Database Users

[Q] What makes the HD2 so "open"?

I've come from a long line of smart phones but my first android device was the dell streak...Dont get me wrong loved the device but lack of roms and development compared to the nexus one forums always made me jealous...so when the Nexus S was released I was down the shops the very day..
Got home and had the Nexus S for a while now and the numbers have grown but development never seems to be good as the HD2 forums...That thing runs everything
Is is just a case of more devs for the HD2 or is it more open?
Im so tempted to just cross over to the HD2 even though its a older device? Will I regret trading the nexus s in for the HD2? Any features I might miss?

I would say don't trade...just cop an HD2 from Craigslist or in the Marketplace...u can get one for a good price...no offense but why does everyone seem to have to only own one device..?? I switch between devices like I switch between my sneakers...

I'm guessing it's because windows 6.5 didn't need to be "rooted?" I'm not sure but when I had one, they got android ported over and I remember there wasn't anything special needed to run the rom from your sdcard. And right after I returned it they had a working version of android and windows 7 was shown running. So I guess, it's so "open" because it is "open".
Right now I'm rockin' a T-Mobile G2 rooted with Virtuous ROM 1.0.2. I love it, despite the bugs that are still there. I'm would like to get my hands on a HD2, or even a touch pro 2 haha. And I guess some people feel the need to rock 1 phone because they can't afford more. And yes, keep your nexus s. Don't get rid of it for a hd2.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App

HD2 is more like the prototype, everytime something finishes, something new surfaces. The hardware flexibility and also I think the delay in launch of any good phone after HD2, made the developers more involved in this phone, making way for a lot of choices.
As I think, we get bored of the same stuff each day, unless we try and develop something new so that even the old device gets a new life.

in my opinion, a small but significant slice of the "open" nature of the HD2 can be attributed to the HD2 being fairly similar to newer devices in terms of hardware. quite a few of the newer devices after the HD2 were still snapdragon/qualcomm chipsets. really, the only NEW improvements in hardware since the HD2 have been:
1. NFC
2. HDMI output
3. 3D cameras
4. LTE, WiMAX, etc radios
...and i can't think of much more but there may be 1 or 2 more such items.
all OTHER improvements have been "evolutionary", i.e. better screen technologies, more RAM, more ROM, faster processors, faster GPUs, front video call cameras, etc.
so newer hardware was still quite similar for 1-1.5 years after the HD2's hardware, long enough that the HD2 could "copy" the drivers and ROMs of its newer rivals. and because the newer rivals were an influx of android eclair and froyo and later gingerbread and windows phone 7, etc, the HD2 got lots of lovin'!!!

Just my thoughts on the subject. I agree with the post above about the HD2 was the first device to sport the hardware it has and then so many devices followed shot with the same or close to the same hardware. Also I think it has I would like to say a lot to do with the HD2's bootloader, but.I do not have a good enough working knowledge of the bootloader to say for sure. Still I think it has something to do with it as all the device manufactures are locking down their bootloaders now. I know I meantioned hardware already, but the fact that it was the first device to have a 4.3 in screen probably has a good bit to do with devs falling in love with the HD2. As I said just my thoughts.

i think it was the bootloader wasnt locked down whcih made it easier to hack

Well, HTC hardware (especially the Windows Mobile ones) are much more easier to hack because of hardware, bootloader, etc.
In my opinion, it all started from the XDA II (HTC_Himalaya) and from then on we began a hacking-to-make-it-awesome-spree on most HTC devices

