HTC calls Nokia-Microsoft deal "a validation of what we’re doing”, promises more Windows phones

February 11, 2011 | By Surur

Jason Mackenzie, president of HTC for North America and Latin America has commented on the Microsoft/Nokia partnership to Seattle Times.

"Nokia’s following a similar lead to what HTC’s been doing, in not investing in our own platform, taking solid platforms and filling the gap to deliver a solid experience to the end user," he said, calling it "a validation of what we’re doing."

He did not however express any concern about the looming competition.

"I feel confident in what we’re doing," he said. "We’ve got a fresh brand that’s resonating with consumers." It’s "one more competitor," he said.

He admitted that HTC would not have any new Windows Phones to show off at Mobile World Congress, but said several will be announced later in the year.

"Obviously Windows Phone 7 is a platform we’ve invested tremendously on" and "we’ll continue to support that," he said.

When asked if the Nokia deal would be good for Windows phone 7 he said "It broadens the ecosystem, which is good for everyone. We’ll see.”

About Surur

Site Admin and Windows Phone enthusiast, he has been using Windows Mobile devices since before they were called PocketPC’s. He is currently sporting a HTC 7 Trophy.

Tagged htc, nokia, windows phone 7

dropqube

"He admitted that HTC would not have any new Windows Phones to show off at Mobile World Congress, but said several will be announced later in the year."

Fuck you HTC. I am more and more disappointed in your brand.

GreenStalker

lol when considering a WP7 phone i didn't even consider a HTC one sorry, WinMo and android they are offering something but WP7 they suck, sense is useless, hardware wise lets just say i dont know what they where thinking, designs where just a repetition of their usual ….

http://www.facebook.com/people/Levar-Mouzone/717959225 Le'var Mouzone

What the hell are you doing here with a bunch of people who are into wp7.

WP7Fan

He said he doesn't like HTC's WP7 offerings – NOT that he doesn't like WP7 in general.

I myself am very disappointed in HTC's WP7 offerings too. The mozart's back is nice, but for the rest the performance is poor (not surprising if they used SD cards locked away, NAND is just faster) and their screens aren't anything special either.

The only HTC I'd consider is the 7 Pro, for it's amazing keyboard (the similarities with Touch Pro 2 are plentiful, which is a good thing), but I don't need a fysical QWERTY.

Omnia 7 is the way to go if you ask me, and the HTC offerings don't come even close.

zzz

C'mon, HTC is currently the biggest seller of WP7 phones. I don't think WP7 is in a position to say FU to HTC or any other device maker at this point.

WP7Fan

Well, Samsung is offering only the Focus in US and Omnia 7 in EU, and they're selling almost the same amount http://bestsellingmobilephones.com/news-samsung-o…

Not sure about world-wide sales (everyone is waiting for those numbers), but I think that HTC is not delivering.

Just Visiting

I'm not surprised – HTC did not even bother to create any new, appealling handsets for WP7; they just put the WP7 OS on handsets that are extremely, very similar in design (look) to their Android devices. In my opinion, HTC did not, (and does not despite what they are saying in this interview) take the WP7 platform seriously. HTC isn't going to have any more phones for WP7 to announce at MWC (a major event to announce new devices) or CES for that matter? Really? Bet there will be plenty of new HTC Android OS handsets this year though…

zzz

HTC had their Androids out last spring/summer. WP7 was out just over 3 months ago. Don't expect new WP7 models (except CDMA ones) any time soon.

Ram

Nope they ditched Microsoft. They are in this position as one of the top dogs in Mobile phones is just because of Microsft and HP/Compaq iPaq because they were OEMs for original Pocket PCs/iPaqs, and Windows Mobile phones. Now they joined with Android and just started ignoring microsoft. Microsoft did right thing by going with Nokia, this will teach a lesson or two definitely to HTC. HP already did f* HTC by acquiring Palm and making their own phones.

Brian

To be fair, the sell a lot more Android handsets than they do WP7 – can you blame them for putting Android first?

efjay

That means no CDMA WP7 which you would have at least expected to be announced. Sad for CDMA users.

http://twitter.com/dustbeta @dustbeta

Exactly… I am on Sprint and sooo disappointed that there is nothing coming except the HTC 7 Pro, which sucks because it does not have global roaming. So, it is useless. Let's go Nokia, get me a global WP7 device for Sprint!

