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Well, this is interesting. HTC has just announced that they’re launching their flagship Android device – the HTC One M8 – with Windows Phone. This would be the first time that a device of this magnitude being is launched with two different operating systems. The HTC One M8 with Android was tasked with helping to bring HTC back in the black after a string of troubling quarters, and it did just that when it launched late April.
This is a pretty big deal in the world of Windows Phone. To date, OEMs have struggled to launch new brands and product lines with Microsoft’s operating system. Only Nokia has been successful with their strong Lumia lineup, though that’s to be expected when they’re owned by Microsoft and almost exclusively builds phones for Windows.
HTC effectively kills two birds with one stone here. For themselves, they’re able to continue to support Windows Phone by launching a device in a successful product line that’s already received substantial marketing and is relatively well-known by the general public. For Windows Phone, it’ll help the platform by showing other OEMs that one product can exist with two different pieces of software on board.
Speaking of software, HTC’s bringing many of the same features you can find on their Android offering. BlinkFeed comes in the form of Windows Live tiles that update with the information you crave. There’s BoomSound with the full audio profiles that deliver nice sound. You’ll even get full support for the HTC Duo camera that allows you to manipulate photos using post-snapshot focusing. HTC Zoe, Dotview and more are also represented quite while.
It’s the same old song and dance as far as specs go. Here’s the rundown on that in case you’ve forgotten:
- Quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor @ 2.3GHz
- 2GB of RAM
- 5-inch 1920 x 1080 display
- 32GB of internal storage w/ microSD up to 128GB
- UltraPixel Duos Camera w/ 5 megapixel front camera
- Dual-band WiFi ac, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS w/ GLONASS
- 2,600mAh battery
This is a pretty huge precedent set by HTC, and if successful it’ll be interesting to see if any other big competitors follow suit. Perhaps it’d inspire Samsung to ditch Android exclusivity for their Galaxy brand (especially considering their attempt to branch off to Tizen hasn’t exactly worked out well for them).
The Windows Phone version of the HTC One M8 will be exclusive to Verizon here in the United States, and can be had for $99.99 with a new two-year contract, or $30 per month on Verizon Edge. As much as we all liked the HTC One M8 with Android, let us know if you wouldn’t mind trying out the same exact phone with Windows as the driving operating system. Press release is straight ahead.
MORE OF THE BEST FROM HTC:
INTRODUCING THE HTC ONE (M8) FOR WINDOWS
AT VERIZON WIRELESS
HTC offers Windows platform on flagship device, blends premium hardware with unique software experience
BELLEVUE, WA — August 19, 2014 — HTC, a global leader in innovation and design, today unveiled the HTC One® (M8) for Windows®, marking the first time an iconic flagship device offers multiple operating systems.
This new smartphone combines the stunning, award-winning design and experiences of the HTC One (M8) with the latest Windows Phone software on America’s largest and most reliable network. Verizon Wireless is the exclusive launch partner for the HTC One (M8) for Windows and it will be available in stores and online, with online sales beginning at noon EDT today and in stores tomorrow.
Unmistakably the One
The HTC One (M8) for Windows offers the same premium design of HTC’s award-winning HTC One (M8), which features an all-metal unibody design and an elegantly curved back to match the hand’s contours.
The unique experiences of the original HTC One (M8) have been brought to the Windows Phone version, including HTC BlinkFeed®, HTC BoomSound™, Duo Camera with UltraPixel™, Video Highlights, a 5MP wide-angle front-facing camera and support for the HTC Dot View™ case.
– HTC BlinkFeed is uniquely integrated into the Live Tile layout and provides quick access to the content and social networks that matter most.
– HTC BoomSound features dual front-facing speakers and a unique sound profile that deepens bass, enhances vocals and fine tunes track details for a rich, immersive listening experience.
– The signature HTC One Duo Camera with UltraPixel technology captures remarkable low-light images and offers a variety of after-effects for added artistic flair or humor.
– Video Highlights offer consumers an easy and entertaining way to easily create mini-movies and animated picture reels set to music*.
