Samsung Omnia II coming to Verizon in early December

It appears that the Samsung Omnia II will be coming to Verizon in early December. The Omnia II will be similar to the HTC Imagio. No slide-out QWERTY keyboard. Touch screen and Windows Mobile just like many other smartphones. So what will make the Omnia II unique? The AM-OLED display and the TouchWiz user interface.

The Omnia II will be a significant improvement over the original Samsung Omnia. You'll get a larger screen and some really nice feature improvements. Would it justify an upgrade if you're currently using the Omnia? I suppose the answer really depends on your budget and on how you're currently using your smartphone. If you really want Windows Mobile 6.5 on your Omnia, then you can load a custom ROM (as long as you know what you're doing). If you want a larger screen, then you'll need to upgrade to the Omnia II (or an HTC Imagio or Touch Pro2 if you want to stay with Windows Mobile).

It's great to see that Verizon is finally bolstering its smartphone selection.

Battle of HTC vs. HTC (Touch Pro2 vs. Imagio)

Isn't it ironic that people are having a difficult time deciding between an HTC smartphone and another HTC smartphone? What's ironic is that they both run Windows Mobile and they both have touch screens. The key difference is the slide-out QWERTY keyboard found on the HTC Touch Pro2 (which makes this device thicker) compared to the thinner HTC Imagio.

I think people would be more drawn to the Touch Pro2 if Apple had an iPhone "Pro" version that had a slide-out hardware keyboard. Unfortunately, Apple only has one version of the iPhone with different memory capacities. On the other hand, HTC has a large variety of smartphones running operating systems like Windows Mobile and Android.

If you're on Verizon Wireless and you're thinking about a new smartphone, which model do you plan to buy? How do you make that decision? Is it based on the software features? Hardware? Operating system? Price? Thickness?

I probably don't type enough on my smartphone to need a hardware keyboard. I would have been fine with an Imagio. However, the Touch Pro2 suits my needs quite well and I've gotten used to the extra bulk. So, if I had to buy a new phone today, I would still choose the Touch Pro2. I'm loyal to Windows Mobile until more medical apps become available for Android.

The HTC Imagio gets reviewed by Brighthand

The HTC Imagio has received its review by the folks over at Brighthand. What's the verdict? It's probably the best iPhone imitator (they didn't say "killer"). If you're stuck on the Verizon network and you're dying for an Apple iPhone, the HTC Imagio may be the best thing you can find until Verizon actually gets the iPhone. Of course, you'll have to use Windows Mobile 6.5 if you get the Imagio, so if you're an "anti-Microsoft" fanatic out there, then you should simply wait for the iPhone.

Here's the summary:

Pros:

* Large, high-resolution screen
* Solid build quality
* Well stocked with software

Cons:

* Inconsistent speed
* Less memory than it should have

Reviews reflect real opinions, but your opinion may be quite different. I enjoy reading reviews, but I find that I generally only agree with about 50-75% of what editors publish in their reviews. To read the full review of the HTC Imagio on Brighthand, click here.

HTC Touch Pro2 vs. HTC Imagio

If you're on the Verizon Wireless network and you're debating between the HTC Touch Pro2 vs. the HTC Imagio, let me offer you my 2 cents.

I'll start with the features that are common to both smartphones:

• They both will eventually run Windows Mobile 6.5 (the Imagio comes with 6.5 now while the Touch Pro2 comes with 6.1 but you'll get an upgrade to 6.5). 
• They both have a nice large 3.6" screen at 480x800 pixels.
  
• They are both fast and have a nice amount of RAM.
• The both come with a 1500 mAh battery.
• You can tether using either device (Mobile Broadband Connect)
  
• They both have a micro SD card slot.
• They are both world phones with CDMA and GSM capabilities.
• They both have internal GPS so they can be used as a GPS navigator.
  
• They are both made by HTC, so you're getting a high-quality phone.
  

Now, let's talk about the pros/cons (+/-)

HTC Touch Pro2

• + You'll get a nice slide-out QWERTY keyboard.
• - You'll end up with a thicker device
• - no V Cast TV
  

HTC Imagio

• + Thinner and narrower (not by much)
  
• - No hardware QWERTY keyboard 
• + V Cast TV (great for those slow nights when you're on call)
• + better camera (5 MP vs. 3.2 MP on the Touch Pro2)
  

So, the verdict? In my opinion, it's worth having a slightly thicker device if you do a fair bit of texting, e-mail, or any other form of text entry. So, the HTC Touch Pro2 wins. Maybe I'm biased because I've always had a smartphone that's had a hardware keyboard. After trying the BlackBerry Storm for a week, I realized that I am much more productive when I have a physical QWERTY keyboard (or thumb board to be more precise).

However, if you want something that closely resembles an Apple iPhone, go with the thin and sleek HTC Imagio. I don't think you'll be disappointed because the on-screen keyboard is very easy to use and it comes with large on-screen buttons.

Verizon HTC Imagio to replace iPhone?

The Verizon HTC Imagio is an exciting addition to the list of Verizon smartphones. This device runs Windows Mobile 6.5, so it won't replace the Apple iPhone. However, I wonder if this will be the phone of choice for current Verizon customers who don't want to wait for an iPhone.

The Imagio has a nice large screen and it is the first Verizon smartphone to support V CAST Mobile TV. So, if you hope to stay current on all your favorite television shows while you're on call at the hospital, this may be the perfect phone for you. It even has a kickstand so that you can prop it up.

HTC Imagio: the next Windows Phone on Verizon Wireless

The HTC Imagio is coming to Verizon later this month (October 6). I'm definitely looking forward to seeing other Windows Mobile phones on Verizon. This one will be the first one to be released with Windows Mobile 6.5. We should also see Windows Mobile 6.5 upgrades for the Touch Pro2.

Speaking of the Touch Pro2, could I live without the hardware keyboard on my HTC Touch Pro2? Probably. However, the keyboard really typing much more efficient when I'm doing a lot of typing.

When will we see the next version of the Samsung Omnia on Verizon? It should also be interesting to also see some Google Android based smartphones later this fall.