Group Report Assignment Online
Group Report Assignment Online
Group Report Assignment Online
Back in 1996 Cher Wang, a Taiwanese entrepreneur, observed that professionals were finding it cumbersome to carry along more and more handheld devices in their everyday jobs: therefore she wanted to come up with an all-in-one device that could replace all of them1. Just a year later, in May 1997, a team of engineers left the Taiwanese subsidiary of Digital Equipment Corp. to launch the High Tech Computer Corporation (today known as HTC), founded by Ms Wang, also Chairperson of the HTC Corporation, and Peter Chou, President and CEO2. It was at that time that HTC, originally an outsourcing company, began its relationship with Microsoft and decided to focus on portable gadgets that employed Windows operating system3. The Taiwanese engineers came out with one of the first Windows handhelds, which became Compaq Computer's popular iPAQ in 20004. In spite of many achievements, such as
Figure 1.1: The first iPAQ Pocket PC http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/4205
its early initial public offering in 1998 and the development of the first ever fullcolour screen notebook, the company faced huge losses during its first two years: its products presented many technical problems and were therefore unattractive to
1
Reference for Business. (2011) High Tech Computer Corporation - Company Profile, Information, Business Description, History, Background Information on High Tech Computer Corporation. [Online] Available from: http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/44/High-Tech-ComputerCorporation.html [Accessed 5th April 2011].
2
Reference for Business. (2011) High Tech Computer Corporation - Company Profile, Information, Business Description, History, Background Information on High Tech Computer Corporation. [Online] Available from: http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/44/High-Tech-ComputerCorporation.html [Accessed 5th April 2011].
3
Articlesbase. (2010) HTC Cell Phones A Brief, Successful History [Online] Available from: http://www.articlesbase.com/computers-articles/htc-cell-phones-a-brief-successful-history1675065.html [Accessed 5th April 2011].
4
Reference for Business. (2011) High Tech Computer Corporation - Company Profile, Information, Business Description, History, Background Information on High Tech Computer Corporation. [Online] Available from: http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/44/High-Tech-ComputerCorporation.html [Accessed 5th April 2011].
costumers5. This led Ms Wang to invest a huge amount of money in order to improve the companys design and engineering capacity6. HTC commercially released its smartphone in 2002 and signed a contract with many mobile phone network operators like Orange, T-Mobile and AT&T Wireless7. To avoid losses due to the high competition that arose a year later, HTC smartly lowered its costs by shifting part of its manufacturing process to mainland China, while launching a subsidiary both in Suzhou and in the US8. The adoption of the companys smartphones by leading operators in Europe and in the US, and many fast-growing Asian operators along with the improvement of the software development wing after the acquisition of IA Style, (software applications developer for Windows Mobile operating system) led the companys revenues reach almost $1 billion in 20049. In 2005, HTC launched a subsidiary in the UK in order to settle itself closer to its major customers: T-Mobile, O2, Vodafone, Orange, and Telefnica10. 2006 was indeed a prolific year for HTC: it focused on strengthening its
5
Reference for Business. (2011) High Tech Computer Corporation - Company Profile, Information, Business Description, History, Background Information on High Tech Computer Corporation. [Online] Available from: http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/44/High-Tech-ComputerCorporation.html [Accessed 5th April 2011].
6
Reference for Business. (2011) High Tech Computer Corporation - Company Profile, Information, Business Description, History, Background Information on High Tech Computer Corporation. [Online] Available from: http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/44/High-Tech-ComputerCorporation.html [Accessed 5th April 2011].
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Reference for Business. (2011) High Tech Computer Corporation - Company Profile, Information, Business Description, History, Background Information on High Tech Computer Corporation. [Online] Available from: http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/44/High-Tech-ComputerCorporation.html [Accessed 5th April 2011].
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Reference for Business. (2011) High Tech Computer Corporation - Company Profile, Information, Business Description, History, Background Information on High Tech Computer Corporation. [Online] Available from: http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/44/High-Tech-ComputerCorporation.html [Accessed 5th April 2011].
9
Reference for Business. (2011) High Tech Computer Corporation - Company Profile, Information, Business Description, History, Background Information on High Tech Computer Corporation. [Online] Available from: http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/44/High-Tech-ComputerCorporation.html [Accessed 5th April 2011].
