With HTC’s previous efforts, the name always tends to give a clue as to the nature of the phone itself (Touch HD has an excellent screen, Touch Diamond has a diamond cut design). So with the latest phone from the Taiwanese manufacturers going under the name of the HTC Max 4G, what are they telling us about this new phone? To look at, the Max 4G bears a striking resemblance to the Touch HD and digging a little deeper unearths several other similarities. Firstly, both the Max 4G and Touch HD share the same display so we can expect an astounding visual experience just like that found on the Touch HD. Secondly, both run on Windows Mobile 6.1 meaning that when the Max 4G does launch, there will already be a wealth of applications compatible with the device. The similarities don’t end here either; the touchscreen features all the same niceties as the Touch HD with handwriting recognition, accelerometer, proximity sensor and HTC’s TouchFLO 3D interface all making their way on to the new HTC Max.

If you think the Max 4G is starting to sound a bit familiar, you’re not wrong. Add Wi-Fi, GPS and 8GB of internal memory and the Max 4G simply looks to be a re-working of the touch hd. So what’s HTC’s innspiration for launching a re-hash of such a recent phone? Well the first time you notice what the HTC Max 4G does differently is when you realise what’s missing. The Max 4G has no 3G or HSDPA support. What’s this? A high end smart phone that has to make do with GPRS? Have HTC gone mad? Well no they haven’t because in it’s place we find the new and very interesting WIMAX technology. WIMAX, often referred to as 4G, is a new wireless data technology that offers connection speeds of up to 75 Mbit/s. In the UK WIMAX is only suppported for fixed lines and only two Broadband providers, Pipex and PCCW offer very limited services. As to whether the wireless variant of WIMAX will take off remains to be seen which means the HTC Max 4G’s success could hinge on one of the big UK mobile networks adopting mobile WIMAX.

With the HTC Max 4G expected to be available in the UK as early as April, it seems unlikely this will be in place at the time of launch. With the prospect of 75Mbit/s data speeds on a mobile phone though, i like to remain optimistic! Click here to register interest for the HTC Max 4G and keep updated.