HTC Shift: ultra-compact, dual-interface mobile computing

With a form factor that sits somewhere between a fully-fledged laptop and a pocket-size PDA, the light weight HTC Shift mobile PC offers a full QWERTY keyboard and a 7-inch "slide-‘n-tilt" touch-screen interface backed by Wi-Fi and HSDPA/3G connectivity, a 40-gigabyte hard drive, two days standby battery life and a handy "always-on mode" that allows access to emails and other features without the need to fully boot up the device.

The HTC Shift runs Microsoft Windows Vista® Business edition and is the first device to feature HTC's SnapVUE™ technology - the system which enables one-touch instant access to emails, calendar, SMS messages and contacts without needing to fully power-up.

Other key specs of the compact (207 x 129 x 25 mm/ 8 x 5 x 1 inch) and lightweight (800g / 1.8lb) device include a fingerprint sensor, mouse buttons and microPad, plus Bluetooth® 2.0 and USB 2.0 connectivity.

The HTC Shift recently entered the U.S. market (where high-speed data connectivity with CDMA-EVDO is offered through the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network) at a price of USD$1,499.

See the gallery for more images or visit the HTC site for retailers and further details.