Now that’s a music to my ears. HTC officially announces the launch of HTC HD2 in US through a ‘major carrier.’ Europe and Asia are the destinations where the HD2 has started shipping already. So, a chance to finally get the multi-touch phone into your hands. The HD2 is said to be available in US in the first quarter of 2010.

Have a look at the press release:

TAOYUAN, Taiwan – November 4, 2009 – Today, HTC Corporation chief executive officer, Peter Chou, joined Microsoft Corp. chief executive officer, Steve Ballmer and Harvey Chang, chief executive officer of Taiwan Mobile to announce the availability of the highly anticipated HD2 in Europe and Taiwan. HTC and Microsoft also announced that the HD2 would be available in the United States with a major US carrier in early 2010.

“The HD2′s amazing customer experience is a testament to the close partnership between HTC and Microsoft and we’re excited to be bringing the HD2 to Taiwan and the United States,” said Chou. “The HD2 is the first Windows® phone with HTC Sense^TM, an HTC user experience focused on making the phone more simple and natural to use and by enabling people to personalise their mobile experience in their own unique way.”

“Working with HTC, we’ve delivered great phones that help customers connect to the people and information they care about, wherever they are,” said Ballmer. “The HTC HD2 shows what’s possible through our close partnership with HTC and it breaks new ground for Windows phones by delivering a beautiful multi-touch screen that people will love.”

The HD2 is the first Windows phone with HTC Sense, a customer experience focused on putting people at the centre by making their phones work in a more simple, natural and personal way. With its industry leading, high-resolution, 4.3-inch capacitive touch display, the ultra thin HTC HD2 delivers more visible content in a sharper, brighter and richer way.

The HD2 uses the first capacitive touch display on a Windows phone to make viewing, zooming and resizing websites, Microsoft Office files, PDF documents and pictures easier with just a pinch of your fingers. The large display also enables faster, more efficient and accurate typing using the onscreen keyboard. Utilizing Qualcomm’s new 1Ghz Snapdragon mobile processor, the HTC HD2 offers enhanced performance that improves the speed of applications, videos, games and more.
Developed with a passion for enhancing people’s lives through innovation, design and ease of use, HTC Sense is rooted in three fundamental principles of Make it Mine, Stay Close and Discover the Unexpected.

Make It Mine
The HD2 continues HTC’s drive for personalization by reflecting not only what you want on your phone, but also where you are. Using its large 4.3-inch window-like display, HTC has brought a new dimension to weather with a localized, animated weather experience that utilizes HD2′s entire display without being invasive to your important content and information. The HD2 can also be further enhanced to reflect your needs and style by downloading a wealth of applications at the new Windows Marketplace for Mobile.

Stay Close
The HD2 helps you stay close to the important friends and colleagues in your life with HTC’s people-centric communication approach that provides a single contact view that displays individual communication snapshots of your conversations with the people in your life regardless of whether a call, text, Facebook status update or email were used. While in the midst of email exchange with someone you can easily transition to a call by pressing the call button. HTC has also included a new Windows-based version of its Twitter application, HTC Peep. The pictures you take with the 5MP camera can also be quickly shared via Facebook or Twitter.

Discover the Unexpected
With the HTC Sense experience, the HTC HD2 includes a variety of enhancements that expand and improve the overall phone experience. The HD2 includes a variety of sensors including a proximity sensor that is used to prevent false screen touches when the phone is picked up to answer or make a call. A light sensor automatically adjusts the brightness of the display. Leveraging its 3G broadband connectivity, the HTC HD2 also offers personal Wi-Fi anywhere for your computer or other devices.

Also available for the HTC HD2 is the optional car kit that automatically transforms HD2′s user interface into a finger friendly in-car navigation experience for driving.

Windows phone
As a new Windows phone, the HTC HD2 showcases the powerful messaging, browsing and productivity capabilities delivered by Windows Mobile 6.5. Offering a best in class e-mail experience complete with the ability to synchronize with Microsoft Exchange, you have the ability to check and manage multiple email accounts. Microsoft’s new My Phone service enables you to automatically back up and synch photos, music, contacts and text messages for free from the HD2 to the web.

