HTC's rumored 2009 lineup gets fleshed out with specs, dates
By Sean Cooper 
posted Mar 4th 2009 12:13PM
posted Mar 4th 2009 12:13PM
Remember HTC's huge lineup leak from earlier this year? Apparently somebody has trickled a few more details about the sets out, as we get a better look at the when, the where, and the all-important how much. Of course, we have to preface the info on the following six sets with the fact that we've no way to know the absolute truth or if we'll see them land as things have a way of changing. So until you hear it from HTC, consider the following leak a thing of dreams. First up, the Firestone, a 3G set that replaces the Touch HD with a 3.6-inch WVGA display, an 8 megapixel -- HTC's first -- camera, runs Windows Mobile 6.5, and is slated to appear in August this year. Next, a slate-style set called Whitestone with the same display as the Firestone, a 5 megapixel camera, Windows Mobile 6.1, and is apparently a dual-mode GSM / EV-DO number due to launch with Verizon in the September timeframe. The Thoth -- Athena's replacement -- is also present with a 4.8-inch display, a 5 megapixel shooter, the Qualcomm 8250 CPU at 1GHz, and will also run Microsoft's newest Windows Mobile 6.5 when it lands in September. HTC's Twin is another dual-band candybar set with a 3.2-inch VGA interface (no date), the HTC Maple is an HTC Cavalier successor with a 2.4-inch screen, 2 megapixel camera, Windows Mobile 6.1 device that appears in May. Last up, the HTC Cedar, which was originally touted as debuting on Verizon in June and has potentially been canceled. OK, that potentially sorts Windows Mobile for the year with HTC, so now lets get some details on Android sets, mkay HTC?
[Via WMPoweruser]
[Via WMPoweruser]
I'll wait ....... for windows mobile 7
that'll be coming out 3 months after 6.5 is released.
Or just get a free skin on WinMo 6.5 that gives you the feel of any OS you want!
That's what's nice about WinMo, it can be anything you want it to be. And you can change it at anytime.
I just had an iPhone skin that was neat. They have literally thousands of variations or you can actually spend some time and make your own.
@kjb434
I think the point of waiting for WinMo 7 was not necessarily for the looks, but perhaps because he's hoping for a better WinMo version (i.e. the underlining operating system to be better).
Yes, because MS said that WinMo 7 will be a big change!!
My next phone will be a winmo 7 phone. I use spb shell on top of winmo 6.1 and love it.
Yes, please, let's get some info on ANDROID. I'm out of my Helio contract in May and I needs me some Android action!
wtf is that android?
John Miller: "I needs me some Android action!"
You'll likely to get more action out of your vacuum cleaner.
I think I'll wait for the Touch Pro3...
cool
I wonder if the Thoth will get picked up by a carrier, looks like a WVGA 4.8" monster with a qwerty keyboard and a 1GHz processors, similar to the TG01 except the screen is larger by 0.7" and it has a slide out keyboard. Sure, some will see this as extremely huge and uncomfortable, but it would be nice to have the option of getting it for people who need performance and a large screen and are looking for something in between UMPC and a smartphone...
I haven't run Win Mo since the 4 days. Is it real OS yet? (i.e. multi-threading, preemptive multitasking, etc?)
Umn... what? First off, there never was a "windows mobile 4", and two, these are things a lot of people don't use on their DESKTOPS, never mind phones. it is, unlike copy and paste, not something resources should now be spent on implementing.
preemptive multitasking? Like starting some app and draining your device battery because your stupid WinMo can't get what you want from it?
Never heard of that.
Yeah...like Phoenix said...There was never a Windows Mobile 4. Before that they went by year versions...2003 being the one prior.
Now maybe you meant Windows CE 4? I doubt it, as Windows CE, which is what WinMo is based on, has supported preemptive multitasking since version 3.0...currently it is on version 5.2 in Windows Mobile 6.1.
Multi-threading is still not even fully utilized in many desktop applications. This should be changing very shortly with dual-core processors finally taking the majority of the market. (Many single-core systems are still in use).
Really, I just don't think you know what you are talking about.
Serious competition for iphone, ultimately what will make it a success will be the user interface. Will it kill iphone.,?no. Im not gonna say just another htc phone, cuz does seem they taking it to the next level.
Wow I was unable to find any new information...
All those materials have leaked out this way or another already by now. Thats the only explanation I have.
What?!
A freaking 3.6" screen?!
Damn you HTC, you finally do something right, and instantly undo it with the next version.
Seriously, the only upgrades I can see are the faster processor and the 8MP camera (Which'll probably suck and lack flash).
This would have to have some seriously awesome software or DVB-H to change my mind, that or it would suddenly have to turn out that it's using a Tegra SoC.
But none of those are very likely.
Sure, I've seen some 3.6" screens, they were nice, but that .2" difference is really a lot.
On the bright side, at least it has a 3.5mm jack, oh wait, the original HD had that too...
Feel free to change my mind.
I agree to an extent, HTC always seem to take two steps forward and one step back.
Out of the Diamond, Pro, and HD, only the Pro has flash. This seems ridiculous considering the Pro is meant to be the most business orintated of the three, the Diamond and HD more aimed at Consumers, who are more liekly to take photos and require the flash.
Diamond 3.2mp, Pro 3.2 with flash, HD 5mp but NO Flash?! If only one device were to have received it, it should have been the HD.
