Here we are, in New York City, prepping for HTC’s New York press event. Three phones are expected, all of which will run the very capable Windows Phone 8 OS. The invitation gave nothing away, simply asking us to “see what’s next.” And that we will.
The lights are dim, with random barcode-esque graphics running across the screen. Perhaps that’s a hint toward some NFC? Maybe? We’ll have to wait and see.
Without any further ado, let’s get it on and poppin’.
Thanks for tuning in, guys. Check out our hands on posts very shortly.
Hands-on time.
AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile will carry the phones.
8x and 8s will be availlable in november. 150 mobile operators in over 50 countries.
this is the biggest most ambitious launch that the companies have ever partnered on before.
bringing the 8x and 8s to more markets and more partners than any phone htc has ever shipped.
positioning the 8x and 8s as signature phones of wp8.
delivering a single, integrated campaign with msft.
“equally important, we need to bring devices to market in the right way, in a big way.”
In order to capitalize on the opportunity in front of us, we had to design to stand out from the crowd”
Jason Mackenzie, HTC president is on stage.
“These are the true phones Windows Phone has been waiting for.”
Seems like he’s recapping. Beats audio, awesome cameras.
Drives both headphones and speaker.
On the 8X, dedicated amplifier… combined with Beats audio you get deeper bass, greater clarity, and clearer trebles.
HTC and Beats… Beats audio is coming to Windows Phone for the first time.
He talks about taking those arm’s length pics. Front-facing camera captures 1080p video, f2.0 lens, 2.1 megapixels.
Reduces noise, improves light gathering, and enhances color accuracy, he says.
8x features the same camera module and dedicated imaging chip in one x. f2.0 lens.
The smartphone is the camera that people use most often, he says.
ultimate embodiment of Windows Phone experience.
Scott Croyle is back on stage.
Video is over now.
Video is over now.
It looks HUGE in the female designer’s hands.
Still talking about how the live tiles inspired the hardware.
We’re going to watch a video from the engineer/design team.
Color has always been an integral part of windows phone. so they approached the design with color.
“like it’s been dipped in color”
8s is smaller, with a strip on the bottom.
When we created 8x and 8s, we wanted them to work together with each other and wp8.
Camera and buttons are all perfectly flush with the surface. 3D gorilla glass wraps over all four sides of the display.
Unique unibody construction, giving a “perfectly sculpted form.”
I’m going to have to see this phone. It doesn’t look all that different from other phones.
We’ve stacked the componenets inside like a pyramid, enabling a fundamental change. Giving the phone a simple human feel.
Tiles inspired the design. Took a flat object, and created a 3D embodiment of the tile.
Symbiotic relationship between the virtual and the physical. Design philosophy in three words: simple, grounded, and human.
“Our goal was to create Windows Phones that represented Windows, we also want the design to stand up against anything in the market.”
He’s talking about phones. Everything is recycled form factors, clunky and thick.
I wish they’d stop bragging on each other and get to specs.
He says he likes Windows Phone.
Visual design of the tiles is modern” he says.
HTC head of Design Scott Croyle comes up on stage.
Eye catching colors. Black, Blue, Red, Yellow, and White.
HTC is bringing unique experiences to Windows Phone. They also have personality.
Over and over.
Peter is just repeating the names of the phones.
He’s thanking peter. And stepping off stage.
Windows Phone 8 is a fantastic experience. 8x and 8s are beautiful devices. together with htc we have a very clear branding strategy.
“We jumped to the chance to name these phones very simply.” That’s nice to hear. Finally.
They look a bit like Lumias, but with rounded corners.
Incredible cameras, killer sound, rounded, smooth and iconic design.
Windows Phone 8X: truly a windows phone hero product he says.
Ballmer: experience on windows phone 8 is unlike experience on any other phone. no other phone keeps you closer to the information and people that really matters to you in your life.
“Purest design we’ve ever had. Designed to put people first.”
“Beautiful design is at the heart of good software.”
They pose for pics with the phones.
There we go. Two phones: Windows Phone 8X and Windows Phone 8S by HTC.
amp-up music playing. We’re about to see it, i believe. At least the first phone.
“people want something new, personal, and unique.”
They’re both on stage, still talking about how much they love Windows Phone 8 and how excited they both are.
Ballmer is done. Just a little chit chat really. Hyping.
Today is a significant milestone for HTC and Microsoft. It’s a long-standing partnership.
Beautiful software inspires beautiful hardware, he says. The phones HTC and MSFT are revealing are indeed beautiful phones.
“We’ve taken a very different and unique approach with Windows Phone 8. It’s the most personal experience ever created for a phone”
“This is an exciting day for me”
uh oh.. it’s happening.. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer takes the stage.
he said steve got excited!
kind of a tease. he didn’t show anything.
our designer came out with this: an unmistakeable windows phone.
“I told our designer after the meeting, we have to take a completely fresh approach. we need an iconic windows phone.”
the integrated marketing needs to focus on those hero phones.
he met with steve ballmer earlier this year to talk about windows phone 8, and they agreed that they have to create hero phones.
Microsoft is bringing even more cool experiences and services to windows phone. it puts what is important to you front and center, he said.
he’s talking about the tile design. “so clean, so fluid and responsive.”
“windows phone 8 really comes alive when you put your personality and passion in it.”
“when i first saw windows phone 8, i got super excited.”
htc has more experience making windows phone than anyone. and have sold more windows phone than anyone.
today you’ll hear news from one of the longest standing relationships in the industry. what happens when beautiful software meets beautiful hardware.
today you are going to see how htc and MICROSOFT will bring you all new experiences.
“we’ve all had these moments that make us say wow.”
“I’ve been in mobile industry for more than 15 years, and I still find it incredible what smartphones can do today.”
Today will be another incredible moment for the mobile industry, he says.
HTC CEO takes the stage. Peter Chou.
There are young ladies wearing all black here, as well as people wearing white Dickies pants and white shirts. I’m unsure why this is interesting. But FYI I guess.
Thumpin’ music.
In fact, we’re about ten minutes late. I guess they’re waiting for that incredible long line to get in their seats.
We are now seated. The event should start in a couple of minutes.
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