HTC, provider of Microsoft Windows Mobile-based smart devices, unveiled the HTC TyTN II. HTC TyTN II will be launched in partnership with leading operator partners across Europe, as well as direct under the HTC brand, and builds on the success of the award-winning first HTC TyTN (June 2006). Featuring global high speed HSDPA connectivity, in-built GPS for personal navigation and an innovative adjustable screen angle, this device is the ultimate mobile companion.

The HTC TyTN II packs all the power of Windows Mobile 6 into a unique new form factor, continuing HTC’s 10-year heritage of innovation in device design. The 2.8-inch color screen slides back to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard, then tilts up to position the screen perfectly for reading and creating emails, using applications, or even just playing videos and games. The HTC TyTN II allows users to get connected in any country with tri-band UMTS and quad-band EDGE. It boasts unrivalled worldwide 3.5G high speed internet–HSDPA, at speeds 9 times faster than 3G–and WiFi 802.11b/g to ensure users can enjoy high-speed surfing, uploading and downloading while roaming anywhere in the world.

HTC Home, HTC’s new homescreen, offers easy access to photo dialing, text messages, calendar entries, emails and contacts, as well as one touch access to live weather conditions plus four-day forecasts.

20th Century Fox has struck a deal with Microsoft to make the first two seasons of the animated series “FamilyGuy” available for downloads on the Xbox Live service.

“Family Guy” represents the first Fox product to make it onto Xbox, which lacks an overall deal with the News Corp.-owned studio. In the battle of the electronic sell-through outlets, score one for Xbox over main rival iTunes, which hasn’t yet landed rights to “Family.”

Taiwan’s HTC has taken the wraps off a thinner, faster version of its Touch smartphone. “This is the much anticipated 3G version of Touch,” Peter Chou, CEO of HTC, said at a news conference in Tokyo.

From the outside the HTC-1100 looks much like the existing Touch handset, which was launched in June this year and is based on the same Windows Mobile 6 operating system. But there are some changes inside.

While the original Touch works only on second-generation GSM networks, the HTC-1100 works on both GSM and 3G (third-generation) WCDMA (wideband code division multiple access) networks. The data transfer capabilities include support for 3.6M bps (bit per second) HSDPA (high speed downlink packet access) networks.