As I've said, it is possible for carriers to disable this (As we've seen in the past), but as far as I can remember this has never occured in a PocketPC/Professional device!

One example is the T-Mobile version of the Artemis with comes sans WiFi hardware

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Either way hopefully we'll get a definitive answer in the next day or two...

Would you credit it? Now HTC are saying it DOES come with WiFi, according to their product sheets.
I think they're trying to lay the blame firmly at the feet of the operators if this thing ships with WiFi disabled.
http://www.europe.htc.com/z/pdf/products/H..._Eng_250907.pdf
Rob.

That product sheet is not to be found if you navigate directly to europe.htc.com and go to the broschures for Touch Dual. The current spec sheet have no mention of wi-fi, and are dated about a week later. So it seems HTC removed wi-fi the the last minute. Such a shame, otherwise I would have bought this phone immediately, but with no wi-fi then absolutely not. I find it very odd that HTC make their phones worse, not better.

That product sheet is not to be found if you navigate directly to europe.htc.com and go to the broschures for Touch Dual. The current spec sheet have no mention of wi-fi, and are dated about a week later. So it seems HTC removed wi-fi the the last minute. Such a shame, otherwise I would have bought this phone immediately, but with no wi-fi then absolutely not. I find it very odd that HTC make their phones worse, not better.

Sadly enough some drawbacks took place as well - for instance, the lack of Wi-Fi and a price higher than the original Touch.

The handset design differs depending on the country. For instance, the Japanese version comes with a regular numeric keyboard similar to most types of phones. Some of the countries will receive shipments of a particular version of the device that supports Wi-Fi. Quite surprisingly, The hardware part of the gadget is closer to that of TyTN II rather than of Touch. Here come the same chipset, the same RAM and ROM specifications and so forth... In the image and likeness of Trinity, Touch II includes a GPS module, however it’s not going to be activated unlike what we saw with the precursor model, most likely due to some other solutions expected to expand the Touch series in an alternate direction.

Furthermore HTC confirmed, that neither the original HTC Touch Dual nor any operator versions will sport WiFi as you might have seen rumored on the web. The explanation is simple: there was no space for WiFi or GPS so it's not an option which carriers can deselect but it's physically not built-in

Source: http://www.theunwired.net/?item=photoview-...bile-smartphone

"There was no space for WiFi or GPS" *cough* bull *cough*.

Did anyone say LG KS20?

Source: http://www.theunwired.net/?item=photoview-...bile-smartphone

"There was no space for WiFi or GPS" *cough* bull *cough*.

Did anyone say LG KS20?

Hardly fair - the LG doesn't have to accomodate a keyboard. Though it does sound like Arne's made that one up (or didn't mean it literally).

The space is obviously there, the chipset too, so why HTC, WHY leave out WiFi?!?! We want GOOD reasons here!

Simply because HTC marketing dept ensure that there is always something missing to make you want to upgrade to the next model. And running two variants to satisfy the network operators (like the Artemis) adds to production and support costs (and hence dents profits). So I suspect the range got rationalised at the last minute when the operators started to sign up.
Personally, I don't think the lack of WiFi is such a big deal on a device such as this. Since I had 3G/HSDPA on a flat rate contract, I can't remember the last time I had to search out an access point and mess about with finding keys etc., then make sure I stay within 30ft of the damn thing. Wherever I am, my phone just downloads whatever it needs OTA, period.

Some users are not on flat rate contracts, and don't need to be if Wifi is available.