HTC appears unlikely to be among the manufacturers to release a Windows 8 tablet later this year. Rather than HTC deciding to pass on the upcoming operating system, Bloomberg has learned that it was Microsoft that opted not to work with HTC. Microsoft is working closely with the manufacturers that will launch ARM-based Windows RT devices to ensure quality.
Microsoft’s decision was apparently based on the fact that HTC sales volumes are not high enough and that it has little experience making tablets. It’s not clear if HTC’s focus on Android and only a few Windows Phone devices may have influenced this decision. The relationship between the two companies was much stronger in the past but that is changing with Microsoft focused on its partnership with Nokia.
HTC wanted to customize the home screen much as it does with HTC Sense on its Android devices. It remains to be seen if partners that Microsoft is working with will be allowed to do something similar.
The report adds that HTC could still release Windows devices as part of a second wave of devices sometime next year.
Read more: Bloomberg