14 DAY TRIAL // Today, mobile phone carrier Sprint went official with its first smartphone running under Microsoft's Windows Phone 7
operating system, the HTC Arrive.
Just as previously rumored, the new device arrives on shelves with a sliding full QWERTY keyboard and tilt-up display, being nothing more than the US variant of the HTC 7 Pro, already available for purchase on the European market.
The wireless carrier is set to make the new smartphone available for purchase on its network starting with March 20th, and announced that it would have it priced at $199.99 upon the singing of two-year contract agreement and after a $100 mail-in rebate.
The new HTC Arrive was already put on pre-order status via participating Sprint Stores with the purchase of a $50 Sprint gift card. Additional info on this can be found here.
“Customers who pre-order HTC Arrive will have their name added to the Device Wait List and be contacted to set up an appointment to complete their purchase beginning on Sunday, March 20,” the wireless carrier explains.
“Through the pre-order process, customers will have peace of mind knowing they are able to get the device they want and receive the full retail experience, including Sprint’s Ready Now customer service experience.”
The new smartphone would offer the same Windows Phone 7, glance-and-go experience as any other handset running under the new OS flavor.
At the same time, it includes an innovative design, along with a unique Start screen with Hubs (People, Pictures, Games, Music & Video, Office and Marketplace) so as to offer fast access to valuable content. The customizable Live Tiles deliver real-time updates from the Web.
With a 1GHz Snapdragon Processor inside and a 3.6-inch touchscreen, the new handset would easily prove a great option for any user. Not to mention that it comes with various appealing Microsoft services, such as Microsoft Mobile Office, Zune and Xbox LIVE.
Sprint customers interested in the purchase of a HTC Arrive would have to commit to a contract on Sprint’s Everything Data plans, plus a required $10 Premium Data add-on charge for smartphones.