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Touch Pro2 a top-of-the-line Microsoft-based smartphone from HTC, which is also building the carrier's first Android-run model, the Hero, and a handset, the Touch2, that'll be among the first to run on Windows Mobile 6.5.

Sprint this week announced plans to launch a new top-of-the-line Windows Mobile and its first 'gPhone' to run on Google's mobile platform. Meanwhile, HTC—the maker of those two handsets—plans to release one of the first Windows Mobile 6.5 smartphones the day Microsoft makes its platform upgrade official.

On September 8th, Sprint will launch the HTC Touch Pro2, the carrier's latest high-end Windows Mobile phone.

The follow up to the Touch Pro, already available from T-Mobile, is a slider that reveals a large QWERTY keyboard3located beneath its WVGA (800 x 480-pixel) touch display—when open. It goes for $350 after a $100 rebate and with a two-year contract.

Features include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and support for the CDMA carrier's EV-DO Rev. A 3G network and the ability to make data and voice calls when aboard thanks to a second, GSM, radio.

There's also 288MB of RAM, a microSD slot for added storage, GPS, a 1500 mAH battery, a 3.2 megapixel camera with auto focus, and a powerful 528MHz CPU. A 3.5 mm audio jack allows users to plug in standard headphones.

The Touch Pro2 runs on HTC's TouchFLO 3D interface, which is layered on top of Windows Mobile 6.1 Pro. Although it hasn't been confirmed, you should be able to upgrade this device Windows Mobile 6.5 at some point after Microsoft's platform upgrade becomes available October 6th.

HTC in Touch with WinMob 6.5
In related news, one of the first phones to run on Windows Mobile 6.5 Pro will come from HTC, the Touch2 (code-named Mega), on that day.

The mid-level smartphone will run on a 528MHz CPU like the Touch Pro2 and will include 256MB of RAM. Its display, however, measures a smaller 2.8 inches and runs at a relatively low-res 240 x 320 pixels.

Users will interact with HTC's TouchFLO interface, slightly more basic than the TouchFLO 3D interface of the Touch Pro2.

The device measures 4.1 x 2.2 x 0.5 inches (104 x 55 x 12.9 millimeters) and weighs 4 ounces (110 grams).

Features of the quad-band GSM handset include HSDPA 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth with support for stereo headsets, GPS, a 3 megapixel camera, and a 3.5mm headset jack.

The Touch2 is due to ship on October 6th, the same day as Windows Mobile 6.5, in Europe followed by Asia. HTC's said nothing about pricing your U.S. availability so far.

Sprint Goes Google
This week, Sprint also revealed plans to launch its first smartphone to run on Google's Android platform. It becomes the only the second carrier, after T-Mobile, to offer a 'gPhone' in the U.S.

The HTC Hero, currently shipping in Europe, is a tablet-smartphone without a hardware-based keyboard. It sports a 3.2-inch capacitive touch display for finger input and layers the HTC sense user interface on top of Google's smartphone platform.

Sense sports seven-panel wide home screen that can be populated with customizable widgets to bring information to the surface, according to HTC. Th idea is to allow users to easily create and switch between Scenes to reflect different moments or roles in their lives, such as work, social, travel and play.

For example, a work Scene can be set up to include stock updates, work email and calendar, a play Scene could have music, weather, and a Twitter feed or a travel Scene could offer instant access to the local time, weather and maps.

In addition to the apps that ship on the Hero, many Google-based of course, users gain access to the Android Market, which today includes over 8,000 free and paid applications. Popular apps today include ShopSavvy, Twitter, Shazam, amazon.com, USA Today, Flixster, PacMan, CraigslistChecker, and MySpace. Pandora, the popular personal radio application, is launching on Android devices and will be available on the Hero.

“As the world’s first truly open mobile platform built with the Internet in mind, Android provides to consumers the same Internet services they have become accustomed to on their desktop PC. Offering access to thousands of applications, a suite of Google services, and unique personalization features, the HTC Hero offers a compelling mobile experience,” said Google VP of mobile platforms in a statement.

Specs include support for Sprint's 3G network, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a microSD with 32GB card support, GPS, a 5.0 megapixel camera, and a compass.

Sprint plans to ship the HTC Hero on October 11th for $180 after $150 in rebates with a two-year contract.