When HTC launched the Windows Phone 8X and 8S by HTC they released the usual press release, press images, and device specifications. As with other Windows Phone 8 hardware launches details on the software side were limited due. HTC did say that they would, as with their previous Windows Phone devices, be adding some HTC exclusive apps and customisations, but did not give any further details.

However, a second glance at the press images reveals a customisation hiding in plain sight. At the top of the Start Screen there is a custom clock and weather tile. The time is shown in big numbers, with a location and weather information (description and temperature) shown below.

Presumably this Live Tile will lead to a custom HTC app, perhaps an updated version of the HTC Hub app that shipped with earlier HTC devices. Incidentally the time shown on the custom live tile in all the press images is 10:08, which is also known as HTC Time. That's because 10:08 is the time shown in the majority of HTC's press materials for all its devices. Why? Well it is the time at which a digital 12 hour clock has the segments active, but seemingly there is no definitive answer, so you're free to make up your own answer. 

HTC will no doubt reveal its other exclusive apps and customisation before the HTC 8X and 8S go on sale. Previous HTC devices had (pre-installed or via Marketplace) HTC Hub (news, weather, stocks), Connected Media (DLNA), HTC Watch (buy and watch films and TV shows), Locations (navigation), Dock Mode, Photo Enhancer, Lists, Compass, Flashlight, Calculator, Notes, Stocks, Converter, Love and Connection Setup. We expect many of these to make the jump to Windows Phone 8 and HTC may choose to add some new apps to the line up.

HTC also made some customisation to the standard Camera app (e.g. panorama mode). In Windows Phone 8 the standard Camera app is getting a big overhaul and some of HTC's customisations will become standard features. Microsoft is also introducing the idea of lenses, essentially apps that are activated from and are integrated with the camera app. We're confident HTC will want to provide some lenses of its own, but, as with the HTC exclusive apps, we'll have a little longer to get the final details.