HTC launched its flagship phone, the Windows Mobile 6.5 based HD2 in Malaysia today, a well attended event by members of the media. It was held in Sri Hartamas, with Joanne Kam Po Po as the emcee, along with performances by a female-impersonator group. The retail price of the HD2 is RM 2,899, with the standard retail package inclusive of an 8Gb microSD card. It should be available in time for the PC Fair, perhaps as early as the end of November, if all goes well.
Below are some pictures I took at the event; there are more pictures on my Twitter feed if you feel so inclined to check them out. There’s a size comparison picture with the SonyEricsson Symbian based Satio smartphone, and the Satio looks positively puny by comparison! In case you’ve forgotten, here are the HD2′s specifications, again.
And hey, I’ve been accused of stealing someone’s invitation card to post on this site! And maybe I printed it out to get in to the event too! Just goes to show you that some people are full of shit themselves, eh? Maybe we should wait for him to do a review of the HD2 then, I’ll just sit back and relax!
And please excuse any unintentional errors; I consumed a little alcohol at the event and may not be thinking properly…hic!
| Processor | 1 GHz Snapdragon™ processor |
| Operating system | Windows Mobile® 6.5 Professional |
| Memory | ROM: 512 MB RAM: 448 MB |
| Dimensions | 120.5mm (L) x 67mm (W) x 11mm (T) |
| Weight | 157g (with battery) |
| Display | 4.3-inch capacitive touch screen with 480×800 WVGA resolution |
| Network | HSPA/WCDMA:
900/2100 MHz GSM: 850/950/1800/1900 MHz (Band frequency and data speed are operator dependent.) |
| Internet | Browser: Opera Mobile™ 3G:Up to 7.2 Mbps download speed Up to 2 Mbps upload speed GPRS: Up to 114 kbps download speed EDGE: Up to 560 kbps download speed Wi-Fi®: IEEE 802.11 b/g |
| Tethering | Internet Sharing through USB or Bluetooth Wi-Fi Router |
| GPS | Internal GPS antenna HTC Footprints™ Digital Compass NaviPanel1 |
| Connectivity | 3.5mm stereo audio jack Standard Micro-USB (5-pin micro-USB 2.0) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth® 2.1 with Enhanced Data Rate Supported profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, BIP, BPP, DUN, FTP, GAP, GOEP, HFP, HID, HSP, OPP, PAN, PBAP, SAP and SPP |
| Camera | 5.0 megapixel colour camera with auto focus and dual LED flashlight |
| Audio supported formats | AAC, AMR,M4A,MID, MP3, MP4, QCP, WAV, WMA and Windows Media® Player |
| Video supported formats | WMV, ASF, MP4, 3GP, 3G2, M4V, AVI and Windows Media® Player |
| Battery | Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery Capacity: 1230 mAh Talk time:Up to 320 minutes for WCDMA Up to 380 minutes for GSM Standby time: Up to 390 hours for WCDMA Up to 490 hours for GSM (The above are subject to network and phone usage.) Video playback: Up to 8 hours |
| Expansion Slot | microSD™ memory card (SD 2.0 compatible) |
| Special features | G-sensor Proximity sensor Ambient light sensor |
| Value Added Applications | HTC Sense™, Windows® Marketplace, Microsoft##® Exchange synchronization, Opera Mobile™, Facebook™ integration, Photo sharing on Facebook and Twitter2, Video sharing on YouTube™, HTC Peep™, PDF Viewer, Quick Office, FM Radio, Stock, Photos & Videos, Music, Weather, Twitter, and Teeter game |
| Recommended Windows System Requirements | Windows XP or Windows Vista® Microsoft® ActiveSync® 4.5 for Windows XP Microsoft® Windows Mobile Device Center 6.1 for Windows Vista |
1 NaviPanel requires the HTC HD2 car kit which is sold separately.
2 Twitter is a trademark of Twitter, Inc., and is used under license.
Here’s the official press release:
HTC UNVEILS FIRST WINDOWS® PHONE WITH
HTC SENSE, THE HTC HD2
HTC HD2 delivers unprecedented Windows® phone experience with a high-resolution, 4.3-inch capacitive touch display
Kuala Lumpur – 19th November, 2009 – HTC Corporation, today unveiled the HTC HD2ä, the first Windows phone with HTC Sense, a customer experience focused on putting people at the centre by making their phones work in a more simple, natural and personal way. With its industry leading, high-resolution, 4.3-inch capacitive touch display, the ultra thin HTC HD2 delivers more visible content in a sharper, brighter and richer way.
“At HTC we believe that the best things in life should be experienced, not explained. HTC Sense is based on this principle by making the phone more simple and natural to use and by enabling people to personalise their mobile experience in their own unique way,” said Peter Chou, CEO of HTC Corporation. “With HTC Sense, the HTC HD2 melds the power and flexibility of the Windows platform with the most advanced phone we’ve ever created.”
