Not surprising, despite news of legal issues being thrown back and forth between HTC and Apple, the smart phone manufacturer has been able to establish itself as an industry leader in the development of the Android smart phone. For one thing, their HTC Desire, Hero end Legend trio are continuously reigning on top of the Android charts –only giving a slight way to the Motorola Milestone when it came out during the holiday season.

Of course, HTC’s strong Android presence is also backed by the fact that they have been part of the development of the OS since the very beginning. HTC is among the founding members of the Open Handset Alliance and has been the manufacturer behind many Android smart phones –including the G1 and even the Google Nexus One.

More than just an Android leader, HTC has also been a prominent figure for Microsoft’s mobile platforms. The HTC HD2 is the best selling Windows Mobile handset and the company is now working on the recently leaked HTC Gold (formerly the Mondrian), a high end WP7 smart phone that is expected to come out later this year.

Speaking of the Gold, the handset has been leaked along with two other HTC devices, the Ace and the Vision. While little is known about the Ace at this point, the HTC Vision will be taking a page out of Motorola’s book by introducing the very first HTC Android that comes with a slide out QWERTY keyboard.

While no specific date has been given, estimates place the launch around or right before the June 23 –which is the announced launch of the Android 2.2 Froyo update for the HTC Desire.

Speaking of the Desire, the high end Android smart phone is actually included in the list of HTC handsets that will be receiving the update. So far, the list contains four smart phones: the HTC Hero, HTC Legend, HTC Desire and the HTC EVO 4G. So far, it has not been confirmed if the HTC Wildfire will be compatible with the software update, but since it already runs version 2.1, it may not need the patch at all.

With version 2.2 already out for the Nexus One and coming soon for the Desire, the move to release version 2.1 on these handsets may seem a little unnecessary, as it would have made more sense to just release a patch for the latest version of the OS instead. With all the new features and capabilities of Android Froyo, many HTC users will certainly feel that they have been left out of the new update.

In many ways, this is one of the main reasons why Google’s Android has yet to beat the iPhone OS. While they are providing Apple with plenty of competition, the compatibility issues and the fact that not all Android phones are running the same version of the OS is a serious issue that Google has to cope with if they are to compete with the iPhone and Windows Phone 7’s performance.

Considering HTC’s product line alone, it makes sense that they are one of the biggest names in the industry. The involvement that they have with the development of the Google Android operating system has been very significant since the beginnings of the Open Handset Alliance.

HTC was not only among the first members of the group, they were also the very first manufacturer to produce a smart phone that used the new Android mobile platform. The HTC Dream quickly became a favorite device among mobile phone users who saw the great potential in the open source Android OS. This level of involvement with Google continues until today with the January launch of the Google Nexus One smart phone –the very first to carry the Google brand.

Aside from that, HTC’s own previous smart phones such as the HTC Hero and HD2 are also among the most sought after devices. According to reports, HTC’s sales profits from 2009 have reached up to 800 million GBP, far surpassing the company’s own initial estimates. They also earned almost 20 percent more in the first quarter of 2010 as compared to last year. Many expect these figures to rise for the next part of the year as the HTC Desire and Legend will be available on store shelves this April.

Find out more about the sales performance of HTC during Q1 of 2010 at GSM Arena.

Now, Taiwanese manufacturer HTC is continuing the trend with the Legend, a stylish little smart phone that comes with an aluminum casing. The device was first seen at the leaked 2010 roadmap where the HTC Bravo was also shown (now known as the HTC Desire).

The Legend comes with a 600 MHz Qualcomm processor. It’s a good match for the phone since at 600 MHz, most apps already run smoothly and the load times are decent -just do not expect to get some really high end games. The 5 mega pixel camera does a good job at shooting images and capturing video thanks to auto focus and flash. Lastly the 3.2 inch AMOLED capacitive touch screen provides a decent screen size for watching vids, the graphic quality is also well detailed and it responds well to touch commands.

Vodafone has already confirmed that they will be releasing the device this coming April along with the HTC Desire. For those who missed on the scoop on the Desire, this Android smart phone runs on a Snapdragon 1GHz CPU, has a 5 mega pixel camera and a 3.7 inch AMOLED capacitive touch screen display.

