The HTC Imagio appears to be Verizon's first smartphone -- and the first Windows device -- to support the company's V Cast Mobile TV and V Cast Video on Demand services, previously available only on feature phones. V Cast Mobile TV is based on Qualcomm's FLO TV technology, and offers live broadcasting of ten different channels in a variety of U.S. markets. (For more information on FLO TV, see our recent coverage, here.)

Verizon's HTC Imagio
(Click either image to enlarge)
According to Verizon, the HTC Imagio comes with a TV antenna that doubles as a kickstand (above right), propping the phone up on a table for easy viewing. Another unusual feature on the phone is a dedicated "zoom bar," which provides another way to resize and pan through the programs that come as part of the device's TouchFLO 3D user interface, the carrier says.

The HTC Imagio is otherwise similar to many other HTC phones, including the manufacturer's Touch HD. Like that device, it sports both a touchscreen with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels and a five megapixel camera.

Verizon says the Imagio comes with dual-band (800/1900MHz) CDMA, quad-band (850/900/1800/1900) GSM, and 2100MHz UMTS, plus 802.11b/g wireless networking. GPS is also apparently included, since the phone is said to come with Google Maps for Mobile software in addition to the facilities provided by Windows Mobile 6.5.

Scheduled to go on sale next Tuesday, Windows Mobile 6.5 includes the Windows Marketplace for Mobile online store, voice recognition, mini-programs known as widgets, My Phone cloud-based backup, a new "honeycomb" user interface, plus a new home screen "dashboard" showing new e-mails, missed calls, and calendar appointments. The mobile operating system upgrade also includes an updated Internet Explorer 6 web browser (right), though HTC devices such as the Imagio typically throw in a customized version of Opera Mobile 9.5.

According to Verizon, the Imagio includes a 528MHz Qualcomm MSM7600 processor, 256MB of RAM, 512MB of flash storage, and a microSD expansion slot. A 1500mAh battery and a 3.5mm headphone jack -- a relatively new feature on HTC devices -- are also specified.

Features and specifications listed by Verizon for the HTC Imagio include the following:

• Processor -- Qualcomm MSM7600 clocked at 528MHz
• Memory -- 256MB of RAM and 512MB of flash storage
• Display -- 3.6-inch touchscreen with QVGA (320 x 240) resolution
• Camera -- Five megapixel with autofocus
• Wireless:
  • WAN -- Dual-band (800/1900MHz) CDMA, quad-band (850/900/1800/1900) GSM, and 2100MHz UMTS,
  • LAN -- 802.11b/g
  • PAN -- Bluetooth 2.1
  • GPS
  • V Cast Mobile TV receiver
• Other I/O:
  • mini-USB port
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
• Expansion -- microSD slot
• Battery -- 1500mAh
• Dimensions -- 4.6 x 2.4 x 0.51 inches (117 x 61 x 13mm)
• Weight -- 5.25 ounces (149g)

Availability

According to Verizon, the HTC Imagio will be available online Oct. 6 for approximately $200, following the usual two-year service agreement and mail-in rebate. Retail availability is set for Oct. 20, the company adds.