Max

Well, good for HTC in showing WP7 love, at least spoken.
sab0tage

It's the best response HTC could have given. In the end Nokia + WP7 will make WP7 more recognisable as a platform/brand, and that itself will be good for HTC.
Tom

The truth is unfold. We knew all along that HTC is moving away from Windows Phone 7 and is focusing on Android. I can't wait for Windows-Nokia Phone 7/8.
I guess HD7 will be my last HTC phone.
Woody

"He admitted that HTC would not have any new Windows Phones to show off at Mobile World Congress, but said several will be announced later in the year."

HELL NO!! HTC!! Don't do this too me! First Sprint, now You? This is turning out to be a bad year for my favorite brands. I really hope what you have to offer alter in the year is worth it. In the mean time what to do? Pro7 just isn't that great considering the Epic 4G is already on Sprint. I was really lookign forward to MWC. Now I'm not.

Lennard

I really was looking forward to MWC to see what new WP7 devices might be coming to my carrier….cause tmobile seems to only carry HTC made windows phones. so this sucks a lot.

the fight

Definitely left sprint for T-Mobile last month and bought a Dell venue pro (currently responding to you using it via surfcube). there are options out there…

Woody

Man the only thing holding is I have 1 more year and I could also use my premium 1 every year upgrade.

Keith

That was a good response from HTC. I hope they do try and compete with Nokia by building more compelling WP7 handsets than they offer now. No excuse on why they won't have even a pre-announcment of a high-end WP7 handset at the MWC though.

Brian

That's hard to say – if they really mean it then yes it's a good thing, more likely they're just trying to keep things looking rosy while they unload inventory. No new phones at MWC is a big thing.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Byron-Miller/603420865 Byron Miller

Much respect HTC! Google's arrogrance is showing strong and happy to see other phone mfrs being respectful! The improvements in technology/services that nokia will pass off to Microsoft will also improve the offerings of HTC, so its win win for them!
chinch

next HTC phone is Verizon & Sprint phones we've already seen people.

why would HTC create a new wp7 phone at this time? it is not even remotely necessary.

Keith

Huh? They have how many Android phones. How about building a HD7 with a nicer screen for starters and configure it with a battery that didn't come from a stockpile of 1230 mAh crap they picked up at a fire sale.

chinch

what carrier is going to FLOOD their supply with similar devices from the same brand? HD7 is pretty much perfect if you want the largest screen (too big for most) and yet very popular and in all stores. Just becuase geeks want a "nicer screen" (where will that come from samsung? ROTFLMAO) and other nonsense doesn't make it a business reality.

Android is NOT really flooding the market on any ONE carrier with good stuff. it was Verizon who splooged last summer … Incredible and while that was announced Moto announcing DroidX/2 prematurely (knowing iPhone obviously). Most of TM's android phones are dreadful and the most popular ones stuc on old android builds.

Step back off the ledge and into reality.

Keith

Who is saying anything about flooding? Just offer some better choices. In every respect WP7 is well ahead of where Android was 4 months in so absolutely manufactures should offering more choices and better handsets. If they don't they are going to miss the boat so that is up to them.

Woody

It's not necessary? What about CDMA? We haven't gotten anything and what we are getting compared to the TP2 is way too similar. Why can't they WOW us like they did with the transition from Mogul to TP to TP2? Look at the Epic 4G. It's a badass Device. 4" Screen, Front Facing Cam, Slide out KB, AMOLED Screen and it has fast hardware. I really want WP7 and I want a phone by HTC. At this point hopefully Samsung pulls through. hell I'd take an LG at this point with those specs.

raidenn

HTC makes lower end phones, they would probably make more android phones.

tegra2

how many WP7 phones have something better than a snapdragon processor and a front facing camera? Everyone's WP7 phone is everyone's slightly tweaked Android phone from last year. To date, WP7 is th low end.

Lennard

damn, HTC…I was expecting even a little better efford from you.
oslik

The difference between Nokia and HTC is pretty clear. Nokia is making a big bet on WP7, because Android is too evil for it. HTC has showed a mild interest with no real commitment. I don't think HTC has a right to criticise the special relationship of Microsoft and Nokia. Their level of commitment is very different.

But this reaction from HTC is great and generous.
jabtano

This device is HTC HD7 aside from screen it an ok device no with that said I would jump at chance to Nokia N with WP7 yes!
http://www.ztitch.com Ztitch Developer

Very good sportsmanship by HTC, I like that. No trashy talk like Google.

