Microsoft Is Barring HTC From Making Windows 8 Tablets, Report Says

Windows 8 was all the buzz at this week?s Computex show in Taipei. Several manufacturers, including Toshiba, Acer and Asus, showed off tablets running Microsoft?s upcoming OS. And even more companies are expected to unveil their Windows 8 devices soon.

But don?t expect to see any tablets coming from HTC when Windows 8 launches, says a Thursday Bloomberg report. Microsoft is reportedly barring HTC from developing tablets with the new OS.

Microsoft wants to maintain a very high level of quality control in its first wave of ARM-based, Windows RT tablets, Bloomberg?s sources say. That level of concern makes sense considering Windows RT is intended to go head-to-head with the iPad.

But HTC, apparently, didn?t make the cut. The report says Microsoft is concerned about HTC?s sales figures and its lack of experience making tablets. HTC is best known for making Android-based smartphones, like the recent One series phones, but it has released a few Android tablets as well (we reviewed the HTC Flyer last year, and hated it). In total, HTC?s tablet efforts are too immature to convince Microsoft of the company?s experience.

Another point of contention: HTC engineers reportedly wanted to build a Windows tablet with a customized home screen. While this is something manufacturers can do with Android devices, Microsoft refused, as it has done with Windows Phone.

?Today, we?re confirming our support for future versions of Windows but aren?t commenting on the specifics of our product plans beyond that,? an HTC spokesperson told Wired in an email.

Reading between the lines, it might appear that HTC is only being barred from joining the initial wave of Windows RT devices.

For now, Microsoft has partnered with companies with more sales volumes and tablet experience for the first round of Windows RT tablets. We?ve already seen a Toshiba tablet running on a Texas Instrument processor, an Asus tablet running on an Nvidia processor, and a reference design from Qualcomm running on the company?s Snapdragon processor.

Microsoft declined to comment on the situation.

Even though HTC might not get Windows 8, the manufacturer is still committed to Windows Phone. ?HTC has sold more than 40 million Windows Phones over the last ten years and we are committed to future versions of Microsoft?s Windows Phone platform more than ever,? the HTC spokesperson said.

monsanto dr seuss birthday jennifer garner jennifer garner romney michigan derrick williams railgun