HTC launches high-end Sensation phone, VoD service

HTC introduced a new high-end smartphone, the HTC Sensation, which will launch with Vodafone in Europe and in Asian markets in Q2. The phone will also be available in the US, exclusively with T-Mobile USA, under the name Sensation 4G this summer. The Sensation features an aluminum unibody and 4.3-inch SLCD touch display with 540 x 960 resolution and Gorilla glass. The Android phone runs on a 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and comes with a 8 megapixel camera and 1080p HD video. It’s the first phone to offer access to HTC’s new video-on-demand service HTC Watch. The video service uses progressive download technology that makes it possible to watch videos without waiting for the file to finish downloading. HTC Watch offers the choice of renting or buying videos, and if purchased, they can be watched on up to five HTC devices. The phone also comes with a new version of the HTC Sense user interface. This transforms the lockscreen into a real-time window to important information, such as social updates, weather or stock updates, that are viewed by simply turning on the display. The active lockscreen also can be customised to jump to the most used features, like making a phone call, sending an e-mail or taking a picture, with the same quick gesture used to unlock the phone.