Arne at :theunwired: broke a story yesterday that included upgraded specs on the upcoming HTC Athena. Today, he has released a ton of pictures that made my heart thump!

But first, some back-story…

Picture courtesy of The Boy Genius Report

Like many across the web, I was underwhelmed when I heard about Athena’s original specs. On December 15th, Boy Genius said, “Continuing in the tradition of world-exclusives here at BGR 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?”

The most undewhelming feature of all? It was supposed to have a 3.5″ screen. Feh. :neutral:

But then yesterday, Arne posted some updated information:

  • Device is bit larger than the HTC Universal and more square, also it’s quite heavier than the Universal
  • It’s about the same thickness
  • It has a detachable keyboard which is partly made from clear plastic so when it works as a cover of the HTC Athena, you can still see basic information on the main screen like signal power or battery
  • When keyboard works as a stand, the device stands on it (it’s communicating by the connector on the keyboard and connecting ‘pads’ on the side of the Athena when it stands on the keyboard and is kept together by strong magnets)
  • Keyboard is kept in place by magnets in closed position as well
  • Device has 5″ VGA 640×480 screen
  • Further features includes:
    • GSM/GPRS/EDGE and UMTS
    • Bluetooth 2.0
    • W-LAN b/g
    • 624 MHz processor,
    • 8 GB drive
    • 3 megapixel camera with flash
    • GPS
    • 2200 mAh battery
    • G-Sensor
    • VGA out
    • Stereo speakers
    • miniSD

These specs definitely caught my attention. :shock:

Today came actual pictures of the rumored device – no more fuzzy renderings – on PDAclub. The pictures now seem to be gone, so I will repost the ones Arne had put on his site…

Photo courtesy of PDAclub Photo courtesy of PDAclub Photo courtesy of PDAclub Photo courtesy of PDAclub

I am almost afraid to hear what the Athena will cost if and when it really comes out; but I would say that it looks like it could be an amazing WM5 tablet. I like the brown leather wrapper, too.

Of course this device will not be for everyone.

I have already seen comments saying that it is too big to be a phone and yet it is running phone software. Who would buy such a device? Who was it designed for?

I would say that it is designed for people like me: I like to carry a smart mobile phone, but I also carry a bag. That’s why I don’t mind also carrying a separate wireless device with a larger screen, one that runs WM5 instead of XP or Vista so it gets fab battery life (presumably), one that I can use to comfortably surf, email, work on business forms, and read eBooks on. I don’t always need a full computer with me, which is why my JasJar worked so well.

I have no idea if this device is truly coming out. I have no idea if the latest specs are correct. I also have no idea if the actual device, assuming it is released, will be configured for my needs. Will it have a thumbwheel? Will it be easy to navigate without a stylus? What will it’s actual size be? How much will it weigh? Will it be too heavy to use one handed?

Will I see one at CES, assuming it is real?

The waiting is the hardest part. :sigh:

Update: Chris managed to grab all of the pictures before they were pulled! Head on over to SlashGear. :-)

Related posts:

  1. The Athena – In the Flesh
  2. HTC Advantage/Athena/X7500/Dopod U1000 Unboxing!
  3. The HTC Athena Appears in Asia as the Dopod U1000
  4. HTC Device Details Emerge
  5. HTC Advantage On Order