World's First WiMax/GSM Mobile Supports VoIP

HTC has announced the launch of the MAX 4G, the first dual-mode WiMax/GSM Windows Mobile device.

Undoubtedly the best specced WinMo device so far, calls between MAX 4Gs will automatically be routed over the WiMAX airwaves using VoIP.

Initially only being released in Russia by mobile WiMAX operator Scartel, which operates under the brand name Yota, the Max 4G supports GSM calls using a Sim card from any Russian network operator.

When both callers are Yota subscribers, the call will automatically be routed as a VoIP call over the Yota mobile WiMAX network.

The Yota phone service includes functions such as call holding, conference calling and video calling using the VGA camera on the front of the device.

The handset features 8GB internal flash memory, a 3.8-inch 800x480 WVGA touch-screen display , TV out capability, a 3.5-mm headphones jack, integrated GPS, 5 megapixel camera, Windows Mobile 6.1 and HTC's proprietary Touch Flo 3D user interface.

The basic Yota Home package will provide access to online games, maps, messaging and file exchange applications while on the move.

Users will also be able to view online films, video and TV programmes.

With Yota Video, a full video-on-demand service, users can watch their favourite movies and videos from their personal Yota catalogue on the handset.

Yota TV broadcasts 14 free channels, while Yota Music offers an online music catalogue of over 50,000 titles.

Yota Yap-yap allows contacts to be synchronised and edited through the web, and video clips and phones data uploaded to yota.ru. Images taken with the camera can be geo-tagged using coordinates from the integrated GPS.