At the HTC Touch Diamond launch in South Africa, I had the opportunity to have a little chat with Kevin Chen, General Manager of HTC for MEA and CIS. Besides having an in-depth explanation on the innovations that the Touch Diamond brings, Chen told me that HTC is planning to unveil a device with Google Android Operating System by Q4 of this year, and a Windows Mobile 7 by Q1 of next year, atleast that’s what’s on the planned release schedule from HTC.
Yes, that’s me on the left with a piece of confetti hanging from my suit, and at my right is Kevin Chen, General Manager of HTC for MEA and CIS.
When I asked Chen about details on the device carrying Google Android, he refused to speak about it, but the only thing he would tell me about the Windows Mobile 7 device is that it should be released in Q1 next year. This leaves me with two conclusions: HTC has a Google Android-powered device ready-ish and they are very confident that it should be out in the market by the end of this year. On the Microsoft side, HTC doesn’t seem to sure when the phone will be announced, but only when it should be announced, in other words, they aren’t sure of what’s happening with the Windows Mobile 7 product but they are hoping it gets to the market early next year. AWg has already leaked a roadmap which states that a Windows Mobile 7 device should be announced on their side by the end of this year.
I also enquired about their partnership with both Microsoft and Google. I mean, HTC is going to be implementing both arch-competitors’ operating systems on their phones, how can this relationship last? Well, the General Manager told me that their partnership with both companies is going to last, and they are not going to dump anyone (that would be dumping Microsoft for Google.)
During the week we will publish our special hands-on review of the HTC Touch Diamond at the launch in South Africa.
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