The end for a smartphone pioneer

[core2slow]

Google is set to acquire HTC's manufacturing and R&D arms. This has been a slow and painful death for HTC in the past 5yrs and it's sad as a long time smartphone user, to see the final chapter closing down on HTC. They'll still maintain the "brand" itself (to market things like the Vive VR) but looks like the U11 is the nail in the coffin for their phone division.

http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_reportedly_has_a_huge_announcement_for_tomorrow-news-27374.php

 

[gorcorps]

http://business.financialpost.com/t...talent-for-1-1-billion-to-spur-devices-push-3

"Alphabet Inc.’s Google is taking on some 2,000 employees with experience working on its signature Pixel devices, intended to showcase the best features of the Android software that now power the vast majority of the world’s smartphones. The deal also comes with a non-exclusive licensing agreement for HTC intellectual property."

Anybody else shocked at the number of employees that apparently have Pixel device experience? That seems like way more people than expected for the IMO lackluster result of the HTC pixels. It's not even like they're dealing with software at all... since it runs vanilla android they should be 100% focused on the hardware. Is "too many cooks in the kitchen" an issue here?

 

[UNCjigga]

This whole deal seems odd to me--why did Google sell off Motorola if it wanted to manufacture phones? I can't imagine that HTC has a more robust patent portfolio than Motorola (especially excluding Vive, which HTC is holding on to.) The only thing HTC brings to the table is cheaper foreign manufacturing and foreign workers. Perhaps Motorola had invested too much money into American manufacturing prior to Google's acquisition, or their real estate in Chicago was too expensive? I have no idea why that deal didn't work out because at the time Motorola was arguably building better phones than HTC (the Moto G, Moto X and Moto E lines were all very well received for what they were vs. the HTC One M9 and HTC 10.)

Google sold Motorola to Lenovo at a substantial loss, correct?

 

[Zaap]

Anybody else shocked at the number of employees that apparently have Pixel device experience? That seems like way more people than expected for the IMO lackluster result of the HTC pixels. It's not even like they're dealing with software at all... since it runs vanilla android they should be 100% focused on the hardware. Is "too many cooks in the kitchen" an issue here?

I know things often take way more people to make than people outside of whatever industry realize- for example I work in film, and people tend to think it's done by a small handful of people- nevermind that the credits after a film roll on for 15 minutes, often with TINY text filling the screen to fit all the names in.

That said... 2,000 people is a LOT. I'd wager that's an entire corporate division- everyone from the project managers to development people to engineers, industrial designers to support staff and product testers. Just a guess though. I'd imagine it take a LOT of people to take a flagship phone from drawing board to mass produced product.

 

[Red Storm]

They're taking on 2000 people, but are they keeping all 2000? I imagine there's at least 1 redundant position...

 

[WelshBloke]

This whole deal seems odd to me--why did Google sell off Motorola if it wanted to manufacture phones? I can't imagine that HTC has a more robust patent portfolio than Motorola (especially excluding Vive, which HTC is holding on to.) The only thing HTC brings to the table is cheaper foreign manufacturing and foreign workers. Perhaps Motorola had invested too much money into American manufacturing prior to Google's acquisition, or their real estate in Chicago was too expensive? I have no idea why that deal didn't work out because at the time Motorola was arguably building better phones than HTC (the Moto G, Moto X and Moto E lines were all very well received for what they were vs. the HTC One M9 and HTC 10.)

Google sold Motorola to Lenovo at a substantial loss, correct?

I'm guessing patents.

The last thing Google wants is a hostile (ie Microsoft or Apple) entity snaffling up lots on mobile tech patents from struggling firms.

Also Moto fails because its a US centric company, HTC was proper global (that said its only helped them so much I guess).

 

[core2slow]

I think the whole Moto deal was a premature one for Google and they didn't know back then whether they should focus on software, hardware or both... and that's why it was a money pit to hold onto it.

Given the creative control Google has had with the pixel line, it makes sense for them to jump back into the OEM game. Not to mention, with the current lawsuit with Uber over stolen IPs for autonomous cars, i can't help but feel that Google might be a little apprehensive now when it comes to their own stuff, especially creative, R&D, and manufacturing control over their devices (phones, tablets, chromebooks, etc).

 

[KentState]

This is Google we are talking about. They have more failures with products and duplicity than successes. If something isn't working, they will cut bait and try it again another way and hopefully learned some lessons to make the next attempt successful.

 

[StrangerGuy]

IMO, the main goals of Pixel: Firstly, establishing Google as the leader of Android rather than Samsung, and secondly as a foil to whatever new features Apple may bring in the future to keep Android relevant in mindshare.

The manufacturing angle is a red herring since they certainly don't give a shit about what phone you buy it from and at what price, as long as it runs Android. I'm not sure how or why HTC fits here but $1 billion is chump change for Google.

 

[Zaap]

IMO, the main goals of Pixel: Firstly, establishing Google as the leader of Android rather than Samsung, and secondly as a foil to whatever new features Apple may bring in the future to keep Android relevant in mindshare.

Firstly, I don't disagree with you, from Google's ivory tower POV. Here's the problems:
#1 goal- already fail. A phone like the Note 8 is way ahead of the Pixel.

#2 goal- already a fail. Any Android maker looking to follow Apple for features- you've failed already. Hint: Removing or not including current features are not plusses for Android. Following Apple down the locked down/ the user doesn't know best/ no headphone jack /less-is-more-but-actually-isn't-with-technology primrose path is not a winning strategy for Android.

I know that Google thinks by becoming Apple they can beat Apple, but that strategy has never paid off for anyone that's tried it. (And plenty have.) When you just become Apple Lite, rather than a viable alternative, actual Apple ends up winning.

 

[OWR88]

Great move by Google. HTC has been innovative since before iPhone arrived. Great group of guys but lacked clear vision swimming in a sea of Android devices. HTC has for the most part created better phones that no one knew about nor wanted. I have had most Galaxies and Notes over the years and the only one that I trust enjoyed was the S6 with Exynos. I got them all mostly for free, and sucked it up with all the Samsung stutter and lag.

Google Pixel, best Android experience ever. S7 and S8 can't compete. LG V30 is really the only alternative to the Pixel. I am excited to see Pixel 2, but the original Pixel is still king imo.

 

[sdifox]

Well, hopefully google will keep the good parts of HTC, namely engineering. The management is atrocious.

 

[v-600]

I always thought the Motorola deal fell apart due to pressure from other manufacturers, and that Google used it as a way to gain some leverage over the same manufacturers too.

 

[KentState]

I always thought the Motorola deal fell apart due to pressure from other manufacturers, and that Google used it as a way to gain some leverage over the same manufacturers too.

The difference may very well be the difference between have a desire and an actual strategy. A lot has been learned by the Pixel program and hopefully those take aways will make the purchase of HTC a success.

 

[artless1]

yeah even though they still will make smartphones the whole android part of their operation will be gone so that leaves what? cricket, walmart wireless, tracfone . . .maybe they will reviatlize as an awesome tablet maker !!!