You all probably remember the huge success of the HTC Touch, where actually HTC solf 1 milllion units in 5 months [ref01]. Both de mass consumermarket as well as the business market liked the device because of it’s break-through formfactor and TouchFLO interface.

This week two new devices leaked to continue the HTC Touch-saga, namely the HTC Opal and the HTC Touch HD. The HTC Opal has a similar casing like its predecessor, but the device has a Windows Mobile 6.1 ROM onboard. The other specifications look rather similar, the device is positioned as a low-entry device, so the pricepoint should be really interesting.

The second device has still the “touch” in its naming, where the characters HD are added. Pocket PC Thoughts has a really nice description for the HTC Touch HD, while for additional info and visual size comparisons you should check out Modaco [ref01]:

What you see on-screen is an HTC Touch HD sized the same as an iPhone 3G, but with so much more: a 480 x 800 (WVGA) touch screen, a Qualcomm 7201A 528MHz CPU, 288MB RAM, 512MB ROM, HSDPA connectivity, GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a 5.0-megapixel camera (sans flash, unfortunately), a microSD slot, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional. Word on the street is it’ll be here before Christmas. [ref05]

Both the devices are interesting due to its positioning. With the whole hype around the “touch-based” devices HTC might persue to get some market share in the “budget market”, where Nokia has some large share in Europe.

The HTC Touch HD is a real nice competitor for the Samsung Omnia, and the WVGA screen really is a unique selling point. Also it might be a competitor for Apple’s iPhone since the physical appearance shows anologies.

With a 3.5 mm headphone jack it also has good music player capabilities, so I could think of a version without a GSM module and a large ammount of flash memory added.

Concluding I would like to recommend to check out the additional eye candy on Modaco !!

UPDATE:

According to Windows Mobile Italy, the HTC Opal is officially called HTC Viva. There are also some real nice pictures available as well as a data- / specificationsheet !!

Reference list:

1. MODACO:  Introducing… the HTC Touch HD
2. PHONEMAG:  Rumor: HTC Opal is HTC Touch follow up
3. CRACKBERRY:  HTC Touch HD
4. THEUNWIRED: UNVEILED: HTC Opal Windows Mobile Smartphone sighted
5. POCKETPCTHOUGHTS: HTC Touch HD makes an early appearance
6. ENGADGET:  HTC Touch shipments hit the million mark in five months
7. WINDOWS MOBILE ITALY:  HTC Touch Viva: this is the official name of the HTC Opal *NEW*