HTC Delays Smartwatch, Wants To "Get It Right"

What are you expecting to see at that HTC event tomorrow? A camera? New phones? Smartwatch? If you're looking for a wearable, you won't get one. Speaking to Re/Code, HTC America chief Jason Mackenzie says they're not ready to release theirs yet."We had originally planned to have a wearable launch in this time frame. It ended up just not being ready" said Mackenzie. The reason for HTC's dragging their heels on wearables could be smarter than it seems. Though HTC could push something to market, likely fairly easily, they're not impressed with smartwatches in general.

HTC Creative Labs boss Drew Bamford had the following to say about smartwatches. It shines a light that what HTC is working on might be worth the wait:

We've seen a lot of general purpose wearables come to market. There's not a strong reason to wear one every day. When we come to market with our product we want to make sure the product has a strong point of view and there is a really compelling reason to strap it on your wrist.

We think the strategy we were working on will get us there, but we want to take our time and get it right. We honestly don't think anyone has gotten it right.

Bamford's right. As much as we all tend to fawn over smartwatches, they're not terribly compelling just yet. Even the Apple Watch, which will sell by the boatload, is more want than need.

It will be interesting to see HTC's take on wearables. If they can offer an actual reason to make you need a smartwatch, or at least want to put it on your wrist day after day for something besides getting notifications, being late to the wearable party won't matter much.

Source: Re/Code