Enjoy your HTC Ones, that's the last flagship you'll ever get from HTC.

[rockitdog]

Guess I missed that part about HTC closing down while I was busy reading about their production of the HTC One doubling... HTC is without a doubt a flawed company but the One is a good start on the road back to a force in the Android market!

 

[jrswizzle]

Guess I missed that part about HTC closing down while I was busy reading about their production of the HTC One doubling... HTC is without a doubt a flawed company but the One is a good start on the road back to a force in the Android market!

Even after all the turmoil, HTC was number 3 as far as smartphone marketshare here in the US with 9.5%.......

And that was after the confusion that was 2012 and no HTC One due to the delay. Gotta think now that the device is out there, they'll start their climb back.

 

[rockitdog]

Even after all the turmoil, HTC was number 3 as far as smartphone marketshare here in the US with 9.5%.......

And that was after the confusion that was 2012 and no HTC One due to the delay. Gotta think now that the device is out there, they'll start their climb back.

Everything I've been reading has deemed the HTC One the #1 smartphone of 2013 the Galaxy S4. You're hard pressed to find more than one or two reviews or videos that show the HTC One losing a head to head match up with any competitors right now. That's pretty incredible considering where they were a year or so ago.

 

[maxosx]

The title of this thread seems sensationalized for the same purpose the "news" is sensationalized, to get attention. While HTC has its challenges, one or two articles are not enough to reveal everything one needs to know to predict its demise.

I was a loyal Apple customer during "it's demise". You know, the one that didn't happen. Their were far more articles predicting that non-even, than this one about HTC.

 

[rockitdog]

Then again... maybe HTC's situation is a bit more dire than originally thought.

http://www.tmonews.com/2013/05/htc-...ff-exit-struggles-to-keep-up-with-one-demand/

 

[jrswizzle]

Then again... maybe HTC's situation is a bit more dire than originally thought.

http://www.tmonews.com/2013/05/htc-...ff-exit-struggles-to-keep-up-with-one-demand/

More of the same......all the articles have linked to that original Verge article. Its all the same stuff we've been talking about in this thread.

I still think its too early to decide if HTC is going under.....things might not be going smoothly, but if the One can be a hit, HTC has a chance.

We just have to wait and see what the numbers end up looking like at the end of this quarter and next.

 

[0dev]

My point re what is a CPO was semi-rhetorical which I assumed you got.

Yes, he is very important without a doubt. Very close to the CEO. Designing? I don't think so. Think of it this way. He would have a group of designers under him. The designers say they want to do X (take, for example, the new ultrapixel camera).

He would also consult with people like the equivalent of what Tim Cook was before he became CEO, asking questions re sourcing components, the supply chain, etc.

In effect, he is responsible for the resultant *total* product and that would not just be for the performance of the device but everything else.

So, speculating now, with the failure of HTC last year and with the well-known issues of sourcing sufficient camera components (HTC suffered from poor yields of some components) for the One this year, I can well believe they said enough is enough and they pushed him out.

The HTC One's ultrapixel camera was daring and whilst I like the camera for *my purposes* HTC oversold it without a doubt. HTC should have gone "safe" with it, sourcing a 13 MP camera and be done with it. The design, the overhauling of Sense were all done well. The phone would have been just fine.

One final point and this is to do with Asian business culture. Everybody who seems to have left, or more likely pushed, are "outsiders". Some "outsiders" have done well, think of Carlos Ghosn CEO of Nissan (and Renault). However, think again of Woodford of Olympus.

I am more and more convinced this was a house-cleaning. The only reason I think Kodera was not thrown out at the end of Q1 as anticipated was due to the delays in delivering the HTC One. He was going to go but they did not want him, amidst all the turmoil, to "leave" then as it would have exacerbated already the situation with HTC being slow to get the One into the distribution channels.

See the Slashdot article below, HTC's statement says he left, not that he was fired.

It was Peter Chou who gave the order to push the One despite the fact they knew there would be supply issues with components, so I don't see how that's relevant here.

And as you yourself have said, this is a guy who worked closely with the CEO. He absolutely would have known a lot more than we do about how the company is doing, how well organised it is, and how it is run. The fact that he jumped ship therefore says a lot. It also says a lot about how much confidence he has in the HTC One to help the company recover from their current freefall.

Oh c'mon, bad rubbish? Give me a break.

