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HTC's collaboration with Fitbit isn't the end of activity trackers... yet
When HTC developed the new HTC One (M8) it knew it had a dilemma. If it played it safe, and did a general all-round specification bump, it risked underwhelming the public. Conversely, by over-cooking things, and innovating for innovation's sake, it could saddle the phone with software gimmicks and unnecessary hardware additions. It ultimately attempted to land on that thin strip of middle ground. We've already covered the return of the Ultrapixel, that new duo camera, and the latest version of Sense in our review. Potentially, though, it's the low-profile "Smart Sensor hub" that might prove to be the dark horse -- not just for HTC, but for Android, and smartphones as a whole. The new Smart Sensors are what enable the LG-like tap-to-unlock feature, and all those other fancy wake gestures (covered in the review) while the phone is in standby. The cool part being that HTC has given developers access to these sensors for their own projects. Fitbit was the first app to make deliberate use of it, but who will it benefit in the long run?
This is what the new CyanogenMod OS looks like on the OnePlus One
OnePlus has been constantly dishing out teasers for its upcoming One smartphone since December, but little is known about its UI until we received these two screenshots today, courtesy of a reliable tipster. First of all, this Android KitKat-based OS is dubbed "CyanogenMod 11S," and given how the lock screen on the left looks nothing like the one in the original CyanogenMod, we assume the "S" indicates that this flavor carries OnePlus' customizations. This cleaner lock screen lacks the usual unlock slider, but it still shows the clock, date, weather, battery level and text messages over a solid-color background. Here's hoping that we can also toggle specific apps from the lock screen using swipe gestures.
HTC pushing Sense 6.0 to the original One, One mini and One max soon
We don't have a specific date, but HTC's latest Sense skin -- which the company insists on calling Sixth Sense -- will be coming to the company's older models sometime this spring. Last year's One, the One mini and One max will all be getting updated with Sense 6.0 in the coming months. While it's not a complete surprise, it's nice to know that HTC isn't leaving its customers out in the cold. It's all part of the company's HTC Advantage program, which guarantees two years of software updates and support. That's longer than even Google supports its Nexus phone. Hopefully we'll get specific launch dates sooner, rather than later.
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 opens up BlinkFeed, allows apps like Foursquare and Fitbit to push data to your homescreen
Love it or hate it, Sense is growing up. BlinkFeed, the beating tiled heart of the HTC experience is now being opened up to developers through an SDK. That means that third parties will be able to push information to the stream of data that makes up your feed. For example, Fitbit will be able to keep you abreast of how many steps you've taken without you having to go into the app. Oh, and the Fitbit app does harvest movement data from the phone's internal sensors, just like it does on the iPhone 5S, so you don't really need that separate band. HTC announced one other launch partner for the BlinkFeed SDK -- Foursquare. The location-based social network will pop up suggestions for lunch spots while you're out and about. Of course, the company will have to convince other big names to hop on the bandwagon if BlinkFeed is going to really take off.
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.
OnePlus confirms April 23rd launch date for its first smartphone
One One may occupy all of today's headlines, but there's another One that wants some of your attention. OnePlus, the outfit founded by former Oppo VP Pete Lau, has announced that it'll whip the covers from its "perfect" Android smartphone on April 23rd. Even at this late stage, however, the company is tweaking the spec list for the device -- swapping in a Snapdragon 801 for just a little bit extra power. Naturally, we'll be at the shindig, and will share our impressions as soon as we get our hands on one.
HTC's new One smartphone to go on sale 'just minutes after it is officially announced'
At this point, we have a pretty clear idea of what HTC's upcoming flagship smartphone will look like. Everything from its unique duo rear camera, to its refreshed version of Sense to its familiar One-like aluminum body has been leaked in the lead up to the company's March 25th event. And now, thanks to the UK retailer Carphone Warehouse jumping the gun, we know the handset, dubbed the "new HTC One (M8)," will be available to purchase "just minutes after it is officially announced" at six locations in London. How's that for spoiling the surprise? It's clear from this release that HTC intends to waste no time directing attention from its headline-dominating launch into direct retail sales. Whether or not that gamble pays off is another matter. But we'll know soon enough if that market opportunism can successfully channel fanboy enthusiasm into dollars and pounds. [Image credit: TD Beta] Update: It seems that O2 may not have the HTC One on store shelves until the first week of April, so that "same day" availability we've been hearing about may only apply to select carriers or resellers.
