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Google mandates Android logo on device bootup screens
When we first booted up the new HTC One, we were greeted by a "Powered by Android" logo near the bottom of the screen; Samsung has done the same thing with the Galaxy S5. At first this may not seem like a very big deal, but thanks to some internal documents and verification from sources familiar with the matter, there may actually be a lot more to this simple logo than meets the eye. We've confirmed with sources that Google now requires that manufacturers add the "Powered by Android" logo to their splash screens in order to get certified for its Mobile Services.
New HTC One teardown reveals it's a pain to repair, just like the last One
While most people would be happy to have a new HTC One (M8) to play with, our friends at iFixit aren't "most people," and they're back doing what they do best: reducing gadgets to component confetti. Having said the necessary prayers and got to work, iFixit was delighted to find screws holding the main body together -- an omen of repairability, perhaps? The situation quickly "turned ugly," as a mass of tape and copper shielding had to be removed, only to expose a glue-fixed motherboard. Other components and the battery were found to be glued just as liberally, and having finally reached the display, iFixit accidentally cut the digitizer cable, essentially breaking it. It'll probably be of no surprise, given the narrative, that the new HTC One scored a measly two out of ten on the repairability scale, due to teardown difficulty and risk of damage. It's an improvement, at least, over the old HTC One's score -- iFixit didn't have the super-secret tool, mind -- but it's probably best you keep your M8 out of trouble all the same.
HTC's new One will also come as a minimalist Google Play Edition
With HTC's big launch looming later today, some apps for the new One handset have started dropping prematurely on the Google Play Store. One of those apps, HTC Gallery, is especially interesting because its accompanying text confirms that, aside from the regular phone, there'll also be the option of a clutter-free Google Play Edition. It looks like this edition will be available soon, perhaps coinciding with the main launch, without the lag we saw with the Google-fied version of the old One. Whenever it arrives, those who opt for this edition will get prompt Android updates while also being free to pick and choose from HTC's software offerings, including Blinkfeed (the company's news-focused homepage), Sense TV (the TV remote app) and presumably at least one photography app that can take advantage of the new model's rumored selling point: a depth-sensing camera. Stay tuned at our liveblog at 11am ET (8am PT, 3pm UK) for all the official news and pricing.
