HTC to Launch First GSM/WiMax Handset in Russia

High Tech Computer (HTC), the world's largest maker of smartphones that run on Microsoft Windows Mobile software, will launch a new handset in Russia that allows people to talk via GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) mobile networks or WiMax wireless signals.

Russian network operate Scartel, which markets itself under the Yota brand, will start selling the HTC Max 4G on Nov. 26. Pricing details were not immediately available.

The high-end smartphone, called the HTC Max 4G, was designed for high-speed mobile WiMax, the successor to Wi-Fi for wireless Internet users. For voice calls, the phone switches automatically between paid calls across any Russian mobile phone network operator via GSM, or when both callers are Yota subscribers, the calls will be routed as VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) on Yota's WiMax network, the companies said in a statement.

Yota's WiMax network will also allow subscribers to download and watch videos on the large, 3.8-inch touchscreen on the handset. The screen's resolution is 800 by 400, the companies said.

Yota also offers television on the handset, which can display up to nine TV channels simultaneously. The HTC Max 4G includes a TV-out function so people can display video or TV content on computer monitors or TV screens.

For music lovers, the handset has a headphone jack and 8G bytes of flash memory storage for songs and other data.

The HTC Max 4G runs on Windows Mobile 6.1 software and carries a 5-megapixel camera for digital photos and a secondary camera for video calling.

The new HTC handset is 113-millimeters by 63.1mm by 13.9mm. It weighs 151 grams with the battery.

The device works on GSM/GPRS/EDGE wireless networks as well as Yota's 2.5GHz-2.7GHz WiMax network.

For data downloads, the device does connect to Wi-Fi, which is far more easily found today than WiMax in most parts of the world. The handset has Bluetooth wireless for data sharing and wireless connections such as wireless Bluetooth headsets.