14 DAY TRIAL // News on the upcoming Windows Phone handset to be released by HTC popped up online last month, but for the time being, there’s nothing official on the matter.
However, it appears that Microsoft has just spilled the beans on this one during the company’s press conference at Computex 2104. Even if it’s just a hint, the following statement from one of Microsoft’s officials is an important piece of the puzzle.
Microsoft's VP of OEM partners, Nick Parker, spoke during the company’s main event at Computex 2014 and even presented some new Windows Phone 8.1 handsets from new partners such as InFocus, Yezz, Prestigio and BLU.
At the end of the press conference, Nick was kind enough to answer some questions from the media attending the event. According to CNET, he replied to a question related to manufacturing partners by saying:
“I'd love to break some news here if I could. But instead I'll just say that Microsoft will continue to have a great relationship with HTC. New things are coming, so get excited.”
It’s unclear whether or not the question was specifically referring to HTC or other Microsoft partners, but the answer is a clear hint that the two companies are likely to partner once again for the good of the Windows Phone fans.
Even though no additional details were shared during the conference, we expect HTC to introduce at least one Windows Phone this year, especially in light of the new leaks pointing in that direction.
According to @evleaks, the upcoming Windows Phone 8.1 handset coming from HTC will be aimed at the mid-range smartphone market, so don’t expect an HTC One M8 twin brother just yet.
The unannounced smartphone is currently known as HTC W8, but it might go on sale under a different name. The Windows Phone 8.1 is said to have similar specs as HTC A9, another mid-range smartphone powered by Android that has yet to be announced.
HTC W8 will certainly make its way in the United States through major carrier Verizon, but it might be rolled out globally possibly with slightly different specs.
Speaking of which, the W8 is rumored to pack BoomSound and Duo cameras technologies, which are currently only included in HTC’s Android smartphones.
A partnership between HTC and Microsoft would be beneficial for Windows Phone, especially in the United States, where the platform does not have such a high market share in comparison with Europe. Here is hoping that the official announcement will go live sooner rather than later.