The Zoe app allows a user to create short clips by using videos, images, music, and themes. These short clips can also be edited, expanded, and shared through the app. Up to 16 video clips and still images can be compiled which are enough to create a reel video that would last up to 30 seconds. Users can also add comments to the video.
"HTC has big ambitions for Zoe, envisioning it not just as the tool for creating these short videos, but also as the hub for viewing and sharing the content," said Re/code.
Aside from Zoe, HTC Creative Labs will be rolling out another HTC application for Android devices. Though the details are scarce at the moment, it is hinted that the app would be BlinkFeed, which is a news and social media aggregator.
The Taiwanese company seemed to be adding a new angle to the competition against Samsung and Apple by setting up a separate business unit with the task to build software and services meant for phones other than HTC's. Drew Bamford, who is the company's longtime head of its user interface team, is now assigned as the head of HTC Creative Labs. According to Bamford, the company's move to create apps is already a third act. It started as a hardware company for Palm and Compaq before it changed its course in 2006 when it decided to enter the phone manufacturing business.
HTC has been using a combination of premium hardware and unique software for quite a while in order to attract customers. However, the strategy hasn't really enabled HTC to overtake the Android OEM heap. Now, the company is turning to create its own software in an effort to enhance growth. It would be interesting to know how HTC plans to build up its software and earn revenues from such venture.
Other companies which have already ventured on creating their own applications line up would include: Samsung, which had offered a number of exclusive applications on its gadgets and devices; Sony, which had launched the Lifelog and smartband fitness apps for Android handsets that are non-Sony; and Google, which had launched the standalone Camera App designed for Android.
Zoe will be available to devices other than HTC's. Since the app is still in beta, it is limited to run only on high-end phones that are built with the latest Android version. It will also have limited editing features. As a way to increase Zoe's popularity and find its spot in the crowded arena of app sharing, HTC will be entering some partnership deals with unidentified names in music and sports.
