The HTC Surround screams entertainment - probably literally. HTC's first Windows Phone 7 device for AT&T slides just a little bit to reveal a very large speaker with a "Dolby" button on it and a kickstand so it can sit on your desk to show movies.

The HTC Surround is a standard Windows Phone with a twist. It looks like a slab-style, touch screen phone with a 3.8-inch screen, 5-megapixel camera on the back and 16 GB of memory. Slide the screen slightly to the left and you get a large speaker that runs the full length of the phone, with a small square button that apparently changes the equalizer settings to virtual surround sound.

A kickstand pops out of the bottom, and pow, you've got your Zune Phone (or your desk speakerphone). The Surround sits nicely on a desk, and the speaker sounded decently loud - although I couldn't really tell in the very loud demo room.

Otherwise, the Surround has the usual Windows Phone 7 specs on solid HTC hardware. What concerns me about this phone, as opposed to the simpler Samsung Focus, is that HTC is spending some of the size and weight here on a potentially niche experience. Do many people really sit their phones on a table for a viewing or listening experience without headphones? In a worst-case scenario, this could be the new boom box, playing music in public to crowds who don't want to hear it.

AT&T's U-Verse TV looks like a potential killer app for this phone. Available for a "small monthly fee," U-Verse will let subscribers download and stream various TV programs to their phone. All Windows Phones also come with Zune, offering the option for unlimited Zune Pass music.

Microsoft let each Windows Phone manufacturer add an app to their home screen, and HTC's Hub is the most visually appealing of the manufacturer experiences. Click on HTC Hub and you fly through virtual clouds onto a very attractive alternative home screen with a big clock widget. Click on the clock widget and it turns into a good-looking weather app. HTC Hub also features several other app-style widgets, including a sound equalizer and unit converter.

For me, the HTC Surround fits into the middle of AT&T's Windows Phone lineup. The Samsung Focus looks like a slam-dunk, while the LG Quantum has some serious usability issues. The Surround has nothing wrong with it at first glance - it just asks the question, do you really want a speaker that big?

The HTC Surround will be available later this year for $199.99, just like the other Windows Phone 7 devices.