HTC One Mini launch rumors continue to grow louder

The rumors for an HTC One Mini just keep getting louder and louder. At this point, it’s practically imminent that we see HTC confirm the One Mini to be a smaller version of the very well-received HTC One. The One Mini, otherwise known as the HTC M4 for now, would have a smaller display and less powerful specs, although still powerful enough to get the job done.

The latest rumor has an announcement pegged for before the end of July and an official release some time in August, probably toward the beginning of the month. A German publication, Teltarif, even claims to have discovered carrier O2 should have the HTC One Mini in stock on August 3rd. In the United States, the smartphone is reportedly headed for AT&T and T-Mobile.

Getting into spec specifics (alliteration to the max!), rumors indicate the HTC One Mini will have a smaller 4.3-inch 720p display, an unknown dual-core processor of some sort, a similar UltraPixel camera, Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, and Sense 5. Luckily, it’s almost certain that HTC won’t use a cheaper external design, instead opting to use the same high-quality metallic shell found and praised in the HTC One.

Pricing is up in the air for now as well, but since the One Mini will be a smaller and less-powerful version of the One, you can safely expect to pay less for it once it’s available.

Source: Gotta Be Mobile via Intomobile

Posted by Unknown

on Thursday, June 27, 2013

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HTC One launches in attention-grabbing red just for the UK

HTC has revealed an attractive new colour for its flagship smartphone as
an exclusive for Phones 4u customers.

Just when you thought the HTC One couldn't get any better, it'll now be 
arriving with a fetching new red outfit, just for UK customers.

The Taiwanese company has just revealed a new "Glamour Red" version of the smartphone that will be launching here next month.

But there's a catch, you see. The new model will be available exclusively to Phones 4u customers when it arrives in the UK from mid-July.

There's no telling if this is to be a permanent arrangement, or whether HTC will open it up to other customers as time goes on.

"The new HTC One in Glamour Red showcases the power of our flagship model in a colour that demands attention, whilst maintaining the high standards set for sophisticated design and build quality,” said Philip Blair, President of EMEA, HTC.

Of course inwardly it's still the same 4.7-inch, quad-core powered beauty that picked up five stars in our in-depth review.

Source: T3

Posted by Unknown

on Thursday, June 27, 2013

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T-Mobile HTC One S update fixes Jelly Bean battery life

Since T-Mobile updated the HTC One S to Android 4.1.1 back in April, many users have seen a noticeable drop-off in battery life. This unfortunate bug soured an otherwise much anticipated update for One S owners who waited patiently on Ice Cream Sandwich for many months.

The newest update -- bringing the software version up to 3.14.531.17 70RD -- is solely focused on fixing the lower battery life caused by the update to Jelly Bean. Those wishing to update need to already be on software version 3.14.531.11 710RD, have a device that is not rooted, and ensure they have at least a 50% charge before beginning the update.

Update notifications are being pushed automatically to phones starting today. Those wishing to get the update immediately can either go to the "Check now" menu item in Settings>About phone>Software updates, or go to the HTC website to update over USB.

Source: Android Central , T-Mobile

Posted by Unknown

on Wednesday, June 26, 2013

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HTC working on a One variant with Windows Phone and GDR3

HTC is currently working on a Windows Phone 8 device that will look similar to the HTC One. While the device is not a simple re-hash of the HTC One, the device will look familiar but not identical.
The device is reported to have a 4 to 5 in display - our source couldn’t get an accurate measurement on the screen size - along with a mostly metal body, Beats Audio, and the GDR3 update for Windows Phone, according to our source.  The One has a 4.7in display, but we are not sure if it is using the same screen for the Windows Phone device.
The phone is expected to be announced in the fall and arrive sometime later in the year. It is believed, but not confirmed, that the phone will use HTC’s UltraPixel technology for the camera too.
It’s not a surprise that HTC would take a device like the One and revise it to fit the Windows Phone model. The One has been well regarded and by putting Windows Phone 8 on the device, the device could be a winner with consumers.

If true, knowing that the GDR3 update should land sometime later this year, we should expect to see the next wave of new Windows Phone devices to arrive around that time as well. GDR3 is expected to bring support for 1080p displays and quad-core processors on Windows Phone 8, so HTC's handset could feature some pretty impressive specs. 

