London - Close on the heels of the UK launch of Android-based HTC Hero, its bigger and better sibling HTC Touch HD2 (also known as HTC Leo) is gearing to shake up the mobile phone market in the UK.

HD2 boasts of a 4.3-inch WVGA capacitive touchscreen with 480x800 resolution, runs on the latest Windows Mobile 6.5 platform and is powered by a Qualcomm 1Ghz Snapdragon processor that makes the device road-ready for mobile internet use.

HD2 comes equipped with HTC Sense UI, which is based on the principles: "Make it mine," "Stay Close" and "Discover the Unexpected." This allows the user to create his own environment, to conveniently communicate with contacts through multiple channels, while the innovative features make the difference between local phone and online disappear. HTC Sense slightly resembles the TouchFlo which we have seen on other models, but HTC Sense, which lets you create personal widgets and screens for your own personalization and is capable of multitasking, takes things just that little bit further.

Other features include a 5-Megapixel camera with dual LED flash and auto-focus (but no video recording), WiFi, GPS, HSUPA, 3G HSDPA, GPRS, EDGE, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, FM radio, HTML (Opera) browser, virtual touchscreen-based keyboard, G-sensor (like accelerometer in iPhone that senses if you rotate the device and changes the display to match), 512MB internal memory, microSD card slot, support for multiple audio and video formats, digital compass, micro-USB connector and a standard 3.5mm headphone jack.

HD2 will also be the first Windows Mobile-based device to come with the "pinch to zoom" option, which, however, is a commonplace feature on the Apple iPhone.

The smartphone will also have integrated applications that connect directly for Facebook, Twitter and YouTube allowing users to access data more easily.

The quadband GSM-based smartphone, which measures 4.7x2.6x0.4 inches (121x67x11 mm), weighs 5.5 ounces (157gm) and is powered by a decent 1230mAh battery that has enough juice to power the phone up to 380 minutes (talktime) and up to 490 hours (standby time), starts shipping in the UK from November 20 and the SIM-free version costs £550 ($880). Words are out that if you pre-order the HTC HD2 from Amazon UK, you can claim a free HTC Mono Bluetooth Headset and free delivery.

HD2 is also available for pre-order on Clove in the UK where it is priced at £505. Clove also promises to start shipping the smartphone from November 11. However, note that Clove price does not include shipping costs and there are no freebies around.

The smartphone will also be available from wireless carrier O2 and its partner Carphone Warehouse both on contract as well as SIM-free, contract-free basis.

No doubt, HD2 is rather pricey but, hey, the whopping capacitive touchscreen and 1Ghz Snapdragon processor justify its price.

So what are you geeks waiting for? Go, grab one.