In this highly competitive market of smartphones, the vendors are devising new ways to sell their handsets. HTC of Taiwan have come out with a new series of smartphones that it said would allow users to “retire your digital cameras”, as it braces to fight against rivals Apple and Samsung. The “One” series of phones, which will hit Asian markets on April 2, have cameras that can autofocus in just 0.2 seconds, making them the equal of many modern digital cameras, the company said.
This new smartphone can take four digital photos per second, a model the HTC hopes can help reverse its falling revenue amid keener competition. It allows users to snap pictures while watching videos or movies. It runs on Android’s latest ” Ice Cream Sandwich” operating system.
“From now on, you won’t miss any fabulous moments in your life,” said president of HTC North Asia Jack Tong, who also noted that photography is the second most popular function of a smartphone. “With the One in hand, you can retire your digital cameras,” he said.
The handsets will cost up to $706 when they hit the shelves next week. Analysts say the new models are expected to boost the company’s revenue.
Digital cameras are already seeing slide in demand and with introduction of highly sophisticated cameras in smartphones, digital cameras will soon fade away. Technology can play havoc with certain devices and few years ago nobody had imagined that a reputed camera manufacturers like Kodak will be bankrupt one day.
AT&T on the other hand has tied up with Nokia Corp., to sell its Lumia 900 smartphone, which runs on Microsoft Windows software in US. This phone will be launched on April 8, for $100 with a two-year contract.
The Finnish phone manufacturer is counting on Microsoft Corp.’s software to turn its fortunes around and provide it with an entry into the U.S. market. U.S. consumers were not interested in the Symbian software Nokia used for its earlier smartphones.
AT&T, the No. 2 U.S. wireless carrier, said in January that it would carry the phone, but did not announce the price or launch date.
