According to the Register, HTC will soon be launching a new version of the Touch HD. Instead of using Microsoft’s Windows Mobile, it will be based on Google’s Android. The current version of Touch HD uses Windows Mobile.
The Touch HD 2 will feature a 3.8-inch touchscreen display, the same as the Touch HD. Most likely, the WVGA resolution will also be the same.
However, the Touch HD 2 will have a faster 628 MHz processor instead of the 528 Mhz processor present in the current model.
As of writing, more details such as the release date and pricing are not available.
Why the OS switch? There is not clear-cut answer to this question. However, it is possible that HTC is switching the OS as the request of a wireless carrier.
There is also a possibility that HTC is responding to customer requests. Ever since Google announced its mobile operating system last year, many users have requested an Android based version. HTC makes products that customers want and so the switch may be due to customer requests.
Designing a new version of the Touch HD with a faster processor and integrating it with Android wouldn’t be a difficult project for HTC. HTC is already familiar with the OS as it makes a number of Android-based devices. Additionally, the next version of Android will also support WVGA displays.
The original HTC Touch HD was very successful in Europe. However, it was not so popular in the U.S. because it was not offered by any carrier. The next version may be successful both in Europe and the US.