Even though Microsoft has stated numerous times that all current Windows Phone 8 handsets should be eligible for ‘future OS upgrades’, referring presumably to Windows Phone 8.1, the question if OEMs are as committed is a concern. Specifically if HTC (or even Samsung) are still willing to support 8.1, expected to be announced in April.
Today, HTC took to Reddit for an AMA, or Ask Me Anything, where questions were fielded from the audience about Android. However, a member of the audience asked HTC directly if they were “done” with Windows Phone.
The USA Product Team for HTC were surprisingly forthright in their answer:
“To say "done with Windows Phone" is a pretty blanket statement. I don't think a company such as ourselves can ever say that point blank. As strong partners of Microsoft, we're working with Microsoft on the Blue update on Windows Phone 8X and will continue to take new products into consideration. Nothing concrete right now, but who knows!”
Of course there is no word about the forgotten – and less popular – HTC 8S, though users of the HTC 8X can take solace in knowing that HTC plans on bringing ‘Blue’ – AKA Windows Phone 8.1 – to users later this year.
The HTC 8X was heralded as the ‘premier’ Windows Phone 8 device, only to be overshadowed by Nokia and their Lumia 920. By the time Windows Phone 8.1 starts to hit hardware through updates, the 8X will be a year and half old. That shouldn’t impact the OS at all as 8.1 is optimized to run even on the Lumia 520.
HTC has been very quiet on the Windows Phone front and if there will be new hardware for 8.1
Users who don’t want to wait for HTC to deliver the update do have recourse to the Developer Preview program, which is expected to go live again during (or shortly after) the Build announcement. That program will allow users to update their OS to an early build of the 8.1 update, though any customized firmware from HTC will be omitted until the later update is finalized.
