HTC W8 Windows Phone 8.1 Smartphone Set to Launch in Q3 2014: Device to Feature Support for Interactive Phone Covers

As Microsoft's Windows Phone 8.1 update begins to set in throughout the world, new speculations have surfaced that seemingly suggest that Taiwan-based HTC is working on developing an exclusive Windows Phone 8.1 device.

The latest speculation adds substance to earlier rumours indicating that HTC is currently testing a new feature of the Windows Phone 8.1, on a custom device that is designed by HTC, to run Microsoft's latest mobile OS.

According to tipster Evleaks, HTC will be releasing a smartphone named 'HTC W8' in Q3 2014, with the device's USP being Microsoft's Windows Phone 8.1 operating platform.

Evleaks also adds that people throughout the world can expect HTC to incorporate within its W8 Windows Phone, features like BoomSound and Duo Cameras that are found in the company's Android smartphones (notably the HTC One M8).

Considering Evleaks' track record of predicting features of devices before their official launch, Microsoft loyalists can look out for the above features in HTC's Windows Phone device, once it is official.

But Evleaks fails to provide details about the technical specifications of the reported M8 Windows Phone handset.

However, various tech-specs of the devices had earlier surfaced via a WMPoweruser report.

These features are: 5in Full HD LCD display, Windows Phone 8.1 operating system, 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor along with 2GB RAM, and a 2600 mAh battery.

An important feature that is expected in HTC's Windows Phone (regardless of its nomenclature) is the 'interactive phone cover sync' feature which lets users use the 'interactive' casing on their smartphones for purposes other than protection (from external agents).

Currently, the HTC One M8 Android phone synchronises with the HTC Dot View Case, and lets users perform varied operations on the smartphone, without actually opening the case.

Interactive Phone Case sync functionality is expected within Microsoft's next Windows Phone 8.1 iteration viz the Windows Phone 8.1 update 1 that is also expected to provide functionality such as the ability to create folders in the Start screen by dragging and dropping live tiles, just like Apple's iOS.

With HTC also speculated to launch a Windows Phone device as early as September this year (device rumoured to be Verizon-exclusive), and with Microsoft also slated to roll out the Windows Phone 8.1 update 1 to developers starting next week, we could witness potential HTC Windows Phone 8.1 smartphones (with the Windows Phone 8.1 update 1 functionality incorporated).