"Building upon the iconic design of the first HTC Touch Diamond, the HTC Touch Diamond2 is a full touchscreen device with a 3.2 inch WVGA display that incorporates a new touch sensitive zoom bar. The device uses HTC's latest HTC TouchFLO 3D technology which has been even more deeply integrated into Windows Mobile 6.1. Additional specifications are below..."

First impressions? I love the look of this phone! It seems pretty similar to the previous generation Touch Diamond though in terms of specs, though it's larger (in a good way). The processor is a Qualcomm MSM7200ATM 528 MHz, the OS is Windows Mobile 6.1 (why not 6.5? just wait...), memory is 512 MB ROM and 288 MB RAM. Unlike the previous generation Touch Diamond, this one features a microSD memory card slot - too bad it's not SDXC compatible, I guess we'll have to "make due" with 32 GB of storage. Dimensions? 4.25 X 2.09 X 0.54 inches (HxWxT). Weight? 4.15 ounces (with battery). The display is a much bigger 3.2 inch TFT-LCD WVGA (480x800) touchscreen - love that resolution! Another big jump is in the camera: the Touch Diamond2 now boasts a 5 megapixel autofocus camera. Question is, will it be decent? HTC cameras in the past have tended to be rather shoddy - let's hope this one is an improvement. The whole lot is powered by a 1100mAh LiIon battery. Will that be enough to get decent run-time from that bigger, higher-resolution screen? We'll see.

After the break, the Touch Pro2 - and new software additions from HTC dubbed "Push Internet" (looks like pre-fetch caching of favourite pages), and "Straight Talk", an integrated email, voice, and speakerphone experience. When you flip the Touch Pro2 over it turns into a conference room speakerphone system. Sweet!

"Also building on its namesake, the HTC Touch Pro2 incorporates a sizeable 3.6 inch WVGA touchscreen and a large QWERTY keyboard for heightened productivity. In addition to using the latest HTC TouchFLO 3D technology and people-centric communication approach, the HTC Touch Pro2 is the first device to use HTC's new Straight Talk technology which makes transitioning between an email to a call a breeze. With Straight Talk, an endless email string can be converted to a quick conference call with the push of a button. Additional specifications are below..."

Is that one hot looking device or what? Looks like HTC has brought back the tilt-factor. Some people use it all the time, I never did on my AT&T Tilt. Here's the juicy bits: Qualcomm MSM7200ATM 528 MHz, Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, 512 MB ROM, 288 MB RAM, microSD memory card. Dimensions are 4.57 X 2.33 X 0.68 inches (HxWxT), weight is 6.17 ounces (with battery). The display is a 3.6 inch TFT-LCD WVGA (480x800) touchscreen. The camera is 3.2 megapixel with autofocus. Powering this beast is a 1500mAh LiIon battery. All in all, looks like a pretty solid device.

Above: The HTC Touch Diamond2

Above: The HTC Touch Pro2

NEW HTC TOUCH DIAMOND2 AND HTC TOUCH PRO2 SIGNAL A NEW WAVE IN COMMUNICATION

"New phones simplify information access with HTC Push Internet and unify personal communication with single-view contact integration

BARCELONA - Feb 16, 2009 - HTC Corporation, a global designer of mobile phones, today unveiled two new flagship devices, the HTC Touch Diamond2 and HTC Touch Pro2. Integrating innovative simplicity with unique style and an intuitive interface, the devices balance function, form and cutting-edge technology to personalize the communication and mobile Internet experience.

"The HTC Touch Pro2 and HTC Touch Diamond2 introduce a mobile communication experience that simplifies how we communicate with people in our lives whether through voice, text or email," said Peter Chou, president and CEO, HTC Corp. "HTC is delivering the latest, cutting-edge sophistication in a broad portfolio of mobile phones that improve how people live, work and communicate."

