Report: Windows Mobile 6 Slider Set for T-Mobile

If you're a T-Mobile subscriber looking for a Windows Mobile handset that's a bit more robust than the slim Dash, it might be time to warm up your credit card. Phone Scoop has dug up some documents at the FCC indicating that the carrier is prepping an update of the old MDA (a QWERTY slider with Wi-Fi), this time with the latest version of Windows Mobile.

According to the FCC filings, the HTC Herald (which will likely get a new name once it's formally announced by T-Mobile) comes with a slimmed-down shell, a two-megapixel camera, a roomy touch screen and a stylus, quad-band GSM for world calling, EDGE data access (no 3G, of course, since T-Mobile has yet to roll out its own high-speed network), Bluetooth and a Wi-Fi radio (good for tapping into home or office wireless networks).

The bigger news is that the Herald looks set to arrive with the Professional flavor of Windows Mobile 6, making it the first handset in T-Mobile's lineup to use the full version of Microsoft's updated mobile OS (the Dash has the pared-down Standard version of Windows Mobile). While Windows Mobile isn't for everyone (you'll need a steady hand to tap the myriad options with the stylus), Office fans will appreciate the new support for HTML-formatted e-mail, updated versions of Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint with more advanced editing options, and tight integration with Vista and Windows Live messaging.

There's no official word from T-Mobile on availability or pricing for the HTC Herald (or whatever the carrier ends up calling it), but the FCC filings usually mean that announcement could be coming in a matter of weeks.

Related:
FCC Reveals HTC Herald for T-Mobile [Phone Scoop]