14 DAY TRIAL // Wireless carrier 3 UK seems set to release a series of appealing devices to its users in the near future, including some of the latest Android-based handsets unveiled to the world, as well as some Symbian phones, and it has recently provided a few more details on the matter. Moreover, the company announced that it wouldn't release some other highly-appealing devices, such as the Nokia N900 or the HTC HD2, even if there is demand for them.
A recent post on the company's blog notes that, among the handsets that will soon arrive on its offering, we can count the Symbian-based Nokia E72, which will become available in May, as well as a series of handsets powered by Google's Android operating system, including the HTC Desire and Sony Ericsson X10. Moreover, it seems that its customers will be able to enjoy the features of another smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Portal, before the end of this week.
When it comes to Sony Ericsson's X10, the carrier says that early April is the lucky time frame for its launch, and that the pricing will be unveiled soon. As for the HTC Desire, here's what they say: “We’ve already said we’re ranging this one. It’s one of the most exciting handsets of the year and we’re over the moon to be ranging it. It’ll launch on 3 mid/late April. We won’t be the first to market but we won’t be as late as we have been with other big phones in the past. Our pricing will be competitive.”
Unfortunately, it seems the 3 UK users won't have the opportunity to enjoy the high-end Nokia N900 and HTC HD2 on their carrier's airwaves. No exact reason for this decision has been provided, but the company notes that it needs to be selective with the handsets it launches, based on the fact that it has limited resources and that it still is a small network. At the same time, it also considers that “the Hero and Desire are more accessible handsets for our customers.”
Another device that should soon land on the carrier's airwaves is the Apple iPhone. 3 UK says it is in talks with Apple for the launch of this handset, but that no time frame for its availability can be delivered at the moment. “We really do appreciate how many of you want the iPhone on our network, but we’re still working with Apple to build a commercial relationship. It is true that the iPhone is available on 3 in Australia, Hong Kong, Italy, Sweden and Denmark but we’re all working with Apple on a country-by-country basis. As soon as there is more news, we’ll share it through the blog,” an employee from the carrier's Devices team states.