Europe UK : HTC launched its greatly anticipated STRTrk handset. Available in black or pink; it is the first music-focused clamshell smart phone to pack great entertainment features into an ultra slim, design-led shell as well as offering the option of syncing into the office to update emails and documents.

“Our mission has always been to drive mass adoption of smart phone technology and we knew we needed something special to do that,” says Dr Florian Seiche, European VP of HTC. “The STRTrk will give smart phone enthusiasts the chance to turn heads; it’s not only packed with power and functionality, but it looks great and that’s what will drive the market. The style-ID is spot on and we’ve achieved the right balance between entertainment and business capability to give it the all important wide appeal that the next generation of smart phones need to deliver.”

Weighing 99 grams and just 16mm thin, the STRTrk (Qtek 8500) combines model looks with a business brain. The main body of the handset is matte black whilst the coloured metal outer shell has dedicated play, fast forward and rewind buttons as well as a backlit 1.2” TFT LCD for viewing and controlling music play-lists. A MicroSD memory slot offers the choice of storing additional tracks in ACC, WAV, WMA and MP3 codec formats using Windows Media Player or direct over air downloads.

Once opened, the STRTrk sports a larger backlit 2.2” QVGA screen for viewing familiar Microsoft® Office applications via Windows Mobile® 5.0 (Pocket Outlook® and Office Mobile, which includes PowerPoint® viewer , Excel® Mobile and Word Mobile). Add crystal clear resolution and you’ve got a screen that is ideal for reviewing images taken with the built in 1.3 megapixel camera or surfing the net to download data using Quadband EDGE/GSM/GPRS and Bluetooth for a smooth and hassle-free ride.

Accessing Microsoft® Office and full direct push email couldn’t be simpler. Users are able to sync in with Microsoft® Exchange 2003 servers that run on Service Pack 2 to connect to their PC. What does this mean in the real world? Consummate professionals can run their lives through one device rather than carrying a separate phone and PDA. Peter Chou, President of HTC concludes, “We’re so close to the idea of ‘carrying your world in your pocket’ that we can almost touch it.”

“Smart phones represent a significant market for us and a Windows Mobile platform with mobile email is well received in our specialist retail and corporate sales channels.” said Rod Millar, MD of 20:20 Logistics. “As the UK’s current sole STRTrk distributor, we believe this phone will give our customers competitive edge; providing great functionality for the business user in a compact clam style popular with consumers.”

Availability:

The HTC STRTrk (Qtek 8500) is available from week three June, 2006 from key distribution partner, 20:20 Logistics, Europe’s largest independent Sim-Free handset distributor. This is the first time that HTC will sell its own Qtek brand in the UK. RRP is €499 (inc. VAT)

This Weeks 3G News By Photos
This Weeks 3G News