I don't understand HTC. They recognized they made a mistake not releasing the Touch HD with U.S. bands, and now it looks like they're just repeating their mistake with the Leo. Is HTC really that beholden to (or scared of) American carriers?
It's not so much that they're afraid of American carriers. I don't think ATT wants this to threaten their iPhone.
Additionally, this phone is too expensive for the US. American consumers don't buy phones unless there's some $100 or $200 or $300 MIR and some contract deal so they can get their stupid phones for $200 or less and get tied into a carrier. No one here ever buys phones standalone from ebay or Plemix or whatever unless they're enthusiasts themselves.
Bottom line is that the market for expensive phones in the US is limited, and unfortunately the enthusiasts like me have to suffer for incompetent consumers.
@lain: I like and understand your explanation in the linked article. I'm wondering, though, how much it would cost HTC to simply slap US 3G bands onto the same Leo that's being prepared for release, pass it through the FCC, then make it available for purchase online (perhaps on their own website to keep down costs), and wait and see what happens?
Maybe I just don't understand the costs involved, but this seems like a very cost effective way for HTC to see if its thoughts about the US market are actually accurate, and an opportunity to make some serious money if they are wrong. Either way, with a phone like the Leo, they should at least be able to cover the costs of this experimental venture.
The device is aimed at gamers and TV watchers, generating a 3D image with use of a pair of 0.7-inch OLED panels, which each display separate images, doing away with the ghost imagery that often comes along with 3D displays.
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I don't understand HTC. They recognized they made a mistake not releasing the Touch HD with U.S. bands, and now it looks like they're just repeating their mistake with the Leo. Is HTC really that beholden to (or scared of) American carriers?
It's not so much that they're afraid of American carriers. I don't think ATT wants this to threaten their iPhone.
Additionally, this phone is too expensive for the US. American consumers don't buy phones unless there's some $100 or $200 or $300 MIR and some contract deal so they can get their stupid phones for $200 or less and get tied into a carrier. No one here ever buys phones standalone from ebay or Plemix or whatever unless they're enthusiasts themselves.
Bottom line is that the market for expensive phones in the US is limited, and unfortunately the enthusiasts like me have to suffer for incompetent consumers.
HTC isn't scared - they rightly just don't care about the US market.
For further explanation, see here: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/27/acer-a1-android-phone-listed-for-pre-order-with-768mhz-processor/comments/21933112/
@lain: I like and understand your explanation in the linked article. I'm wondering, though, how much it would cost HTC to simply slap US 3G bands onto the same Leo that's being prepared for release, pass it through the FCC, then make it available for purchase online (perhaps on their own website to keep down costs), and wait and see what happens?
Maybe I just don't understand the costs involved, but this seems like a very cost effective way for HTC to see if its thoughts about the US market are actually accurate, and an opportunity to make some serious money if they are wrong. Either way, with a phone like the Leo, they should at least be able to cover the costs of this experimental venture.