In other HTC news, the lawsuit between Apple and HTC is still ongoing as Apple is claiming that the Taiwanese manufacturer infringed on 20 of their patents for software and hardware innovations.

Get to know more about the HTC Legend and see the smart phone in action at Mobile Choice UK.

The device played second to the HTC Bravo (now known as the HTC Desire). The Legend uses a 3.2 inch AMOLED capacitive touch screen, much smaller than the Bravo’s 3.7 inch AMOLED capacitive touch screen.  Bothe devices’ digital cameras were 5 mega pixels each, though only the Bravo had 720p video recording capabilities. The Legend runs at a much slower 600MHz Qualcomm processor when compared to the Snapdragon 1GHz CPU on the HTC Bravo.

Still, the Legend promises to deliver Android at a much cheaper price with excellent hardware; it also comes with a sleek aluminum casing that gives it a very stylish look.

According to recent reports, the Legend is currently being offered only by Vodafone (though it has been seen at retailer Clove Technology’s offerings as well). No word yet if the Android smart phone will be an exclusive offering since many are already offering the Desire to their clients. With the March 23 release date drawing near, it may very well end up with Vodafone being the only operator offering the device, for now.

In the meanwhile, HTC is still battling it out with Apple to show that they hold patents for their technologies used in most of their Android smart phones (and a few WinMo devices). Apple has recently filed a lawsuit against HTC stating that the Taiwanese manufacturer infringed on 20 software and hardware patents. Google has stated that they stand behind HTC in this matter.

For more information on the HTC Legend UK release, go to Tech Radar.

The lineup is headed by the HTC Desire. This phone was originally announced as the Bravo and it was revealed last year as part of the 2010 roadmap. The phone’s initial specifications have not changed since then. It runs on a 1GHz Snapdragon processor which means that it will be running pretty fast with the Android OS. The 3.7 inch AMOLED capacitive touch screen display delivers excellent quality images and visuals perfect for viewing the images and videos you can take with the 5 mega pixel camera with 720p D1 video recording capabilities.

The next HTC Android is the HTC Legend. This smart phone is a sequel to the successful HTC Hero. The device comes with an impressive 600 MHz processor, a 3.2 inch AMOLED capacitive touch screen and a 5 mega pixel camera. The device comes fitted with a stylish aluminum casing.

There will be two more HTC Android devices coming. Of the two, the HTC Scorpion is far more interesting since the device will be using a dual core Snapdragon CPU (or so rumors say).

Meanwhile, the HTC Incredible is much closer to the Desire in terms of specs. The Incredible is also a Snapdragon powered smart phone running at 1GHz. It has a 3.7 inch capacitive touch screen (not confirmed to be AMOLED) and a 5 mega pixel camera with dual LED flash. So far, the Incredible is set for a US release, though it might get a name change and ported over to the UK.

Read more about the HTC Incredible at Tech Radar.

The KPN website already shows the new page for the elusive Android phone. As to why they got it first, we have no idea. HTC seems to be focusing on the Bravo for other regions. But with the KPN release of the Legend set to March, it would not be a long stretch to see the device launching in the UK at a similar date or in April.

News about the HTC Legend has been around since last year, and details about the smart phone got released when the HTC roadmap got leaked around last October. The roadmap showed plenty of new devices for HTC’s lineup including five Android smart phones and 3 Windows Mobile devices.

The WinMo phones were supposed to be using the 6.5 version of the OS (and like the HTC HD2, it will employ skinning to make the system easier to use; the HD2 used Sense while the three new phones will use the TouchFlo UI). With WinMo 6.5.3 already launching and version 7 expected to arrive later this year, we might not see the Windows devices until a much later time.

For the Androids, it looks like HTC is going at it one device at a time. The HTC Bravo, which is first in list, got announced and confirmed first. The Hero successor Legend is now the second device in the list that has been confirmed. At this rate, we can expect news on the Salsa, Tide and Buzz to start popping out in the next few months.

The Legend comes with a 3.2 inch AMOLED touch screen, a 600 MHz processor, FM radio, WiFi and a 1300 mAh battery –so far no prices yet.

