Xmas hangover: Smartphones launches continue

Though the calendar may say mid-March, the bounty of new mobile devices hitting the market recently would seem to indicate late December is just around the corner.
This week alone has seen T-Mobile USA Inc. officially announce a launch date for the highly anticipated HTC Corp. HD2 that the carrier will begin selling on March 24 for the now standard price of $200 after rebates and with a 2-year contract and a required data package.
The device’s main draw is its 4.3-inch touchscreen that out “inches” every other smartphone currently on the market. T-Mobile USA seems intent on taking advantage of this extra real estate by including copies of the movies “Transformers” and “Transformers 2” on the device, a Blockbuster application that will allow users to download movies directly to the handset using Wi-Fi and Barnes & Nobile’s electronic book application.
The device runs Microsoft Corp.’s Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system, is compatible with T-Mobile USA’s 3G network and is powered by Qualcomm Inc.’s 1 GHz Snapdragon
While T-Mobile USA is set to add a new high-end smartphone to its portfolio, the carrier’s quasi-exclusiveness on offering Google Inc.’s Nexus One smartphone has come to an end. The Nexus One, which is manufactured by HTC, launched earlier this year as both an unlocked GSM device selling for an unsubsidized price of $530 as well as a subsidized unlocked model through T-Mobile USA for $180. Regardless of the method selected, both devices included 3G support that was only compatible with T-Mobile USA’s use of the AWS spectrum band and thus the quasi-exclusiveness of the offer.
The initial device would support voice and data usage on AT&T Mobility’s network, though data and voice traffic would route through the carrier’s GSM/GPRS/EDGE network.
However, as of yesterday, the Nexus One is now available with a radio compatible with AT&T Mobility’s 3G network and HSPA 7.2 capabilities. The device is also now available to customers in Canada for use on Rogers Wireless’ network. (The device lacks the HSPA+ enhancements that would allow the device to work on such networks recently launched in Canada by Telus Mobility and Bell Canada.)
Those looking to acquire the newly-enhanced Nexus One will have to dig a bit deeper into their pockets as Google is currently only selling the device as an unlocked model priced at the $530 level. This will however allow AT&T Mobility customers, as well as those on Rogers Wireless, to more directly compare the Nexus One with Apple Inc.’s iPhone, that is available exclusively in the U.S. through AT&T Mobility.
Google is still on track to unveil a Nexus One compatible with Verizon Wireless’ network this spring as well as a model to be sold in Europe though Vodafone Group plc also set for spring.