HTC further confirmed the momentum behind Android, and the company’s role as a main backer of the OS, with the announcement of two new handsets at today’s show.

Both the Desire (pictured) and Legend devices incorporate an upgraded version of HTC’s Sense user interface (UI), aiming to provide greater integration of social media. Updates from any popular social-networking service will be streamed together by the UI. The company has also improved navigation between the UI’s seven homescreens to make the process quicker and easier. The new Sense UI will be available as a free upgrade to users of one of HTC’s older handsets, the Hero, in Europe and Asia.

Both new smartphones run the latest Android 2.1 platform. The Desire is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 1GHz processor. Vodafone intends to offer both handsets across its markets.

The changes are an attempt by the Taiwanese vendor – the first backer of Android – to gain ground in an increasing competitive market. “HTC is now in a tough fight. It is my vision that we will become a top three smartphone supplier in 2013,” said CEO Peter Chou.

Legend will launch in Europe via Vodafone and in the direct channel from April. Vodafone will offer a customised version of Legend, with pre-loaded Vodafone 360 services. Legend will roll out to other markets including Asia in early Q2. Desire will be broadly available to customers across major European and Asian markets in early Q2. Telstra will offer the device exclusively in Australia.

The company also today announced a new version of an existing handset based on Microsoft’s Windows Mobile 6.5 OS. The HD mini is a compact version of the HD2 handset launched in the autumn. It will be available in Europe and Asia from April.

Finally, HTC said it will launch a handset later this year based on Windows Phone 7 Series, Microsoft’s revamped smartphone OS, which was unveiled Monday.