Toshiba unveils first Snapdragon mobile phone

TG01 handset runs on Qualcomm platform

The TG01 boasts a 4.1in touch screen

Toshiba has unveiled the first mobile phone running on Qualcomm's Snapdragon platform. The TG01 boasts a 4.1in touch screen and is just 9mm thick, giving it a bigger screen and slimmer profile than its competitors.

The electronics giant said that it used a number of features from its TV technology to make the 800 x 480 WVGA screen as impressive as possible.

"This launch forms part of Toshiba's commitment to the European mobile market," said Hidehito Koka, general manager for Toshiba's mobile communications division.

"Toshiba has listened to what customers demand from their mobile devices, and has launched a brand new category of product that offers a true convergence of mobile IT devices."

Qualcomm showcased Google's open source Android mobile operating system running on its Snapdragon platform at CES earlier this year, but Toshiba's TG01 runs Windows Mobile.

As with many Windows Mobile devices, the interface is customised and features a 3D gesture-based input system, allowing users to control the phone through finger swipes, as well as tilting and shaking the unit.

Toshiba has also included a virtual trackpad to control the cursor more accurately when performing tasks such as web browsing.

The TGO1 runs on Qualcomm's QSD8250 chipset with a 1GHz CPU. Memory can be upgraded through a microSD slot up to 32GB.

As a fully featured smartphone, the TGO1 also includes the usual collection of 3G, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and GPS.

It will also run Microsoft's Internet Explorer 6 mobile web browser which offers full support for Adobe Flash, and several other enhancements which promise a more complete browsing experience.

Toshiba has not released any predictions for battery life, but Qualcomm claims that the Snapdragon platform is designed for high power efficiency and Toshiba has said that it will definitely get at least a full day of heavy use.

The TG01 is expected to be available across Europe in the summer. Pricing information is not currently available.