CORP TALK: Looks like SingTel has done it again, at least when it comes to making region firsts for introducing highly anticipated handsets touting newfangled OSes. Hot off the exclusive Apple iPhone launch last year, Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) and HTC Corporation will put on sale the HTC Dream tomorrow: the first Android-powered mobile phone to go on sale in Asia. Customers of SingTel and its wholly-owned subs in Australia, Optus, get to be the first in Asia to enjoy it.

Come tomorrow, several phone users will get to own a piece of Google's Android platform, courtesy of SingTel and HTC.

The HTC Dream itself touts full touch-screen functions and a QWERTY keyboard. It’s also suppose to come with a mobile Web experience that combines can’t-do-without Google apps and Google Search. Key to being an Android powered phone of course is access to Android Market, which hosts a bevy of apps from developers worldwide. For SingTel users, the HTC Dream will come with an app called SG SavvyShopper, where customers can scan a product barcode using their camera phone and get info like prices, product info and reviews.

To date, the Android-powered phone is available as the T-Mobile G1 in the US and the Era G1 in Poland.

For a video that compares some of the features between the HTC Dream (or G1) and the Apple iPhone, here’s a ZoneOut video episode done by the Singapore team. (Editor opinions: 2)

ZoneOut #7 - Dreaming the HTC Dream from videoman on Vimeo

Here’s a quick glance at SingTel’s price plans (2-year contracts) for the HTC Dream at launch tomorrow: 

* Applicable for all new and recontracting customers across compatible phone models

** Applies after unlimited data bundle is exhausted

*** After S$200 (US$130) trade-in

David Chieng, Editor, HWM Singapore

David (HWM SG): What worked for the iPhone may not necessarily work for Android phones because Android phones will only really appeal to the geek crowd. Unlike the Apple iPhone, the Android-powered phone doesn’t have the same ease-of-use philosophy behind the device, except that the software’s designed by Google. (more…)

SHOWCASE: One of our intrepid journalists from HWM Singapore travelled to Barca on the pretense of covering MWC but mainly to grab some Lionel Messi T-shirts (we’re kidding). Anyway, the trade show on mobile phones, OSes and apps has just ended and the coverage will be appearing in HWM Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Philippines. Of course, if you can’t wait, hop on over to HardwareZone.com for in-depth coverage on the gadgets. Mobile World Congress 2009 was held 16-19 February 2009 and featured some amazing new phones, announcements, updates and developments.

Windows Mobile 6.5 sports a honeycomb-shaped layout for the Start screen to ease user access to various apps.

Among the highlights of the show was Microsoft’s update to Windows Mobile 6.5, which includes a refreshed Start screen, new Internet Explorer Mobile Browser and the new My Phone service - which allows WinMo users to harmonize all of their online content on their phone (similar to Apple’s MobileMe service). Another highlight was the new HTC Touch Diamond 2, which touts 50% more battery life, Zoom bar and a 5-megapixel auto-focus camera.

Samsung followed up their SOUL launch last year with the UltraTOUCH, a 2.8-inch AMOLED full touch screen phone. At 12.7mm thin, it sports an 8-megapixel camera (Samsung’s 3rd phone with an 8-mega after Innov8 and Pixon) and dual-power LED flash.

Not to be outdone, Nokia’s jumped on the 8-mega bandwagon with the Nokia N86. While sporting a smaller screen at 2.6-inch, it utilizes OLED as well, with dual sliding form factor (similar to N96 and N85), two keys for zooming, 8GB onboard and an expansion slot for a 16GB microSD.

Sony Ericsson upped the ante with a 12.1-megapixel phone called the Idou (pronounced as ‘I do’), which comes with a Xenon flash and intuitive touch features.

For a quick glance of the key phones mentioned, check out our Showcase Gallery after the jump. (Editor opinions: 1)

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