10
Reference for Business. (2011) High Tech Computer Corporation - Company Profile, Information, Business Description, History, Background Information on High Tech Computer Corporation. [Online] Available from: http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/44/High-Tech-ComputerCorporation.html [Accessed 5th April 2011].
operations in the Asian markets and achieved it by acquiring Dopod, a major manufacturer and distributor of HTC smartphones in Asia11. It also launched HTC Advantage, the worlds most powerful mobile office with a full detachable QWERTY keyboard12. In early 2007, a Windows Vista enabled device known as HTC Shift was released, closely followed by the launch of HTC Touch featuring the TouchFLO user interface13. In 2008 the iconic HTC Touch Diamond and worlds first Google Android phone were launched and over 6 million HTC mobile devices sold14. The following year HTC introduced the user friendly and efficient HTC Sense and recently launched the first 4G Android phone, providing the fastest mobile Internet experience available15. With a turnover of 3.5 billion dollars, an outstanding high-volume manufacturing facility the company currently employs over 5000 people, out of which 25% works on new technologies development16. HTC long-term business strategy can be said to be tightly intertwined with its worldwide spread marketing campaign, which suggests users that "You don't need to get a phone. You need a phone that gets you" and with its design innovation, which has gone beyond the established notions, making costumers at the centre of the design work. In fact, all the smart phones the company has released during the last twelve years, which have exceeded 50 different models, have in common the iconic simplicity, an integral part of the product design process17.
11
Articlesbase. (2010) HTC Cell Phones A Brief, Successful History [Online] Available from: http://www.articlesbase.com/computers-articles/htc-cell-phones-a-brief-successful-history1675065.html [Accessed 5th April 2011].
12
Crunchbase. (2011) HTC. [Online] Available from: http://www.crunchbase.com/company/htc [Accessed 5th April 2011].
13
HTC Corporation. (2011) Mission. [Online] Available from: http://www.htc.com/www/abouthtc/mission.html [Accessed 5th April 2011].
14
HTC Corporation. (2011) Mission. [Online] Available from: http://www.htc.com/www/abouthtc/mission.html [Accessed 5th April 2011].
15
HTC Phones. (2009) HTC The Story of Success. [Online] http://www.htcphones.net/htc-the-story-of-success/ [Accessed 5th April 2011].
16
Available
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HTC Phones. (2009) HTC The Story of Success. [Online] http://www.htcphones.net/htc-the-story-of-success/ [Accessed 5th April 2011].
17
Available
from:
HTC Corporation. (2009) HTC 2009 Annual Report. [Online], p.10. Available from: http://www.corpasia.net/taiwan/2498/irwebsite/index.php?mod=annual [Accessed 5th April 2011].
As stated in its website HTC's mission is to become the leading innovative supplier of mobile information and communication devices by providing valueadded design, world-class manufacturing and logistic and service capabilities18. According to Drew Bamford, Director of User Experience at HTC, [in the next few years] the phone might become the centre of peoples experiences with technology. Hence, in the very close future, the company may possibly focus on designing smartphones that will interact effectively with very different technology devices, such as the TV, radio and car19. Every single product the company will develop is believed to shorten the felt distance among people even more, while improving costumers lives and simplifying the receipt and management of information. These are the aims that lie at the basis of HTC product design work, supporting the desire of the company to keep on upgrading its products and user interfaces while fitting together cutting-edge style and functionality20. Design driven innovation21 has always represented a strategic asset for the company, as also stated by Wu Den-yih, the current Premier of the Republic of China, during the opening ceremony of the companys Taipei headquarters in April 2010:
18
HTC Corporation. (2011) Mission. [Online] Available from: http://www.htc.com/www/abouthtc/mission.html [Accessed 5th April 2011].
19
Miles, S. (2010) Inside HTC: Drew Bamford on what makes HTC Sense UI tick. [Online] Available from: http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/36950/inside-htc-drew-bamford-interview [Accessed 5th April 2011].
20
HTC Corporation. (2009) HTC 2009 Annual Report. [Online], p.10. Available from: http://www.corpasia.net/taiwan/2498/irwebsite/index.php?mod=annual [Accessed 5th April 2011].
