HTC is known chiefly for its Windows Mobile smartphones. It also happens to be the only company with Android handsets for sale at the moment. Why, then, would it dip its toes into the mass market by adopting Qualcomm's BREW platform?Verizon Wireless has used Qualcomm's BREW platform for ages. Most of Verizon's feature phones (aka, mass market devices aimed at most consumers) use BREW and the content delivery system developed by Qualcomm. It has been a relatively successful mobile platform for both Qualcomm and Verizon, though both companies are planning to branch out their content delivery systems to other mobile platforms.

In fact, Verizon is hosting a developer conference next week in San Diego (BREW-maker Qualcomm's hometown) for developers of all mobile platforms, including BlackBerry OS and Windows Mobile.

A new report says that HTC is designing a high-end BREW-based phone that will be available as soon as September or October. By using BREW, it is almost certain that the device will be headed for Verizon if it comes to the U.S.

Given the strengths that HTC has with its Windows Mobile and Android devices -- for which it can charge a price premium -- it's a curiosity that it would choose to target the mass market. Afterall, isn't that one of Android's goals: To bring high-end features to low-cost phones?

A source quoted by DigiTimes says, "The BREW Mobile Platform-based handset will come with a touchsreeen, HTC's in-house developed TouchFlo 3D technology and HTC Sense interface as found in the HTC touch-enabled smartphone lineup, and yet the device will be available as an entry-level model."

On top of this new push into BREW, HTC is also going to dial back its investment in Windows Mobile and filter more Android phones into its mix of devices. HTC hopes that 50% of its handset sales in 2010 will be based on Android. That would be an increase from the 30% sales it sees from Android today.

DigiTimes' source noted, "The deployment of BMP-based models and the enforcement of Android-powered handsets will help further enhance HTC's competitiveness."

Possibly. What matters more than the platform HTC's phones run is how well the designs are executed. Whether it be BREW, WinMo or Android, the phones have to work -- and work well -- if HTC truly wants to make further inroads in the mobile market.