HTC hints that it might release a device running stock Android

[saintforlife]

Last week, Samsung and Google (NASDAQ: GOOG ) dropped a bombshell for Android enthusiasts. The pair is preparing to launch a version of Samsung's newest Galaxy S4 flagship running stock Android. In no uncertain terms, the move is obviously Samsung throwing Google a bone, since the unsubsidized device is unlikely to make a dent in the market (the vast majority of consumers prefer subsidized prices).

There may be some tensions between the two companies since Samsung continues to subtly downplay Google's role in its devices, and shipping a version running stock Android will please the niche segment of users willing to pay full price for a "Nexus user experience."

Interestingly enough, the announcement sparked a response from rival HTC, the Taiwanese OEM that's been trying to be more vocal lately and has been actively bashing Samsung's cheap plastic ways. The latest jab at the South Korean conglomerate also included an interesting tease of what HTC may have in store.

HTC developer evangelist Leigh Momii tweeted this tantalizing tidbit:

Is This the Future of Android? (GOOG)

 

[Jerry Hildenbrand]

https://twitter.com/jetleigh/status/334741973594411008

The author should have finished reading the Twitter conversation.

 

[Aquila]

https://twitter.com/jetleigh/status/334741973594411008

The author should have finished reading the Twitter conversation.

Wait a minute... that'd require reading TWO things instead of ONE things. Jerry, you ask too much of the media!

 

[Alex Dobie]

The official line last week was a denial. We'll see what happens.

 

[Phil Nickinson]

<whistles>

 

[jonathan2677]

Yeah, well if the whole thing was looked at this post wouldn't exist, focused on sense, I'm a s4 user but I like sense better than tw, if it weren't for launchers and rooting it would be the one all the way, **** if it had a little better camera and battery it would be the one alk the way

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Tom in Bristol]

<whistles>

Innercently?

 

[saintforlife]

http://mobile.theverge.com/2013/5/23/4360862/htc-one-stock-android-version-launch-imminent-rumor

Seems like it might still happen...?

 

[Aquila]

Then bombshell! 'Google Edition' HTC One coming soon with vanilla Android | Android Central

 

[AngelArs]

Then bombshell! 'Google Edition' HTC One coming soon with vanilla Android | Android Central

It gets even better. I heard that HTC is seriously thinking of allowing owners of the One Dev Edition to also have the Nexus experience in the form of a flashable AOSP ROM. I think the only hold up is getting everything approved by the likes of carriers like Verizon and Sprint. Hopefully the next month should be VERY good for HTC.

 

[Aquila]

It gets even better. I heard that HTC is seriously thinking of allowing owners of the One Dev Edition to also have the Nexus experience in the form of a flashable AOSP ROM. I think the only hold up is getting everything approved by the likes of carriers like Verizon and Sprint. Hopefully the next month should be VERY good for HTC.

That confused me. Verizon and sprint Development edition?

Transmitted through spacetime.

 

[AngelArs]

LOL.... I'm not sure how much I can say but the word is that all forms of the One may get the Nexus experience, but the Dev Edition is almost a certainty.

 

[Raptor007]

That confused me. Verizon and sprint Development edition?

Transmitted through spacetime.

I can't see any of the Carriers allowing a TRUE Nexus Experience we saw what Verizon did to the one and only Nexus they got and they f'd it up big time. Fortunately I have the true Developer Edition so whether HTC does this, which they should and I see no reason why they shouldn't OR the Devs will simply do it for us. Either way we will get what we want.

I don't hate Sense 5.0 its actually the best Sense UI they have offered to date, but I don't use or really need Blink Feed and not being able to disable it is annoying.

 

[AngelArs]

That's why I think HTC will release it only for the Dev Edition, and then allow the devs to alter it for the other versions. The carriers have no real control here. Once HTC puts it out for the Dev Edition, all Ones will eventually get it, and possibly some other HTC models too. I'm actually starting to really like Blinkfeed though, so I may not even switch. I'm just waiting for 4.2.2.

 

[gollum18]

I can't see any of the Carriers allowing a TRUE Nexus Experience we saw what Verizon did to the one and only Nexus they got and they f'd it up big time. Fortunately I have the true Developer Edition so whether HTC does this, which they should and I see no reason why they shouldn't OR the Devs will simply do it for us. Either way we will get what we want.

I don't hate Sense 5.0 its actually the best Sense UI they have offered to date, but I don't use or really need Blink Feed and not being able to disable it is annoying.

It was because of their experience with it, as to why Google won't release any more nexus's on CDMA networks. It really stinks for us sprint people that want a nexus. But oh well what can you do.

Sprint GS3 Running TN's Msg and Chubbs

 

[Aquila]

CDMA Nexus devices don't exist because only one Nexus device exists this time around. CDMA requires additional software to support it, licensing from Verizon or Sprint, additional approvals and it's not open-sourced code, so Verizon gets really cranky about their network authentication strings being on an open device.