21
According to Roberto Verganti, author of Design Driven Innovation, published by Harvard Business Press, Firms should look beyond features, functions, and performance and understand the real meanings users give to things. That is exactly what HTC has been trying to do since the beginning and what made it successful: the breakthrough technologies it used enabled it to make big and fast progress in product performance, while a deep analysis of its costumer needs allowed the company to improve its product solutions. As also underlined by Verganti, the first is the domain of radical innovation driven by technology, and the second of incremental innovation driven by the market (see figure above). Verganti, R. (2009) Design-Driven Innovation The Framework. [Online] Available from: http://www.designdriveninnovation.com/book.html [Accessed 5th April 2011].
Innovation has always been a core value of HTC since it was founded in 1997. I am very pleased to see HTC grow into a leading global brand. HTCs brand development and global visibility together with its focus on people are key factors in realizing HTCs unique brand commitment22. During the same ceremony, HTC Chairman Cher Wang, also added that HTC has been able to establish itself as a global smartphone leader thanks to its cuttingedge innovation and its ability to deeply empathize with its costumers23. The company distinctive idea, implemented in the last few years, is to create easy to use communicating devices, which can be described by their iconic simplicity vision of the design24. With HTC Desire, among the widely known Android smartphones of 201025, and HTC Hero, the first to be built with the HTC Sense user Interface26, the company showed its ability to implement its design philosophy both in hardware and software. One of the major features of the HTC Sense is Friend Stream27, a feature which allows costumers to keep in touch with their friends with just one click28.
22
WMPoweruser.com. (2010) HTC breaks ground for new Taipei R&D headquarters. [Online] Available from: http://wmpoweruser.com/htc-breaks-ground-for-new-taipei-rd-headquarters/ [Accessed 5th April 2011].
23
WMPoweruser.com. (2010) HTC breaks ground for new Taipei R&D headquarters. [Online] Available from: http://wmpoweruser.com/htc-breaks-ground-for-new-taipei-rd-headquarters/ [Accessed 5th April 2011].
24
HTC Corporation. (2008) HTC 2008 Annual Report. [Online], p.85. Available from: http://www.corpasia.net/canreport/main.php?ticker=2498&id=15®ionid=1 [Accessed 5th April 2011].
25
Davies, C. (2011) HTC Desire S Review. [Online] Available from: http://www.slashgear.com/htcdesire-s-review-28142921/ [Accessed 5th April 2011].
26
A graphical user interface based on the TouchFLO 3D design, which HTC developed for mobile phones running Android, Brew and Windows Mobile. Viddler. (2009) HTC Hero walkthrough. [Video] Available from: http://www.viddler.com/explore/engadget/videos/496/93.195 [Accessed 5th April 2011].
27
Nickinson, P. (2010) Review: The new HTC Sense interface on Android phones. [Online] Available from: http://www.androidcentral.com/review-new-htc-sense-android-phones [Accessed 5th April 2011].
28
HTC Corporation. (2010) Media Alert: HTC Desire Available From 27 April On Telstra's Next G Network. [Online] Available from: http://www.htc.com/in/press.aspx?id=126448&lang=1033
The position HTC has achieved during the years has a lot to do also with the partnerships it has engaged in. As already mentioned before, at the beginning, HTC partnered with Compaq Computer Corporation, which allowed it to succeed in the PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) segment29. An atypical relationship is the one the firm has built with One & Co: HTC acquired the industrial design company at the end of 2008, after contracting it for a consulting project in 2006. Nowadays the San Francisco based studio still works as an independent consultancy, although being an HTC subsidiary to all intents and purposes. What is to be underlined is that the cooperation between One & Co and HTC enabled the latter to compete with brands like Apple and Samsung, drawing the attention on the influence of design in the market of smart phones30. Other important partnerships that are worth to be mentioned are the agreements with Google, Microsoft and Qualcomm, with which the firm shares a similar innovative culture and vision on mobile telecommunications 31. The agreement signed with Google, from which both organizations have benefitted, dates back in 2008, when the companies worked together to develop the Google Phone (also known as T-Mobile G1). Google, at the time, was concentrating on software and online services, and was looking for a firm that specialized in hardware to develop a smartphone. The G1 gave HTC the chance to gain some recognition for the devices it had already been manufacturing for almost two years, while giving Google the opportunity to get into the portable phone market 32. During the years, HTC has leveraged on Googles large network and well-known reputation to enhance its brand value. Together, at the beginning of 2010, they launched Nexus
[Accessed 5th April 2011].
