Yes, it’s here ‘finally.’ Now the news comes from the folks at the MS that Oct 6 will witness the unveil of the much awaited Operating System Windows Mobile 6.5. That’s not all the Windows Mobile Marketplace, yes the one that invited devs in the Race to Market Challenge will be present too. Another unveils include Microsoft MyPhone, a freeware service.

After a number of leaked builds, the official release seems quite tempting. So, a worldwide launch of handsets at the retail stores with the new OS is expected to be bookmarked on this very day(a freeware can be speculated for some smartphones.) If that was not enough, the news is that carriers like Sprint, Verizon Wireless and AT&T are to jump in as well.

Some ingredients are listed here:

• The updated IE browser that’s inclusive of a built-in Adobe Flash Lite support and allows easy access to third-party applications such as Facebook, Netflix and Zagat
• Windows Mobile Marketplace allowing you direct download of tested and authenticated apps
• MyPhone freeware including ‘Find my Phone’ feature
• A finger friendly touchscreen that allows you to customize keyboards and widgets

Todd Peters , MS corporate vice president of mobile communications marketing went on to say: "A Windows phone gives people a single phone that works for their whole life, keeping them connected to the people and information they care most about by harnessing the power of the PC, phone and Web."

With a ‘not so good’ financial position and stiff competition from every corner of the world, a powerful growth strategy is a must. Let’s see whether the official 6.5 version goes well with the masses or remains just a temporary craze. Read the official announcement here.

Via Pocketnow

AT&T’s Android debutante – HTC Lancaster may have to take a back seat if rumors are to be believed. The theories behind the scenes are yet to be discovered since the Android market has been tempting many carriers of late. The good in the bad is that though Lancaster may have been deplored by folks at AT&T, they seem to be sanguine about the two Windows Mobile phones from HTC. The latest handsets to be linked with the company are- HTC Touch Pro 2 and Diamond 2 aka FORTRESS and WARHAWK respectively.

AT&T showing a cold feet to Lancaster may not worry many clients since its specs were not much appreciated. Let’s see when the rumor gets an official approval.

Via Engadget

The global turmoil made many smartphone fans get their hands off the expensive handsets. But here’s a news that may excite the Verizon customers – a $99 smartphone. The scheme’s speculated to be valid for the existing smartphones carried by the telecom co.

The HTC’s trendy mobile phones – Pro 2 and Diamond 2 are supposed to be covered under the new scheme. The 2-yr contract price of $ 99 also prevails for Samsung Omnia and some Blackberrys;and seems very reasonable when seen with the contemporary 1 yr and other such contracts that tend to touch more than $120.

Getting a hefty competition from iPhone 3G, the move by Verizon Wireless seems a good move. Let’s see how much delighted are the customer’s by the move.

Via bjr

Now we can say that the corporations supporting htc’s handsets are multiplying day by day. The latest example is that of Telus’s Touch Pro 2 that gets its place in Best Buy, but only for sale in stores;and sadly, ignores the online demand.

Inexplicably, Canadian carrier Telus has not yet made the official announcement of being the carrier of the business smartphone. The handy handset comes at a nice price of $249.99 CAD, with a three-year plan. Have a peek at the Best Buy’s page for more details.

Via WMPoweruser

After incessant rumors relating to HTC’s new handsets and their expected resemblances, its shown by the user agent profile of XV6975 on Tweakers.net that Verizon’s XV6975 is neither HTC Touch Pro 2 nor possibly, Touch Diamond 2.

With no keyboard and 480×800 screen resolution, the model name XV6975 seems like HTC Whitestone;leaving behind the possibility of it being Touch Pro 2. Let’s see what would be the next chitchat about the company.

[Via WmExperts]