HTC was in line to make an Amazon smartphone before US mobile network AT&T pulled the plug, according to a new report.
Last year rumour was rife that HTC and Amazon had reached a deal to produce a smartphone together. Of course, such a deal never materialised, and we wound up with the underwhelming Amazon Fire Phone instead.
But whatever happened to that HTC-Amazon deal? Did it ever exist? According to The Information, yes it did.
Apparently there was indeed a "confidential agreement" in place that would have seen HTC making an Amazon phone. With HTC struggling and Amazon completely inexperienced in such matters, it appeared to make a lot of sense.
However, US mobile network giant AT&T reportedly kicked up a stink when it learned of this pact, and following the news that it wouldn't have exclusive rights to the resulting phone. It seems as if AT&T frequently has first dibs on HTC's offshoot phones.
With America's largest mobile network operator reportedly threatening to take its ball home - sorry, to withdraw support for a potential HTC-made Amazon phone - the deal was effectively scuppered.
The result: another year of struggle for HTC (at least until the excellent HTC One M8 arrived) and the overpriced, non-selling Amazon Fire Phone from the online retail giant. Nobody's happy. Except possibly AT&T.
Apparently, Amazon had even made an offer to purchase HTC, but had been turned down by chairwoman Cher Wang, who wanted her company to remain independent.
The Amazon Fire Phone launches here in the UK on September 30.
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Via: Engadget