We’re huge fans of Messenger-class smartphones — phones with a QWERTY keyboard, hardware controls and a display, all on the unit’s face.  Until recently, RIM focused exclusively on this design, and we believe this has been a huge part of the BlackBerry’s success.

HTC, the most productive member of the Windows Mobile partners’ club, on the other hand, has shied away from this design, releasing only the HTC Excalibur (T-Mobile Dash) in the U.S since 2006. 

But the Dash’s reign as the lone HTC Messenger smartphone may soon be over.

CNet Germany has posted photos of the HTC Maple, a new Windows Mobile messenger that features a spacious keyboard, a trackball and the Standard, non-touchscreen version of Windows Mobile.

Details on the HTC Maple are scarce, but we’ll keep you updated with new information as it is released.

via Engadget Mobile