-:: Malaysia Mobile Tech News ::-

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!

^{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.

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