HTC pulls the plug on tablets in the U.S.

posted by Alan F. / Oct 10, 2012, 2:26 PM

HTC pulls the plug on tablets in the U.S.

The 7 inch HTC Flyer

HTC has never made a dent in U.S. tablet sales. Calling the production of both the HTC Jetstream and HTC Flyer "a great learning experience," the Taiwan based manufacturer has announced that it is pulling out of the U.S. tablet market. HTC says it won't burn bridges and will keep open the option of returning to the U.S. tablet market sometime in the future. The HTC Flyer was a 7 inch device while the HTC Jetstream offered a 10.1 inch screen. But the dynamics of the current Android tablet market favors the low-priced 7 inch devices which was created with the launch of the OG Amazon Kindle Fire which took place after HTC released its pair of slates. Now, the hot Android tablets include the new Kindle Fire line and the Asus built Google Nexus 7.

If the Taiwan manufacturer can "make a splash" in the market, it will return. But for now, it has decided to leave the battle to others. Part of the problem was that HTC was focused on the mid to high end of the 7 inch tablet market. It took a price cut from Best Buy last October to get the HTC Flyer down to $299.99. That action took place the day after the Amazon Kindle Fire and its $199 price was launched. To make things even harder for HTC, the low-end of the Kindle Fire line is now priced at $159.

"We’re watching that market [tablets] very, very closely. It was a great learning experience for us, and they definitely met expectations…We’re very much not set on one strategy over another"-Jeff Gordon, Global online communications manager, HTC

source: AndroidGuys

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22 Comments

1. KingKurogiii

Posts: 5713; Member since: Oct 23, 2011

their problem was that they really, really overpriced really weak tablets. they were a hard recommendation to anyone. they could do something along the lines of the Galaxy Tab 2 series and do alright.

posted on Oct 10, 2012, 2:38 PM 11

19. MeoCao unregistered

HTC doesn't think about what the market wants when they sell their tablets, they only think about what they want: big profits.

posted on Oct 10, 2012, 8:28 PM 1

20. KingKurogiii

Posts: 5713; Member since: Oct 23, 2011

well they better get their heads out of the clouds if they want to come back to play in the Tablet Play Pin.

posted on Oct 10, 2012, 8:32 PM 1

22. speckledapple

Posts: 902; Member since: Sep 29, 2011

Agreed. They obviously have the ability to design some amazingly looking phones but they seemed to have lost that ability to treat each device with care and support it over the long term. The Thunderbolt, which was billed at the first LTE device for verizon, has gotten weak support since it was released. They release phone after phone and yet still leave each with weak support. What they need is an overall of their system in support, design, and the overall experience. If they do that they can compete again but if not, they simply must pull out as they will not hack it in this competitive market.

posted on Oct 12, 2012, 11:04 AM 0

21. Hammerfest

Posts: 384; Member since: May 12, 2012

while I can definitly see that being a big part, the other problem was actually SUPPORTING their product... took forever for the updates they DID get, AND they got left in the dust for ICS/JB... Dont have a good history of supporting your devices (in this case, the limited run for tablets and problems reported are the only case against it) even the entry devices, then you arent going to sell squad... Competitive pricing + Support = Sales...

posted on Oct 11, 2012, 12:19 AM 0

2. Commentator

Posts: 3722; Member since: Aug 16, 2011

This isn't too surprising, they only ever made 2 different Android tablets and it's been over a year since they released their last one. HTC needs to realize they don't have the scale to be all things to all people like Samsung can. Even LG and Sony have a better shot, given their sheer market ubiquity. If they can find a niche as a premium device manufacturer they might have a shot, but they'll have to up-play their advantages over other manufacturers in places like build-quality and UI-refinement.

posted on Oct 10, 2012, 2:58 PM 4

17. 14545

Posts: 1835; Member since: Nov 22, 2011

Or heck, even timely updates. (or in the case of the Flyer/Jetstream, updates at all.) Screw HTC. As a long time HTC(used since XV6800-rezound) fan, their lack of support on these overpriced tablets has caused to me send people running in the other direction from their new products. I hope they fail at this point. As someone who has spent thousands with their stupid company, SCREW THEM!!!!!!!

