Following all the recent troubles I had with O2 Germany's UMTS and HSPA network in Munich, the German carrier now confirmed that it provides its mobile data customers an even faster access to the Internet. The recent upgrade of the data network, with the latest HSPA technology, now allows HSDPA download rates up to 7.2 Mbps and enables HSUPA up to 2.0 megabits per second.
O2 Germany said that during the last months, all Huawei UMTS-sites in the Region South and most other 3G-basestations in the other Regions were technically upgraded to enable a faster HSPA traffic.

Skype has just released the Gold version of Skype 3.0 for Windows Mobile smartphones which was previously available as a public Beta only. In addition to the Skype typical features like free Skype-to-Skype calls, free instant messaging and Skype-Out calls to any fixed- or mobile phone in the world (which requires a separate Skype-Out subscription), the new version also features SMS transmission and file transfer. While the EU lowered the SMS prices from today, the new SMS feature can help to avoid roaming charges while abroad - as long as used within free WiFi hot spots (like hotels). The file transfer feature allows users to share photos, music or any other files with other Skype users.

With its recent announcement, HTC take its brand-building efforts on a new level. On Monday, High Road Sports, Inc., the owner of the professional cycling team Team Columbia-Highroad (formerly known as Team Telekom and Team T-Mobile) and HTC Corporation announced a three-year sponsorship agreement that prominently places the HTC brand at the starting line of the 2009 Tour de France on July 4 in Monaco. The team currently called Columbia-Highroad, and known in 2008 and 2009 as the team with the most victories in professional cycling, will compete as "Team Columbia-HTC" and will present the new team uniform in Monaco on July 3, the day before the start of the 96th Tour de France.

During HTC's press event on Wednesday, I had some quality time with HTC's new Android flagship smartphone, the HTC Hero. With its distinct design HTC introduced a unique blend of form and function that takes Android to new a new level. While the Hero design might not be everybody's favorite, the HTC Hero boasts bevelled edges and an angled 15° bottom. This makes the Hero to fit comfortably in your hand and against your face while you're on a call. The HTC Hero features an anti-fingerprint screen coating for improved smudge-resistance and a longer-lasting, clearer display. Furthermore, the white Hero includes an industry-first Teflon coating which is said to result in an improved, durable white surface that is soft to the touch.

Following T-Mobile US' earlier announcement to launch the HTC Snap as T-Mobile Dash 3G, Verizon Wireless and HTC announced today the HTC Ozone, Verizon Wireless' version of the HTC Snap. This easy-to-use Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard smartphone combines a simple design with a host of connectivity options that include global roaming and WiFi. Available in black, the HTC Ozone sports a ergonomically-designed QWERTY keyboard for fast and easy typing, a 1500 mAh battery for extended operating time and even includes international charging adapters to stay powered up while abroad.