29
Reference for Business. (2011) High Tech Computer Corporation - Company Profile, Information, Business Description, History, Background Information on High Tech Computer Corporation. [Online] Available from: http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/44/High-Tech-ComputerCorporation.html [Accessed 5th April 2011].
30
Woyke, E. (2009) HTCs Design Future. [Online] Available from: http://www.forbes.com/2009/09/21/cellphone-smartphone-design-technology-wireless-htc.html [Accessed 5th April 2011].
31
HTC Corporation. (2009) HTC 2009 Annual Report. [Online], p.36. Available from: http://www.corpasia.net/canreport/main.php?ticker=2498&id=25®ionid=1 [Accessed 5th April 2011].
32
Helft, M., M. Holson, L. (2008) With Google Phone, HTC Comes Out of the Shadows. Available from: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/23/technology/23phone.html? em=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1301948420-RWA1+/L6MSji8mX8yAgkqQ [Accessed 5th April 2011].
One, which bears the HTC Logo, to ensure that HTCs value as an innovative and exceptional smartphone developer will be kept in mind by the users33. With Microsoft, HTC has enjoyed a long history of partnership (almost 13 years)34, which helped the firm succeed in the wireless communications space 35. During the years, the two companies have produced many smartphones based on Windows mobile operating system, starting from version 5.0 until developing the latest Windows Mobile 7 36. The last big achievement dates back in April 2010, when Microsoft and HTC signed a patent agreement that enabled the firms smart phones running the Android mobile platform to benefit from the coverage of Microsoft large portfolio37. It was June 2001 when the President of HTC Corporation stated The cooperation with QUALCOMM [] expands the value, expertise and resources that we can provide our customers38. Realizing that Qualcomm Incorporated was the innovator for digital wireless communications products and services, HTC used the Brew Mobile Platform (Brew MP) developed by Qualcomm for HTC Smart, the first commercialized 3G smartphone using this system in the world39. Just a few months ago, during the Mobile World Congress, the two companies have also announced a new alliance on multi-core processors, which will bring a next generation platform for smartphones and tablets produced by HTC40.
33
Cellan-Jones, R. (2010) HTC: Out of the shadows [Online] Available from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/rorycellanjones/2010/02/htc_out_of_the_shadows.html [Accessed 5th April 2011].
34
HTC Corporation. (2010) HTC Goes Big With Microsoft; Launching Five New Windows Phone 7 Smartphones [Online] Available from: http://www.htc.com/us/press/htc-goes-big-with-microsoftlaunching-five-new-windows-phone-7-smartphones/20 [Accessed 5th April 2011].
35
HTC Corporation. (2010) HTC continues global drive with ground- breaking of Taipei headquarters facility. [Online] Available from: http://www.htc.com/uk/press.aspx? id=126904&lang=1033 [Accessed 5th April 2011].
36
YouTube. (2009) Anthony Petts (HTC) talks about HTC's partnership with Microsoft. [Video] Available from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_T-nirTgBfk [Accessed 5th April 2011].
37
Microsoft News Center. (2010) Microsoft Announces Patent Agreement With HTC. [Online] Available from: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2010/apr10/04-27mshtcpr.mspx [Accessed 5th April 2011].
38
HTC Corporation. (2001) QUALCOMM and HTC Corporation Announce Strategic Cooperation. [Online] http://www.htc.com/www/press.aspx?id=2380&lang=1033 [Accessed 5th April 2011].
39
HTC Corporation. (2010) HTC And TELEFO Introduce The HTC SmartTM, An Affordable And Easy-To-Use Smartphone For Europe. [Online] Available from: http://www.htc.com/uk/press.aspx? id=124882&lang=1033 [Accessed 5th April 2011].
