Wednesday, November 5, 2014

HTC has own-brand tablets in the pipeline, but they won't come cheap

In other words, look out for a Sense-running Nexus 9 sans Google identification.



Google bestowed a great honor upon HTC when choosing it as the hardware manufacturer in charge with the development of hands down the coolest, sleekest, beefiest Nexus tablet in history. But the Taiwanese will have to find their own way in the tablet arena if they are to stay in the game.

One swallow does not a summer make, and a mouth-watering ultra-high-end Nexus device doesn’t wipe the slate clean after HTC’s Jetstream and Flyer flops. Of course, those are in the (distant) past, so if an N9 equivalent with non-stock Android is incoming, it could help bury the painful memories for good.

Own-branded HTC slates have been making the rumor rounds for over a year now, likely being on standby all this time due to imperfect timing. But it’s now or never for the creators of the beautiful One smartphone lineup, as the company’s financials start stabilizing.

The current wave of N9 enthusiasm has to be capitalized in the near future, if ever, and HTC confirmed “own-brand tablets” are planned for “next year”. Yes, that’s tablets, plural, and sadly, next year, as in a woefully vague timeline.



The statements come from HTC CFO Chang Chia-Lin, who also left the door open for future Google collaborations. Granted, he didn’t mention the search giant by name, but he did point out co-branding opportunities will be considered, with “potential partners” capable of helping increase HTC’s “long-term growth potential”. So, Google.

As far as the upcoming tablet or tablets go, the Asian OEM is reportedly not interested in the low-cost niche. “It’s not a profitable market” said HTC North Asia President Jack Tong, adding “there is actually a bit more room for growth and product differentiation in the high-end and mid-tier tablet segments.”

You know what? We actually wholeheartedly agree. Clearly, the low-cost market is oversaturated, and profit margins are slim to non-existent. Meanwhile, you’re probably having trouble thinking of one or two high-end Android tablets other than the N9.

Samsung has a few, Sony has the Xperia Z2 Tablet and Z3 Tablet Compact, but otherwise, the coast is clear for HTC to grow and dominate. Give it your best shot, guys.

Source: Focus Taiwan



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