HTC is reportedly developing a new version of its Touch HD smartphone, except the new device will use Google's Android OS instead of Microsoft Windows Mobile.
The Touch HD 2 also is rumored to have a 3.8-inch touchscreen, though it will have a CPU speed increase from 528 MHz up to 628 MHz. Any other possible changes to the phone remain unknown, with mainly unreliable rumors circulating the Internet.
The release date of such a device remains unknown, along with an official announcement from HTC.
HTC has launched Android handsets in the past, with the T-Mobile G1 and Vodafone Magic smartphones as two prime examples of its trust in the open source OS.
Since HTC has favored the Android OS in the past, I believe people shouldn't read too much into this news -- although it hurts Microsoft the new phone won't run Windows Mobile, it's far from a death blow for the software giant. In fact, HTC and Sprint are working together to market the HTC Touch Pro2 smartphone, which is powered by Windows Mobile 6.1.
It seems HTC is testing the waters by launching both Windows- and Android-based smartphones to consumers. It's unlikely the company will choose to switch exclusively to a single OS any time soon, as the company is expected to introduce new phones running either OS.