40
SiliconIndia. (2011) HTC and Qualcomm announce partnership on multi-core chips. [Online]
What is interesting about HTC Smart, the easy but efficient smart phone developed with the HTC Sense interface, is that it has been built to make smart phones accessible also to the general users, thanks to its attractive price41. In fact, as stated in the news released just after the latest Mobile Word Congress that took place in Barcelona last February, HTC' s target customers are mobile operators and handset original design manufacturing (ODM) customers42. This, however, does not mean that the company is only focusing on the big market. As its final aim is to make HTC become the first choice of smart phones, its target is YOU, including every single consumer, from the professional to the teenager43. In addiction, giving the right after-sale support for all its broad range of devices 44, the firm is expected not only to increase the number of costumers among 15 to 50 years, who need mobile phones with complexity functions, but also to be able to convert current IPhone users45. As people need more and more personal interface and convergence in their mobile systems, HTC understands that being a great tool for business isnt enough nowadays: that is why all the devices the company produces combine strong business functions with leisure and social ones. HTC knows what its costumers want and the smart phones it designs are there to satisfy the growing need of data and other specific requirements, such as voice-over-internet-protocol technologies46.
Available from: http://www.siliconindia.com/shownews/HTC_and_Qualcomm_announce_partnership_on_multicore_ chips-nid-79193-cid--sid-.html [Accessed 5th April 2011].
41
HTC Corporation. (2009) HTC 2009 Annual Report. [Online], p.36. Available from: http://www.corpasia.net/taiwan/2498/irwebsite/index.php?mod=annual [Accessed 5th April 2011].
42
HTC Corporation. (2001) HTC and Microsoft Announces Partnership in Development of NextGeneration Smart Phones. Available from: http://www.htc.com/www/press.aspx? id=2386&lang=1033 [Accessed 5th April 2011].
43
HTC Corporation. (2009) HTC 2009 Annual Report. [Online], p.38. Available from: http://www.corpasia.net/taiwan/2498/irwebsite/index.php?mod=annual [Accessed 5th April 2011].
44
HTC Corporation. (2009) HTC 2009 Annual Report. [Online], p.16. Available from: http://www.corpasia.net/taiwan/2498/irwebsite/index.php?mod=annual [Accessed 5th April 2011].
45
Malley A. (2007) Apple, AT&T neophytes to define iPhone audience report. [Online] Available from: http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/07/06/06/apple_att_neophytes_to_define_iphone_audience_repo rt.html [Accessed 5th April 2011].
46
Renstorm. R. (2010) Consumers like their phones mobile, smart. [Online] Available from: http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?hid=13&sid=a8866e97-a746-4d91-bb2543c7d96b4885%40sessionmgr14&vid=1&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d
Quietly Brilliant is the core value launched in 2009, which disclosed HTCs commitment: to design products that are able to enhance peoples lives and integrate flawlessly with consumer preferences and needs. This proposition helped establish a corporate culture dedicated to satisfying consumer needs and to maintaining a consistent breakthrough innovation47. You, as mentioned before, is a crucial sub value, expressing how costumer oriented the company is. Another sub value is represented by Surprise and Delight, which underlines HTCs commitment to deliver customers the best possible mobile experience48. In order to capture the requirements of its users, the HTC design group spends a considerable amount of time observing the habits of different demographical groups49. In Japan, for instance, it found out that mobile phones are usually decorated with multiple gadgets; the Americans, on the other hand, like to keep their mobile phone neat. This careful observation, led HTC realize that users prefer differentiation rather than standardization50. In addition to recognizing and recording consumer habits and preferences, as well as listening to their expectations and needs, HTC has conducted comprehensive consumer interviews in order to incorporate more mobile applications and services in its devices51. HTC Sense, for example, was indeed the result of an extensive consumer research52. Last but not least, the long-term relationships with critical
%3d#db=bth&AN=48111168 [Accessed 5th April 2011]. 47 Lippert, B. (2009) HTC Gets You. [Online] Available from: http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?sid=54785110-990c-4a9a-ac6bbc0603341b51%40sessionmgr110&vid=1&hid=127&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d %3d#db=bth&AN=45358915 [Accessed 5th April 2011].
48
Lippert, B. (2009) HTC Gets You. [Online] Available from: http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?sid=54785110-990c-4a9a-ac6bbc0603341b51%40sessionmgr110&vid=1&hid=127&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d %3d#db=bth&AN=45358915 [Accessed 5th April 2011].
49
HTC Corporation. (2009) HTC 2009 Annual Report. [Online], p.46 Available from: http://www.corpasia.net/taiwan/2498/irwebsite/index.php?mod=annual [Accessed 5th April 2011].
50 51
Cheers,Dec Date (2010), Reveal the secrets of HTC's left and right brand. pp.124-133.
