If you buy new, you are looking at spending an additional $300 with a contract—so this is one hell of a deal. If you have a problem with second-hand stuff, get over it. As it is in this case, buying refurbs can be a great move. [AT&T via Fuze Mobility via BGR]

Before we get started, a quick note on the last Windows Mobile test, and what we're doing differently here. Some of you guys complained that the Samsung Epix was a crappy, slow piece of hardware. However, according to Laptop, its 624MHz Marvell processor and 128MB RAM are specs that just about on par with the three phones clamored for in the comments. Still, you get your wish: Here we lined up the Sony Xperia X1, HTC Touch Pro (AT&T's Fuze) and the Samsung Omnia, and put them through the same tests. On the Epix, for Opera testing, we went with v8.65 in order to not use beta software. (Opera's own site lists 8.65 as its most recent stable version.) Here, all the Windows Mobile hardware we've added to the test have Opera 9.5 built right in.

So without further explanation, here are the numbers—time to load the page, and how accurately it was rendered using Firefox 3 as a reference:

As you can see, the Xperia, Fuze and Omnia are about on par with the Epix when it comes to IE (they suck!), though Opera Mobile 9.5 obviously crushes 8.65 when it comes to speed and competency. I asked Opera why I saw the performance differences between the three phones and they admitted that there are some tweaks, which "are mainly with making our browser work best on the different devices." So, let's look at the new phones and see how they rate against the Epix:

Xperia X1
You probably noticed in the chart that load times are longer over Wi-Fi in a few spots. This is because it would randomly hang, not loading data, for up to 20 seconds. The Xperia was aggravating because its touchscreen seemed to be the least responsive of the three, making navigation a pain, though its optical mouse came in handy for zipping around pages, and it worked better than the Omnia's. One other annoyance is that Opera blocked its virtual symbol keyboard from coming up, which made it hard to enter one of the URLs. It falls smack in the middle.

HTC Fuze
I had the smoothest overall experience with the Fuze, and would be my closest thing to a recommendation. Its touchscreen was responsive, which made double tapping to zoom and pan around pages fast and mostly intuitive in Opera Mobile. Having symbols mapped directly to the keyboard is a big time saver while punching in URLs. This is good, since it seemed to be the slowest of the three, both over 3G and Wi-Fi. Sluggishness aside, the web experience is markedly more usable than the other two new phones.

Omnia
The all-touchscreen Omnia, despite being the fastest over 3G in a number of cases, was a nightmare. During the 3G tests, it managed to crash Opera on three of the six pages tested. I also had tons of Wi-Fi issues. Eventually I was told by Samsung that VZAppZone, Verizon's pseudo-app store that's all but pre-installed on the phone (after you fire it up, it installs), was breaking the Wi-Fi. (On the Epix in the previous showdown, I was later told by Samsung that installing Opera is what broke Wi-Fi for IE. So, uh, Samsung maybe...oh, whatever.) Also, its portrait keyboard has keys so ridiculously skinny, they'd remind anorexic models not to eat. When Opera did work and a page was actually loaded, it was the snappiest at moving around the page. But overall, yeesh.

Conclusion
So where would I slot Opera 9.5 overall if I were to slide it into the previous browser battle? I'd give it a B-. It has a great, desktop-y UI (though I wish a few of the buttons were a smidge bigger, taking into consideration fat fingers and the inadequacies of resistive touchscreens). It's really competent, and it has a solid zoom metaphor, with the double taps usually working like a charm. And it has extras like tabs. But, and this is the big but, it still doesn't feel quite as smooth or instantly responsive as Safari or Android's browser. It's clearly an OS issue, though, not an Opera one.

Speaking to that, testing these three phones actually took longer than it did to test the six in the original Battlemodo, entirely because of how much wrestling I had to do with Windows Mobile. I've used close to a dozen Windows Mobile devices over the last year, and it's still a bitch.

If you haven't noticed in our reviews of Windows Mobile phones, we've basically ceased comparing to them anything but other WM phones, in a wishful attempt at dulling our totally appropriate disdain for the OS, lest the review essentially turn into one giant bitchfest. They're clearly off in their own world of performance and function.