– A 5MP front-facing camera with wide-angle lens excels at taking personal pictures that let you capture more in the shot – more people, more scenery.
– The uniquely designed HTC Dot View case provides consumers with instant phone access while the case is still closed. Users can answer calls, receive email & text notifications, check weather and more. And with the Dot View Case for the HTC One (M8) for Windows, personal digital assistant Cortana can help with reminders, queries and chit chat without having to open the case.
The HTC One (M8) for Windows is also covered by HTC Advantage™, which provides the industry’s only free cracked screen replacement program, along with a commitment to support timely software updates.**
“Consumers love the HTC One (M8) and today’s introduction extends that enthusiasm to new audiences hungry for choice in their mobile experience,” said Jason Mackenzie, president of HTC Americas. “HTC fills a gap in the market for unique devices that put a premium on form and function. Microsoft shares our vision, and that’s why we committed to bringing the Windows Phone platform to the
HTC One (M8).”
HTC One Plus a New OS Experience
Under the hood is Windows Phone 8.1 Update, which incorporates a host of meaningful innovations:
- Cortana, Windows Phone’s truly personal digital assistant, makes her HTC debut in this phone. Adept at searching for sushi and setting calendar appointments, Cortana also offers the ability to proactively warn you when it’s time to leave for your next appointment or remind you to pick up milk on the way home.
- Action Center provides one swipe access to all your recent notifications and messages, as well as programmable quick settings.
- Apps Corner sandboxes apps and folders into a protected area of the phone.
- Small business owners can use their HTC One (M8) for Windows as a point of sale device without making personal information available.
- Users can separate personal and professional information, creating distinct experiences for work and pleasure in a single device.
- Windows Phone takes on the chores of battery, data and storage management, and keying in passwords for known Wi-Fi networks, allowing users more time to explore the phone’s innovative functionality that truly puts consumer needs first.
“The HTC One (M8) for Windows is true to the flagship product’s award-winning design and unique experience while also taking the best of what Windows Phone has to offer,” said Darren Laybourn, corporate vice president of engineering for Microsoft. “We succeeded in offering customers the best of both our worlds with this phone.”
Availability
The HTC One (M8) for Windows is available beginning at noon EDT today, exclusively through Verizon Wireless online for a promotional price of $99.99 with a new two-year contract for a limited time or $29.99 per month on Verizon Edge, and available in stores tomorrow. Additionally, Microsoft Stores will sell the device with Verizon Wireless service and a special offer for a free HTC Dot View Case and screen protector for $25. The retro styling of HTC Dot View, HTC’s intuitive and eye-catching case that shows calls and alerts through a protective shell, is available as an accessory for the HTC One (M8) for Windows.
For more information about the HTC One (M8) for Windows, please visit www.htc.com.
For press materials and images of the HTC One (M8) for Windows, please visit: http://www.htc.com/us/smartphones/htc-one-m8-windows/.
About HTC
Founded in 1997, HTC Corp. (HTC) is the creator of many award-winning mobile devices and industry firsts. By putting people at the center of everything it does, HTC pushes the boundaries of design and technology to create innovative and personal experiences for consumers around the globe. HTC’s portfolio includes smartphones and tablets powered by the HTC Sense® user experience. HTC is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE: 2498). For more information, please visit www.htc.com.
It seems like HTC is desperate for sales, and trying to get as many customers as possible
Its called business. HTC has great hardware, why not share with another OS. This is nothing but positive for them. I hope it sells well on the Windows Phone platform.
Yeah, that’s why everyone is buying Windows Phone lol. Windows Phone is pathetic in sales and market share.
It may be pathetic, but a sale is a sale, bosamps is right, it’s called business, and the more money htc makes the better their phones become, because HTC actually put effort into their devices, that’s y I buy from them
exactly. why are people’s personal identities tied up to a phone?
A lot of company’s put effort into their devices, want to know which Android manufacturer spends the most on R&D? go on, take a guess.
I’ll give you a hint, it’s definitely not HTC.
