Toshiba TG01 Windows Phone Coming; Free WM6.5 Upgrade For Existing Owners

We weren't so keen on Toshiba's TG01 back when we reviewed the Snapdragon-based smartphone in July.  While the spec sheet paints an alluring picture, the failings both of Windows Mobile 6.1 and the UI tweaks Toshiba attempted to address that with meant we couldn't recommend it over its HTC WinMo counterparts.  Now Toshiba are back with the TG01 Windows phone variant, the same hardware as before but running Windows Mobile 6.5.

That means you get Windows Mobile 6.5's new Marketplace for Mobile download store, on a 4.1-inch WVGA resistive touchscreen, together with what's still the fastest processor on a smartphone available now.  There's also a 3.2-megapixel camera, HSPA, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and a microSDHC card slot.

Even better, all TG01 owners will be able to upgrade their 6.1 devices to Windows Mobile 6.5 once the OS is launched, thanks to a free download from Toshiba's site. The Toshiba TG01 Windows phone, meanwhile, will go on sale across Europe from October 6th.

Press Release:

TOSHIBA ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF THE TG01 WINDOWS® PHONE

· Windows Mobile® 6.5 update propels the Toshiba TG01 to full Windows phone® status

· Intuitive Windows Mobile® 6.5 platform complements impressive hardware specification, with full support for Windows Marketplace for Mobile

· Superb 4.1" Wide-VGA high-resolution screen combines with Snapdragon™ processor to deliver a premium multimedia experience in a super slim 9.9mm package

Toshiba Information Systems (UK) Ltd, Mobile Communications Division, today announced the launch of the TG01 Windows® phone, a variant of its groundbreaking TG01 featuring the new Windows Mobile® 6.5 operating system.

The arrival of Windows Mobile® 6.5 and Toshiba's immediate adoption of the platform for the TG01 sees the handset become a fully-certified Windows® phone; the updated TG01 Windows® phone will start to appear in stores across Europe from 6th October 2009. Toshiba customers who have previously purchased the TG01 will also be entitled to an upgrade to the new Windows Mobile® 6.5, free of charge.

The launch of the TG01 Windows® phone means users will be able to enjoy all the benefits of Windows Mobile® 6.5, including a new Home screen and a finger-friendly start menu. Designed to offer fun and interactive navigation between applications, Windows Mobile® 6.5 provides users with faster access to the handset's plethora of features.

Windows Marketplace for Mobile enables users to download and install Windows Mobile® applications, including Games, Social Networking functions and office-tools, meaning each handset can be personalised to suit the tastes and needs of each individual user. Support for the latest version of Internet Explorer® makes it faster and easier to browse the Internet, and the free Microsoft My Phone enables users to protect their phone by backing up data and securely share photos with families and friends across PC, phone and the web-based platforms.

The TG01 Windows® phone also comes with the high-power Snapdragon™ 1GHz processor, as found on the Toshiba TG01, to deliver smooth video playback, super-fast gaming and detail-rich browsing. The same superb, high-resolution 4.1" Wide-VGA (800 x 480) touchscreen is also present, with on-board Coreplayer providing support for a wide variety of video formats.

Despite all this power, the TG01 Windows® phone comes in the same sleek 9.9mm body as the previously-launched Toshiba TG01. It also features the same rich multimedia features, but with the added benefit of the new Windows® phone experience provided by the Windows Mobile® 6.5 operating system.

Expandable SDHC memory up to 32GB provides the facility for users to keep a large multimedia library on the move if required, with an 8GB microSD card bundled as standard, enabling users to store multimedia content and take advantage of the the handset's cinematic mobile performance out of the box. Integrated GPS and A-GPS technology allows the TG01 Windows® phone to double up as a satellite navigation system, providing rich graphics and detail.

"Windows® phones bring together the best of the Web, the PC and the phone so you can connect instantly to the people and information you care about, no matter where you are," said from Stephanie Ferguson, general manager, product management, Microsoft Corp. "The new TG01 Windows® phone provides a great end-to-end experience that spans your entire life, at work and at home."

"Our new TG01 Windows® phone is quite simply the next step in cutting edge mobile technology. We've been thrilled with the market's response to the TG01 handset so far and worked closely with Microsoft to launch one of the first Windows® phones to the market. Toshiba is constantly striving to deliver the very best mobile experience and we are excited what this new Windows® phone update will bring our customers, with an improved user interface and access to a multitude of applications through Windows Marketplace." said Hidehito Koka, Deputy Managing Director, Toshiba Information Systems UK Ltd, Mobile Communications Division

An update to the new Windows Mobile® 6.5 operating system for existing owners of TG01 will be available for download from Toshiba's website: www.toshiba-europe.com/mobile

Toshiba TG01 Windows® phone – specification overview

Size: 70mm x130mm x 9.9mm

Weight: 129g

Display: Wide-VGA (800 x 480), 4.1"

Camera: 3.2 mega-pixel, autofocus

Memory: 512MB ROM / 256MB RAM, micro SDHC slot up to 32GB

Interface: Bluetooth v2.0, USB v2.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g

Battery: 1,000mAh, Standby: up to 220 hours (3G), Talktime: up to 4 hours (3G)*

Band: 850/900/1800/1900 for GSM/GPRS/EDGE

2100 for UMTS/HSDPA (7.2Mbps)/HSUPA (2Mbps)

Navigation: Built-in GPS & A-GPS

Video service: Core Codec CorePlayer

Browser: Internet Explorer®

Messaging: SMS, MMS, E-mail, Microsoft Direct Push e-mail, Windows Live™ Messenger

Sound: MP3, AAC, AAC+,eAAC+, AMR-NB, WMA

Video: H.263, H.264, MPEG4, WMV, ASF

Java: MIDP 2.0

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon Chipset QSD8250 (1GHz Processor)

OS: Windows Mobile® 6.5

* Dependent on network conditions and usage

Specifications are correct at the time of this press release. Product design and specifications are subject to change without notice. Ó 2009 Toshiba Information Systems UK Ltd. Toshiba is a trademark of Toshiba Corporation in Japan

Microsoft, Windows, Microsoft Direct Push e-mail, Internet Explorer, Windows Mobile, Windows Mobile 6.5 and Windows Live Messenger are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.