According to the latest news on the Web, Orange UK might add to its offering a new handset starting this week, namely the HTC Touch 3G. While already being available unlocked, the new handset that is heading towards Orange users comes with a brand new feature, UMA.

What this feature has to offer is the possibility to seamlessly roam between the Wi-Fi and GSM networks. The UMA capability is supported by the Orange Broadband, even if it conflicts in a way with other Internet Service Providers. For the time being, the only handset that includes said capabilities would be the US-based T-Mobile Shadow.

However, the UMA feature offered by the mobile phone carrier, which has been named “Orange Unique,” allows users to make cheap calls to both Orange's network and landlines while using the Wi-Fi connectivity. This way, the operator encourages users to make more voice calls on their mobile phone and not opt for using a landline service provider instead.

It is not sure at the moment whether HTC Touch 3G heading to Orange with UMA capabilities is a rumor or not. The mobile phone hasn't been listed on the carrier's official website until now, though it is expected to make it to the company's shops shortly. Given the fact that the device runs under the Windows Mobile 6.1 operating system, the news that it could include UMA might suggest that other WM-powered handsets would also be able to support it in the future.

When it comes to specifications, the HTC Touch 3G is expected to include a QVGA screen, a 3.2-megapixel photo snapper, along with said Wi-Fi connectivity, Bluetooth 2.0 EDR + A2DP capabilities, GPS navigation, and a microSD memory card slot for additional storage space, while being powered by a 528Mhz Qualcomm MSM7225 CPU. The mobile phone comes with HTC's TouchFLO user interface.