There could be a shake-up on the horizon for two of Taiwan's biggest tech manufacturers. On Friday, ASUS Chairman Johnny Shih made comments about acquiring HTC, iterating that it was an option that hasn't been ruled out. So, nothing is confirmed at this point, but it sure sounds like a good match on paper. PC-maker ASUS would get a decent leg up in the smartphone market, and HTC has been really struggling this year with steep financial losses, and the company latest flagship, the One M9, has largely been a disappointment.
I think the Asus ZenFone is not popular in Canada, and the US like Samsung and Apple, but HTC is more popular than ASUS in North America in the smartphone category. Most people who know ASUS in North America mostly know that ASUS make computers, laptops, and tablets. But, more people know that HTC as a smartphone brand.
HTC made the Valve VR headset, smart watch, Nexus 9 Android tablet and the RE Action video camera which may benefit ASUS.
I think ASUS will maintain the HTC name if ASUS ever buys HTC like how Lenovo keeps using the Motorola name on the Moto X, Moto G, and Moto E smartphones.
HTC is still popular among people who don't want a Samsung, and LG smartphone since there are not many easy to buy alternatives in the US and Canada. The only easy to find alternative Android brands are HTC, Motorola, and Sony. There is also ZTE, and Huawei, but they mainly sell cheaper phones for first time smartphone owners, casual phone users, and kids here in Canada.
