HTC’s new flagship phone features a 5 inch full HD display, a speedy processor, and an unusual camera with two lenses. The all new HTC One also features the latest version of HTC’s Sense software which is a suite of custom apps and user interface tweaks that run on top of Google Android.
But HTC will offer a senseless version as well. The HTC One (M8) Google Play Edition will feature stock Android software, similar to what you’d find on a Google Nexus phone or tablet.
Update:Â The HTC One (M8) is official, along with the Google Play Edition model which Google will sell for $699.Â
The news shouldn’t come as a big surprise: There’s a Google Play Edition of the first-generation HTC One (M7) smartphone. But it’s always nice to see things confirmed.
Google Play Edition phones are sold through the Google Play Store and they’re usually carrier unlocked and unsubsidized — so you’ll have to pay quite a bit more (up front) to get your hands on this version of the phone.
While the software will be close to the stock version of Android offered by Google, the phone will have a few tweaks to make use of the HTC Duo camera, among other things.
HTC hasn’t officially introduced the new Google Play Edition phone yet (and there are still a few hours before the Sense version of the phone is announced), but the official HTC Gallery app in the Google Play Store mentions limited support for the GPE version of the HTC One (M8).
via Android Police
Release the GPE devices in the UK and then I’ll start caring. And buying.