The Verge - HTC's new 8X and 8S with Windows Phone 8: the full storyhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52801/VER_Logomark_32x32..png2012-10-29T14:21:03-04:00http://www.theverge.com/rss/stream/31228812012-10-29T14:21:03-04:002012-10-29T14:21:03-04:00HTC Windows Phone 8X review
<p>The signature Windows Phone 8 handset has arrived</p>
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<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2012/10/29/3568152/htc-windows-phone-8x-review">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.theverge.com/2012/10/29/3568152/htc-windows-phone-8x-reviewVlad Savov2012-10-12T15:53:04-04:002012-10-12T15:53:04-04:00HTC Windows Phone 8X purportedly launching November 14th on T-Mobile
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<img alt="HTC Windows Phone 8X" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZgK72dAl3rFiINu3GHhgFizrv2I=/3x0:1017x676/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/1399203/htc-windowsphone8x-3_1020.jpg" />
<figcaption>HTC Windows Phone 8X</figcaption>
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<p>HTC's Windows Phone 8X will be available on T-Mobile starting November 14th, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.tmonews.com/2012/10/new-t-mobile-roadmap-shows-possible-release-dates-for-windows-phone-8x-lg-optimus-l9/">according to a leaked roadmap obtained by <em>TmoNews</em></a>. The date closely matches up with what HTC had <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2012/9/19/3345684/windows-phone-8x-by-htc-specs-release-date-features/in/3122881">stated at the handset's unveiling</a>, when the company said it would launch in early November alongside the <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2012/9/19/3345712/windows-phone-8s-by-htc-specs-release-date-features/in/3122881">Windows Phone 8S</a>. Featuring a 4.3-inch 720p HD Super LCD 2 display, a 1.5GHz processor, and Beats Audio, the 8X is set to compete directly with the Nokia Lumia 920, which will be <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/4/3453248/nokia-lumia-920-820-att">released the same month</a>.</p>
<p>The roadmap also includes potential launch dates for a mysterious devices, such as the BlackBerry Armstrong, Huawei Summit, and the Samsung Toba. LG's Optimus L9, which <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/9/3481868/lg-optimus-l9-coming-to-t-mobile-this-fall-hands-on-photos">previously had a general fall launch window</a>, appears on the list as well with an October 31st...</p>
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https://www.theverge.com/2012/10/12/3494470/t-mobile-htc-windows-phone-8x-launch-november-14th-leakJustin Rubio2012-09-19T19:11:38-04:002012-09-19T19:11:38-04:00HTC, Nokia, and the Live Tiles that bind
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<img alt="HTC Windows Phone 8X" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZgK72dAl3rFiINu3GHhgFizrv2I=/3x0:1017x676/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/1399203/htc-windowsphone8x-3_1020.jpg" />
<figcaption>HTC Windows Phone 8X</figcaption>
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<p>HTC made a bit of a splash today when it and Microsoft announced the new <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2012/9/19/3345684/windows-phone-8x-by-htc-specs-release-date-features">Windows Phone 8X</a> and <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2012/9/19/3345712/windows-phone-8s-by-htc-specs-release-date-features">Windows Phone 8S</a> smartphones. The 8X and 8S represent a new focus on Windows Phone for HTC — at least for today — and <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2012/9/19/3356676/htc-microsoft-windows-phone-8-marketing-partnership">rekindle the relationship</a> Microsoft and HTC have had for the better part of 15 years.</p>
<p>In fact, Microsoft's influence on these new devices is so strong, it literally named them for HTC. Putting "Windows Phone" right in the name of the smartphones sends a clear message to consumers: if you want a Microsoft smartphone, this is where you go. Microsoft has committed to a heavy promotion of HTC's new devices, and it's even gone so far as to call them the "Signature of the Windows Phone 8 brand."</p>
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<q class="center">If you want a Windows Phone...</q></p>