“HTC has a long history of innovation with Windows Mobile, shipping millions of devices over the years in a wide range of designs,” said Andy Lees, senior vice president, Mobile Communication Business, Microsoft Corp. “The HTC HD2 Windows phone breaks new ground with its responsive, touch screen.”
The HD2 uses the first capacitive touch display on a Windows phone to make viewing, zooming and resizing websites, Microsoft® Office files, PDF documents and pictures easier with just a pinch of your fingers. The large display also enables faster, more efficient and accurate typing using the onscreen keyboard. Utilizing Qualcomm’s new 1Ghz Snapdragon mobile processor, the HTC HD2 offers enhanced performance that improves the speed of applications, videos, games and more.
Developed with a passion for enhancing people’s lives through innovation, design and ease of use, HTC Sense is rooted in three fundamental principles of Make it Mine, Stay Close and Discover the Unexpected.
Make It Mine
The HD2 continues HTC’s drive for personalization by reflecting not only what you want on your phone, but also where you are. Using its large 4.3-inch window-like display, HTC has brought a new dimension to weather with a localized, animated weather experience that utilizes HD2’s entire display without being invasive to your important content and information. The HD2 can also be further enhanced to reflect your needs and style by downloading a wealth of applications at the new Windows® Marketplace for Mobile.
Stay Close
The HD2 helps you stay close to the important friends and colleagues in your life with HTC’s people-centric communication approach that provides a single contact view that displays individual communication snapshots of your conversations with the people in your life regardless of whether a call, text, Facebook™ status update or email were used. While in the midst of email exchange with someone you can easily make a transition to a call by pressing the call button. HTC has also included a new Windows-based version of its Twitter application, HTC Peep. The pictures you take with the 5MP camera can also be quickly shared via Facebook or Twitter.
Discover the Unexpected
With the HTC Sense experience, the HTC HD2 includes a variety of enhancements that expand and improve the overall phone experience. The HD2 includes a variety of sensors including a proximity sensor that is used to prevent false screen touches when the phone is picked up to answer or make a call. A light sensor automatically adjusts the brightness of the display. Leveraging its 3G broadband connectivity, the HTC HD2 also offers personal Wi-Fi anywhere for your computer or other devices.
Also available for the HTC HD2 is the optional car kit that automatically transforms HD2’s user interface into a finger friendly in-car navigation experience for driving.
Windows phone
As a new Windows phone, the HTC HD2 showcases the powerful messaging, browsing and productivity capabilities delivered by Windows Mobile® 6.5. Offering a best in class e-mail experience complete with the ability to synchronize with Microsoft Exchange, you have the ability to check and manage multiple email accounts. Microsoft’s new My Phone service enables you to automatically back up and sync photos, music, contacts and text messages for free from the HD2 to the web
Pricing & Availability
The new HTC HD2 will be available from end of November at all authorized resellers at a suggested retail price of RM2,899*. Standard retail HTC HD2 package will come with a 8GB microSD™ card.
*All prices are subject to pricing policies of individual operators.
any idea if the telcos – like celcom or maxis are going to come out with a phone package with htc hd2
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
@readycompanies, no idea. But based on HTC’s track record, they seem to prefer Celcom as a partner. See the BlueCube website for all the deals on HTC phones on the Celcom network!
My advice has always been to avoid contracts, unless it’s a really good deal. Oftentimes in Malaysia, a good deal is hard to find!
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public sales at PC Fair ?
http://pikom.org.my/cms/General.asp?whichfile=PC+Fair+InfoCentre&ProductID=22461&CatID=12
well the next KL PC Fair on 4-6 December 2009 at KL Convention Centre
can’t wait to see the response
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
@readycompanies, sales? What sales? It’s a new phone!
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I remember regularly checking out the price of the original HTC HD at a certain PDA shop in Gurney Plaza here in Penang. The price refused to drop below RM3k for more than 6 months. Now with the HD2 out at a lower price than its predecessor, the HD’s price will sure to plummet like a stone.
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
@tympg, which shop? Which shop? C? I’m a part time Penangite too la…
Yes, SK Wong, HTC Malaysia’s country manager, did mention to me that his main concern when pricing the HD2 was competing with, and cannibalising his own products. After all, HTC has the highest number of WinMo devices in the market, no? And the headache following the HD2′s introduction – re-pricing all its other products! I don’t want to be in his shoes!
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tympg Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
I forget the shop’s name, but it’s on the 3rd floor at the connecting section between the old and new wings.
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
@tympg, Charlie?
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tympg Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
No, not Charlie. It’s a relatively new one. From Charlie, walk past MPH Books towards the new wing. It’s quite isolated from the rest of the tech device shops.
The way the phones are displayed, I can’t casually stroll by and check the prices at Charlie’s…
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
November 20th, 2009 at 10:41 am
@tympg, hahah, maybe we should ask Charlie to rearrange his display?
