HTC HD2

Rumors of the HTC HD2 began appearing in September 2009. It was codenamed Leo, although a decal on the back cover conflictingly identified it as the Pro.Three (which indicates it may have been intended as a bridge between the HTC Touch Pro and HTC Touch), and the "About" info in Bluetooth as the HD2.{{cite web|title=More images of the HTC Pro Three a.k.a. Leo surfaced|url=http://www.gsmarena.com/more_images_of_the_htc_pro_three_aka_leo_surfaced_-news-1131.php|work=GSMArena.com|publisher=GSMArena|access-date=7 May 2011|date=18 September 2009|archive-date=11 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100811061941/http://www.gsmarena.com/more_images_of_the_htc_pro_three_aka_leo_surfaced_-news-1131.php|url-status=live}} The specifications sheet released turned out to be true when the HD2 was launched, with the exception of the listed 320MB of RAM, compared to the final 576MB (448MB available to user) of RAM.

It is the first smartphone with a 4.3-inch touchscreen, the first Windows Mobile 6.5 phone with a multitouch capacitive screen and HTC Sense, and the second smartphone with a Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU (the first being the Toshiba TG01).{{cite web |url=http://www.htc.com/www/product/hd2/specification.html |title=HTC HD2 specifications |publisher=HTC |access-date=22 April 2010 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229192215/http://www.htc.com/www/product/hd2/specification.html |archive-date=29 December 2010 }}{{cite news |title=HTC Touch HD2 Review: A Tragedy |author=John Herrman |newspaper=Gizmodo |date=9 November 2009 |url=https://gizmodo.com/5400593/htc-touch-hd2-review-a-tragedy |access-date=9 September 2017 |archive-date=17 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170917062828/http://gizmodo.com/5400593/htc-touch-hd2-review-a-tragedy |url-status=live }} The Snapdragon CPU is clocked at 1 GHz,{{cite web | url=http://dl4.htc.com/web_materials/Manual/HTC_HD2/091229_HD2_HTC_WWE_UM.pdf | title=HTC HD2 official manual | access-date=9 March 2012 | archive-date=29 January 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129110414/http://dl4.htc.com/web_materials/Manual/HTC_HD2/091229_HD2_HTC_WWE_UM.pdf | url-status=live }} but automatically underclocks itself to 553 MHz if extra processing power is not needed. Tweaks have been made however, to clock the processor dynamically from 96 MHz to 1.61 GHz.

The HD2 is fitted with an Asahi Kasei AK8976A magnetometer. The magnetometer is used for applications such as the pre-loaded digital compass.

HTC sold an optional capacitive stylus pen for the HD2 to aid navigation through the interface.{{cite web |url=http://www.blog.best-mobile-contracts.co.uk/2009/11/htc-phones/htc-hd2-stylus-now-available.html |title=HTC HD2 Stylus Now Available |date=30 November 2009 |publisher=Best Mobile Contracts |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203102705/http://www.blog.best-mobile-contracts.co.uk/2009/11/htc-phones/htc-hd2-stylus-now-available.html |archive-date=3 December 2009 }} Some Windows Mobile applications were designed to be used with a stylus, rather than finger-touch, and still need a stylus pen to be used effectively.

An extended 'Media' battery was also available officially from HTC. The official unit comes with a replacement battery cover sporting a pull-out metal kickstand which supports the phone in an upright landscape orientation.{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/02/05/htc-hd2-extended-battery-gets-its-close-up-lower-price |title=HTC HD2 extended battery gets its close-up, lower price |publisher=Engadget |date=5 February 2010 |access-date=29 August 2017 |archive-date=21 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221164100/https://www.engadget.com/2010/02/05/htc-hd2-extended-battery-gets-its-close-up-lower-price/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.htcaccessorystore.com/uk/p_htc_item.aspx?i=195058&phone=188954 |title=HTC HD2 Extended Media Battery + Battery Cover BP E400 |publisher=HTC Accessory Store |access-date=28 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313024933/http://www.htcaccessorystore.com/uk/p_htc_item.aspx?i=195058&phone=188954 |archive-date=13 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}

The HD2 was sold with a black or brown leather slip-case with a velvet interior in certain countries.

The HTC HD2 runs Windows Mobile 6.5 as its native operating system with Windows CE as its underlying kernel and OS. The HD2 runs HTC Sense as a UI shell on top of Windows Mobile.

