HTC Was the First to Plan a Customized Smartphone but Didn't Follow Through

[dgstorm]

Motorola just launched their new Moto X, and one of it's most intriguing features is the Moto Maker customization options. While Motorola was obviously the first to market with an idea like this, according to some leaked intel, they were not the first to explore it. HTC actually has that distinction. According to a report from The Verge, HTC was working on a project called "HTC Design Studio" which would have offered customizable colors, patterns, speakers and more for the HTC 8XT Window's Phone. The project never got off the ground due to cost and complexity issues. Here's a quote with the details,

The project involved HTC's 8XT Windows Phone device, with the idea of allowing customers to customize a range of colors on the handset. We're told that an HTC Design Studio, planned as a web app, would have served as a method for Sprint customers to order a custom 8XT. The Design Studio included color options for speaker, accents, the two-tone highlights, and personal engraving.

We understand that Sprint and HTC both canceled the project over cost and complexity concerns. HTC adopted the two-tone color scheme from its 8S handset for the 8XT, opting to launch the handset on Sprint in July with an improved color scheme over the similar 8X device.

It's a shame that HTC and Sprint didn't follow-through, but it's hard to blame them. It now makes more sense that Motorola's Moto Maker program would start out with AT&T. Both of these companies can more easily "foot the bill" for the expense and complexities of the endeavor.

Source: The Verge