minimum $69.99 plan required.)

Small business customers also can subscribe to AT&T’s new, industry-first BusinessTalk voice plans, which start at $60 a month for five users and 700 Anytime Minutes and can be expanded for $9.99 a line to accommodate up to 40 users and 20,000 Anytime Minutes. AT&T Music, AT&T Navigator, Video Share, Push-To-Talk and MobiTV all require separate monthly subscriptions.

AT&T Pure For Sale In Stores TODAY

David K — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 16:58:02 +0000

As we’ve been telling you for a few days now, TODAY is the official launch of the AT&T Pure. Yup, this is the first WM 6.5 phone available for sale and it’s even before Super Tuesday. Need proof? Ramon just walked into a store and bought one…just like that:)

And here’s some pics he took to share with the world:

Make sure you compare cell phones before buying, just because a new device is getting a lot of attention in the media does not mean it is right for you.

Fuze Versus Pure

David K — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 03:59:24 +0000

It’s always hard to tell from photos the actual size of a product unless it’s in relation to something else, so let’s put the Pure next to our good friend the Fuze. What you see is that the footprints are pretty similar except there’s a lot more screen on the Pure (at the obvious expense of a dpad) and the Pure is a lot thinner. The width is nearly identical (53 mm for the Pure versus 51 mm for the Fuze on the spec sheets) so we’ll have to see how that translates in terms of typing without a physical keyboard.

And while we’re at it, here are the box contents: Pure with stylus, lithium ion battery, AC charger, mini-USB sync cable, spare stylus, 3.5 mm audio adapter and Quickstart and CD.

Again, from all indications you can pick this up on Sunday October 4th – yes before Super Tuesday. Every store seems to be saying that is the ‘official’ release date. Of course, the fact that AT&T won’t make it official (while other phones get official dates weeks in advance) goes to the heart of what they think about Windows phones.

AT&T’s Website Has Partial Pure Page Loaded

David K — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 14:19:40 +0000

AT&T now has a support page for the Pure but the pics aren’t loaded yet and the specs page is ‘under maintenance’. It’s also appearing on their laptop connect page.

As an update we should also tell you that the start menu brings you to the new WM 6.5 start menu (4 columns) and not the TF3D start menu. There is a programs tab in TF3D to see the programs in TF3D.

I also called two local stores and both confirmed that the Pure was in stock and if I walked in they’d sell one to me RIGHT NOW. I will be putting that to the test later today but if you’re looking to buy a Pure I’d just go walk into a store and buy it now:) No waiting until October 4 or even October 6 for you!:) Keep us posted if you get your hands on one. We already know of at least one person walking around with one right now. We already know of at least one person walking around with one right now.