AT&T unveils Windows 6.5 phones: HTC Tilt2, Pure

With the launch of the first round of Windows Mobile 6.5 devices just a day away, AT&T threw its hat into the ring and announced two of its own Windows phones, the HTC Pure and the HTC Tilt2.

The Pure is a rebranded version of the HTC Touch Diamond2, which we took a look at earlier this year, and sports some design changes and, of course, the new features of Windows Mobile 6.5. This includes the Microsoft's MyPhone backup service, an improved Internet Explore Mobile browser that offers Flash Lite support and better navigation tools, and support for Windows Marketplace for Mobile, which will launch later this year.

In addition, the mobile OS offers a more touch-friendly user interface with a new Today screen, Start menu, and Lock screen. As part of the HTC Touch series, however, you can choose to stick with the company's TouchFlo 3D interface.

Designed to have both consumer and business appeal, the HTC Pure features a slick design and offers a 3.2-inch WVGA touch screen with both a gravity and light sensor. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and 3G support are all onboard as well as a 5-megapixel camera and a music player. The Pure is available now for $149.99 with a two-year contract and after a $50 mail-in rebate.

Meanwhile for AT&T's power business customers, they'll finally get their turn at their own version of the HTC Touch Pro2 in the coming weeks. Dubbed the HTC Tilt2 (and obviously the successor to the AT&T Tilt), the smartphone has a leg up on T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon's version of the smartphone by shipping with Windows Mobile 6.5 out of the box.

The rest of the features are similar to the other models, which include a 3.6-inch WVGA tilting touch screen, a full QWERTY keyboard, and HTC's Straight Talk Technology for improved speakerphone quality. The HTC Tilt2 is expected to be available in the coming weeks and will cost $299.99 with a two-year contract and after a $50 mail-in rebate.