With the dull roar of frenzied anticipation (okay, that might be over the top, but you know what we mean) surrounding the launch of the
Touch Diamond in all its variants around the globe, why would HTC take a step back in time to get one of its older models approved in a new flavor? Don't get us wrong -- for its day, the
Touch Cruise was one of the hottest Windows Mobile devices going -- but the Touch Diamond has seriously muted an overwhelming majority of the WinMo kit out there, including much of HTC's older lineup. Put head to head, the VGA display and TouchFLO 3D alone are enough to make sure the newer handset spanks the Polaris, but for whatever reason, Mr. Chou and his gang saw fit to repurpose it with HSDPA 850 / 1900 and send it through an FCC lab. We're not sure whether this will end up on a carrier anywhere, but with the front-facing cam, we'd probably rule out AT&T off the bat.
Update: Touche, there's a Touch Cruise already in circulation with 850 / 1900 3G -- but the question remains, why was this just approved? Thanks, everybody!
posted Aug 29th 2008 12:18PM
I think this makes perfect sense if the Touch Diamond is going to cost $300 after rebates. If they can make this available for
I guess the system didn't like my use of the less than sign... Here it is again:
I think this makes perfect sense if the Touch Diamond is going to cost $300 after rebates. If they can make this available for under $100 then it's a nice upgrade from the original Touch but not quite at the Diamond's level. This is exactly what I would get for my wife, given the option. But I'm guessing it won't be available from Sprint nor AT&T, so I'm still looking for something for her.
Odd since the Polaris has always been tri-band HSDPA. I've had mine since January and have been enjoying 3G since day one.
This would be a nice phone for a carrier like U.S. Cellular to offer, since we all know the Diamond won't be with them for atleast another year or so... Nice upgrade from original Touch, which U.S. Cellular just started offering this month.
I see three possibilities for this Touch Cruise:
1. It may be sold as a US unbranded/unlocked version by retailers (NewEgg, TigerDirect, BestBuy, etc.)
2. It may find its way into regional carriers (Viaero, or Centennial or something like that.)
3. It may be destined to Claro of Puerto Rico, who has been releasing outdated devices (like the Treo 750 and the original HTC Touch) for the past four months or so. Phones to be sold in Puerto Rico have to be approved by the same FCC.
Claro's lineup is a lot better than anything here