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HTC's 'Vogue Edition' One (E8) is around half the cost of the M8
Just as we were getting bored of the leaks about the plastic HTC One "Vogue Edition," the company has finally decided to announce the only thing that we actually care about: its price. Well, according to the announcement in China, this dual-SIM LTE phone -- codenamed "E8" -- is launching there for CN¥2,799 or about $450 unsubsidized. That's almost half as much as the metallic M8 and, more importantly, the Samsung Galaxy S5 -- both of which pack near-identical guts as the E8. That's certainly very competitive, though not quite OnePlus-level competitive. While we wait for an actual launch date for both China and elsewhere, we've got a detailed spec sheet after the jump comparing the E8 to the M8. Enjoy!
HTC One's plastic cousin (E8) officially shown off with M7 design, M8 guts
It's no secret that HTC's prepping a plastic variant of its flagship One (M8) phone, but we've never taken a proper look at it until now, courtesy of the company's China website. And no, this isn't a leak. Ahead of the device's June 3rd launch, HTC's limited edition giveaway campaign unveiled almost everything about the M8 Ace, aka "Vogue Edition," of the One. The clear product renders -- shown in black, white, blue and red options -- indicate that this upcoming phone carries a similar design language as the metallic, award-winning M7 from last year; but the new plastic-only construction means you get a cleaner look on both the back and the profile sides. Update: HTC has since then announced that this will be known as the E8 outside China, but there's still no news on the price.
IRL: A few weeks with HTC's One M8 Harman Kardon Edition
When HTC CEO Peter Chou first confirmed the existence of the Harman Kardon edition One M8 at a small press event in New York City, I leaned over to a reporter friend sitting next to me and mouthed a few choice expletives. Wasn't this Sprint event supposed to be about Spotify? And HD Voice? Where the hell was this coming from? After a few weeks of using the thing, I'm still not entirely sure why this needs to exist... but I'm sort of glad it does.
HTC's One M8 Ace squeezes high-end specs into a prettier, cheaper body
HTC's One M8 isn't even two months old yet and it's already sparked a few spin-offs. We're not just talking about the One mini 2, either: a render of the oft-rumored One M8 Ace started making the rounds on Chinese tech blogs earlier today, and we've been able to confirm the image in fact depicts the real deal. Haven't been keeping tabs on the M8's myriad spawn? Well, the Ace (which could bear the Style or Fashion Edition moniker in China) seeks to cram top-tier performance into a more attractive, more affordable package.
Here's how to to get that Harman Kardon sound on your new HTC One
The recent introduction of a special edition One M8 by Sprint, which features some sound-enhancing software from Harman Kardon, had a few owners of HTC's flagship feeling slightly neglected. Thankfully, nursed by the beauty of Android's open ecosystem, the great minds over at XDA Developers have figured out a way to get the Clari-fi sound feature up and running in just about any US model of the new HTC One. Not surprisingly, you'll need to root your M8 in order to make this happen -- as always, do this only if you feel comfortable with a bit of unsupported tinkering.
HTC's flagship phone is getting audio help from Harman Kardon
Well, can't say we saw this one coming -- rather than dig into the complexities of an HD Voice rollout, Sprint CEO Dan Hesse confirmed that the carrier, HTC and the folks at Harman/Kardon have created a special Harman Kardon version of the HTC One M8. Why? Apparently because the way most other smartphones play music leaves much to be desired. No one has waved around one of these things yet, but that's OK. All of the magic happens in software anyway (although it has "champagne" trim and a darker back to let everyone know how much more premium it is). The star of the show is a software feature called Clari-fi -- while it's easy to look at it as the successor to Beats Audio, it sounds a lot more substantial than a glorified audio profile. To hear Harmon Kardon tell it, Clari-fi leans heavily on algorithms that analyze music and aim to restore the complexity of sound lost in the production process. The tweaked M8 can also play 24-bit, 192kHz lossless .FLAC files -- that probably won't mean much unless you're a dyed-in-the-wool audio buff, but it'll sound good enough to make you rethink the CD archive taking up space in the garage. At this point, it's anyone's guess as to how good the end result actually sounds, but you won't have to wait long to find out. The special edition M8 will hit Sprint stores (with a pair of Harman Kardon headphones in the box) for $229 with a contract on May 9.
Plastic HTC 'M8 Ace' aims at Galaxy S5 with same specs, lower price
HTC may have poked fun at its competitors' plastic flagship devices in recent past, but it looks like the Taiwanese company will again be offering one soon. And no, we're not talking about the Butterfly line here. According to a reliable source of ours, HTC's upcoming "M8 Ace" -- which was teased by @evleaks earlier this month (as pictured above) -- will actually feature a plastic unibody instead of aluminum. Additionally, the M8 Ace will apparently pack almost identical specs as the Galaxy S5, including a 5-inch 1080p display plus a 2.5GHz, quad-core Snapdragon 801 SoC. But here's the twist: HTC's phone will be much more affordable, which could pose a huge threat to Samsung if true.
