As reported earlier in the month, Windows Phone Starter Edition will be a budget option for smartphone makers still looking to run a Windows-powered mobile OS.

Based on Windows Mobile 6 rather than Windows Phone 7, the point of this Starter Edition will be to make a Windows OS for smartphones available to a wider user base, including those “in new and emerging markets.”

Two versions of Windows Phone Starter will be made available to OEMs: one with Office Mobile included and one without.  Starter will not include 3G HSDPA data support, according to reports, but will support EV-DO.

This move essentially allows Windows Mobile 6.5 to live on as a budget OS option.  Mary-Jo Foley of ZDNet also reports that companies will be launching devices with Windows Phone Starter Edition later this year.  We’ve also seen references to Windows Mobile 6 living on as Windows Phone Classic, but have yet to get word from Microsoft on this point.

Well, it’s not a Windows Phone 7 Series model, but today HTC took the wraps off a new Windows Mobile handset: the HD mini. 

The HTC HD mini is a smaller version of the HD2 Überphone, which is coming to T-Mobile in the spring.  The smaller form factor does come with compromises: the HD mini has a slower processor (600MHz v. the HD2’s 1GHz) and a smaller 3.2-inch HVGA display.  Other features include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G wireless data connectivity, Windows Mobile 6.5 Pro with HTC Sense, 512MB of flash storage, 384MB of RAM, a 1200mAh Li-Ion battery, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

There was no official release date for the HD mini included in the press release, but you can expect the handset to hit the U.S. sometime after April.

You can read the full HTC press release after the jump.

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T-Mobile has released – a bit earlier than expected – the Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional OS upgrade for their version of the HTC Touch Pro 2 Windows Phone.

To get the update, click this link, enter your Touch Pro 2’s IEMI, download the installer and you’re good to go.  Just remember: Windows Mobile OS updates wipe data on the device and return it to factory specs condition. 

Be sure you’re synced, backed-up, etc., etc.

We’ve known for some time that the HTC HD2 Windows Phone would be coming to the United States at some point in early 2010.  Today we learned that A) “some point” is the spring, and B) it’ll be T-Mobile that makes it happen.

Early this morning, T-Mobile announced that it will be the exclusive carrier of the HTC HD2 in the States.  There was no firm date of release given, but the HD2 will come sometime in April or May most likely.  Features include a 1GHz Snapdragon CPU, a 4.3-inch capacitive touchscreen and the full range of wireless tech.

“… the HTC HD2 adds up to be not only an amazing device, but an amazing experience as well,” said Jason Mackenzie, vice president of HTC America. “The HTC HD2 is a Windows phone that has already been enthusiastically received in Europe and Asia, and we are excited to bring this highly anticipated device to the U.S., exclusively through T-Mobile USA.”

If you can’t wait for T-Mobile’s U.S. version of the HD2, you can purchase this Windows Phone unlocked from Amazon.com or eBay.

Learn more about the T-Mobile HTC HD2 Windows Phone…

LG’s second Windows Mobile-powered smartphone – the LG eXpo – is coming next week. 

Several features set the new LG handset apart from all current U.S. competition. First, it’s powered by a 1GHz Snapdragon CPU, which will make it the fastest smartphone on the market when it debuts.  Second, the eXpo has an optional 1.8-ounce, snap-on Pico Projector which can project an image onto a surface up to 8 feet away.  Third, the smartphone includes a biometric fingerprint scanner for security purposes; there hasn’t been a consumer handheld with a built-in fingerprint scanner in years.

Other specs include Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional, a 3.2-inch touchscreen display, a slide-to-hide QWERTY keyboard, HSPA 7.2 3G mobile broadband, and a microSDHC flash memory card slot.

AT&T will release the LG eXpo on December 7 for $199 after a $100 mail-in rebate and a two-year service contract.

AT&T LG eXpo Press Release

Learn more about the AT&T LG eXpo Windows Phone…