HTC making Imagio and Predator for Verizon, mulls Snapdragon
updated 08:40 am EDT, Fri September 18, 2009
HTC Imagio and Predator due in October
HTC is rumored to be stepping up its smartphone presence with two rare smartphones meant primarily for Verizon as well as a possible significant processor boost. The Imagio is believed by BGR to be the final version of the Whitestone and, unlike with past claims, should be a more original design that may launch first on Verizon's network. It should have a 3.6-inch 800x480 touchscreen and usual features like 3G, GPS and Wi-Fi, but it should come preloaded with Windows Mobile 6.5 and support GSM for world roaming.
The smartphone would appropriately be ready on October 6th, the same day as the Windows Mobile upgrade appears, and may be considered a flagship device for Microsoft as a result.
A second device, the Predator, has received few details but is expected to be the first HTC-made Android phone for Verizon and to ship later in October. Other tips suggest it has been codenamed the Desire.
Regardless of carrier, a new claim by the newspaper China Times asserts that HTC is looking to implement Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors in "high-end" smartphones during the fall. It's unmentioned which phones would receive the treatment, but the change would make HTC's phones some of the fastest on the market.
