Mobile By Russell Holly Aug. 19, 2014 11:16 am
There has always been a staggering difference between what powers Windows Phone flagships when compared to Android phones, even when those devices are made by the same manufacturers. For a while, this had a lot to do with the OS itself being limited.
Windows Phone 8.1 has brought about a lot of changes to the OS, and it’s way past time there was a device worth being called a flagship for Microsoft’s platform. HTC has just announced the One M8 running Windows Phone, and just like its Android counterpart it looks like an incredibly impressive device.
If you’ve seen or used the HTC One M8 running Android, you already know everything you need to know about the hardware for this device. The Windows Phone version is identical, from the hairline polish to the aluminum body and BoomSound speakers to the ability to seat the smartphone in a Dot View Case and enjoy quick glance functionality and voice activation. The Ultrapixel camera, Snapdragon 801 processor, and impressive 1080p display are also all identical. If it weren’t for the Windows Phone branding on the back, it would look like any other One M8.
The obvious difference here is software. HTC has loaded their BlinkFeed experience to sit as a live tile on the homescreen, as well as the Duo Camera features for the Ultrapixel camera, but everything else is Windows Phone 8.1. You can access Microsoft Cortana from the Dot View case instead of having to wake the phone, and as long as Windows Phone is what you are looking for in a smartphone OS the experience should be great.
Verizon Wireless has an exclusive on the HTC One M8 with Windows Phone, and will make the phone available for $99 on a new two-year agreement. While the exclusivity is a real bummer, especially since the regular One M8 is available everywhere, there’s always a chance that this is a timed exclusive. Only time will tell, but for Verizon Wireless users this is clearly the best Windows Phone available today.
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Windows Phone 8.1 has brought about a lot of changes to the OS, and it’s way past time there was a device worth being called a flagship for Microsoft’s platform. HTC has just announced the One M8 running Windows Phone, and just like its Android counterpart it looks like an incredibly impressive device.
If you’ve seen or used the HTC One M8 running Android, you already know everything you need to know about the hardware for this device. The Windows Phone version is identical, from the hairline polish to the aluminum body and BoomSound speakers to the ability to seat the smartphone in a Dot View Case and enjoy quick glance functionality and voice activation. The Ultrapixel camera, Snapdragon 801 processor, and impressive 1080p display are also all identical. If it weren’t for the Windows Phone branding on the back, it would look like any other One M8.
The obvious difference here is software. HTC has loaded their BlinkFeed experience to sit as a live tile on the homescreen, as well as the Duo Camera features for the Ultrapixel camera, but everything else is Windows Phone 8.1. You can access Microsoft Cortana from the Dot View case instead of having to wake the phone, and as long as Windows Phone is what you are looking for in a smartphone OS the experience should be great.
Verizon Wireless has an exclusive on the HTC One M8 with Windows Phone, and will make the phone available for $99 on a new two-year agreement. While the exclusivity is a real bummer, especially since the regular One M8 is available everywhere, there’s always a chance that this is a timed exclusive. Only time will tell, but for Verizon Wireless users this is clearly the best Windows Phone available today.
More...
