HTC releases new Android phones


HTC launched two Android mobile phones in an effort to secure its standing as a top competitor against Apple's iPhone.


A HTC smartphone "Legend" is displayed in a mobile phone store in Taipei

The mobile phone maker hopes that its large-screen Desire HD and the Desire Z, which has a fold-out keyboard, will mount a tough challenge against the iPhone 4. The two HTC phones run on Google's Android operating system.

The announcement comes a day after Nokia launched three handsets to strengthen its smartphone division.

Network operators and mobile phone makers are hoping that consumers go for a multimedia experience on the move.

Patrick Choumet, Vodafone's global director of terminals, said that smartphone sales are soaring. He notes that smartphone sales now make up more than 30 percent of the market. His company expects smartphones to make up 70 percent of total mobile phone sales in three years

Mr Choumet adds that Vodafone's data traffic had doubled over the past year. The traffic supported the use of location services like maps, and access to social networks like Twitter and Facebook.

The new HTC phones are based on Android 2.2, the latest version of the Google operating system.