Smartphone Thoughts: A Q&A Interview with HTC on the HTC Str Trk

After getting my hands on an early HTC Str Trk Smartphone, I was impressed, but left wondering about certain decisions made regarding the phone. Jeremy Setliff, Product Specialist, HTC Americas, was kind enough to answer my questions below.

SPT: The design of the HTC Str Trk is impressive - it's the first Windows Mobile phone I've seen that I feel is comparable to the best designs that companies such as Motorola and Samsung have to offer. What were the design goals with the HTC Str Trk? What kind of thinking went into the size, the shape, and the materials used?

HTC: The biggest goal for the SK�which is it�s official HTC product name--- was to make it as thin as possible without losing any of the computing power of our previous smart phone models. Besides thinness, we wanted to really create a �sexy� device that would fit in at a gallery opening as it would a board room, to show that smart devices need not sacrifice form for function. We�ve really got to tip our hat to the engineers working on this as the fact that they�ve been able to jam pack such power into such a thin form factor�technologically this was a pretty big leap. Material and color can always change so that took a backseat to the actual form factor design.
SPT: The new connector that the HTC Str Trk uses, the "flat" USB connector - what is the proper name for it? Why was it used on the Str Trk instead of the industry-standard miniUSB connector, and will we see future HTC device using it instead of miniUSB?

HTC: It was a decision made by the restraints of creating to fit this form factor. The new connector type was designed to help keep the device thin. This connector may be used on future HTC products if we are trying to achieve the same thinness or are restricted by space.

SPT: Is that connector something that HTC invented, and if so, is it an open standard or one that third-parties will have to pay royalties on? For instance, if a company such as Pocket PC Techs wanted to make a retractable cable for charging and synchronizing, would they have to pay a royalty to HTC?

HTC: As smart devices are technologically complex machines, we�ve got a robust R&D department who are continuously tinkering with all aspects of the device environment. A by-product of this technological curiosity are refinements to accessories, connectors, etc. So, yes, HTC invented the new connector type. If companies wish to develop accessories that utilize the proprietary connector type, they can get the specifications from HTC. We would not charge them royalties; rather we would encourage the development of after market accessories.

SPT: Why is there only one port on the phone for charging, synchronizing, and headphones? I can't use my favourite set of headphones, which would seem to be a barrier for a music-oriented phone, nor can I charge the phone and listen to music on it at the same time.

HTC: Solving for thinness, we had to make some difficult decisions. It comes down to saving space. To keep the SK size and thinness down, we combined the headset and charging/synchronizing port to keep the device as thin as possible.

SPT: Are there any plans to create an adaptor that would allow a 3.5 mm headphone jack to connect to the flatUSB connector on the phone? Is it technically possible to do?

HTC: We will possibly include an adaptor for a 2.5 mm headphone jack with the SK. Like I said above, we�ve got a terrific R&D team so we�ve definitely got the brainpower to invent many different kinds of adaptors using our new connector specifications. If the marketplace wants it we�ll consider it