Cell Phones Blog

Taiwan’s HTC will start selling a Google phone in the second half of 2008.

Taiwanese mobile phone maker High Tech Computer (HTC) is already working on a Google phone, and will start selling it in the second half of next year, an executive said Tuesday.

The company was rumored early on to be making a handset for Google as was South Korean handset giant Samsung Electronics. But with the Monday launch of Google’s mobile phone software, called Android, HTC was able to lift the veil of secrecy around its plans.

The Google phone that HTC is working on could end up causing it some headaches. HTC is known as the world’s largest maker of handsets that use Microsoft Windows Mobile software, a rival to Android. Should Android’s popularity take off, HTC could cannibalize some of its own sales as well as those of partner Microsoft.

That’s certainly not HTC’s intention.

“Our commitment to the Windows Mobile platform is unwavering,” Wang said, adding that many mobile phone OSes currently compete in the market.

Android could become a potent new rival to Windows Mobile and other handset OSs. At the launch ceremony, Google announced that over 30 companies had climbed on board its Open Handset Alliance, including HTC, Qualcomm, and Motorola.Source

Source: HTC already working on Google phone

Slim, Stylish and Innovative Windows Mobile Device Includes HTC’s Intuitive TouchFLO Technology

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Rogers Wireless and HTC Corp. (HTC) today announced the availability of the HTC Touch, a deceptively small and stylish mobile phone that ushers in an innovative new concept in intuitive touch-screen navigation. The HTC Touch brings a new level of simplicity to the powerful and function-rich experience that today’s mobile consumers demand. Powered by Microsoft Windows Mobile 6, the HTC Touch offers a wide variety of communication, entertainment and professional capabilities that enable mobile consumers to balance work and play, on Canada’s clearest and most reliable wireless network.

Trend-setting social communicators will appreciate the HTC Touch’s sleek and minimalist design. The phone features an on-screen finger-touch-optimized keyboard, a 2MP camera including video capture, an MP3 player, a new intuitive screen technology called TouchFLO that enables easy thumb-scrolling navigation, and more — all in a casing similar in height and width to a standard business card.

“The sophisticated design and functionality of the HTC Touch perfectly exemplifies the spirit of innovation, which is why Rogers Wireless is proud to add it to our holiday lineup,” said John Boynton, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Rogers Wireless. “Its smooth interface, intuitive touch-screen navigation, multimedia features and Windows Mobile 6 functionality make it a natural choice for discerning style-seekers and professionals alike.”

The HTC Touch is the latest device to join Rogers Wireless’ roster of innovative devices in the Windows Mobile portfolio. With the HTC Touch, business professionals can create, edit and view documents on the fly, in addition to managing their e-mail, calendar and contacts.

“HTC has witnessed overwhelming support for the HTC Touch and its sleek, compact design and easy-to-use touch interface,” said Jason Mackenzie, vice president, HTC America. “With the simple flick of a finger, Rogers customers will have instant access to the most commonly used features such as dialing friends, listening to music, messaging and Web browsing.”

The new HTC-designed home screen provides one-touch access to e-mail, text messages, calendar appointments and contacts, as well as current weather conditions and weather forecasts for hundreds of cities around the world.

The HTC Touch also features the following:

• The ultimate in wireless connectivity: GSM/EDGE/Wi-Fi with stereo Bluetooth
• Large, 2.8-inch TFT touch screen
• Full-screen browser that can be used in both portrait and landscape views
• Built-in microphone and speakerphone with voice speed dial

Availability and Pricing

The HTC Touch is available for $199.99 (some conditions may apply) on a three-year contract at Rogers Wireless retail locations or online at www.rogers.com.

About Rogers Wireless
Rogers Wireless provides wireless voice and data communications services across Canada to more than 7 million customers under both the Rogers Wireless and Fido brands. Proven to operate Canada’s most reliable wireless voice and data communications network, Rogers Wireless is Canada’s largest wireless provider and the only carrier operating on the global standard GSM and highly advanced HSPA technology platforms. In addition to providing seamless roaming in more than 200 countries on every handset around the world with its GSM-based services, Rogers Wireless also provides wireless broadband services across Canada utilizing its 2.5GHz fixed wireless spectrum. The company is a subsidiary of Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX: RCI; NYSE: RCI), a diversified Canadian communications and media company. For further information, please visit www.rogers.com.

About HTC
Founded in 1997, HTC Corp. (HTC) designs, manufactures and markets innovative, feature-rich smartphone and PDA phone devices. Since its establishment, HTC has developed strong R&D capabilities, pioneered many new designs and product innovations and launched state-of-the-art PDA phones and smartphones for mobile operators and distributors in Europe, the U.S. and Asia. These machines are available as HTC devices and as products individually customized for operator and device partners. HTC is one of the fastest-growing companies in the mobile device market. The company is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange under ticker 2498. For more information about HTC, please visit http://www.america.htc.com.

Source: Press Release: Discover a New Way to Keep in Touch: Rogers Wireless Launches HTC Touch

Microsoft has recently introduced the new HTC Touch 3G smartphone during CTIA 2007. The handset adopts Windows Mobile 6 Professional operating system and offers a 2.8-inch QVGA screen, microSD card slot with an included 1GB card and 2M camera. It also sports 802.11b/g WiFi, Bluetooth connection and instant access to Sprint Music Store. The HTC Touch will be released in US market in next month.

Source: HTC Touch Smartphone At CTIA 2007

Everyone’s been looking for the next big thing to talk about — after the much awaited iPhone, that is. And what is said to match the iPhone, if not top,in terms of press and hype is no less than the Google phone, which up to now, after much speculation and rumors, has not been confirmed.

The newest rumor with regards to Google dabbling into the mobile phone manufacturing industry, is that according to an analyst from UBS, over 50,000 HTC handsets will be equipped with Google OS. The first batch of which will not be for commercial use but for “developers to demonstrate software capabilities,” as Mobile-Review writes.

Nobody knows for sure if Google will still push through with the G-Phone or will just supply the operating systems for mobile phones from different mobile phone manufacturers as the same source stated that HTC will not be Google’s exclusive partner for their OS devices. The first commercial shipments are said to be available commercially next year at the earliest.

[ HTC to Release Over 50,000 Phones Powered by Google OS? via Mobile-Review ]

Source: HTC to Release Over 50,000 Phones Powered by Google OS?