In bid to recapture phone market, HTC puts focus on 'U'

With much of the tech world recalling the iPhone's original announcement earlier this week, it's easy to forget how much the smartphone market has changed in the decade since Apple's hit phone was announced. As with BlackBerry and Palm, HTC was one of the early innovators in the space that has watched its standing fall in recent years to Apple's product. In a bid to recapture some of the lost glory, the company on Thursday announced a new smartphone it claims is specifically focused on the user, the HTC U Ultra. Featuring a new "Sense Companion," HTC's own digital assistant to rival Google Assistant, the company is placing an emphasis on providing information before you need it as a way to stand out. If snow is in the forecast, for example, the phone will alert you to dress warmly or leave a little earlier. It also can recommend a restaurant and then book a reservation.