Will the “One” be the smartphone to lift struggle smartphone maker HTC out of its recent troubles?

The One, which was disclosed Tuesday, certainly includes plenty of tools and applications as it tries to gain ground in the crowded, extremely competitive smartphone market. Last year, HTC closed a research and development office in Durham, laying off some 50 people.

The company hopes this new line of devices rights the corporate ship.

For one thing, it is taking a page from longtime partner Microsoft as it launches a new phone under the One brand.

The phone runs Google’s Android system, but HTC is grafting its own home screen on the phone, one that’s similar to that of Microsoft’s Windows Phone software.

Other attention-getting features include live content streaming, stereo sound and the ability to turn the device into a TV remote.

“People today immerse themselves in a constant stream of updates, news and information. Although smartphones are one of the main ways we stay in touch with the people and information we care about, conventional designs have failed to keep pace with how people are actually using them,” said Peter Chou, HTC’s chief executive officer. “A new, exciting approach to the smartphone is needed and with the new HTC One, we have re-imagined the mobile experience from the ground up to reflect this new reality.”

The new HTC One has a 4.7-inch screen, making it larger than the iPhone but smaller than some other Android phones, including HTC’s own 5-inch Droid DNA, which launched in November. The HTC One has the same screen resolution as the larger phone, at 1920 by 1080 pixels.

At a press event in New York, HTC’s design director Jonah Becker emphasized precision machining that goes into making the virtually all-metal body of the phone. In a design reminiscent of the iPhone 5, HTC has eliminated all the little gaps between different parts, giving the phone a smooth, tight feel in the hand.

HTC One features two speakers, at the top and bottom of the screen, producing a stereo effect when the phone is turned on its side for movie viewing. Another unusual feature is an infrared diode that lets the phone serve as a universal remote for a TV or media center.

HTC sold 32 million smartphones last year according to research firm Gartner, giving it about 4 percent of the worldwide market. Unit sales were down 26 percent from HTC’s peak in 2011.

The “BlinkFeed” interface consists of large tiles that update automatically with information and photos from news sites and social networks.

The phone will go on sale in late March. HTC says U.S. partners will include AT&T, Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile, but specific availability dates and prices weren’t available.

The new phone features two speakers, at the top and bottom of the screen, producing a stereo effect when the phone is turned on the side for movie viewing.

Here’s how HTC described the new features:

  • HTC BlinkFeed: A personal live stream right on the home screen

“At the centre of the new HTC One experience is HTC BlinkFeed. HTC BlinkFeed is a bold new experience that transforms the home screen into a single live stream of personally relevant information such as social updates, entertainment and lifestyle updates, news and photos with immersive images so that people no longer need to go to separate applications to find out what’s happening. HTC BlinkFeed aggregates the freshest content from the most relevant and interesting sources, giving it to people at a glance, all in one place, without the need to jump between multiple applications and web sites.”

  • HTC UltraPixel Camera with HTC Zoe

“The breakthrough HTC UltraPixel Camera redefines how people capture, relive and share their most precious moments. HTC Zoe gives people the ability to shoot high-res photos that come to life in three-second snippets. These Zoes, photos and videos are then displayed in a unique way that brings the gallery to life and transforms the traditional photo gallery of still images into a motion gallery of memories. It also automatically creates integrated highlight films from each event comprised of Zoes, photos and videos set to music with professionally designed cuts, transitions and effects. These highlight videos can be remixed or set to different themes, and can be easily shared on social networks, email and other services.”

  • HTC BoomSound

“The new HTC One offers the best audio experience of any mobile phone available today. HTC BoomSound introduces for the first time on a phone, front-facing stereo speakers with a dedicated amplifier and an amazing full HD display that immerses people in music, videos, games and the YouTube™ clips they love. Beats Audio™ integration is enabled across the entire experience for rich, authentic sound whether you’re listening to your favorite music, watching a YouTube video or playing a game.”

  • HTC Sense TV

“HTC Sense TV transforms the new HTC One into an interactive program guide and remote control for most TVs, set-top boxes and receivers. Tapping the power of the cloud, Sense TV makes it simple and intuitive to see what’s on and find that favorite show.”

(The AP contributed to this report.)