HTC flagship becomes the One to wait for, component shortages blamed for delays

Fresh on the heels of last week's editorial comes confirmation that HTC's superior hardware isn't being overlooked by consumers alone. According to a statement in the Wall Street Journal, an HTC executive has acknowledged that a reduced shipment forecast prompted certain suppliers to downgrade the company's status, saying "HTC has had difficulty in securing adequate camera components as it is no longer a tier-one customer." That component, along with metal casings, is being blamed for the HTC One's shipment delays -- the device may still reach pre-order customers this month, but many markets won't see the flagship smartphone until April. The company has a lot riding on this very well-received device, but with Samsung's unrivaled marketing spend and these latest supply issues, glowing reviews alone won't carry the One to success.