OnePlus dripfeeds more specs for its 'perfect' One smartphone
Let's face it: "One" isn't the most creative name for a smartphone, even if OnePlus couldn't resist the wordplay. We wouldn't call the company headed by ex-Oppo exec Pete Lau unoriginal though, as we can't claim to have seen another smartphone developed with such transparency. OnePlus has been systematically posting info about "the perfect smartphone" to its announcement forum, seemingly as it's decided upon. We still don't have any clue as to what it'll look like, other than its dimensions are smaller than those of Sony's Xperia Z1, but we do know it'll sport a 5.5-inch 1080p display on the outside, with a 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 and 3,100mAh battery within. The company's also been working with partner CyanogenMod on "mystery tech" to optimize battery performance, and most recently, has teased an always-on voice recognition feature, while also polling suggestions on what phrase should trigger it. Probably the most interesting number thus far is the One's sub-$400 price tag, however, and although there's much left to learn about the device, we're most certainly listening.
Leaked ad explains why HTC's putting a 'Duo Camera' in its new One
Ever since a leaked image showed off dual cameras on HTC's next One (aka the M8), the rumor mill has been trying to figure out what they're for, exactly. Now, an ad leaked to GSM Arena from Australian carrier Telstra appears to have removed all mystery. First off, the phone is referred to as the "All New HTC One (M8)," likely to distinguish it from the last model. As for the "Duo Camera," it'll bring improved low-light capabilities and let you select the focus of a shot after it's been taken -- as predicted. You'll also be able to highlight significant areas of a shot, soften the background and add 3D effects. Another big reveal is the 5-inch, full HD, scratch-resistant screen (a step up from the last One's 4.7-inch display), along with dual "BoomSound" speakers. Finally, the latest Sense 6.0 version will let you double tap the screen to turn on the phone and swipe to access apps and social info. The ad looks like the real McCoy, but if you're still capable of any skepticism, all will be revealed in exactly two weeks.
Goophone copies the all new (still-unannounced) HTC One
If you're going to clone one of 2014's hottest Android flagships, you might as well clone others, right? Goophone certainly thinks so. It just launched the Goophone M8, a smartphone that bears an uncanny resemblance to the all new (and still-unannounced) HTC One. Not that the similarities are much more than skin deep, mind you. Goophone's attempt at keepin' it real fake uses capacitive keys instead of the new One's on-screen buttons, and we doubt that the middling (if octa-core) processor, 1GB of RAM and 3G data speeds will have HTC breaking a sweat. It only costs $230 to get Goophone's knock-off, though. And hey, it comes in gold -- if you're only looking for an ostentatious design, you might as well save some cash.
HTC offering free screen replacements within the first six months, but only in the US
HTC clearly doesn't think that promising two years of Android updates is enough to win over American smartphone buyers. It's launching HTC Advantage, an upgrade to its US support policy that goes beyond the usual warranty limits. In addition to delivering on earlier promises of OS upgrades and extra cloud storage, the Advantage program replaces one cracked screen for free within the first six months of ownership. You're only covered if you buy a One series phone from today onward, but the initiative could be just the reassurance you need if you're worried about dropping a shiny new handset.
HTC's next flagship phone spotted with on-screen buttons, familiar design cues
We hope you're ready for a rather interesting month for smartphones. Judging from the teasers, announcements and leaks, nearly all the major mobile players have something big to show in Barcelona next week. What you're looking at above is HTC's own next big thing, a new flagship smartphone that's doing the rumor rounds under the codename of M8. Looks familiar, right? However, there's already some notable changes, including an increase to three Android buttons, which are all now part of the screen. Having said that, according to mob.hr's leak, a bar with HTC branding means the screen will still takes up the same proportion of the phone's surface. Thankfully, the M8 appears to be made of metal just like last year's One, with the same micro-drilled holes for the speakers. According to this leak, expect a flip-top cover to go along with it too -- presumably with peep-holes for both of those rear-facing cameras.
