Verizon announces the new LG Fathom a new Windows Mobile 6.5.3 smartphone available on June 3rd for $149.99 with a 2 year agreement.  Phone comes with a 2MP camera and a fast snapdragon processeor.  Check out the spec list and full press release after the break.

Key features

• 1GHz Snapdragon processor.
• WiFi 802.11b/g/n.
• Bluetooth 2.1.
• MicroSD up to 16GB.
• 3.2MP camera.
• Slide-out QWERTY keyboard
• 3.2 in Touchscreen display with vibration and tactile feedback.

Full Press Release

05/24/2010

Click to download

BASKING RIDGE, NJ, and SAN DIEGO, CA — Verizon Wireless and LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A., Inc. (LG Mobile Phones), today announced the LG Fathom™ will be available in Verizon Wireless business sales channels beginning May 27 and online and in Communications Stores beginning June 3. The ultimate on-the-go office, the LG Fathom redefines productivity with Windows Phone power, stylish design and smart global capabilities for making voice calls in more than 220 countries and accessing data in 200 countries, 110 with 3G speeds.

Key features:

• Sleek slate blue case takes customers from Monday meetings to Friday outings
• Large 3.2” touch screen with Improved Touch Experience and vibration for tactile feedback
• 1 GHz processor
• Full slide-out QWERTY keyboard with simultaneous touch screen capabilities
• microSD™ slot for up to 16 GB of memory
• Wi-Fi® enabled (802.11 b/g/n)
• Bluetooth® 2.1 capabilities with support for the following profiles: headset, hands-free, dial-up networking, stereo, phone book access, basic printing, basic imaging, object push for vCard and vCalendar, file transfer, and serial port
• Built-in MP3 and WMA music player with music library, repeat and shuffle features, as well as stereo sound via headset or Bluetooth
• Windows® Media Player 10 Mobile and video player for WMV, MP4, and 3GP formats
• USB mass storage for file transfer between microSD card and PC
• One-touch speaker phone and speaker-independent voice commands
• Text to speech and voice-activated dialing for up to 4,000 entries

Additional lifestyle features:

• Dedicated task manager key for quick access to mobile Task Manager
• Windows Mobile Device Center and ActiveSync allows users to synchronize Outlook®, Office® and contents from Microsoft Exchange Server® to keep personal information organized and updated
• View and edit with Excel® Mobile, OneNote® Mobile and Word® Mobile or view important presentations with PowerPoint® Mobile
• Scroll, zoom and view rich PDF content with Adobe® Reader LE
• Global roaming frequency automatically switches from CDMA/EVDO to GSM/UMTS depending on geographic location
• VZ Navigator® capabilities – Receive audible turn-by-turn directions to millions of points of interest and share the directions with others
• VZ Navigator Global capabilities – Get turn-by-turn directions and maps in English while navigating through more than 20 destinations such as Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. This easy-to-use application also marks distances in miles or kilometers and finds restaurants, gas stations, banks/ATMs and other popular spots using the Local Search feature
• Wireless manager enables and disables wireless connectivity for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and cellular network
• Luminous sensor designed to adjust LCD backlight brightness depending on light conditions
• Proximity sensor instantly locks touch screen buttons while talking on the phone
• Text and send clear images and fun animations through Flash User interface support
• International charger plus up to four different adapter clips for multi-country use
• 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera and camcorder that includes:
  • Five different camera resolutions and three different video resolutions
  • Macro Mode for detailed, up close pictures
  • Panorama for three guided, sequential shots
  • Continuous shot for up to six consecutive photos
  • Scene mode for auto, portrait, landscape, sports and night settings
  • Image editor with zoom, rotate, resize, crop, added frames and stamps
  • Customizable brightness, white balance, shutter sounds and color effects and a self-timer
  • Choose between mute and unmute to record video with or without sound
  • Optimize video quality with normal, fine or super camcorder settings
  • Video recording time up to one minute for sending or up to one hour for saving

Pricing and availability:

• The LG Fathom will be available in business sales channels beginning May 27 and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores nationwide and online at www.verizonwireless.com beginning June 3 for $149.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.
• LG Fathom customers will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan. Nationwide Talk plans begin at $39.99 monthly access. Email and Web for Smartphone plans start at $29.99 for unlimited monthly access.
• Business customers interested in the LG Fathom can contact their Verizon Wireless Business Sales Representative at 1-800-VZW-4BIZ.
• For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Media can access high-resolution images of the LG Fathom in the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.)

