HTC Corp (TPE:2498) is expecting to see its twelfth consecutive quarter with declining sales especially in the smartphone market. As a result, HTC is set to reveal a rugged waterproof phone that could rival GoPro Inc (NASDAQ:GPRO) in the extreme sports arena.
HTC’s camera specs
Details of the camera come from Bloomberg after they were contacted by and HTC executive who wished to remain anonymous. The body of the camera is expected to be tube-shaped and feature an ultra-wide angle lens and 16 megapixel sensor with the device connecting to both Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s Android OS and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s iOS through both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. It’s quite possible that HTC will develop its own apps for both platforms as well.
This will be HTC’s first camera as it loses smartphone sales to Xiaomi, Lenovo and others.
HTC and GoPro are both headquartered in Taiwan so the former didn’t need to look too far to see the success that GoPro has enjoyed with its line of small rugged cameras focused on the action sports market.
New York Unveiling
It’s expected that HTC will announce the phone at a press event in New York City on October 8, 2014. It’s also believed that HTC will show a new smartphone specifically designed for taking the ubiquitous “selfie” at the same event.
Despite the success of GoPro’s Hero 3+ camera, the company still lost nearly $20 million in the last quarter. GoPro raised $427 million in a June initial public offering. GoPro began trading at $28.65 and has seen a high point of $71.40 since going public. Presently (12:53PM EDT), the stock is trading at $68.15 down $1.03 per share for a loss of 1.51% on the day.
HTC is trading at NT$131.50 up $0.50 or 0.38% after the camera announcement on the Tawainese exchange (Taiex, TWSE).
