HTC unveils new smartphones, pushes into services

LONDON - Smartphone maker HTC Corp unveiled details of its push into the increasingly important mobile services sector and introduced two new models using Google's Android software.

Taiwan-based HTC -- which also uses Microsoft's Windows in its phones -- is battling for the position of fourth-largest smartphone maker with much larger cellphone maker Samsung Electronics.

Like many phonemakers, HTC has focused heavily on hardware development, somewhat missing out on the handset industry's increasing focus on mobile online services and software.

"We're excited to be taking the HTC Sense experience beyond the phone to a whole new level with a series of connected HTC services," HTC's Chief Executive Peter Chou said in a statement.

HTC's service offering -- which will work for no additional costs on its Android and Windows phones -- enables remote usage of cellphone services over the Internet and archives key content from the phone. Through it consumers can also send texts from their computers and can track or wipe data from their lost phones.

"I think it is an interesting move, but I wonder if this might upset Google as it offers an alternative to services such as maps," said Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi.

HTC's mapping offering, built together with navigation software firm Route 66, enables downloading map data on cellphone - thus cutting data transfer costs for consumers.

HTC also unveiled new Desire HD and Desire Z models at a media event in London, saying they would go on sale in time for the holiday sales in the fourth quarter.

The top-end model Desire HD uses Qualcomm's Snapdragon processor and comes with an eight megapixel camera and a 4.3 inch screen -- one of the largest in the industry.

"The two new devices build on the highly successful Desire phone and take the fight into higher tiers of the market targeting Apple, Samsung and others," said Ben Wood, head of research at CCS Insight.

Patrick Chomet, chief of terminals at Vodafone, said the operator will introduce the models across its markets.

The Taiwanese firm launched the services push and products in London at the same venue Nokia used to unveil its Ovi services strategy back in August 2007. So far Nokia's services move has been mostly marked by failures, with only free navigation offering becoming the leading product on the market.

Nokia and HTC were battling fiercely for media attention in London, with HTC busses picking up journalists from the conference center Nokia held its event, and Nokia team handling out Nokia-branded survival packs for journalists entering the HTC news conference.

Nokia unveiled three new smartphone models, including a flagship E7 handset, and a new version of its mid-range C3 model this week in London.

(Editing by Sharon Lindores)

Theo reuters.com