HTC Reports $528 Million Profit In November

HTC had a record $528 million in profit for November, thanks to the success of its smartphones. The company's profits were up 10.8% sequentially, and up 22.1% year over year; one of the primary drivers was the T-Mobile G1.

When Google first introduced its Android mobile platform, the search giant specifically chose HTC to manufacture the first commercial handset. The G1 has many of the same features as its top-of-the line competitors, like Wi-Fi, GPS, 3G, and a large touch screen, but many buyers were drawn to the new open source operating system.

HTC originally predicted it would sell about 500,000 units of the G1 in the United States and United Kingdom by the end of the year, but it recently bumped its estimates to 1 million due to strong demand. One of the most appealing features of the G1 is the access to new mobile programs through the Android Market, which is similar to Apple's App Store.

The company has also seen success with its "Touch" line of smartphones, including the Touch Diamond and the Touch Pro. The handsets have been very successful in the United States, and versions have been picked up by almost every major wireless carrier.

The Touch line is powered by Windows Mobile, and the handsets sport HTC's TouchFlo 3-D user interface to make navigation easier. The Touch handsets also sport slim and eye-catching designs, and HTC recently purchased the design firm that was integral in the aesthetics of the device.

While HTC has moved from being a relatively obscure brand to a significant player in the smartphone market over the last few years, it still trails the likes of Nokia, Research In Motion, and the surging Apple.