I wondered the same thing.
Another person told me that the primary factor was that it was due to the HD2 having Windows Mobile as a default OS. This factor allowed it to run WP7 (for a technical reason I fail to understand). Android, Ubuntu, and MeeGo are all open source OS, so they can be ported without a necessary underlying system.
I don't know how true this is, but it seems to make sense. As among the last of the WinMo smartphones, the HD2 is only Windows Mobile phone to have the combined advantage of a 1Ghz Snapdragon CPU, 576MB RAM, and, perhaps most importantly, it was an HTC phone.
Other standout WinMo smartphones, such as the Acer neoTouch and Toshiba TG01, had the CPU but lacked the RAM. Furthermore, the fact that they were created by Acer/Toshiba meant that they lacked the all-important XDA support (which was pretty much 90% faithful to HTC at the time). All of this combined to give the HD2 a superb stage to outperform every other phone when it comes to hackability.
Of course, this is just speculation on my part, but many other explanations just doesn't seem to work for me.
EDIT: I can't believe I completely forgot this, but there was also another super important factor that separated the HD2 from the neoTouch and TG01 -- the HD2 had a capacitive display.

the HD2 was a beast when it came out... Developers went crazy when a 4.3in 1Ghz 576MB ram WM6.5 phone came out.. It was GOLD! It was ahead of its time on how the hardware was combined and even today new phones are only starting to pass the HD2 in specs.. High Res Cameras and dual core chips are the made difference while ram in some phones is still the same or not much increase..
imo the big jump will be the phones from next year that will be released.. because 3D is useless and is just a gimmick it will die off pritty soon.. But truly powerful phones will start showing up by the end of the year and onto 2012 until then our HD2's still have a fighting chance
Keep your Nexus S... At some point development will kickoff, but it never hurts if you can have another phone laying around to mess with

[Q] Should I buy a HD2?

Hello! I've currently got an HTC Desire and I'm not that happy with Android. I'm tired of the laggy, inconsistant and boring UI of both Sense and stock Android. I've had an iPod Touch and I've got an iPad and I'm a big fan of iOS, but I want to try something new.
I've been reading about WP7 a lot and it looks very interesting, I've also tried different WP7 phones in stores and I fell in love with the smoothness and consistant Metro UI.
The phone that I'm thinking of at the moment is the HD2, I think that it would be a good choice for me because it is able to run a various number of platforms (I like modding my phone and trying new stuff). So I've got a few questions about the phone:
The phone is almost 2 years old, is it hardware good enough to meet todays and tomorrow's requirements?
How is the screen of the HD2 compared to the Desire's (WVGA, 3,7", AMOLED)? Does multi-touch gestures work well? Is it dual-touch or does it support more than two fingers?
Is Spotify available for WP7 yet?
Are any key features missing in the WP7 port for HD2 (such as camera, headphone jack or WiFi not working?)?
What other platforms than Android, WM 6.5 and WP7 does the HD2 run? I saw that there are sections for Ubuntu and MeeGo here at XDA, are those platforms stable enough for daily use? How well does Android run?
Should I buy a used one or a new one?
How is the battery life?
What are your opinions? Would you buy a HD2 today? Opinions and recommendations about other phones are welcome as well!
Thanks in advance

1. I'd say yes. It might get a little more outdated when two core or even quad core processors roll out. One the other hand, there is no operating system that could use more power than HD2 has.
2. Screen is the weakest part of HD2, AMOLED technology is a lot better in terms of picture quality as well as power saving. I'd say it is just OK.
3. No idea.
4. No idea.
5. HD2 can currently run WM6.5, WP7 and Android - all stable and all working. Meego and Ubuntu are rather proof of concepts and not useful for daily use.
6. Now this is up to you. If you're short of money, go for used one. If you can afford a new one, get a new one.
7. Depends how much you use the phone, what operating system you're running etc. I managed to get about 4 days of standby(stock battery!) on Android with automatic internet connection and mail syncing every 30 minutes and 3G off. I consider it pretty good for a smartphone.
However, the most important thing about this phone is the number of supporters here at XDA. There are hundreds of ROMs to choose from, you can try a new one every day And well, I do not think there are many phones that can multiboot two systems(there are some that can handle different systems, but each change requires reflash).
I am a person who can afford any phone any time. If someone told me that there is a HD2 with amoled screen, quad core cpu and 4 gigs of ram and (it still can multiboot) for $2000, I'd buy it right away. Back to reality - in my opinion there is no better phone out there.