Yeah, bad rubbish. All of their phones have been terrible in terms of reliability. They look cool, and I used to like Sense too, but the hardware on these devices always acts up and the customer service is terrible. Also they are awful with Android updates - even when they're delivered, they're half-assed.

I don't understand why nerds are fanboying over HTC all of a sudden. I honestly don't. They used to be good but now they aren't, that's all there really is to it.

From slashgear:

Update: HTC gave us the following statements, and confirmed that Scott Croyle, VP of Design, will be taking over Kouji Kodera’s duties:

“HTC can confirm that Jason Gordon has left the company. We appreciate his contributions in the past several years and wish him well on his future endeavors. HTC continues to invest in talent and recruitment as part of our broader human resources strategy to ensure the continued strength of our company’s organizational structure.”

“Kouji Kodera has left HTC to pursue other interests. We appreciate his contributions and wish him all the best. Scott Croyle will take over his duties.”



http://www.slashgear.com/htc-sees-more-top-execs-disappear-as-facebook-fouls-first-launch-22283099/

So that's left the company. Not fired, but left the company. Thank you for clarifying that.

Sorry to shatter your delusions folks, but things really are not looking great for HTC right now.

----------

Everything I've been reading has deemed the HTC One the #1 smartphone of 2013 the Galaxy S4. You're hard pressed to find more than one or two reviews or videos that show the HTC One losing a head to head match up with any competitors right now. That's pretty incredible considering where they were a year or so ago.

The HTC First was also highly praised in internet reviews. Look how well that worked out.

 

[Peterg2]

See the Slashdot article below, HTC's statement says he left, not that he was fired.

-snip -

I cannot believe you are this naive. I suspect something else. Let me take the "nice route":

It would appear that you do not follow how it works with senior executives and firings. Not in the slightest.

Some leave but many too are fired. What do they say "xyz has left...to pursue other interests" or "spend more time with his family"

Have a look at this article:

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E00EFD91131F930A15751C1A9609C8B63

To quote:

''Dear shareholder and John Q. Public: our trusted executive is resigning to spend more time with family.''

Sometimes it is actually true. The family tug is strong, especially this time of year. But with large severance packages and corporate images frequently at stake, more often than not the phrase is part of a carefully scripted termination agreement, filled with nondisparagement and confidentiality clauses.

The executive agrees to such terms readily after having been fired or quitting under a cloud. In extreme cases, the phrase is even trotted out in the midst of an investigation into criminal activity.

The next bit:

''There are two code expressions: One is the 'spending more time with your family' line and the other is 'leaving to pursue other interests,' '' said Hal Reiter, chairman and chief executive of Herbert Mines Associates, an executive recruiting firm in New York. ''But who are they kidding?

For you to claim that what HTC says in a press release is definitely proof that he was not fired is ludicrous.

 

[Kashsystems]

Sorry but any company that generates 1.5 billion dollars and still generates a net profit is not going to go bankrupt any time soon.

Only thing I can't find is how much actual cash they are sitting on.

 

[Peterg2]

Here is a WSJ article. I don't know if you can read it without a subscription but quite possibly.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323475304578498850726637468.html

To quote a couple of bits which are different from the semi-rote parroting of the Verge article by most other sites:

"HTC also said vice president of global communications, Jason Gordon, stepped down, without providing a reason. Its Chief Marketing Officer Benjamin Ho, who joined from Taiwanese mobile operator Far EasTone Telecommunications Co. 4904.TW -0.27% in January, will take over Mr. Gordon's responsibilities until a successor is found, said an HTC executive who declined to be named.

Mr. Gordon left the company to take responsibility for an unsuccessful advertising campaign of the One X series last year, said another HTC executive."

Here is an interesting bit and I do not necessarily believe these are lies, especially in view of the comment in the second paragraph.

"HTC has sold around 5 million One smartphones since its launch about a month ago, said the HTC executive.

"Orders are pretty good so far and are still more than what we can supply. This is partly due to the shortage of components. When the issue is resolved next month, we will have a better idea if it's doing really well or not," he said.

HTC are in huge trouble of course and this type of chaos cannot be good at all.

