Rumors of an HTC X7500 Athena/Arthena at the Boy Genius Report

[Paul Martin]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2006/12/14/htc-arthena-unveiled/' target='_blank'>http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2006...thena-unveiled/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"I would like to share something with everyone…the HTC Arthena (X7500). This thing is a beast! It is probably too early to tell if the specs will stick but so far it features Windows Mobile Pocket PC, 256MB of internal memory (finally!), a 400mhz processor, most probably a slide out keyboard, and the usual GSM. It doesn't look like UMTS, or even EDGE but that has to change, right?"</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/HTCArthena_BoyGeniusReport.jpg" /><br /><br />The HTC devices keep rolling out. Referred to as both the Arthena and Athena, the X7500 is rumored to contain a nice-sized 256 MB ROM and 64 MB RAM, along with a Samsung 400 MHz processor and GSM/GPRS tri-band 900/1800/1900 MHz, Bluetooth and wifi. This is still early rumor stage, so no carrier or price information is yet available.

[spacehog]

- 624 Intel Bulverde CPU
- 256/128MB RAM
- 5" VGA TFT
- Quad Band GSM/Edge + Tri Band UMTS (HSDPA not confirmed)
- GPS Built-In
- 802.11 b/g + BT 2.0
- Magnetic detachable keyboard
- 2100 mAh battery

[Paul Martin]

Those are quite an upgrade from what was speculated above. Source?

[alese]

- 624 Intel Bulverde CPU
- 256/128MB RAM
- 5" VGA TFT
- Quad Band GSM/Edge + Tri Band UMTS (HSDPA not confirmed)
- GPS Built-In
- 802.11 b/g + BT 2.0
- Magnetic detachable keyboard
- 2100 mAh battery

Very nice specs if it's confirmed.
In any case, if the picture above is real than I can speculate a bit about the specs.
From the picture above, I would say that it really looks like it has a detachable keyboard, also front facing camera (VGA) in Phone edition device usually means Vide Phone functionality, and you need UMTS/HSDPA for that. Also there was always a rumor that Athena will have VGA screen and from the picture it looks rather large (5" ?)
I would say that this could be it...

[IpaqMan2]

Am I right for thinking this looks more like a small tablet device? Either way, I welcome the 5 inch screen. maybe not as mobile to carrier in your pocket, but defentitly useful in real work applications for business and orother areas.

[Nurhisham Hussein]

I sincerely hope that's an engineering mockup and not the prospective design - it looks really ugly.

[virain]

I don't think there's need for oversize PPC, really! 5' screen? That is more of UMPC territory. Plus UMPC has more capable OS.

[huangzhinong]

No market for this thing. Doom to fail.

[netboy]

if it has no VGA screen and cant fit in my pocket, I DONT WANT IT! i'm keeping my Tytn

[SteveHoward999]

No market for this thing. Doom to fail.

Yeah, no one wants a VGA phone :roll: :!:

[Paul Martin]

From the photo, it's hard to gather perspective. It does seem awful large to carry around!

[jason k]

Its headed toward a UMPC from the other side. I played with a sony e-book reader a few weeks ago. I was immediately struck with the thought that I would love a pda this size or a computer this small. Would love to be able to do pim functions, notes, email, internet, music, movies, some photo storage (short term) and editing. Some of which can be done on a pda.
The larger screen size is nice. Would it completely replace a smartphone or PPC phone, no. Would it competely replace a full size desk top or lap top. Probably not there either, although depending on the user, maybe with a dock for a full size keyboard, mouse, larger screen, more storage, and plug-ins for media center functions.
For my usage senarios, the umpc concept would work for me. From what I have seen on the market right now the hardware and software interface is not there yet. A larger more powerful windows mobile device comes closer to where I think they are trying to go with the UMPC and what I would like these devices to do. So I think this is a good start.
Jason

[MitchellO]

I sincerely hope that's an engineering mockup and not the prospective design - it looks really ugly.

Agreed!!

Then again look at how the JAQ came out :S

[Phoenix]

I sincerely hope that's an engineering mockup and not the prospective design - it looks really ugly.

Agreed!!

I agree as well. Butt ugly. Make the buttons larger, include a five-way DPad, and make it all black.

I hope the specs are amazing on this thing.