It looks like HTC may be looking to get their hands on a mobile OS for their range of HTC smartphones, according to a recent report by The Next Web, although HTC hasn’t confirmed which mobile OS they are interested in.
One that springs to mind, and the most obvious choice, would be HP’s webOS, which the company basically cancelled recently, although they haven’t as yet confirmed that webOS is for sale.
“We can use any OS we want. We are able to make things different from our rivals on the second or third layer of a platform,” Wang said. “Our strength lies in understanding an OS, but it does not mean that we have to produce an OS.”
So could HTC be after webOS? No confirmation as yet from HTC on exactly what their plans are, the company has said that they have discussed purchasing their own OS internally.
Potential Benefits of Owning a Mobile OS
Owning a mobile OS could provide HTC with several strategic advantages. Firstly, it would allow the company to have complete control over the software and hardware integration, similar to what Apple does with iOS and its iPhone lineup. This could lead to a more seamless user experience and potentially better performance optimization. Additionally, having their own OS could help HTC differentiate its products in a crowded market where many manufacturers rely on Android.
Another potential benefit is the ability to create a unique ecosystem. By developing their own OS, HTC could offer exclusive features and services that are not available on other platforms. This could attract a loyal customer base and create new revenue streams through app sales, subscriptions, and other services.
Challenges and Considerations
However, developing and maintaining a mobile OS is no small feat. It requires significant investment in research and development, as well as ongoing support and updates. HTC would need to build a robust developer community to create apps for their platform, which can be challenging given the dominance of Android and iOS.
Moreover, the mobile OS market is highly competitive. Even established players like Microsoft have struggled to gain a foothold with their Windows Phone OS. HTC would need to offer compelling reasons for users and developers to switch to their platform, which could be a daunting task.
Another consideration is the potential impact on HTC’s relationship with Google. As an Android manufacturer, HTC benefits from Google’s ecosystem, including access to the Google Play Store and other services. Developing their own OS could strain this relationship and potentially limit their access to these resources.
Possible Alternatives
If HTC decides not to pursue webOS, there are other alternatives they could consider. One option is to fork the Android OS, similar to what Amazon has done with its Fire OS. This would allow HTC to create a customized version of Android while still benefiting from the existing app ecosystem.
Another possibility is to explore partnerships with other companies that have developed their own mobile OS. For example, HTC could collaborate with a company like Jolla, which has developed the Sailfish OS, to create a unique offering for their smartphones.
In conclusion, while the idea of HTC acquiring or developing their own mobile OS is intriguing, it comes with both potential benefits and significant challenges. The company will need to carefully weigh these factors before making a decision. As of now, we await further announcements from HTC regarding their plans in this area.
Source The Next Web
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