HTC not bringing Touch HD to the States
by Darren Murph 
posted Oct 7th 2008 at 12:32PM
[Via WMExperts, thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Update: We've received official word from HTC that they've been really overwhelmed by the "strong" demand for the HD in the States and other markets where no launch has been planned (with that insane display, it seemed like a no-brainer to us!). Sadly, due to the engineering time required to get a North American 3G version in the pipeline, they say they're better off just waiting until the next round of products launches -- hopefully with some extra bands in the radio this time, eh?
Read - Touch HD not coming to the US
Read - Thanks for the concern
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
rock99rock @ Oct 7th 2008 12:39PM
Although a staple in engadgetmobile, this should be on the main engadget page as well. This was massive news this morning when it broke, and seeing how the HD gallery had been on display on the main site, i dont see how this was not posted there as well. I think a little more awareness might help the "Movement" to bring it here :D
rock99rock @ Oct 7th 2008 12:43PM
Ahh there it is ;)
and BOOM goes the dynomite
genesic @ Oct 14th 2008 1:53PM
I agree. This should be under the "Breaking News" section of Engadgets main page as it was the gallery was on the cycling "ticker"
right above for the LONGEST time!! and seeing the massive audience this phone has (or HAD) i dont understand why Engadget isnt making a bigger deal out of this !?!
regardless, lemme just say, THIS BLOWS. I was itching for the TouchPro since i've had the MDA do me well for the past what, 3 years!? and i saw the TouchPro as a nice upgrade, but then the TOUCH HD seemed like the TRUE worthy succesor. HTC really blew it for me. I singlehandedly convinced over 10 of my friends (literally) to switch to the MDA (or their carrier's counterparts) whn i got mine and was likely going to do the same with this. I was even willing to switch from tmobile's grade A carrier/customer service to a lesser Sprint or Verizon whn i found out wich carrier was getting it!!! I agree, we FLOOD HTC with Tweets for the next 2 months until we get a respectable response I dont buy the re-eningeering angle their throwing out there!! And im starting to side with the conspiracy theorists on the AT&T threats to not carry anymore for fear of iPhone cannabalisation..in short, HTC DROPPED THE BALL, & ENGADGET should be covering this MUCH MORE THOROUGHLY. this is BREAKING NEWS material here!!
gareth @ Oct 7th 2008 12:46PM
Wow that's.... Unfortunate. This model of phone seemed like a slam dunk to so many people, I'm honestly surprised that they decided not to make a US version. Then again,( In the US) with the frustrating feature crippling and wireless tech segregation of so many wireless carriers, Maybe they're holding off until something gets a greater foothold.
Ed @ Oct 7th 2008 12:48PM
F'em! That just sealed the deal on my Crackberry Storm purchase when it hits Verizon!
Frankie @ Oct 7th 2008 12:50PM
I don't see it on engadet.com's home page yet, but anyway, I reassure you, just like my XDA iiS (best phone in the world) it will come to the states, whether it likes it or not. Ain't that right Ebay? Ebay responds: "Damn Right"
MBN @ Oct 7th 2008 7:16PM
Too bad eBay can't drop in a 3G radio that runs on the correct frequencies for T-Mobile US 3G.
Mankato @ Oct 7th 2008 12:56PM
Touch HD is coming to USA as an android device next year. Thats why HTC is not releasing this phone in usa
Stephen @ Oct 7th 2008 12:56PM
Yeah, but at what expense?
Frankie @ Oct 7th 2008 1:01PM
I know what the problem is, it's these stupid market analysts providing them with false statistics about North American buying habits. Think about it: what was the last NA handset (besided the iPhone to have a display > 3.5"? The PPC 6600, which came out about 4 years ago. Just think about it. T-Mobile Europ launched the MDA Pro with a marvelous 3.6" VGA display, NA got the mda (not pro) with a pathetic 2.8" "Q"VGA display! Asia get's the flame, we get the everything but.
I know there is probably more too it than that, but I just felt the sudden need to rant! I'm truely frustrated. Like I said previously; the Touch HD is comming here whether it likes it or not! And it will get modified to meet my needs; just like my German MDA Pro!
Miguel @ Oct 7th 2008 1:53PM
I will bet $$$ ATT told HTC they will never carry any other HTC phones if they released this in the U.S. on any carrier period within the next year.
rock99rock @ Oct 7th 2008 2:40PM
Agreed fellow conspirator.
Riley Freeman @ Oct 7th 2008 1:52PM
if u guys think this has nothing to do with at&t fanboyism of the iphone ur sadly mistaken.
how is it cdma carriers are launching the diamond and touch pro before the gsm version?
AT&T.
