HTC's first WiMAX-enabled handset revealed: T8290, from Russia with Speed

With Sprint snagging the vast majority of the WiMAX limelight of late, we aren't going to complain with a similar network halfway across the globe yanking it back. Out of absolutely nowhere comes HTC's first WiMAX-enabled handset, the sure-to-be-delightful T8290. Reportedly, this bugger packs a 3.8-inch 800 x 480 resolution display, 802.11g WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0, GSM and WiMAX radios and is expected to launch soon on Russia's Yota. Granted, we can't take this as hard truth or anything quite yet, but the images that reside in the read link are more than convincing. Oh, and HTC -- given that you're passing on the US with the Touch HD, do you think it'd be possible to get this over here for use with XOHM? We'd really, really appreciate it.

[Via Slashphone, thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[Chris Anderson @ Oct 10th 2008 9:20AM]

We'd better get something equal or GREATER than this, for getting snubbed on the Touch HD.....

[Dave @ Oct 10th 2008 9:24AM]

Lol, I love the fact us British got something you American's really want and can't have.

*sigh*

[Jakob @ Oct 10th 2008 9:29AM]

Dave,

I love the fact that I'm 99% confident that Americans will be able to buy the Touch HD, HTC wouldn't just ignore such a huge demand on such a huge market, and by that your comment is proved pointless ;)

[Xenoterranos @ Oct 10th 2008 10:16AM]

I so called this.
http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/29/sprints-xohm-wimax-service-finally-launching-next-month/

That said, now I'm screwed. At least when something like this finally does make round to the states, XHOM will be a little more widespread, and my 2 years will be up :)

[Hugh @ Oct 10th 2008 9:29AM]

They should release more products in America, the product is already made it can't cost extra to sell, they might not make much but it wont hurt.

It will make me happy too, don't you love me HTC

[HTC @ Oct 10th 2008 9:37AM]

I'm sorry but no we don't, however we do love your money.

[ANDROiD @ Oct 10th 2008 12:53PM]

The problem isn't selling, its the re-design for the frequency's used here in the US. I do design, and though most of the time it is a redesign of something we already have with only a few minor differences in the product spec, I still have to run it through all the tests to make sure nothing strange happens. So the reason why they probably wont give us the Touch HD is because of the test time to get it to work on our 3G networks.

[Ron @ Oct 10th 2008 9:27AM]

This design seemed kind of odd to me at first but now it's starting to look pretty cool. Hopefully we can get it on XOHM here in the US. Since the Touch HD was a no go.

[Jash Sayani @ Oct 10th 2008 2:01PM]

I have an O2 XdaII mini and an iPhone 2G. Planning to sell off my O2 XdaII mini (Win Mobile 4.1) and get either the Blackberry Storm or this one....

Some suggestions would be really great!! And also the price for selling my O2....

Thanks guys...

[Canoo @ Oct 10th 2008 9:37AM]

Also doubles as a razer!

[wazzupalex @ Oct 10th 2008 9:37AM]

Risking my reputation, or lack of, here, but I suppose you can quote me on it, Wimax (and other high speed wireless connectivity technologies) are the future of communications. This phone could be one of the first devices that starts to bring about the end of the old school cellular/mobile networks. And good riddence. Tag: P2P.

[LCDY @ Oct 10th 2008 9:42AM]

The future generation of mobile communications will be based on "LTE" and "Femtocells"...WiMAX is out-of-date now...

[DaKoolk @ Oct 10th 2008 9:45AM]

OJJ (sth like WTF in Polish), why the heck haven't you tagged the info BREAKING, especially considering the lack of preety much ANY previous info on HTC's WiMax developments???

[Xeno @ Oct 10th 2008 10:55AM]

LTE? It's still in the labs. It takes 3-5 years to get something from labs to consumers broadly. ATT said they are in no rush to go LTE since they plan to stretch the life of HSPA. Verizon will take longer to get to LTE as it will be a major overhaul. LTE is a long ways off.

WiMAX will have 2-4 year headstart, maybe 5. LTE is the not only not out of the gate, it hasn't even arrived to the gate because the horse isn't even born yet. WiMAX has 100 products to be certified by end of this year and another 1000 devices in development to be certified within a year or so. LTE is in big trouble not only because it is way behind but because it will be limited to only phones and laptops. WiMAX will be in all kinds of consumer products.

[Phill @ Oct 10th 2008 9:40AM]

In [formerly] communist Russia, WiMAX surfs you!

[Ike Turner @ Oct 10th 2008 9:54AM]

In [formerly] communist Russia, Hookers pimp you!

[Surur @ Oct 10th 2008 9:51AM]

Look at the advantage of having an open platform. I can use my apps on devices with GSM, CDMA, TD-SCDMA, WIFI, PHS and now WIMAX. I dont have to wait for some-one to code a bittorent client to use that 14 Mb/sec, I can just download WinmobileTorrent ( http://www.adisasta.com/wmTorrent.html ). And of course Skype will work just fine over that network connection.

Or you could use a stupid iPhone and only get what Apple wants to give you. I bet WM devices will get LTE well before the fruit phone also.

