HTC HD7: The ultimate entertainment phone?
Filed under: consumer, gadgets and gizmos, HD7, HTC, Next G™, smart phone, Windows Phone 7
Smartphones have never been such capable entertainment platforms. With the advent of application stores filled with games, fast 3G networks that support media streaming from sites such as YouTube and powerful processors more capable of supporting graphics, there’s no shortage of ways they can help us stay entertained.
This capability is changing how we use our mobiles; one in four Aussie smartphone owners tell us they now regularly watch video on their mobiles.
Today we’re launching a new big-screen mobile that we think caters perfectly for this growing appetite for mobile gaming and video.
The HTC HD7 is our third Windows® Phone 7 device and it sports a massive 4.3 inch high-resolution screen and flip-out kickstand that allows you to watch movies hands free.
Like all Windows® Phone 7 smartphones, navigation, composing email and accessing information is incredibly easy – especially on the big screen.
Speaking of the big screen, more screen real estate makes controlling games that little bit easier. In fact, combine the phone’s snappy performance, its enlarged screen and the growing catalogue of Xbox Live games and you’ve got yourself a really fun games platform.
Lastly, one of the best aspects of this phone is the fully integrated Microsoft Exchange email and calendar through the Office Hub. The on-screen keyboard is one of the best available. It’s precise and the word correction software is really clever. We also think this phone is going to be really popular with our business customers.
The HTC HD7 is the first smartphone in Australia to come with Microsoft’s ‘cut and paste’ software out of the box.
It launches Tuesday 29 March at Telstra Stores and partners.
HTC HD7 Key Features:
- Windows® Phone 7 OS
- 4.3 inch touch screen with 480 X 800 resolution
- 5.0 megapixel colour camera with auto focus and LED flash
- 720p HD video recording to capture film with incredible quality and detail
- Xbox LIVE® gaming so you can continue playing your games everywhere you go
- See photos from your camera, Facebook® and Windows® Live accounts in the Pictures hub
- Music and Videos Hub powered by Zune® lets you enjoy custom playlists, listen to the radio, and podcasts, and more.
- HTC Surround Sound – Virtual Surround sound using enhanced technology
Pricing
For our Consumer customers
The HTC HD7 can be purchased on Telstra’s new Freedom® Connect Plans including on the $59 Freedom® Connect Plan with a mobile repayment option of $17 per month, after using an included MRO Bonus (for eligible customers), for 24 months (min cost is $1,824). This plan includes $550 worth of eligible calls, unlimited standard national text and 1.5GB of data to use in Australia.
For our Business customers
Telstra Business customers can purchase the HTC HD7 for $0 upfront on a new Telstra Business Mobile Maximiser $79 Plan over 24 months (min cost is $1,896).
We know our Windows Phone 7 customers want the latest, best-performing software for their smartphones. We’re working with Microsoft and phone makers to deliver OS updates as quickly as possible. The Windows Phone 7 ‘pre-update’ has passed Telstra’s test program and we expect Microsoft to make it available to our 7 Mozart and LG Optimus 7Q customers late this week or early next week. Additional software updates for both devices will follow in April.
Can you confirm that this is in stock in the Queen St Mall Brisbane store?
Thanks
Can you please confirm the type of screen used? Your features page says TFT, but it also says the phone is powered by Android… So I’m not relying on that info.
The newer models of the HD7 should have SLCD screen, which are far superior and would make a big difference in people buying decisions.
?? HTC HD7 – 59 Freedom® Connect Plan with a mobile repayment option of $17 ??
Why the LG Optimus 7Q – 49 /59 Freedom® Connect Plan with a mobile repayment option of $0
HTC HD7 – $768.00 outright
LG Optimus 7Q – $960.00 outright
How does a more expensive phone have NO mobile repayments ??????
I want this phone but can you please fix your pricing.. Just because its just release NO excuse to rip people off!!!!
