Pocketnow reports that they have received leaked information about HTC's new Explorer smart phone.
The site features a glossy, professional press shot of the product in HTC house style and says "HTC Explorer -- nee HTC Pico -- appears to be targeted to either the casual or budget-minded user. With a rumored 600MHz processor, 3.2-inch HVGA display, 384MB/512MB RAM/ROM, and five-megapixel camera, the Sense 3.5-skinned Explorer looks destined to fill the role currently occupied by the Wildfire line."
The phone was previously known as the HTC Pico and with a smaller processer, screen and RAM than beefy dual-processor smart phones, appears to be targeted at a first-time, low-use user.
HTC has just released a new coloured smart phone, the Rhyme, which received a slamming review from Wired.co.uk, who called it patronising. That phone is a pinky plum colour and comes with glowing accessories and is perceived to be aimed exclusively at women, hence the criticism.
HTC is currently competing against the imminent iPhone 5 launch, so leaking information could be a tactic to assure coverage of their new product.
Other low cost phones, such as the Nokia 101, have managed to make news without a leak.
If the leaked Explorer is a well-considered low cost option as it is rumoured to be, then it would bring valuable smart phone functionality to emerging markets in Africa, Asia and India. And that's news that shouldn't need a leak to support it.