14 DAY TRIAL // It looks like HTC is preparing to bring some of the software exclusively available on its smartphones to all Android devices that would be compatible with some of these apps.
The first application to be available for download via Google Play Store this week is HTC Zoe. The information has been recently confirmed by Recode’s Ina Fried, who also reports that the team now in charge to bring these apps to more devices, other than HTC, is led by Drew Bamford.
The unit now working to create software and services not only for HTC smartphones and tablets comprises employees from all over the world, including Seattle, San Francisco and Taipei.
The software division is called HTC Creative Labs and is meant to boost the interest in the Taiwanese company’s products, be it software or hardware.
Speaking of awareness and interest, HTC is said to have already approached popular people from the music and sports world that would advertise its apps. However, for the time being, the company is not ready to reveal who these people are and how they will help HTC’s revenues increase.
Apparently, HTC Zoe will not be the only application the Taiwanese handset maker plans to bring to Android smartphones manufactured by its main rivals, Samsung, LG and Motorola.
Obviously, HTC is still mum on what other apps and services will be available for Android fans who own other smartphones than those produced by the Taiwanese company.
However, the picture is currently clear and shows that HTC is at the moment less restrictive regarding the software now exclusively available in its own branded smartphones.
I would not be surprised to see HTC Sense UI being brought to Google Play store for everyone to be able to enjoy the HTC experience that’s only offered by these smartphones.
It appears that HTC is not reluctant anymore in sharing its software with its rivals, and what better way to advertise your products than making some of these apps and services available for free.
I think HTC is now certain that some of its products, be they hardware or software, are superior to its competition and wants to convince customers to try them out for free before purchasing the whole experience (read an HTC smartphone).
Another aspect that made this possible is unveiled by Bamford himself, who said that Google finally made it right with Android and that the operating system does not need fixing anymore.
This means that OEMs can now focus their software divisions to bringing better experiences to users, which, sadly, wasn’t the case for a lot of companies in the last couple of years.
HTC has been bleeding money for a long time, but this year the company has the chance to make it right. The release of HTC Zoe and other apps that are now exclusive to HTC smartphones, for all Android smartphones, will not bring the company any money at first.
Still, the company does not seem to invest any money in doing this for Android users. The work that the company’s software team(s) was putting into fixing Android bugs and making Sense UI or other apps and services work correctly on HTC smartphones has been shifted into a different direction.
Now the same people have to make HTC apps work on Samsung, LG, Motorola, Xiaomi, Huawei and other branded Android smartphones.
The catch is that, as soon as HTC manages to build a certain audience for its own applications, it can start monetizing them. Not to mention that it may also win lots of fans during the process as well, especially that it’s one of the first companies offering its exclusive apps to all Android users.
Here is hoping that other companies will do the same sooner rather than later. I would love to have LG KnockOn on my Samsung Galaxy S5 or HTC One M8.