Even ceding the point that Windows Mobile is somehow more functional than the iPhone or Android, it's like comparing one of those 100-in-1 kitchen gadgets that'll blend, slice, dice, toast, saute, braise, set the table, clean the dishes AND suck you off while it's doing all that to a Waring MX1000 blender. It doesn't matter how much the all-in-one gadget can technically do if you can't figure out how to use it, and it performs every task with only mediocre results.

If the iPhone ran half as poorly as Windows Mobile phones, Apple haters would (rightfully) scream as loudly as Apple fanboys do about Vista. If any BlackBerry was as much of a flustercuck, reviewers would trash the crap out of it. I'm sorry, but at this point, any apologist left defending Windows Mobile is either delusional or full of crap—either way, not worth listening to.

I won't touch another Windows Mobile phone until WM7 or at least 6.5, no matter how awesome the hardware looks. Call me when it runs Android.

HTC FUZE FROM AT&T FUSES FUN AND FUNCTION WITH
THE ONE-TOUCH POWER OF TOUCHFLO 3D

Powerful New Smartphone Epitomizes Choice With Touch-Screen and Slider Keyboard, Access to Nation’s Fastest 3G Network and Many More Connectivity Options

DALLAS, Texas, and BELLEVUE, Wash., Nov. 11, 2008 — AT&T customers now have the best of both worlds. AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) and HTC Corp. (TAIEX: 2498; “HTC”) have announced the availability beginning today of the new smartphone HTC FUZETM. The HTC FUZE provides users with a familiar QWERTY keyboard paired with HTC’s intuitive, graphic-rich TouchFLO™ 3D touch-screen user interface for easy one-touch access to a range of fun and powerful features.

TouchFLO 3D is designed for one-hand operation using simple, gesture-based navigation, allowing customers to simply touch, hold and slide along the screen tabs. A quick slide on the home screen quickly activates the most used features such as e-mail, text messaging, music player and camera. This instinctive interface extends to the powerful Web browser. A useful “zoom in, zoom out” feature makes it especially fun and easy to access the Web via the included Opera browser, which provides for desktop-like Web page renderings and user interactions.

Powered by AT&T’s 3G network — the nation’s fastest — and Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, the HTC FUZE is a compact yet powerful communications tool with a smooth gloss black finish and a distinctive and unique faceted backplate. The HTC FUZE features a sharp, 262K color 2.8-inch (480 x 640) VGA touch screen for touch-sensitive navigation control, complete with three-dimensional animated transitions. For e-mail, messaging and other data input, the HTC FUZE also comes equipped with a full QWERTY keyboard, which was designed specifically for AT&T and slides out from the smartphone’s side.

Connectivity Options
Beyond AT&T’s robust 3G network, the HTC FUZE provides AT&T customers with a host of other connectivity options. When abroad, AT&T customers can use the HTC FUZE to make or receive a phone call in more than 200 countries and check e-mail, browse the Web or perform other data functions in more than 150 countries, including in more than 60 — such as Japan and South Korea — that have deployed 3G networks. In addition, the HTC FUZE boasts:

* Built-in aGPS — for use with AT&T Navigator powered by TeleNav and other location-based applications such as TeleNav TrackTM and Xora GPS TimeTrackTM.
* Wi-Fi® (802.11 b/g) — to connect with home or campus networks or access more than 17,000 AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots nationwide, including at thousands of participating Starbucks locations.
* Bluetooth® 2.0 with Enhanced Data Rate (EDR) — for simultaneous connection of up to six Bluetooth-enabled devices, including hands-free headsets, stereo headsets, car kits, network printers and other Bluetooth peripherals.
* AT&T Video ShareSM — the first service in the U.S. that allows users to share live video over wireless devices while participating in a voice call.
* Push To Talk (PTT) — via the nation’s largest PTT network.

“The HTC FUZE is a great illustration of AT&T’s commitment to innovation and choice,” said Michael Woodward, vice president, Smart Devices for AT&T’s wireless unit. “The HTC FUZE, with its array of connectivity features, provides our customers with the ability to choose the manner in which they communicate using the form factor they deem most appropriate at a given moment — all in a very attractive and sleek package. It’s a fantastic addition to AT&T’s industry-leading Windows Mobile smartphone portfolio.”