LTE will save us all from this type of crap
Chris @ Oct 7th 2008 2:16PM
Storm for Verizon it is....I wonder what RIM paid them ;)?
catbertz @ Oct 7th 2008 2:26PM
I think you're right about the LTE angle. It's getting close to LTE rollout time in product development cycles.
Top Banana @ Oct 7th 2008 2:48PM
So then for the record being on a GSM network in America is only worth it if the manufacturer feels like putting in the proper bands otherwise their phones/PDAs are just as useless as if you were on a CDMA network. So then what is the benfit to GSM if you live in the US
Michael S @ Oct 7th 2008 3:16PM
WTF!!!!
We just had a $700 billion bailout to avoid a horrible resession in which none of us could ever afford a nice smart phone and now HTC smacks us again and tells us the candy machine in our neighborhood isn't getting refilled with new tasty, pretty candy. :(
Brian @ Oct 7th 2008 3:45PM
Seems like a strange business decision to me, they're missing out on a TON of revenue here, especially from those of us who are underwhelmed with the Diamond.
bbrim @ Oct 7th 2008 4:07PM
I saw we continue to tweet flood them for the next month until the G1 drops so that they know we are serious. I think 20,000 unique tweeters should do. What say you?
Forget the next cycle I want this now. Enough with factors outside of customers deciding what is brought to market. Carriers, new standards, and non-compete agreements should not trump consumer demand. I am PISSED!
Steven Perry @ Oct 7th 2008 7:48PM
Oh no!!!!! This cannot be, I was wanting to get rid of my POS Instinct for this phone! Wonder what is next for HTC?!?!
rpatino @ Oct 7th 2008 8:39PM
F... them, too bad for those of us waiting for this device as it looks great, and many of us were awaiting the arrival before the holidays. I can't keep waiting with my POS phone until they decide the US market is good enough for them. I will be going to Verizon to get my blackberry storm before December.
venk @ Oct 8th 2008 12:29AM
lets just hope this means the next version of the HD is due out in the US in roughly the same timeframe as re-engineering a Touch HD would take. Remember, the Diamond only came out a month ago in the US, it would be silly of the to release the HD here right now and we should get the HD 2/Diamond2/Touch Pro 2 next fall in the US (crosses fingers),
Areamobile.de @ Oct 8th 2008 4:45AM
This device is the first one that really deserves the title of an iPhone killer. It feels as nice as Apple, but it's Windows Mobile. I could test it for a review in German:
HTC Touch HD Testbericht
http://www.areamobile.de/tests/HTC_Touch_HD/teil_I.php
We at Areamobile.de also made a video about the HTC Touch HD with English subtitles. To switch them on, please click the red button down right in the Youtube video player. You can find it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHLOYDgwhkE
Crunch @ Oct 8th 2008 6:43PM
Alright, fine. But when can we expect the, IMHO, equally as awesome Sony XPERIA X1???
Is it coming to AT&T? If it doesn't, when can we expect to buy it directly from an online retailer or in a store at full price???
Jon Kepler @ Oct 10th 2008 3:56PM
Areamobile, the lower resolution Touch Diamond still beats the iPhone on screen resolution and a few other things, like actually having copy and paste. And, while you and I don't care, this HD model will no doubt not come close to competing on price, which is unfortunately a factor for a fair number of people.
Eric @ Oct 12th 2008 12:41AM
first y american people had iphone...now we have HTC hd for first..
call it even..
Jeff @ Oct 23rd 2008 8:06AM
If we were really concerned about the quality of american products we would build the factories here and build our phones in America. We americans are too willing to let the Walmart Wall Street wonders send our jobs overseas for short term price concerns. Well this is the result. Compared to the mega populations of the world who now have money to spend due to the factories we gave them, we are a small market. Get used to the prejudice.
NuShrike @ Oct 28th 2008 2:44PM
Another example of whatdriver-HTC giving customers the finger.
Willy @ Nov 1st 2008 2:24AM
Can you really blame HTC for spreading a little disinformation to preserve the Diamond franchise for a few months? All they're really saying is wait one more product cycle for the HD or equivalent successor. I stopped by Sprint in the US today and played with a Diamond for a few minutes. The sales rep had one. Rep liked everything but the small Qwerty keyboard. To me the screen, tho nice, was a bit small - or at least not enough larger to make me upgrade today from my Moto Q. And i didn't like the lack of a card slot. So guess what? I'm holding onto my wallet for now and passing on the Diamond. I'll take a good look at the BB Storm but will wait for now for the HD - unless someone else beats them to the punch on Verizon. My best guess is I'll have an HD or competitive equivalent by the end of April.....