Last time we spoke to HTC on the subject, they'd told us that there wasn't -- and to the best of their knowledge, there would never be -- a
Touch HD that supported 3G on the 850 and 1900MHz bands. For Windows Mobile fans in the New World, that depressing realization has been like a knife through the heart since the WVGA monster's September reveal. But hey, hold up a second, because the Blackstone's (HTC's internal name for the HD) service manual just got outed, seemingly suggesting that there's another version of the phone floating around that supports North American 3G. It's hard to say whether this phone exists and was canceled, never left the drawing board, or is simply yet to be announced -- CES, perhaps? -- but a fan can dream. [Warning: PDF link]
[Via
wmpoweruser.com]
Update: We've heard back from HTC on the matter, and the company is reiterating the same stance it always has: "There are no plans to launch a version other than the 900/2100 model on the market today." Come on, guys, please? We've been extra good this year, honest.
posted Dec 19th 2008 at 12:00PM
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jas @ Dec 19th 2008 12:19PM
Has the TouchHD been de-constructed to find out if the onboard chips might support North American bands but just not "enabled" ?
I wonder..........
ByronGman @ Dec 19th 2008 12:24PM
Chris Ziegler you ARE Santa Claus!!!
Chris Ziegler @ Dec 19th 2008 12:25PM
Ho ho ho.
Who Knows @ Dec 19th 2008 1:48PM
It's not polite to call names Chris, even if they are spelled wrong.
:p
xnifex @ Dec 19th 2008 12:35PM
the kaiser manual said the same with the tmobile aws bands & that never came to light, so i won't hold my breath.
MrLegend @ Dec 19th 2008 12:43PM
Keyboardless (touch) windows mobile phones will be great when and if WinMo 7 comes out...
@ the moment all they do is frustrate me w/ the impossible on-screen keyboard..
BananaBoat @ Dec 19th 2008 1:32PM
Have you tried touch screen typing on the HD? I want one, but I fear not being able to type on it. A business phone becomes pretty darn useless when you can't quickly text/type e-mails/etc.
NuShrike @ Dec 19th 2008 12:54PM
We all know HTC has been purposely region locking its devices to guarantee NA carrier exclusivity and protection. The free-wheeling Kaiser days established these radios are not hardware limited.
Jonathan @ Dec 19th 2008 1:01PM
It wouldn't surprise me that one would come out and they just didn't want to say to get people like me to get a Fuze. By the it would come out, if it does, I will probably be ready for an upgrade.
Nate @ Dec 19th 2008 1:02PM
Rename Vote:
A. HTC Tease
B. HTC Bigfoot
C. HTC Wraith
D. HTC Joker
Bryan W @ Dec 19th 2008 11:37PM
@ Nate
E: HTC Duke Nukem Forever
Maikel @ Dec 19th 2008 1:08PM
Why is it so hard for them to make the phone a true world phone like the iPhone ? With quadband GSM and triband 3G.
Neejay @ Dec 19th 2008 1:20PM
It's all about money and marketing.
mark @ Dec 19th 2008 1:47PM
there's an option on the HD to change the setting to 850/1900 3G but it wont connect to the 3G network. i think that it is locked, i think a ROM flash will do the job but no one has figure it out yet.
David @ Dec 19th 2008 2:40PM
THis is one phone I woud buy unlocked and unsubsidized(or the T*Omnia). Please someone cook-up a ROM and enable at&t 3G.
slamEVIL @ Dec 19th 2008 6:23PM
i'm right there with you on both! in fact, if it is true that this will work with NA 3g i will buy this come tax time ;)
Nal @ Dec 19th 2008 9:11PM
Even if they do release this do you guys realize how much it will still cost? Look at the X1(a), it's 600-700 freaking dollars. You might as well port one from overseas.
azhiker @ Dec 19th 2008 9:37PM
I can only imagine that HTC will keep making new and improved phones... but the size factor of a larger screen like the HD is simply a rarity. I'd am holiidng out for a 4" touch phone. Anythng smaller in screen size is hard on older eyes and big fingers. Yes suc a phone may be expensive, so it must come with a service contract to keep the cost down. So I wait ...
Emenari O. @ Dec 20th 2008 3:26PM
God help us all!! I bet Santa can talk to HTC into bringing that phone to the states. Either that or he'll beat it out of them.
Mark @ Dec 19th 2008 11:49PM
I really like my HTC Touch HD, but since I'm on T-mobile it's not a huge deal that 3G isn't available. If it were I'd be wanting it a bit more. It seems that many people over at xda think that the hardware will allow it, it's just locked out.
Relle @ Dec 23rd 2008 3:21AM
Mark...I am also with Tmobile and would like to purchase the Touch HD. Where did you get yours and how is the call quality?
Thanks!
Mark @ Dec 23rd 2008 2:31PM
I got mine on ebay from a place in Florida. The call quality is great, the only thing that isn't perfect soundwise is if I have the phone hooked up to my audio system, but it's still good.