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HTC says no to Android HD2 to aid Windows Mobile

Vendor feels need to 'take care' of MS OS

Despite being the first firm to launch an Android-based smartphone, HTC has hinted that its upcoming HD2 won’t be given a Google OS makeover.

HTC_HD2_001

HTC has downplayed the possibility of an Android-based HD2

Peter Chou, Chief Executive of HTC, boasted to Forbes that although the firm could "technically" make an Android HD2, the company must “take care of Windows Mobile”.

While Chou’s comments don’t rule out the possibility of an Android HD2 altogether, he tried to strengthen his argument for more Windows Mobile-based smartphones by reminding readers that HTC has been a Microsoft partner for 13 years.

The HD2 will undoubtedly be HTC’s flagship phone, for the next few months at least.

Sporting a 4.3in, 480 x 800 display, the HD2 has a 1GHz Qualcomm processor and runs Windows Mobile 6.5 – previewed here. It also includes a 5Mp camera, 7.2Mb/s HSDPA 3G support and 802.11b/g Wi-Fi.

According to online retailer Expansys, the HD2 will be available from 11 November for a SIM-free price of £500 ($827/€557). ®

Latest Comments

HD2 will be their flagship handset

So why cripple it with a decrepit OS?

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MS'll kill it..

They're not stupid. They have to be working on a true replacement for WinMobile, and when it's ready they'll quickly kill WinMobile.

I hope.

They're easily the best with developer support so it'd be nice for them to be there in a competative sense.

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I need a new android phone

Already have an HTC Magic (works well, pleased with it), but will need another android phone for the wife shortly. Makes my choice easier because now I don't have to consider HTC, as I know they're too busy looking after the Microsoft relationship to focus on creating the best android device possible, which is basically what I'm after.

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thirteen years

long enough for the licensing wing to really get their hooks into HTC.

MS as a corporate entity enjoys using its ability to use the stick and the carrot : oh, you're using windows mobile? that great. as a bonus for doing that, we're prepared to extend favourable bulk licensing for your windows workstations. not a problem!

as your business ticks on down the line, your budgetary model adjusts to cheap licensing from MS, and then you decide you're going to sell your flagship models with a competitors software. Of course, thats up to you, says the Mobile rep. We understand. thats fine. Im sure the technical support guys we have working in your company wont have a problem with that, and Im sure your proposed roll-out to window7 across your company network and servers will go smoothly, efficiently, and cheaply, too.

I can see a situations where an under-paranoid CEO suddenly finds its cheaper to lose money on a flagship product than it is to replace microsofts floating contractors, and re-licence all its workstations, servers, and office licence at full retail, and the associated loss in productivity and ancillary revenue while the whole process goes on.

I think google needs something more than free to convince people to leave in these situations.

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To title, or not to title?

It would be interesting if a manufacturer were to offer a phone with a choice of OS for a change.

Then we could see for once and for all which OS the actual end users prefer and then we can do away with all this "taking care of WinMo" rubbish.

WinMo needs to be put out of its misery and be thrown atop the ever expanding pile of MS failures.

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