The latest news is that a ROM hacker from Russia has successfully used the development tools from Microsoft to create a WP7S ROM for the HD2.   The ROM is in beta now and it will soon come online for download.  HD2 owners, you have been saved!

You can follow the link here to HTCPedia, there are more screenshots and even video online!

Device like HD2 has a snapdragon CPU with high resolution capacity touch screen, 5MP camera and enough RAM seems to be one of the devices that qualified for Windows Phone 7 hardware requirement and likely to receive Windows Phone 7 upgrade.

However, here is a piece of bad news from Microsoft, officially.  Natasha Kwan, General Manager for Microsoft’s Mobile Communications Business in the Asia-Pacific region, said that the HD2 “doesn’t qualify because it doesn’t have the three buttons”.

“Because we have very specific requirements for Windows Phone 7 Series the current phones we have right now will not be upgradable”, Kwan explained.

And it sounds like all existing Windows Mobile devices in the market will not be upgradeable to Windows Phone 7 and now we have to put our hope to the hackers from XDA-Developers

[via apcmag]

According to the support web, this update has the following improved functions:

Keeping in touch has always been very important, and this update delivers fast and reliable SMS messaging.

I suspect it is trying to fix the SMS problem that the HD2 is currently facing.  As usual, you can download the update from HTC’s support site here. Remember to backup before you apply the patch.

What’s more?  They will bundle a 16Gb MicroSD when you buy it in US.

I do not care about the 16Gb MicroSD they are bundling, but the internal 1Gb of ROM.  That will actually make some differences when running applications.  Why are there differences when selling the phone in US.  Did HTC discover some problems with less ROM and RAM which they should have discovered long time ago?

Will the future batches of the HD2 to other countries come with 1Gb ROM as well?

[via HTC US]

In my opinion, it doesn’t look as nice as the previous design.  Howver, that’s just my view.  And with the new design, it might have some enhancements that are not found in the old model.

What do you think?  Going to get one yourself?

[via pocketnow]

According to the support site:

This update for HTC HD2 messaging lets you reach out to your friends and family with instant notifications. Keeping in touch has always been very important, and this update delivers just that: fast and reliable SMS messaging.

I supposed it is a bug fix to the existing SMS program.

Go and get it here if you are an HD2 user.

Update (20 Jan 2010): HTC has removed this from the support web site.  No reason was given.

Here’s what they said:

for Diamond 2 firmware is not planned. Of the existing communicators on the market, only the HD2 firmware to get WM7.

Considering the hardware specs of HD2 is meeting the requirement of WM7 and this could well be true.

Well, i guess this will make a lot of HD2 owners happy if it is true.

This tweet is here.

[via pocketnow]

Enjoy!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms8yOrBkF8o

According to the HTC support site:

“This update for HTC HD2 further extends support of the SD Storage Capability. Taking pictures with your 5 Megapixel lens and dual LED flash can only truly be appreciated at the maximum quality, and now with this update, you will be able to appreciate how much more you can store in your 8GB or more SD Card.”

According to the site, this update is only applicable to Camera versions equal to Version 6.26 (Build 1921.1625), or lower.

You can get that update from here.

This time, HTC releases an update related to SMS.  According to the site:

This update for HTC HD2 messaging lets you reach out to your friends and family with instant notifications. Keeping in touch has always been very important, and this update delivers just that: fast and reliable SMS messaging.

Go and get yours here if you own one HD2.

The launch of the HD2 is overshadowed by the iPhone war in Singapore started few days ago.  The coverage from media and the operators are much lesses the iPhone.  However, this super Windows Mobile 6.5 phone from HTC is still generating a lot of interest from the market.  Those who preordered the phone have been collecting it from the operators.  And now, it is available for general market.

The phone comes with a huge 4.3″ capacitive touch screen, a 1Ghz Snapdragon CPU and it is the first HTC Windows Mobile phone that comes wih Sense.  It is top of its class.

Prices?

Starhub: Starting from SGD698 from a low plan to SGD398 for a high plan.  There is an extra SGD100 off for data plan sign up.

M1: Starting from SGD838 from a low plan to SGD638 for a high plan.  There is a discount f SGD100 for data plan sign up as well.

Singtel:Starting SGD838 from a low lan to SGD488 fo  high plan.  There is a SGD50 discount for MobileMailExchnge sign up.  No discount mention for data plan sign up on their web site yet.  (update 12 Dec: Out of stock according to the Singtelshop web site).

Well, if you have been waiting for this, go and grab it from the operator of your choice.

Apparently this is not a hardware issue as speculated previously.  HTC has released a fix for the issue on their support web site.  According to them:

“This update for HTC HD2 delivers clear digital picture quality like never before. Living up to the name of “HD” this phone and its twin LED flash will take beautiful pictures for you to cherish your memories. Displayed in brilliant vibrant colors on its 4.3 inch screen, HTC HD2 camera will delight you.”

Go and download the fix now from this link.  However, this is only applicable is you’ve got ROM version 1.60.XXX.X or lower.