HTC today announced its new HTC Connect program, a way for electronics manufacturers to offer up easy audio and visual connectivity with HTC-made devices. HTC Connect-certified devices will allow users to send sound and video wirelessly from their HTC smartphones to compatible home and car electronics. The first manufacturer partnering with HTC on Connect is Pioneer, and the company says that it plans to have HTC Connect-certified products as part of its 2012 roster of DLNA-enabled receivers and wireless speakers. HTC says that Connect certification will also be coming to other future Pioneer devices. HTC's One handset lineup is expected to receive Connect certification thanks to a software update that'll arrive sometime "in the coming months."
HTC Connect isn't the first program that aims to help smartphone users beam their content to other devices, but I'm sure that owners of Connect-certified devices will be glad to have the feature so that they can easily push media to their home or car electronics. It's also good to hear that HTC plans to offer Connect to its One lineup through a software update, even if it's not yet clear exactly when that update will be coming. You can find HTC's full press release waiting for you below.
HTC Announces HTC Connect Program to Foster Greater A/V Connectivity
Pioneer Electronics is the first partner to feature HTC Connect compatibility in its 2012 line of products
TAIPEI, Taiwan, June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- HTC Corporation, a global leader in mobile innovation and design, today announced its HTC Connect™ certification program designed to offer consumer electronics manufacturers the opportunity to create an improved sound and visual standard for seamless connectivity between HTC® devices and consumer electronics. For consumers, HTC Connect will mean high-quality, wireless audio and video sent through their HTC smartphones to their compatible in-home and in-car electronics.
Smartphones are changing the way individuals listen to music and watch video, making it easier than ever before to enjoy rich multimedia content almost anywhere. HTC is working to bring the benefits and ease-of-use of mobile connected devices into the home through the HTC Connect initiative. HTC Connect certification introduces new connectivity standards for partners and gives consumers using an HTC Connect-certified device a new level of convenience through seamless integration with their other compatible consumer electronics. The HTC One™ series of smartphones is slated to receive HTC Connect certification through a software update in the coming months.
"The vision for HTC Connect is to allow our customers to easily stream their favorite high-quality video and audio from their smartphone into their home or car. This new initiative will build upon HTC's innovation in smartphones with leading consumer electronics brands," said Kouji Kodera, chief product officer, HTC Corporation. "We're also excited to announce Pioneer Electronics, a leader in the audio and video industry, as our first partner to demonstrate the initial HTC Connect-certified audio experience for consumers."
Pioneer Electronics — First HTC Connect Partner
Pioneer Electronics is the first and leading partner to bring HTC Connect-certified devices to market. HTC Connect will be featured as part of Pioneer's 2012 lineup of DLNA-capable audio/video receivers and wireless speakers delivering a seamless and consistent audio streaming and control experience.
"We're very pleased to be working with HTC on this important evolution of audio technology, which fits very well with Pioneer's strong commitment to embracing the smartphone movement in our home entertainment products," said Russ Johnston, executive vice president, Home Electronics Division, Pioneer Electronics. "The use of smartphones as primary content sources in the home is a trend that's developing very quickly, and HTC is helping to provide a much-needed solution for a very significant and growing part of the market."
The HTC Connect certification will also be extended to future Pioneer products.
About HTC Connect
The HTC Connect program is another example of HTC innovation, delivering the best possible mobile experience for customers, anticipating and designing for the demands of tomorrow. The initial HTC Connect-certified products are DLNA-based, and the program will evolve to include Bluetooth, NFC, wireless speakers, and car audio and video. Parties interested in joining the HTC Connect program should contact HTC at htc_connect@htc.com.
About HTC
Founded in 1997, HTC Corporation (HTC) is the creator of many award-winning mobile devices and industry firsts. By putting people at the center of everything it does, HTC pushes the boundaries of design and technology to create innovative and personal experiences for consumers around the globe. HTC's portfolio includes smartphones and tablets powered by HTC Sense™, a multilayered graphical user interface that vastly improves user experience. HTC is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE: 2498). For more information, please visit www.htc.com.
