Toshiba has launched the first mobile phone running on Qualcomm's Snapdragon platform. Toshiba TG01 - a super-slim, highly powered, multimedia-focused, mobile device is ideal for the consumer that demands high-end performance on the move - and raises the bar for mobile handsets. The Toshiba TG01 will be available across Europe in Summer 2009.

"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".

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

But unexpectedly Toshiba's TG01 runs Windows Mobile. Qualcomm showcased Google's open source Android mobile operating system running on its Snapdragon platform at CES earlier this year. As it is with most 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.

"Windows phones bring customers closer to the people and information they care about, whether they are communicating by phone, email or through instant messaging," said Andrew Lees, Senior Vice President, Mobile Communications Business at Microsoft Corp. "Toshiba's TG01 embodies our principle of helping people get more done when they are mobile; we are pleased to help introduce their new mobile internet phone".

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

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. Pricing information is not currently available. Toshiba TG01's launch has really raised the bar for smart phones in European market.