Taiwan's High Tech Computer Corp. (HTC), the world's leading provider of Windows Mobile-based devices, recently launched the world's first tri-band third-generation (3G) Widows Mobile Pocket PC (the TyTN) and 3G smartphone (the MteoR) under its own “HTC” brand.

Even as it promotes products carrying its own brand, the company insists that it will continue to support customer-branded products, supplying its new branded items to distributors and operators that do not carry customer-branded products.

“We're delighted to see HTC launching the TyTN and MteoR devices under its new HTC brand, which will further boost its record of innovation on the Windows Mobile platform,” said Pieter Knook, senior vice president of the Microsoft Corp.'s Mobile & Embedded Devices Division. “These devices are defining a whole new category of phones and a range of entertainment and productivity options, and the HTC brand brings more choice to Windows Mobile customers in a rapidly growing and increasingly diverse mobile market.”

The wealth of features that come with the TyTN bring an ultimate “office in your pocket” experience to business users on the move. Connectivity options that make data transfer simple at all times and places include tri-band UMTS 3G (allowing users to roam across Europe, the United States, and Asia), GSM, GPRS, EDGE, WiFi, Bluetooth, and a mini-USB port.

Designed with easy messaging in mind, the TyTN incorporates Direct Push e-mail technology (available with Windows 5.0); Internet browsing; synchronization with Microsoft Outlook Calendar, Contacts, and e-mail; and the ability to work on applications in the Microsoft Office suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF document viewing.

The product comes with a slide-out, ergonomic QWERTY keyboard and 2.8-inch touch-screen display. It also has a jog wheel for easy one-hand operation.

The TyTN can easily be synced to a PC to download music, video, and pictures, storing them on a micro-SD card. And it has a 2-megapixel camera with micro mode, on-screen controls, and digital still camera functionality, plus a second camera for video telephony. The device weighs 180 grams and is extremely compact in size.

The MteoR also features Windows Mobile 5.0 Direct Push technology for the immediate synchronization of e-mail, calendar, and notes, plus a document viewer for PDF, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It is designed to satisfy the needs of people on the move who want to carry only one small device.

The product can store and play back music, video, and pictures. It has a 2.2-inch TFT LCD screen and a built-in 1.3-megapixel camera.

HTC, a company that is behind many of the most popular branded mobile devices and that has established strong partnership relations with numerous mobile brands in Europe, the U.S., and Asia, reports that both new models will be available throughout Europe beginning in late July.

“We have a rich heritage of innovation and aim for our products to continue being the devices of choice on the Microsoft Windows Mobile platform,” comments HTC's CEO, Peter Chou. “Our operator and OEM strategy remain the key to our success, and we're committed to further strengthening our partner relationships by providing customized and differentiated products.”

The CEO adds that the company needs to strengthen its European presence by developing a multi-channel support package to help retail, distribution, and other partners there maximize market opportunities. This package will include dedicated customer support, product training and toolkits, and online and marketing support.

“We're known for our relentless dedication to innovation, smart mobility, and the convergence of business applications and consumer functionality,” Chou states. “We aim to continually develop new products that empower users on the go, providing more freedom in the way they live their lives.”