HTC reportedly plans to develop a button-less smartphone in the future. Dubbed as HTC Ocean, the handset sports touch-sensitive frame that uses taps and swipes instead of standard physical buttons. The innovative design came from HTC product designer Danelle Vermeulen.
Designer Vermeule created a video that showcases the awesome features of HTC Ocean. The video is titled "sizzle reel," and it is apparently a way to pitch the conceptual smartphone to gadget lovers. Shortly after the publishing the video, the designer locked it down by requiring a password to access her website.
Good thing, HTC Source posted the video on YouTube. Based on the video, the Sense Touch UI of HTC Ocean is very smooth in operation. Popular blogger Evan Blass also posted the video on Twitter with the words "more cool HTC stuff here."
The fact that the smartphone only relies on voice commands to open applications makes it really clever. The new feature also appears to be inspired by HTC Sense, which the company uses for its Android-based phones to make devices easier to use.
Interestingly, the frame of HTC Ocean is touch-sensitive too, allowing users to intuitively increase music volume while playing their favorite playlist. The frame can also be used to open Google's assistant to make a call.
While HTC Ocean may be a concept phone for now, it is not too far fetch to see HTC releases it in the near future. The smartphone's Sense Touch is a unique selling point to differentiate itself from other leading mobile devices in the market.
Meanwhile, HTC teamed up with Google to makes its new Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones, upcoming devices that will replace Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. Both devices are to expected become available with Android 7.1 Nougat, Google's latest operating system for mobile devices.
HTC and Google have a history of working together. In 2008, the two companies made the the first Android smartphone, the T-Mobile G1. Two years after, in January 2010, they also teamed up to build the first Nexus phone, the Nexus One.
For now, the full specs and features of HTC Ocean are not yet available. Rumors around the internet claim HTC might begin its production in mid-2017, but that information is just a speculation.
Stay tuned with Gospel Herald for more update. Watch the "sizzle reel" of HTC Ocean below.
