HTC Announces Curve-esque Snap with Inner Circle E-mail

On the surface the HTC Snap looks like a Windows Mobile version of the BlackBerry Curve ($234.99) (HTC calls the ball in the middle a jog ball and RIM calls it a Trackball). However, when you dig a bit deeper you’ll find some welcome innovation. Pressing this smart phone’s Inner Circle button automatically puts e-mails from your most important contacts at the top of your inbox, which will help save time. And setup is a cinch; all you need to do is select “add members” from within the Inner Circle menu, and then check off people in your address book.

In terms of design and power, the Snap seems pretty solid on paper. The device measures a svelte 0.47 inches thin and features a keyboard with extra large domed keys. Under the hood is a 528-MHz Qualcomm processor and 192MB of RAM, which should give you plenty of pep to run Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard.

HTC will make an unlocked version of this 3G HSDPA phone available this summer that will support the North American 850-MHz band, under the name HTC S522. As for Windows 6.5 upgradeability, the company would only say that it is not announcing an upgrade path for the OS at this time. Full specs and full gallery after the jump.HTC Snap Key Specifications

Processor: Qualcomm MSM 7225, 528 MHz

OS: Windows Mobile® 6.1 Standard

Memory: 256MB ROM, 192MB RAMMemory

Expansion: SDHC capable microSDcard slot

Dimensions: 4.59” x 2.42” x .47” (LxWxT)

Weight: 4.23 ounces (with battery)

Display: 2.4” (diagonal) QVGA (320×240)Battery: 1500mAh LiIonNetwork/Technology Compatibility

•HSDPA/WCDMA 900/2100 MHz or HSDPA/WCDMA 850/1900 MHz (HTC S522)
•GSM/GPRS/EDGE 900/1800/1900 MHz
•Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR
•WiFi®: 802.11 b/g
•GPS/AGPSCamera
•2.0 megapixel camera
•Video captureUser Interface
•Full exposed QWERTY keyboard
•Jog ball

Operating Times:Talk Time: Up to 8.5 hours (GSM)Up to 5 hours (WCDMA)

Standby Time: Up to 15.8 days (GSM)Up to 20 days (WCDMA)