Well, it's hardware is now pretty old compared to most of the phones out there. But it still works I haven't seen any place where I'd be like oh crap I wish I had another phone this is just too slow.. Never.
Screen = Big Let Down. You won't be all that happy with the screen rest assured
Multi-touch works well but not so well in WP7. I believe it is dual touch.
Spotify is available on WP7 last I checked it will take you a spotify wp7 google search.
Meego, Ubuntu not for daily use development has as far as I remember become extremely slow.
Key feature missing in WP7 for HD2 is camera gives green tint when used with flash. And imo camera quality is never as good with android or wp7 than with WM6.5 for hd2.
Take a used one from craigslist. Should be good enough.
Battery life not as good due to the aforementioned screen and 1250 mAh battery.
But, I still personally love my HD2 and won't part with it till the development from this community stops and I honestly believe WP7 would surely work perfect on the HD2 in the near future. Peace

Thanks for the responses! The only thing that makes me doubt atm is the screen.. Really love the blacks on the Desire's AMOLED display, but I guess that I'll get used to the HD2's display.
Anyone done the jump from AMOLED/S-LCD/S-AMOLED to LCD?

Kinda.. My bro has a Galaxy S another has a S2 a friend has Sensation.. So seen many pretty nice screens must admit my hd2 looks pretty sad in front of those displays.. But, when I show them Android CM7, Sense, WP7 and all.. They all say please tell us how to do it

Go get an hd2 it will be the best thing that ever happened to you cell phone wise

I won't make another topic for the same question, so I just reply to this one. I hope it won't call as digging up...
After XDA threads answering 90% of my questions, I still have one:
I will be able to afford an HD2 in March-April 2012. That said, I don't want to end up thinking "Gosh, why did I buy it?" after 3-4 months; is this phone still able to survive another year of support here, at XDA? I don't have enough cash to buy another $400 phone after half a year, so it is quite important.
Thanks in advance.

Schocker1 said:
I won't make another topic for the same question, so I just reply to this one. I hope it won't call as digging up...
After XDA threads answering 90% of my questions, I still have one:
I will be able to afford an HD2 in March-April 2012. That said, I don't want to end up thinking "Gosh, why did I buy it?" after 3-4 months; is this phone still able to survive another year of support here, at XDA? I don't have enough cash to buy another $400 phone after half a year, so it is quite important.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
to be honest, it is a guess at this time. i mean in 6 months from now, there might be some new amazing things on the market. i would just come back and check in 5 months or so. and nicely done, not starting a new thread!

If i were u i wont even think of getting this phone.
Ya in 6 months from not there will be more new stuff out there. So talking of the current market i think compared to other newer phones the HD2 is really good. 4.3 inch display, capability to rum multiple OS's. And it's blazing fast in wp7 and android
BUT...
Just google the number of HD2 users suffering with the same fault it has. I'm a victim of the same and i feel like dashing this crap on the floor. I'm sick and tired of this. Even after performing a mtty still it restarts.
So..
Either u have to be really like others to get a good phone without any faults or you too will be suffering like the rest of the HD2 owners. WHY TAKING THAT CHANCE? IF I WERE YOU I WOULD NOT EVEN IF IT CAN RUN 1000 OS's..

I am really happy with my HD2 & it has been faultless for me on my personal setup WM6.5.x, but if you are likely to be going Android you are better looking at newer devices that are native Android.
Most hardware failures & bugs are on those users running Multi OSs or Nand Droid/W7 .

Thinking of Buying an HD2?
Thinking of Buying an HD2?
Read here,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1284389
and here,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1271507
Those of you suffering WP7 restarts/freeze etc, get yourselves a new SD Card. There's plenty of data on this in the WP7 forum.

