The HTC HD2 launched at the end of 2009 and it made a big impact thanks to its 4.3 inch screen and slate-like slimness. Now its manufacturer is replacing the ageing Windows Mobile 6.5 platform with Android, as well as tweaking other hardware aspects.
The Android edition of the HD2 will be called the HTC Evo and it will hold the impressive title of being the world’s first smartphone to work on 3G networks but also moonlight as a 4G handset.
The HTC Evo will have the same 1GHz processor as the HD2, but now HTC has promised to integrate an 8 megapixel camera into the package, which will be the first time it has offered such advanced photographic technology.
The camera will shoot video in high definition and the Evo will sport an HDMI output to allow you to view the clips on a high-definition TV.
HTC is likely to skin Android 2.1 with its own Sense interface and social networking support will be comprehensive, allowing full tweeting privileges.
The retail version of the HTC Evo will feature a free 8GB microSD card to augment the 1GB of onboard storage and there is a front-facing VGA camera for video calling.
At the moment there are no 4G network providers in the UK, so when it launches, only those on operator Sprint in the US will be able to access the next-gen networking technology. Hopefully a backwards compatible or 3G-only version of the HTC Evo will make it over here.