In reference to the software update: Telstra is clearly not working as quickly as possibly when you look at the microsoft where is my update site. Telstra is taking its sweet time to offer the software update for windows phones and hasn’t bothered to give its customers a reason or date.
Seeing how the internal chipset is identical to the Mozart, will Telstra unblock the updates that are pending for the Mozart? You know, seeing how there are actual NoDo devices on the network as of this post.
http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=3338&idPhone2=3530
It’ll be in stock at all stores as no-one is buying WP7
Seriously $59 plan PLUS a handset payment of $17 a mth.
iPhone 4 which is better only $10 a mth payment.
I have bought a HD7 and i can confirm it comes with 16gb it has NoDo ROM loaded and it does NOT have a SLCD screen (Looks very similar to the HD2 screen)
I have purchased mine and loving it.
The WP7 ‘pre-update’ that Telstra mentions at the bottom of the article is included in the ‘cut and paste’ software update so please Telstra, stop wasting our time with this nonsense. Microsoft has repeatedly said this.
Telstra has held back the HD7 for months so that ‘cut and paste’ could be used as a key selling feature. And good luck to them, I guess. I waited for this handset since Oct’10, but after repeated enquiries garnered zero response, I took the plunge and signed up for the Mozart instead. Now I’m really struggling with only 8GB of memory, even though it’s a really nice phone. But what I wanted was 16GB & a 4.3 inch screen. Thanks, Telstra.
If the HD7 has the ‘nodo’ update pre-installed, then it’s ready to launch for the Mozart & LG phones. Please release the update immediately and SATISFY the needs of your customers already.
following investigation, the Mozart does have the exact same chipset as HD7. Telstra are withholding the NoDo update obviously to persuade current customers into the more expensive HD7 plans. Telstra are purposly delaying the update to Mozart, which is a brilliant smartphone.
Seriously Telstra, stop limiting functionality for profit and deliver the update to Mozart. If you don’t maintain standards, then either Microsoft will force you or the customers will find a way around it.
Can you guys please fix the issue with HTC Mozart where you can only get UK keyboard input. As we are in Australia not the UK and we use the “$” symbol here not the “£” symbol!
Thank You
@anthony I also feel you pain on this issues however I believe this is something that Microsoft will need to resolve. Not telstra.
Comments on this blog are being censored – I have one that has been “pending moderation”for 24 hours – and other posts from today are up in front of mine from yesterday.
True to form Telstra – thanks. Transparency = FAIL, WP7 with Telstra = FAIL
Hi Sheeds. Your previous post didn’t meet our community guidelines. This is why it was not posted. Brendan.
Hey Brendan,
This post should get through:
http://blog.walshie.me/2011/04/04/so-who-wants-windows-phone-updates-like-right-now/
Here you go folks – get NoDo latest WP7 updated version RIGHT NOW. Bypass Telstra with this simple workaround for any phone.
Check the warnings – but hit up google as plenty are reporting this works a treat for any phone.
Ditch the carriers and get the update MS wanted us all to have.
Hi Sheeds, You might like to see this page. Click on Software Updates. Brendan.
Hahaha Thanks Brendan – that was MY idea from your feedback page that after almost 400 votes and 70 odd comments Telstra coded up and added.
Even then that page is wrong – and looks like it was written by someone that didn’t understand what they were talking about.
Luckily there is an easy bypass (my link above) that we can all use. I mean Telstra HTC Mozart Nodo update….
“Expect to receive software for Telstra testing in April” with ETA TBC – C’mon – that’s terrible Telstra.
Brendan,
http://blog.walshie.me/2011/04/08/an-update-on-the-homebrew-update-front/
Latest advice is that MS have told the Chevron team that the forced update tool may make your phone unable to receive future updates. Pls let everyone know that may have followed my last link.
Cheers.
Today for the first time I noticed a scancode pop up on my TV. Knowing what this is, due to me having a HTC HD2 I thought I should set up it up on the HD7 only to discover the phone is not compatible. I cannot believe this. Scancodes are a growing industry and to find that upgrading to a newer product I find I’m going backwards. Is there anything in the works for the HD7 to be compatible?
you can however use microsoft tag
Thanks Chris. I have downloaded it and will give it a go next chance I have.
