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Topic: HTC

HTC outs first Windows Phone 8 devices: Photos

Summary: HTC has released details of the first handsets it will release that run Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 mobile operating system: the Windows Phone 8 X and S by HTC.

Ben Woods

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HTC has unveiled two new Windows Phone 8 handsets ahead of the launch of the Microsoft platform in October.

The devices, called Windows Phone 8 S by HTC and Windows Phone 8 X by HTC, will hit the shelves at the start of November.

"The designers took a lot of inspiration from the [Windows Phone] tile interface, they used that as the inspiration of the handset," Graham Wheeler, director of product commercialisation at HTC, told ZDNet.

The better-specced device of the two is the Windows Phone 8 X (WP8 X) flagship, which comes with a 4.3-inch display, 1.5GHz dual-core processor and 1GB of RAM.

Wheeler told ZDNet the device is likely to be available in the UK in blue (pictured), black and yellow. There is also a red version of the handset that Wheeler said is "unlikely" to launch here.

Image: Ben Woods

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Topics: HTC, Microsoft, Mobility, Smartphones

About

With several years' experience covering everything in the world of telecoms and mobility, Ben's your man if it involves a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or any other piece of tech small enough to carry around with you.

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11 comments
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  • HTC outs first Windows Phone 8 devices: Photos

    Nice slick looking phone but all WP8 are nice to look at. Microsoft is changing the boring square phone into something pretty.
    Loverock Davidson-
    Reply 2 Votes

    • Who cares what it looks like?

      Does it work?
      Rodo1
      Reply 2 Votes

      • Color is a nice touch

        It is changing from the boring black/grey phones everybody has. And once we know it works it will be nice to have it nice!
        lepoete73
        Reply 1 Vote

        • True, but it's competition is actually other WP8 phones

          And the Nokia's have had this style for the last year on their meego's and now windows phones.

          Now that we're going to a three horse race, I think the OS is going to be a major factor in which device you use - especially from the OEMs that will be supplying droid and WP.
          MarknWill
          Reply 1 Vote

    • I agree, breath of fresh air

      I give Samsung a ton of credit for popularizing the F700 look and feel of the smartphone, one that went on to be implemented on 90% of all smartphones sold today.

      Thank you Microsoft, Nokia, and HTC for coming up with this breath of fresh air. Think Different.
      toddbottom3
      Reply 2 Votes

      • But 90% of smartphones don't have slide out 'boards?

        Seriously though I know to what you refer;
        http://androidcommunity.com/who-was-really-first-apple-vs-samsung-story-truly-debunked-20110420/

        But let's be honest, they all copy each other right, there are only so many ways to "do" touchscreen - looking at layouts there's a lot of similarity with modern smartphones and those early palm and newton pda's - once you get a touchscreen, the case'll be square around it!
        MarknWill
        Reply 1 Vote

  • wooow! Rectangle is the new square

    "The designers took a lot of inspiration from the [Windows Phone] tile interface, they used that as the inspiration of the handset,"

    Loverock - "Microsoft is changing the boring square phone into something pretty."

    lepoete73 - "It is changing from the boring black/grey phones everybody has"

    Do people actually think about what they say? It's a boring 'phone that is 'phone shaped and the dimensions of it, are like most 'phones, dictated by the screen size.

    Nearly everyone I know will put this phone inside a protective case, either made out of leather, probably black, or some silicon/plastic affair that will most likely be brightly coloured, patterned or have a picture on it. Nothing new, been going on for years, what a phone looks like is practically irrelevant after it's covered in a protective case.

    So lets get down to the nitty gritty. This 'phone lacks an SD slot so is to all intents and purposes it's a load of rubbish. This manufacturer or another will bring out a similar or better WP8 'phone that will have an SD slot this one should be ignored.
    Pastabake
    Reply 1 Vote

    • To case or not to case?

      I kind of agree but I think with the new, tougher glass that's coming out now, more people might try to get away with using their phone without a case. I have been using my phone without a case ever since I cracked the glass from dropping it with a case on. I figure it cracked anyway so why bother with the case? I plan to just buy the insurance and go without the case on my new phone. You know what would really be cool? These companies need to start designing a phone that is water resistant. I get caught in the rain or am out on a boat a lot and freak that my phone will die if it gets wet. Let's do what Casio did with the watch and get a G-Shock phone!
      MCTronix
      Reply 1 Vote

      • Casio waterproof phone

        Casio has a waterproof/shock proof Android phone called: CASIO G'zOne Commando
        My friend takes his white water rafting with no problems.
        I would like to see a WP8 waterproof phone too.
        soylentgreen77
        Reply 1 Vote

  • Hidden SD slot

    While it lacks an SD slot externally there is one under that removable bottom but it is limited to 16gb. Do you really need an exposed slot? Most devices don't respond well to having SD cards randomly removed and replaced.

    While the X model sounds fully featured I think the S model will not be very lucrative for HTC. Lacking a front facing camera is a hefty omission and reduced audio hardware is just as lack lustre.

    It's true that most people put their phones in a protective case although they will be outmoded quickly and still look perfectly new, adding colour is a gimmick if ever there was one. I suspect the lack
    Of an LTE version would the the deal breaker for me, and the fact that I will have no cash left after I upgrade to and iPhone 5.
    david66lewis
    Reply 1 Vote

  • From a "geezer" who hs no phone

    1. I use Mac and non-Mac products
    2. I find problems and inconsistencies in both
    3. I find support issues with both
    4. My most reliable, feature rich, powerful device is a self built, Asus-based, current generation desktop
    5. I like products that really look nice because I am the one that I am buying the phone for
    6. I do not like Windows 8 tiles on my 30" monitor
    7. I love the look of them on the phone
    8. I am expecting to buy a Windows phone if the features, performance, and cost line up.
    9. Otherwise Android gives me the best bang for the $ now
    alkolkin@...
    Reply 1 Vote
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