HTC Unveils Cheaper Windows M8 Phone

The handset maker HTC has unveiled a new smartphone that runs a
Windows Phone operating system.

The modified One M8 is being sold at roughly half the price of the
same handset running Google's Android.

This is the first time the struggling manufacturer has released a
Windows smartphone in more than two years.

One analyst said the new device was "almost certainly financially
supported" by Microsoft, in an attempt to gain a foothold in the US
market.

The new phone, which comes with Windows Phone 8.1 pre-installed, is
available exclusively through US network provider Verizon.

When bought with a 24 month contract, it is priced at $99 (£60),
approximately 50% cheaper than the Android One M8.

"Consumers love the HTC One M8 and today's introduction extends that
enthusiasm to new audiences hungry for choice in their mobile
experience," said Jason Mackenzie, president of HTC Americas.

He added: "Microsoft shares our vision, and that's why we committed to
bringing the Windows Phone platform to the HTC One M8."

The Taiwanese firm, which originally made its name selling early
versions of Windows phone handsets, has preferred Android devices in
recent years.

However it has recently lost out to rivals such as Samsung, and while
its flagship handset, the HTC One, received good reviews, these did
not translate into strong sales.

In April, HTC posted losses of 1.88bn Taiwanese dollars (£37m; $63m)
for the first three months of 2014, compared with a profit of T$85m a
year earlier.

Shares in HTC have dropped by 38 per cent in the past year.
Daniel Gleeson, an analyst at the consultancy IHS Technology, told the
BBC the move was a "big thing for Microsoft as they want a big push
for Windows phones in North America".