The man behind HTC's hardware design is leaving the company
If you've used any HTC device in the last five years, chances are you've witnessed Scott Croyle's handiwork first-hand. Unfortunately, his time at the company is coming to an end as HTC has confirmed that Croyle is moving on to other to-be-determined projects. Croyle, who joined the company in 2008 as part of the One & Co acquisition, has been directly involved with building HTC's flagship devices ever since. Now, he'll be handing over the baton of responsibility to Jonah Becker, who's been Croyle's right-hand man in the studio. The move will be a gradual transition, as we're told that he will stick around in a consulting role for a while to finish up his projects (M9 anyone?).
HTC allows devs to tap into the power of the One's Duo Camera
The HTC One (M8) brought with it a load of new camera features, including its unique Duo Camera setup on its back side. Now, the handset maker is opening up the code that powers the pair in a SDK preview for third-party devs. This means that apps can be designed specifically for the M8's cameras with DualLens and DimensionPlus APIs baked right in. In other words, developers will get their hands on that bokeh-style refocusing and multi-angled shot selection in addition to depth maps from the pair of cameras. Of course, only time will tell how eager app makers are to latch on to HTC's smartphone snapshooting tricks, but at least now they'll have the necessary tools to do so.
The HTC One M8 has a Google Play edition, but how is it different? (hands-on)
HTC's latest flagship device, the One M8, is one of the best Android smartphones now available on the market, but what would happen to it if Google stripped the phone of some of its customizations? That's essentially what the Google Play edition of the new One offers. Plunk down $699 and you'll have access to an unlocked and (mostly) unadulterated version of the M8 with stock Android 4.4 (also known as KitKat). Of course, we've been curious to see what will happen to the features that make the new One unique. HTC told us that the Google Play edition will be able to take advantage of the Duo Camera, for instance, but does it still offer the same functionality? Additionally, can we use the Motion Launch gestures to wake up the phone and access different features? And how about that clever Dot View case that comes in so handy on the Sense version? Look no further for the answers.
HTC CEO Peter Chou was heavily involved in the One's design
Led by CEO Peter Chou, HTC has developed a reputation for making phones that are just as visually appealing as they are functional. The company's latest flagship device, the One (M8), is another in a long lineup of beautifully crafted smartphones, and we had a chance to sit down with Chou to discuss the handset and some of the process behind how it came to be. "Our challenge was how do we break through from M7 to M8?" Chou told us. "I decided last year that I'm going to spend most of my time in product to help break through. Make it premium, like watches or jewelry. We want to stand out." Chou was definitely deeply invested in the success of the M8, and was directly involved in its development -- he lost 5kg testing out the Fitbit integration, and even spent several weeks walking around with an M8-shaped block of wood in his pocket. "I tried to simulate when I take it out, how it feels when I put it on my ear, and when I talk." In other words, Chou wanted to see it through the lens of any other consumer. During this process, he provided feedback to his design team on which areas needed to be tweaked. "We were working back and forth on fine-tuning it; 'I don't like this curve, I want it to be more natural in the hands, I want this completely metal, completely pure.'"
Benchmarking the new HTC One: less cheating, better performance
There are actually two "Ones" that launched this week. The star attraction is undoubtedly the HTC One, but let's not forget the brand-new Snapdragon 801 running under its hood: a cutting-edge processor that will also power the Sony Xperia Z2 and the Samsung Galaxy S5, but which happens to have reached the market first in HTC's flagship phone. This chip represents a significant upgrade over the Snapdragon 600 in the old One, promising a hat trick of better all-round performance, more fluid gaming and longer battery life, and these are precisely the claims we're about to explore using a combo of benchmarking apps and real-world tests. At the same time, HTC has suddenly decided to come clean on the issue of benchmark cheating, which makes it a bit easier for us to trust what the numbers are telling us.
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.
New HTC One available in the UK today
Now you've heard the skinny on HTC's latest flagship; the next step is figuring out where in the UK you can grab one. As Carphone Warehouse let slip last week, availability starts from this very moment. At six Carphone Warehouse stores across London, the retailer's offering the new One for £550 unlocked, or for £42 per month with no upfront payment. Head past the break to see where you can get it elsewhere.
