You don’t usually see a Windows Mobile phone being promoted these days. But Verizon has recently shown a new ad which slams the iPhone and promotes Windows Mobile ( HTC Imagio ) and Android devices ( HTC Eris ). AT&T is apparently suing Verizon for misrepresenting its network in ads, but that doesn’t seem to have prevented the carrier from using that same map image in this new video.

via EngadgetMobile.com

According to WMExperts.com HTC Imagio a.k.a Whitestone is still on track for an Oct. 6 release on Verizon.

Details :

• Launches online Oct. 6 for $199.99 after two-year contract and $100 rebate.
• Available in stores on Oct. 20.
• Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional
• World Phone: EV-DO Rev. A and 850/900/1800/1900/2100MHz GSM.
• WiFi b/g.
• 3.6-inch resistive touchscreen at 480×800 pixels.
• 3.5mm headphone jack.
• 1,500mAh battery.
• 5MP camera.

See the Video of HTC Imagio

Over the past week, two highly anticipated Windows Mobile devices were released in North America. We have the Sprint HTC Touch Pro 2 and the Verizon HTC Touch Pro 2. Both HTC phones finally include a 3.5mm headphone port, unlike previous HTC phones. The specs for each phone is almost identical this time around, but the major difference is in pricing. The Verizon TP2, released September 11, is $199.99 and Sprint’s TP2, released September 8, is $349.99 after rebates and renewals for both. Why the price difference? Most likely specific calling/data plans differ in more ways than one. Check out videos of the Verizon TP2 unboxing by CallMeMarc and a review of the Sprint TP2 by MobileTechReview below this post. There’s also a nice unboxing of the Verizon TP2 by Wirefly. You can see the full overview of the Sprint and Verizon versions from HTC.

Verizon Touch Pro 2:

Sprint Touch Pro 2:

Two North American carriers will be launching their Touch Pro 2 with Windows Mobile 6.1, not 6.5. WMExperts claims Sprint and Verizon Wireless will be releasing their devices with WM6.1, but will be upgradeable soon after with WM6.5. At least they will both feature the 3.5mm earphone jack, right?

The Verizon Rhodium’s GPS will be fully unlocked, unlike their previous high end WM devices. Another thing noted is US Cellular will be launching with WM6.5. That should make them the first carrier to launch a Touch Pro 2 with the latest mobile OS. AT&T might have something to say about that, but only the future will tell the full story.

[via WMExperts]

WMExperts have posted some layout diagrams for the HTC Whitestone aka HTC Touch Diamond2. While the Touch Pro2 is more focues to business users. This Touch Diamond 2 is a Multimedia focused device. Other than the common features available on most devices some good additional things that one can notice on the Diamond 2 are :

1. unique “kickstand”
2. dedicated “multimedia” button
3. 3.6-inch screen
4. 5MP camera
5. 3.5mm jack
6. Zoom bar

Kudos to MrDerrickson for giving us these images via PPCGeeks. Everybody Loves Raymond Touch Pro2. Most of the North American Carrier has picked up this gorgeous looking device. via WMPowerUser

More Pics after the break

PPCGeeks got some images for both the Sprint and Verizon Touch Pro2 Windows Mobile device. From the video after the greak you can clearly see that the verizon model has a 3.5mm Audio jack.

[ via WMExperts 1 2 3 ]

Video of Verizon Touch Pro 2

Verizon is going to remove the Windows Mobile App Store from future devices and will replace it with Verizon’s own app store. This app will have content from all the major platforms under one roof, with purchases being billed through the customer’s Verizon account and not requiring a separate signup / credit card entry. But consumers can still download the Windows Mobile App Store and install it on the device if they wish. This makes more and more App Store for Windows Mobile, which I see as a bad thing. Cant we be happy with just one unified App store for Windows Mobile ? I was hoping that when the Official Windows Mobile App Store comes out this would be possible but when Carriers like Verizon does this that hope goes down the drain. What do you guys think ?

via EngadgetMobile