Looks like HTC is not content to just sit on its lead in the Android phone market. While the phone maker was the first out of the gate with an Android-based device–the G1, offered by T-Mobile and Google–HTC now says it plans to release at least three other Android-based models this year. And that could give HTC a 4-to-1 lead over any new Android-focused rivals, all of whom have yet to release their inaugural wares.
HTC, the largest maker of Windows Mobile-based smartphones, looks to be hedging its phone OS bets in a big way. It’s already launched a second Android phone, the Magic, which is being sold by Vodafone in Europe. And now, HTC CEO Peter Chou reveals that those first two models are just the beginning. Speaking at the recent Merrill Lynch conference in Taipei, Chou was asked if a report that HTC will market five Android-based handsets this year was true. In response, Chou said HTC will launch “at least” three.
While HTC declines to provide current sales figures for the G1, Chou told easyBourse that the G1 exceeded the company’s target 1 million units in 2008. And Gartner reports that HTC’s market share rose to 4.3% from 3.7% of smartphone sales the year before.
So Android seems to be a pretty smart bet for HTC. And when the largest maker of Windows Mobile devices see so much success with another OS, it makes you wonder. How long can it continue as the largest maker of Windows Mobile devices now that it’s pouring so many resources into Android?
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