AT&T to Soon Launch Android 2.1-Based HTC Aria

United States wireless carrier AT&T seems set to soon join the list of operators in the country to have Android-based devices from HTC Corporation available for their users. Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile are already on that list, and it might not be too long before AT&T makes it there too, as the latest rumors around the Internet suggest.

AT&T announced a while ago that it would release an HTC handset running under Google's Android operating system exclusively on its airwaves and, while no info on the matter emerged from the carrier up until now, rumor has it that the phone is set for an official announcement come June 7. Interestingly enough, this is the day when Apple should kick off WWDC.

Moreover, the word on the street is that the new device should be called HTC Aria. Details on the matter are scarce at the moment, but there are great chances that the phone would arrive at AT&T with the Android 2.1 operating system on board, coupled with the already popular HTC Sense user experience, which definitely sounds quite appealing, and with a sliding QWERTY keyboard.

Of course, AT&T already offers connectivity and monthly plans for another Android-based mobile phone from HTC, the Nexus One, yet this device was put on sale via Google's own web store, and not via the carrier itself. However, since the Internet giant announced plans to change the marketing approach for Nexus One, AT&T might soon have two HTC handsets powered by Android in its stores, if the latest rumor pans out.

At the same time, it should be interesting to see what AT&T has in store for its users in the Android side of business. Earlier this year, the carrier launched its first Android-based phone, the Motorola Backflip, but limited the extent to which users can customize / personalize / tweak their device. Since the rumored release day for HTC Aria is less than two weeks ahead, more info on this should emerge shortly, so stay tuned.