HTC Acquires Smartphone Homescreen Experts Abaxia

HTC have opened their corporate purse and bought Abaxia, a French firm that specialises in creating customised software for operators and cellphone device manufacturers.  The terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed, but the two companies have worked together previously; Abaxia currently offer several homescreen UI packages, which integrate carrier logos, identity and services into device OSes, pull mobile search into the homescreen, and – with their "Open Platform" – can push data, such as adverts, social networking information or live web content, to idle screens.

Abaxia also work across all the platforms HTC currently uses, and more, including Android, Windows Mobile and Java (together with iPhone OS and webOS).  The two firms are yet to suggest what exactly the new expertise will do to future HTC devices, beyond HTC CEO Peter Chou saying it will allow them to "innovate at an even faster pace."

Back in 2008, HTC acquired design firm One & Co, who went on to shape the brand identity of headline devices like the HTC Hero.  In the meantime, HTC produced Sense, a UI and interface product that they use as a value-add on top of generic platforms like Android.  Abaxia's expertise at the "front screen" of mobile devices looks likely to better shape homescreen UIs on future HTC phones.

Press Release:

HTC STRENGTHENS SOFTWARE CAPABILITIES WITH ACQUISITON OF ABAXIA

TAOYUAN TAIWAN – June 7, 2010 – HTC Corporation, a global designer of smartphones, today announced it has acquired Paris-based Abaxia, a leader in custom software for mobile operators and handset manufacturers around the world.

"HTC is committed to creating the best possible mobile experience for our customers today, tomorrow and into the future," said Peter Chou, CEO of HTC Corporation. "The addition of Abaxia deepen and broaden our software development capabilities so that we can innovate at an even faster pace."

"HTC and Abaxia have worked closely together in the past and our businesses complement each other well," said Cedric Mangaud, CEO of Abaxia. "We're excited to be joining such a significant and emerging mobile brand."

About Abaxia

Founded in 2001, Abaxia is a leading software developer specializing in mobile solutions that quickly promote and monetize operator and handset manufacturer services on smartphones. For more information about Abaxia, please visit www.abaxia.com.

About HTC

HTC Corporation (HTC) is one of the fastest growing companies in the mobile phone industry. By putting people at the center of everything it does, HTC creates innovative smartphones that better serve the lives and needs of individuals. The company is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange under ticker 2498. For more information about HTC, please visit www.htc.com.