Availability
Already shipping in Europe, the HTC HD2 is available around the middle of November with Taiwan Mobile and will be available throughout Asia in the coming month. The HD2 will be available with a major carrier in the US in early 2010.

Via Mobiletechworld

Now here’s a final word on the soon-to-be-equipped Windows Mobile 6.5 phones of HTC and it includes-  Touch 2, Diamond 2 and Snap.The launch is particularly for Austria, Germany and Switzerland says Lars Christian Weisswange,  HTC’s Regional Director.

ROM update will be a freeware and will be equipped with Touch Flo 3D. It is said to have alikeness with Sense UI of the HTC Hero’s Android. We are still in two minds about the carriers participation and availability of ROMs in various countries.

Read Diamond and Diamond-2 comparison

Via WMPoweruser

With many alternatives for the OSs, it becomes very inquisitive when two versions of a smartphone are enabled with different Operating Systems. The latest we get to hear is HTC TOUCH HD 2 that turns a deaf ear to the Windows Mobile and turns its head towards Android.

The Touch HD that had a launch with Windows Mobile 6.1 professional goes for a surprise with Android coming in and refuting the Windows Mobile 6.5. Here are some of the specs speculated:

• Processor: 628MHz Qualcomm chip   
• Faster than the original version
• 3.8 inch touchscreen with 480X800 resolution

The reasons for ignorance of the to-be-launched Windows Mobile 6.5 still needs to get cleared.The official word on price and other features is still awaited.

Via Phonearena

HTC Mega rumors can relax for now. The official announcement was made in Taiwan which says that Mega will be the new HTC Touch 2. The new and the first Windows Phone will be revealed somewhere near Oct 6, which corresponds with the launch of the all new OS Windows Mobile 6.5. The unveil is speculated to take place in European and Asian markets and still needs to be verified for a final word on other info like price.

Peter Chou, CEO, HTC Corporation says,”The HTC Touch2 delivers a familiar touch experience that millions of people have come to expect and rely on from HTC in their daily lives. Whether it’s making a call, checking in with a friend or simply responding to an important email, the HTC Touch2 puts you in touch and in control.”

The device will have Windows Mobile Marketplace and MyPhone Service. Other specs include a TouchFlo 3D, You Tube support, Google Maps, synchronization with MS Exchange and better Internet Explorer integrated with Adobe Flash Lite. Get more info at the official webpage of HTC.

Via Pocketnow

Yes, it’s here ‘finally.’ Now the news comes from the folks at the MS that Oct 6 will witness the unveil of the much awaited Operating System Windows Mobile 6.5. That’s not all the Windows Mobile Marketplace, yes the one that invited devs in the Race to Market Challenge will be present too. Another unveils include Microsoft MyPhone, a freeware service.

After a number of leaked builds, the official release seems quite tempting. So, a worldwide launch of handsets at the retail stores with the new OS is expected to be bookmarked on this very day(a freeware can be speculated for some smartphones.) If that was not enough, the news is that carriers like Sprint, Verizon Wireless and AT&T are to jump in as well.

Some ingredients are listed here:

• The updated IE browser that’s inclusive of a built-in Adobe Flash Lite support and allows easy access to third-party applications such as Facebook, Netflix and Zagat
• Windows Mobile Marketplace allowing you direct download of tested and authenticated apps
• MyPhone freeware including ‘Find my Phone’ feature
• A finger friendly touchscreen that allows you to customize keyboards and widgets

Todd Peters , MS corporate vice president of mobile communications marketing went on to say: "A Windows phone gives people a single phone that works for their whole life, keeping them connected to the people and information they care most about by harnessing the power of the PC, phone and Web."

With a ‘not so good’ financial position and stiff competition from every corner of the world, a powerful growth strategy is a must. Let’s see whether the official 6.5 version goes well with the masses or remains just a temporary craze. Read the official announcement here.

Via Pocketnow