HTC-Rcom tie up to launch 'Android' smartphone

NEW DELHI: Taiwan-based handset maker HTC entered into an exclusive partnership with cellular operator Reliance Communications to launch a 3G-enabled smartphone in the Indian market, priced at Rs 16,590.

The new Android phone -- HTC Wildfire -- will be available at authorised HTC resellers across the country, a statement said. Android is an operating system for mobile devices such as cellular phones, tablet computers and netbooks.

"The stylishly designed HTC Wildfire... brings all your communication requirements into one place, whether it's through Facebook, Orkut, Twitter, Flickr...," HTC India Country Head Ajay Sharma said.

Reliance Communications (RCOM) GSM customers upgrading to this new phone, which features a 3.2" touch screen and a 5-megapixel camera, will get up to 500 MB of free data usage for a period six months.

"The launch of HTC Wildfire is in line with our strategy to offer next-generation service on mobile phones enabled with superior voice quality, high speed wireless data network access...," RCOM President (Marketing-Wireless Business) Mahesh Prasad said.

HTC is a leading manufacturer of smartphones powered by Google Android and Windows Mobile operating systems.