HTC announces Merge: Android based CDMA World Phone

HTC has officially announced the HTC Merge, described as the company's first Android-based CDMA "world phone".

Based on the specifications that HTC has published, the new Merge slider phone looks somewhat comparable to the EVO Shift 4G, the slider version of the EVO 4G that Sprint and HTC announced in May, last year.

The HTC Merge is slated to be available from multiple North American operators beginning in spring 2011, HTC said, which almost certainly means Verizon, among others. It will also be HTC's first Android-based CDMA workd phone, the company said. So far, LTE support has not been announced.

The Merge includes a 3.8-inch touchscreen display, slightly larger than the EVO Shift. But HTC didn't reveal the resolution of the display, either.

A full QWERTY slide-out keyboard will be included, HTC said, although it's also unclear whether that will be a four- or five-row design.

HTC will include the Sense interface on top of the Android 2.2 OS, with Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync support. Other features include a 5-megapixel camera with auto-focus and flash, integrated GPS, Wi-Fi, and 720p video captures. The image does not seem to include a front-facing camera.

"HTC prides itself on creating unique solutions that meet the needs of different customers, and with features like a full keyboard and global 3G roaming, the HTC Merge smartphone is the perfect example of this commitment," said Jason Mackenzie, president, HTC Americas.

"Combining the functionality of Android with the HTC Sense experience, the HTC Merge is the perfect device for those customers who are looking for a reliable mobile experience with the features and functionality of a smartphone, whether it's at home or travelling around the world."

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