More Details Emerge on HTC's Next Messaging Phone

Additional information has leaked out of HTC on an upcoming messaging-oriented smartphone -- code-named the HTC Maple. 

CNet Germany was able to capture several images of this device "in the wild," essentially confirming an earlier description of this smartphone that emerged back in January.

According to both these sources, the HTC Maple will be the successor to the HTC Excalibur, better known  at the T-Mobile Dash. Like its predecessor, this will will have a tablet shape with a thumb-keyboard below its display (see image at left).  A noticeable difference from the current model will be a trackball in place of the D-pad,

It will supposedly run Windows Mobile Standard, the edition of this operating system for devices without touchscreens.

Most other details on the HTC Maple remain a mystery, like its wireless capabilities. And none of the sources have been able to say when this Windows phone will be released, or what it will cost.

Via CNet Germany