The HTC Grip, unveiled at Mobile World Congress earlier this year, appeared to have scored its Bluetooth certification earlier this week, leading us to believe that it might finally be about to hit the street. HTC today dashed our prediction and confirmed that it has decided not to ship its first wearable. The company will instead launch an “entire product portfolio for health and fitness” later this year.
The decision comes after “extensive wear testing and user feedback.” It suggests that the company realized that the HTC Grip did not impress its audience. It likely realized that the HTC Grip would simply fail to make an impression in a market already saturated with fitness bands of all kinds.
In a statement, HTC explains:
“Through our partnership with Under Armour, we have continued to refine our vision and approach to the health and fitness category. Our goal is to offer best-in-class products for our customers and partners. After extensive wear testing and user feedback, we have decided to align GRIP with the entire product portfolio for health and fitness launching later this year. This will be a state-of-the-art comprehensive portfolio of products for this category powered by UA RECORD. We are excited to launch this new comprehensive product suite and will share further details as we get closer to launch.”
It remains to be seen what HTC has in mind for its second-generation wearables. Its statement suggests that it will unveil a number of devices rather than one later this year. Perhaps one will be its long-rumoured smartwatch. And perhaps another will inherit the name of HTC Grip allowing it come to market after all.
Source : MobileSyrup