HTC unveils new HTC Touch Diamond, "not too big, not too small"

Here we are in London at the Soho Hotel with HTC, and we are among the first to see their new Diamond handset. While we thought we may see three new products in three different form factors, HTC Prez and CEO Peter Chou led-off the event by mentioning that they would be launching just one product today. He peppered his intro by talking about the Touch, so we were prepared to see an update on that product utilizing their TouchFLO tech.

The device has some pretty nice interface tech that they're calling TouchFLO 3D that heavily emphasizes one-touch browsing and single-finger dialing. They emphasized web accessibility, zoom-in navigation with "just one hand" and not too many fingers. As expected, the device is loaded with Windows Mobile 6.1, a VGA screen and HSDPA 7.2, among other nice specs.

Updates, specs, and pics after the break!

As expected, the Diamond is loaded with prettiness and specs, including (coming as we get them, so refresh for more):

• Windows Mobile 6.1
  
• VGA Screen
• Quad-band HSDPA 7.2
• One-touch navigation, including single-finger dialing
• An accelerometer that rotates pictures as you rotate the phone
• One-touch music playback with an animated music browser
  
• A heavily-animated weather forecast app
• Full-featured desktop-like web browser (Opera) with zoom-in tech that actually reformats to fit the screen upon zoom, although Microsoft promises IE 6 coming soon for it
  
• Youtube app and content playback
• Available in June in Europe via Orange and the "rest of the world" sometime later
• Orange music store, games, wallpapers, and ringtone downloads
• Orange mobile TV with up to 61 channels
• No normal headphone jack - gotta use HTC's proprietary USB dongle
• "Better battery life" than their other devices (although it uses a smaller battery than the Touch - we'll keep our eye on this) -- will offer a bigger battery at a later time for those who are experiencing battery life issues
• No pricing info just yet

interface and more product shots in the gallery below.

Gallery: HTC TouchDiamond Launch

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[acme @ May 6th 2008 7:20AM]

I want 2 of them

[dj496 @ May 6th 2008 1:14PM]

Yes, me 2. Give me 2.

[Gaines @ May 13th 2008 2:05PM]

LOL. What would you do with two of them? :)

HTC is by far my favorite phone manufacturer and I'm excited to see this one.

http://www.HTCTouchDiamond.com

[lukas @ Jun 3rd 2008 1:03PM]

Well, as much as I have looked, there is NO mention of memory slot. That means you are left with just 4 GB internal storage. BAAAD.

[james rose @ May 6th 2008 7:22AM]

any speculation on which carrier is gonna get this baby?

[Mobius_1 @ May 6th 2008 7:44AM]

As the article stated, Orange will be the carrier in Europe, as for USA? If it makes it stateside, Sprint could be a good guess since they are already selling the Touch (or is it Verizon? I forget)

[Brian @ May 6th 2008 8:01AM]

The Touch Diamond is GSM/UMTS, which means that the US carrier would be either AT&T or T-Mobile.

I'm not sure whether this has UMTS Band IV (AWS), like the SE X1, but it would make sense.

[Totalfixation @ May 6th 2008 8:10AM]

I assume it wouldn't be very likely to be on At&t, it would conflict with Apple's iPhone, which could jeopardize the relationship between Apple and At&t.

[Cycomachead @ May 6th 2008 10:01AM]

Mobius, I can't be Sprint because they're CDMA. However, both Sprint and Verizon have the Touch (in CDMA) and the Titan. Verizon also has the STM5800.

But back to GSM: Both ATT and T-Mo carry HTC so it really could be either, though I believe ATT has better internet services overall.

[DonatoM3 @ May 6th 2008 10:32AM]

Do you guys read Engadget normally? Did you all miss this story?

http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/23/htcs-raphael-and-diamond-coming-to-sprint-and-looking-good/

The CDMA version has been announced for Sprint way before anythinga bout AT&T and T mobile getting it.

[John M @ May 6th 2008 7:22AM]

I'm afraid I don't get the swipe at iPhone, you can zoom into any element of a webpage with the iPhone by double tapping with your finger and how are people using their iPhone that they need more than one finger to dial?

[bondsbw @ May 6th 2008 7:57AM]

Did I miss something? I don't see anything about the iPhone in the post...

[ozzielad @ May 6th 2008 7:23AM]

In the UK? Orange.

[Den @ May 6th 2008 7:49AM]

All 5 UK carriers will be getting this phone, not just orange.

[Nick @ May 6th 2008 11:09AM]

Let's hope so, because Orange will butcher this thing with their own software. I'm holding out for a 3 version because their Internet prices and HSDPA coverage is by far the best in the UK.

[Homeboy @ May 6th 2008 7:27AM]

I want to see their XPERIA-killer featuring a keyboard aka Raphael. Don't care too much for Diamond.

[fred @ May 6th 2008 7:27AM]

OK so what will be the attack lines from the (you know who) on this?

You know their reeving up their engines as we speak...

[bondsbw @ May 6th 2008 8:11AM]

ItS TeH SuX iT uSeS wInBLOWS!!1!!!111!!!1!

Ok, yeah, just kidding... now that we got that out of the way...

As an iPhone user, I think this one looks pretty nice, and it's about time that the iPhone starts getting some serious competition (see, I like major corporations to compete so that I get the best technology for lower prices).

I'm not so fond of the proprietary headphone thing, but maybe that can be worked around (it's not like the iPhone doesn't have problems in that area too). And, there's no mention of GPS (but I'd be OK if it winds up including something like cellular location).