HTC Corporation. (2009) HTC 2009 Annual Report - Letter to Shareholders. [Online] Available from: http://www.corpasia.net/taiwan/2498/irwebsite/index.php?mod=annual [Accessed 5th April 2011].
52
HTC Corporation. (2011) HTC Sense. [Online] http://www.htc.com/www/htcsense/index.html [Accessed 5th April 2011].
Available
from:
international telecommunication service providers helps HTC channelling its products to an always-increasing market53. HTC Sense, the user interface present in all HTC products since the launch of HTC Hero in 2009, was developed on three concepts: Make It Mine, Stay Close, and Discover the Unexpected54. Make It Mine has the aim to make users feel that their mobile phone is customized just for them: its features allows and encourages consumers to have their personalized way of using their mobile phones. Stay Close, on the other hand, provides users a platform to integrate communication with close contacts, while Discover the Unexpected highlights the daily delightfulness of users experiences with HTC products. HTC Sense brings insightful delights to consumers reemphasizing the core message of youunique consumer - at the centre of HTC products55. Nowadays, all HTC products for are their
Figure 1.3: http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=1409269
credited
efficient and easy user interface but it has not always been the case. Back in 2008, for example, users of HTC S710, the first smart phone powered by the Windows Mobile 6 Standard platform56, found that phone very confusing. Research shown that consumers were complaining because after they entered the web address the phone displayed a search screen, while they expected to immediately get the requested website57. The
53
B. Yoffie D., Kim R. (2009) HTC Corp. in 2009. Harvard Business Review. [Online] Available from: www.nima.nl/fileadmin/.../NIMAC1_examencase_13042010_.pdf [Accessed 5th April 2011].
54
HTC Corporation. (2011) HTC Sense. [Online] http://www.htc.com/www/htcsense/index.html [Accessed 5th April 2011].
55
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HTC Corporation. (2011) HTC Sense. [Online] http://www.htc.com/www/htcsense/index.html [Accessed 5th April 2011].
56
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from:
HTC Corporation. (2011) HTC S710 Slide Out in Style. Overview. [Online] Available from: http://www.htc.com/www/product.aspx?id=568 [Accessed 5th April 2011].
57
Keijzer, J., Oude, E. & Lu, Y. (2008) The 'Double-Edged Sword' of High-Feature Products: An Explorative Study of the Business Impact. Available from:
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ambiguity in keys, icons or function names and even the Internet browser caused confusion and problems when it came to perform the needed tasks 58. Figure 1.3 shows exactly how dissatisfied were the costumers at the time when using the internet browser, giving HTCs effectiveness just a 33.3%, compared to 100% of the Palm. In addition, the time spent to reach a website was almost the twice as much of that spent with other devices, simply unacceptable for consumers. After the introduction of HTC Sense, the general feedback on HTC smart phones improved a lot: a sign confirming that the company really listens to its costumers and maintains its commitments. In fact, users that had just moved from a traditional mobile phone to a smart one found very few difficulties familiarizing themselves with the phones after one or two days of learning. Noticeable compliments were attributed to the user interface, which speeded up the efficiency for users to carry out different tasks. One consumer particularly underlined: Now for the browser, lightning fast and takes up the whole screen, I dont think Ive ever had to wait for a page to load for over 3 seconds59. HTC is thriving to listen to its users and keeps transforming itself into a better smart phone provider, proven by the significant changes made according to user reviews during the past three years. Moreover, as more and more consumers are worried about the safety of the environment, HTC has developed a green recyclable phone by using design concepts centred around lower toxicity, higher energy efficiency 60. HTCs great effort was completely repaid a few months ago when, among the top five rated phones on techradar.com61, 4 of its mobile phones belonged to its
http://www.esi.nl/projects/trader/publications/KeijzersetalPDMA2008.pdf [Accessed 5th April 2011].
58
Keijzer, J., Oude, E. & Lu, Y. (2008) Usability benchmark study of commercially available smart phones: cell phone type platform, PDA type platform and PC type platform. [Online] Available from: http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=1409269 [Accessed 5th April 2011].
59
Beavis, G. (2010) HTC Desire HD review - The Desire's successor finally lands but is it an improvement?. [Online] Available from: http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobilephones/htc-desire-hd-717295/review [Accessed 5th April 2011].
