Gadgetory

on the outside this device has all of the deliciously seductive design charm you'll find in HTC's current mobile flagship it's the HTC One m8 google play edition smartphone I'm Brian Bennett for cnet this stunning device has an aluminum chassis a super thin profile and gently curved edges it also has a rounded back which feels oh so comfortable to hold keep in mind the One m8 gpe comes in only one color what HTC calls glacial silver I have to say I prefer this finish since it's matte texture is less slippery than the brushed metal skin of the standard gunmetal grey m8 it's on the inside of this phone though where things take an unexpected turn instead of HTC Sense user interface which the company usually layers over its Android devices the One m8 GPE is special it's Google all the way aside from a few welcome enhancements courtesy of HTC this hybrid provides the mobile phone experience as envisioned by androids creator as a result the One m8 gpe not only runs pristine android 4.4 kitkat the handset also uses an almost identical software layout as the Nexus 5 yes that means you get the Google now launcher complete with tight ties to the company's advanced search swiping left to right on the homescreen activates the google now card style interface just like how it does on the Nexus 5 likewise the phone can also respond to your verbal commands to perform fancy voice recognition tricks such as launching searches setting reminders and calendar appointments HTC's revamped blinkfeed news and social media hub however isn't on board that said the One m8 GPE does retain other skills which sets the company's super phone apart for instance you can wake the handset simply by tapping the screen twice another slick way to fire up the device from slumber is to pick it up then swipe upwards from the bottom of the display both gesture methods are vital since reaching the power button on the top edge of the very tall phone is pretty much impossible using one hand and just because the MA gpe lacks sense UI doesn't the phone can't make use of its dual lens main camera after you snap photos you can refocus them apply plenty of interesting filters and manually tweak brightness contrast sharpness you name it now I completely understand that the one m8 GPE is a serious upfront investment it's 699 sticker price is especially steep considering you can buy the non gpe phone heavily subsidized from numerous US wireless carriers for example both verizon and AT&T offer of the device for 199 though this does require signing a two-year service contract t-mobile sells the One m8 for zero dollars down but you're on the hook for 24 monthly payments of 2650 but this is no run-of-the-mill smartphone it's the current pinnacle of physical handset design melded with the ultimate evolution of Google Android to date it's also unlocked perfectly devoid of carrier bloatware and connects to AT&T and t mobile's flavor of 4G LTE in the u.s. I'm Brian Bennett for cnet and you've just taken a first look at the HTC One m8 Google Play edition