Windows Phone Thoughts: HTC Will Ship HSDPA 3G Devices in 2006

". . . HTC will ship devices that support the High Speed Data Packet Access (HSDPA) 3G data-speed booster in H2 2006. . .[It] also revealed that integrated GPS location-sensing technology is on the company's roadmap. HSDPA is currently being tested by Europe's major carriers, and is expected to take download speeds to 1.4Mbps and beyond. O2, for example, has already said its UK-wide commercial HSDPA service will go live Q3 2006. HTC is believed to be working on at least two HSDPA-equipped devices. . . HTC today launched its Europe division, intended to facilitate closer ties with the company's European mobile phone network customers, which include T-Mobile, Orange, O2 and Vodafone. . . . HTC chose the tail end of 2005 to launch its Western office because it is "time to bring a much larger portfolio of devices to Europe". . .

Excellent news. HTC is introducing some great new technologies in the next generation of Pocket PCs. :D I'm sure we can find a use for mobile 1.4Mbps download speeds and GPS is always welcome. The opening of HTC's European centre will also apparently help drive European design values and functionality needs back into their Taiwanese R&D operation. I wonder how the European ideas will differ from the current ones? We all have our personal wish lists for the perfect Pocket PC, so here's hoping that HTC can deliver. Personally I'm hoping that they standardise all their media slots on SD and their connector on USB, but you probably already knew that already. ;-)