Droid gets an update to Android 2.1

It's finally here! Verizon has been slow to release updates, but the Motorola Droid now can be upgraded to Android 2.1.

Let's hope that HTC and Verizon work things out so that the HTC Droid Eris gets the same update soon!

Mighty ROM for HTC Touch Pro2

It's time for me to load Mighty ROM for my HTC Touch Pro2. I've tried Mighty ROM on my previous HTC Touch Pro.

Custom ROMs are great because you can find the right balance of features and functionality. I used to load custom ROMs on my HTC Titan (XV6800 or Mogul), but now that I'm using the Touch Pro2, it's time to unlock this phone and try some custom ROMs.

It's all about Android for Verizon Wireless

Even though Verizon may eventually get the Apple iPhone, my prediction is that Android will surpass the iPhone by the time that happens. We're seeing such a huge uptake of Android smartphones, especially as more manufacturers release devices. HTC, Motorola, and now even Dell has announced the Mini 3 Android smartphone (although I don't think they will release a CDMA version for Verizon).

HTC XV6800

The HTC XV6800 is a great smartphone! So many ROM developers built custom ROMs for the HTC Titan (XV6800, Sprint Mogul) and there were so many dedicated users who have been active participants on forums like the XDA Developers, PPC Geeks, etc.

Now, the big question is my mind is this: what smartphone will XV6800 users choose when it comes time to upgrade?

Let's assume that users will maintain loyalty to HTC. Will they stick with Windows Mobile? Or will they switch to Android? HTC has some great Windows Mobile and Android phones coming out in 2010, so get excited!

Who still uses the XV6800?

The XV6800 used to be my main smartphone. It was great to have access to some nice custom ROM packages that were built on Windows Mobile 6.1 and Windows Mobile 6.5

I'm wonder who still uses the XV6800? (AKA HTC Titan, Sprint Mogul, etc.)

Get a Free Droid Eris (Double Your Droid)

Get a free HTC Droid Eris if you buy a Motorola Droid or an HTC Droid Eris. Wow, you can't beat that deal, can you? Verizon Wireless is currently having a special sale to help you "Double Your Droid."

Best Verizon Smartphone

As smartphones evolve, which smartphone on the Verizon Wireless network is the "best" one?

Let's narrow this down based on the different smartphone operating systems first:

• Windows Mobile
• BlackBerry
• Android

We don't have anything that runs iPhone or webOS yet.

So, which smartphone is the best? In my opinion, it's still the HTC Touch Pro2 running Windows Mobile. Some may argue that it's the Motorola Droid running Android. BlackBerry lovers will all vote for the Storm 2. What do you think?

New Verizon smartphones coming this month

Are you excited about the new Verizon smartphones that will be appearing this month? We should see the Samsung Omnia 2. What else? Maybe we'll see something from RIM. A new BlackBerry? Will HTC come out with anything new? Maybe we'll finally see the Windows 6.5 ROM for the Touch Pro2.

Verizon Black Friday Sale

You would think that Verizon would have some incredible smartphone sales for Black Friday. Well, I don't see anything impressive on their website. Maybe they spent all their funds on the Droid advertising. I've seen those ads everywhere!

Well, maybe they'll continue to drop the prices on their older smartphones as the holidays get nearer. If you buy an HTC Ozone for $9.99, you can get another one for free! The Samsung Saga is now $49.99.

Cheap Verizon Smartphones

As Verizon Wireless gets ready to liquidate some old smartphones and promote new smartphones, you can find some pretty amazing deals. For instance, the Samsung Omnia (not the Omnia II but the original Omnia) is selling for $15. The Omnia II is coming very soon. The HTC Touch Diamond is $50. Don't want a Windows Phone? Then try the HTC Droid Eris for $100 (running Google's Android OS). You can even get the original BlackBerry Storm for $50 since the new BlackBerry Storm 2 is selling for $180.

Remember that Verizon now requires you to subscribe to a data plan if you purchase a smartphone. If you try to drop the data plan, you can expect to pay a hefty premium for your smartphone. Also, they charge extra for tethering, so make sure to ask those questions when you shop at Verizon.

