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HTC Sense 3.6 preview
It's been nearly four months since the Samsung Galaxy Nexus arrived, bearing the latest version of Google's mobile OS, known to most of us as Android 4.0 or Ice Cream Sandwich. In this span of time, only a handful of smartphones and tablets have been blessed with an upgrade to this iteration. Why? One word: differentiation. The majority of mobile manufacturers are determined to come up with their own brands and tweak the open-source OS to their whimsy as a means of standing out from the rest of the crowd. But doing so involves several months of designing, programming and testing -- for each individual device. Sadly, this means we're left waiting impatiently for most outfits to come out with their own customized skin. Sense 3.6 rolls out to Nordics Stock Android 4.0 review HTC Sensation XE review Since the latest iteration of Android meant a considerable adjustment to the OS' design -- as well as an endless list of new features, bug fixes and other improvements -- the lengthy wait has left us only able to speculate and theorize what types of adjustments HTC will make to its own adaptation of Android's user interface, nicknamed Sense. What's more, it was recently revealed that there would actually be not one but two versions of the UI running on ICS: Sense 4.0, the skin of choice for the One lineup, and 3.6, the option for whichever legacy HTC devices are lucky enough to be on the upgrade list. Even though both run Android 4.0, the two builds look drastically different. We only had a very limited amount of time to spend with the former at MWC, but we were given the opportunity to experience the latter on a Sensation XE. Now we can finally have our questions answered at long last: how will HTC integrate ICS into its Sense UI? How different will it look and feel? What features will the company dish up or throw in the trash? Uncover the mysteries with us as we offer an extensive preview of Sense 3.6 after the break.
HTC updates Beats Audio, makes it work with any third-party app
Let's just say we were underwhelmed by the first iteration of HTC Beats on the Sensation XE. But now it looks like the technology has been revamped for the latest One handsets, so -- once we've tasted the pudding -- we might just have to revise that opinion. The new Beats is claimed to make music sound more "authentic," and whereas the previous version could only be activated inside HTC's stock music player, this time it'll work with YouTube, Pandora, Spotify and any other third-party Android app. What exactly will it do with those apps? And will it move beyond its current gimmicky bass-boost status? We'll just have to wait and listen.
HTC developing music streaming service, wireless boombox?
After having already acquired a stake in Beats Audio, HTC is reportedly looking to expand its reach even further, with the help of a new music streaming service. That's according to a report from GigaOM, which cites unnamed sources "familiar with the company's plans." These plans apparently include a new line of tablets and handsets, along with the aforementioned streaming service, to be spearheaded by Jimmy Iovine -- Beats head and Chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M. Details, of course, remain scarce, but GigaOM's sources say that the service will be included as a default client in HTC's handsets and tablets, and that it could launch as early as this month, at Mobile World Congress. The idea, apparently, is to differentiate Peter Chow's company from its competitors, and it's one that's been in the works for quite some time. Insiders say the manufacturer is planning to launch a new tablet at this year's MWC, as well, and is reportedly working on a new, Bluetooth-controlled wireless boombox. We'll have to wait a bit longer to see whether any of this actually plays out, but we'll certainly be keeping close watch over it.
Unknown HTC phone running ICS pops up, looks Incredible
What's this we have here? Well, clearly it's an HTC phone, but it looks different to what we've seen before. If the pictures are to be believed, we're looking at an Android 4.0 device with HTC's Sense 4.0 on top. There's LTE on board, and what looks like Verizon's splash-screen, meaning there's every reason to believe this is destined for the US. The rest of the specs suggest it's packing a dual-core 1.2 GHz Snapdragon processor, backed up by 1GB of RAM, Beats Audio and an 8-megapixel shooter. Given that the Rezound already purrs along on a 1.5GHz chip and that embossed backing looks oh-so familiar, it doesn't seem out of line to wager this is the next-gen Incredible with a bump in clock speed. What also catches our eye is the inclusion of hardware buttons, leaving open the possibility that this might just be a prototype after all. We're too not hopeful we'll learn much more before MWC, but we'll keep our eyes on the trail all the same.
Monster and Beats Electronics discontinue partnership, audiophiles rejoice
Color us surprised, but word on the street is that Monster and Beats By Dr. Dre are soon going to be a thing of the past. After years of pumping out fashion-forward, bass and treble pumping headphones that (debatably) changed the landscape of personal audio products -- and spawned a slew of imitators -- both companies have reportedly decided not to renew their five-year contract. Businessweek notes that two sources have confirmed that disagreements over "revenue share" and "who deserved the most credit for the line's success" stemmed the decision between the companies -- not surprisingly, Beats Electronics wanted more of both. In the followup, Monster will pump out eight new headphone lineups this year independently. Monster is noted to have brought in 60% of its own revenue from Beats by Dre, and now plans to shift its focus on older demographics, such as executive types, which the brand never exactly catered to. Notably, Businessweek also states that Beats Electronics will retain the rights to the headphone's iconic design, sound-signature and branding. Considering Beats' partnerships reign far with companies like HP and HTC, things probably won't be all doom and gloom for the company -- but the amount of time left to pick up your very own JustBeats likely just got very slim.
