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HTC launches Desire - at last, an iPhone killer
Apple is suing the Taiwanese phone manufacturer but reviewers love its latest handset
The company at the centre of the war between Google and Apple launches its latest handset in the UK this week - with experts saying that it is the equal of the iPhone.
The HTC Desire is similar to Google's Nexus One smartphone - indeed HTC is the company that manufactures the Nexus - but it has several extras that have reviewers salivating, and the handset is being touted as a real alternative to Apple's all-conquering iPhone.
The Desire retails for around £400, and is being offered as a contract phone by several different networks and also on pay-as-you-go. When the iPhone launched it was only available on the O2 network.
There had been rumours that the launch would be delayed, but networks and phone outlets say they are now shipping the handset.
HTC has also embarked on a marketing blitz to promote its new device. TV and online ads have been running this week to promote the little-known company.
Like the Nexus One and its close relation the HTC Legend, the Desire uses the 'Android' operating system (OS), which is at the heart of the dispute between Google and Apple. Steve Jobs's company claims the system, developed by Google, infringes a number of its hardware and software patents that cover the iPhone OS.
Intriguingly Apple has chosen to go after the Taiwanese manufacturer HTC rather than Google.
Apple is looking for an injunction that would effectively stop HTC from selling smartphones that use the disputed technology in the US. It has also been suggested that if Apple is successful HTC could be forced to effectively cripple existing handsets by remotely disabling some parts of the operating system.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:IT Pro: "HTC's Sense user interface adds extra pizzazz to Android, and the operating system is fast becoming very business-relevant while still retaining a lot of consumer-focused positives."
Know Your Mobile: "Overall the HTC Desire is a top-notch piece of kit and its big screen and fast processor are huge plus points. "
TechRadar: "This is a phenomenal phone - one of the best we've ever had on TechRadar. Usually when we like a phone on the first use, we end up horribly disappointed after a little time with it, but the HTC Desire kept on performing and achieving when we thought it wouldn't."
Mobile Phones UK: "The HTC Desire is one of the most impressive phones of all time. Despite being significantly cheaper than the iPhone, it can match or beat everything that the iPhone does."
Cnet UK: "With a huge screen and speedy processor, the Desire definitely lives up to its name, and even trumps its Google-branded twin, the Nexus One."
Tracy and Matt: "They said that the Nexus One took the smartphone to a new level and the term 'superphone' has been used a few times. If that's the case then I don't know what superlative I would use for the HTC Desire. Uber-phone perhaps?" ·
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Comments
Usman,
Nice try mate but obviously you know jack sh*t about the dangers of proprietary hardware and software. You keep chucking money at Apple mate, some of us have brains and like Open Source.
@Usman Anwar:
So what position do you hold at Apple? Something in the marketing dept. perhaps?
Iphone is not only a great bit of kit, but the apps, exclusive to APple Corps, will just smash any HTC to smithereens. For Business end users, maybe HTC has appeal, but for the ordinary everyday user, Iphone is still King..
Why do HTC not concentrate on building their own Apps to complement the handset?.
Phones all do the same thing, just a matter of desire really.. The Apps make the Apple standout head & shoulders above any thing else on the market.. Now if only other companies could realise this..