HTC Libra / UTStarcom 5800 also revealed

Among the other unannounced-announced HTC devices at CTIA this fall: the HTC Libra (aka UTStarcom 5800). Details are yet scarce (so what else is new), but the super thin device will have a compacted keyboard (even by HTC's standards) with an offset space bar as well as an external numeric keypad. But wait, it gets better. EV-DO Rev. A radio. Q1 2007 launch. GSM version inbound for 07. Yeah, we know, we're pretty stoked too.

[kiantech Posted Sep 13th 2006 11:58PM]

yes!

I hate the touch screen keypad on my MDA

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 14th 2006 1:27AM]

is it a 2.4inch screen?? so small if it's the case, if it's a 2.8 inch screen.... it ll be as big as the asus P525 .. NOOO~~~~~ I just want a Prophet which is thiner and faster CPU ... Prophet is the best when overclocked!!

[Conrad Posted Sep 14th 2006 12:20AM]

How do you navigate this thing? Only with a stylus? No d-pad?

[PhilR8 Posted Sep 14th 2006 12:25AM]

I agree with kiantech. Dialing kinda sucks on my 6700, even with the ETEN dialer. Is this gonna be a PDA or a smartphone? I can't tell from the phonescoop writeup.

Does EVDO Rev A imply a Sprint launch? Does Verizon even have plans for a Rev A rollout anytime soon? This thing looks like it's positioned to directly compete with the LG VX-9900, a Verizon device. Interesting.

[boe Posted Sep 14th 2006 3:06AM]

Superthin? Could you please define superthin? If the UBiQUiO 501 is 13.5mm - I'm guessing superthin means about 10mm?

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 14th 2006 4:05AM]

Your comments: I bought the HTC TyTn as soon as it came out. It replaced my Qtek 9100. I have always hated dialing people and never use the cursor keys, so this looks like a great alternative!! Keem em coming HTC!!

But please tell us what superthin means...

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 21st 2006 9:32PM]

How do you like the TyTN? What cell service do you use?

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 14th 2006 10:02AM]

Given what a POS the 6700 is, and given what a miserable OS Pocket PC is, I can't imagine anyone wanting one unless their idea of a phone is a toy. I really wish HTC would spend as much time thinking through their devices (like that awful jog-thingy on the left side of the 6700 and numb joystick) as they did coming up with crazy designs (that are kinda cool.)

[PhilR8 Posted Sep 14th 2006 10:52AM]

mikeR,

I agree that the slider on the left side of the 6700 is a piece of crap, but I actually like the joystick a lot more than I thought I would. I'd kill for an actual scroll wheel (like on the Hermes) and a bigger d-pad (like the 6800). Otherwise, after several registry hacks, overclocking to 624 mHz and a 2GB miniSD, this phone is great.

[boe Posted Sep 14th 2006 10:58AM]

After looking at it in the picture -I'm guessing it isn't superthin as in depth but super thin as in width. I'm guessing it is about 4" tall 1.5" WIDE and about 3/4" THICK

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 12th 2007 9:12PM]

this is verizon all over it...got a confirmation from a HTC rep today

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 13th 2007 1:08PM]

this has verizon all over it...just a confimation from an htc rep today

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 18th 2007 4:36AM]

i don't like the look of it...waaaaay too curvy in a BAD way, like those recent models of "bubble" cars. if it weren't for the gawky black "thumb" of an antenna, my xv6700 is to me the PERFECT form factor for a phone. the 6700 feels solid in the hand, and has a nice, rounded-rectangular symmetry about it that bodes well to its elegantly utilitarian design. what, and no touch screen? to me, this is a step BACKWARD in the WRONG direction!

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 7th 2007 2:56AM]

It's actually a really nice phone, super quick and the fron dialer is an added benefit from my 6800. Qwest is selling them now! and have them exclusive for some reason. I'm not sure why Sprint has yet to roll out theirs.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 25th 2007 4:49PM]

I had a chance to go hands on with this in SF Tuesday night - it's going to be a killer device for those fashion conscious ladies out there - or the tech geek who wants the Windows Mobile functionality - but in a compact space.

I'd buy one!