HTC CEO: No recycling of WM6 handsets for Android

[Mr Android]

HTC’s Peter Chou has confirmed today that the company is developing a whole new range of Android-powered handsets that, despite having a number of successful designs already in their portfolio, will be distinct from the current Windows Mobile powered range. In an interview with Engadget, the company CEO discussed HTC’s move from producing OEM handsets for carriers to promoting their own brand, and how their development of software interfaces which, so far, have run on top of WM6 has prepared them for the opportunity to build unique devices based on Android.

“HTC is trying to differentiate ourselves in terms of user experience. Not just features or functions or tags, just really trying to design the product from the user’s perspective, because we care about the user. So our vision is that we want people to enjoy that mobility, which comes from user-focused design. Touch Flo is one such technology, and we are very proud of. And we are actually trying to innovate from the software user experience, that point of view. Definitely, the Android platform has a lot more flexibility to do more in this area” Peter Chou, CEO, HTC

As designers of the reference and demo platform credited with bringing many Open Handset Alliance members onto the scheme, Chou revealed that Google has in fact been working closely with HTC for the past two years developing the open-source Linux-based OS. Previous interviews with Chou have seen him reveal a few details regarding HTC’s Android roadmap, including their plans to release 2-3 handsets in 2008 that are based on the OS, and it’s rumored that one such device will be a consumer version of the demo design, codenamed the HTC Dream.

“Well if we want to be successful or successful products, we have to think of things holistically — the whole thing. You need it to really impress people. Instead of just doing things here or there — I’ve never seen a product that was very successful in that fashion. So I think there are no worries about that. We are actually very disciplined and professional and try to do these things separately” Peter Chou

When pressed on the subject of whether HTC would recycle existing models, Chou confirmed they would not, although they would of course leverage existing hardware development such as wireless capabilities and mobile CPUs. Similarly, they will still be building WM-based devices and there is unlikely to be an option for cross-device OS installation given Chou’s push for holistic design.

10 December 2007 Chris Davies

[vcw]

Does this mean I can buy the HTC Touch Pro with a Android interface/platform, or with a WM6 platform?
Will it be possible to switch between platform without uninstalling, installing, etc..
If you can, would it be like how dual boot works on computers where you pick the OS you want to use before the computer loads.
I'm planning between the HTC Dream and HTC Touch Pro, any suggestions?
What are the advantages of each?
Do you know where I can find the specifications the HTC Dream carries?

Thanks!
Victor

[Big Al]

The article says you will not have the option to go back and forth or pick between the two OS on the same device.
What I find the most interesting in the article is that HTC is planning on releasing 2-3 phones before the end of 2008. That means 1-2 more for you mathematically challenged!

[NetCom]

I would like to see HTC if their business plans allow a choice between OS that person would pick what OS they want to have on their phone.
If there is WM license fee that falls onto the customer to pay (well at least a portion of it) I would want to go with Android where the license does not have to be paid.
That is something I see happening with HTC very soon... As soon as google Android OS acquires big portion of the mobile industry cake - you will see people changing their opinions...

Remember, business as usual - and business is always about what customers need the most!

[Jorsher]

I would like to see HTC if their business plans allow a choice between OS that person would pick what OS they want to have on their phone.
If there is WM license fee that falls onto the customer to pay (well at least a portion of it) I would want to go with Android where the license does not have to be paid.
That is something I see happening with HTC very soon... As soon as google Android OS acquires big portion of the mobile industry cake - you will see people changing their opinions...

Remember, business as usual - and business is always about what customers need the most!

Oddly, a couple computer manufacturers started releasing their products with Ubuntu installed...for a fee.

It would be nice to have that choice in the mobile market though.

[Skatturbrain]

Not just features or functions or tags, just really trying to design the product from the user’s perspective, because we care about the user. So our vision is that we want people to enjoy that mobility, which comes from user-focused design.

Then why leave out a 3.5 mm headphone jack? lol Come on!

[tread]

Then why leave out a 3.5 mm headphone jack? lol Come on!

well yah, obviously that may be from a business perspective, but it saves mainboard space, they include the adaptor typically for your 3.5mm connection, from my experience when taken care of lasts longer than a 3.5mm jack, and so on...

same question you would ask a company "why don't you make a unified charger with other companies?"

profit, my friend... a charger that costs a manufacturer probably less than a dollar to manufacturer goes through a commission based heirarchy... so though it only costs 1 dollar for the manufacturer, 3 dollars for the commission based company selling it, they sell it for 19.99 plus tax, minus the transportation overhead and part out to the commission based company, and they make boat loads of money no matter what