HTC Expected to Launch Windows Phone Version of One (M8) on August 19

HTC was rumoured to be working on a Windows Phone 8.1 version of its One (M8) flagship, and now it seems the anticipated handset might finally launch next month - as the Taiwanese giant has started sending invites for an event scheduled for August 19 in New York.

Unfortunately, the invite, first reported by Windows Phone Central, has a flat theme and does not hint anything about an upcoming handset, but is notably very similar to the invite it sent for the launch of its HTC One (M8) flagship. The August 19 invite reads, "Join Us," and has the date engraved on the white-coloured background of the invite.

(Also see: HTC One (M8) Review | Pictures)

Reports have for a while been tipping that HTC is preparing to re-enter the Windows Phone segment with its Windows Phone 8.1-based HTC One (M8). The company launched its previous Windows Phone devices, the HTC 8S and HTC 8X, back in 2012.

Popular tipster, @evleaks, has also claimed that the alleged Windows Phone version of the HTC One (M8) will be dubbed HTC One (W8). The tipster had some time back suggested the rumoured new Windows Phone from HTC would be available on Verizon by Q3 this year, and will sport BoomSound and the dual camera set-up as seen in the Android version of the handset.

A previous report suggested that the One (M8) smartphone's Windows Phone version would come with the same specifications as the original Android-based flagship. Initially announced in March, HTC launched the One (M8) in India at Rs. 49,900.

The One (M8) includes a dual rear camera setup that puts a 4-UltraPixel camera alongside a 5-megapixel front camera. The Nano-SIM supporting phone packs a 2600mAh battery; a 2.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor; 2GB of RAM; a 5-inch full-HD display; 16GB and 32GB storage options, and supports expandable storage via microSD card (up to 128GB).