HTC releases its signature Android apps, starting with Zoe this week

HTC is rolling out its in-house apps to all Android platforms, allowing rival Android phones to download signature apps such as BlinkFeed and Zoe, which have long been exclusive to the company’s own lineup of smartphones.

HTC Zoe

The Taiwanese manufacturer will be releasing a beta of its Zoe video creator app later this week, which was originally part of devices including the HTC One (M8)’s suite of features.  According to re/code, which broke the news, HTC has quietly set up a separate business unit, known as HTC Creative Labs, with a focus on building HTC’s signature software and services for rivalling devices from competitors like Samsung, LG and Sony.

The HTC Creative Labs team consists of 260 members, showing that the company is determined to dedicate enough manpower to penetrate the market with its apps initiative and software business. The same team will also continue developing HTC’s own exclusive software.

HTC Zoe Share

Zoe’s first appearance was on the HTC One M7. It is an app which can automatically create video clips that features photos and snippets from the user’s camera roll. Soundtracks and themes can then be applied, resulting in a highlight-reel video of up to 30 seconds duration. HTC also aims to make Zoe the hub for viewing and sharing video content, essentially a social network built around shared media, much like MeiPai, from Meitu, an app which creates 10 second vine-like videos for users.

There’s no information yet on what the HTC Creative Labs group has planned to bring to the Android market next, but BlinkFeed is likely to be in the works based on HTC’s previous statements.