HTC's Chief Product Officer talks about 8X design in comparison to the Lumia 920

Jeff Blagon over at The Verge recently spoke with Kouji Kodera, Master Product Officeholder at HTC, and picked his encephalon near blueprint differences and similarities between them and Nokia. It's an interesting short read and we've pulled some of the more relevant parts most Windows Telephone for you.

When the HTC 8X was unveiled a few months back, the start thing on everyone'due south mind was how information technology "borrowed" the design of the Lumia line. When pressed about the inspiration from Nokia, Kouji went on the defense and pulled out an 8X and Lumia 920 for comparison. Letting the devices answer the question themselves, he instead answered the question in a somewhat roundabout way. This was his response:

"If y'all look into the way industry, there are colors of the season all the time. In the way industry, those are decided 2 or three years in advance of those materials arriving to the market… and for those designers who get that information, it's coming from a common source. At that place are iii influential colour designers in the earth, all in France and Europe. That's only 3 firms. So the source is very limited and everybody goes there, regardless of industry."

Not the most directly answer to a question, but it's what nosotros have for at present. Later on on in the slice he is questioned on why HTC is even focusing on Windows Phone and not concentrating all on Android. The biggest statement for that approach would be to avoid having to pay a licensing fee for Windows Phone and its small market place share. Kouji responds:

'While it's true that Windows Phone has a license fee and that the core Android Os is free, once you add software your license fees go upwards appropriately. The biggest deviation is that Google doesn't do any advertizing for Android, while Microsoft pays to promote Windows Phone on its ain. Then you can't compare categorically just on the basis of license fees… the bigger factor is how stiff the products are and whether or non people volition purchase them."

A wise answer nearly something a lot of armchair tech pundits seem to gloss over, Microsoft helps out immensely with advertising for the unabridged platform. Another interesting piece of information related to blueprint of the 8X and 8S was how much influence Microsoft had over the pattern. The answer is none. Microsoft instead wanted HTC to focus on the hardware every bit it plays to their strengths as a company.

What practise yous recall, is the blueprint of the 8X simply part of the next smartphone zeitgeist or did HTC take a page from the Lumia handbook?

Souce: The Verge

New report reveals Microsoft's future AR strategy; HoloLens 3 is dead

Oh Love

New report reveals Microsoft's time to come AR strategy; HoloLens 3 is dead

Business Insider has today published a follow-up study with more details nearly Microsoft'due south canceled HoloLens 3 augmented reality headset. The partnership with Samsung is said to include a headset with a set of screens within, powered past a Samsung phone in your pocket.

Review: Surface Laptop SE is the new standard for K-8 Windows PCs

Keeping it affordable

Review: Surface Laptop SE is the new standard for M-eight Windows PCs

Starting at just $250, Microsoft's first foray into affordable laptops for the education market is a winner. With a gorgeous design, excellent thermals, and a fantastic typing feel, Microsoft would do correct to sell this directly to consumers too. Let's but hope Intel can make a amend CPU.

Our top picks for Xbox headsets below $100

All-time deals on Xbox headsets

Our acme picks for Xbox headsets below $100

Practice you fancy a new Xbox 1 headset? Practice you fancy non spending more than $100? Let us help! There'south a big range of solid audio options without breaking your budget. And here are our top picks that we've personally used.