The HTC Smart is probably the most unique phone HTC has put out over the past few years. HTC has always positioned themselves at a top tier handset maker, offering phones that revolutionize the product category and the industry. Take one look at the HTC Smart and you'll be left scratching your head. The Smart can't really be classified as a smartphone since it lacks the main work integration tools you see in Windows Mobile, Blackberry, and Android phones, but it's not really a feature/dumb phone either. The HTC Smart lines up with the likes of the Samsung Highlight, Rogue, or the LG Chocolate Touch . These handsets offer great touch screens, full HTML browsing, a handful of core applications, games, and great media integration. HTC is planning on using the HTC Smart as a stepping stone for those who are looking for a feature right phone but are not yet willing or capable of stepping up to a smartphone. The integration of Sense UI ties into HTC's strategy of offering a uniform experience across all their platforms. The theory is that once someone buys the HTC Smart, they will me more likely to upgrade to another HTC phone powered by Android or Windows Mobile . We will have to wait to see how this strategy will pan out, but I'm sure HTC has done their research. Engadget was able to get their hands on the HTC Smart yesterday. I'm still hoping to get some more face time with HTC here at CES so I may be posting up my own hand-on review by the time the show it over.

HTC has made their first official announcement at CES. They will be launching a new smartphone called the HTC Smart which will be running on Qualcomm's Brew Mobile OS. The concept behind the new HTC Smart is to “creates a new category of easy-to-use, connected smartphones that are accessible by people all over the world.” Just like the rest of HTC's new product line, the HTC Smart with feature Sense UI which will give users an intuitive and graphically rich experience. The HTC Smart features a 300 MHz processor, 256 MB of ROM, 256 MB of RAM, 2.8-inch TFT-LCD touch-sensitive screen with QVGA resolution, Bluetooth 2.0, 3.5mm headphone jack, 3MP camera, and 1100 mAh battery. The HTC Smart will measure in at 104 x 55 x 12.8 mm ( 4.09 x 2.17 x 0.50 inches) and weigh only 108 grams. Pricing for the HTC Smart has not been revealed, but is it expected to ship to Asian and European markets in the spring. Check out the full press release, pictures, and spec sheet after the jump.