More rumours have emerged concerning the existence of an HTC One with stock Android, this time from the very source that accurately predicted the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition.
Geek's Russell Holly correctly ascertained that Google was going to launch a version of the Samsung Galaxy S4 running the stock Android OS at its Google I/O event last week.
Now he's performing the same crystal ball routine over a possible HTC One Google Edition.
According to "multiple sources," HTC has its own stripped back flagship handset in the works, and a US launch could be imminent. The US-only initial roll-out could mean that Google is once again going to take responsibility for distributing the handset, as it has with the Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition.
This supports last week's suggestion from a well-informed Twitter tipster that a was headed for launch this summer.
Of course, a couple of the HTC One's key features rely on custom HTC software to operate, so it will be interesting to see if HTC is permitted to apply a light sprinkling of software source, or if the handset will be notably hamstrung.
The HTC One's impressive stereo speakers are boosted by Beats Audio software, while its unusual UltraPixel camera relies on a whole heap of custom software to get the most out of it.
It's worth noting, though, that unlike Samsung, HTC has already launched a phone with stock Android as an option. The ill-fated HTC First may have launched with a customised Facebook skin, but it could easily be disabled to leave a pure Android Jelly Bean experience.
It seems HTC is already facing up to a post-Sense UI world - or at least the option of one. An HTC One with stock Android may be the logical next step.
Read our Samsung Galaxy S4 vs HTC One comparison feature.
