HTC Aims to Improve Music Support and Remove Infrared From Devices

[Mike Temporale]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.arnnet.com.au/index.php/id;2110248935;fp;256;fpid;56736' target='_blank'>http://www.arnnet.com.au/index.php/id;2110248935;fp;256;fpid;56736</a><br /><br /></div><i>"High Tech Computer (HTC), the world's largest maker of mobile phones that use Windows Mobile, plans to further develop music playing functions in its handsets in the future, while it will slowly phase out infrared. The company already offers music functions on most of its phones, since they use a mobile version of Microsoft's Media Player. But going forward, HTC will add more flash memory and other hardware to make its phones increasingly music-friendly, said Peter Chou, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of HTC"</i><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Temporale-20060829-HTClogo.gif" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> <br /><br />This article takes a small turn in the middle to talk a little about the upcoming Zune device from Microsoft. However, it does return to HTC and mentions that they are willing to look at other Operating Systems for their devices, but only if the customer asks for it. HTC has forecasted that they will sell 10 million mobile phones this year, which is up 3 million from last years total of 7 million. That's an awful lot of Windows Mobile. :mrgreen:

[Jerry Raia]

Great. More media buttons on Smartphones. Just what I want. :roll:

[Jason Dunn]

I'm not convinced. If you look at the HTC Str Trk, you can tell they didn't think much about the music experience:

- Slow USB 1.1 transfer
- no standard 3.5mm headphone jack
- really poor quality bundled headphones
- microSD cards, hard to access

[ctmagnus]

"We're not limited. We're not Microsoft, we can do anything," Chou said.

Interesting quote. ;)

[craigrens]

What, NO INFRARED? How will I survive! :)

Wait, perhaps I overreacted. I guess I haven't used infrared in quite a while, check that, ever on my newest smartphone.

On the music side, I'm still not sold as my phone being my primary music device. It's nice for me being in my 30's having a couple of tunes handy in my vehicle when I want them, but I could really care less to add more music functionality into the device that uses Windows Media Player as the primary music player. Call me old fashioned, but I'll still pop in a CD if I'm really craving some tunes.

[dwest218]

Personally I think HTC is behind in the music phone development. I'm sure everyone has seen the LG Chocolate music phone or the Nokia N91?? I think HTC could easily develop a incredible music phone and would sell very well.

How about a glossy black or white smooth, clean, music phone with either a hard-drive or simpler would be 8gb flash memory. Throw in 3.5mm headphone socket, A2DP, and good speakers?? Also, I would like to see a smartphone with the same 2.8" display as used on the phones like the Pocket PC's. Perfrect for movie viewing and display appeal.

Seriously would like to see a 2.8" display on a smartphone more than anything. Next would be more memory!

[kugeln]

Any phone lacking a standard headphone jack is not a music phone. That's all there is to it.

That said, WMP on Windows Mobile is a novelty at best. I have yet to consider using it to play anything but video clips when I don't have anything else to play them on.

[Stinger]

How about improving the cameras? Most HTC smartphones only have 1.3 megapixel cameras (of poor quality) whilst the opposition is rocking 3+ megapixels with autofocus. If there has to be a camea on every phone at least make it a good one!

IR is no great loss, except at business conferences. Have you ever tried Bluetoothing a contact card when there's hundreds of Bluetooth devices in range? It's a frustrating experience. :)

[AdamaDBrown]

Call me old fashioned, but I'll still pop in a CD if I'm really craving some tunes.

Cee Dees? Wait, weren't they those things that were used for music back in the last century? :twisted:

I'm contemplating wiring my car stereo for Bluetooth so that I can stream music from my Axim. 8)

[Rocco Augusto]

if they really want to focus more on a music playing phone then there are a couple things they need to add to the device.

1) internal storage... this might be a shot in the dark but im pretty sure when all is said and done, we would need more than 12MB of free space :roll:

2) faster processor, it isnt really needed for music or anything. im just annoyed with the 200MHz phones on the market :)

3) instead of placing the media buttons on the phone and taking up much needed room keypad room, why not just place them on the actual headset. think outside the box, htc

4) USB 2.0... i cant stress that enough

5) more 3G handsets... once again, this really isnt a music thing... i just want a faster handset ;)