HTC Fuze smartphone (click for larger image)

AT&T is expanding its line of smartphones aimed at the mobile professional with the release of the HTC Fuze.

The Fuze is essentially the HTC Touch Pro, and it has a touch screen as well as a slide-out full QWERTY keyboard. But the Fuze sports different radios, can make and receive calls in more than 200 countries, and features push-to-talk capabilities.

AT&T's latest handset has integrated Wi-Fi or 3G connectivity for checking corporate e-mail and browsing the Internet. Mobile professionals will be able to access and edit e-mail attachments using mobile versions of Microsoft Excel, OneNote, PowerPoint, and Word. AT&T's Video Share service can be used by road warriors to transmit videos back to headquarters or for personal events like weddings.

"The HTC Fuze, with its array of connectivity features, provides our customers with the ability to choose the manner in which they communicate using the form factor they deem most appropriate at a given moment -- all in a very attractive and sleek package," said Michael Woodward, VP of smart devices for AT&T Wireless, in a statement. "It's a fantastic addition to AT&T's industry-leading Windows Mobile smartphone portfolio."

The Fuze has the productivity and interoperability features one expects from the Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional operating system, but the smartphone utilizes HTC's TouchFlo 3D user interface. The UI makes the phone more "finger friendly," and it enables users to navigate with swipes and it includes animated transitions.

There's also built-in assisted GPS that can be used for location-based searches and navigation. The Fuze can play multiple codecs of audio and video, as well as use AT&T Cellular Video service to see thousands of video clips and shows. There's also Bluetooth version 2.0, a 3.2-megapixel camera, and XM radio for an extra fee.

The Fuze can be purchased now from AT&T's Web site for $299.99 after rebates and with a new two-year contract.