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving nearly 93 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 81,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About LG Electronics, Inc.
LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances, employing more than 84,000 people working in 115 operations including 84 subsidiaries around the world. With 2009 global sales of USD43.4 billion, LG is comprised of five business units – Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, Air Conditioning and Business Solutions. LG is the world’s leading producer of flat panel TVs, audio and video products, mobile handsets, air conditioners and washing machines. LG has signed a long-term agreement to become both a Global Partner and a Technology Partner of Formula One™. As part of this top-level association, LG acquires exclusive designations and marketing rights as the official consumer electronics, mobile phone and data processor of this global sporting event. For more information, please visit www.lgusa.com.

About LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company
The LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company is a leading global mobile communications and information company. With its cutting-edge technology and innovative design capabilities, LG creates handsets that provide an optimized mobile experience to customers around the world. LG is pursuing convergence technology and mobile computing products, while continuing its leadership role in mobile communication with stylish designs and smart technology. For more information, please visit www.lgmobilephones.com.

Via Verizon Wireless

The LG Expo is the first Smartphone in the US from LG and its a Windows Mobile 6.5 smartphone with a unique feature.  It comes with its own detachable projector. The projector has a screen size of up to 42 inches. The LG Expo is available on the AT&T network

Key Features:

• Detachable Pico projector which can go up to 42 inches
• Windows Mobile 6.5
• Touch screen
• Fingerprint scanning technology
• QWERTY keyboard
• 5.0 MP camera
• Wi-Fi
• 3G data speed
• Up to 32GB Micro SD storage

MightyRom has been one of the more famous and stable roms in the Windows Mobile hacking market.  I’ve been using them since the Touch Pro 1 and now use it with my Touch Pro 2. Let’s take a look at what you get when you install MightyRom!

To Learn how to Install MightyRom Check out both links below:

How to unlock Verizon HTC Touch Pro 2

How to install Verizon Custom Rom on HTC Touch Pro 2

Check out the links to MightyRom below:

MightyRom.com

PPCGeeks MightyRom thread

Now you have seen part one on how to Unlock Your Verizon HTC Touch Pro 2. Now its time to show you how to install the custom roms. In this video we will be working with the great Mighty Rom from MightyRom.com

For all the roms and customization head over to MightyRom.com to get all you need and also head over to the PPCGeeks.com thread on it here

Recently I was looking at all the smartphones that are out and the OS that are available now and was wondering to myself, What’s up windows mobile? What is the problem and what are some of the solutions they can do.

One of the main things they need to do which is obvious is to change the user interface to make it much more user friendly and easy to use. Many new users to Windows Mobile devices that don’t have some type of skin over the device have a hard time getting around to doing the things they need to do. A better Zune HD style interface maybe would be a good first step.

But they also should make sure not to alienate the users out there that create custom roms. Custom roms allow users to have different exerpinces with thier phone and the majority of the Windows Mobile user base is from this group. If they alienate them it could spell disater for Windows Mobile 7.

There is some give and take that Microsoft needs to do with Windows Mobile but the main thing they need to do is to do something soon or ese they won’t have a marketshare to release to

Windows Mobile Marketplace is finally available for Windows Mobile. Microsoft has decided to step into the app store game with the Blackberry, Apple, Andorid phones of the world (its about time).  This app store will be a welcomed edition to the windows mobile ecosystem and will make it easier for users to find apps for their phones.

Currently its only available officially through Windows Mobile 6.5 but someone out there in the hacker would has found a way to extract the cab out of windows mobile 6.5 and make it available to Windows Mobile 6.1 users.  The apps are included in all 3 Bowman Packs in the download section.  Check out the video below

One of the most anticipated phones of 2009 is the Touch Pro 2 from HTC. With its combination of a screen near the size of the HTC Touch HD and full QWERTY keyboard the HTC Touch Pro 2 looks to be the best all around Windows Mobile phone out there.

UPDATE:  This review has been updated to include items that were not in the original review. This however does not change the final conclusion of the review.

