This touchscreen smartphone is the first to implement HTC's TouchFLO 3D user interface, which they claim is a performance upgrade over the previous TouchFLO version via its 3D graphics processor. The Touch Diamond runs Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional Edition, which comes with the standard package of tools including Office Mobile Suite (mobile versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and synchronization with Outlook for email and calendar management.

Web performance will largely depend on the carrier, but it does have Wi-Fi capability to ease access to features like streaming video via YouTube. A 3.2 megapixel camera and 4 GB memory round out the featureset of this Windows-based competitor to Apple's iPhone.

Despite having been released worldwide for over a year, the Touch Diamond arrives late to the party on Verizon's U.S. network April 10, 2009 for a pricey $299.99 on contract. Consider it only if you can't hold out for the Touch Diamond2 coming later in 2009.