HTC TOUCHFLO 3D INTEGRATED WITH WINDOWS MOBILE

The HTC Touch Diamond2 and HTC Touch Pro2 utilize HTC's latest TouchFLO 3D interface. TouchFLO 3D has been more deeply integrated into a customized version of Windows Mobile 6.1 to deliver more consistency throughout Windows Mobile applications and menus. Focused on making navigation easier and more intuitive, TouchFLO 3D brings important information to the top-level user interface, including quick access to people, messaging, email, photos, music and weather. As part of this improved Windows Mobile integration the touch focus areas have been enlarged to be more finger-touch friendly.

BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER

With the HTC Touch Diamond2 and HTC Touch Pro2, HTC is introducing a new people-centric communication approach, providing a single contact view that displays the individual conversation history of contacts regardless of whether voice, text or email were used. This can be viewed from the contact card or the in-call screen during a phone conversation, ensuring the latest communication contact-by-contact is always at hand.

SIMPLIFYING HOW PEOPLE ACCESS THEIR INFORMATION

Continuing its commitment to making the mobile Internet easier and more enjoyable, the HTC Touch Diamond2 and HTC Touch Pro2 introduce HTC's Push Internet technology. HTC Push Internet alleviates slow downloading and rendering of Web pages on a mobile phone. Users can preselect their favorite Websites to get immediate access to them when needed.

HTC TOUCH DIAMOND2

The HTC Touch Diamond2 is the next step in the evolution of the successful HTC Touch Diamond. Crafted to fit perfectly into the hand, the Touch Diamond2 evolves the compact design and iconic style of the original HTC Touch Diamond. It incorporates a larger 3.2-inch high-resolution wide-screen VGA display for a greater viewing area in a design just 13.7mm thick. The phone also includes a new touch sensitive zoom bar for even faster zooming of Web pages, emails, text messages, photos or documents.

Leveraging HTC's TouchFLO 3D experience combined with a people-centric communication approach and HTC's new Push Internet technology The Touch Diamond2 offers an advanced touch experience that is optimized for one-hand use.

With fifty-percent better battery life, a five mega-pixel auto focus camera, expandable memory, gravity sensor and an ambient light sensor, the Touch Diamond2 brings the most sophisticated capabilities to a broad consumer audience looking for the professional benefits of a smartphone without sacrificing size, looks or functionality.

HTC TOUCH PRO2

Designed for business professionals, the HTC Touch Pro2 is architected with distinct style and strength while delivering the most powerful productivity experience available on a mobile phone. Leveraging HTC's TouchFLO 3D, people-centric communication and Push Internet technology, the Touch Pro2 features a high-resolution 3.6-inch widescreen VGA display for an expanded viewing area and large finger-friendly QWERTY keyboard. With improved battery life, expandable memory, a touch-sensitive zoom bar as well as gravity, proximity and ambient light sensors, the Touch Pro2 is optimized for touch as well as heavy email use.

INTRODUCING HTC STRAIGHT TALK FOR HTC TOUCH PRO2

The new HTC Touch Pro2 leverages voice in a new way to create one of the most sophisticated communication experiences found on a mobile phone. HTC's new Straight Talk technology delivers an integrated email, voice and speakerphone experience. Users can transition seamlessly from email to single or multi-party conference calls and turn any location into a conference room.

In addition to the new simplified calling experience, Straight Talk includes an innovative mechanical and acoustic design that features a sophisticated speakerphone experience similar to those found in corporate boardrooms. Straight Talk delivers a high-fidelity voice and sound experience enhanced by asymmetric speakers and advanced noise suppression with full duplex acoustics. When the Touch Pro2 is flipped over it automatically turns into a conference room speakerphone system.

Availability

The HTC Touch Diamond2 will be available to customers across major European and Asian markets in early Q2 2009 with broader global availability coming later in the year. The Touch Pro2 will be available across major global markets beginning in early summer.

About HTC

Founded in 1997, HTC Corporation (HTC) is a global leader in mobile phone innovation and design. Since its establishment, HTC has developed strong R&D capabilities, pioneered many new designs and product innovations and launched state-of-the-art mobile phones for mobile operators and distributors in Europe, the US, Asia and around the world. 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. For more information about HTC, please visit www.htc.com."