Quick Specs

• 3.6 480×800 Screen
• Windows Mobile 6.1 (Upgradable to 6.5)
• 528 MHz Processor
• Unlocked GPS
• Full Duplex Speakers
• Full QWERT Keyboard
• Tilt Screen
• 3.5 MM Headphone Jack
• 3.2 MP Camera

The HTC Touch Pro 2 starts off great with its solid hardware. The look is great as its sleek with a nice weight to that gives you a great feel of quality. The keyboard is also great to type on and with the new layout that is similar to a desktop keyboard and each key spaced between each other. You develop a nice flow once you begin typing on it and actually find yourself to be more accurate and fast.

Hardware Pics

The 528 MHz processor in the phone makes the OS very snappy and responsive and with a 183MB of total of memory available for programs there is virtually no sluggishness. GPS is unlocked from the start and Google Maps and Bing Search both work with it out of the box. Google Maps currently is the faster of the two and also the phone now supports the Locate Me feature in Google Maps which finds your location via cell phone tower. The screen is bright and vibrant with a 480×800 resolution and 3.6 inch screen size that makes it much more finger friendly for the touch screen. Sound is also great on the phone especially with the 3.5mm headphone jack which makes it a much better multimedia phone. The speakerphone is full duplex and is probably the best speakerphone on any cell phone in the market. Overall the hardware is solid and one of the best offering from HTC.

On the software side the phone comes with Windows Mobile 6.1 but is upgradable to Windows Mobile 6.5 which will be coming up later this year. Windows Mobile 6.1 is a great OS but is now starting to show its age in the last few years. While it has all the features that most current OS competitors have, the user interface and experience is dated and needs to be revamped. The beginnings of that improvement have been done with Windows Mobile 6.5, but for 6.1 Touch Flo 3D has stepped in and has made great UI improvements and adds some key improvements as you see in the video review one of the top things is Touch Flo 3D in landscape mode which makes getting around much easier. The full encompass of Touch Flo into the operating system makes it a joy to use and should help out the windows mobile newbie to learn the OS and will be a welcome addition to us veterans out there. Making everything more finger friendly makes using the larger screen a joy and you will use the stylus less and less.

Battery Life on the phone is pretty good considering all that it does. You will get an average battery life of about 1.5 – 2 days with average use. Heavy usage your looking at about 1 – 1.5 day charge and most likely you are going to want to grab the extended battery. Program memory is about 183MB and around 74MB of that is available from a fresh restart. It’s using a lot of that memory just to run the phone but you do have a good amount of it available to run programs and apps. What I wonder if how much are we going to gain/lose with the upgrade to windows mobile 6.5. The phone app has a new dialer with bigger buttons and easier access to contacts and call history. When in a phone call you get a good amount of options to choose from while you are in a call. The phone app is a definitely a great upgrade from the version on the Touch Pr o 1. Video looks great and I will be testing out more codecs and videos apps in the future to figure out the optimal resolution, app and file format to watch videos on the phone. Also youtube look phenomenal on it. Its very close to the quality of the iPhone’s youtube app. Teeter is a great game that is highly addictive and shows you how the accelerometer works.

While in a call the phone proximity sensor will help save battery life as it will shut off the screen during a call when the top part of the phone on the front is covered and when uncovered the screen will come back on again unlocked. The speakerphone is also solid as its very loud and clear and the best speakerphone I’ve used ever on a smartphone or really any phone for that matter. When looking at the back and taking the battery door off you can see the 1500MaH battery which gives you a charger of about 2 days with normal usage. Also on the right side is where the micro SD card is hidden (not shown in video) and the stylus while doesn’t have the magnetic snap that the Touch Pro 1 did does have a switch on the inside so when you pull it out the phone will turn on and be unlocked. The camera controls are all touch screen based and provide you with a good amount of options and the pictures look pretty good for a 3.2 Megapixel camera.

Camera Pics

Overall HTC has done a great job with this phone and its one of the best Smartphone out there in the market. You can tell there has been a focus on the Touch Pro 2 to take the best elements from past HTC Devices and put them all in on device and they have done a solid job of that. If you are a fan of HTC device this will be great for you. If you’re fan of Windows Mobile this is probably the best phone out there (with Windows Mobile 6.1). If you are a fan of HTC and/or Windows Mobile this is the one to consider for your next upgrade. If you are new to Smartphone and shopping around looking at iPhone, Blackberry, Palm Pre or Nokia be sure to put the Touch Pro2 in your list of considerations.

In the video of one of the latest builds of Windows Mobile 6.5 it shows more improvements in finger friendly UI. 

Via Pocketnow.com