AT&T adds a new model to its line of smartphones, with
the release of the HTC Fuze. The release is basically a re-edition of the HTC
Touch Pro, with a twist. It features a touchscreen and a slide-out full QWERTY
keyboard, but it can also make and receive calls in more than 200 countries and
offers push-to-talk capabilities. The HTC Fuze is well connected, with
quad-band GSM/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900MHz) support in addition to tri-band
UMTS/HSDPA (850/1900/2100MHz) support.
"The HTC Fuze, with its array of connectivity features,
provides our customers with the ability to choose the manner in which they
communicate using the form factor they deem most appropriate at a given moment
- all in a very attractive and sleek package," explained Mr. Michael
Woodward, VP of smart devices for AT&T Wireless, in a statement, adding
that "It's a fantastic addition to AT&T's industry-leading Windows
Mobile smartphone portfolio."
The phone has integrated Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity, allowing
access to corporate e-mail and also ensuring complete Internet browsing. It
also features mobile versions for Microsoft Excel, OneNote, PowerPoint, and
Word through HTC’s TouchFlo 3D user interface. It has a built-in assisted GPS,
a 2.0 Bluetooth version and a 3.2 megapixels camera.
The Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional operating system ensures
an easy access to all of its features, integrating extremely well the e-mail,
contacts, calendar and to-do list.
The device presents a smooth, glossy black finish with a
faceted backplate. It has a 262,000-color, 2.8-inch, 480-by-640 VGA touchscreen
with touch-sensitive navigation control and three-dimensional animated
transitions. AT&T stated that the phone’s 1340
mAh battery will easily deliver either 7.4 hours of talk time or 19.3 days of
stand-by time.
Users can easily access AT&T’s Mobile Music services,
which include content from eMusic, XM Radio Mobile and many others. Access is
also provided to video clips like news, sports, weather, entertainment, HBO
mobile and more using video streaming. There is also the option for full-length
streaming video which can be selected by accessing MobiTV.
The price announced by AT&T is of $299.99 after signing a
two-year contract with the carrier. Voice plans start at $39.99 per month,
while monthly enterprise data plans start at $45 and personal data plans start
at $30, offering an option for every consumer need.
This is HTC’s third release for the touchscreen segment,
after its Touch Diamond and its Touch Pro. All these new products are looking
to challenge the iPhone 3G’s position on the market, but so far none of them
managed to do so, as its appeal keeps the public’s interest strong. Another
highly anticipated release is RIM’s new BlackBerry Storm, which will be the
company’s first touchscreen smartphone and it is expected to cause some waves
in the market. The end of the year is considered a very good moment for
releasing new products, especially electronics, as they make great and
accessible gifts. Even though this holiday season might record significantly
lower sales than in the past years, it should still represent a good moment for
the companies that took the time to prepare a good promotion campaign for their
products.
