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(Credit: Engadget Mobile)

While we're expecting to see the HTC Touch Pro land at Sprint or Verizon Wireless (thanks FCC) later this year, it might just be that the Windows Mobile 6.1 smartphone is also headed to AT&T. According to Engadget Mobile, a cached Google page revealed a teaser for the Touch Pro on the carrier's Web site.

Rebranded as HTC Fuze, the smartphone could be the replacement for the aging AT&T Tilt, shipping with the latest operating system out of the box and of course, sporting a fresh design. At first glance, the HTC Fuze might look like its sibling, the HTC Touch Diamond, but there's an added slide-out full QWERTY keyboard to please all the messaging fanatics. The device also has the TouchFLO 3D interface that makes the Windows Mobile OS look more easy to use; whether it actually succeeds in that is debatable.

As far as features, the HTC Fuze will support several e-mail solutions, including Microsoft Direct Push, Good Mobile Messaging, and BlackBerry Connect, and offers world roaming and push-to-talk capabilities. Wireless options are fully represented with HSDPA support, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS. The HTC Fuze will be compatible with AT&T Navigator for text- and voice-guided turn-by-turn driving directions and AT&T Cellular Video.

Of course, the page did not reveal key information like release date or pricing, but we'll be keeping an eye out for any news. Who knows, perhaps we'll find out something at Fall CTIA 2008, which is just around the corner.

It's not exactly the announcement we were looking for, but we'll take it as a sign that the launch of the highly anticipated Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 is that much closer. On Wednesday, Sony Ericsson released its Software Development Kit (SDK) for Windows Mobile 6.1 that will allow developers to create Web and native panels for the Xperia X1 smartphone.

Sony Ericsson's SDK will let developers create Web and native panels for the Xperia X1.

(Credit: Sony Ericsson)

If you'll remember, the Xperia X1, which was first introduced in February at GSMA, features a interactive panel interface that allows user to customize their Today screen. Given that capability, the SDK is an opportunity for content makers to develop such panels for various apps, such as videos, e-mail, games, and music.

The SDK is available as a free download from Sony Ericsson's developer site, and the kit includes such things as Microsoft Visual Studio templates, developer guidelines, sample code, and an Xperia X1 emulator. In addition, developers can submit their applications and panels for the Sony Ericsson Content Awards, where there will be a category dedicated to the Xperia X1. When ready, Sony Ericsson will offer a download service that will showcase all the available panels from partners and developers, and allow you to download them directly to the smartphone.

To learn more, check out this video by Sony Ericsson's Ramanath Bhat, who is in charge of application and product planning for the Xperia X1.

Motorola Q Global

(Credit: Motorola)

A new Moto smartphone joined the Motorola Q9h in AT&T's lineup on Thursday. The Motorola Q Global is largely like the Q9h except it ships with Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard Edition and comes with a pinstripe design and metallic silver casing.

We're glad that some things remain the same as the smartphone continues to offer HSDPA support, integrated GPS, and Bluetooth. In addition, rather than the standard Microsoft Office Mobile Suite, the Q Global comes preloaded with the DataViz Documents to Go Suite and Opera Web browser.

Other highlights include support for Good Mobile Messaging and BlackBerry Connect; threaded text messaging, Moto's CrystalTalk technology for clearer calls; and a 2-megapixel camera. The Motorola Q Global is available now for $149.99 with a two-year contract.

Click on the image to see the Palm Treo Pro photo gallery

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)

While not the best-kept secret in the technology world, what with all the leaked photos and videos, we're still aflutter over Palm's official unveiling of the Palm Treo Pro Wednesday. And why wouldn't we be? The smartphone is looking pretty sharp, both inside and out.

The first thing you might notice is the new modern look. The Treo Pro sheds the outdated, clunky design of previous Treos and trades it in for a sleeker design (4.4 inches high by 2.3 inches wide by 0.5 inch deep; 4.7 ounces) and nice black casing. It also sports a 320x320-pixel resolution touch screen and features a screensaver that will show you the time, any missed calls or new text/multimedia messages at a glance. You can also see some Palm Centro influence in there with the full QWERTY keyboard, but the navigation keypad is all new.

