HTC Preview Program Enlists Techies To Test Future Software, Hardware Products
HTC, a pioneering force in what's now a dominant Android ecosystem in mobile, has seen better days. Samsung and Apple are the darlings of the day, and with underwhelming device releases like the One A9, HTC isn't doing itself any favors. The solution? Solicit user feedback before releasing new products, which the company plans to do through a new HTC Preview program.
For those it accepts into the program, HTC will provide access to its latest products, usually before they hit store shelves. In exchange, HTC wants Preview members to share their overall experience and offer up feedback, both in terms of what they like about the product and what might be improved.
"At HTC, we believe brilliance should be experienced, not explained. Through the HTC Preview program, we can test drive our products in the real world, allowing us to make sure the HTC experience is as best as it can be," HTC explains. "If you would like the opportunity to shape the future and the innovation of our products, HTC Preview is for you! We are looking for people with an eye for design, a passion for technology, and a bunch of great ideas to join us in the pursuit of brilliance."
You don't have to be a developer to join the program. It's open to "fans, supporters, friends, and family of HTC employees who are passionate about our products," the company says. The only real prerequisite is that you're of legal age, which is 18 years old in most countries. If you live in the U.S., you also have to be signed up with one of the four major wireless carriers (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon).
HTC initially revealed the Preview program in a Reddit AMA. One of the questions raised was how serious HTC would take the feedback it receives from uses who participate.
"We take our user trials results very serious," HTC said. "In most cases we'll just be tweaking devices to improve, but our end goal is to develop a device that users love. If user feedback is overwhelmingly negative, we'll definitely use that information to evaluation a product's release."
HTC isn't being stingy with who it accepts into the program -- if you sign up, you're in. However, previewing a product won't necessarily come quick. HTC will make an effort to pair members with suitable products, and the more detailed your profile is, the higher chance you'll be selected to test out a new gadget.
If this sounds like your cup of tea, head over to HTC's Preview page and click the link in the top-right corner.
For those it accepts into the program, HTC will provide access to its latest products, usually before they hit store shelves. In exchange, HTC wants Preview members to share their overall experience and offer up feedback, both in terms of what they like about the product and what might be improved.
"At HTC, we believe brilliance should be experienced, not explained. Through the HTC Preview program, we can test drive our products in the real world, allowing us to make sure the HTC experience is as best as it can be," HTC explains. "If you would like the opportunity to shape the future and the innovation of our products, HTC Preview is for you! We are looking for people with an eye for design, a passion for technology, and a bunch of great ideas to join us in the pursuit of brilliance."
You don't have to be a developer to join the program. It's open to "fans, supporters, friends, and family of HTC employees who are passionate about our products," the company says. The only real prerequisite is that you're of legal age, which is 18 years old in most countries. If you live in the U.S., you also have to be signed up with one of the four major wireless carriers (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon).
"We take our user trials results very serious," HTC said. "In most cases we'll just be tweaking devices to improve, but our end goal is to develop a device that users love. If user feedback is overwhelmingly negative, we'll definitely use that information to evaluation a product's release."
HTC isn't being stingy with who it accepts into the program -- if you sign up, you're in. However, previewing a product won't necessarily come quick. HTC will make an effort to pair members with suitable products, and the more detailed your profile is, the higher chance you'll be selected to test out a new gadget.
If this sounds like your cup of tea, head over to HTC's Preview page and click the link in the top-right corner.
