14 DAY TRIAL // Do you remember the HTC Halfbeak smartwatch that leaked a couple of times over the last few months? Well, it looks like we won't be seeing the device on the market just yet.
In fact, that smartwatch might remain just a prototype since HTC is determined to focus all its resources on delivering new smartphones to its fans.
HTC's president Chialin Chang has said that his company has no plans to launch a smartwatch in the future. In an interview with Tbreak, Chang explained that HTC did not manage to nail the right formula and won't be entering the smartwatch market.
“I can tell you that we’re not going to have an Android watch. I don’t thing we’ve nailed it with [the experience of] watches. Android watch is one thing but even Apple as a big brand is declining [in watches.] We are not going to have a watch in the short term.”
The Taiwanese handset maker recently launched its flagship smartphone, the U Ultra, which came along a mid-range phone, the U Play. However, many agree that both HTC smartphones are overpriced as opposed to other flagships with similar specs.
Perhaps it's better that HTC won't launch an overpriced smartwatch, which would probably not meet the company's sales expectations.
Following Chang's statement, it looks like the Halfbeak smartwatch powered by Android Wear will remain a prototype that will never be released.
For the reasons mentioned by HTC's president, the smartwatch failed the company's tests, but that's much better than to launch a totally uninteresting product that won't sell.
That being said, we won't be expecting the HTC Halfbeak to be present next month at Mobile World Congress (MWC) exhibition.
However, we hope that HTC has other surprises in store for its fans, though it's a slim chance that there will be new smartphone announcements coming from the company in February.