HTC Dream is the first HTC-branded Android phone

HTC have just announced their new HTC Dream, an HTC-branded clone of T-Mobile G1. HTC Dream will be targeted at Asia and Australia exclusively thus becoming the first Android handset Down Under (sorry, Kogan).

In an obvious attempt to stay out of the way of T-Mobile G1, HTC are releasing their Android-powered HTC Dream only in Asia and Australia. Customers of SingTel and their Australian subsidiary, Optus, should soon be able to get their hands on the HTC Android device.

HTC Dream will be available in Asia and Australia

We can't really say anything new about the HTC Dream specs - it's identical to T-Mobile G1. You get a 3.2 megapixel camera, a 3.2-inch slide-out touchscreen plus a full QWERTY keyboard. There's Wi-Fi and GPS on board and you can rely on HSDPA for fast cellular data transfers.

All the Google goodies such as Gmail, YouTube, Maps with Street View and full wireless PIM syncing are included as well just as with the initially released T-Mobile G1.

There's no word of a white colored Dream, which is strange since we're hearing "white" is the new "black" in Asia.

Pricing and availability for the HTC Dream in SingTel networks will be announced later on, while Optus Australia will offer the device from 16 February 2009.

Optus Post-Paid customers will be able to purchase the HTC Dream on one of four new monthly plans starting from $59 AUD per month, plus handset costs.

You can get more info about the Optus plans here.