HTC "Harmony" - HTC One with Windows Phone 8?

[Crono]

This is at the rumor stage from an unconfirmed source, but it looks like HTC might be making a Windows Phone out of the HTC One hardware and chassis. That could potentially mean unchanged specs (4.7" 1080p S-LCD, 2 GB RAM, 32 GB of stor*age (base), but with Windows Phone 8 (GDR3) instead of Android.

It's too bad HTC didn't release this simultaneously with the Android version, because I seriously would have loved to have Windows Phone on the One's hardware. In a way, the One was almost built to be a Windows Phone if you look at the way HTC designed Sense 5. It has a very clean and flat design, and Blinkfeed has a striking resemblance to the tile (formerly "Metro") home screen of WP.

I've heard only good things about HTC's 8X/8XT, and the Trophy (WP7) was a fantastic budget smartphone, so any new WP8 products from HTC would be very much welcome. Nokia shouldn't be the only game in town.

http://windowsphoneblogging.com/htc-new-flagship/#.UjHucG0ue1A

Mockup image (source):

 

[Dari]

Good for them for not wasting R&D on such a useless platform. I had A Nokia Lumia 920. Nice phone but nothing much going on beside work. Not a fun platform and Microsoft refuses to take Android seriously. Got rid of it.

 

[SnuggleTheBear]

I've been wanting to try the WP8, and hope this gets to Sprint's network like the HTC One. I'm crossing my fingers for it to have triband LTE, since a few of the Sprint phones are already in line to receive it (LG G2 and from appearance Nexus 5).

 

[sweenish]

At least they're forced to a standard button layout.

 

[RandomFool]

That would make for a nice phone. I really like the One hardware and I always support more manufacturers making WPs.

 

[Bateluer]

Good for them for not wasting R&D on such a useless platform. I had A Nokia Lumia 920. Nice phone but nothing much going on beside work. Not a fun platform and Microsoft refuses to take Android seriously. Got rid of it.

Have to agree. HTC doesn't have the resources to waste like that.

 

[spdfreak]

This makes sense since all the WP8 phones seem to be required to have higher spec cameras. Even my mid-range 822 has a 8MP camera that takes pretty decent pictures. My Trophy was a great phone that I rebooted about once every 6 months. Personally, I like WP8... it is easy to use, does everything I need it to do, has Office built in and syncs with my Office 365. I probably don't use more than 5 apps regularly, so I can't comment on the "not enough apps" argument but the Nokia apps are really excellent.

 

[Roland00Address]

I am curious, if it is identical hardware would there be a way to flash a developer or google play edition of the htc one to the windows phone version?

 

[Imaginer]

One thing about the 8X I did not like is the speaker placement. Being on the bottom, behind the screen side, the sound and music is muffled.

With this design, the speakers are in front with the screen. I would love to get this. Nokia's phones also had their speakers in the back of the phone as well.

 

[Crono]

I am curious, if it is identical hardware would there be a way to flash a developer or google play edition of the htc one to the windows phone version?

I don't know if that's possible, the bootloader isn't as accessible on Windows Phone handsets, from what I've read.

If you could, then this would be the second coming of the HTC HD2 which ran Windows Mobile and could be flashed with Android and other OS'.

EDIT: misread that. You want to go in the other direction... not sure about that, but I'm guessing you would have to wait for a HTC Harmony ROM. The hardware might not be 100% identical, even if the specifications are very close. I would love to do that with my HTC One, which is unlocked and running dual boot GPe/Sense 5. Triple booting would be awesome. Throw Ubuntu or Firefox OS on there for good measure and I'd be happy.

 

[Roland00Address]

I don't know if that's possible, the bootloader isn't as accessible on Windows Phone handsets, from what I've read.

If you could, then this would be the second coming of the HTC HD2 which ran Windows Mobile and could be flashed with Android and other OS'.

EDIT: misread that. You want to go in the other direction

it doesn't really matter which direction but I assume it will be easier with the developer edition since it's already has an unlocked bootloader

 

[st_7]

it doesn't really matter which direction but I assume it will be easier with the developer edition since it's already has an unlocked bootloader

Every version of HTC One can be bootloader unlocked(except Verizon's One may be, I don't have much information about it). But it would be fun if you can flash WinPhone8 on HTC One.

 

[kanika]

excellent move on Microsoft's part for the promotion of WP8 as a secure OS. It's an innovative approch as no one else does this (hardware security) On security point of view users, will give the OS a very serious consideration

 

[Deeko]

Will be a nice phone if true. I'd like to see the one mini with wp8 - given WP's efficiency the lesser specs wouldn't impact performance in the least.

 

[darkewaffle]

I'm in no position to upgrade after getting a 928 a few months ago, but I would have definitely considered a One with WP had it been available.

 

[zokudu]

This looks really awesome. I bet HTC has been sitting on this until GDR3 for the 1080p support. I could see HTC releasing simultaneous phones on Android and WP going forward if Microsoft can keep software available that supports the hardware they plan on using.

I'm also glad it seems like HTC is not dropping out of Windows Phone even with the Nokia acquisition.

 

[Teetu]

One thing about the 8X I did not like is the speaker placement. Being on the bottom, behind the screen side, the sound and music is muffled.

With this design, the speakers are in front with the screen. I would love to get this. Nokia's phones also had their speakers in the back of the phone as well.

The speaker on the back is also the one thing I don't like about the 8X.

The only thing that would keep me from getting a WP8 HTC One would be WP8 version of the One Mini. The size of the Mini is perfect for my hands and while 1080p is nice I can live without it.

 

[dagamer34]

I am curious, if it is identical hardware would there be a way to flash a developer or google play edition of the htc one to the windows phone version?

No, the presence of a secure bootloader prevents that from happening. Same reason why no one has managed to put Android on the Surface RT.