Thanks for answering, it really means a lot to me.
Ok, time to explain my history (which is a long and complicated one):
I am 15 years old, so I just have to rely on my parents' money. I got my first mobile when I was... 9? Something like that. I remember, how everyone in the school was excited by color screens! And l was proud of having a camera, even though the quality of the photos was pretty bad. But, hey, it was a camera! In the mobile!
In 2007 I got my first "smartphone". It was Nokia 6120 classic with Symbian. But I was scared about losing the warranty, so I didn't do much with it (that is, I didn't "hack" the Symbian, which is still nothing compared to modding Android). Still, I was happy with it for 2 years.
But then comes 2009 and "touchscreen time". God, how the prices of those phones dropped then! I bought a Samsung Corby. Yeah, it was a downgrade from Symbian, but at least I was able to get used to the touchscreen. I sold it in March 2011 for an acceptable price.
And here comes the "smartphone age". I bought my Galaxy Spica in July 2011. I know, probably You haven't heard of this phone, but in Poland and Russia it is quite popular. I bought it simply because of the mods - right now it is considered "The slowest phone ever" on some Polish Android forum, but, guess what? I am happy with it. It is running CM6 right now and is currently lying on my left, charging happily.
If I'm happy - why should I replace it? Well, first of all, the battery got klilled. One day I can go through 8 lessons and the phone will still be at 100%, and next day, without even touching it - bam, drops to 52%. I know, replace the battery and so on, and so on. But it really sometimes makes me mad when I have to do a "battery reset" for the third time, because it won't unlock...
I remember how I was scared before the first root of my Spica... And it went great, start to finish! Everything goes great when You follow the guides, that's what I learned in the past few months. No phone can be compared to HD2 when it comes to modding (at least IMHO), and it gives you the "WOW" factor among your friends, hehe! Nothing better then coming to a group of people showing off their 199$ Android phone and showing them the HD2's dual-boot!
What really made me excited about the HD2 is not only a modders paradise it offers, but also the wonderful support here. Heck, the HD2 Android board has more posts than most other phones section added up! And more, and more posts are coming up everyday. I would really like to have, like, 4 smartphones in my house - Android, iPhone, WP7 and probably another Android... But I just don't have the money for it. (*blames his country for its poor wages*) I do not demand every new version of Android or WP7 being ported to HD2 (because it's just too much), but I'd be happy with, let's say, one-two next major versions of Android and the next major version of WP7.
In one sentence: I definitely enjoy modding everything, I love the big choice of ROMs available here and I just hope the development doesn't stop on Mango and Gingerbread - if it's so: HD2, here I come!
If You really read the whole story (written in a very poor English - sorry, I'm a native Polish speaker), then congrats, and I hope You will be able to answer my question: Will HD2 as a multi-OS phone satisfy my needs, which are not connected to display or dual-core, but tot the software only? And sorry for the chaotic post, I shouldn't have replied in the midnight. ^^

Get one. I broke mine and am currently looking for another HD2. I could go get the new GSII but I don't really want it.

stepthehen said:
Thinking of Buying an HD2?
Read here,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1284389
and here,
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1271507
Those of you suffering WP7 restarts/freeze etc, get yourselves a new SD Card. There's plenty of data on this in the WP7 forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, that is enough for me, I am going for it... After I get the money of course.
BTW: @stepthehen: I've read the second story before and that's why I asked - if this phone has gone through two years and can mean so much for people...

It is a great phone & if the price is right then still a trenendous bit of kit.
The flip side : if you are not likely to want WM6.5.x or multi-boot & are paying high end price then it is not the best option.

Mister B said:
It is a great phone & if the price is right then still a trenendous bit of kit.
The flip side : if you are not likely to want WM6.5.x or multi-boot & are paying high end price then it is not the best option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My mum says it is quite expensive, but, hey! Many phones nowadays have similar, if not worse, specs, but they are being sold with a higher price tag, simply because "they're new".
And I do want the multi-boot and I do want to play with OSes. Actually it's my #1 reason. ^^

The next HD2

Hello everyone,
i really like the HD2, because you can flash every actual OS from Android to Ubuntu and Windows.
Does the HD2 have any special feature that it supports so many OS, or is it just that developers focused this device specially.
But now the Hardware of the HD2 is getting old. So will there be a new device which be able to be so flexible like the HD2?

