Along with other handset launches, HTC has announced the European launch of the HTC Touch Dual, a "3.5G" HSDPA handset with a sliding keypad.

We brought you news of this imminent launch, but with the handset monikered the "Slide", which appears not to be the case, certainly for the European market.

A follow-up to the HTC Touch, the Touch Dual will feature HTC's TouchFLO, gesture-recognition technology but now with new functionality including the ability to view photo slideshows using on-screen controls and to zoom and rotate images one-handed.

TouchFLO also allows enhanced finger touch scrolling and browsing of web pages.

The HTC Touch Dual offers Windows Mobile 6.0 pro software and all associated productivity that goes along with it.

HTC also announced a new colour-way and a free, full-screen virtual keypad download for the original HTC Touch.

From October the HTC Touch will be available in "Arctic Silver", the virtual keypad will be available via download from the HTC website at www.htceurope.com.

The HTC Touch Dual will be available to customers across Europe later this month in either a 12 or 20 key keypad variation, depending on country and operator.

Orange will offer the device in the UK later this month. The handset will be available for free with a £35 price plan.

Those not keen on the black colour should wait until a further announcement next week.

HTC Touch Dual features:

* Size: 107 x 55 x 15.8 mm
* Weight: 120g
* Connectivity: WCDMA/HSDPA: 2100 MHz/GSM/EDGE: 900/1800/1900MHz
* Operating system: Windows Mobile 6 Professional
* Display: 2.6-inch QVGA flat touch screen
* Camera: 2 megapixel plus front facing camera for video calling
* Internal memory: 256MB flash, 128MB RAM
* Removable memory: microSD slot
* Bluetooth: 2.0 with EDR
* Interface: HTC ExtUSB (mini-USB and audio jack in one; USB 2.0 Full-Speed)
* Battery: 1100 mAh
* Talk time: WCDMA: up to 240 minutes, GSM: up to 360 minutes
* Standby time: WCDMA: up to 250 hours, GSM: up to 150 hours
* Chipset: Qualcomm MSM7200, 400MHz

The HTC Shift, HTC P6500 and HTC S730 have also been announced.

>> News - HTC launches Shift, P6500 and S730