Same thing with Audio, they kepp changing from 2.5mm/3.5mm jack to USB and back again!
Oh, forgot to mention the tarrif.
HTC Touch HD on T-Mobile Combi30+Web'n'Walk (18 month)
http://www.expansys.com/p.aspx?i=175204
£159.99 + £35/m (700 Xnet mins, Unlimited texts, 1GB data)
Yes the handset is a bit expensive, but if it gets you the device you want on your favourite network, its less of a sting.
I can't believe they reduced the screen size and called it an advance. It's like there is a real obstacle from bringing a kick ass HTC phone to the US market. Is it a gentleman's agreement, a contract, a professional request? I be someone whose phone HTC ay manufacture has asked them not to compete against them in the US. Maybe it was the carriers.
That firestone is gorgeous. The thoth is interesting. Perhaps if carriers pick it up we will see if people are willing to have a device that big for the screen real estate.
I'm disappointed by HTC's lackluster android support here, on top of the fact they are ignoring the cortex A8 core from ARM.
A side note: The translated page reads at the top: "Cow exclusive Secret Machines"
I sure hope HTC and others provide more details soon, on their coming Android devices. My current mobile is on its last legs and it would be nice to have a few different Android-based smartphones to choose from.
I thought you could install Android on any phone you wanted? Am I wrong about this?
I have been an HTC fan and WinMo fan for over 5 years (Please bear in mind I am UK based) and ever handset has been HTC based and with T-Mobile, however the best HTC handset to date HTC Touch HD has gone to Orange exclusively. It is great to see an interesting line up - however if it goes to a different (less interesting network provider) it does not matter how good the handset is - at least in my eyes and certainly in the UK I won't be getting any of these. Please bear in mind my complaint comes from the fact that the nominal fact that HTC Touch HD sans contract and hopefully locked is still £500+. So it does not matter how good the babies above look they will be relatively out of average paying customers pocket overnight.
My contract is up soon, but I am sticking with T-mobile - so best in the range to date is now the renoir... I'll get used to it!
Oh! and what is with the strange obscure product naming - Thoth to Maple! Please! How many actually known Thoth is an Egyptian God son of Ra - his role Mediator, Messager of the Gods, Creator of language... what has this got to do with mobile phones. HTC Touch HD is straight forward, clear and logical.
I too have been a HTC user (MDA Compact, MDA Vario II) user for 3 years and a WinMo user for over 6 (back in the days it was known as PocketPC).
Like yourself I was 'annoyed' to learn that Orange got an exclusive on the Touch HD here in the UK, having been a satisfied T-Mobile customer for 6 years.
But I found a way to have my cake and eat it, so to speak. There are companies like eXpansys (http://www.expansys.com) who'll sell you an unlocked HTC device, subsidised with a contract.
I paid more for the handset than if I'd have gone to Orange, but I got the wonderful HTC Touch HD on T-Mobile!
A win win scenario :)
PS: Regarding the HTC codenames, I too find some of them unusual and there have been some strange ones. Wallaby, Magician, Charmer, Hermes, Kaiser etc etc. The Touch HD had/has the codename Blackstone, though from its appearance one could see some ounce of logic there.
Oh, forgot to mention the tarrif.
HTC Touch HD on T-Mobile Combi30+Web'n'Walk (18 month)
http://www.expansys.com/p.aspx?i=175204
£159.99 + £35/m (700 Xnet mins, Unlimited texts, 1GB data)
Yes the handset is a bit expensive, but if it gets you the device you want on your favourite network, its less of a sting.
More android - NOW. Not Q3, not Q4... NOW PLZ k thx bye.
:-(
Sweetness
Why do HTC never have a flash on there phones??? are they banned from using one or just stupid??
Can't wait for these phones to hit the market.
Already have the Touch Pro, which is the best smart phone in the US market, but I want something along the lines of the Touch HD to hit Sprint.
i need a new phone
Just another repackaging of the same shit. That's what hardware companies do.
There is a guy in my local mall that runs a kiosk with loads of those international phones. I saw the touch diamond and asked to try it out. He turned me down. Wow, if the prick had any faith in the product he'd let me give it a go. Hell, do I have to buy it first? Apparently. But of course, there was Apple around the corner. There, you don't just get to caress the iphone, you can make calls with it.
That's how you sell your shit.
Take a lesson for the company the invented the home computer.
Booya!
He probably didnt want you to run off with it you thieving scumbag, all the iPhones are anchored to a table to stop you running off with it.
Afaik IBM invented the home PC why would you take a lesson from IBM about making phones and retail stores, afaik they dont have any.
In the world of maclots, the world starts and ends with the propaganda spewed and brainwashing enacted by the infallible A. Invented the home computer? Sheesh... at least they know how to sell their shit. http://www.islandnet.com/~kpolsson/comphist/
You do realize don't you, that what's left of your prestigious company's "invention" is basically a fucking skin on a PC made by Intel and powered by Unix, right? There's a bit more to it, but still, how about a little fucking humility?
Link says that the Twin will run a TI LoCosto processor... That has to be the most fail product name ever. What's next, Budgetron? Cheaprino?
Also, the TI site says it runs at 125 MHz.
Firestone looks like the PDA I want to have. It really is great, except lack of flash. I hope it's some kind of joke, cos for me, it seems to be the best winmobile phone. Are the prices known yet? How do you think, will there be flash? xD