Loving my HTC Touch Pro2

In many ways, I can't seem to remember what life was like before I was using my HTC Touch Pro2. I briefly tried the HTC Touch Pro, the HTC Touch, and even the BlackBerry Storm. I had been a long user of the XV6800 (HTC Titan), so I was accustomed to Windows Mobile.

• I use my Touch Pro2 as my in-car navigation system.
• I use it for my e-mail.
• I use it to browse the web.
• Oh, and I use it as my phone.

It's a great smartphone. Thanks to HTC!

When is Windows Mobile 6.5 coming for the HTC Touch Pro2?

We know that Windows Mobile 6.5 is coming to the HTC Touch Pro2. When? Some rumors indicate that we should be seeing it later this month. I think that's a reasonable rumor. After all, it's available overseas (GSM model), so now it's just a matter of time before Verizon gives the OK. Maybe we'll see Sprint beat Verizon on this one.

The Droids have arrived

The Motorola Droid and the HTC Droid Eris (Hero) are now available on Verizon Wireless. Be advised that tethering fees will be higher on these devices (I really don't understand that), so you may be tempted to use things like PdaNet or flash a custom ROM.

HTC Droid Eris (Hero) for $99 on Verizon Wireless

The HTC Droid Eris (Hero) may be the most affordable Google Android-powered smartphone on the Verizon Network. You'll get this new smartphone for $99.

Why am I calling the Eris a Hero? Well, according to several rumors, the Eris will be the CDMA version of the Hero, which is a GSM smartphone. When HTC makes the same phone for CDMA and GSM networks, they often rename them even though most of the hardware specs are virtually the same. You may find some subtle nuances, such as the location of a headphone jack, the location of the memory card slot, some internal RAM, etc.

Windows Mobile 6.5 update for HTC Touch Pro2

When is the Windows Mobile 6.5 update coming for Verizon Wireless HTC Touch Pro2? Some rumors say that we should see something by the end of November. I don't mind waiting since the update to 6.5 won't really bring any significant improvements. The main benefit will be the update to Internet Explorer Mobile (Pocket IE).

Windows Mobile 6.5 on the XV6800 (HTC Titan, Sprint Mogul)

The XV6800 is an old smartphone, but there are still many people out there who are using this phone and they're looking for an upgrade to Windows Mobile 6.5

The Verizon XV6800 is also known as the HTC Titan, the Sprint Mogul, the PPC 6800, and several other names. I have an XV6800 and I've been running a custom ROM built on Windows Mobile 6.5

Don't expect to see any major improvements.
Don't expect to see any speed or performance enhancements.

The only major improvement is in Internet Explorer Mobile (IE Mobile).

HTC Imagio coming to Verizon

The HTC Imagio is coming to Verizon this month. Looking forward to seeing other Windows Mobile phones on Verizon. I'm still using the HTC Touch Pro2 and I really like it.

Could I live without the hardware keyboard? Probably. However, the keyboard really typing much more efficient when I'm doing a lot of typing.

No flash on the Verizon Touch Pro2

I'm very happy with the HTC Touch Pro2 smartphone on Verizon Wireless. However, I really miss the LED flash that was on the older Touch Pro. I used that LED flash as a flashlight more than a camera flash. If I could change one major thing on the Touch Pro2, I would return the LED flash.

Touch Pro2 is the best smartphone on Verizon

I've used many of the smartphones offered by Verizon Wireless. By far, the HTC Touch Pro2 is the best one so far. I'm very impressed by this phone and although it's not perfect, it's by far the best one that Verizon has carried on their network.

I'm eager to see how other smartphones compare. We should be seeing newer versions of the Samsung Omnia along with several other Windows Mobile smartphones this fall.

So, if you're a fan of Windows Mobile, then make sure to check out the HTC Touch Pro2. Don't expect a perfect phone, but you can expect one that has some excellent features!

HTC Touch Pro2 (Verizon Wireless)

I am now using the HTC Touch Pro2 as my current smartphone. I just got it today and I have quite a few initial thoughts. Care to read them?

HTC Touch Pro2 (Verizon): initial impressions from day 1

I plan to write more each day as I test this device and install various applications on it. So far, it's a mixed review from my end...