AT&T's HTC Lancaster to underwhelm Android fans in Q3

In what can only be construed as an attempt to cast Android as the "Rhoda" of smartphone os's, leaked documents uncovered by Engadget reveal that AT&T plans to feature it on the upcoming HTC "Lancaster" in Q3 '09. Those who thought hell would freeze over before AT&T released an Android phone in competition with the iPhone need not break out their parkas just yet. For while this sharply-designed set features a slide-out full qwerty keyboard, a-GPS, Bluetooth 2.0, and EDGE / HSPA connectivity, they've opted to market it as a "Social Messaging Device", not a smartphone, by leaving out Wi-Fi and burdening it with a puny 2.8" 320x240 display.

Sure, HTC's custom messaging UI is likely to be top-notch, and the world really needs a slimmer, sleeker qwerty Android phone than the G1, but really, AT&T? QVGA? In 2009? And what's a Wi-Fi chip cost these days, like $2? Head on over to Engadget for all the totally depressing details, or mope on over to your local AT&T retailer around August 3rd.