Calling all Windows Mobile developers: Interpret's looking to get to know you better, and to do so they have a short survey they'd like you to take. In exchange for doing so and leaving your information, you'll be entered to win an HTC Touch Pro 2.

Click here to take the survey and be entered to win.

(Bear in mind that this survey is being run by Interpret; not everyone who takes the survey may be eligible to finish it. But if you don't, never fear. We're giving away a Windows phone of your choice next week for the Smartphone Round Robin. Just take part in any Round Robin forum thread for your chance to win.)

And so we've reached the end of the third annual Smartphone Round Robin. Windows Mobile and the HTC Touch Pro 2 and HD2 were given the what-for by the other Smartphone Experts editors over the past couple of months. We laughed. We cried. We saw some pretty damn cool phones.

Let's take a look back at what they had to say ...

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Y'all remember that 2016-SMS timestamp bug we discussed a few weeks ago? The one that caused all incoming text messages to be dated from the year 2016?

Well, good news as HTC has released patches for Telus, US Cellular and Alltel users (Sprint got theirs last week; not a peep though from Verizon yet).

Telus

• Diamond
• Touch Pro
• Touch Pro 2

Alltel

• Touch Pro
• Diamond (n/a)

US Cellular

• Touch Pro 2
• Touch Pro (n/a)

Remember, these don't play too well with custom ROMs, so best to stick with the 'Ziggy' patch.  

Sure, this was an unfortunate bug, but three to four weeks isn't too bad for an official patch, we suppose...we mean in comparison to where we were a few years ago (Anyone remember the Sprint 700wx SMS debacle? That was like a 6 month wait!)

[Thanks to Gregory P for the Telus tip!]

Of all the other smartphones and all the other operating systems we've looked at over the course of the third annual Smartphone Round Robin, none is as similar to Windows Mobile as Android. That's a little odd, as Windows Mobile at its core is rapidly aging, and Android is one of the newest players of the bunch. But it's true.

With Windows Mobile you get a high customizable operating system, with myriad options available to manufacturers, carriers, modders and end-users. We're constantly preaching the benefit of custom ROMs, chopped up from official releases and recompiled into smaller, faster packages. Android? Same thing. It's available on most major carriers, in several form factors (though front-facing QWERTY keyboards haven't really materialized), and with multiple versions of the operating system.

So is Android merely Windows Mobile's brother by another mother? Will its rapidly rising market share (and mind share) swallow up Windows Mobile and everyone else in its way? Let's talk about that a little after the break.

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The Windows Mobile 6.5 update for the T-Mobile Touch Pro 2, which leaked out a while ago, is now available through official channels, if you're into that sort of thing. (Looks like that rumored Jan. 20 date got blown, eh?) You're going to need your IMEI number (look under the battery), and then head here to get it. [via TmoNews]

Headline pretty much says it all here. TMoNews has it on good authority that updates to Windows Mobile 6.5 for the Touch Pro 2 and Dash 3G (aka the HTC Snap) will be coming on Jan. 20 (after that rumored Jan. 6 date came and went). Here's exactly what they heard:

Touch Pro2 and Dash 3GOn January 20, the Windows Mobile 6.5 software upgrade will be available for customers with the T-Mobile Touch Pro2 and the Dash 3G. Customers can obtain the update on T-Mobile.com at www.t-mobile.com/wmupgrade.

Considering T-Mobile was the first carrier to launch the Touch Pro 2, it's an update we're very happy to finally see. Now, where's that HD2?

Choosing a phone case is similar to choosing a smartphone. As different devices gain more and more features, it becomes a matter of preference and personality as much as it is technology and features. The same is true for phone cases.

Seidio’s Spring Clip Holsters are a product line that I’ve used with a couple of different devices. While the personality of a holster might seem a little utilitarian for some; the quick access that you have to your device is hard to beat.

For the full review, hit the jump.

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Geeez, when it rains it sure does pour.

While Verizon official released their Windows Mobile 6.5 upgrade for the Touch Pro 2 and Ozone today, looks like some fancy cats have found the shipping ROM for the T-Mobile Touch Pro 2 update.

Of course, soon there after it was pulled down by HTC and then, shockingly, mirrored everywhere (here are a few).

Changes include:

• Windows Mobile 6.5
• HTC Sense 2.1
• Fix: Browser favorites in the TouchFLO menu are not user customizable / editable.
• Fix:TouchFLO SMS shows that there is one new message but there is not. 
• Fix:HTTP links and phone numbers embedded in SMS messages are not actionable in the TouchFLO screen.
• Fix:The weather displayed in calendar events will show as New York as default and user must change the default location in the World Clock application in order to change
• Addition of Visual Voicemail Application
• Addition of Mobile Backup with Opt in and On Demand Sync option
• Client enhancement from Telenav to improve the billing
• Addition of Microsoft Application Store
• Addition of My Phone (Web based Mobile Backup Application)
• MSN Widgets
• Facebook
• UI Improvements (Today Screen, New Themes)
• MSN Mobile Messaging Improvements (Conversation View)
• Send key change from white to green
• End Key change from white to red
• Home Key change to Microsoft Flag

Read more here!

Wow, look at that.  Not only did the Ozone get its official update, but so didn't the Verizon Touch Pro 2.

That sort of came out of nowhere!  We like it.

Changes include:

1. OS Upgrade to Windows Mobile 6.5
2. Updated drivers to support Global VZ Navigator
3. TouchFLO 3D Enhancements

Get your download on right here!  And big thanks to Biglcny for noticing!

Update: Yes, this does have Sense 2.1 w/ the Weather clock.

And you thought our review of the iPhone was good? Check out what happened when CrackBerry Kevin (the self-professed BlackBerry addict) spent some time with the HTC HD2 and Touch Pro 2. Let's just say his description of the HD2 is one for the ages. Check out Kevin's review here, and get ready for Week 3 of the Smartphone Round Robin.