Windows Mobile Treo Expected Early Next Year

Full-scale production of the first Treo running Windows Mobile will begin during the first quarter of next year.

This smartphone will be manufactured by HTC, which makes a number of other cellular-wireless Pocket PCs. This company also manufactures Palm, Inc.'s Treo 650.

This information was in yesterday's Chinese-language Commercial Times, according to Taiwan's DigiTimes.

Rumors of a Windows Mobile-based Treo have been making the rounds of handheld- and smartphone-oriented web sites for months, but this is the first time a mainstream newspaper has talked about it.

Reportedly, HTC isn't just going to manufacture the new Treo, it's also taking part in the design process. This might be because it has far more experience developing Windows Mobile devices than Palm, Inc. does.

What the Rumors Say

Recently, several pictures and a short video of a Treo running Windows Mobile were given to Engadget.

This model, which will supposedly be called the Treo 670, is close to the Treo 650 in shape, but not exactly the same.

It will reportedly include a camera with flash, Bluetooth short-range networking, and use the same connector as the Palm OS version of this smartphone.

Thanks to PDA 24/4 for the tip.

Related Links

• Video of Windows Mobile Treo Appears
• palmOne Smart to Consider Other Operating Systems