If you used a Windows Mobile device in the 2000s, there’s an excellent chance HTC made it—even if another company’s logo was on the front. This Taiwanese manufacturer evolved from anonymous ODM to the world’s leading Windows Mobile brand.

The Hidden Giant

HTC (High Tech Computer Corporation) was founded in 1997, initially manufacturing notebook computers. Their pivot to handhelds proved transformational:

The ODM Model

HTC designed and manufactured devices sold under other brands:

The same device might appear under five different names in five markets, all manufactured by HTC.

Breakthrough Devices

O2 XDA (2002)

The original XDA (codename “Wallaby”) combined Pocket PC with GSM phone functionality:

• First mainstream PocketPC Phone Edition
• Integrated GSM/GPRS radio
• Touch screen + phone keypad
• Microsoft’s Smartphone concept realized

This device proved the smartphone concept years before iPhone.

HTC Universal (2005)

The Universal (XDA Exec) pushed boundaries:

Devices like the iPAQ hx4700 excelled as PDAs, but the Universal was a true pocket computer with phone.

HTC TyTN (2006)

The TyTN refined the Universal formula:

• Smaller, more pocketable
• QWERTY slider keyboard
• 3G connectivity
• Windows Mobile 5.0

This form factor influenced the later HTC Dream (first Android phone).

Transition to Own Brand

By 2006, HTC recognized the value they were creating for partners. The transition to own-brand devices accelerated:

Dopod Brand (Asia)

HTC sold directly in Asia as Dopod:

• Premium positioning
• Direct customer relationship
• Higher margins
• Brand building

HTC Brand (Global)

The HTC Touch (2007) launched the global HTC brand:

• TouchFLO interface
• Consumer-friendly design
• Direct-to-consumer marketing
• Premium pricing

Technical Innovation

HTC’s engineering contributions advanced Windows Mobile development:

TouchFLO

Before iPhone, HTC created finger-friendly interfaces:

TouchFLO Evolution:
2006: Basic launcher overlay
2007: Touch (finger gestures)
2008: TouchFLO 3D (visual effects)
2009: Sense UI (complete replacement)

Hardware Integration

HTC pioneered smartphone hardware combinations:

1. Phone + PDA integration (2002)
2. WiFi in phones (2004)
3. 3G/HSDPA support (2005)
4. GPS integration (2006)

Manufacturing Excellence

HTC’s manufacturing capabilities matched their design skills:

Production Scale

• 2004: 2 million devices
• 2006: 10 million devices
• 2008: 25+ million devices

Quality Control

• ISO certifications
• Carrier requirement compliance
• Microsoft certification testing
• Consistent build quality

Relationship with Microsoft

HTC became Microsoft’s most important mobile partner:

Collaboration

• Early access to Windows Mobile builds
• Custom driver development
• Interface innovation freedom
• Co-marketing agreements

Mutual Benefit

• HTC gained exclusive features
• Microsoft gained reliable hardware
• Both gained market share

The Android Pivot

HTC’s Windows Mobile expertise positioned them for Android:

HTC Dream (G1)

• First commercial Android device (2008)
• Launched T-Mobile G1
• Proved Android viability
• Used Windows Mobile manufacturing expertise

Transition Challenges

• Maintaining Windows Mobile line
• Building Android presence
• Managing Microsoft relationship
• Carrier negotiations

Legacy Assessment

HTC’s Windows Mobile era established:

1. ODM-to-brand transition model
2. Touch interface innovation
3. Smartphone convergence leadership
4. Android foundation

Without HTC’s Windows Mobile success, Android’s launch might have looked very different.

Collecting HTC Devices

Popular models for collectors:

Related Articles

• HP iPAQ hx4700 Review
• Windows Mobile Development
• Palm vs Pocket PC
• Wikipedia: HTC