Jason Mackenzie, vice president of HTC America, said: “By combining the power of Windows Mobile 6.1 with HTC’s innovative TouchFLO 3D interface, the HTC FUZE ensures that your most important information — from mail to music to images — is never more than a touch away. The HTC FUZE’s range of cutting-edge mobile features, like a desktop-quality mobile browser, paired with AT&T’s lightning-quick 3G network makes it an unbeatable choice for consumers.”

AT&T also offers customers a variety of choices in the types of services available to them when using the HTC FUZE, both during work and after-hours.

Business Use
For business use, AT&T customers will be able to choose from several popular platforms to access their corporate e-mail. The robust Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional platform offers seamless integration with Microsoft Outlook information including e-mail, contacts, calendar and to-do lists. Additionally, Good Mobile Messaging and BlackBerry® ConnectTM compatibility will be offered later this year, while personal e-mail can easily be taken mobile using AT&T’s popular Xpress Mail service. They can access and edit e-mail attachments using mobile versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, OneNote and PowerPoint. Customers also can choose to tether the HTC FUZE to their notebook computer to wirelessly view e-mail or access the Web. A unique business card application allows users to quickly capture and save contact information with the built-in 3.2 megapixel camera.

In addition, the HTC FUZE supports scores of industry-specific applications as well as Microsoft System Center Mobile Device Manager (MDM), an enterprise-grade mobile device management solution that also provides security, mobile Virtual Private Network (VPN) and software distribution for Windows Mobile devices enabled for Windows Mobile 6.1.

For both business and personal use, the HTC FUZE features AT&T Video Share. Business customers, particularly those in such fields as architecture and engineering, can use Video Share to monitor progress on a job site or review the day’s work without having to drive from an office or other site to do so. When not working, users can share moments with family and friends while the moments are happening — everything from weddings or a baby’s first steps to a Little League at-bat or a clearance-sale find.

Personal Time
The HTC FUZE offers many additional uses during personal time. Users have access to AT&T Mobile Music services, an integrated, on-the-go music experience that delivers “your music, your way” by providing simple access to a robust collection of music content, including access to online subscription music content from eMusic®, XM Radio Mobile™ and more. Using the TouchFLO 3D touchscreen navigation, HTC FUZE customers can browse their music with easily accessible tabs sorted by playing lists, artists, albums, songs and genre views. Music as well as favorite contacts and photos can be arranged on-screen with the dynamic TouchFLO 3D interface.

For the visually oriented, CV (Cellular Video) from AT&T gives viewers access to thousands of video clips — news, sports, weather, entertainment, premium HBO MobileSM content and more — via streaming video. Those who prefer full-length streaming video programming can access MobiTV. Or they can use the HTC FUZE’s built-in camera to shoot their own video.

AT&T Video Share, AT&T Mobile Music services, CV, MobiTV and more than 90,000 additional choices are available through AT&T MEdia Mall directly from the HTC FUZE or online.

Backing the HTC FUZE is AT&T’s 3G BroadbandConnect network, which currently is available in more than 320 major metropolitan areas in the U.S. and, by year-end, AT&T expects to offer the service in nearly 350 leading U.S. markets. The network’s HSPA-based technology allows users to perform data functions and conduct a phone call simultaneously. In addition to 3G connectivity, the HTC FUZE is also designed to connect seamlessly with AT&T’s nationwide2 EDGE network, which is available in more than 13,000 cities and towns and along some 40,000 miles of major highways.

Pricing and Availability
The HTC FUZE is available now for as low as $299.991 at AT&T retail stores nationwide, online at www.att.com, at select national retailers and through AT&T’s enterprise and small business sales organizations. AT&T voice plans begin at $39.99 with monthly enterprise data plans priced at $45, and personal data plans at $30 per month. Small business customers also can subscribe to AT&T’s new, industry-first BusinessTalk voice plans, which start at $60 a month for five users and 700 Anytime Minutes and can be expanded for $9.99 a line to accommodate up to 40 users and 20,000 Anytime Minutes. AT&T Mobile Music services, AT&T Navigator, Video Share, Push To Talk and MobiTV all require separate monthly subscriptions.

For the complete array of AT&T offerings, visit www.att.com.