I'd like to see real battery life figures and memory sizes. And of course, I would also like to see the price.

[Er Lern @ May 6th 2008 7:39AM]

What?????? Only ONE product????? :( bummer!!!!

[lwang @ May 6th 2008 7:40AM]

You can watch the videos here --> http://www.youtube.com/user/HTC

[Shiver @ May 6th 2008 7:40AM]

No GPS? If not I will wait for the Xperia. If it has GPS, this will be mine within a month or so :)

[AlanParson @ May 6th 2008 8:19AM]

It will definitely have GPS.

[Nirmal @ May 6th 2008 4:53PM]

Yeah, the specs read GPS and A-GPS ready..

http://www.htc.com/www/product.aspx?id=46286

[Babau @ May 7th 2008 1:37AM]

I mistrust the word "ready". Could well mean that it's "ready" to be used with a bluetooth GPS receiver.

[Charles Han @ May 6th 2008 7:40AM]

oh well I was really hoping to see the raphael. I guess getting close up on the htc diamond is almost as good. Raphael is practically diamond with attached keyboard

[Rich @ May 6th 2008 7:46AM]

Will this thing have video drivers?

[Charles Han @ May 6th 2008 7:50AM]

I'm guessing video drivers will be included, because it would needed to run the TouchFlo 3D interface and i must say the system is pretty intuitive. this phone can certainly give iphone it's run for the money. Hopefully, steve Jobs delivers this June.

[John @ May 6th 2008 7:51AM]

Im guessing it has some.. its interface is MUCH smoother than their older touch flo with a much higher framerate. This will be some serious competition with the iphone methinks.

[Rob Bourne @ May 6th 2008 7:48AM]

Orange, eh?

That's thrown it out of the window for me, then. Cannot stand that network (and they used to be the best by far).

I'd much prefer the Raphael or Xperia anyway, so I look forward to seeing more about them as the year goes on.

The diamond is very nice though \o/

[Sean @ May 6th 2008 7:50AM]

unfortunately it does
http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/03/htc-touch-diamond-shots-and-specs-this-weeks-big-announcement/

[Sean @ May 6th 2008 7:52AM]

this was replied to Shiver
i thought i hit the reply button...

[Abuzar @ May 6th 2008 4:15PM]

Why is it unfortunate?

[Den @ May 6th 2008 7:51AM]

All 5 carriers will be getting this phone, not just orange. Orange will be the first to sell it though.

[John @ May 6th 2008 7:52AM]

haha.. we said the same thing at the exact same time :P

[Jeff Snugglebutton @ May 6th 2008 7:54AM]

Ok, and why would I want this. Another Microsoft bloatware product.

[fred @ May 6th 2008 8:15AM]

AND THEIR OFF!

[warrrennnnn @ May 6th 2008 9:18PM]

who? off what?

[JESUS CHRIST @ May 7th 2008 12:27AM]

THEY AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRREEEEEEE NOT THEIR...

[Jeff Snugglebutton @ May 6th 2008 8:02AM]

I just watched the touchflo video with the finger strokes. It's like learning palm's graffiti all over again. The zoom in with the swirly finger gesture is ridiculous. My thumbs are going to be so sore after using this thing...there is no way I'm getting this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJtmnsHDVbk

[bob e @ May 6th 2008 8:43AM]

Well don't buy one then.

I'm sure they'll sell enough without your purchase.

[Sean @ May 6th 2008 10:44AM]

it gets even worst when your iphone doesn't match the incoming numbers, you gotta have to tap your finger all the way thru your contacts. what a lovely feature of exploring the iphone touch screen.

[Lein @ May 6th 2008 8:15AM]

Wow, single-point (single handed = win) touch gestures and a damned fine-looking VGA Home plug-in. That's pretty HARD core! (get it?)

Now show me the new device with the slide-out button thing and the porn star name and I'll be EXTRA happy.

[que @ May 6th 2008 8:16AM]

no qwerty? that's unfortunate.

[Erwos @ May 6th 2008 8:17AM]

Where's the HTC Raphael, for us poor Sprint users?

And I don't want to say "iPhone Killer", but for those of us who actually like Windows Mobile, it ain't a bad choice.

[Sam who loves ham @ May 6th 2008 8:17AM]

hmmm...i hope the Diamond comes out for T-mobile, because AT&T has been getting some highend phones compared to T-Mobile. Verizon, AT&T, both phone companies has been holding on to some good PDA and Smart phone, unlike T-Mobile; known for only "sidekicks"...T-mobile need to upgrade their phone status to the other phone company products to stay in the game...

[John Lin @ May 6th 2008 8:22AM]

There is a lag whenever using gestures. My guess is that because it's only single-touch, the software deciphers the gesture only after it is complete. With multi-touch, your gesture is being intepreted as you perform it. The result is a perceived lag when using gestures, which makes it quite frustrating to use.

[jaalin @ May 6th 2008 3:36PM]

if anything, this is the major disadvantage this phone will have, and may ultimately turn the whole gesture thing into a gimmick. that scroll and zoom lag looks like a real chore.

[Jeff @ May 6th 2008 8:23AM]

T-Mobile US.....You've got two chances to step your game up with the Diamond or the Sony Ericsson-X1.

[AlanParson @ May 6th 2008 8:23AM]

In Europe €499 to €549 in non subsidized channels.

[Burgertime @ May 6th 2008 8:29AM]

Any talk of when these go on sale stateside?