HTC to launch its smartwatch this year
The Taiwanese phone manufacturer is expected to launch a smartwatch by the end of 2014.
HTC, it seems, is looking to enter the wearable technology market. According to company chairwoman Cher Wang, HTC might launch a smartwatch by the end of this year.
“Many years ago we started looking at smartwatches and wearable’s,” confirmed HTC Co-Founder and Chairwoman Cher Wang in a Bloomberg interview. She added, “We believe that we really have to solve the battery problems and the LCD light problems. These are customer-centric problems.” Wang did not give any specifics about when the device will be launched.
HTC CFO Chang Chialin said in the interview, “We feel positive and optimistic about 2014 when compared to 2013.”
HTC has been struggling against Samsung and Apple in the smartphone market. A decline in its mobile market share last year resulted in the company reporting its first quarterly net loss in more than 10 years. HTC posted a net income of $10 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to $34 million from an year ago.
Breaking into wearable technology may reverse the company’s fortunes. HTC will compete with established players like Samsung, LG and Sony in the smartwatch segment. Samsung launched its Galaxy Gear smartwatch back in September last year and Apple has also hinted at interests in wearable technology. Rumors of an Apple iWatch and Google smartwatch are also being circulated daily. LG also launched its G Lifeband Touch device and Sony showcased Core at the CES 2014. Other players already in the market include the Sony SmartWatch 2, Pebble Watch and FitBit Force.
Source: CNET