1 With a two-year contract, mail-in rebate, and voice and data plans.
2 Not available in all areas.

SANDISK INTRODUCES THE STYLISH SANSA(R) FUZE™ MP3 PLAYER Multi-Faceted Music Player Rounds out the Sansa Product Line

MILPITAS, Calif., March 11, 2008- SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK), a
leading seller of MP3 players in the United States, today unveiled the
multi-faceted Sansa(R) Fuze™ MP3 player. The stylish music player is loaded
with capabilities and features to keep consumers well entertained while on
the go. Not only is it easy on the eye, it's easy on the pocketbook. With
availability planned for early April in the United States, the Sansa Fuze
player comes in a wide array of colors (pink, red, blue, black and silver)
and capacities (2, 4 and 8 gigabyte1 (GB)) with an expected starting price
of only $79.99 MSRP.
In addition to playing music, video, photos, FM radio and audiobooks, the
thin Sansa Fuze is packed with extras, including a microSD card slot to add
and transport content with ease; a voice recorder to capture thoughts on the
fly, and a bright, 1.9"color screen that allows users to easily navigate
their music or watch videos in landscape mode.
"The Sansa Fuze is an eye-catching player that consumers will enjoy for its
looks, capabilities and incredible value," said Eric Bone, vice president of
product marketing for Sansa, SanDisk's audio/video product line. "This new
MP3 player combines some of the best features found on other Sansa products,
including great sound quality. It's yet another strong offering by SanDisk
in the sub-$150 music player market."

A distinguishing feature of the Sansa Fuze player is its microSD™ card slot.
This memory slot provides consumers the ability to quickly add content onto
their device and expands storage capacity, giving ample space for thousands
of additional songs, hours of video and numerous photos. Plus, by using a
SanDisk microSD card, users can easily carry their music and other content
from their Sansa MP3 player to their mobile phone, or even their PC.

The Sansa Fuze MP3 player gives users access to subscription download
services from numerous sources, including Rhapsody To Go(R), Napster, eMusic
and others. In addition, it supports playback of a wide range of popular
music formats such as MP3, WAV, Audible (for audio books) and Windows Media
Audio (WMA) in both unprotected and protected files. Sansa Fuze supports
MPEG-4 video and JPEG photos. Its internal rechargeable battery will play up
to 24 hours of audio and five hours of video between charges.2

The MP3 player works with computers running Windows XP or Windows Vista. It
also works with Mac and Linux operating systems (under MSC mode).

Expected Pricing, Colors and Availability

The Sansa Fuze player is expected to be available in U.S. stores in early
April. The music player comes in a 2GB capacity (holds 500 MP3 songs3) with
an MSRP of $79.99, 4GB (1,000 MP3 songs) for $99.99 and 8GB (2,000 MP3
songs) for $129.99. The 2GB Sansa Fuze is available in black; the 4GB Sansa
Fuze is available in black, red, pink or blue, and the 8GB is available in
silver. For more information visit http://www.sandisk.com/sansafuze/.

The player is expected to be available from retailers in Canada and Europe
in late spring, with other regions of the world to follow.

The flash-based Sansa Fuze player rounds out the Sansa product family,
joining the popular, tiny Sansa Clip and video-centric Sansa View. The Sansa
audio/video line offers consumers highly affordable, yet fun and fashionable
music players loaded with appealing extra features.

Amazon lists red, black and pink models, but there are no images of the pink or black varieties as yet. Standing in at 2.2 x 1.5 x 0.6 inches, it is a little thicker than the fruity equivalent, but if you were thinking of settling down with an iPod nano, you may want to wait for the verdict on the Fuze before you make any hasty decisions. [Amazon via DAP Review]

It's built on an Intel platform. But you never have access to the desktop, for reliability reasons. (No internet access?) It does whole house audio, synced. And the UI in those screenshots have blue backgrounds, and familiar MCE menus, but they're not.

Media can be sent to the rest of the house using Ethernet and the Fuzemini boxes. But using CAT-5 cables (via USB adapter) audio can also be sent to powered amp'd wall switches, complete with track controls (but no actual TCP-IP). And there are even powerline versions of this panel.

Hmm. Interesting. We'll see how it plays, and how much it costs.[Fuze via CEPro]