HTC plans BlackBerry rival this year

High Tech Computer, the Taiwanese company that designs and builds the majority of Windows Mobile smartphones for the major vendors, plans to launch a BlackBerry competitor later this year. The device, code-named Excalibur, will include a QWERTY keypad and will be designed for use with push email services. Pricing isn't clear, nor is the U.S. availability timeframe, although it's due in Europe first. (Is push email still a big deal? Email me if there are any methods you prefer)

For more on HTC's Excalibur:
- read this IDG News article

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