HTC, the Taiwan-based manufacturer of primarily Microsoft Windows Mobile-based smartphones, has unveiled its latest entertainment-focused handset, the Touch HD. It will be available exclusively from Australia’s Telstra from 10 February on the operator’s advanced Next G™ network. The HSDPA/HSUPA enabled device features a 3.8 inch wide-screen VGA display, HTC TouchFLO 3D, desktop-class broadband browsing, 5 megapixel camera and 3.5mm headphone jack.

HTC Corporation, a global leader in mobile phone innovation and design, today announced its latest entertainment-focused handset, the Touch HD, available exclusively on Telstra’s Next G™ network – Australia’s largest and fastest mobile broadband network.

Integrating a large 3.8 inch wide-screen VGA display (WVGA), a standard 3.5mm audio jack and a 5 megapixel camera with autofocus, the HTC Touch HD is the perfect device for multimedia fans and will transform how people experience multimedia on the move.

Shifting the boundaries of design and innovation
The HTC Touch HD combines high performance capabilities with a stylish, sleek design that has made HTC a global leader in mobile phone design and innovation. Its large 3.8 inch WVGA touchscreen offers users stunning clarity and vibrant colours, providing an unrivalled experience when watching movies, browsing the Internet or even flicking through photos taken with the 5 megapixel auto focus camera.

The stylish new device also features HTC’s beautiful TouchFLO™ 3D user interface to provide quick and intuitive access to the people, messages and content that are most important. A standard 3.5mm headphone jack has also been designed-in, allowing consumers to use high-performance headphones with the device for the best possible sound quality.

“Today, Widescreen TV, Internet and Video have become the standard so there is no reason to miss out when you leave the house. Touch HD delivers that uncompromising multimedia and Internet experience,” said Anthony Petts, Sales and Marketing Director ANZ, HTC Corporation.

“We are living in a time where the concept of entertainment has radically changed. The internet is so much more than just email and our customers expect to be able to access the Internet and high quality multimedia content when they are on the move in Australia, or indeed, the world.”

Telstra Consumer, Executive Director, Ms Glenice Maclellan, said the launch of the HTC Touch HD, exclusive to Telstra, gives customers a huge range of useful features to experience Next G™ on the go at its best, like the fastest streaming rates available on any handset for exclusive services such as Mobile FOXTEL from Telstra.

“The combination of this highly featured device with Telstra’s wide range of advanced mobile content and applications like Sensis Search and WhereIs, gives customers opportunities to enjoy all the benefits of the Next G™ network with ease helped by features such as the touch sensitive navigation controls,” she said.

Telstra Product Management, Executive Director, Mr Ross Fielding, said the HTC Touch HD is an exciting addition to the Next G™ mobile range as its superior design will appeal to customers who are looking for a rich multimedia experience on their mobile phone.

“The HTC Touch HD is ideal for customers who use their device to access services like BigPond TV and the Internet - its 3.8 inch wide screen VGA display helps make entertainment on the move a reality in more places across Australia on Telstra’s Next G™ network,” he said.

Getting the most out of the Internet
The large high resolution, widescreen display combined with download speeds bursting up to 16 times faster than original 3G, enables the HTC Touch HD to render websites quickly and in full-page width. This provides a comparable Internet experience to that of home broadband in terms of both speed and page layout. This true mobile broadband experience allows users to navigate more easily, leveraging the mobile internet in a variety of ways. For example, browsing to favourite websites, using Sensis Search to find a restaurant for lunch, watching Mobile FOXTEL from Telstra, searching for and streaming videos from YouTube or even catching up to the minute news, blog posts and video podcasts with the integrated RSS reader, will be more intuitive for consumers familiar with desktop browsing.

No compromise
The HTC Touch HD has been designed for both business and consumer users alike, who demand style and performance and do not think the two are mutually exclusive. The HTC Touch HD is the ideal handset for people who are embracing the mobile multimedia shift but who do not wish to forgo quality, simply by being on the move.

Pricing and Availability
The HTC Touch HD will be available exclusively through Telstra shops and dealers from 10 February 2009. The HTC Touch HD has an RRP of $1499, and is also available for $0 upfront on a $150 member plan with a repayment option of $62.45 per month over 24 months.

About HTC Corporation
Founded in 1997, HTC Corporation (HTC) designs, manufactures and markets innovative, feature rich smartphone and PDA Phone devices.
Since its establishment, HTC has developed strong R&D capabilities, pioneered many new designs and product innovations and launched state-of-the-art PDA Phones and smartphones for mobile operators and distributors in Europe, the US, and Asia. These machines are available as HTC devices and as products individually customized for operator and device partners.

HTC is one of the fastest growing companies in the mobile device market. The company is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange under ticker 2498.

About Telstra
Telstra is Australia's leading telecommunications and information services company, offering a full range of services and competing in all telecommunications markets throughout Australia. Telstra provides more than 9.6 million Australian fixed line and more than 9.4 million mobile services, including 4.4 million 3G services.
Source: http://www.htc.com/www/press.aspx?id=81476&lang=1033