60
HTC Corporation. (2009) Corporate governance. [Online] Available from: http://www.corpasia.net/taiwan/2498/annual/2009/EN/2009%20Annual%20Report_E.pdf 5th April 2011].
61
[Accessed
TechRadar. (2011) 20 best mobile phones in the world today. [Online] Available from: http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/20-best-mobile-phonesin-the-world-today-645440?artc_pg=21#ixzz1IkbrbZMc [Accessed 5th April 2011].
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production, with HTC Desire HD at the first place. As already mentioned earlier, what differentiates HTC from other companies is its ability to fully appreciate what really matters for their customers, to emphasise with people. In fact, one of the most important parts of the design process is understanding other peoples lives, that is why HTC recruits not only the best designers, but indeed those who are also able to put themselves in other peoples place62. Just a few weeks ago, on February 16, 2011, during the Mobile Word Congress that took place in Barcelona (Spain), HTC was awarded as 2011 Device Manufacturer Of The Year by the GSMA63, one of the highest industry honours, outrunning the other two big finalists, Apple and Samsung64. This award symbolizes the passion and dedication that HTC puts in its everyday work and it is a way to differentiate once more the company from the rest of the industry. In order to keep up the core value of the company, that is to maintain its intuitive innovation, giving costumers the product and the experience they are looking for instead of simply promising that "is best"65, HTC will keep on expanding Sense on all platforms to evolve that personalisation and tailoring for individuals, as Drew Bamford, Director of User Experience, stated in a recent interview. Bamford also emphasised that, looking ahead, he would not exclude HTC using a different operating system or even creating its own one. From his words I dont think thats out of the question, because our goal is to address the needs of our users, and if we
62
Miles, S. (2010) Inside HTC: Drew Bamford on what makes HTC Sense UI tick. [Online] Available from: http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/36950/inside-htc-drew-bamford-interview [Accessed 5th April 2011].
63
The GSMA represents the interests of the worldwide mobile communications industry. Spanning 219 countries, the GSMA unites nearly 800 of the worlds mobile operators, as well as more than 200 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset makers, software companies, equipment providers, Internet companies, and media & entertainment organizations. HTC Corporation. (2011) HTC Awarded As 2011 Device Manufacturer Of The Year By The GSMA. [Online] Available from: http://www.htc.com/kr/press.aspx?id=161178&lang=1033 [Accessed 5th April 2011].
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HTC Corporation. (2011) HTC Awarded As 2011 Device Manufacturer Of The Year By The GSMA. [Online] Available from: http://www.htc.com/kr/press.aspx?id=161178&lang=1033 [Accessed 5th April 2011].
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Miles, S. (2010) Inside HTC: Drew Bamford on what makes HTC Sense UI tick. [Online] Available from: http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/36950/inside-htc-drew-bamford-interview [Accessed 5th April 2011].
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dont have the freedom to do what we need to on a given platform well try another platform or create our own66. His last statement refers to the constraints shown nowadays by the Windows Phone 7, which does not give designers the possibility to give the user interface the uniqueness that the other devices are able to convey67. What is certain is that HTC will do its best to meet all the increasing needs of its costumers while keep on giving them the best possible experience. This is what is at present the result of working with Google and Microsoft, but may not be the right solution in the future. HTC will aim to constantly develop smart new devices that empower users on the go, providing more freedom in the way they live their lives and to make the phone become the essence of people's experiences with technology in the future: this will not only involve the main device but also all the products that interact with it: from the TV to the computer and the car. Bamford believes that this type of ecosystem thinking will create to a lot of powerful scenarios for people, enhancing and broadening the relationship between the company and its users68.
66
Miles, S. (2010) Inside HTC: Drew Bamford on what makes HTC Sense UI tick. [Online] Available from: http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/36950/inside-htc-drew-bamford-interview [Accessed 5th April 2011].
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Miles, S. (2010) Inside HTC: Drew Bamford on what makes HTC Sense UI tick. [Online] Available from: http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/36950/inside-htc-drew-bamford-interview [Accessed 5th April 2011].
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Miles, S. (2010) Inside HTC: Drew Bamford on what makes HTC Sense UI tick. [Online] Available from: http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/36950/inside-htc-drew-bamford-interview [Accessed 5th April 2011].
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