GoPro Inc (NASDAQ:GPRO) should prepare for stiff competition from HTC Corp (TPE:2498) after rumors came out that the latter company is working on a 16MP waterproof camera for extreme sports. GoPro Incis a reputable producer of extreme sports cameras therefore the entry of a new player in the market comes as a challenge to its dominance.
HTC Corp’s rumored debut camera is said to be fitted with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to enable communication with Smartphones. It’s also said that it can easily connect with mobile devices running Android and iOS, features that are likely to make it likable if it matches GoPro cameras’ other functions.
GoPro Inc (NASDAQ:GPRO) has been producing rugged small cameras that are easy to use, lighter, and extremely powerful. In its June’s initial public offering, the company raked in an unbelievable $427 million for its smaller cameras. GoPro Inc (NASDAQ:GPRO) stocks went up 180% above its IPO price of $24.
Some of the models produced by GoPro Inc (NASDAQ:GPRO) that have performed extremely well include HERO3+ Black Edition, HERO3 White Edition, and HERO3+ Silver Edition. The cameras have backward compatibility, thus making it easier for consumers to use them with accessories and mounts from earlier models.
If HTC Corp releases its camera, it won’t just be competing against the above editions, but it will be up against the upcoming Hero 4, which is expected to be released early 2015. The GoPro Hero 4 is highly anticipated by sports photographers who believe that it will offer even more in terms of performance. Rumors doing round intimate that the camera will feature 13MP sensor, better lens, and a more powerful 1GHz processor. These plus the speculation that it can record clearer videos at 30 frames per second are part of the reasons why it’s on many a photographer’ wish lists.
Another company that tossed in a surprise is Ricoh Co Ltd (TYO:7752) after the company made entry into the market this week with a waterproof extreme sports camera. Such entries come as warning shots at GoPro Inc that it shouldn’t sleep on the job lest its dominion slashed.
This article has been written by Victor Ochieng.
