MWC 2008: HTC releases more details on enhanced (sexed up) HTC Advantage (Athena)

[Guest Paul (MVP)]

[teaser]This just in from HTC detailing the new, enhanced and considerably sexier HTC Advantage. Pictures are also included below (more after the jump for front page viewers)! I have to say, it seems like a very worthy update, a significant overhaul even! lol @ 'future version of Windows Mobile', clearly this will be the (still officially unannounced WinMo 6.1) :)

We'll be getting a hands on this week of course (assuming it's here), and i'm hopeful it'll address my biggest criticism of the original advantage, the poor keyboard!

P

HTC Introduces Enhanced HTC Advantage™

New applications, keyboard and storage capacity expand user experience

BARCELONA — Feb. 11, 2008 – Today at the 2008 GSMA Mobile World Congress, HTC Corp. (TAIEX: 2498; “HTC”), the world’s leading provider of Microsoft Windows Mobile® smart devices, announced an updated version of the HTC Advantage™ that introduces new software, increased storage and an improved keyboard. The HTC Advantage™ is an ideal companion for the business traveller who needs a powerful and portable device that includes constant connectivity.

Developed from the ground up to be extremely portable, yet powerful, the HTC Advantage™ integrates a broad set of features into a compact and innovative design. Based on a future version of Windows Mobile, the updated HTC Advantage™ includes a customized HTC Home today screen that provides one-touch access to emails, text messages, missed calls, calendar appointments and contacts, as well as current weather conditions and forecasts for hundreds of cities around the world.

The HTC Advantage™ features HTC’s TouchFLO™ software which enhances finger touch scrolling and browsing of Web pages, documents, messages and contact lists. The Advantage™ will also include Opera Mobile 9 and Google Maps for mobile.

In addition to the many software enhancements, the HTC Advantage™ also adds a variety of new and improved hardware features including 16GB of storage, a new improved keyboard with haptic feedback and an updated version of VueFLO™ using a G-sensor that recognises the screen orientation of the device for optimal customer usage.

“Having established broader boundaries for mobile computing with the first HTC Advantage a year ago, we are introducing a wealth of new enhancements focused on improving the overall touch screen and keyboard user experience,” said Peter Chou, president and CEO of HTC. “Our goal with the HTC Advantage is to provide a small connected mobile computing device that will replace notebook PCs on daily commutes or short trips.”

With its innovative built-in video output capability, the HTC Advantage™ empowers its users with freedom to make presentations anywhere. Users can run presentations directly via the projector and TV output. Its 5-inch VGA colour touch screen and innovative, magnetic QWERTY keyboard are ideal not just for editing Microsoft Office documents, but also for enjoying leisure time. Users can watch videos, browse the web, use instant Outlook push e-mail, synchronize their contacts, tasks and calendar, and navigate anywhere with inbuilt GPS and TomTom NAVIGATOR 6.

Offering a complete package of connectivity, the HTC Advantage™ offers a wide variety of Wireless connectivity options such as Tri-band HSPDA, Wi-Fi® and stereo Bluetooth® 2.0 connectivity.

The updated HTC Advantage™ will be available in March in select countries across Europe.

The Full product spec is as follows:

Product name - HTC Advantage™ (X7510)

Size - 133.5 x 98 x 16 mm (additional 4.75mm for keyboard)

Weight - 290g + 85g for keyboard

Networks - WCDMA/HSDPA: 850/1900/2100 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz

Operating system - Future Version of Windows Mobile®

Display - 5-inch VGA with touch screen

Camera - 3.1 megapixel with auto focus, VGA for video calling

Internal memory - 256 MB + 16 GB flash; 128 MB RAM

Memory card - miniSD™

WLAN - 802.11b/g

Bluetooth® 2.0

GPS

Interface - HTC ExtUSB™ (mini-USB and audio jack in one; USB 2.0 High-Speed); HTC 16 pin port (USB 1.1 host, TV/VGA out); 3.5mm audio jack with microphone

Battery - 2100 mAh

Talk time - WCDMA: up to 300 minutes* GSM: up to 360 minutes*

Standby time - WCDMA: up to 300 hours* GSM: up to 300 hours*

Special feature - Detachable QWERTY Keyboard with Haptic feedback; document printing; G sensor

Chipset - Marvell PXA270 624 MHz; Qualcomm® MSM6275

[/teaser]

[Guest Monolithix]

Looks like the keyboard may actually be usable this time round!

[Guest magic_peanuts]

For me the Athena is the one device that I really wanted to fit my needs but didn't.

The weird thing is, this Athena will make no difference, but I'll buy it anyway - that new keyboard is looking very alluring.

[Guest Mind_Rx]

i wonder when it will be available

[Guest micaels]

Anyone know if the new keyboard will work on the old athena?

[Guest xorangefirex]

Looks absolutely fantastic. This is what the ADV should have been. I'm really anticipating this device. Great work HTC.

[Guest squilla]

Phwoar! That keyboard looks gorgeously sexy! Was thinking about the Shift next time around but may stick with the Ameo now they have sorted the keyboard out. It looks much slicker! Cant wait to see how this goes!

Cheers Paul, you've made my day! :)

Edited to say, I just noticed its lost a few buttons, losing the 3 on the front slickens up the look of it and I never use them anyway but why lose the Comm Manager button / voice dial and application launching, its a handy button when your driving, hmmmm.

Edited February 11, 2008 by squilla

[Guest wu shiyu]

I think , that will be very expensive.

[Guest GS 059]

I really want to get this when it comes out...