14 DAY TRIAL // Smartphone vendor HTC, which equips its handsets with Google’s Android operating system, is competing with Apple on all levels. Now, according to a new report, HTC will try to give Apple a run for its money by being the first to deliver a Liquidmetal smartphone.
A report from Taiwan’s DigiTimes, which has connections to hardware suppliers, says “High Tech Computer (HTC) is reportedly considering adopting Liquidmetal for its new smartphones in the second half of the year.”
The company is reportedly set to cooperate with Jabon International, a Taiwan-based chassis maker.
Apple itself has long been rumored to introduce a new iPhone model that uses Liquidmetal alloy, but such plans aren’t expected to materialize anytime soon.
However, HTC seems to be pushing the envelope to intro a Liquidmetal phone in the coming months.
Apple isn’t expected to launch any new iPhones, whether it’s the iPhone 5S or the iPhone 6, until fall 2013.
Not surprisingly, the report mentions Apple and its newly signed contract with Liquidmetal Technologies (DigiTimes says Liquidmetal Intellectual).
More importantly, it points out that Apple “[has] started hiring talent with chassis manufacturing expertise.”
However, sources familiar with HTC’s plans speculate that “HTC is trying to release similar products ahead of Apple.”
To materialize its plans, “HTC has recruited an R&D team from Japan for assistance and partnered with Jabon for chassis supply,” the sources added.
Despite these rumors, chassis suppliers remain skeptical about HTC introducing a Liquidmetal case ahead of Apple.
The Cupertino giant is known to have a partnership with metal chassis makers Catcher Technology, Foxconn Technology, and Casetek.
Full adoption of Liquidmetal is unlikely to occur in the short term, these people said, adding that market demand for aluminum-alloy unibody cases remains strong.