+1 ... im interested too

+1 thanks!

Well,If we look back to the history of HD2 , it was born with winmo 6.5 which soon died out.For such a unique and powerful (expensive too) device to just been thrown to dustbin - it was hard for the users,so a lot of interest on how to make it survive - obviously by porting newer OSs.Once it made so , there was no look back ,even now it is one of the most interesting piece for developers.But will there be another HD2 , I don't think so.With so many smart phones in market - more powerful by day ,we will rather move on ...But HD2 development may last as long as its hardware is compatible enough...

win98 said:
Hello everyone,
i really like the HD2, because you can flash every actual OS from Android to Ubuntu and Windows.
Does the HD2 have any special feature that it supports so many OS, or is it just that developers focused this device specially.
But now the Hardware of the HD2 is getting old. So will there be a new device which be able to be so flexible like the HD2?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi!
i had an HD2 before, and i loved it. an i still do.
Most of us old HD2 users have upgraded to Sensation (some also to the Desire HD).
The thing is HD2 doesent have any special feature that makes it able to run different things - just a great community with the passion and drive to make all these different OS work. So what you need is a phone thats "popular", which will creat a great community as well.
Ive got the Sensation, and it got plenty of diffrent roms you can install... right now im on Android 4.0.3 with Sense 3.6 - and it runs AWESOMELY! soon we will port the new sense 4.0 also

i hope that Ubuntu would be ported to )

fulltank said:
Well,If we look back to the history of HD2 , it was born with winmo 6.5 which soon died out.For such a unique and powerful (expensive too) device to just been thrown to dustbin - it was hard for the users,so a lot of interest on how to make it survive - obviously by porting newer OSs.Once it made so , there was no look back ,even now it is one of the most interesting piece for developers.But will there be another HD2 , I don't think so.With so many smart phones in market - more powerful by day ,we will rather move on ...But HD2 development may last as long as its hardware is compatible enough...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think the hardware will be compatible long time. The matter is, that you cant develop a rom which will have dual core, super amoled display, better resolution, nfc, 4g and so on.
Respect for the HD2 that it could mess up so many years with any new smartphone, but i think in future this will be hard.
So, what i am going to say is, that xda, or (nearly) all developers should focus a new phone for porting rom and that stuff.
For example to wait for a new wp apollo phone, which will support multicore and higher resolution.
If it is just the focus of the developers which made the HD2 so popular, it would be great, to name a newer device as "the next HD2"
(sounds like the next uri geller^^)

I'd like to see the first WP7 dual phone become the next HD2. Most of the current WP7 phones are still single core, and while that's might be good for now, I'd rather have a dual core in my next phone, since I'd probably be using it for a good two years or so. A dual core WP7 phone+Android ports+Ubuntu ports = perfect? I think yes.

ElectroBeijing said:
I'd like to see the first WP7 dual phone become the next HD2. Most of the current WP7 phones are still single core, and while that's might be good for now, I'd rather have a dual core in my next phone, since I'd probably be using it for a good two years or so. A dual core WP7 phone+Android ports+Ubuntu ports = perfect? I think yes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah i want the same.
there are rumours about an hd8 with apollo.
apollo will have new res, nfc and multicore support.
i hope this phone will replace the hd2 with dignity
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-Phone-Powered-HTC-HD8-Emerges-244543.shtml

I don't get it: Why would I need a dual/quadcore? My HD2 works without any lags, I can't find any difference regarding the overall userexperience compared to a SGSII etc. Are the games a main reason for the more powerful hardware?

