HTC's real iPhone rival stands up: the Touch HD

IDG News Service - High Tech Computer Corp. (HTC), the world's largest maker of smart phones that use Microsoft Corp.'s Windows Mobile software, on Wednesday launched the Touch HD handset, a 3.8-in. touch-screen mobile phone that more closely matches up to the iPhone 3G.

Earlier this year, Taiwan-based HTC launched the Touch Diamond, a sleek 3G (third-generation mobile telecommunications) handset meant to rival Apple Inc.'s hit handset, but its screen is much smaller at 2.8 in. The iPhone 3G sports a 3.5-in. screen.

HTC teamed up with Taiwan Mobile Co. to launch the Touch HD. One of the largest mobile network operators on the island by subscribers, Taiwan Mobile plans to launch the device next month.

Taiwan Mobile has not yet decided on a sales plan for the Touch HD. The retail price suggested by HTC is $776.

HTC representatives at the launch also could not give a time frame on when the Touch HD will launch in other parts of the world. Reports say the U.K. and Singapore will see the handset shortly.

The touch screen on the Touch HD is the most responsive yet in the Touch series, but HTC representatives were unable to say why. The processor on board, a Qualcomm 7201A, is the same as that on the Touch Diamond, and both handsets use the Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 operating system.

The Touch HD was quicker and more responsive than the Touch Diamond, and it more closely matched the touch screen on HTC's latest development, the T-Mobile G1 (also known as the Google phone).

The Touch HD also sports a better onboard digital camera, with 5-megapixel resolution, than the Diamond.

The HD has built-in GPS capability and works with Google Maps. The 3G handset allows users to video chat and download information over mobile networks or via Wi-Fi 802.11b/g. The smart phone works on WCDMA 900/2,100-MHz signals and supports quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE.

The Touch HD weighs 5.1 oz. and measures 4.5 by 2.4 by 0.4 in.

Taiwan Mobile threw out a strong sales pitch during the Taipei news conference. The company faces stiff competition from the upcoming launch of the iPhone 3G by market leader Chunghwa Telecom Co.

Cliff Lai, chief operating officer at Taiwan Mobile, called on Taiwanese patriots to buy the locally made Touch HD amid the global financial crisis.

"If we went with the iPhone, our money would go to America," he said. "But we're not interested in boosting the American economy. We're interested in boosting Taiwan's economy."