Number four U.S. mobile operator T-Mobile has announced it will be launching the HTC HD2 this spring…and will be offering tons of mobile media so customers get full use of the device’s 4.3-inch capacitive touchscreen display. Plus, the HD2 runs Windows Mobile, so some users might even be able to convince their bosses setting their hands on one is a work-related expense.
“T-Mobile is committed to offering innovative solutions to connect, inspire, and entertain our customers through the power of mobile technology,” said T-Mobile USA’s marketing VP George Harrison, in a statement. “By combining leading innovation in the world of entertainment with the large screen and processing power of the HTC HD2, we’ve created a unique and powerful mobile entertainment experience.”
The HTC HD2 packs a 1 GHz Qualcomm SnapDragon processor, that aforementioned 4.3-inch capacitive touchscreen display, and runs Windows Mobile 6.5 so it comes with mobile versions of Office applications, Outlook and Internet Explorer, Windows Media player, and more. The HD2 features an integrated GPS, microSD removable storage, and a 5 megapixel camera with dual LED flash.
Of course, T-Mobile wants the HD2 to look its best, and to that end it’s piling on the mobile media options with pre-installed media applications and pre-loaded consent. T-Mobile will be pre-loading the Barnes & Noble Reader app, Blockbuster On-Demand, and MobiTV. T-Mobile will also be pre-loading the HD2 with Paramount’s Transformers and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen on a memory card, and will include six months of free Gogo Inflight Internet service.
How much will all this cost? T-Mobile isn’t saying yet, but says the HD2 will be available “this spring” and more details are forthcoming.
T-Mobile has also taken the wraps off a HSPA+ USB modem dubbed the webConnect Rocket, which will be the first device to leverage the HSPA+ capability T-Mobile is rolling out in selected markets. In theory, the webConnect Rocket will be able to offer up to 21Mbps downstream bandwidth and 5.76Mbps upstream, although in practice that’s usually about 6 to 7 Mbps downstream and about 2.5 Mbps upstream. The webConnect Rocket will have a microSD slot so it will function as a storage device, and should work with Windows and Macintosh systems; T-Mobile hasn’t announced pricing, but expects the webConnect Rocket modem should be available in March. Right now, HSPA+ service from T-Mobile is only operating in Philadelphia, but the company has said it plans to light up major markets along the eastern and western U.S. seaboards in the near future, with the majority of its network running HSPA+ by the end of the year.
