HTC pays price for One delays, reports worst quarterly profit so far in Q1 2013

Instead of reaping the rewards of putting out a lovely new flagship, HTC has just reported its lowest ever profit -- a mere $2.8 million in unaudited net income -- during the first three months of this year. That compares to $173 million in the same quarter of last year, representing a pretty catastrophic fall of around 98 percent. Underlying revenue dropped by a third to $1.4 billion. The reason? The top-end smartphone on which the company's fortunes currently rest, the HTC One, mostly missed its scheduled global arrival date in March due to manufacturing delays, so it effectively didn't exist during the period in question. It has only just become available to pre-order in the US and won't start shipping to customers until April 19th. At this rate, the HTC First -- the manufacturer's second big announcement of the year -- might actually deserve its name.

Source: Bloomberg, HTC

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By: Unknown On 11:41 PM

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Google apologizes for Nexus 4 delays, blames LG for erratic and scarce supply

Google’s latest Nexus 4 smartphone is a great deal for anyone looking to buy an unsubsidized phone upfront. It's only $300 for 8GB or $350 for the 16GB model, as opposed to $600 or more for today's high-end phones if you can find them off contract, and since it comes unlocked you'll be able to get a cheaper or pre-paid plan rather than locking yourself into two years of overpriced voice and data.

Indeed, demand for the Nexus 4 is there, but the problem is Google can’t seem to get them into customers’ hands. Supplies of the handset have been scarce since launch, with Google pushing the initial 3-5 day shipping estimate to up to eight weeks in some cases, and then pulling new orders altogether.

Google UK and Ireland Managing Director Dan Cobley wrote on his Google+ page this weekend to explain the situation, pinning the blame on "scarce and erratic" supplies from manufacturer LG, but also admitting that their communication has been flawed. Cobley personally offered “an unreserved apology” to Nexus 4 buyers, calling the delays “unacceptable”, and promising to work “through the nights and weekends” to resolve the issue.

Orders that originally showed a 3-5 day shipping estimate are being processed this week and will receive a refund for the shipping charge soon. Orders with pre-Christmas shipping estimates are also said to be going through shortly. You can read the full statement below and other comments from Cobley on his G+ page.

Dear all

I know that what you are going through is unacceptable and we are all working through the nights and weekends to resolve this issue. Supplies from the manufacturer are scarce and erratic, and our communication has been flawed. I can offer an unreserved apology for our service and communication failures in this process.

For those that originally received a 3-5 days shipping estimate, your orders are now in process for fulfillment. You can expect an email notification early this week which will include tracking information. Although you will be initially charged in full, you will receive a credit for the shipping charge soon after.

For others that received pre-Christmas shipping estimates, we anticipate processing your orders for fulfillment this week.

I realise that the people who ordered the Nexus 4 so early are among our most committed and loyal users and we are doing all we can to put things right.

Sorry again.

Dan

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By: Dilusha On 3:12 PM

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