HTC is in a bit of a bad way, and their handling of tablet software upgrades, shows.
We understand the difficult straits that HTC is in. They sold very few tablets, handset sales are struggling to keep pace with Apple and Samsung, and Android 4.0 was developed with HTC relatively out of the loop. The good news is that HTC has a new, flagship pan-carrier offering in the HTC One Series to buy them time to rebuild.
In terms of bean counters, it would almost make total sense to abandon all of HTC’s tablets, and come out this fall with a new one. Problem is, such a decision would completely ignore the effect of alienating the early adopters… those that HTC will need to tap, if it wants to keep relevance in this industry.
Perhaps that is why HTC told PhoneNews.com late last week that it is still contemplating the delivery of Android 4.0 for the HTC Flyer, EVO View 4G, and Jetstream. HTC has said on-and-off that Jetstream is a go, but the Jetstream was an extremely niche play, costing more than even Apple’s iPad. HTC’s Flyer (and EVO View twin on Sprint), sold considerably higher volumes.
The bad news for HTC, is that even Acer has blazed past them. Within the past week, Acer has updated all of its tablets to Android 4.0, with the exception of one carrier-branded variant. Acer has readily admitted that it has struggled in the tablet space, but intendeds to regroup with a new generation of tablets after the current Kindle-Fire-answer generation passes. Devices like the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 are hallmarks of the current tablet attrition. The Galaxy Tab 2 was built to retool the 7-inch tablet from Samsung, specifically to combat Kindle Fire.
HTC is also smartly sitting on the sidelines, perhaps. With Samsung willing to bring margins down dramatically to compete with the loss-leading Kindle Fire, which now accounts for more than half of all Android tablets, offering additional competitors may simply prove to be un-economical. HTC has committed to a product strategy wherein it has fewer, not more devices.
The problem for HTC is that it still needs to support its older devices properly. Every device it does not meet its Google-obligated goal of updating as much as technically-possible, is another nail in HTC’s coffin to win back customers. Customers now can tell that these generational Android updates matter.
Still, the world is not perfect. While Google has asked manufacturers to commit to two years of Android updates, something we led them by a few months proposing, many have failed to actually deliver on that commitment. We’re still waiting for a manufacturer to commit to relentlessly updating its devices, and actually speaking to the community about why it fails to update certain devices. This kind of openness creates competitive advantage. If I want a device that comes with a no-comment tag, I’ll buy another iPad.
It feels that even Apple has slowed down its software updates.
difficult “straits”
Where is the quote from HTC that it was still contemplating HTC Flyer Ice Cream Sandwich update? Would be greatr if it did it!
Don’t have the quote with me, but HTC told me directly that they have not finalized the list of devices that will receive ICS. Tablets are still TBD, as are possibly other smartphones which have not yet been committed for upgrade.
Great. If HTC don’t release 4 for Flyer – my next tab is Samsung.
I own the Flyer. Bought it on day 1. Honeycomb is crap compared to ICS. If HTC wants to screw me over, that’s fine. They better not expect me to buy my next product from them.
Agree, if htc doesn’t release ICS for their tablets im switching brands
I have the HTC Flyer and Scribe pen. Besides note taking and websurfing my primary use of this well built device was for GPS navigation. After updating my Flyer to Honeycomb my GPS has become too flaky to be any use. This is totally unacceptable. I will never buy another HTC phone or tablet if HTC does not update the Flyer to ICS as soon as possible.
[…] webOS 3.0 release for the tablet. Others, such as the HTC Flyer and its EVO View 4G twin, are still “under evaluation”, approaching nine months after Android 4.0 came on device manufacturer’s […]
I bought 2 evo tablets for Christmas and if they decide not to upgrade not only will i change to samsung on my tablets but i also have 3 HTC phone i will also change to a different manufacturer. HTC will lose me and im shore many others as customers for ever. I think its a slap in the face to someone that buys a product and a month later new software is released and not updating a product they still sold at the time of the software release.
[…] looking for a seven-inch tablet may want to opt for Acer’s similar Iconia Tab A100, which already has been officially upgraded to Android 4.0. EmailPrintTwitterYou might also […]
[…] This is especially shameful, as representatives for HTC have gone on-record in the past as stating that the Jetstream, a $699 tablet… with contract… would be updated to Android 4.0. Flyer and EVO View 4G have been “under evaluation” for almost five months. Meanwhile, rivals such as Acer delivered ICS for its comparable tablets. […]