Microsoft denies HTC a first swing at Windows RT tablets

Bloomberg reports that Microsoft has denied HTC’s request to build a Windows RT tablet.

Citing people with knowledge of the matter, Bloomberg claims the request was refused due to “concern that HTC doesn’t sell enough devices or have ample experience making tablets”.

HTC engineers wanted to build a Windows device with a customized home screen that would be distinctive to its devices, as manufacturers are allowed to do with Android. Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft refused, said the people, and HTC was left off the list of companies the software maker provided with early versions of the software.

Microsoft is tightly controlling the number of ARM- based devices it is supporting at first to ensure quality.

Microsoft declined to comment on the rumour, but HTC did, saying:

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.

HTC may release a Windows device later, in a second round of products to come next year, one of the people said.

Microsoft may be doing HTC a favour however, with the initial Windows RT tablets likely to have a lower volume than Intel powered tablets, which can run both Metro apps and regular Windows applications, and which will be more attractive until the Metro library of apps are built out.

Read more at Bloomberg here.

Via the Verge.com.

HTC Tablet mock-up from Gadgetgeeks.com