HTC announces T8290 MAX 4G GSM/WiMAX handset for Scartel Yota in Russia

by Jeff Orr, Editor
Mobile Broadband News

HTC announced the dual-radio GSM/WiMAX T8290 handheld, dubbed “MAX 4G”, today. Rumors and photos surfaced last month of an HTC Windows Mobile device with a Russian user interface and claims of WiMAX support. Russian operator Scartel and HTC Corporation today announced the dual protocol handset as a featured device for its Yota mobile WiMAX service.

Voice calls over the cellular GSM service use a SIM card from a range of Russian network operators. When both callers are using the Yota WiMAX network, the call will automatically be routed as a VoIP session. The Yota phone service also supports unique business applications, allowing users to switch between English and Russian contact records while providing functionality such as call holding, conference calling and video calling using the VGA camera on the front of the device.

HTC MAX 4G GSM/WiMAX Phone for Scartel's Yota service

The HTC MAX 4G was created to take advantage of Yota’s high-speed Mobile WiMAX network without compromising on ease of use. The device includes a 3.8″, 800×480 WVGA touch screen display. The HTC MAX 4G also integrates a 3.5 mm headphone jack. Running Windows Mobile 6.1, the HTC MAX 4G incorporates HTC’s proprietary Touch FLO 3D user interface.

Users can automate contact synchronization and upload photos and video clips using Yota’s Yap-yap service. Images taken with the integrated 5MP camera can also be geo-tagged using coordinates from the integrated GPS.

HTC MAX 4G Specifications:

• Processor: Qualcomm ESM7206A 528 MHz
• Platform: Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional
• Device Control: TouchFLO 3D
• Network: Tri-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE at 900/1800/1900 MHz and Mobile WiMAX at 2.5~2.7 GHz
• Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11 b/g
• Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR
• Navigation: Integrated GPS
• Camera: 5.0 megapixel autofocus main camera with second front-facing VGA camera
• Display: 3.8-inch TFT-LCD flat touch-sensitive screen with 480 x 800 WVGA resolution
• Memory: 256 MB ROM / 288 MB RAM / 8 GB embedded Flash
• Additional: Motion G-sensor (automatically rotating picture) and Proximity sensor (saving energy while talking by switching the display off)
• Radio: FM tuner
• Ring tone formats: AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, AMR-NB, AMR-WB, QCP, MP3, WMA, WAV; 40 polyphonic and standard MIDI format 0 and 1 (SMF)/SP MIDI
• Battery: Li-Pol, 1500 mAh
• Talk time: GSM: up to420 minutes
• VoIP: up to 230 minutes
• Standby time: GSM: up to 350 hours
• VoIP: up to 50 hours
• AC Adapter: Voltage range/frequency: 100 ~ 240V AC, 50/60 Hz; DC output: 5V and 1A
• Dimensions: 113.5mm x 63.1mm x 13.9mm
• Weight: 151 grams (with battery)

The Yota Mobile WiMAX network offers high-speed wireless Internet access anytime and anywhere. The basic Yota Home package will provide subscribers with instant access to online games, maps, messaging and file exchange applications while on the move. Additional services provided by Yota on the HTC device include:

• Yota Video: A full video on demand (VoD) service lets users watch their favorite movies and videos from their personal Yota catalog anytime, anywhere.
• Yota TV: View any of nine simultaneous broadcast television channels. Fourteen free channels are initially available with plans to expand to 23 by the end of 2008. The device includes TV-out capability, allowing users to watch content on a big screen.


Yota TV on the HTC MAX 4G

• Yota Music: An extensive online music catalog of more than 50,000 titles, including a wide range of music from both international and independent music labels. Users can choose to either play the tracks direct from the online catalog, or download them to the MAX 4G’s on-board flash memory.
• Online Books: A separate catalog of electronic books is available, so users can download, read and enjoy a broad range of books while on the move.

“The introduction of the HTC MAX 4G represents the culmination of a close partnership between HTC and Yota to develop the world’s first integrated mobile GSM/WIMAX handset,” said Peter Chou, CEO and President, HTC Corporation.

“Russia is a key strategic market for HTC and Yota’s Mobile WiMAX network sets a new global benchmark for next-generation mobile services.”

Scartel’s first mobile WiMAX cities are Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Scartel is owned by WIMAX Holding Ltd. and employs 420 people.

The Yota-branded HTC MAX 4G will be available in Russia before the end of 2008.