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First issue of The Ultimate Smartphone & Pocket PC How-To Guide due out in mid-December

Smartphone & Pocket PC magazine will publish the first issue of its annual How-To Guide in mid-December this year. According to Publisher Hal Goldstein, it will be "The definitive Windows Mobile reference guide that will turn beginners into experts and provide provides plenty of practical knowledge no matter your level of proficiency."

The How-To Guide will provide step-by-step tutorials covering everything from syncing contacts to watching movies. With the basics mastered, the Tips section adds a whole new level of sophistication. Finally, the Resources and Great Free Stuff sections will point you to everything you need to become more productive and have more fun with your Smartphone or Pocket PC. The Ultimate Smartphone & Pocket PC How-To Guide will be mailed to new subscribers all year long, and there will be extra newsstand promotion of this issue during holiday season.

HTC to market devices directly to consumers

HTC, the primary designer and manufacturer of Windows Mobile Pocket PCs and Smartphones, will begin marketing its devices directly to consumers. Previously, the Taiwanese company focused on the OEM niche, developing Windows Mobile devices for the likes of Hewlett-Packard, Dell, i-mate, and many wireless carriers. HTC will continue to strongly support the OEM niche, but will provide products under its own brand. According to industry sources, the first HTC-branded devices will be available this summer. They include the following:

• The HTC TyTN, a Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC Phone Edition device equipped with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard.
• The HTC MTeoR, a 3G-enabled Windows Mobile 5.0 Smartphone.