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HTC plight invokes
mixed reaction from netizens
BAD RECEPTION: Many Web users opposed the idea
of providing the smartphone maker, struggling in the face of growing
competition, with government support
Staff writer, with CNA
A call by Minister of Economic Affairs Shih Yen-shiang (¬IÃC²») on Friday for more
public support for Taiwan¡¦s smartphone maker HTC Corp has received a mixed
response from netizens.
Some posted messages saying they they could not identify with the Taoyuan-based
firm because HTC Corp chairwoman Cher Wang (¤ý³·¬õ) called the company a Chinese
brand at an event in China. Although HTC issued a statement earlier this year in
January saying the chairwoman¡¦s remarks represented her personal opinion,
¡§Wang¡¦s words broke my heart,¡¨ one netizen said.
In addition, some netizens said that HTC¡¦s decision to use inferior processors
in their products in Taiwan caused them to hold back from making purchases or
even turn to products made by rivals Apple Inc and Samsung Electronics Co.
The HTC One S sold in Taiwan is powered by last year¡¦s 1.7GHz Qualcomm dual-core
Snapdragon S3 processor, whereas the same model sold in Europe and North America
comes with a 1.5Ghz Qualcomm S4 processor.
The smartphone maker rebutted the allegation that Taiwan consumers were being
offered inferior products, saying in a statement that the efficiency of both
processors is equally outstanding. While many netizens did not appreciate the
minister¡¦s appeal, others supported it, saying that Taiwanese enterprises need
the country¡¦s support to grow steadily first and then target global markets.
HTC¡¦s factories and research and design teams are all based in Taiwan and
everyone should give constructive suggestions rather than just hurling
criticism, a netizen surnamed Liang (±ç) said.
HTC is a rare Taiwanese brand that competes in the global market and people
should be proud of its products, said Cindy Chang, another netizen who posted
their thoughts on the matter. In response, HTC yesterday expressed gratitude to
the public for their support and encouragement, saying it will take up more
challenges in the future and do its utmost to build up a noted brand.
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