See the KPN advertisement and more details of the HTC Legend at Engadget.

The start of 2010 was pretty exciting for HTC. While the Nexus One did not carry the HTC brand, it was already a well established fact that they were the manufacturers behind the first Google phone. While the Nexus One did not exactly have a very successful run, it is obvious that the Taiwanese manufacturer has a good grasp of the Android operating system.

The real deal will come this March with the launch of the HTC Bravo –a device which we can consider as the precursor to the Nexus One. The Bravo was the first Android device to combine the 1GHz Snapdragon processor with a 3.7 inch AMOLED touch screen display –features pretty much identical to the Nexus One, but the Bravo also comes with a 5 mega pixel camera that can take 720p HD videos. It is also expected that when the Bravo launches the HTC Legend will be coming out as well. The HTC Legend is considered to be a successor the successful HTC Hero.

With reports stating that Motorola will be working on the next Google phone with the project Shadow device, HTC has been able to focus on its own lineup and reports are stating that the manufacturer’s next Android phone, the HTC Scorpion, will come with a 1.5GHz processor. No word yet on what kind of ARM based chip this will be, but many are assuming that it might be the upcoming dual core Snapdragon CPU.

Aside from Android phones, it has also been reported that HTC will be coming out with a Brew phone soon.

For more information and details on the upcoming HTC Scorpion and the 1.5GHz processor, go to Tech Radar.

According to the roadmap of HTC for 2010 –which got leaked last year; the mobile phone manufacturer has plenty of mobile devices lined up for this year, and the starting list includes 3 Windows Mobile smart phones and 5 impressive Android devices.

So far, only the HTC Bravo has been confirmed for release and people are expecting to see the amazing smart phone face off against the Google Phone Nexus One with whom it shares a very similar spec sheet.

The second device in the roadmap to materialize is the HTC Legend. In the list, the Legend appears to be some sort of mini-Bravo; featuring similar specifications but with a slightly lowered down spec sheet. The device would come with a 3.2 inch AMOLED touch screen, a 600 MHz Qualcomm CPU and a basic 5 mega pixel camera. Compared to the Bravo’s 1GHz Snapdragon processor, camera with 720p HD video recording and larger touch screen, the Legend is pretty much a Bravo-Lite.

On the other hand, people are considering the Legend as a big improvement over the HTC Hero. The Hero was great device for its time and people have long been awaiting a Hero 2 device. The HTC Espresso sported features similar to the Hero and had a physical keyboard, but it is the Legend that really delivers an upgrade in terms of specs.

One advantage of the Legend is that the specs are well balanced. The device does not have the high end hardware of the Nexus One or the Bravo, but it will certainly have a more sensible price tag which should attract the general market. So far, no word on a release date has been given.

See the images and get more details on the upcoming HTC Legend at Engadget.

The HTC Bravo is considered to be the most impressive phone in the entirety of HTC’s 2010 line up, the phone comes with high end hardware and the Android OS. The phone is run by a 1 GHz Snapdragon processor so expect to see some really fast loading and booting speeds on this phone.

The screen is a nice big 3.7 inch capacitive AMOLED touch screen display –its excellent when you are viewing high resolution images and the 720p videos you record with the phone’s 5 mega pixel camera.

Yep, the Bravo comes with a 5 mega pixel snapper with autofocus, LED flash and the ability to record 720p HD videos. Expect to see this impressive 3G phone when it launches this March. For now, there are confirmed images of the device showing the stylish form factor of the casing.

The HTC Legend on the other hand has been out of the news for quite some time now. Just recently is has re-emerged with mostly the same specs but with a larger screen. On the leaked roadmap, the Legend was listed as having a 3.2 inch AMOLED touch screen. Now, reports say that the Legend will have a 3.7 inch AMOLED screen just like the Bravo.

This would put the two devices on mostly the same level if it were not for the fact that the Bravo would be using a 1GHz CPU while the Legend will be using a 600 MHz core. The Legend will not have HD video recording capabilities either.

Read more about the HTC Bravo and the HTC Legend from Phone Arena.