It costs HTC a lot of money to do this in a lot of different ways. If they can’t sell enough phones to make it worth it… it won’t be profitable. Or as you say, “It’s called business.”
The question is: did Microsoft do anything to sweeten the deal and lure HTC into making this decision? I wouldn’t be surprised.
I get what u mean. And to answer your second question with my own hypothesis… Microsoft had to. HTC was making easily the best WPs back when WP was new. But they bailed out because they probably weren’t making a good return. I’m sure Microsoft invested well into HTC to make the deal profitable for them.
HTC has been desperate for a while now, they need the HTC One M8 to be successful, If they can shift a few more devices by installing windows then it’s worth a shot but it might not pay off.
.
What they need to do was to launch the new Butterfly 2, which was launched in Asia yesterday, as the One M8 initially.. that thing is what the M8 should have been!
Most companies want to get as many customers as possible. This is not really an insight.
Since when did Phandroid become a Microsoft PR churning site?
Since when did people actually yearn to be kept ignorant of things happening around them?
Since this phone originally started off as an Android product. That’s when. What do you expect of course it relates to Android in some way or another. It’s news that has relations to Android. It not like HTC have released a brand new phone on Windows phone that is windows phone only and phandroid.com have decided to report on it.
Tech sites love the HTC One, so anything related with get hits. Simple as that.
Meh… Unless the cameras better… It’ll be the same as mine. Nothing amazing
I’ve always wanted to try Windows Phone. This might be the device to try it on.
It would be cool if people could port the Windows 8.1 software to the current HTC One M8 so I can try it without having to buy a new phone, then switch back if I so desired.
Technically you can, MS have only provided the tools for OEMs though.
My guess they will need to s- off the boot loaders change the bootlader to a custom one or window m8 boot loader then flash the is via fastboot commands
The first thing I thought of when I read this was the HTC Leo, which was a Windows Mobile phone, but could also run Android if you so desired.
Also, LOL!
The HD2 is LEGENDARY. Long live MAGLDR!!!!
Yeap, still has my HD2, running WP7.8 lol
This has a high chance of becoming the next HDR 2s the ability to run android and windows software, maybe even Linux and other versions of windows software (there is a moto g running Windows CE out there)
Who cares, it’s Windows Phone. LOL
Kill it! Kill it now!
It’s nice to see HTC do this. It makes more sense financially to built a phone that can run both OSes than to build separate phones for each OS. For the last few years Samsung has been building custom versions of their Galaxy phones with Windows Phone for specific carriers (their current ATIV on Verizon is a slightly elongated S4 shell with Snapdragon 800 guts). But it’s not the same as what HTC is doing here where it’s essentially the exact same phone.
Not a bad idea. It’s like being able to buy the bmw 3 series diseal version.
???
Bumblebee tuna. Your balls are showing.
Oh yeah, This will increase sales.*
If we could boot or have the option to have two OS on a single phone that would b just dandy
I never really understood this… maybe when Android was younger and not as powerful and you wanted to boot into full windows, but at this point why not just pick which one you like better and buy it?
Choice. Why buy one. When you can buy two and have a choice. In society, the more choice, the happier we are.
Why Linux or Mac and Chromebook when Windows works just fine?
linux users needed windows in order to get all the games. Now WP users can boot into linux based android in order to get all the games
I wonder if they can make a Windows rom for the sense users when this is released. I’d love to flash this
It would be interesting to see how the M8 Windows phone compares to the M8 Android cousin in terms of battery life and overall performance. Lot of Windows phone proponents always talk about how windows is better optimized and can run smoothly even on lower spec phones. Identical hardware should set a level playing field to test those claims, once this phone comes out.
Two words “dual boot”
Same software? Does this mean I’ll be able to try Windows phone? Hmm…
Lovely.
How do you take a piece smoking hot hardware and turn it into something bland and uninspired? Run something from Microsoft on it.
WP8.1 is awesome, this is a great idea. All flagships should come out with both OS’s. And if I may add, from personal experience, Cortana is better than google now. They just need to get system wide voice activation.
I am sure a lot of wp fans are happy about this. Way to go hTC!