Fast-rising smartphone vendor HTC has unveiled another high-profile Android device, this time with US number one operator Verizon Wireless. The ‘Droid Incredible’ has been billed by some as the follow-up to the acclaimed Desire, launched at this year’s GSMA Mobile World Congress. The Droid Incredible will be available April 29 for US$199.99 with a two-year Verizon contract and monthly data plan. The device is the latest member of Verizon’s Droid family (in addition to Motorola and other HTC devices) and features the newest version of HTC’s Sense user interface. It includes quick access to online photo service Flickr and runs the Android 2.1 platform. It is powered by Qualcomm’s 1GHz Snapdragon processor, has an 8MP camera and boasts a 3.7 inch screen and integrated GPS. It also has a “topographic” battery cover and an optical mouse as opposed to a trackball.

Taiwanese vendor HTC has cornered the market for Android-based phones and was the first to support Google’s mobile operating system two years ago. It built Google’s Nexus One device, and is also working with US operator Sprint on Evo, the world’s first WiMAX smartphone. Speculation is currently rife that HTC may seek to acquire Palm, the troubled US phone-maker behind the Pre smartphone. HTC is contemplating whether or not it should create its own operating system for its mobile devices, rather than relying on Windows Mobile and Android as it currently does. If it were to acquire Palm, it could use a version of the company’s acclaimed WebOS platform to power its phones.