HTC unveils latest iPhone rivals

Touch screens all the rage

The HTC Touch 3G is aimed at business customers

HTC has announced three new handsets, all with touch screens similar to the iPhone.

The Taiwanese manufacturer has made a big investment in touch-screen technology and sees it as the future of mobile handsets.

HTC president Peter Chou said earlier this year that he sees a day when all high-end phones dispense with buttons altogether.

The three new handsets target different sections of the market. The Touch 3G is aimed at business customers, the Touch HD at the high-end media user and the Touch Viva at the budget end of the market.

All come with Windows Mobile 6.1 and full touch-screen interfaces, the Touch HD topping the list with a 3.8in high-definition facia.

"The HTC Touch 3G and Touch Viva embody our commitment to build a family of touch phones that are powerful and stylish but also offer something to everyone, " said Chou.

"The internet is so much more than just email and our customers expect to be able to access the internet and high-quality multimedia content no matter where they are in the world."

The new handsets will be available next month.