Bad news if you want a HTC Touch HD in the USA

That's pretty much what we were saying. I do not believe anyone here was under the impression that hardware difficulties or cost were the issue. Just available market.

Technically, it's very easy to support any combination of bands you want in these devices. It's not a hardware or cost issue. Further, HTC would like to sell as many phones in the U.S. as possible, especially if they carried the HTC logo.

The issue is that in the U.S., the carriers are the phone manufacturers main customers, not end-users. The HTCs and Nokias of the world have to convince the Verizons, AT&Ts, T-Mobiles, Sprints, etc., that their wares will sell more contracts and services and/or increase market share while at the same time minimizing costs. To the carriers, mobile phones are a delivery means and aren't consider critical to the primary revenue stream (something to which I would expect most MT readers would strongly disagree with!)

Manufacturer frustration with the U.S. market is very evident. A couple of years ago, Nokia replace almost it's entire U.S. marketing staff, to little effect. HTC is to be commended with trying an end run with Best Buy though I've read that sales aren't meeting expectations.

Until the U.S. handset market is decoupled from the service market, handsets will always be second class "citizens" to the services.

I think you hit the nail on the head with that Chris, seems like they are kicking back trying to figure out which 3G band that we support would bring them the most business. Now with the 1700 coming online, they will probably take longer.

Still, I think the attitude with which they project when they talk about what will be available to US does not make sense. Why say "We do not have plans to release HD in US" vs. "We are reviewing which bands to support in US before making plans to release it there."

I mean why kill the buzz like that? I would have held out for a US HD, but now I think I will just go with Touch Pro or X1 for the next 2 years. Although, I have to say that the BB Storm, Thunder or what have you, is starting to catch my eye.

My only problem with Android and BB are the software availability. I would at least need an RDP and VPN client for my current setup to remain cost-effective, if not the same apps that I currently use on WM which sync to desktop versions on my PC (E.g. QuickBooks Pro).

Thanks chrisboy. That clears some things up. Would be nice if there were USA standardization.

JN, you are correct. They did announce that the US version would be out by the end of the year. The big question which was not answered until they released the US version was whether or not it would have US 3G.

Clearly they did release a 3G version for US.

My point is that HTC has a habit of leaving things up to mystery, just to wind up releasing the devices anyway. They are way too comfortable with keeping US market in the dark and at the back of the bus, so to speak.

This is why I say that we should totally boycott any of the non-US devices that they are coming out with.

It is too bad that the Velocity folks did not step up to the plate here, they have a perfect opportunity to stick it to HTC and grab up a bunch of their potential market by releasing an HD type device before HTC releases one here. If they do. (Although I believe they will)

Then again, how much market does the US really have to offer to begin with? That may have something to do with it too.

Alceded, throughout Europe the 3G bands are all standardised. We use GSM 900 and 1800 for the normal bands and 2100 for the UMTS (3G) bands. This is standard in Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania (ITU Region 1) and Brazil (part of ITU Region 2. The problem is the USA uses 850, 1700 and 1900. That is exactly why HTC does not release these devices in the US straight away.

Within the european nations does each carrier use its own 3G band like T-mobile and AT&T do in the US? If not then could the lack of a standard 3G band have an influence on HTC's decision?

Phys,

You are incorrect about HTC intent for the diamond. The day of the london release HTC explicitly stated that a US version would be available towards the end of the year which they obviously delivered on.

I’m just curious, why is that (Touch HD Walkthrough) video in english then? Also, no plans for a 3g version doesn’t sound like an outright no to me as some new (high end) phones BB javelin as an example are not going to be 3g capable. Thoughts?

Dave, don't be sorry. It's important information for anyone who wants that device. If you didn't ask someone else would have. What I find interesting is that HTC didn't divulge this information on their own.

And you wonder why Apple sells as many Iphones as they want. NO COMPETITION in the U.S!! By the time HTC figures out what they want to do, Apple comes out with a new Iphone. Take your time HTC!!!You suck. I'm done waiting.

I am sorry I asked them Chris that question.

They originally did not have plans for the Diamond coming to the US either. We all saw how that turned out.

Wyatt, you make a good point, and all the more reason for no US customer to purchase the HD until they release it here. What is the point in funding a company that is not releasing devices in US? I say, reward them after they have done the job of bringing over a proper HD device not before they do it.

I'm no fan of HTC due to these games they like to play with the U.S. consumers. For HTC that statement simply means they will release one in some form or another after enough people have spent their hard earned money to have the HD imported here at an inflated price just to say their answering demand. They know exactly what they're doing.

I hate when HTC pulls this crap. The US market is is treated like a lowly step-child.