The HD2 was originally slated to be upgraded to Windows Phone (then known as Windows Mobile 7).{{cite web|last=Taimur Asad|first=Taimur|title=Windows Mobile 7 on HTC HD2 Confirmed Again by HTC|url=http://www.redmondpie.com/windows-mobile-7-on-htc-hd2-confirmed-again-by-htc-9140341/|work=Redmond Pie|access-date=2 May 2011|date=13 January 2010|archive-date=29 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429070806/http://www.redmondpie.com/windows-mobile-7-on-htc-hd2-confirmed-again-by-htc-9140341/|url-status=live}} Microsoft rejected it and other Windows Mobile devices, however, due to it not being compliant with the company's hardware requirements for smartphones running Windows Phone, such as a lack of a dedicated two-stage camera button and five hardware buttons on the front as compared to the three supported.{{cite web|last=Park|first=Will|title=Windows Phone 7 Series not coming to Windows Mobile phones, not even HTC HD2(?)|url=http://www.intomobile.com/2010/03/01/windows-phone-7-series-not-coming-to-windows-mobile-phones-not-even-htc-hd2/|work=IntoMobile|access-date=2 May 2011|date=1 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402033956/http://www.intomobile.com/2010/03/01/windows-phone-7-series-not-coming-to-windows-mobile-phones-not-even-htc-hd2/|archive-date=2 April 2012|url-status=dead}}

However, developers have successfully ported Windows Phone to the HD2. Microsoft has expressed tacit and subtle approval of such ports, nearing the release of Mango for native Windows Phone devices. Live services were not available to HD2 as the Windows Phone on the HD2 is not activated. It is possible for users to call Microsoft to request an activation key, but the device is not supported as a WP7 phone and being given a code is not guaranteed.{{cite web|last=Lefevers|first=Jason|title=Microsoft: "Tinker away with Mango, but beware"|url=http://www.everything-microsoft.com/2011/07/10/microsoft-tinker-mango-beware/|work=Everything Microsoft|access-date=20 October 2011|date=10 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405233047/http://www.everything-microsoft.com/2011/07/10/microsoft-tinker-mango-beware/|archive-date=5 April 2012|url-status=dead}}

Unlike its sibling, the HD Mini, the HD2 never received an official upgrade to Windows Mobile 6.5.3, the last stable release of Windows Mobile (the HD2 natively runs 6.5.0). However, several developers at XDA Developers prepared unofficial 6.5.3 and 6.5.5 (the latter being the last unstable release of Windows Mobile) ROMs for the HD2.

The ability to 'mod' the HTC HD2 and run multiple different operating systems from the NAND flash or SD card has given it an enduring popularity, and this made the HTC HD2 one of the phones that could run the largest number of operating systems in the world.

Android (versions 2.2 Froyo, 2.3 Gingerbread, 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich, 4.1 Jelly Bean, 4.2 Jelly Bean, 4.3 Jellybean, 4.4 Kitkat, 5.0 Lollipop, 6.0 Marshmallow and 7.0 Nougat), Ubuntu, MeeGo and Windows Phone have all been unofficially ported to the HD2.{{cite news |title=HTC HD2 Android and Ubuntu builds now available for mass consumption |publisher=Engadget |date=3 July 2010 |url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/07/03/htc-hd2-android-and-ubunbu-builds-now-available-for-mass-consump/ |access-date=29 August 2017 |archive-date=28 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828231734/https://www.engadget.com/2010/07/03/htc-hd2-android-and-ubunbu-builds-now-available-for-mass-consump/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title= HTC HD2 gets a shot at MeeGo, still suffering from abandonment issues |publisher= Engadget |date= 3 January 2011 |url= https://www.engadget.com/2011/01/03/htc-hd2-gets-a-shot-at-meego-still-suffering-from-abandonment-i/ |access-date= 29 August 2017 |archive-date= 28 August 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170828233010/https://www.engadget.com/2011/01/03/htc-hd2-gets-a-shot-at-meego-still-suffering-from-abandonment-i/ |url-status= live }}{{cite news |title=Windows Phone 7 HTC HD2 port completed, cloud services still not working |url=http://wmpoweruser.com/windows-phone-7-htc-hd2-port-completed-cloud-services-still-not-working/ |publisher=WMPoweruser.com |date=13 January 2011 |access-date=13 January 2011 |archive-date=4 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004230700/http://wmpoweruser.com/windows-phone-7-htc-hd2-port-completed-cloud-services-still-not-working/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=68623703&postcount=165|title=[Nov 17,2015][M 6.0][ CM13.0][Unofficial] Kernel 3.0.101 [ION] – Post #165|website=forum.xda-developers.com|date=18 November 2015 |access-date=15 September 2016|archive-date=26 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726121554/https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=68623703&postcount=165|url-status=live}} In addition, many customised versions of Windows Mobile are available for the device, with versions 6.1,[http://www.tompda.com/soft/HTC/HD2%20T8585/24417 ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425062952/http://www.tompda.com/soft/HTC/HD2%20T8585/24417 |date=25 April 2012 }} 6.5,{{cite web |author=HTC HD2 WM6.5 Energy ROM Series 28244, 21916, Sense 2.5 |url=http://pockethacks.com/htc-hd2-wm6-5-energy-rom-series-28244-21916-sense-2-5/ |title=HTC HD2 WM6.5 Energy ROM Series 28244, 21916, Sense 2.5 | Android, Windows Phone 7 and Windows Mobile |publisher=Pockethacks.com |date=17 February 2011 |access-date=11 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624125319/http://pockethacks.com/htc-hd2-wm6-5-energy-rom-series-28244-21916-sense-2-5/ |archive-date=24 June 2013 |url-status=dead }} 6.5.3 and 6.5.5 available.

