Does the Touch Pro2 Keyboard Signify the End for HTC and Sony Ericsson?

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By: Chuong Nguyen | Date: 22-Feb-09 | - Comments

Ever since the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1, which we had previously reviewed, was released, there has been rumors that the device, made by HTC, will be the first and last XPERIA device to be made by the Taiwanese firm. Although Sony Ericsson has stated that the firm is committed to releasing other devices in the XPERIA series, future devices may not be made by HTC and other rumors have added that those future models may not be a Windows Phone. Although the X1 was designed and engineered by Sony Ericsson, a partnership between consumer electronics maker Sony and communications specialist Ericsson, the mass production was outsourced to HTC, a company that makes smartphones based on Windows Mobile and Android on their own brand and for other carriers and makers.

The non-aligned QWERTY of the Touch Pro2 closely resembles the keyboard on the
In fact, rumors have it that the reason that HTC hasn't released a candybar QWERTY touchscreen phone is because of the firm's relationship with Palm and the trademark Treo design that utilizes said form factor. Deductive reasoning may have it that the Touch Pro series keyboard that was used for the original Touch Pro (which goes back to the TyTN and TyTN II) was to give client Sony Ericsson some room for differentiation. Specs-wise, the Touch Pro2 and X1 share a lot in common. Did HTC just shove Sony Ericsson under the bus with design and specs cues to signify the end of a relationship that created the X1? Enough with my speculations--sound off!

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