Following High HTC's (Tech Computer Corp.) and Vodafone KK/SoftBank's earlier announcement to jointly release Windows Mobile devices to the Japanese market, the world's leading provider of Windows Mobile portable devices today announced, that it has started supplying HSDPA devices to SoftBank in Japan.
The smart phone, which has been named the SoftBank X01HT and is based on HTC's Hermes reference design and HTC's TyTN device design, features HSDPA technology that will deliver a faster mobile broadband experience to Japanese customers (data transfer rates of up to 1.8 Mbps on downlink and 384 Kbps on uplink). This technology enables mobile phone users to rapidly download video clips, music tracks, images etc. The SoftBank X01HT is also equipped with wireless LAN functionality, allowing users to connect to the Internet at high speeds in wireless LAN environments at home, at work, and in public.

The SoftBank X01HT is powered with Windows Mobile 5.0 and features an ergonomic QWERTY keyboard for fast data input. The device is fully equipped with Microsoft Office, so users can easily view and/or edit Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF documents on the go. Users are able to browse their favorite Internet websites by using Internet Explorer Mobile.

In addition, the SoftBank X01HT provides users with POP3 and IMAP4 email services. Furthermore, customers will be able to utilize Microsoft Exchange Push E-Mail technology in the near future. With Pocket Outlook, users can access their calendars, contacts, tasks and inboxes in real time. Users are also able to play music and videos on Windows Media Player and take pictures with a high-resolution 2-Megapixel camera. For these large-volume data functions, a microSD card can be used to provide external memory.

"Mobile devices have become a natural extension of everyday life in Japan. People need to be able to access information and documents, organize and manage their calendars and contacts while on the go, listen to music, watch videos and do much more –- all with a single device," said Jason Lim, Senior Regional Director, Asia Pacific & Japan for Microsoft's Mobile and Embedded Devices division. "We have received enthusiastic support from users in Japan for Windows Mobile 5.0 devices, and we are pleased to work with HTC and SoftBank and offer consumers an innovative device to enhance their digital lifestyle."

"The SoftBank X01HT is the fastest handheld device launched by HTC for widespread release in Japan. We are confident that consumers will consider it a perfect companion for work and play," added Jennifer Chang, Representative Director and President of HTC Nippon.

A price or launch date wasn't given yet but since the HTC Hermes is an existing product, already selling on other networks, it shouldn't take too long anymore.

Cheers ~ Arne