Microsoft spent some time today at the Computex expo in Taiwan talking up its hardware ecosystem, and the dazzling array of devices on offer from its hardware partners. The company"s Nick Parker (Corporate Vice President, OEM Division) showed off a bunch of Windows PCs in all sorts of form factors, along with a range of Windows Phones from manufacturers new to the platform.
At a press conference after his Computex keynote, Parker was asked a question about the company"s existing hardware partners. As CNET reports, he replied: "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." Intriguingly, he added: "New things are coming, so get excited."
Rumours have been swirling for some time that a new Windows Phone is on the way from HTC. Back in March, it seemed that the company was preparing to launch a WP version of its new One M8 flagship, but more recent reports suggest that this device, which is expected to be called the W8, will actually be based on a different - and as yet unseen - Android handset.
The Android-based A9 is said to be a "high-specification" device but with a mid-range price tag, and if the W8 follows in that handset"s footsteps as suggested, it could make for quite a compelling Windows Phone package. It is expected to launch on Verizon sometime in Q3 of this year.
HTC hasn"t launched a new handset with Microsoft"s mobile OS since Windows Phone 8 launched in late 2012, unless you count the mildly tweaked 8XT that it customized for Sprint last year. The company said in February that it would "continue to partner with Microsoft", but today"s remarks from Nick Parker are the first official indication that we have heard for some time that this partnership is still alive and well.
Source: CNET