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https://www.theverge.com/2012/9/19/3358648/htc-nokia-windows-phone-microsoftDan Seifert2012-09-19T13:19:53-04:002012-09-19T13:19:53-04:00HTC 8X vs. Lumia 920: Nokia and HTC go head-to-head for Windows Phone 8 crown
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<img alt="Gallery Photo: Windows Phone 8X hands-on photos" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-dM8FGNwGOYD0ethXxK7JzMQykc=/2x0:1018x677/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/1383251/htc8xhandson31_1020.jpg" />
<figcaption>Gallery Photo: Windows Phone 8X hands-on photos</figcaption>
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<p>If Nokia was hoping it would face minimal competition for the Windows Phone crown this holiday, that notion was quickly squashed with today's announcements from HTC. In fact, <a href="http://www.theverge.com/products/brands/htc/37" class="sbn-auto-link">HTC's</a> pairing of the <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2012/9/19/3345684/windows-phone-8x-by-htc-specs-release-date-features">high-end Windows Phone 8X</a> and <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2012/9/19/3345712/windows-phone-8s-by-htc-specs-release-date-features">mid-range 8S</a> seems like a direct counter to the approach Nokia is taking with its <a href="http://www.theverge.com/products/lumia-920/6082" class="sbn-auto-link">Lumia 920</a> and <a href="http://www.theverge.com/products/lumia-820/6083">820</a>. It's hard to believe we still don't know the final details of what to expect from the operating system that will be running on these devices when they ship in the coming weeks, but with <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2012/9/19/3357690/nokia-htc-windows-phone-8-response-chris-weber">Nokia already having fired the opening salvo</a>, we can at least compare the hardware directly.</p>
<p><q class="left">No shortage of colors to pick from</q></p>
<p>There's a major decision facing those who've been eagerly awaiting the next generation of Windows Phone...</p>
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https://www.theverge.com/2012/9/19/3357780/htc-8x-8s-nokia-lumia-920-820-windows-phone-specs-compareChris Welch2012-09-19T13:11:03-04:002012-09-19T13:11:03-04:00Watch this: HTC explains the design philosophy behind its new 8X and 8S phones
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<img alt="8X 8S design" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/RIjIXT0ngCYgAs_K102kC6zPvTQ=/75x0:774x466/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/1396901/8X_8S_One_X.png" />
<figcaption>8X 8S design</figcaption>
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<p>HTC began <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2012/4/5/2928259/htc-evo-3d-4g-lte">hyping its industrial design chops</a> with its One series phones, and now the company invites you to take a romantic tour of the design considerations that went into <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2012/9/19/3345684/windows-phone-8x-by-htc-specs-release-date-features">its new 8X</a> <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2012/9/19/3345712/windows-phone-8s-by-htc-specs-release-date-features">and 8S Windows Phones</a>. The video's panning shots and pleasant narration are strikingly similar to <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2012/9/12/3323730/apple-iphone-5-introduction-event-video-available-online">Apple's signature keynote videos</a>, indicating HTC's burgeoning focus on the design-conscious consumer. While Windows Phone 8 still has yet to prove itself in the market, it's nice to see HTC trying to advance the smartphone from a design perspective rather than <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2012/9/15/3338248/samsung-anti-iphone-5-ad-spec-sheet">a simple specs race.</a></p>
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https://www.theverge.com/2012/9/19/3357754/htc-design-philosophy-8x-8s-videoEvan Rodgers2012-09-19T11:50:37-04:002012-09-19T11:50:37-04:00Nokia slams HTC's Windows Phone 8 announcement, calls it a 'tactical re-branding'
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<img alt="Nokia Lumia Windows Phone_1020" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8At4tpBBS53X-IjzrysbBP3eDFI=/71x0:830x506/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/1069365/vs02-06_09-35-46x1020_gallery_post.jpg" />
<figcaption>Nokia Lumia Windows Phone_1020</figcaption>