Cheers
So at the end of the above HD7 article Telstra says the pre-Nodo update would be pushed out (which it has) and that urther updates would be coming in April. It’s now the 22nd of April, and according to the Where’s my phone update? site, Telstra is still testing Nodo. Even if Telstra change the status to Scheduling, it will still take a minimum of 10 days to roll out the update. That means May, and Telstra lied and put it in writing.
How can we ever trust what Telstra says again, and why would they expect me to continue to support a carrier that lies?
2 days left to the end of April and even Telstra’s own web-site shows the NoDo update delivery as TBC. Telstra are now one of only two carriers left in the world to release this update. Come-On Telstra lift your game and start providing a service to your customers not a hindrance. Hopefully Microsoft will see certain carriers as abusing their privledges and revoke this right.
i agree with darren. one of 2 carrier in the world to still be testing? what is this?
the frustrating part is theres nowhere to lodge an official complaint about it
Still optimistic with 23 hours to go
I sent an email asking about the update, via the “contact us” page, mentioning that Telstra is now the last company in the world to push out the update (does spain count?)
I didn’t expect a meaningful response, I’m not delusional
—
Dear Jason,
Thank you for your email regarding the mobile update. I understand that you are enquiring when will be the mobile update for Telstra.
I am happy to inform you that we currently have the Windows® Phone 7 which is available on a wide range of mobile phones that works on the Telstra Next G™ network. This is the latest Windows application on the mobile phones that we have in Telstra. The Windows® Phone 7 includes the updates, adding of applications, pictures and other favourites to the Start screen. Kindly refer to the link for further information about the Windows® Phone 7: http://telstra.com.au/mobile/phones/windows7/
We will be notifying you once the latest Internet Explorer 9 will be available on our Mobile phones.
Jason, I hope that I was able to sufficiently address your request. Please email us back, or call us at 132 200 if you have clarifications, or additional enquiries.
Thank you for choosing Telstra Online Services, and may you have a great week ahead!
I trust this information has been of assistance. Further information, such things as FAQs, General Information, and various other tools to assist you in managing your account online are available via our online help located at the following URL:
http://www.telstra.com.au/help/index.html
@spatch, Chris & Darren, complain to the ACCC.
Quote for reference:
“The Windows Phone 7 ‘pre-update’ has passed Telstra’s test program and we expect Microsoft to make it available to our 7 Mozart and LG Optimus 7Q customers late this week or early next week. Additional software updates for both devices will follow in April.”
Microsoft expressly >waits on the carrier< to inform them to deliver the update. It then takes up to 10 days to begin the delivery. Most phones currently have access to both the Febuary and "NoDo" update already, indeed Optus is rolling them both out now. The only two carriers IN THE WORLD to be still "testing" is Telsta and "Telefonica" in Spain…
It is now May and Telstra has not provided any update, let alone any indication, despite their general availability. The statement that the "furthers updates" (implied "NoDo") will be delivered ("follow") in April creates a presumption that users of WP7 will have gotten both updates by now. This is thus a likely breach of the the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 under the notion of "Misleading/Deceptive Conduct".
Not to threaten Telstra or anything, but the simple fact is that it is not that difficult to pass an update. You'd get more content customers if you did things quicker.
For those who want action (I now I would; fortunately I bought my phone unbranded and outright elsewhere so I get my updates without carrier testing …they work just fine on the network…) here is a complaint form: http://www.accc.gov.au/content/maintain/create/index.phtml?contentTypeItemId=9133&informationSpaceItemId=268347&inPop=1&returnUrl=.&type=Other
Here is the 'Where is my update?' according to Microsoft so you can keep an eye out:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsphone/en-us/features/update-schedule-world.aspx
Hurray to Telstra you finally released the NoDo update. now we just have to wait the 10 days.