Brian

You do realize that Google's "trash talk" was them repeating a comment that a Nokia exec had made some years earlier, right?

Ram

But that guy was gone even before Vic ditched Microsoft and joined Google.

jabtano

People are scared of competition where as I think it's good. it makes others do better work or make better products. HTC did a class thing. they don't have to trash Nokia. all they have to do is maker a better product than whatever it is that Nokia turns out running WP7.

keenan

HTC loves droid not WP7 I would have give Nokia deal to. Hit the road HTC would don't need u or LG cry baby asses go make your droids. I bet at MWC they show some droids.

Brian

With HTC and LG gone Microsoft is left with only Samsung as a first tier partner (let's be honest, the Dell hardware looks good but Dell struggles to execute well away from it's core PC business). They have almost a year before Nokia expects to have product – if they lose Samsung WP7 will flounder for a year. This would be very, very bad for the ecosystem.

Joel

No devices a mwc? not good for me….I need a new phone…I want a windows Phone….but it doesn't seem anybody has any devices to show for the year….really bad news…
Max

If they don't improve their act, they'll sell even less.
Jason Duffus

Why are you here? go troll on Gizmodo or Engadget with the rest of your trolling family.

Brian

There is some important truth in the oslik's post. With the current hardware OEM partner scheme MS has to worry that every time a partner does production planning they see 100's of Android phones going out the door for every 1 WP7 phone. The Nokia deal may get around this, although for the next year there won't be a Nokia/WP7 phone, the existing hardware partners are now less interested, and Nokia is going to see market share slide even faster since their current products are effectively a dead end for consumers.

Durishin

My bet is that NOK will take WP7 downmarket. HTC, Dell and others will occupy the Mid and upper markets. NOK do volume and that is one advantage WP7 has over iOS: the opportunity to go downmarket with less expensive smartphones .

Brian

Don't forget though that Nokia is dropping fast, their market share will likely have dropped another third by the time their first WP7 phone hits (and they'll still be selling mostly Symbian phones at that point).

http://www.facebook.com/people/Milad-Bazzaz/100000479683479 Milad Bazzaz

eff HTC. I hope Nokia comes up with some polished hardware. The problem usually is the design with Nokia.

But I'm tired of HTC's crappy camaras and terrible battery lifes anyway. Samsung or Nokia for me.
brianchau

HTC's heart hasn't been on WP7. If my next phone is a WP7, it would not be from HTC.
jabtano

I like My HTC HD7 the screen size for sure. the build is ok. the sound and volume is godawful we don't have to talk about the camera we all know it's stinks. they have very few apps that are of use. I don't think they look at WP7 with a gleam in there eye at all. if they did they would have had a few new devices coming out for the Mobile World Congress, instead it's all android. so when they said well we will have new devices coming soon it's only because they now know that Nokia will have new devices coming really soon.I say this because HTC cranks out new devices as fast as the shuttle goes on blast off.
Benjamin R Mendez

Even before I read this crap about about HTC I said fux you. You only made your money thanks to ppl like me that bough your windows mobile phones palm Treo which you'll manufacture Treo pro, touch pro, hd2, and now hd7. i dont throw this piece of shitt because I dont have my Nokia windows phone yet. You guys took priority on Android. Cool go f your last product I buy from HTC
http://www.facebook.com/jessiethe3rd Jessie Anderson

Desired effect… Put the ecosystem partner community back in line!
Truth be told HTC has been out of WP7 since inception
"We'll modify WP7… It'll just take time.". What's that you say HTC?
http://www.facebook.com/people/Carlo-Wagner/644626536 Carlo Wagner

I think this comment is well measured actually. HTC released 4 WP7 devices,not 1 (Samsung and LG),not a half (Dell!!!),and not zero (Asus),but 4 devices. So who can say their heart wasnt in it. Welcome Nokia,good choice.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Justin-Stehly/1744702837 Justin Stehly

I agree this was well put by HTC this only broadens the market reach how that not god for everyone. It will make the Os more appealing. It will also make the hardware manufacturers work harder and put out nicer devices. I love my Focus but it is kind of like a kids toy when it comes to material. Nokia has high-end devices I would like to see take on all these high-end devices coming out on Android. God I hate google.