HTC Corp., the leading provider of Microsoft Windows Mobile based smart devices, and Parrot, leader in wireless peripherals around the mobile phone, today announced an alliance to develop improved compatibility and overall user experience between the companies' products. The alliance will see HTC working closely with Parrot to align product roadmaps, marketing efforts and channel development to provide an enhanced complimentary solution for customers.
Parrot manufactures a wide range of wireless mobile phone accessories for the car and home, from Bluetooth handsfree car kits to wireless digital picture frames and Hi-Fi speaker systems. Parrot's product range includes wireless peripherals to suit every environment for HTC devices - be it in the car, at home or in the office.

"While HTC smart devices offer users one device for all their content, Parrot provides the easy-to-use wireless peripherals to release that content wherever and whenever the user wants," said Henri Seydoux, founder and CEO of Parrot. "This enables HTC users to maximise the use of their devices through Parrot's technology."

"By working in tandem with Parrot we can enhance our offering of mobility and connectivity and add real value for all customers through providing them expanded capabilities to their devices," said Florian Seiche, Vice President, HTC Europe.

All three new HTC Touch devices integrates seamlessly with Parrot accessories to deliver more choice for users. For instance, users can listen to their MP3 collection with the wireless Parrot PARTY to create instant entertainment on the move.

Cheers ~ Arne

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This will result in a much better handsfree quality! I know that the enigineers of Parrot had a lot of trouble with HTC devices. Now when there is a alliance, HTC will be more open to listen to the suggested improvements of Parrot.

Next to that, Windows Mobile 6.1 will bring more bluetooth profiles and the existing profiles will be improved. One of the main issues was the poor audio quality of the handsfree from the Microsoft stack, this should be much better in 6.1.

So, let's hope that the handsfree quality will be comparable like Nokia and Sony Ericsson devices!

I am really happy if it bears fruit for the connectivity of the car kits and not just sales for the bluetooth speakers! My Vodafone branded HTC Universal was flaky with two kinds of Parrot car kit, but sounded good when it worked. My Vodafone branded TyTn II is a disaster with my Parrot colour 3200, first call works but sounds poor compared to the Universal, the second call does not come through the speakers and the third call causes the poor Parrot to connect and hang up continuously until it finally dies and resets. Some sympathy to Parrot coz is seems like they have to aim at a moving target with Windows Mobile bluetooth - but then my Jabra 5020 earpiece and 3020 headset work just fine with the TyTn II, it is almost like they were written to different specifications!