x911 said:
I don't get it: Why would I need a dual/quadcore? My HD2 works without any lags, I can't find any difference regarding the overall userexperience compared to a SGSII etc. Are the games a main reason for the more powerful hardware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well mine does as well, I'm on ICS and underclocked actually, to 768 Mhz and it's smooth. However, I want to be able to play some more intensive games [ like GTAIII] and whatnot without having to used a dumbed down data for it. Also, while it's not that big a deal for me, it would be kinda nice to be able to play back 1080p video. But for now, my HD2 is still awesome; I have a friend with a Droid X 2 and one with a Droid 3, and there's nothing they can do with their 2011 phone I can't do on my 2009 phone!
win98 said:
yeah i want the same.
there are rumours about an hd8 with apollo.
apollo will have new res, nfc and multicore support.
i hope this phone will replace the hd2 with dignity
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-Phone-Powered-HTC-HD8-Emerges-244543.shtml
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm starting my reading up on the skills needed for Android developing, I really wanna take part in making the 'next HD2' as awesome as the current one!

HTC Edge/Endeavour will surely be the next developers phone, no?

I doubt there will ever be such a phone again. The industry is consolidating around two OSs (Android and iOS). Windows Phone has an outside chance of becoming relevant again next year.
I say keep your HD2 going until the Edge/Endeavor comes along. I've got the new Galaxy Nexus and, I must say, the experience of Ice Cream Sandwich on my HD2 is not much different to the Galaxy Nexus with its dual cores. Wait just a little bit longer.

Dont what ever any of you do sell your HD2's I sold mine about a year ago and have been through copious Windows phones, Android Phones even Iphones...nothing comes close to the diversity of this phone, I miss the ability to switch from Android to WP...
The community and development is second to none.
I currently us a Galaxy s2, OK the development is very good for Android Roms, OK its got an amazing screen and very powerful, but really never feels like I am in control of what it can do, I would love to try the WP7.5 but would hate to be restricted to just one operating system, they are all boring after a while, the HD2 allows you so much more

+ 1 from me. HD2 is unique. I love it as it is a member of my family...

THUDUK said:
Dont what ever any of you do sell your HD2's I sold mine about a year ago and have been through copious Windows phones, Android Phones even Iphones...nothing comes close to the diversity of this phone, I miss the ability to switch from Android to WP...
The community and development is second to none.
I currently us a Galaxy s2, OK the development is very good for Android Roms, OK its got an amazing screen and very powerful, but really never feels like I am in control of what it can do, I would love to try the WP7.5 but would hate to be restricted to just one operating system, they are all boring after a while, the HD2 allows you so much more
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ive moved to the galaxy note and have kept the hd2 but wouldnt even entertain using it now, unless something happens to the note
main purpose is that it works, unlike on the hd2 where something dont work or are slow to work due to non native driver support, the devs are fantastic in what they have done for the device, but im actually glad im not swapping/updating roms every week

[Q] greatest phone ever passing the crown???

i know with the galaxy series out n new android phones being release do blow the hd2 out the water but will there ever be a more versatile phone created that can take the hd2 spot n be able to install so many different roms??

If we are talking about just Android Roms, I think it is possible that there will be such a phone. My guess is that it will pack a pretty widespread CPU and will be a High-End Device.
On the other hand I consider it quiet unlikely, that we'll see a phone that will be able to handle such a wide variety of OS as the HD2. I see this capability as a direct result of both the upon release iconic hardware and design and the dying WinMo, that kept it from reaching it's full potential. Thanks to the huge efforts of our many talented devs this versatility truly makes our device one of a kind.
tl;dr: Android Roms maybe, OS probably not

The thing is, I doubt there is going to be a 'need' to do so. Android was ported to HD2 because of all of the hype Android had back then (it was a new OS and devs couldn't wait to get their hands on it). Because the HD2 had amazing specs for its time, and it shipped with WM6.5, making it a total waste of specs, the whole Android port idea build up. Besides, i'm guessing that creating a new bootloader from scratch isn't the easiest and most relaxing thing to do. If it were for devs to do the same thing for a new phone that they did for the HD2, would it worth the time and effort for it?
Don't get me wrong... I would kill to have some updated hardware on my HD2, and I love the fact that i can boot multiple OSes as much as everyone owning an HD2