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<p>HTC has just unveiled two new Windows Phone 8 devices today (the <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2012/9/19/3345684/windows-phone-8x-by-htc-specs-release-date-features">8X</a> and <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2012/9/19/3345712/windows-phone-8s-by-htc-specs-release-date-features">8S</a>), making them the <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2012/9/19/3356676/htc-microsoft-windows-phone-8-marketing-partnership">signature phones for Microsoft</a>. We asked Nokia about today's announcements and the company's head of marketing, Chris Weber, has responded to HTC's move by claiming the announcement is "good news for the Windows Phone ecosystem." However, Weber says that "while others may choose to tactically re-brand their products," Nokia is building its Lumia franchise exclusively around Windows Phone.</p>
<p>Nokia isn't mincing its words, but it's clear the company remains committed to Windows Phone 8 with its Lumia 920 and 820 devices expected to arrive in early November. We have reproduced Weber's statement in full below.</p>
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<p>"Today is more good news for the...</p>
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<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2012/9/19/3357690/nokia-htc-windows-phone-8-response-chris-weber">Continue reading…</a>
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https://www.theverge.com/2012/9/19/3357690/nokia-htc-windows-phone-8-response-chris-weberTom Warren2012-09-19T11:16:05-04:002012-09-19T11:16:05-04:00HTC rekindles its old Microsoft romance and bets on Windows Phone 8
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<img alt="HTC Windows Phone 8X" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zr_UEgLEdbpQJClv63a_fmMQIaI=/21x0:999x652/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/1395763/htc-windowsphone8x-_1020.jpg" />
<figcaption>HTC Windows Phone 8X</figcaption>
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<p>High Tech Computer (HTC) has grown up with Microsoft, from the old HTC-built iPAQ's running on Microsoft's Pocket PC operating system, to the Orange SPV — Microsoft's first Windows smartphone. The Taiwanese company has always been a loyal aid to the software giant, but lately that close relationship has started to feel a little dated. HTC's investment in Android and its Sense user interface has taken precedent over its initial work with Windows Mobile, and the company's Windows Phone flagships have been impressive, but overshadowed by Nokia's colorful Lumia range and partnership with Microsoft. That all appears to be changing though.</p>
<p><q class="left">"We're super excited about being there for the next launch."</q></p>
<p>Speaking to <i>The Verge</i> recently, HTC's...</p>
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https://www.theverge.com/2012/9/19/3356676/htc-microsoft-windows-phone-8-marketing-partnershipTom Warren2012-09-19T11:15:17-04:002012-09-19T11:15:17-04:00Windows Phone 8S by HTC announced with 4-inch display for November release
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<img alt="HTC 8S hero" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lwUu1KnfiBmwI29M-R-_MUgBUPY=/4x0:637x422/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/1395939/htc8shero.jpg" />
<figcaption>HTC 8S hero</figcaption>
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<p>The second of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.theverge.com/products/brands/htc/37">HTC's</a> newly announced Windows Phone 8 devices sees the company target the mid-range with the Windows Phone 8S. In a somewhat similar look and feel to <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2012/8/17/3249052/sony-xperia-p-android-4-update-available">Sony's Xperia P device</a>, HTC has created a device which looks like it's been partially dipped into a vat of paint.. Featuring a 4.0-inch WVGA display, the 8S includes a 1GHz dual-core S4 processor, 512MB of RAM, and 4GB of storage.</p>
<p> <q class="left">Beats Audio now on Windows Phone</q></p>
<p>Like the 8X, HTC has opted to include Beats Audio on its Windows Phone 8S — however, the 8S does not include additional amplifiers to take advantage of the Beats integration. HTC has a Beats Audio application installed on the 8S which provides notifications after headphones are plugged in, with the option to switch...</p>
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https://www.theverge.com/2012/9/19/3345712/windows-phone-8s-by-htc-specs-release-date-featuresTom Warren