HTC's iPhone killer touches down

IPHONE KILLER...MAYBE: HTC's Touch Diamond is the latest smartphone to try to knock Apple's iPhone off its perch.

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HTC has unleashed its answer to the iPhone with the new Touch Diamond handset, set to be released in Australia next month in an exclusive tie-up with Telstra.

Trailing the iPhone's Australia release by a matter of weeks, the Touch Diamond will be available on Telstra's Next G network for a stand-alone price of $A999 ($NZ1260) or free on a two-year $A80-per-month plan.

The iPhone 3G will be released in Australia and New Zealand on July 11.

This month has seen a number of smart phone launches, as mobile phone manufacturers attempt to steal some of the limelight away from Apple's iPhone.

Earlier this month, Samsung introduced a new widescreen touch phone called Omnia initially for Asian and European markets, and LG is poised to announce its own smart phone contender soon.

According to HTC, the Touch Diamond stands out from competitors with its super-slim form factor, high screen resolution, and animated 3D touch interface for navigating around different functions such as email, music and weather.

But Peter Chou, chief executive of HTC, said even more important than sophisticated touch control was its ability to navigate the internet using techniques such as the sophisticated web page zoom function, and intelligent handling of content.

"In 2008 and 2009 we no longer just care about touch. This is the year we also make the mobile internet usable and fun," he said.

It has a 2.8-inch touch screen which automatically switches between vertical and horizontal orientation depending on its viewing angle, HSDPA internet connectivity, a 3.2 megapixel camera and 4GB of internet storage.

The handset was launched in London, Taipei and Hong Kong last month, and is one of the first phones to carry the Windows 6.1 mobile operating system. It will also be tightly integrated with Telstra's mobile BigPond services such as Foxtel, BigPond mobile TV and Sensis GPS navigation data.

Telstra's $A80 plan includes the device, $A70 of included voice calls and $A10 of data calls. 

- © Fairfax NZ News