HP redesigns its Envy laptops, announces the Envy 15, 17 and 17 3D (video)
Just last month, we off-handedly said that HP's Envy laptops were among the most shameless MacBook impersonations we've seen. Looks like we spoke too soon: the company just introduced a redesigned Envy 15, Envy 17 and Envy 17 3D, and we have to say: the resemblance in the interior is just uncanny. If you ask company reps, they'll tell you the old taupe design was too masculine (despite the divets arranged in a floral pattern!), and that the new aesthetic is more gender-neutral. Fair enough, we suppose, though we defy you to tell us that touchpad, silvery aluminum chassis and black, chiclet-style keyboard aren't familiar. To be fair, it's not a complete facsimile: HP also throw in a few design flourishes of its own, most of them Beats-inspired. Chief among them is a red-accented, analog volume dial on the right side of the keyboard deck, though the black lid and thin red strip around the keyboard also add some kick. All three laptops will be available December 7th, with the Envy 15, Envy 17 and Envy 17 3D starting at $1,100, $1,250 and $1,600, respectively. For now, though, we've got hands-on shots below, along with a rundown of the starting specs just past the break. %Gallery-137834%%Gallery-139310%
HTC Rezound review
The Motorola RAZR and Samsung Galaxy Nexus seem to be the two Verizon LTE juggernauts enjoying the lion's share of the spotlight, with the HTC Rezound sandwiched smack dab between the two of them. But that doesn't mean the device has any less to offer -- you might even say it's entitled to some bragging rights. It's not the thinnest phone, nor does it have Ice Cream Sandwich (yet), but being the first carrier-branded handset in the US boasting a 720p HD display should carry a lot of weight. The Rezound -- as you might have gathered from the name -- is also the first HTC gizmo in the States to integrate Beats Audio. So does it fare well against its LTE competition? Is it enough to take your mind off of the Nexus? Read on below to find out. %Gallery-139234%
HTC Rezound available now on Verizon for $299 on contract
Maybe you were one of the lucky few who skirted the system to get an early bird delivery of HTC's latest 4.3-inch handset. But if not, there's no day like today to seize upon Verizon's retail and online stores to sign yourself up for the Dre-approved Rezound. Big Red's offering this Sense 3.5-laden beastie and its red-and-black motif for $299 on contract right now. It's a 4G LTE affair, so prepare to chuck that 3G-only connection and snuggle up to a new data plan. Ready to claim those custom earbuds as your own? Then hit up the source below where the augmented mobile audio awaits.
HTC Sensation XL review
HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio review Qualcomm's 1.5GHz dual-core MSM8660 destroys the competition in majestic benchmark run HTC to buy a chunk of Beats Electronics, keep Dr. Dre in a lab with a pen and a pad The HTC Sensation XL has landed, leaving a sizable footprint behind. While it picks up the naming convention from HTC's previously dual-core flagship series and some Beats audio accreditation on the way, it looks pretty damn familiar to another member of the family. Yes, the family's Windows Phone flagship, the Titan certainly tickled our fancy -- no other phone had landed on that nascent OS with such a screen. But the Sensation XL faces phones both bigger (and only slightly smaller) in the increasingly crowded world of Android. At around $723 (£450), is the XL's single-core processor enough? Is that glossy WVGA screen still sharp enough at this size? How does this one compare to previous Sensations, and perhaps more importantly, Samsung's even bigger not-so-heavyweight? Keep reading after the break to find out. %Gallery-138799%
HTC Rezound starts shipping early because you can't stop the Beats
When HTC took the wraps off the Rezound, it tipped us off to a November 14th launch for Verizon's Beats Audio-branded device. Now, it appears that those of you who jumped on the pre-order bandwagon are getting premature access to the red-and-black-tinged goods, with some units arriving as early as today. How'd this come about? Well, it seems a few eager beavers lucked out during the purchasing process, selecting overnight delivery and receiving the phones tout de suite. We can't promise you Big Red's still honoring this ordering quirk, but don't let that stop you from trying your luck. We have a feeling Dr. Dre would approve.
