Taiwan's High Tech Computer unveiled Tuesday a mobile phone it said was designed make web-browsing as easy as making phone calls, with the device seen as a rival to Apple's upcoming iPhone2. On a 2.8-inch display, users of the Touch Diamond receive animated access to text messaging, email, photos, music, weather and more, the company said.

They can also zoom-in and pan websites with one hand and automatically view optimised content specially created to fit the display. Touch Diamond also includes a YouTube application and Google Maps.

Many experts see the device as direct competition to the upcoming iPhone2, although an unnamed High Tech Computer official would not compare the two, saying merely that Touch Diamond was "already good enough."

High Tech Computer said it was pleased with its previous smartphone, the Touch, launched last year. It has since sold more than three million units worldwide.

The company claimed that it had taken a major leap forward in touch screen innovation with the introduction of a new 3D touch interface, called "Touch FLO 3D."

The Touch Diamond is scheduled to hit the market in June, the company said, without specifying the price.

Basic specifications