HTC's CEO sees Nexus One as halo device

The Nexus One is already a success in spite of its performance, HTC chief Peter Chou said in an interview late Wednesday. Sales have been estimated as low as 135,000 units in almost three months, but the CEO treated it as a "halo" phone that would draw more business to HTC as a whole through its profile. It was the first Android 2.1 device and the second to use Google Maps Navigation after the Motorola Droid.

"[The] goal with the Nexus One was to really show how good Android can be," Chou argued to Forbes. "In that regard, I think it has been an achievement."

Chou wouldn't provide specific numbers but admitted that its sales were strong mainly in the context of its online-only sales strategy. As Google hasn't sold the Nexus One in stores or advertised it in a significant way, its sales haven't been as large as for those with more traditional campaigns.

HTC has nonetheless given signs that it's not willing to hinge its success in high-end smartphones on the Nexus One and has launched two phones with similar features. The Desire is due to reach Europe within a week and, in summer, will bring the Evo 4G to Sprint in the US.

HTC has gained prominence in the smartphone world ever since it began shipping Android phones in late 2008. While it had been growing quickly before, having flagships like the G1, Hero and now Nexus One has made it a major contender where most of its Windows Mobile devices have had only moderate success at most and struggled to compete against early iPhones. Only one of its several phones unveiled in 2010 so far has used Microsoft's OS, but Chou hopes to make a partial return to Windows handsets once Windows Phone 7 arrives. The radically revised platform should be "very appealing and competitive," he said.

Chou expected at least one HTC-made WP7 device to ship by the end of the year.

By Electronista Staff