HTC S743 Smartphone Is Here and Unlocked, G2 Still on Hold

HTC’s S743 smartphone, which is geared toward enterprise users and offers Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1, is slated for U.S. sales beginning in early April.
The S743 smartphone is a narrow, true candy-bar-style phone with an angular, crisp appearance compared with the softer, rounded-corners look that seems in vogue among many of its competitors.
It features a 12-button keypad below its 2.4-inch QVGA display and a full QWERTY, four-row keyboard that slides out from its right side.
Most noteworthy to potential users, however, is that HTC is offering the quad-band world phone unlocked so it will work on any GSM network, but it will come with a higher price than what’s traditionally seen beside the words “two-year contract.”
At CDW’s Web site, where it’s not yet in stock, the advertised price is $521.99. It will also be available on Dell’s Web site, as well as at other retail outlets.
Many were hoping to see a G2 smartphone, running Google’s Android operating system, from HTC, but the S743 is for the Microsoft crowd, running Windows Mobile 6.1. It supports HSPDA (850/1900MHz) networks and interfaces with Microsoft Exchange, as well as POP3 and IMAP4 e-mail protocols. Support for SMS, MMS and instant messaging standards are also supported.
GPS, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity are additionally among the features of the S743, which measures 4.6 by 1.7 by .06 inches, weighs 4.9 ounces and is covered with a soft-touch finish.
It comes with 256MB of RAM installed, plus an SD slot for adding more-though irritatingly, the SIM card has to be removed to reach it.