HTC Touch HD2 review: first look

Monday, November 16th, 2009

The comparison between any smartphone with a large touchscreen and an Apple iPhone has become a cliché, and one we honestly try to avoid, but this time it’s 100%, completely and utterly unavoidable. What’s more, our early impressions are that the HTC Touch HD2 is in many ways better than the iPhone. And that’s despite the use of Windows Mobile 6.5, aka Windows Phone. (more…)

Sony Ericsson Xperia X2 review: first look

Friday, November 13th, 2009

There are lots of smartphones vying for our attention right now, but despite the underwhelming nature of its improvements, Windows Phone is generating some interesting handsets. The latest is Sony Ericsson’s Xperia X2 – the follow up to the distinctly average X1 we reviewed last year – and we had our first chance to play with one at the launch event last night.

As you can see from the picture, it’s a very similar handset to the X1, boasting a sliding hardware Qwerty keyboard, and an ingenious mechanism that kicks the screen up at an angle so it’s more comfortable to view while typing. It does so with a satisfying snap, too.

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Why is Windows Mobile Marketplace so thin?

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

I’ve been reviewing Windows Mobile phones for years now, and against all odds, I have to admit to having a soft spot for Microsoft’s Mobile OS.

But at the same time, I do wonder how on earth it manages to score so many own goals. The Windows Mobile Marketplace is just the latest example.

This is Microsoft’s answer to the iPhone App Store and the Android Marketplace, and it forms the cornerstone of Microsoft’s strategy for its consumer smartphone OS – the newly-launched Windows Phone (aka Windows Mobile 6.5), (click to read the full review).

Or rather, it should.

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