With the T-Mobile Wing and the Windows Mobile 6 version of the Dash both in wide circulation, growing pains were pretty much inevitable; new operating systems almost always lead to compatibility issues. Without the ability to placeshift mindless telly programs to our phones, we're empty inside and we suspect many of our readers feel the same way -- so high on our "oh man, it sucks that doesn't work anymore" list would be SlingPlayer Mobile for Windows Mobile. Sling's well aware of the issue and has an updated player on schedule for release in the next few weeks, but in the meantime, the company is offering to let folks into the beta program for an interim solution. Check it out before the agony of streaming video withdrawal gets any worse, why don't you?

Kudos to T-Mobile for rushing (in relative terms) Windows Mobile 6 to its Dash, an honorable move that makes it the first carrier to launch a Windows Mobile 6 device in the US. We've had a chance to run through the re-upped device today, and, well, what can we say: it's a faithful implementation of Windows Mobile 6 Standard. As we've said before, Windows Mobile 6 is an extraordinarily incremental upgrade; the new operating system alone probably doesn't warrant rushing out tomorrow and picking up a shiny new Dash, but for existing owners, we can't think of a better way to close out the week. Click on for the glorious visuals.

Exactly as planned, all you Dash users can head on over to T-Mobile's Windows Mobile upgrade site tomorrow (Friday, the 4th, to be extra verbose), and snag the free Windows Mobile 6 upgrade. Be warned, though, you'd better make sure to get a decent backup app because the upgrade will, as usual, hard reset all the data on your device.

Frankly we're a bit surprised it's taken as long as it has for the T-Mobile Dash Windows Mobile 6 upgrade to get leaked. Nothing much to see here if you're at all familiar with WM6 "Standard" (what we common folk are still calling Smartphone), but if you're not willing to brick-risk it, apparently the official update will hit the streets this Friday, the 4th.

[Via Gadgets On The Go and Jamerican]

Every once in a while, the anticipatory wait for that new handset to launch is blissfully short, and we're delighted to report that this is one of those cases. The S621 from HTC is now available all official-like through Canada's Rogers Wireless, offering the same glorious QWERTY experience (and somewhat controversial "JOGGR" touch strip experience) that T-Mobile customers have been enjoying for a little while now. Grab it now for a cool $250 CDN (about $213) on three-year agreement.

[Thanks, psxp]

'Tis the season for giving, which leaves the rabid phone fans among us in a tight spot: how do we get in on a little new mobile tech for ourselves and help those less fortunate at the same time? Our friends over at Phone Scoop are hoping to fill the bill by auctioning off a handful of hot, current handsets graciously provided by carriers and manufacturers with all proceeds going to benefit The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria -- the same fund (RED) benefits. Loot includes a T-Mobile Dash, LRG Sidekick 3, Motorola MOTOKRZR K1, unlocked Samsung i320, M500 for Sprint, and BlackJack, and a Helio Drift (see, we told you the goods were hot). Bidding will take place via Phone Scoops' forums, with all auctions ending this Friday. Bid generously, and bid to win!

Right on time, the hotly-anticipated T-Mobile Dash Windows Mobile-based smartphone is now up for grabs direct from T-Mo, retailing for the expected $199.99 after the usual contract signings, instant discounts, and mail-in rebates. If you been following it as closely as we have, you no doubt know the specs like your shoe size, but for those not quite up to speed, it boasts quad-band GSM / GPRS / EDGE capabilities, WiFi and Bluetooth, a 2.4-inch TFT, 1.3 megapixel camera, myFaves support, 128MB flash / 64MB SDRAM, and a microSD slot for expansion, all in a slim 4.2 ounce, QWERTY-riffic package. If you're still on the fence about it, you can always take another peek at our review of the device, or bust out the credit card and do your own hands-on -- just don't forget the unboxing pics in all the excitement.

[Thanks, Scott R.]

Well, we can finally talk about the Dash. Not that we weren't talking about it before, but you know what we mean. T-Mobile's debuting the device today; you already know what the hell it is, so let's cut to the chase on specs:

• 2.4-inch transflective TFT display
• Quad-band GSM / GPRS / EDGE
• WiFi and Bluetooth
• 128MB flash, 64MB SDRAM, microSD slot
• 1.3 megapixel camera
• myFaves support
• 960mAh battery (vs 1130mAh on the Moto Q)
• 4.4 x 2.5 x 0.5-inch body (vs 4.57 x 2.5 x 0.47-inches on Q)
• 4.2 ounces (vs 4.06 ounces on Q)

IIt's selling for $350 without contract, $250 with 1 year, and $199 with two years (and rebates, etc.), and will be available the 25th of this month. Want more on this sucka? Then peep our review!

P.S. -Sorry guys, we like to run our phone reviews on Mobile (hey, that's what it's for!) but since it doesn't have the huge-ass pics like Classic does, we had to throw the review over there this time.

We all know when T-Mobile is planning to release the Dash, now the only question is at what cost. Consider that base covered as well to our old pal Roc A Fella. The retail units started appearing at corporate stores last week (no chances of you getting one early so don't bother) and the pricing is pretty attractive for such a feature rich phone. More than likely it's becuase Tmo wants you to use it on myFaves.

• Full Retail $349.99
• One Year $299.99
• Two Year $249.99

Customers who are willing to sign both a one and (gulp!) two year commitment are eligable to get an additional $50.00 mail in rebate off this beauty. For some the 16th of October won't come soon enough.

While we'd secretly hoped we'd see the T-Mobile Dash before September was out, we've gotten hold of some internal T-Mobile documentation that tells us October 16 is the date. We've always been told not to look a gift horse in the mouth (whatever that means) so we're going to keep our mouths shut and just thank the good folks at T-Mobile for seeing fit to launch HTC's Q-munching Excalibur at all. Keep reading for a transcript of their "Selling Aid" cheat sheet for the Dash -- something tells us it'll pretty much sell itself, but kudos to T-Mob for making sure their peeps are properly informed!

[Thanks, anonymous tipster]

Field report tidbits from Engadget's mobile insider, the Boy Genius.

As Pete so eleganty reported earlier the HTC Excalibur -- or T-Mobile Dash -- will be coming stateside soon. How soon is still unconfirmed, but I've heard as early as the end of this month; review units have indeed already found there way into the hands of the paparazzi press. Stare at the T-Mobile logo, let it control you. Thanks to none other than super-producer Just Blaze for the teamwork on this one!

Alright, we're not going to hold back here. We really thought the HTC Excalibur was going to fall way short of expectations, but when the Boy Genius got a hold of his and told us how stellar it was, we were prepared to be swayed. We picked one up at MobileFocus hoping to remain neutral, but we just can't help it, we fell in love. There's no way to easily describe how thin it feels in the hand, but it has the molded, shapely curved body of a Treo combined with the thinness of a Q (which, unfortunately, is much boxier). But it also just feels damned good in the hand, way more solidly built that Moto's handheld. No, it's not as speedy on the cellular data, but it does have a few things the Q doesn't, like WiFi, and, well, a keyboard we're actually pretty fond of. Sorry Moto, it might soon be time to step to the side with this new device class (at least for this round).

We're not entirely sure under what means it was acquired, but a T-Mobile branded Excalibur showed up on MoDaCo's forums, and is apparently intended for US release under the listed codename Dash, which we assume refers to the touch-scroll on the right hand side. Expect a 200MHz OMAP, 128MB flash memory, 64MB RAM, and QVGA display (which we pretty much knew); we'll keep you apprised as to the launch status of this sucker.

[Via Smartphone Thoughts]