HTC Rezound hands-on (video)
As expected, the HTC made the Rezound official at today's event in New York. Also, as expected, this is one multimedia-centric phone we're looking at here, starting with its big and bright 4.3-inch 720p Super LCD display. Despite its decently large screen size, the phone is surprisingly light and feels nice in the hand. Unlike Motorola and Samsung, however, the company wasn't all that focused on thinness with the Rezound, and the thing rocks a slightly convex back -- not unlike the HTC Vivid on AT&T, which has a prominent hump on the back cover. However you slice it, though, it's a great looking phone. The company clearly put some though into the appearance of the device, with its textured back featuring red accents -- a clear reference to the company's partnership with Beats. If you read our review of the Sensation XE, you know HTC's design philosophy didn't change much in its journey across the Atlantic. HTC Rezound ad pays Verizon stores an early visit, soonish launch likely HTC confirms security hole, says patch is incoming HTC Vivid review Unfortunately, the company wasn't showing off those custom Beats earbuds for our demo, and we had to settle for an over-ear pair -- naturally, we rocked a little Dre on the thing. As you'd expect, the sound is extremely bass-heavy. You can thank Beats for that, no doubt. Interestingly, HTC apparently didn't devote all that much time to the volume buttons on the side of the device, which aren't quite as responsive as we'd like. The music continues to play, even as you launch other apps, which can be bit a distracting when you're trying to stream a video using the phone's LTE radio. For the record, that video loaded quite quickly. The latest version of Sense (3.5) -- last seen on the HTC Rhyme -- runs smoothly here, thanks to the 1.5GHz dual-core processor inside. Flipping through home screens is breezy, as is launching the camera app the company talked up during today's event. The Rezound is coming at you on Verizon November 14th for $299. Until then, have a gander at our gallery of preview shots and rock out to a hands-on video after the break. %Gallery-138373%
HTC Rezound for Verizon unveiled: Beats Audio, 4.3-inch 720p display, available November 14th for $299
HTC's Rezound first leaked its way into our gadget-lusting hearts in late summer. Then bearing the virile Vigor codename, we suspected a heartily specced, Beats Audio-branded destiny for the device. And today's official unveiling doesn't disappoint, setting this 4.3-inch handset on a 4G course for Verizon's LTE airwaves. Thanks to the company's financial handshake with Dr. Dre, the Rezound's inbuilt Beats Audio integration gets its first stateside debut. Of course, that's not all that lies beneath the red and black tinged surface. Living up to the machissimo of its in-development moniker, the Rezound boasts a 4.3-inch 720p Super LCD display and packs a dual-core 1.5GHz processor underneath, with 1GB RAM, 16GB of internal storage / 16GB on microSD card, 1,620mAh battery, WiFi and Bluetooth 3.0 in tow. And for you Android fanatics, HTC's shipping the handset Ice Cream Sandwich-ready, but it'll come out of the box with Sense 3.5 skinned atop Gingerbread 2.3.4. As for the phone's front-facing / 8 megapixel camera with f/2.2 sensor (capable of 1080p video capture), well the company's tossed in the same suite of scene modes we saw ship on the Amaze 4G: panorama, action burst, instant capture, and new addition, slow-mo. Naturally, this Beats phone package wouldn't be complete without a pair of those customized headphones, which'll be included in-box. With the recent Big Red outing of the Apple iPhone 4S, Samsung Galaxy Nexus and Motorola Droid RAZR, connoiseurs of high-end mobile kit have a lot to consider this Q4. Add this Beats Audio contender to that plethora of options, and you'll be scratching your head come contract-signing time. The Rezound'll be Verizon-bound on November 14th, so if enhanced audio is at the top of your 'must have' list, expect to snag it for $299 on contract. Until then, enjoy the official PR after the break.
HTC showing off its 'latest innovation' tomorrow -- get your liveblog right here
Another day, another HTC event. The Taiwanese company sent out invites last week for tomorrow's product launch, promising an opportunity to check out its "latest innovation." So, what can we expect? A peak at the Rezound seems like a pretty safe bet -- thanks in part to the presence of a Beats logo on the invites, not to mention a few recent leaks. Make sure to bookmark this link to join in on the fun. We'll see you at 3:30PM ET tomorrow. 09:30AM - Hawaii (November 3rd) 12:30PM - Pacific (November 3rd) 01:30PM - Mountain (November 3rd) 02:30PM - Central (November 3rd) 03:30PM - Eastern (November 3rd) 07:30PM - London (November 3rd) 08:30PM - Paris (November 3rd) 11:30PM - Moscow (November 3rd) 04:30AM - Tokyo (November 4th)
HTC Rezound render resoundingly revealed
Hark! The first renders of the HTC Rezound have appeared online, thanks to some of the device's cases going up for pre-order. You can see that, like the Sensation XE, the phone has red-glowing soft keys -- a bit of a departure from HTC's traditionally conservative design language. If you recall, the phone formerly called Vigor is said to have a 4.3-inch screen, a dual-core 1.5GHz processor, 1GB RAM, Beats Audio and an 8MP rear camera. Now that you know what the Verizon 4G cellular telephone will look like, you'll be able to pick one out of a lineup when it's available, which should be on November 10th for $300 on contract.