FPSECE (First PlayStation Emulator for Windows CE), a PlayStation emulator for Windows CE devices, was ported to the HD2 in December 2009, a few months after the initial release of the HD2.{{cite web |last=Savov |first=Vlad |url=https://www.engadget.com/2009/12/30/htc-hd2-plays-tekken-3-using-fpsece-emulator/ |title=HTC HD2 plays Tekken 3 using FPSECE emulator |publisher=Engadget.com |date=30 December 2009 |access-date=11 July 2013 |archive-date=28 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828231505/https://www.engadget.com/2009/12/30/htc-hd2-plays-tekken-3-using-fpsece-emulator/ |url-status=live }}

In early October 2010, a video was released that appeared to show a HD2 booting into Windows Phone by way of Russian developer Cotulla's MAGLDR tool (a bootloader), which was initially created to allow the booting of Android from the device's NAND flash.[http://cotulla.pp.ru/leo/WP7S/VIDEO0243.mp4 Windows Phone 7 on a HD2]{{dead link|date=March 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} As of 13 January 2011, MAGLDR and a Windows Phone 7 ROM are publicly available. Windows Phone Genuine checks prevent access to Windows Live services.{{cite web |url=http://www.wpcentral.com/microsoft-has-built-genuine-software-checker-windows-phone-7-compicates-custom-roms |title=Microsoft has a Genuine Software checker for Windows Phone 7; complicates custom ROMs |publisher=Windows Phone Central |date=22 November 2010 |access-date=5 January 2011 |archive-date=30 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830203415/http://www.wpcentral.com/microsoft-has-built-genuine-software-checker-windows-phone-7-compicates-custom-roms |url-status=live }} A solution to this problem has been found, though the legality of the activation is still not fully known, and is frowned heavily upon by Microsoft.{{cite web|url=http://pocketnow.com/windows-phone/windows-phone-7-cloud-security-cracked-but-theres-a-catch|title=Windows Phone 7 Cloud Security Cracked, But There's a Catch|publisher=pocketnow.com|date=7 January 2011|access-date=12 January 2011|archive-date=12 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110112061825/http://pocketnow.com/windows-phone/windows-phone-7-cloud-security-cracked-but-theres-a-catch|url-status=live}}

Windows Phone 7.5 was ported to the HD2 in August 2011,{{cite web |url=http://www.xda-developers.com/windows_phone/htc-hd2-gets-mango-bliss-sd-card-and-all/ |title=HTC HD2 Gets Mango Bliss – SD Card And All! – xda-developers |publisher=Xda-developers.com |date=27 August 2011 |access-date=11 July 2013 |archive-date=5 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105232401/http://www.xda-developers.com/windows_phone/htc-hd2-gets-mango-bliss-sd-card-and-all/ |url-status=live }} a month after ROM developers at XDA Developers made a successful attempt to run a beta version on the device.

On 23 December 2012, XDA developer zoid created a custom Debian/Ubuntu-based Pentest-focused distribution called [http://sourceforge.net/projects/ubnhd2/ ubnhd2] for the HTC HD2.{{cite web|title=[magldr] ubuntu, 3g, wifi, sound, landscape....|url=http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1975081|work=XDA Developers|access-date=23 December 2012|date=23 December 2012|archive-date=30 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121230050724/http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1975081|url-status=live}}

On 6 May 2013, an XDA developer successfully ported Firefox OS to the HTC HD2.{{cite web|title=[ROM][PORT][B2G][WIP][NativeSD]Boot HD2Gecko|url=http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2267096|work=XDA Developers|access-date=10 May 2013|date=6 May 2013|archive-date=6 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606200116/http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2267096|url-status=live}}

