HTC announced an exclusive deal with AT&T for its new Facebook devices at Mobile World Congress, and AT&T fannounced the HTC Status (AT&T’s version of the HTC ChaCha) at the end of June. While it may not be the phone for most of our readers, it could definitely be good for Facebook enthusiasts.
AT&T has just announced this device will be available in AT&T stores by July 17th, but online presales start today! HTC’s Facebook phone can be yours for the small price of $49.99 after signing a 2-year contract. This is definitely no super-phone, but the specs aren’t bad for the price. And it is the first AT&T smartphone to come with Android 2.3.3 Gignerbread!
HTC Status Specifications
- Android 2.3 Gingerbread
- 2.3-inch screen with a 480 x 320 pixel resolution
- 800 MHz single-core Qualcomm MSM7227 processor
- 512 MB of RAM and 512 MB of internal storage
- 5 MP rear-facing camera with LED flash
- VGA front-facing camera
- 1250 mAh battery
The specs and form-factor may not impress many of us, but some physical keyboard and Facebook lovers may love it. Check out the press release for more details, and let us know what you think of this device! What do you guys say? Are you signing up for the HTC Status?
Update:
If you are interested in learning a bit more about this device, AT&T has just uploaded a couple of videos promoting the new Facebook-centric Android smartphone.
The first video is another one of those typical commercials that show just how “cool” the device’s owners are. It displays a woman traveling around the world, and sharing her awesome experiences with her friends and family.
While the second video is still a bit brief, it does go more into the specs and capabilities of the device. We love seeing what devices can actually do, and this video covers the major features in about a minute in a half. Enjoy!
First Mobile Phone with Dedicated Facebook Share Button Available for Preorder on ATT.com Arrives in AT&T Stores on July 17
Dallas, Texas, July 11, 2011
Key Facts
AT&T begins presales of the HTC Status today on http://www.att.com/.
The first phone with a dedicated Facebook share button, the HTC Status is exclusive to AT&T customers for $49.99 with a two-year contract.
Best Buy stores to offer exclusive color.
HTC Status available in time for back-to-school shopping season.
The ultimate phone for customers who love posting on Facebook what they’re doing, seeing or listening to, the HTC Status is the first phone to feature a dedicated Facebook share button. Not just a link to a mobile Facebook application, the button lets you quickly share what you are doing on Facebook with a simple press. It is also context aware and lights up when there is an activity to share, such as a song you are listening to, a website you are viewing or a photo you have taken.
The Facebook share button allows people to:
- Post instantly on your wall or a friend’s wall by pressing the Facebook share button from your home screen.
- Take a picture or shoot a video and share it instantly with a press of the Facebook share button. You can also post multiple pictures at one time and label and tag them before posting. Or even post photos automatically as you’re taking them.
- Check in to Facebook Places by pressing and holding the Facebook share button from the home screen.
- Share something cool on the Web with a quick press of the Facebook share button and be the first with the news.
- Let your friends in on the music you love with the push of a button by pressing the Facebook share button to post the song title and other details.
The HTC Status runs on the Android 2.3.3 (Gingerbread) platform, AT&T’s first smartphone to do so. It is also the first phone in the US with an enhanced version of HTC Sense™ that integrates Facebook into more places than ever before. Facebook content and information is integrated in the clock, dialer, calendar, address book and photo gallery. The HTC Status also features a Facebook chat application that lets you maintain your chat conversations, even when you navigate away to take a call, browse the Web or play a game. And the Facebook chat widget shows who is available to chat and allows you to initiate a conversation with just a tap.
The HTC Status, with its uni-body design with sleek metal accents, is easy to customize to reflect your style with widgets, shortcuts and wallpapers, and its customizable lock screen lets you open your favorite application quickly when you unlock the screen.
The HTC Status also sports a 5-megapixel camera with auto-focus and LED flash on the back and a front facing camera to easily capture and share self portraits. Above the dedicated physical keyboard, HTC Status has a 2.6-inch touch screen with 480 x 320 resolution and capacitive navigation buttons.
Exclusive custom cases and a screen protector will also be available for sale with the HTC Status at AT&T company-owned retail stores. Customers can choose from hard- and soft-shell case options from Speck and AGF. The HTC Status will be compatible with a number of universal micro-USB charging options, Bluetooth headsets and corded stereo headsets such as the IFrogz Luxe corded headsets with integrated microphone, which will be available in four colors, black, silver, pink and blue. Accessories will also be available for sale in AT&T’s online store.
Pricing and Availability
Arriving in stores as the lead device in AT&T’s back to school promotions starting July 17, the HTC Status will be available in AT&T stores and online for $49.99 after a two-year contract. (Minimum $15 data plan required.) Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile standalone stores will feature an exclusive mauve edition.
Quotes
“We can’t wait to put the HTC Status in the hands of our young customers who will waste no time tapping into Facebook to update their friends,” said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president, Devices, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “We’re also really pleased to offer the hottest new smartphone at an affordable price to this important, socially savvy youth market.”
“HTC Status brings a Facebook experience to people who want to share with their friends faster and easier than ever before,” said Jason Mackenzie, President, HTC Americas. “With a dedicated Facebook share button combined with the hallmark HTC Sense experience, HTC Status makes it easy for people to stay connected to the things that are important to them.”
*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Limited-time offer. Mobile broadband coverage and other coverage not available in all areas. See coverage map at store for details. Two year agreement with qualifying voice and smartphone data plan required. Subscriber must live and have a mailing address within AT&T’s owned wireless network coverage area. Up to $36 activation fee applies. Equipment price and availability may vary by market and may not be available from independent retailers. Early Termination Fee: None if cancelled in the first 30 days, but up to $35 restocking fee may apply to returns; thereafter up to $325. Some agents impose additional fees. Smartphones require a DataPlus (200MB) or DataPro (2GB) plan. If you exceed your initial data allowance, you will automatically be charged an additional $10 for each additional 1GB provided on DataPro or an additional $15 for each additional 200MB provided on DataPlus. Other conditions and restrictions apply. See contract for details. Sales tax calculated based on price of unactivated equipment.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.
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