British readers will be pleased to learn that the unlocked version of one of HTC’s most anticipated phones is finally in stock today at online retailers including Clove and Expansys. The HTC Desire can be described as HTC’s Sense-enabled version of the Nexus One.

The Desire, which is expected to be available on every major UK carrier, has already been received by some lucky T-Mobile customers, but those of us with commitment phobia will be happy to know that the unlocked version is now available for around £430 ($660). With taxes and shipping fees this is about the same price as importing a $530 Nexus One from Google, so customers might want to weigh up the pros and cons of timely OS updates versus the swanky new Sense UI of the HTC Desire. A new optical trackpad and real, physical buttons might also sway you towards HTC’s newest 1GHz smartphone.

Meanwhile, Phones4U and Vodafone are now offering the HTC Legend to new customers online. An updated version of HTC’s highly successful Hero, The Legend offers little in the way of spec upgrades over its predecessor, although a brilliant AMOLED display and a sexy new aluminium body means it’s definitely an improvement. Under the hood, the Legend runs the latest 2.1 version of Android, and is another beneficiary of HTC’s Sense styling. The Legend is free with a 2-year contract at £20 per month, or can be picked up for £370 ($568) unlocked.

HTC will be hoping the brand new Sense UI, tweaked and twisted to fit Android 2.1, can give its devices an edge over the increasingly large number of Android phones now available. We don’t see why not, as unlike other less appealing skins (MotoBLUR), Sense makes some marked improvements over vanilla Android. In fact, HTC is so confident of its selling power, it’s even namechecked the interface on the back of the Desire.

If you’re living in the UK, you can most likely walk over to your closest T-Mobile store and pick to the HTC Desire with no issues.  HTC is expected to launch it on other carriers within a couple weeks as well.  But what if you simply want an unlocked phone?  Retailers were expecting to get their shipments from HTC this week, but word on the street is that delivery has been delayed.  Clove is reporting that HTC has postponed delivery of the unlocked HTC Desire to April 13^th.  Apparently, the delay affects all retails that plan on socking the HTC Desire.  The HTC Legend is already in stock at Clove and other online retailers.  We’re not sure if HTC is simply having distribution issues or is prioritizing where the handsets go.   At the moment, all we know is that we have to wait at least one more week before we can purchase an unlocked HTC Desire.  Let the waiting continue….

Source: Clove Technology

If you’ve been craving a new dose of HTC with a touch of Android, T-Mobile UK is now selling the HTC Desire though their website. We still don’t know when the HTC Desire will show up in retail locations, but the website promises that you will have your T-Mobile HTC Desire is less than 7 days if you order NOW.  As expected, T-Mobile will be giving the HTC Desire away for free if you’re willing to part with £35 ($53) per month for the next two years.  If you would rather pay a little less every month, T-Mobile is offering a £15 ($22) plan that includes 300 minutes, 300 texts, internet, but the price of the HTC Desire jumps up to £129 ($194). 

Sites like Expansys and Amazon are not expected to start shipments of the HTC Desire for at least another ten days. Anyone planning on placing their order today? We would love to hear your impressions of the handset once you get your greasy fingers prints smeared all over the 3.7 inch AMOLED display.

Source: T-Mobile UK

When it comes to Android, HTC has always given customers a few color options.  The T-mobile G1 shipped in black, white, and brown and since then we have seen multiple color variations for the Magic and the Hero as well.  To carry on that tradition, HTC is allowing BelCompany in the Netherlands to order up a gray/silver version of the HTC Desire which they are expected to launch during April.  The gunmetal shell cover has been replaced with a smooth gray and the front buttons are now brushed aluminum to match the screen’s trim.  At the moment, there is no indication that HTC will be making this color available for any other markets, but you never know. 

Source: Engadget

Vodafone is prepping for one of the most exciting phone launches in quite a few years.  If you live in the UK, I’m sure you’ve already heard that HTC’s new Android lineup (HTC Desire and HTC Legend) are expected to launch on Vodafone in early April.  Vodafone’s coming soon page is full of pictures and details of the two handsets, but we also noticed the upcoming Nexus One there as well.  Back in January, Google announced that the Nexus One would be heading to Vodafone in the spring of 2010, but there has not been any update on when the handset should be available.  Recent rumors indicate that the Nexus One has hit a few bumps during testing, causing the expected launch date to be postponed.  We are not sure what these bumps might be, but we have all heard of the 3G issues that the U.S. Nexus One suffered right after launch. 

HTC new HD Mini is also slated to launch on Vodafone as well.  The HTC HD Mini is definitely not as mind bending as its older sibling (HTC HD2), but it should offer consumers a great Windows Mobile phone for those who simply are not ready to make the leap to Android.  Expect to see that HTC Desire, Legend, and HD Mini hit Vodafone stores in the UK during the first two weeks of April.  All three HTC handsets will be available for free on select contracts from Vodafone.  Pricing and availability of the Nexus One are still a mystery at this point, though we expect the N1 will also be available for free with a new contract and we’re hoping that it will become available before the end of April.

Source: Vodafone