HTC Touch Pro II

One of the things that drives me crazy about the world of mobile computing…and computing in general, is that the latest and greatest always seems to get announced just days after I purchase the previous latest and greatest.  So, here we are, barely a month after I upgraded to the Touch Pro, and already HTC has announced an upgrade to the Touch Pro II.  Likewise, you Diamond owners can look forward to the Diamond II upgrade.  both include Windows Mobile 6.1, with a free upgrade to Windows Mobile 6.5.  And I have to admit, these are some pretty slick looking phones.  Hit the jump for the press release, details, and plenty of pictures.

New phones simplify information access with HTC Push Internet and unify personal communication with single-view contact integration

HTC Diamond II

BARCELONA — Feb 16, 2009 — HTC Corporation, a global designer of mobile phones, today unveiled two new flagship devices, the HTC Touch Diamond2and HTC Touch Pro2.  Integrating innovative simplicity with unique style and an intuitive interface, the devices balance function, form and cutting-edge technology to personalize the communication and mobile Internet experience.

“The HTC Touch Pro2 and HTC Touch Diamond2 introduce a mobile communication experience that simplifies how we communicate with people in our lives whether through voice, text or email,” said Peter Chou, president and CEO, HTC Corp. “HTC is delivering the latest, cutting-edge sophistication in a broad portfolio of mobile phones that improve how people live, work and communicate.”

HTC TouchFLO 3D Integrated with Windows Mobile

The HTC Touch Diamond2 and HTC Touch Pro2 utilize HTC’s latest TouchFLO 3D interface. TouchFLO 3D has been more deeply integrated into a customized version of Windows Mobile 6.1 to deliver more consistency throughout Windows Mobile applications and menus. Focused on making navigation easier and more intuitive, TouchFLO 3D brings important information to the top-level user interface, including quick access to people, messaging, email, photos, music and weather.  As part of this improved Windows Mobile integration the touch focus areas have been enlarged to be more finger-touch friendly.

BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER

With the HTC Touch Diamond2 and HTC Touch Pro2, HTC is introducing a new people-centric communication approach, providing a single contact view that displays the individual conversation history of contacts regardless of whether voice, text or email were used.  This can be viewed from the contact card or the in-call screen during a phone conversation, ensuring the latest communication contact-by-contact is always at hand.

SIMPLIFYING HOW PEOPLE ACCESS THEIR INFORMATION

Continuing its commitment to making the mobile Internet easier and more enjoyable, the HTC Touch Diamond2 and HTC Touch Pro2 introduce HTC’s Push Internet technology.   HTC Push Internet alleviates slow downloading and rendering of Web pages on a mobile phone. Users can preselect their favorite Websites to get immediate access to them when needed.

HTC Touch Diamond2

The HTC Touch Diamond2 is the next step in the evolution of the successful HTC Touch Diamond. Crafted to fit perfectly into the hand, the Touch Diamond2 evolves the compact design and iconic style of the original HTC Touch Diamond. It incorporates a larger 3.2-inch high-resolution wide-screen VGA display for a greater viewing area in a design just 13.7mm thick. The phone also includes a new touch sensitive zoom bar for even faster zooming of Web pages, emails, text messages, photos or documents.

Leveraging HTC’s TouchFLO 3D experience combined with a people-centric communication approach and HTC’s new Push Internet technology The Touch Diamond2 offers an advanced touch experience that is optimized for one-hand use.

With fifty-percent better battery life, a five mega-pixel auto focus camera, expandable memory, gravity sensor and an ambient light sensor, the Touch Diamond2 brings the most sophisticated capabilities to a broad consumer audience looking for the professional benefits of a smartphone without sacrificing size, looks or functionality.

Processor: Qualcomm® MSM7200A™, 528 MHz

OS: Windows Mobile® 6.1 Professional

Memory: 512 MB ROM, 288 MB RAM

Memory Expansion: microSD™ memory card (SD 2.0 compatible)

Dimensions: 4.25 X 2.09 X 0.54 inches (HxWxT)

Weight: 4.15 ounces (with battery)

Display: 3.2 inch TFT-LCD WVGA (480×800) touchscreen

Camera: 5 megapixel autofocus camera

Battery: 1100mAh LiIon

HTC TOUCH PRO2

Designed for business professionals, the HTC Touch Pro2 is architected with distinct style and strength while delivering the most powerful productivity experience available on a mobile phone.  Leveraging HTC’s TouchFLO 3D, people-centric communication and Push Internet technology, the Touch Pro2 features a high-resolution 3.6-inch widescreen VGA display for an expanded viewing area and large finger-friendly QWERTY keyboard. With improved battery life, expandable memory, a touch-sensitive zoom bar as well as gravity, proximity and ambient light sensors, the Touch Pro2 is optimized for touch as well as heavy email use.

Introducing HTC Straight Talkä for HTC Touch Pro2

The new HTC Touch Pro2 leverages voice in a new way to create one of the most sophisticated communication experiences found on a mobile phone.   HTC’s new Straight Talk technology delivers an integrated email, voice and speakerphone experience. Users can transition seamlessly from email to single or multi-party conference calls and turn any location into a conference room.
In addition to the new simplified calling experience, Straight Talk includes an innovative mechanical and acoustic design that features a sophisticated speakerphone experience similar to those found in corporate boardrooms. Straight Talk delivers a high-fidelity voice and sound experience enhanced by asymmetric speakers and advanced noise suppression with full duplex acoustics. When the Touch Pro2 is flipped over it automatically turns into a conference room speakerphone system.

Processor: Qualcomm® MSM7200A™, 528 MHz

OS: Windows Mobile® 6.1 Professional

Memory: 512 MB ROM, 288 MB RAM

Memory Expansion: microSD™ memory card (SD 2.0 compatible)

Dimensions: 4.57 X 2.33 X 0.68 inches (HxWxT)

Weight: 6.17 ounces (with battery)

Display: 3.6 inch TFT-LCD WVGA (480×800) touchscreen

Camera: 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera

Battery: 1500mAh LiIon

Availability

The HTC Touch Diamond2 will be available to customers across major European and Asian markets in early Q2 2009 with broader global availability coming later in the year.  The Touch Pro2 will be available across major global markets beginning in early summer.

No word yet on pricing, or when exactly these might make it to the United States.  But, I have to say, anyone who is wondering whether Windows Mobile can stay relevant alongside the iPhone, Palm Pre, Android, and touchscreen Nokia phones, need look no further than these latest offerings from HTC running Windows Mobile 6.5 (excuse me…Windows Phone 6.5.)

[Pictures courtesy of Clinton Fitch]