posted on Oct 10, 2012, 7:13 PM 0

3. ZEUS.the.thunder.god unregistered

well you cant win for your build quality and design alone. but i really hope they can make a comeback and bring something exciting. as if now only Asus and Sammy can compete in Android ecosystem. for others its really hard to make a dent in the tablet market. I would love to see a Galaxy NeXus Tab 10.

posted on Oct 10, 2012, 3:06 PM 0

4. darkkjedii

Posts: 30833; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

HTC should regroup, and try to build a better cheaper tablet. They are a good build quality company and I think that they could build a really good tablet if they really put their minds to it and study what Apple Samsung and motorola are doing

posted on Oct 10, 2012, 3:10 PM 2

8. ZEUS.the.thunder.god unregistered

well thats the whole problem. they wanted to charge a premium price while there are cheaper options available in the market. they could go with Windows 8 and could compete in premium price range but again we have a whole lot of W8 OEM`s offering first real tablets at good prices running full windows.

posted on Oct 10, 2012, 3:20 PM 0

12. e.wvu unregistered

Remember that Microsoft doesn't want HTC to make Windows Tablets.

posted on Oct 10, 2012, 5:10 PM 2

5. theoak

Posts: 324; Member since: Nov 16, 2011

iPad mini on the way ... they had no choice really.

posted on Oct 10, 2012, 3:11 PM 1

6. TROLL

Posts: 4851; Member since: Apr 13, 2012

These phone manufactures should make quality products like how Audi. BMW. Mercs. Jags. do, consentrate on premium materials. Customers are willing to pay!

posted on Oct 10, 2012, 3:15 PM 1

7. lauremar

Posts: 181; Member since: Feb 29, 2012

I think they will focus their attention in making Windows 8 tablets instead in the U.S. market.

posted on Oct 10, 2012, 3:20 PM 1

9. agamhonda

Posts: 14; Member since: Oct 11, 2011

I sell cellphones for a living and I couldn't tell you where to buy those tablets. If you want to be sucessful selling tablets they have to be available in stores.

posted on Oct 10, 2012, 3:58 PM 0

11. lsutigers

Posts: 832; Member since: Mar 08, 2009

HTC's tablets were only available at Sprint, AT&T, Best Buy and some online retailers. Sprint carried the EVO View 4G (Flyer), AT&T had the Jetstream and Best Buy carried the Wi-Fi only Flyer. They were expensive but the build quality was great.

posted on Oct 10, 2012, 4:32 PM 0

10. Ravail

Posts: 182; Member since: Oct 14, 2011

I guess HTC hasnt thought.. "Maybe people do not like our UI"..

posted on Oct 10, 2012, 4:21 PM 0

18. 14545

Posts: 1835; Member since: Nov 22, 2011

It's not the "ui". Period. I don't love sense, but it's not bad. The problem is they do their best to hinder development, and then won't support it once it leaves the shelves. Not to mention they charge wayyyyy dam@ too much for their products.

posted on Oct 10, 2012, 7:15 PM 0

13. gallitoking

Posts: 4721; Member since: May 17, 2011

1st time.. well second time I heard HTC had tablets...

posted on Oct 10, 2012, 5:31 PM 1

14. TROLL

Posts: 4851; Member since: Apr 13, 2012

Hey Galli, how is you bro? Any sign or news from Taco? it's kinda booring with-out him commenting....

posted on Oct 10, 2012, 5:39 PM 0

15. gallitoking

Posts: 4721; Member since: May 17, 2011

nop I havent .I know he still read us but PA wont let him post...

posted on Oct 10, 2012, 6:27 PM 0

16. pikapowerize

Posts: 1869; Member since: May 03, 2012

the problem with HTC is that it might be build good but expensive!!! and maybe people who dont know them might think its a chinese device(technically they are chinese) and questionable durability even though it is build good with HTC's tech!