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On Oct. 6, Microsoft released Windows Mobile 6.5, and HTC, in a show of solidarity, announced its first phones to run the software. These include the new HD2 and Touch2, as well as the TouchDiamond2 and Touch Pro2. The latter two are currently available outside the United States, and will able to upgrade to 6.5 with a ROM that HTC will make available on its site in a few weeks.
“HTC is pleased to be integrating the new enhancements and services available on Windows phones with four leading HTC phones, this is a testament to the strong partnership HTC and Microsoft have,” said HTC CEO Peter Chou, in a statement.
The Touch Pro2 and Diamond 2 – images of which can be seen here – are both intended to meet the needs of business professionals. Each features notable battery life, a 5-megapixel camera and HTC’s Push Internet technology, which more quickly renders a user’s favored Web pages. The Touch Diamond 2 features a 3.2-inch touch screen, while the Touch Pro2 features a 3.6-inch touch screen that slides to reveal a qwerty keyboard.
The Touch 2 is a slim smartphone, also with a large touch screen and a fully touch experience. Like the Pro2 and Diamond 2, it’s currently available, with distribution in Europe and certain Asian markets.
The HD2 is said to be “ultra thin” and to feature a 1GHz Snapdragon mobile processor and a high-resolution 4.3-inch capacitive touch display, through which users – in an iPhone-like way – can pinch or expand their fingers to shrink or enlarge Websites, Microsoft Office files and pictures.
The HD2 is also the first Windows phone to include HTC Sense, a designed customer experience HTC has based on three principles. The first, Make It Mine, focuses on customizing and localizing the device, and also ties in to the Windows Marketplace for Mobile application store, for “customizing” the device with apps.
The second principle, Stay Close, organizes the user’s interactions with contacts. A single contact view displays snapshots of recent interactions whether those were calls, texts or e-mails. Facebook status updates can also be included. Tied to this principle are also a new Windows-based version of Twitter and the HD2’s 5-megapiexel camera, which makes it simple to update photos to Twitter or Facebook.
Discover the Unexpected is the third principle, and it focuses on enhancing the overall phone experience, according to HTC. The HD2 features a number of sensors, including a proximity sensor, which is said to prevent false screen touches, and a light sensor that adjusts the brightness of the display to the user’s environment. Using its 3G connectivity, the HD2 can offer a personal Wi-Fi cloud to a user’s computer or other devices.
“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 personalize their mobile experience in their own unique way,” said Chou in a separate statement.
The HD2 will arrive in Europe this month and before rolling out to other regions in the coming months.
On Oct. 5, AT&T additionally introduced the HTC Tilt 2 and HTC Pure, both of which will also run Windows Mobile 6.5.