I've just jumped ship to a HTC One X.
Although its gone back cause its got a dodgy gsensor I think it could be a good one to go for the future.
Screen is just quality on it.
Just looking for a good GB rom to put ont he HD2 before it goes to the Mrs (WinPhone 7 on it at the mo just doesnt really cut it yet).
Slim

audioslim said:
I've just jumped ship to a HTC One X.
Although its gone back cause its got a dodgy gsensor I think it could be a good one to go for the future.
Screen is just quality on it.
Just looking for a good GB rom to put ont he HD2 before it goes to the Mrs (WinPhone 7 on it at the mo just doesnt really cut it yet).
Slim
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? I've always thought of WP7 as the sleekest OS and if there wasn't such a shortage of apps for Windows Phone I would definitely flash it, even though it isn't as customisable as Android.

Nigeldg said:
Really? I've always thought of WP7 as the sleekest OS and if there wasn't such a shortage of apps for Windows Phone I would definitely flash it, even though it isn't as customisable as Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's pretty much 3 reasons I've stayed away. Green flash on pictures. Crappy multitouch (haven't tested out the latest drivers yet) And no compass.

hartleyshc said:
There's pretty much 3 reasons I've stayed away. Green flash on pictures. Crappy multitouch (haven't tested out the latest drivers yet) And no compass.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cheers, didn't know there were so many issues with it

In your opinion, is One X the answer to the question "what after HD2?"?
Judging from the reviews and a very brief handling it in a Telenor shop, it lacks the WOW effect I've got the first time I've turned my HD2 on... I liked it, but I thought it was nothing special...
This also goes for the One S.

[Q]- What Makes Hd2 This Special...?

i bought a hd2 last week, since the i have tried like 20 different roms both wp7 and android ones, and i m loving it,, but i m curious to know that how come this is the only phone that can do this, i mean wat is in it ( or not there in it) , that makes it support different operating systems.

One word DFT!
OK so I guess it is actually three Dark Forces Team. A group of devs including Cotula that dove head first into the phone once we found out that Micro$oft was going to leave us high and dry when it cam to WP7. They and all of the other devs that flocked to this phone, mostly because of its top of the line specs at the time and even still for the most part, are why this phone is still a beast!
Really all our phone doesn't have is a front facing camera, better screen resolution, and higher ram. And truthful the last one is really not that far behind what is out in the "top of the line "phones coming out today, and none are true deal breakers
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA

yes i totally agree,its still not far behind in terms of performance, i tried out Shadowgun game in galaxy s2 and was amazed by its graphics, but then i tested it on hd2 ics 4.04 , i was surprised to see that it gave me almost same graphics as s2 , and ran really smoothly..
And wen i thought of reason exactly same reason struk my mind that, this was an awesum device getting ruined on wp6.5, so i order to have wp7 in it all this development happened..
But wat i want to know is if some developers gives his everything to some other phone , like they gave everything to hd2 , can some other device of today replace hd2 in terms of multiple operating systems support....

I really don't have high hopes for any other phones following the course of the HD2. People now are really one way or another (either love android or WP7 not both and most "hate" the opposing OS). Heck if I knew how to do it I would love to see IOS and the new BB10 on here just to prove once again HD2 is king!
The reason I think we got all of this was the fact that when they found out wp6.5 was dieing they wanted to get something that would be supported for longer. Android was in the beginning of its boom and WP7 was still in development at MS so some devs got together and got Android to boot on SD using HARET. People fell in love and DFT started working on nand. During this time devs started using the base we were given to get Linux and Windows running from SD. DFT got nand working with magldr then WP7 dropped and I have a feeling Cotula really likes it (since that seems to be the bulk of his posts lately) so he reformatted magldr to be able to run both. Then meego came out and development sounded promising but never got the attention from the right devs plus it was dropped by nokia (I think) so I don't see that going anywhere.
I think the main reason we have all this is that the SPL was torn down and fully understood meaning that they were able to turn the phone into a blank slate with the ability to control every aspect of it with the right code (magldr) . Leaving it possible to do whatever they wanted. Plus the open source nature of android helps!
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA

@tobiascrystal
thanks for the mini-history of our HD2, i too was wondering like amitoj about the HD2. I guess coz it was the last line in the wp6.5 series with still so much power in it that it became what it was now.
I was also searching the net for a similar phone that can run magldr & other bootloader but found none or a few is in development. I was thinking since a lot of other phones out there have similar spec as the HD2 can't they do the same for those?