In August 2013, a group of developers on XDA successfully ported HTC Sense 5 to the HTC HD2.{{cite web|title=[MAG/CLK][DEV]Sense 5 on HD2[WIP][SOUND]|url=http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2285744|publisher=XDA Developers|access-date=5 November 2013|date=19 May 2013|archive-date=5 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105231644/http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2285744|url-status=live}}

In November 2015, XDA Senior Member macs18max successfully ported Android 6.0 Marshmallow to the HTC HD2.{{Cite web|url=http://forum.xda-developers.com/hd2-android/nand-dev/nov-17-2015-kernel-3-0-101-t3251438|title=[Nov 17,2015][M 6.0][ CM13.0][Unofficial] Kernel 3.0.101 [ION]|date=18 November 2015 |access-date=9 December 2015|archive-date=10 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210084337/http://forum.xda-developers.com/hd2-android/nand-dev/nov-17-2015-kernel-3-0-101-t3251438|url-status=live}}

In September 2016, CyanogenMod 14 which is based on Android 7.0 Nougat was ported to the HTC HD2 successfully.

When launched in the UK, Vodafone quickly sold all of its stock and developed a backlog of orders, and O2 delayed putting the HD2 on its website so that it could fulfill all orders.{{Cite news |title=Vodafone dropping HTC HD2 after two months |author=Gareth Beavis |newspaper=TechRadar |date=11 December 2009 |url=http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/vodafone-dropping-htc-hd2-after-two-months-657470 |access-date=29 March 2010 |archive-date=8 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100408041517/http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/vodafone-dropping-htc-hd2-after-two-months-657470 |url-status=live }} Similarly, in the US, the HTC HD2 sold out in most T-Mobile stores within 4 hours and T-Mobile struggled to keep it in stock for several weeks.{{cite web |last=Genius |first=Boy |url=http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2010/03/25/t-mobile-htc-hd2-sells-out-in-four-hours/ |title=T-Mobile HTC HD2 sells out in four hours? |publisher=Boygeniusreport.com |date=25 March 2010 |access-date=22 April 2010 |archive-date=19 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100419060220/http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2010/03/25/t-mobile-htc-hd2-sells-out-in-four-hours/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.sizlopedia.com/2010/04/11/t-mobile-htc-hd2-sold-out-third-time/ |title=T-Mobile HTC HD2 Sold Out for the Third time |publisher=Sizlopedia.com |access-date=22 April 2010 |archive-date=16 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100416073654/http://www.sizlopedia.com/2010/04/11/t-mobile-htc-hd2-sold-out-third-time/ |url-status=live }}

Certain T-Mobile locations ran a promotion that stated that iPhone users who traded in their handsets could get anywhere from $100 to $350 off the HD2.{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/04/05/t-mobile-offering-up-to-350-off-an-hd2-in-exchange-for-your-iph/ |title=T-Mobile offering up to $350 off an HD2 in exchange for your iPhone, soul |publisher=Engadget |date=5 April 2010 |access-date=22 April 2010 |archive-date=9 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409061444/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/05/t-mobile-offering-up-to-350-off-an-hd2-in-exchange-for-your-iph |url-status=live }}

The HTC HD2 became notoriously difficult to get hold of in the UK and Europe. At one point, there was a high level of demand for the product amongst businesses, due to the fact that many have apps that operate solely on the Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system.{{cite news|url=http://gadgetnode.com/review-of-the-refurbished-htc-hd2/|title=Review of the Refurbished HTC HD2|publisher=Gadgetnode|access-date=20 April 2012|archive-date=17 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917211235/http://www.gadgetnode.com/review-of-the-refurbished-htc-hd2|url-status=live}}

• TouchFLO 3D
• HTC Touch
• HTC Touch HD – the predecessor to the HD2.
• HTC HD Mini – a variant of the HD2, with lower specs and running Windows Mobile 6.5.3
• Pocket PC – the HD2's basic software and hardware platform.
• Information appliance
• Technological convergence

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{Official website|http://www.htc.com/europe/product/hd2/overview.html}} (Europe)
• [http://www.htc.com/nl/support/htc-hd2/ HTC HD2 overview]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0f54DmA4Os&fmt=22 HTC Introduction video]
• {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20100722094314/http://htc-linux.org/wiki/index.php?title=Leo HTC HD2 technical information and Linux port]}}

{{Windows Mobile}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:HTC HD2}}

HD2

Category:Windows Mobile Professional devices

Category:Mobile phones with user-replaceable battery

Category:Mobile phones introduced in 2009

Category:Discontinued flagship smartphones