[wazzupalex @ Oct 10th 2008 9:52AM]

@LCDY: I do agree, I was really referring in general to high speed wireless technology that does not need to rely on a specific node. IE, as per FONE (owned in part by British Telecom), with enough P2P based devices out there, the device network will be THE network. Sun were right all along, "The Computer Is The Network", although in this case, "The cool thing in your pocket is the network" (although whether that cool thing gets hot and roasts your nuts is another matter...)

[Cycomachead @ Oct 10th 2008 9:57AM]

Wow....if HTC had a name in America (they're working on it) and this thing wasn't running Windows Mobile I could hold it's own against the iPhone! The design is simple and minimalistic. I'm not sure if I prefer this or the touch HD. But even as the screens get bigger (and devices smaller) I'm really looking for a different kind of screen- like the storm has going for it. I really would like this to comes to the US, or the touch HD. Ahh, fun stuff!!!!

[Rob Conway @ Oct 10th 2008 10:15AM]

HTC does make some pretty cool phones, i don't think WinMo has anything to do with their lack of US recognition. I'd say it has more to do with letting their phones be rebranded by carriers. It started way back when the T-Mobile Sidekick came out. That was huge! if it would've been "The HTC Sidekick only for T-Mobile!" in all the promotion and marketing, I bet HTC would have a MUCH greater name in the US. and it's happening all over again with the "T-Mobile G1 with Google". That kinda irritates me too. "with Google"? it's with Android you bastards! every internet capable phone can be "with Google". oh well, here's to HTC getting the old screw job again.

[Todd @ Oct 10th 2008 10:35AM]

WANT! ( But only of I can get Android to run on it )

[wud_e @ Oct 10th 2008 10:37AM]

WinMo 7 for me please.

[wud_e @ Oct 10th 2008 10:37AM]

Soooooooooooo Can we dry our eyes out from crying over the Touch HD not coming to the US?


Let's not get to excited about this one guys. ;)

[Andrew Pappas @ Oct 10th 2008 10:43AM]

I think I just found excitement all over my body. In the end, by the time this is release, there will be a new up and comer that is just a few months out. Like Daft Punk, 'better, stronger, faster' seems to be the model for phone companies.

Android would be the first killer app to XOHM; beginning a long line of applications that will be everything but the kitchen sink.

If HTC can resist the greed of major carriers and release this like the Nokia N810, unbound and relatively inexpensive for the features (please give me TV out so I can watch the news and not have to buy cable) they will be at the forefront of unearthing a new mobile market.

[DirtyVegas @ Oct 10th 2008 10:43AM]

So Russia has a better market for all this than the good ol' US? Sigh. Russia? Really?

[fontendet24 @ Oct 13th 2008 5:17PM]

Bush destroys all American budget, power, glory and all other stuff in 1-2 years...
I think that all Europe and other countries will be gratefull for that - he's a great ass**** and only the retardiest country in the whole can elect such ***** but it proves that democracy is working - every dumbest person can be president of USA.

[ZSX @ Oct 10th 2008 10:46AM]

In many ways this ticks the boxes for what I really want from a mobile internet device: portable, multiple connectivity options, proper web-browser, high resolution screen, instant-on. Now all I need to know is the battery life and the price.

On the other hand since I currently have a Touch Diamond I think I can wait for Windows Mobile 7 and Tegra. HTC undoubtedly have many more exciting things in store.

[eiki @ Oct 10th 2008 11:21AM]

very nice, hopefully has decent playback of video esp h264!

[cesium @ Oct 10th 2008 11:37AM]

Please bring this to Sprint :-/

[noyp @ Oct 10th 2008 11:45AM]

It kind of looks like the Samsung P2.

[David @ Oct 10th 2008 1:22PM]

Sign o'the times. I guess the US is not the place to sell high end phones, no Omnia, no Touch HD, no T8290.

Hey but I'm sure we'll have a new RAZR soon!

[Blazeitup123 @ Oct 10th 2008 2:43PM]

where is the back button?

[Kenneth Tan @ Oct 10th 2008 3:17PM]

This news really kills my excitement waiting for the HTC HD.
Can't HTC just deliver 1 killer phone and not a slightly better one every month?
So now there's the HD WITH WIMAX.
Does that make the "old" HD obsolete?
Do I have to wait another month for the next even better killer phone? (Probably the new android line?)
I'm a long (realy) long time HTC user, but his is killing me.....

[CJ @ Oct 12th 2008 5:18AM]

Er... No?

I dunno about you, but there is absolutely NO WiMax in Australia yet, so the integration of it into a handset/laptop is all but useless. We do, however, have 3G, so the Touch HD would still be good.

[Chris @ Oct 10th 2008 4:27PM]

Just had a chat with my good friend Peter Chou (ceo of HTC) and we decided HTC won't be releasing any high tech phones to the States anymore until Engadget makes those give away competitions open for European contenders. lol :D

[Hamidxa @ Oct 10th 2008 8:29PM]

If we're not getting the Touch HD, can we get this please.

I'd love to use this on my SERO plan.

[philos.bonacci @ Oct 10th 2008 8:44PM]

I hope it has an accelerometer.

[Ashok Kumar @ Oct 11th 2008 12:25PM]

Does anybody know what Connection Manager they use to switch from GSM to WiMAX to WiFi? Is it Birdstep?

Thanks