HTC Considering Buying Own Smartphone OS

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An interesting report emerged this morning that should have Google very concerned. We’ve been following the reports that Samsung had been at least considering–and then, usually, quickly denying thereafter–picking up a new OS to power its tablets and smartphones, and thus try to keep Apple off their backs. But the part that’s likely going to give Google pause is that another formerly Android user, HTC, is looking to do the same.

Now, to be fair, the switch isn’t likely going to happen immediately, either. HTC Chairman Cher Wang had this much to say about it:

“We have given it thought and we have discussed it internally, but we will not do it on impulse.”

You can clearly tell they’re going to be very deliberate about this, but still, even the suggestion that HTC is looking to make a move away from Android is surprisingly large in its implications. Yes, HTC does do some work with Windows Phone 7, but for the most part, it’s Android or nothing. And this makes an especially large amount of sense as, reportedly, they were the first to work with Android, putting the operating system on the G1 from T-Mobile back in 2008.

As to the why of such a decision, the company’s not being terribly clear. A variety of possibilities emerge on this one, from wanting to create a wholly customized, wholly unique (and thus, wholly marketable) beginning-to-end experience for their users to wanting to stay out of further fire from Apple, who has been going after both Samsung and HTC of late. And of course, Google’s move to buy Motorola Mobility has left more than a few Android partners wondering if the writing is on the wall for them.

It’s an unnerving development, either way, and one that may never pan out. But what do you guys think of all this? Do you think Android phone makers are looking to jump ship between withering fire from Apple and the Motorola Mobility move? Or do you think that HTC’s just trying to give themselves a differentiating strategy in the face of a whole lot of competition? Either way, we want to hear from you, so hit the comments section, and tell us what you think!