Along with HTC One (M8) running Android 4.4.2 KitKat with HTC's customized Sense 6.0 user-interface, HTC has also launched a Google Play Edition (GPE) of the device, which features vanilla Android 4.4.2 KitKat. The Taiwanese manufacturer has also launched the Developer Edition of the phone, which comes with unlocked bootloader.
Both the GPE and Developer Edition HTC One (M8) comes with similar hardware as original M8, the only differences are in the softwares. Both the GPE and Developer Edition variants are now available in the United States for $699 and $649 respectively.
Google has tweaked the software of Android 4.4.2 KitKat to account for M8's dual rear cameras, so it may be running quite as close to stock Android 4.4.2 rather than pure. No information on whether the HTC Dot View cover will work with the GPE M8 or not.
The One (M8) GPE is currently only available in United States, though this may change with time. Similar to previous GPE devices, the One (M8) GPE features unlocked GSM and LTE world bands.
- GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900
- WCDMA: 850/AWS/1900/2100 with HSPA+ up to 21Mbps
- LTE: 700/850/AWS/1900 (B17/B5//B4/B2, carrier aggregation B4+17;B2+17), + Roaming 2600/1800 (B7/B3)
The Google Play Edition HTC One (M8) is available for purchase from Google Play Store Devices, while the Developer Edition One (M8) can be ordered from HTC's Shop America website.
To be updated...