Former HTC executives create, Kazam, their own smartphone startup

By Jerry Hildenbrand
published

Former head of sales at HTC Michael Coombes, and former U.K. marketing director James Atkins may have left HTC during this tumultuous spring, but that doesn't mean they plan to stop making smart phones. The two high level HTC execs have joined together to create the startup Kazam, and they plan to keep building phone hardware with a "stunning design, robust hardware, and intuitive technology, underpinned with improved customer service" for the European market.

While there is no news about any actual hardware just yet, CEO Coombes says they will be focused on support after the purchase. This should allow them to differentiate themselves in a very competitive market, but it will be easier said than done.

We're assuming Android will figure big into their plans, and we're going to keep a close eye on the duo and their new company.

Jerry Hildenbrand
Jerry Hildenbrand
Senior Editor — Google Ecosystem

Jerry is an amateur woodworker and struggling shade tree mechanic. There's nothing he can't take apart, but many things he can't reassemble. You'll find him writing and speaking his loud opinion on Android Central and occasionally on Twitter.

23 Comments
  • A former HTC marketing exec? I don't expect much of these phones' marketing and exposure…
  • I'll believe it when I see it (their phones that is). Not expecting much though.
  • Kazam Kickstareter in 3..2..
  • Kazam Kickstareter in 3..2..
  • It all makes sense now! They ran HTC to ground on purpose so they can start their own smartphone company.
  • So the people responsible for HTC's awful marketing and sales these past couple years are starting a company? This will be fun to watch.
  • That was all the CEO, he makes the final decisions no matter what his subordinates suggest or want
  • Like I always say try it once to make sure you don't like it. But Dagodfather makes a good point.
  • There's quite a few herion addicts that once shared the same sentiment ; P Within reason my friend. Very important part of that philosophy. Some things you can't undo. OT - Not interesting in anything from ex-HTC executives. Yet.
  • +1
  • Do everyone a favor Zazam, focus 100% on hardware and use pure Android, no fillers. You'll get incredible buzz and differentiate yourself by being the only OEM to do so. Not even Motorola does that. Plus, you'll make the most hardcore Android users happy, generating huge word of mouth. Posted via Android Central App
  • If they don't spend a ton of $$$ screwing around with perfectly fine pure Android, they may actually do very well.
    Build a nice HW phone with pure Android and I think they got a winner. Not screwing with Android will also help them support the phone better (speedy updates). Although carrier connections is what matters the most.
  • They are aiming for the European market. Here carriers aren't actually that powerful. Very few phones are sold sim locked anymore and most carriers don't edit the phones (hardware and or software) in any way.
  • They named their company after possibly the worst movie of all time, so they're off to a great start. Will they get Shaq to do endorsements?
  • +1 ... ridiculous name Posted via Android Central App
  • Anybody else think "Handspring" when they read this? Not sure if Palm's marketing person was involved on that venture.
  • The business name is terrible. I can not take this seriously with a name like that makes me think I'm reading an article on the Onion. Android needs more fragmentation won't hurt to add another company to the mix.. Posted via Android Central App
  • I'm not a big fan if the company name, being a startup, I don't expect anything spectacular from their devices. But chances are there phones will be cheaper than phones from the big companies like Samsung, etc. There devices will have good value for money, I'm quite sure of that.
    They probably have a better chance in developing markets such as Iraq, Pakistan, etc. Posted from my Android device rocking version 4.2.2 via Android Central App
  • How do you figure? They won't have Samsung-esque in-house production or economy of scale to drive costs down.
  • WebOS?! ...we can always dream.
  • Lol! Wishful thinking indeed. One could only hope they would do something this unexpected.... and awesome. However doubtful it may be, I still maintain hope that webOS isn't dead forever Posted via Android Central App
  • I guess if you can't find a job, you start a company.
  • "The startup has a U.K. base in Mayfair, London.", nice to see they are using their investors money wisely, not....