Since HTC started rolling Android phones like joints at a medical marijuana dispensary, stock prices for the foreign phone manufacturer have done Apple-esque numbers. You think one hundred percent? Nope. Maybe about two hundred? Think again. Triple it up from last year and then you’re on point.

From all the billboards, TV ads and magazine splashes you would think HTC is the only company cranking out Android phones for the G-Mob. We know Motorola has the Droid family and the recently announced Motorola Atrix (M Atrix lame name BTW), but most of the “go to” advertising for every carrier without an iPhone features an HTC phone. Verizon has the Droid Incredible, Sprint gave the Evo 4G flagship status and let’s not forget that the first phone released with Android platform was the T-Mobile G1. Since then of course HTC has released the G2 and the myTouch 4G for T-Mobile.

While HTC may not be a household name, gadget geeks know that HTC is the company behind Google Nexus S and the old industry staple, the Palm Treo 750. And while HTC is enjoying a new relationship with Google, not so long ago HTC was birthing just about every mobile phone Microsoft released. And along the way even a prominent Sony Ericsson handset quiet as kept.

Quietly brilliant is the HTC slogan and it seems they are. The company had the GSMA Device of the Year in 2010 and going forward HTC seems to be doing more of the same. If not doing the best by so-called industry analyst standards, at least HTC appears to try to do great by us consumers.

A perfect example would be the rollout of Gingerbread updates to past generation Android phones. A plethora of rabble-rousers shouting about Android OS fragmentation, condemning the Android platform and devices becoming outdated before hitting store shelves seems to be rising day by day. HTC seems to be the only manufacturer willing to create new devices and not leave current owners feeling burned. Device life is about 6 months these days and HTC will give Gingerbread to phones on the cusp of EOL or past.

In terms of marketing and advertising rhetoric, HTC gets it there too. The campaigns HTC creates to promote phones and other devices are simple, concise and to the point. A visit to the HTC website reveals child-like simplicity, navigation, explanations and plenty of pictures. HTC eliminates the need to hunt around to find what you are looking for. At a glance, the HTC website would appear to be an Apple.com wannabe. Really, what HTC is doing is pushing for clear communication and ease of use.

Obviously, it is all paying off. Most of the phones I see in public are HTC Androids or iPhones. Not long ago the idea of an Open Handset Alliance seemed like something that would take many years to develop. The first few dozen hopeful companies to sign on and had the vision to see the opportunity with the OHA must have looked odd to outsiders initially. Now that scant number is near one hundred companies and growing. Everyone wants a seat on the unstoppable Android train. HTC got on early and got good seats.