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Ya la newb, u must be very good at copying, editing and then print that invitation card for yourself….. hiks!
btw, any full license navigation software comes with HD2?
really2 hope that HD2 is available next weekend!
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
@artic, I am the Photoshop expert. Everything on this site is Photoshopped based on stolen images from other people’s sites. I also steal people’s invitation cards from their email inboxes as well as hijack the postman as he is about to deliver the invitation cards to people’s homes. I am eviiiiiiiiil…
Next weekend? Well, we can hope la…
According to the specifications, no navigation license la, if got surely the price > RM 3,000 right?
You making a special trip back to buy this?
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artic_xp Reply:
November 20th, 2009 at 11:14 am
hahaha, u r the expert!
not special trip for it, but going back for raya haji…will be in KL till 30th Nov..
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
November 20th, 2009 at 11:23 am
@artic, wah, good good! Let’s hope the HD2 will be on sale by then!
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andy Reply:
November 20th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
they should be glad and happy if you being copy or follow up by other…. my picture never copy by other , i hope i can , i want to be a hot and wanted people…..
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Think I duwan sell my n97 yet. coz I think physical qwerty keyboard is better. But, 2 phone is better then 1! So I wanna HD2 (and my existing N97)
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
@Hawke, phwoar! Kaya la lu!
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Hi Mr Da Alpha Dog, I’m there too, but I left after the product preview, coz I have other commitment.
Kinda upset with the product preview, it seems like that she is just reading the slide.. even nobody can answer how long the battery can lasted… They should just read review GSM Arena review though. Anyway, who win the phone?
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
November 20th, 2009 at 10:41 am
@zaki, my experience in attending product launches in Malaysia is that the product demonstrators always don’t do a good job. Maybe they should hire people like us to show those things off eh?
Kelvin or Kevin from T3 won the first phone, and some fella won the second. The first competition had its contestants dancing Beyonce style, gyrating their backsides to her song. The second was “who can fake an orgasm the best”, like in Harry Met Sally. I don’t think HD2s were given out as prizes though…
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
November 20th, 2009 at 11:24 am
@Ismail, err…thanks. Nice going where la?
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Pingback: HTC HD2 Launched In Malaysia « -:: Malaysia Mobile Tech News ::- | Keeping your notes mobile
Malaysia standard retail package include pouch?
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
November 20th, 2009 at 10:38 am
@Jayce, I’ve no idea. But with a RM3k phone, I don’t think its rich owners will complain too much if a cheap pouch is not included!
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a news post at gsmarena mentiond that winmo 7 is gonna be launchd q1 2010. Lets hope htc is taking note of this..
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
November 20th, 2009 at 11:03 am
@min402, I’ll believe it when I see it! Anyway, when asked about this yesterday, the official HTC line is “no comment”. So, there is no official confirmation that the HD2 is upgradeable to WinMo 7.
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min402 Reply:
November 20th, 2009 at 11:18 am
for a phone this hyped it would be a waste if it is already outdatd in term of the OS in less than a year eh..
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
November 20th, 2009 at 11:21 am
@min402, I don’t think there’s a single manufacturer in the market whom I can name who has committed to any future upgrades for the “next version” operating system on their phones.
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min402 Reply:
November 20th, 2009 at 11:31 am
true.. but it would be a better deal if it is upgradable. If not then we would have to wait for the good people at xda-developer to make a custom rom
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
November 20th, 2009 at 11:33 am
@min402, like I said, if their competitors aren’t doing it, they won’t too. Otherwise, if they commit so early, who will buy their newer products?
And of course we can always depend on XDA Developers to cook up something, that is the essence of that great community (and another reason why one should buy an HTC device)!
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going to the launch la !!
dood you think it will be in any SenQ outlet soon?
I do credit card installements only -_-”
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
November 21st, 2009 at 10:03 am
@Ismail, why SenQ only? Nowadays, all it takes for most credit card companies is for you to call them up, tell them you want to convert a purchase into “easy payment” and they’ll do it, I think.
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Ismail Illman Reply:
November 21st, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Seriously??? I have no idear we can do that. -.-” Thanks for the help yo.
I sawr your vlog on youtube on the htc hero. do a htc hd2 !! I’m still a kid. (psst, the credit card isn’t even mine.) Just a question (if you don’t mind me asking) can bank islam credit card do that?
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:47 am
@Ismail, I did do a very short one for the HTC HD2, search for it.
As for which banks offer conversions to easy payment, I don’t know – you’d have to call them up to ask. Also, you can try getting the retailer to do it for you – ask them whether they can do easy payment for a so-and-so card…if they want the business bad enough, they may be able to work out something.
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Looks like someone picked a hardware issue with the HD2′s camera: http://bit.ly/8wBdcX
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Da Alpha Dog Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:28 am
@tympg, it seems there are a number of issues with the HD2 but whether they will affect Malaysian units or not remains to be seen.
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Jayce Reply:
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:53 pm
holding back my order for the moment. Need to confirm Malaysia units don’t have this issue.
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