After a couple of false starts, It seems like the HTC Merge might finally make it to market, albeit not via Verizon.  If you’d forgotten about this phone I wouldn’t be surprised, It’s a Qwerty slider, with a 3.8” touchscreen, world radio bands, HTC Sense, and initially shipping with Android 2.2 [Froyo]. It’s pretty much a mid to high end device with an 800 MHz Qualcomm processor, and 512 Mb of ram, 5 Mp camera capable of 720p video, 2Gb of internal storage with Micro SD expansion.

Seems though as initially thought it will not be available from Verizon, but it will operate on their network. Android Community is reporting availability, as of now,

It is available through 3rd party retailers or providers like Alltel Wireless, but it will work on that Big Red Verizon network if you do decide to pick it up. There is no hardware or software changes from anything you have heard as of late, but for those that want a full QWERTY slider with HTC’s great build quality, this may be a phone for you

It’s not the most powerful HTC handset available, but if you were a fan of the Tytn II [HTC Tilt], you may want to check this out. It’s stylish, and yet discreet at it’s size. The Unibody design, and nice design detail make it very desirable, even if it may not be a power users choice.

I can think of a youth demographic that will really appreciate this phone, it’s a shame that it’s been shuffled around in the back rooms of carriers and cell phone providers, weighing up the importance of this device to consumers, compared to the latest dual core handset.