I would say that anything is possible with enough time, brain power, and motivation (and maybe some cash) . All these newer smartphones are nothing but mini computers and could, in theory, all do the same thing as the HD2 but like I said you have to have someone(s) that is really devoted. If I remember correctly it took over a year of coding for DFT to get magldr ready for the masses. I am not sure what the next super phone is going to be that catches that kind of developer attention. I tell you one thing though, the day I hear about it I don't care if I have to pay full retail I will be next in line to buy it!
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA

Indeed, I fear the time when my HD2 will die and I will be forced to use new phone with stock roms Hopefully till this time, some phone will get as much attentions as our beloved leo.

@delwing
i guess, other phones do accept custom roms , but not of a totally different operating system.
We are lucky that this device got so much attention from developers , but really after using it , i dont think ill ever like any phone more than this. and i guess hd2 is gonna be one of a kind for years to come. But i really wish that there comes a phone which is as beautiful as HD2 and which can match high end specs of today's phones. At present its specs are more than wat are required , but in an year or two we will need some phone like this with better specs.

I am in the Philippines and am currently using htc One X. But I have been searching for a brand new HTC HD2 for a long time now and I can't seem to find one I miss this beast of a phone. This is the first time I have used android by the way. Call me old school, but I like WM6.5 better. Even better than WP7.5. Personally I think the possibilities in customization on HD2 is endless. hehehe..of course hardware wise it got left beind but still...anyone know where I can get a bnew one?

Thailand still has them available including new boxed TMOUS models ...
WM6.5 is the king of customization & good settings, only software development made Android popular, the actual OS is ****e ...

there will never be an HD2 again, the market is so diluted with *cough-****e-* cough that developers and would be developers are spread out to thin.
The HD2 was king simply because it was THE phone to have, there was very little similar to it, and the power within its S1 SoC was way ahead of anything else, thus we ended up with a situation where the HD2 was the place to be. The fact that soft SPL then hard SPL was done quickly followed by Android booting from within WM cemented its fame, the final rise to power was MAGLDR, allowing pretty much anything to be done. Live it up guys, as sure as bears crap in the woods, this will never happen to a device again so long as they keep pumping out so much crap in to the markets and doing everything to lock them down.

very simple answer to the question.
it can only run
wm 6.5, wp7, all the versions of Android, meego and Ubuntu

enyaj said:
I am in the Philippines and am currently using htc One X. But I have been searching for a brand new HTC HD2 for a long time now and I can't seem to find one I miss this beast of a phone. This is the first time I have used android by the way. Call me old school, but I like WM6.5 better. Even better than WP7.5. Personally I think the possibilities in customization on HD2 is endless. hehehe..of course hardware wise it got left beind but still...anyone know where I can get a bnew one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ebay HK still have some new ones & they ship worldwide, give it a search

G.O.A.T.
I have been waiting to see the HD2 in the Guinness Book of World Records for the number of OS's on one Phone.
I am just as pleased or more so today as I was when I woke up early to be at T-Mobile when the doors opened to be the first to have one. I work for AT&T and I see lots of new phone come and go. As best I can tell most people love their OS. Unlike most of us HD2 owners here who love our phone.
I would also like to thank the developers for their hard word and staying ahead of the pack. For Example, I was running a stable version of ICS months before the newer phones received their updates or pre-installs appeared in the work place.
I truly believe that the HTC-HD2 will be looked at as one of the G.O.A.T.. (Greatest of all Time)