MWC: T-Mobile Windows Mobile 6.5 HTC HD2 to Come With Bundled Extras

T-Mobile has stated that there would be some surprises for the launch of the HTC HD2 on US shores, and indeed the company has announced that the Windows Mobile 6.5 device with a capacitive touchscreen will come with some extra software and goodies that will make it enticing, despite a late release, which is now slated for Spring 2010. The device will come with Blockbuster On-Demand for downloading and viewing movies–nice touch to combat the iTunes ecosystem on the iPhone and awaiting Windows Phone 7 Series’ Zune integration–a Barnes & Noble eReader application (which makes it odd to see a Borders logo on the leaked eReader tab on Sense UI), a 16 GB micro SDHC card pre-loaded with the Transformers movie, and complimentary 6 months of Gogo in-flight WiFi service for the traveling business customers.

Given the precarious timing of the HTC HD2 announcement for T-Mobile USA, we’re wondering if Windows Mobile users looking at the HTC HD2 from a few months ago would jump the gun “this spring” or wait for later in the year with the arrival of Windows Phone 7 Series? Tough questions.

(via: Engadget)

Press Release:

T-Mobile USA’s HTC HD2 to Bring a Never-Before-Seen Mobile Experience to Entertainment Fans Across the U.S.

T-Mobile to Deliver a Multimedia Powerhouse With Content From Barnes & Noble, BLOCKBUSTER, MobiTV and Paramount Pictures on the Largest Screen on a Smartphone

BARCELONA, Spain, and BELLEVUE, Wash. – Feb. 16, 2010 – During a press conference at Mobile World Congress today, T-Mobile USA, Inc. announced the creation of a comprehensive mobile entertainment experience for the upcoming HTC HD2, available exclusively in the U.S. from T-Mobile this spring. Offering the largest touch screen on a smartphone in the U.S., the new HTC HD2 will come ready with access to millions of eBooks, movies, television programs and more.

The slim and sleek HTC HD2 comes equipped with an industry-leading, high-resolution 4.3-inch capacitive touch display, a blazing-fast 1GHz Snapdragon™ by Qualcomm processor, and support for T-Mobile’s high-speed 3G network for a fast mobile data experience. Designed by HTC, the HTC HD2 is also the first Windows phone with HTC Sense™.

“T-Mobile is committed to offering innovative solutions to connect, inspire and entertain our customers through the power of mobile technology,” said George Harrison, vice president, marketing product innovation, T-Mobile USA. “By combining leading innovation in the world of entertainment with the large screen and processing power of the HTC HD2, we’ve created a unique and powerful mobile entertainment experience.”

Consumers will have access to a complete entertainment package consisting of pre-loaded content and new pre-installed applications. In addition to the device’s array of built-in multimedia applications, the HTC HD2’s top entertainment features include the following:

• Barnes & Noble eReader application puts the world’s largest eBookstore in your hand with access to more than a million eBooks, newspapers, magazines and your Barnes & Noble digital library everywhere you go. Enjoy reading on the largest screen available for eReader smartphone software.

• BLOCKBUSTER on Demand® application is for discovering and downloading the hottest new releases on the go. Blockbuster’s first-ever video download application on a smartphone allows consumers to buy a movie on one device and watch on another connected device through Blockbuster’s library.

• MobiTV mobile application offers consumers access to live and on-demand TV on their phone – including news, sports and entertainment. Favorite channels such as MTV, NBC, COMEDY CENTRAL, ESPN and more are available for HTC HD2 consumers to watch at home or away. Plus, when HTC HD2 consumers subscribe to MobiTV, their first 30 days of service are free.

• Paramount Pictures’ popular films “Transformers” and “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” come pre-loaded on the device’s memory card and optimized for viewing on the HTC HD2’s high-resolution screen.

• Gogo® Inflight Internet service offers consumers who purchase the HTC HD2 an added bonus: up to six months of free in-flight Wi-Fi access on their device, with Internet access on 2,500 daily flights in the continental U.S. and growing.

“With an ultrafast 1GHz processor, crisp, vivid 4.3-inch screen and the hallmark HTC Sense user experience, the HTC HD2 represents the ultimate fusion of power and usability,” said Jason Mackenzie, vice president of HTC America. “By building on this highly capable platform with a wide range of mobile entertainment options, HTC is helping deliver a multimedia powerhouse to people looking to enhance their on-the-go lifestyle.”

“Windows phones offer flexibility for people who want to get the most out of life – work and play – with no compromises,” said Andy Lees, senior vice president, Mobile Communication Business, Microsoft Corp. “The HTC HD2 is an ideal phone for people who are always on the go as it gives access to the things they care about most. Whether it’s music, TV, Internet or e-mail, they have what they want, when they want it.”

In addition to the comprehensive entertainment features of the device, the HTC HD2 delivers advanced phone features including Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system, GPS functionality with access to turn-by-turn navigation from TeleNav GPS Navigator™, a Web browser, a pre-installed 16 GB microSD card, and an advanced 5 megapixel autofocus camera with dual LED flash for capturing images, even in dim conditions.

Availability

The HTC HD2 is expected to be available in the U.S. exclusively to T-Mobile customers this spring. More details will be available at http://www.sticktogether.com/htchd2.

3G coverage is not available everywhere. For information about T-Mobile’s 3G service, device features, or the offers and services mentioned, see T-Mobile.com.