HTC One for Sprint gets its KitKat update a little early
HTC must feel that it's best to underpromise and overdeliver. While the company told American One owners that they wouldn't get KitKat on time, the 535MB Android upgrade is already available on Sprint; eager subscribers just have to check for an update to start downloading. More patient types can wait until February 11th, when the carrier will begin pushing the OS to all users. There's no word of an accelerated launch on other US networks, so Sprint customers may be sitting pretty for the next couple of weeks. [Thanks, Mike]
HTC to deliver KitKat to One owners a couple weeks late (updated)
HTC pledged to put KitKat on One handsets in the US 90 days after the newest version of Android's release, but today, the company revealed that it's going to miss its target date. While things looked to be on schedule as late as last week -- when the company pushed the final software out to AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon -- it appears that certification process is taking longer than expected (HTC One owners outside the US may experience a more timely rollout, namely in the Nordics, Eastern Europe, Turkey, Ukraine, Middle East and North Africa regions). There is a silver lining to be found, however. The delay should only last a week or two according to HTC Americas President Jason Mackenzie, and, of course you can keep an eye on the firm's Software Update page. That way you One owners will know precisely when you're able to break off a bit of KitKat for yourselves. Update: We should mention that the update's already rolling out to folks in Scandanavia, Eastern Europe, Turkey, Ukraine, Middle East and North Africa, with more to come.
HTC One sequel rumored to have two rear cameras for better focusing and image quality
Last year's leak of the HTC One's follow-up, the M8, seemingly raised more questions than it answered. When will it ship? And what's the deal with that second hole on the back? We may have a much clearer picture today, though. Bloomberg sources now claim that the M8 will arrive in late March, and that additional hole is reportedly for an extra camera that would assist a next-generation Ultrapixel sensor. The companion shooter would improve focusing and image quality while allowing for depth of field effects -- we're guessing that means tricks like post-shot refocusing, not the 3D video that HTC gave up years ago. The tipsters otherwise support rumors that we've seen before, including talk of a larger screen and a newer Snapdragon processor. It's tough to know whether or not the M8 will be a worthy sequel based on these leaks, but they do hint that we're looking at more than just a mild refresh.
This case turns your iPhone into a night vision camera
Thermal cameras are expensive, which is why they're mostly used by firefighters, contractors and psychotic aliens. Fortunately, that's all about to change thanks to the FLIR One, which is an iPhone case with a tiny thermal camera stuck on the back. All you have to do is strap your iPhone 5 or 5s into the dock and, once you've downloaded the app, you're ready to go. Using multi-spectral dynamic imaging, it can create hybrid images, adding extra detail to the thermal pictures, or plain-ol' thermal pictures in the dark. When you point it at a subject, the FLIR will also give you a temperature reading of what you're pointing the device at.
Nokia wins German injunction banning HTC Android devices
Nokia is clearly on a roll in the courtroom as of late -- following lawsuit wins in the Netherlands, the US and the UK, the company has landed a German injunction banning all of HTC's Android-based devices. The ruling lets Nokia provisionally block the sale of the One and other Google-powered hardware that allegedly infringes on a patent for peer-to-peer sharing over Bluetooth and NFC. HTC is expected to appeal the decision; Google is trying to invalidate the patent, but its move won't come in time to avoid or delay the ban. There won't be much else the two firms can do in the meantime. As with a similar defeat in March, HTC will have to either change features or strip them out to keep doing business.
The best cellphone deals of the week: 12.29.13
With Engadget's new tools, you can track price drops on thousands of devices every day, and once a week we feature some of the best deals right here. But act fast! Many of these are limited-time offers, and won't last long. The holiday shopping rush may be winding down, but there's still some great deals for the taking. Best Buy is currently offering stellar pricing on both the iPhone 5c and the HTC One -- so long as you're willing to opt for a two-year contract. Be sure to visit our product database to monitor prices on these gadgets and more as they move around. Join us and add the gadgets you're shopping for to your "Want" list; every time there's a price cut, you'll get an email alert!