HTC takes the Google/Motorola approach, and starts uploading its apps to the Play Store
Taking a page from the books of both Google and Motorola, HTC has decided to start uploading many of its proprietary apps to the Play Store, including:
All of these apps seem to be compatible only with the HTC One M8, so owners of older HTC devices are unfortunately out of luck – at least for the time being. Additionally, Zoe is currently inactive, with a simple message that it’s “coming soon” this summer.
Uploading apps has a distinct advantage for HTC and consumers alike: instead of crafting huge system updates that have to be approved by carriers, thus creating delays and more fragmentation, HTC can quickly and easily push out updates to core apps, so that all HTC One M8 customers – regardless of specific device or carrier variant – can be running the same software.
Separating many of its core apps from system updates also means that HTC should be able to work on Android updates quicker, and get them pushed out faster. All-in-all, this is a win-win for everyone involved.
[Android Police: 1, 2, 3]
