HTC is positive about its business prospects for 2019 as it will continue to roll out efforts to revitalize its handset business and achieve significant VR revenue growth by offering integrated hardware, platform, content and related services, according to company chairperson Cher Wang.
With the arrival of the 5G era, HTC is developing its first 5G-focused smartphone in line with the progress of related 5G technology aiming to bring the highest value-added to consumers, Wang said on the sidelines of CES 2019.
To better serve subscribers to its Viveport app store, the company is to implement a Viveport Infinity program on April 5 to enable unlimited access to all VR content available on the platform, Wang said, adding that the function of its platform will be enhanced by the planned launch of a new browser, Firefox Reality, co-developed with Firefox and Amazon Wireless Services (AWS).
For enriching its VR hardware portfolios, Wang continued that HTC plans to launch its refreshed Vive Pro Eye headset in the second quarter of 2019, believing the new gadget to deliver new immerse VR experience with its eye-tracing technology.
The company will further scale up its VR ecosystem by releasing a new standalone VR headset, Vive Cosmos, later in the year, Wang added, saying that the new VR headset does not need external sensors and can be connected with mobile computing functionality.
There are still numerous opportunities for the development of the VR industry as it is just its infant stage and its business cycle is still long, Wang contended.
Wang added that the kick-off of the commercial operations of 5G networks will lead to a take-off of AV/VR applications and that an integration of 5G, AR/VR, AI and blockchian technologies will benefit HTC's long-term development.
However, HTC is not expected to launch its 5G-enabled smartphones until the second half of 2019 as the 5G market is not yet mature at the moment, according to industry sources.
Instead, HTC will focus on the development of 5G mobile smart hub products initially as the initial development of the 5G services is to cater to business applications, said the sources.
HTC chairperson Cher Wang
Photo: Max Wang, Digitimes, January 2019
Article translated by Steve Shen
