Interview: Terry Chung, Country Manager of HTC

Spotlight on HTC on the eve of their Tattoo launch in Hong Kong.

HTC launched the new Tattoo phone in Hong Kong today (full coverage tomorrow), and Neonpunch.com had a chance to sit down with HTC Country Manager Mr. Terry Chung to talk to him about the Tattoo, what’s coming up for HTC and Android 2.0:

Why a new HTC Android phone so soon after the launch of the Hero?

The Hero has been in the market for 2 months and we think the Android platform is very popular and accepted by the Hong Kong market so that is why we have launched a new handset into the market, which is centered at a different market and the price point is different as well. Tattoo is the first Android phone that is under HK$3,000.

What market are you going after with the Tattoo?

I think the young and stylish people. As you can see it has a user-define casing, and for the young generation who likes the social network device for using Facebook, Twitter and YouTube its a great device for them. The Hero has more business functions while the Tattoo is designed and priced purely with the new generation in mind.

I understand you can re-skin the Tattoo anyway you like?

We have a promotion with Garskin.com in Singapore, you can upload your personal design and within 1 month they will send that new skin to you. It’s free in Hong Kong to the first group of people who buy the Tattoo but you can use their service anytime.

With so much hype and buzz, how is the uptake of the Hero so far in Hong Kong?

Since we launched for 2 months, every week we are facing a supply shortage. Its really out of our plan and expectation that it can be so popular. So there are a few key reasons that it can be so popular in HK market: HTC Sense is more friendly and also the Android Market can also provide all kinds of applications.

Do you have a favorite app for your HTC Hero phone?

I use a Chinese RSS application for real time news update so I can read Chinese Engadget and local newspapers. Every morning I read highlights from the 3 major local newspapers. Even Smartone has its own application on Android Market. I also track my stocks from a widget that gets updates from Yahoo Hong Kong. Another one of my favorites is Funny Jokes (an English application) from the US. When I am alone or travelling I like to pull up this app and read a few of these jokes too. Its really funny. (laughter) I even use my Android handset to find a gas stations and coffee shops in Hong Kong.

How do you differentiate HTC smartphones and something like the Apple iPhone?

The iPhone segment is diferent than HTC’s. We have 10 years experience working with leading technologies with different companies. We let the customers choose which platform they want to use, if its Android of Windows Mobile. And right now we find lots of customers really like Android especially with all the free apps.

The big news at Neonpunch.com and around the web is the amazing Android 2.0. Is the Tattoo upgradeable to Android 2.0? This is a question from one of our Twitter followers:

I won’t say its upgradeable. The Tattoo has the newest version of Android which is called Donut. And there is a plan for a new handset that will feature 2.0.

Will there be any new HTC releases before Christmas?

Our target is to release 2-4 new handsets every quarter.

So, with the Tattoo and the Touch2 that makes 2 this quarter? So we may see another 2 still before the holiday season?

Maybe. (laughter)

We ask everyone this – besides the HTC Hero I see you carrying, what are some of your favorite tech gadgets?

I am very tech savvy and like new gadgets like Netbook’s – and ones with proper chipset so that it can work with a HDTV. At home I have the Samsung 55″ LED HDTV and I like it very much. I am a movie buff so I love watching Blu-ray movies on the big screen.

Thank you Mr. Chung.

Reload the Neonpunch.com homepage tomorrow for images and more on the HTC Tattoo.