Android phones are often criticized as flavorless. While they come in a variety of screen sizes with insides that differ even more, they generally all look and feel the same, with many differentiators (ooh, apps that scroll up and down instead of side to side!) actually not amounting to very much. Even the name "Android" implies easily replicated automatons.
That's why the HTC One ($199 for 32GB with a two-year contract on AT&T or Sprint, also on T-Mobile) is a refreshing change from all the bots out there. HTC has focused on a few standout features — including an interactive home screen, a retooled camera and a novel way to share experiences — to turn the One into a device that, well, stands out. None of those features is perfect, but at least the company is really trying to differentiate and not just "skin" things.
