iPHONE RIVALS? Motorola unveils three smartphones

Google Inc's Motorola Mobility unveiled three smartphones to help compete with bigger rivals Apple Inc and Samsung Electronics Co for the holiday shopping season.

Verizon Wireless, the biggest U.S. mobile provider, will sell all three devices - the Droid Razr HD, the Droid Razr Maxx HD and the Droid Razr M - the companies said on Wednesday.

The smartphones will use Google's Android software. Motorola showed off the phones at a press event in New York, its first big media gathering since Google bought Motorola in May. Google has said that the handset maker will remain a separate subsidiary and will make fewer phones than before.

The unveiling was part of a flurry of mobile device launches ahead of the holiday season throughout the industry. Earlier on Wednesday, Nokia Oyj and Microsoft Corp unveiled their flagship phone, the Lumia 920, which uses the latest Windows Phone operating software. Nokia did not announce any wireless operator partners for its device.

Amazon.com Inc is expected to unwrap new Kindle Fire tablets on Thursday, and Apple is expected to unveil the latest version of its seminal iPhone on September 12.

Motorola Mobility's Droid Razr HD boasts a 4.7 inch screen with a sharper picture than Motorola's previous phones. Verizon Wireless did not announce pricing but said the device will be available in time for the holidays.

The Razr M is a smaller phone for more cost-conscious consumers, with a 4.3 inch display that covers most of the front of the phone. That device will be available for $99.99 when it goes on sale at Verizon Wireless stores next week.

The Droid Razr Maxx HD will have similar features to the Razr HD but will boast a longer battery life. Motorola promised that the device could run for 21 hours of phone calls or 13 hours of video viewing.

Google Chairman Eric Schmidt told the audience that consumers are now activating as many as 1.3 million Android phones every day. Motorola rival Samsung is the biggest maker of phones based on Android.

Verizon Wireless is a venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone Group Plc.