Best news yet for Windows Phone? The new HTC phone.
The HTC One M8 for Windows looks like it might be the best news yet for Windows Phone.
And the reason is this. The platform needs more than one serious contender. Even if Nokia may be the brand synonymous with Windows Phone, without a secondary flagship phone there really isn't a lot of choice for those looking to get the best of what the platform can offer. When the HTC 8X came out it was a good day, but the phone was eclipsed by the Lumia 920 and the OS wasn't a strong enough offering from a features and app perspective.
In the meantime, the app situation has gotten better and the OS has too. HTC also changed their game plan. With the 8X it was a phone unique to Windows Phone, but with this device it is an already popular (and successful) Android phone, just running something else. While I think the recycling of hardware can hurt as well... in this case it looks like the perception from the original M8 is rubbing off. Reviews are looking good and some are even considering HTC over Nokia for their choice of WP handset makers.
I like the Lumia lineup and the camera is one of the more important features for me. So I won't be switching camps. But, prior to this there were two things that could sway someone on the fence away from Windows Phone. Not liking the OS and not liking the Lumia design philosophy. If you hate the OS, this obviously won't fix things. But now you have choice. A real choice. And a solid offering.
As long as Microsoft doesn't abandon current gen hardware when they release WP9 this may be the beginning of things turning around.
This phone also at least does hardware recycling correctly. Unlike Samsung who would change the shape just enough from that of the Galaxy S3 that accessories wouldn't work but that it could still be mistaken for the other phone the M8 for Windows seems to even share the form factor far enough that even the smart cases from the Android version work with the WP version. In my opinion this is important, especially with flagship phones as it means its more likely you can get the cases, etc... that you want with it.
And if everything except the OS is identical it means it costs HTC very little extra to tackle adding another phone to their offerings. The ATIV S on the other hand leaves Samsung investing a lot of extra cash into pushing out a Windows Phone. Granted, I'm harping on the S3/ATIV thing a bit much since some of the reason boils down to hardware requirements that have been dropped over time with Windows Phone.
Regardless, I hope HTC keeps this up and expands this approach to Windows Phone across their product lines. If HTC just builds out one WP devices for the low end, mid market and high end markets that can be used as either an Android or Windows Phone device, it will do a lot for the platform. Then, Nokia can remain as the maker dedicated to Windows Phone and Samsung can keep pushing out the occasional cheap knock-off and there will be some good variety in this market.
I know the other handset makers will help in emerging markets. But I don't think we'll see those phones here in N.A.
And the reason is this. The platform needs more than one serious contender. Even if Nokia may be the brand synonymous with Windows Phone, without a secondary flagship phone there really isn't a lot of choice for those looking to get the best of what the platform can offer. When the HTC 8X came out it was a good day, but the phone was eclipsed by the Lumia 920 and the OS wasn't a strong enough offering from a features and app perspective.
In the meantime, the app situation has gotten better and the OS has too. HTC also changed their game plan. With the 8X it was a phone unique to Windows Phone, but with this device it is an already popular (and successful) Android phone, just running something else. While I think the recycling of hardware can hurt as well... in this case it looks like the perception from the original M8 is rubbing off. Reviews are looking good and some are even considering HTC over Nokia for their choice of WP handset makers.
I like the Lumia lineup and the camera is one of the more important features for me. So I won't be switching camps. But, prior to this there were two things that could sway someone on the fence away from Windows Phone. Not liking the OS and not liking the Lumia design philosophy. If you hate the OS, this obviously won't fix things. But now you have choice. A real choice. And a solid offering.
As long as Microsoft doesn't abandon current gen hardware when they release WP9 this may be the beginning of things turning around.
This phone also at least does hardware recycling correctly. Unlike Samsung who would change the shape just enough from that of the Galaxy S3 that accessories wouldn't work but that it could still be mistaken for the other phone the M8 for Windows seems to even share the form factor far enough that even the smart cases from the Android version work with the WP version. In my opinion this is important, especially with flagship phones as it means its more likely you can get the cases, etc... that you want with it.
And if everything except the OS is identical it means it costs HTC very little extra to tackle adding another phone to their offerings. The ATIV S on the other hand leaves Samsung investing a lot of extra cash into pushing out a Windows Phone. Granted, I'm harping on the S3/ATIV thing a bit much since some of the reason boils down to hardware requirements that have been dropped over time with Windows Phone.
Regardless, I hope HTC keeps this up and expands this approach to Windows Phone across their product lines. If HTC just builds out one WP devices for the low end, mid market and high end markets that can be used as either an Android or Windows Phone device, it will do a lot for the platform. Then, Nokia can remain as the maker dedicated to Windows Phone and Samsung can keep pushing out the occasional cheap knock-off and there will be some good variety in this market.
I know the other handset makers will help in emerging markets. But I don't think we'll see those phones here in N.A.
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