It's not all about looks either. As the name would suggest, the smartphone is targeted at business users and on paper, it looks to be fully equipped keep up with the on-the-go types. The Treo Pro runs Windows Mobile 6.1, complete with the Microsoft Office Mobile Suite and Direct Push Technology for real-time e-mail delivery. The quad-band world phone is stocked in the wireless department as well, as it offers UMTS/HSDPA support, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS.

It all sounds pretty enticing, no? Itching to get one? Well, here's the skinny on availability. The Palm Treo Pro will be available in Europe starting in September through Vodafone and O2, while Telstra will pick it up in Australia. Interestingly, here in the States, it will be sold unlocked through Palm starting in the fall. There's no word on exact availability date or pricing, or whether a U.S. carrier will eventually pick it up. That said, we actually have a meeting with Palm later Wednesday so we'll see if we can get any more information out of them and also give you a hands-on report about the Treo Pro.

In the meantime, please feel free to share your thoughts on the news. I don't know about you, but I have to say this is the first time in a long time that I've really been jazzed about a Palm smartphone. You?

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)

Attention all Motorola Q9h owners: Motorola has released an official Windows Mobile 6.1 update that you can download for free from the company's Web site.

The upgrade obviously brings the latest version of the mobile operating system to the AT&T smartphone, as well as promise of improved performance and speed. As with all updates, be sure to back up all your data since the process will wipe your device.

(Source: WMExperts via Boy Genius Report)

Is this the Palm Treo Pro?

(Credit: Slashgear)

Heeeeyyyy, remember those sexy pictures we saw of a rumored Palm Treo 850 a while back? Well, it looks like they're resurfacing again, but this time in an internal Palm presentation that, oopsies, briefly appeared on the company's Web site. The slides have since been taken down but they were up long enough for SlashGear to get some screen shots.

If this presentation is legit, it appears the smartphone will actually be called the Palm Treo Pro and will run Windows Mobile 6.1. The sleek-looking device (I'm really digging the design) will also reportedly have 3G support, Wi-Fi, a 320x320 pixel resolution touch screen, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Not a ton more info there, but I don't know, I'm pretty excited. What do you think?

HTC Touch for Sprint

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)

The Windows Mobile 6.1 updates have been slow to roll out to current Windows Mobile smartphones, but looks like today is the lucky day for Sprint HTC Touch owners. Available for download from HTC's Web site, the software update doesn't just bring the latest mobile operating system. You also get upgraded to EV-DO Rev. A; advanced GPS with support for Sprint Navigation; the Opera Mobile Web browser; and a full onscreen QWERTY keyboard. Hey, not too shabby. And remember, be sure to back up all your data and files before you download that update, otherwise it all goes bye-bye.

A Windows Mobile 6.1 software update has also been released for the Sprint Mogul, which brings support for Sprint TV as well. This adds to the EV-DO Rev. A boost, advanced GPS capabilities, and Task Manager tool that were distributed in a previous software upgrade. The WM 6.1 update is available for download here.

(Sources: WMExperts via Boy Genius Report)

Samsung SCH-i760

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)

In the famous words of Beyonce, "I can (up)/ Can I (up)/Let me upgrade you." Perhaps that will be the tune Samsung SCH-i760 owners will be singing today as Samsung released an official Windows Mobile 6.1 software upgrade for the Verizon Wireless smartphone. The software update is available for download through Samsung's Web site and has installers for both Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Vista users.

The world may still be all abuzz with iPhone 3G talk, but believe it or not, there are other smartphones out there, and Sprint just happened to land a pretty good one.

The carrier and Palm on Monday unveiled the Palm Treo 800w, a Windows Mobile 6.1 smartphone targeted at business users. Now, we'll admit that we've given Palm its fair share of criticism over the years for being behind the times and lacking innovation, but while the Treo 800w doesn't offer anything earth-shattering, it offers enough to stifle some of our complaints.

We're talking integrated Wi-Fi, GPS, EV-DO Revision A, and a slimmer design.

Pique your interest? Then head on over to our hands-on review to see how it fares. After rebates and discounts, the Treo 800w is available for $249.99 with a two-year contract.

CNET review: Palm Treo 800w