As regards HTC's cash on hand (as asked in another post), I believe it is a bit less than $2 billion. Without judicious management, this sum can be burned through over a period of several quarters (just see Nokia's earlier cash burn)

 

[robanga]

Here is a WSJ article. I don't know if you can read it without a subscription but quite possibly.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323475304578498850726637468.html

To quote a couple of bits which are different from the semi-rote parroting of the Verge article by most other sites:

"HTC also said vice president of global communications, Jason Gordon, stepped down, without providing a reason. Its Chief Marketing Officer Benjamin Ho, who joined from Taiwanese mobile operator Far EasTone Telecommunications Co. 4904.TW -0.27% in January, will take over Mr. Gordon's responsibilities until a successor is found, said an HTC executive who declined to be named.

Mr. Gordon left the company to take responsibility for an unsuccessful advertising campaign of the One X series last year, said another HTC executive."

Here is an interesting bit and I do not necessarily believe these are lies, especially in view of the comment in the second paragraph.

"HTC has sold around 5 million One smartphones since its launch about a month ago, said the HTC executive.

"Orders are pretty good so far and are still more than what we can supply. This is partly due to the shortage of components. When the issue is resolved next month, we will have a better idea if it's doing really well or not," he said.

HTC are in huge trouble of course and this type of chaos cannot be good at all.

As regards HTC's cash on hand (as asked in another post), I believe it is a bit less than $2 billion. Without judicious management, this sum can be burned through over a period of several quarters (just see Nokia's earlier cash burn)

Good sleuthing. Funny thing is if the gent left because of failed marketing for last year's One X and i believe it, i have to ask what marketing?

I remember maybe 1-2 ads that i saw the whole year of 2012.

Unless you count some AT&T advertising of the One X and not much at that, it was like they were silent on a phone that was arguably better than the S3.

 

[jrswizzle]

Here is a WSJ article. I don't know if you can read it without a subscription but quite possibly.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323475304578498850726637468.html

To quote a couple of bits which are different from the semi-rote parroting of the Verge article by most other sites:

"HTC also said vice president of global communications, Jason Gordon, stepped down, without providing a reason. Its Chief Marketing Officer Benjamin Ho, who joined from Taiwanese mobile operator Far EasTone Telecommunications Co. 4904.TW -0.27% in January, will take over Mr. Gordon's responsibilities until a successor is found, said an HTC executive who declined to be named.

Mr. Gordon left the company to take responsibility for an unsuccessful advertising campaign of the One X series last year, said another HTC executive."

Here is an interesting bit and I do not necessarily believe these are lies, especially in view of the comment in the second paragraph.

"HTC has sold around 5 million One smartphones since its launch about a month ago, said the HTC executive.

"Orders are pretty good so far and are still more than what we can supply. This is partly due to the shortage of components. When the issue is resolved next month, we will have a better idea if it's doing really well or not," he said.

HTC are in huge trouble of course and this type of chaos cannot be good at all.

As regards HTC's cash on hand (as asked in another post), I believe it is a bit less than $2 billion. Without judicious management, this sum can be burned through over a period of several quarters (just see Nokia's earlier cash burn)

If the bolded is true, that would be a HUGE success for HTC IMO.....especially considering they sold 7-8 million One X's all year last year and kind estimates had them at selling 3.5 million Ones this QUARTER.

Granted its not 10 million GS4's in a month or 5 million iPhone 5's in a weekend, but HTC can't be expected to match those monsters.....really comparing any other company to Samsung or Apple isn't fair or accurate.

HTC can survive (and dare I say thrive as long as they shore up the management team) on selling 5 million One's a month....

 

[ucfgrad93]

If the bolded is true, that would be a HUGE success for HTC IMO.....especially considering they sold 7-8 million One X's all year last year and kind estimates had them at selling 3.5 million Ones this QUARTER.

Granted its not 10 million GS4's in a month or 5 million iPhone 5's in a weekend, but HTC can't be expected to match those monsters.....really comparing any other company to Samsung or Apple isn't fair or accurate.

HTC can survive (and dare I say thrive as long as they shore up the management team) on selling 5 million One's a month....

I don't see them sustaining 5 million One's a month, but I think they will sell enough of them to turn the tide. For me, the real question is can they follow up on the success of the One? Will their next phone be as good as the One?

 

[jrswizzle]

I don't see them sustaining 5 million One's a month, but I think they will sell enough of them to turn the tide. For me, the real question is can they follow up on the success of the One? Will their next phone be as good as the One?

Meant in the first month - possibly throughout this quarter.

I agree, 5 million/ month isnt sustainable for them over the long term.