Four Friday Phone FeaturesFour Friday Phone Features

HTC Making No Sense

HTC has indicated that it won't develop a version of its Sense user interface for Windows Phone 7...at least initially. Speaking to FierceWireless, HTC CEO Peter Chou said, "Initially, we don't have time to bring things on top of [Windows Phone 7]. But over time we will innovate on top of that to provide some HTC experience. I don't think we would do complete Sense UI on Windows Phone 7. However, I will say that we will innovate differently to improve the experience and to get some HTC unique and differentiated experience on Windows Phone 7 in the future."

This isn't to say that HTC has completely ruled it out. For now, however, we're going to have to take a wait-and-see approach. HTC isn't sure when it might customize WP7.

Sony Ericson Says, "Sayonara, Symbian!"

Sony Ericsson has officially given up on Symbian. In a telephone interview today with Bloomberg, Aldo Liguori said, “We have no plans for the time being to develop any new products to the Symbian Foundation standard or operating system." Sony Ericsson has been a long-time user of Symbian in its handhelds. In fact, the Sony Ericsson Vivaz is available from AT&T right now.

The move is ultimately a good one, however. The Vivaz is one of the worst disasters I've ever had to test. Truly an awful phone. Sony Ericsson isn't leaving the Symbian Foundation, however. It will remain part of the Foundation's board.

"We have made a significant shift to support Android," said Chief Creation Officer Rikko Saka.

Windows Phone 7 Won't Offer Tethering

For anyone hoping that they'd be able to tether their Windows Phone 7 device with a laptop, bad news surfaced today. After initially claiming that the new platform would support tethering, Microsoft back-tracked on the claim.

Director of Windows Phone 7 Brandon Watson said in no uncertain terms, "Windows Phone 7 does not support tethering." Was that the sound of a million mobile professionals moaning in agony?

T-Mobile Sending a Clear Signal?

According to Clearwire CEO Bill Morrow, the company is in active talks with T-Mobile in search of more funding. Clearwire will need another round of funding by the end of the year, and has had trouble scoring the cash it needs.

Earlier this week, Clearwire investor Comcast said that it won't contribute any more cash, and Sprint also recently said that it doesn't have the money to invest in Clearwire.

The talks are still on-going, but if successful, Clearwire would gain some much-need moula, and T-Mobile would gain an equity share in Clearwire along with access to the WiMax network.