Why, why, why the exclusivity?

[k0de]

I understand that business is business and that Verizon likely paid HTC a ton of money for this deal (and/or vice-versa...not too sure how these things work), but one of the main things that now defines Windows Phone is the fact that many of its devices are carrier exclusives. Many are wondering why WP is not doing too well on the market... well I think that this obsession with exclusivity might be one of the problems. There are many factors, but this is definitely one of them. I guess, though, if it has to be exclusive then it is good for Microsoft that it is with Verizon, a carrier which has a good history with Windows Phones. So in that sense I guess this exclusivity can be considered a good thing, especially since this phone's selling/movement is likely going to be closely watched by all major smartphone makers to determine once and for all whether they should seriously dip their toes into WP8. Still, though, might it have been better if they released to at least one more carrier? Or am I misunderstanding entirely?

It is evident for all phone makers to win Verizon first and they shall win the rest of the carriers.

Lets not forget here before IOS or Android were distributed to the world Verizon was won first.

In other words Verizon is king. If Windows Phone survive Verizon we will soon see all carriers selling all types of WP.

 

[Tyrion L]

From Jason Mackenzie, President of HTC Americas:

HTC One with Windows Phone is only a Verizon launch exclusive, coming to more carriers ‘later this year’

I tried to post a link, but I do not have enough posts. The article is at:

thenextweb dot com /gadgets/2014/08/19/htc-one-windows-phone-verizon-launch-exclusive-coming-carriers-later-year/

(remove the spaces, change the dot to a .)

 

[unstoppablekem]

From Jason Mackenzie, President of HTC Americas:

HTC One with Windows Phone is only a Verizon launch exclusive, coming to more carriers ‘later this year’

I tried to post a link, but I do not have enough posts. The article is at:

thenextweb dot com /gadgets/2014/08/19/htc-one-windows-phone-verizon-launch-exclusive-coming-carriers-later-year/

(remove the spaces, change the dot to a .)

How do we know if this means coming to all US carriers?

 

[Dexter505]

Verizon has a good history with WP?

When talking with customer service reps, it becomes clear why Windows Phone isn't selling well - Neowin

It really depends on the customer service rep and I am sure they are trained to push the phones that customers are least likely to return. I would hesitate to push Windows phone on anyone because it does not have a lot if the apps that many people like to use. For example candy crush.

 

[Clad14]

Carrier Exclusives:

So that means that HTC would have to make at least FOUR different versions of the HTC One (M8) for Windows to satisfy the "no carrier exclusives" crowd. One for AT&T, one for Verizon and Sprint, one for T-Mobile, and one for the rest of the world. Smart.

Your reasoning is wrong. It is really not that complicated to support multiple bands. You don't have to develop a whole new phone architecture for each band (GSM Vs. CDMA is another story). Just a matter of antenna and RF amplifier tweaking. Plus, most manufacturers simply out source the components from a RF specialist and simply have to integrate it into the case (footprint management) and interface it with the rest of the PCB.

The release of this HTC M8 is actually is very simple case: M8 Android is available from ALL carriers (ATT, TMO, Sprint and Verizon). It is as simple as that.

So, I think too that carrier exclusivity poses a serious threat to the growth of WP. I simply don't want to go to a specific carrier to get the phone I like. I settled on a second-hand 925 because of that. Neither Verizon nor Microsoft benefited from my purchase. Too bad for them.

 

[DavidinCT]

Know what, AT&T users, sorry to put it this way but, get lost, seriously. GET OVER IT.

For YEARS, AT&T always had the coolest WP devices, Model after model while us Verizon users got stuck with the Trophy or base models, as AT&T always got the flagship models.

It's about freaking time Verizon gets some cool EXCLUSIVE WP models for a change..

and if you wait a few months, you can get a AT&T version too...

 

[etphoto]

I am just glad it is coming to big red. Its my next phone.

 

[Laura Knotek]

And this thread is now closed, since this device really isn't exclusive. AT&T will also get it eventually. HTC One (M8) for Windows is coming to AT&T, too | Windows Phone Central