U.S. Cellular Nabs HTC Touch ProU.S. Cellular Nabs HTC Touch Pro

(click image for larger view)
HTC Touch Pro

U.S. Cellular boosted its lineup of smartphones by picking up the popular HTC Touch Pro.

The smartphone is powered by Windows Mobile Professional 6.1, and it's aimed at the mobile professional. With a full slide-out keyboard and Outlook integration, users can easily send and receive e-mails on the go. There's also integration with Web-based services like Gmail and Yahoo Mail, over-the-air calendar syncing, and preloaded software to enable users to view and edit Microsoft Office documents.

The handset can use the built-in Wi-Fi or the EV-DO Rev. A 3G network to stay connected, and it uses Opera Mobile as the default browser. There is also Bluetooth 2.0 for pairing headsets and sending files, as well as a 3.2-megapixel camera with autofocus.

Like the other "Touch" line of smartphones, the Touch Pro has HTC's TouchFLO 3-D user interface on top of Windows Mobile. This makes the UI more finger friendly, and it enables users to navigate with swipes and includes animated transitions.

The smartphone also is a capable multimedia player, as it can play various audio and video codecs. Users don't have to worry about running out of storage space, as the memory is expandable via a MicroSD slot. The Touch Pro is available now for U.S. Cellular customers for $249.95 after a new two-year contract and rebate.

The move comes as the regional carrier is facing an uncertain future, as it is reportedly facing pressure to sell. With more than 6 million users, the carrier could be an attractive acquisition target for Sprint Nextel and Verizon Wireless, which use the same CDMA network infrastructure.

Part of the growth in the smartphone market will be for enterprise use, and this can quickly bring up multiple questions about security and mobility policies. information analyzed how businesses can lock down data when it's on the move, and the report can be downloaded here (registration required).