Facebook Cancels UK Launch of HTC First

redletterdave writes "After AT&T unceremoniously canceled the HTC First after just one month on the market, Facebook announced the first phone running the Facebook Home operating system will not be launching in the U.K., as originally planned. From Facebook: 'Following customer feedback, Facebook has decided to focus on adding new customization features to Facebook Home over the coming months. While they are working to make a better Facebook Home experience, they have recommended holding off launching the HTC First in the UK, and so we will shortly be contacting those who registered their interest with us to let them know of this decision. Rest assured, we remain committed to bringing our customers the latest mobile experiences, and we will continue to build on our strong relationship with Facebook so as to offer customers new opportunities in the future.'"

Comments

Who's on HTC First?

[girlinatrainingbra]

Who's on HTC First? No, no, no, that's a bad joke. Leave the "who's on first?" to Abbott and Costello!

It doesn't take a prophet to see what happens when there's no interest and no profit!

Profits First, HTC 2nd? No, wait...

Sales first, profits 2nd, HTC 3rd? No... wait!

1. Mediocre Concept first
2. Poor Execution second
3. HTC "First" really last! Puts M$ Zune to shame in lastness!
4. ???
5. No Profit!!! Do not pass go! Do not collect 200 Dollar$ !!!

Hardware vs Software

[scorp1us]

It looks like decent hardware. I hate to see the losses to HTC because Facebook's platform isn't ready. How about this: sell the hardware with stock Android. Make it a nexus phone.

Re:Hardware vs Software

[gstoddart]

More importantly, what does the Facebook platform bring to the table beyond their existing app?

My perception of this was to basically ensure Facebook gets even more of your personal information, since the TOS likely grants them a perpetual license to your data.

Somehow, HTC decided to play along. Now they're the ones making a phone nobody seems interested in buying. This is kinda like Nokia pinning their company future on Windows phones -- if nobody bought them, it was Nokia left holding the bag.

Re:Hardware vs Software

[gstoddart]

Were HTC *that* committed?

I have no idea how committed they were to this particular model, I didn't get the memo, but they sure as hell better commit to something which is going to work for them:

With HTC's monthly revenues for the first four months of 2013 at under two-thirds of that for the same period in 2012, and first-quarter operating profits down by 99%, the company is struggling to cope with the growing power of South Korean rival Samsung

Making a product which everyone has decided they don't want isn't how you succeed in the long run. That's the sign of a company in its death throws.

If people are leaving like rats on a sinking ship, you only get so many more chances to do something which works. I can only assume this is likely to turn into a costly mistake.

Lost in translation

[fahrbot-bot]

Rest assured, we remain committed to bringing our customers the latest mobile experiences, ...

Not necessarily the best mobile experiences, but certainly the latest.

Facebook's issue not HTC

[Mr_Silver]

Unless this was some special partnership, then Facebook will have a contract with a clearly stated MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity).

If they cannot make that commitment to purchase from HTC the amount stated then HTC will charge them to get out of the contract. This will be broken down into costs for the handsets already produced and unsold, materials already bought and some additional fee for lost revenue on the rest.

In short, HTC will be okay (they'll even make a bit of profit, although not as much as if the phone had been a success) however it will be Facebook who will be left with one expensive bill.

(been there and, sadly, done that)