HTC announces One M8 Windows Phone 8.1 smartphone with Blinkfeed

Microsoft convinces another manufacturer to join the Windows Phone gang

HTC has announced a variant of its popular One M8 flagship smartphone running Microsoft's Windows Phone 8.1 operating system.

Officially named the HTC One M8 for Windows, the handset will launch as an exclusive on Verizon with prices starting at $99 for a two-year contract. There is currently no word if the One M8 for Windows will be released in the UK, but its release is significant for its use of Windows Phone.

Microsoft has struggled to entice hardware manufactures, such as HTC, Samsung and Sony, to release products running its Windows Phone 8.1 operating system.

The only company to consistently make Windows Phone handsets is Nokia, and its phone arm and patents were purchased by Microsoft in April.

It is currently unclear why HTC chose to release the variant. IDC research director of European mobile devices Francisco Jeronimo told V3 Microsoft is likely subsidising the launch.

"This is probably Microsoft putting up money to keep HTC interested in launching new devices. HTC does not have the cash to invest and promote a device that runs a platform with less than 10 percent market share and is completely dominated by Nokia," he said.

"On the other hand the device will be cheaper than the Android version. HTC could only do this with financial support from Microsoft."

Aside from its use of Windows Phone 8.1 the One M8 for Windows features identical specifications to the original Android version.

Key specifications include a 5in 1080x1920 resolution Super LCD3 display, quad-core 2.3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chip and 4MP Ultrapixel camera. The One M8 will also feature the same brushed aluminum design as its Android predecessor.

The Windows Phone will also include a version of HTC's Blinkfeed news aggregation service. Unlike the Android version Blinkfeed will not replace the operating system's native home screen, and instead will run as a Live Tile.

For an in-depth look at the original Android One M8 check out V3's written review.