HTC CEO Peter Chou on Windows Phone 7

September 27, 2010 | By Pradeep

As Windows Phone 7 launch date rumours are flying high,people are pretty much excited about the launch. I think Microsoft has done its job well. Its almost the same situation which happened last year for Windows 7 launch,where people waited for software rather than any specific hardware. Now,a year later I can find people commenting on news and blog sites that they need a Windows Phone 7 device rather than HTC or LG or Samsung device. That’s the power of software.It creates Magic. The Seattle times had an interview with HTC CEO Peter Chou not just about WP7 alone but also on the future of smartphones.Here is the interview edited excerpts.

Question: What do you think about Windows Phone 7? Do people in the industry think Microsoft has a chance to come back in the mobile business?

Answer: I do. This is a significant milestone for Microsoft in the mobile space. They put tremendous focus, effort on this design. I’m very excited about this brand-new experience. I think it will get positive acceptance from the industry and the market.

Q: You built a nice HTC software layer to differentiate your phones. That looks tougher with Windows Phone since the interface is pretty specific. What kind of "special sauce" can HTC bring to its WP7 devices?

A: Innovation doesn’t need to always be the same. We are able to innovate on top of that, but the first time, just like our first Android phone, we ended up not putting in too much the first time. Over time, we believe we can innovate on top of that.

Q: Are there international markets where Windows Phone will be especially strong?

A: In China the Windows phones are very popular, the acceptance is very high. They have a lot of legacy Windows users.

Peter said he usually carries all their smartphones they are currently developing to test them.He had 4 devices in his pocket during the interview.He also commented on Apple’s antenna gate issue of holding iPhone in wrong way,this is what he said,

No. I can’t blame consumers, how they use them.

About Pradeep Viswav

Pradeep was a Microsoft Student Partner when he was pursuing his Computer Science & Engineering degree. He now works for a MNC. He is passionate about technology and loves to share his knowledge with people. People used to mention him as “A Geek who is not Nerd”. He was fascinated by the Metro Design language and Windows Phone which made him to follow and develop applications for it. Follow him at twitter.com/pradeepviswav

Tagged HTC CEO interview, windows phone 7

Greta G

Why no one asked Peter Chou why HTC announced such low specs devices for the launch of WP7 ?
- 1.230 mAh is not a decent battery capacity
- 8GB storage is not a decent memory when Apple proposes 16GB or 32GB iPhones.
- how to justify the absence of Amoled/Super LCD screens?

Also, I would be interested to know how Peter Chou justify that storage is supposed to be limited to 8GB for E.U. only. He does not care about E.U. customers, or think they do not need storage?
http://twitter.com/MistaWet @MistaWet

Morning Greta or is it afternoon?

Anyway, I agree but to an extent. Before we assume that "Peter doesn't care about E.U. customers" let's wait and see what is available at launch.

Regardless if it's Europe or the U.S.A., I understand the bad feeling of not having enough storage space and if launch comes and all you have is a variety of 8gb phones, then I stand with you on this obvious screw up.

However, until then relax, mark the calender and think positive thoughts….Hummmmm
Greta G

Yes Mistawet, you are right… I should relax and think positive.
But there are some signs that make me think I have some reasons to be a little bit negative…
- Fistly, I clearly read on the specs (HD3) that it is "8GB for E.U. only". Are there true?
- Secondly, HTC already did this before. Remember the HD2. It came with a 8GB SD card in Europe and a 16GB SD card in the US.
Sorry, but EU citizens are not supposed to be sub-customers. And this kind of discrimination is not acceptable from an international brand such as HTC.

Anyway, you are right. I will wait and see. And if HTC does not propose a decent 16GB storage I will simply buy another brand.
http://twitter.com/MistaWet @MistaWet

Well said. This is why I don't necessarily attach myself to particular brands. The only time I feel a little restricted is when I am handcuffed to a cellular company. I've been fortunate enough to have a good line up on my current carrier but if my carrier fails to provide a basic minimum I require for a phone then I will simply go to another carrier just as you clearly stated.

Good luck and happy phoning.
Strangerx

They never announced anything related to WP7, get that into your head. All you've seen were leaks and that doesn't mean they're true.. Stop trolling already.
Alsatian Cousin

It's only rumours, but I agree that if true it would be unbelievable.
But I do not believe that HTC would release a higher end smartphone with 8GB only. Firstly it would be ridiculous (8GB is the regular storage I had on my basic phone 4 years ago already); Secondly few wm users would agree to buy such an under powered phone.
Smartphones are for media experience (music, videos, games, etc.) so they need maximum storage, especially if no expandable memory.

Don't forget that WP7 has to be a success. So the WP7 hardware need to be competitive also. A device with only 8GB would not be taken seriously when Android or iPhones have 16GB and even 32GB.

I'm sure HTC will announce soon a 16GB/32GB device and I may purchase it.
Of course, same as you, I will not buy a 8GB phone.