HTC's new audio API Beats OpenSense into developers
Earlier this summer HTC scooped up a slice of Beats by Dr. Dre stock, and we're finally seeing the much-anticipated Beats Audio popping up in phones. We also know that HTC is throwing developers some neat API tools, so it's no stretch to imagine that the two projects might one day play nice together. Sure enough, a developer API is on its way -- good news for music loving app makers eager to hook into the tune-enhancing functionality. HTC told us the tools will "allow third-party developers to harness the potential of Beats Audio and bring that top-notch audio experience to their own apps," although with no release date, it's still out of ear-shot for the time being. That said, the timing might be perfect given that Google's download store just went official. While we're looking forward to hearing how those clever coders will make use of the tools, and exactly what goodies HTC is offering, we're hoping at least some ideas won't be given the Beats factor.
HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio review
We had some hands-on time with HTC's new European Android flagship a short while back, but it wasn't nearly enough to answer all our questions about how the 4.3-inch, 1.5GHz dual-core XE compares to the original 1.2GHz Sensation, or whether the implementation of Beats Audio was anything more than a cunning scheme cooked up between the manufacturer's marketeers and Dr. Dre's agent. Now, though, this phone has been our closest companion for long enough to reveal its true colors. They're red, primarily, but there's a whole rainbow of detail right after the break. %Gallery-135086%
HTC announces the Sensation XL with Beats Audio, we go hands-on
We suspected there'd be a special guest at HTC's party in London today and here it is: the brand new Sensation XL. You might recognize the mug shot from the many leaks we've reported under the Runnymede codename, but this phone also bears a distinct similarity to the recently announced HTC Titan. It's carved from an almost identical 4.7-inch block of machined aluminum, has the same stunning 9.9mm (0.39-inch) thickness, same 800x480 Super LCD display and even the same eight megapixel rear camera unit. But there are key differences too: for a start, it packs HTC's vaunted Beats Audio system licensed from Dr. Dre. Oh, and did we mention this thing is an Android rather than a Windows Phone? Those two things alone make the XL a different beast entirely, so read on for a press release with full specs plus our hands-on impressions. %Gallery-135872%
HTC announces its next party, Beats Audio and 'surprise headliner' in attendance
HTC's Facebook page is inviting fans to a gathering on October 6th at the rock 'n roll Roundhouse in London, ostensibly to celebrate the Beats Audio technology we've been listening to with the Sensation XE. Call us over-excited, but the manufacturer's last party bore plenty of exotic fruit so we reckon those Dre-approved headphones in the flyer might be connected to yet another new handset -- unless the mystery guest happens to be the aging hip-hop star himself. In any case, we'll be there and we won't hit a single canapé or rap pose until we've brought you the news.
HTC Runnymede spotted in the wild (updated with backup video)
From leak-town to the wild, HTC's Runnymede's getting a whole lot of pre-release love. This Beats Audio-branded handset's just received the quick and dirty hands-on treatment (or so it appears) on YouTube. If you're looking for details on where the phone came from or what's going on here, you've come to the wrong place, but judging from the Vodafone branding on the home screen, we're fairly certain that this is our first real-life spotting of the 4.7-inch Android phone. A rather off-center video awaits you after the break. [Thanks, Thomas] Update: Unsurprisingly, the original video got pulled, but we've slapped on a backup clip after the break.
HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio, we go ears-on (video)
Guess who's back? HTC let us play with the new and improved Sensation XE in London last night and we even managed to find a secluded spot to bop our heads to the integrated Beats Audio and packaged YourBeats headphones. The XE is very similar to the original 4.3-inch flagship Sensation in terms of hardware, except there's a 300MHz clock-speed bump to 1.5GHz, a slightly larger 1750mAh battery and also a packaged 16GB (instead of 8GB) microSD card. But aside from that, we expect it'll be the audio credentials and related marketing hype that will attract most attention when the device reaches shelves later this month. Current Sensation owners probably won't even consider the upgrade unless they're chronic Dr. Dre fans, but what about those with more sticky icky icky devices? Should they be enticed by all the fuss? Click past the break if you think rap's changed and you want know how we feel about it. Update: HTC has been in touch to clarify that this device is not coming to the US. An intriguing decision to say the least. Update: The latest word is that HTC is working on bringing "other Beats-integrated devices" to the US market -- "soon." So, you might find this hands-on relevant after all. %Gallery-134610%