HTC Joins Apple With Fingerprint Sensor in One Max Handset

HTC Corp. (2498), the Taiwanese handset maker which posted its first loss on record last quarter, unveiled a new handset with fingerprint sensor, joining Apple Inc. (AAPL) in featuring the security technology.

One Max has a 5.9-inch (15 centimeter) high-definition screen and can run on fourth-generation Long-Term Evolution networks, according to an e-mailed statement today. The device uses Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM)’s Snapdragon processor and Google Inc. (GOOG)’s Android 4.3 operating system, it said.

Apple last month unveiled its iPhone 5s with a fingerprint sensor designed to boost security and aid content purchases while HTC said its handset can automatically start an application according to which finger is scanned. HTC, which has struggled to regain share from Asian device makers including Samsung Electronics Co. (005930) and Sony Corp. (6758), will release the new smartphone by the end of this month.

HTC shares, which closed unchanged in Taipei trading today before the announcement, have declined 58 percent this year. Third-quarter sales dropped 33 percent to NT$47 billion ($1.6 billion), missing analysts’ estimates for NT$54 billion, as its net loss of NT$2.97 billion was wider than the NT$1.71 billion average of analysts’ estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

One Max will feature HTC’s UltraPixel camera technology, first unveiled with the HTC One in February. Its fingerprint sensor is on the device’s back while Apple’s is on the front.

Source: Bloomberg News By Tim Culpan