HTC explains how the 'Duo Camera' brings depth-sensing to the new One
Finally, we have an official explanation for the two round holes in the back of the new HTC One. The main camera, which sits in the regular spot, houses a 4MP "UltraPixel" camera much like on last year's handset. The smaller lens, which is positioned directly above -- or to the side when you hold the phone in landscape mode to grab a shot -- contains half the resolution (i.e., 2MP), but it doesn't actually capture images. It merely offers a level of depth perception, allowing the camera to "understand objects in physical space." A key benefit of this, according to HTC, is a quicker autofocus time of around 300ms, because the camera can use actual depth measurements to focus on objects. Other benefits come when you edit a photo, thanks to a range of effects (such as blurring) that can be selectively applied to foreground or backgrounds subjects. HTC has also just announced an SDK that will allow third-party app makers to make use of the Duo Camera's depth map, which is stored as metadata within JPEG files. For more, including sample images, check out our full review of the HTC One.
HTC announces the new One with depth-sensing camera and larger screen
The "all new" HTC One has been one of the worst-kept secrets of 2014, but today it's a secret no more. The Taiwanese manufacturer has taken the wraps off its latest flagship and fans of last year's model (count us among them) won't be disappointed. The phone boasts the same aluminum unibody construction as last year's model, but with more pronounced curves and even more metal this time around. A full 90 percent of the body is made of aluminum, quite a bit more than the 70 percent on the previous model. That means it's about half an ounce heavier, but it seems like a small trade-off given the incredible design and spacious 5-inch screen. That panel is still a 1080p S-LCD3 one, which means you can count on the same bright colors and deep blacks. Plus the whole front is protected by a sheet of Gorilla Glass 3. Oh, and before we go any further -- the pair of capacitive buttons have been replaced with the standard trio of Android soft keys! (Phewww...)
HTC One (M8) review: a great phone, even if no longer a game-changer
The HTC One was one of our favorite smartphones of 2013. It featured a gorgeous industrial design, a fantastic display, great camera and top-of-the-line performance. HTC poured its heart into it, as evidenced by nearly every aspect of the device. The phone exceeded nearly all of our expectations, but that also left a big problem: We now expect history to repeat itself. After all, if the original One was such a great device, its successor should, in theory, be even better, right? Of course it should be. But does this year's version of the One have what it takes? On paper, the answer is yes: It has a larger screen, offers two curious-looking rear camera sensors, boasts an improved version of HTC's Sense UI and features a chassis with even more metal. It appears, then, that there's a lot to love here, but it's difficult to take our breath away twice in a row. Here's what impressed -- and what didn't.
HTC One available today in the US, Verizon gets it in-store first
By now you probably know if you need HTC's shiny new One in your life -- now it all comes down to where and when you can nab it. Thanks to some wheeling and dealing, Verizon Wireless has a head start in the US: Online and in-store sales start today at 1 PM Eastern. AT&T and Sprint will kick off their online sales at that time too, but you can't waltz into one of their brick-and-mortar stores to find one until April 11th. As you might expect, the 16GB model will cost you $199, while the 32GB model comes in at $249... and if the thought of contracts makes you ill, you can buy one sans agreement for $649. The lone standout is T-Mobile, which won't sell the device until some time next month (we've reached out for clarification and will update this story as we learn more). Of course, everything above assumes you want your carrier's blessing. Don't forget: HTC will sell unlocked and developer versions for $649 on its website, and a $699 Play Edition version should hit the Google Play Store soon too. Update: T-Mobille will start selling the new One in stores and online starting on April 11th as well. Expect to pay nothing up front, with recurring payments of $26.50 for 24 months.
The new HTC One vs. the 2013 model: what's changed?
If you're still attached to last year's HTC One, you may be wondering just how the new model compares. What's new? Well, we've compiled spec sheets on both the 2013 and 2014 models just past the break for an easy side-by-side comparison. There's plenty to consider including increases in battery size, screen real estate, external storage and, of course, that newfangled Duo Camera. Take a peek after the jump for the full rundown.
The new HTC One is available in Google Play and Developer editions
Do you lust after the machined-aluminum body of the new HTC One, but hate locked bootloaders? Would you rather vanilla Android instead of Sense? Well, good news: It'll be available in both a Developer and Google Play edition. The Developer version is the same device you're able to get from your carrier, more or less, except that it'll be SIM unlocked and you'll be free to flash whatever software or ROM you want. The Play Edition obviously forgoes all that Sense business, and instead will ship with a relatively unmolested copy of Android 4.4.2. We say relatively because it will be able to take advantage of the One's Duo Camera, which requires tapping into HTC's APIs. Both will be available for pre-order today, March 25th, with the Developer edition selling for $650 direct from HTC's site, while Google will be hawking the Play edition for $699. Update: The Google Play Edition of the HTC One (M8) is available right here.