Source: Neowin

Posted by Unknown

on Monday, June 24, 2013

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HTC Cut Executive Compensation 51% in 2012 – Peter Chou denies he will step down if HTC One fails

HTC’s 2012 annual report has revealed that HTC executives took a dramatic pay cut last year as the company struggled to maintain profitability. The executive team pulled in a combined total of NT$660.5 million (US$22 million) in salary, retirement pay, bonus and profit sharing during 2012 - 51.3% lower than what was paid out in 2011. For the first time in two years, CEO Peter Chou saw his compensation drop below NT$100 million.

It’s not unusual for top executives to take a pay cut when a company is facing financial difficulties, but there are a few details missing from the report. Since compensation packages of top executives are typically based on profit sharing, the 51% reduction in 2012 may be attributes directly to HTC’s dramatic decline in profits during 2012.

In a separate piece by the WSJ, Peter Chou denied the rumors that he would step down as CEO if the HTC One was not successful in turning the company around.

"I know you guys want to ask, will I quit. There are a lot of rumors that say I would quit, but I never said that. I’m not going to find another job."

- Peter Chou, CEO of  HTC

David Yoffie, a member of HTC’s board of directors confirmed that there have not been any conversations among board members regarding Peter Chou’s position as CEO.

"The board has a lot of confidence in Peter, and share price is not going to drive decisions on the future of the chief executive."

- David Yoffie

While the HTC One may be the best smartphone of 2013, HTC still faces an up hill battle as it competed directly with Samsung and Apple in the smartphone space.

Source: WSJ  via  Htcsource

Posted by Unknown

on Sunday, June 23, 2013

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HTC Said to sign Robert Downey Jr. for $12 Million Ad Campaign

HTC has enlisted actor Robert Downey Jr. for a two-year global marketing deal worth about $12 million to promote the Taiwanese company's smartphone brand, according to two people with knowledge of the plans.

Downey will feature in the campaign as himself, not the characters he plays in movies including Iron Man and Sherlock Holmes, and will have final say over creative elements, the people said, declining to be named because the talks aren't public. The maker of the slim, metal HTC One handset will likely feature Downey in television, print and billboard ads, they said.

The deal has not yet been officially announced, but the speculation is that Downey Jr. will have final creative say over the campaign and will not be portraying any characters but himself.

This is a good move by HTC. As good as the HTC One is, Samsung has been pouring money into marketing, which has been effective. The more HTC can brand itself and capture the public's attention, the better off they will be. An actor of Robert Downey Jr.'s caliber will help them do just that.

Source: Bloomberg

Posted by Unknown

on Sunday, June 23, 2013

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HTC has reaffirmed its plans to bring Android 4.2.2 to the HTC One

HTC has spoken again about its Android 4.2.2 update plans for the HTC One. The good news is it’s coming, but the bad news is that HTC hasn’t given a concrete release date. 

Quizzed about the rollout of Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2 by Engadget, HTC said the update was indeed coming but added ‘users may need to wait a little longer before it becomes available.’

HTC launched the HTC One ages ago now, so it’s understandable that users are getting a little antsy about the lack of Android 4.2.2. Nothing inspires worry like the silence of a big corporate entity.

The upside to this delay, however, is that users may well be treated with a variety of new features once 4.2.2 eventually lands. One such – potential – update that we’d like to see is the ability to add your own news sources to BlinkFeed.

Source:Engadget

Posted by Unknown

on Wednesday, June 19, 2013

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Leaked HTC One Mini specs confirmed with 720p HD display

The rumored upcoming HTC One Mini smartphone, previously all whispers and hearsay until now, will ship to customers with that name and include a 720p resolution display, according to one of HTC’s own websites.
The company inadvertently confirmed the existence of the HTC One Mini’s name by posting its User Agent Profile to the HTC-owned Taiwanese domain htcmms.com.tw.

Based on recently leaked photos of the HTC One Mini, we expect the device to feature a 4.3-inch screen that’s just 0.4 inches smaller than its big brother, as well as the same Boom Sound stereo front-facing speaker grills with Beats Audio. However, the One Mini is unlikely to feature the One’s IR blaster or the same quad-core processor. The device will reportedly run the latest Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean OS. It’s unclear if it will feature HTC’s Sense 5 UI or an earlier version

Also confirmed is the processor, which is tipped as a 1.4GHz dual-core chip and thought to likely be a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400.

Onboard storage, RAM and microSD remain unknown and although rumours point to a repeat of the HTC One’s Ultrapixel camera and HTC Zoe suite combination there’s no confirmation of this at present.

HTC is expected to make an announcement sometime in the Autumn, we’ll keep you posted with more info as it becomes available. 

Posted by Unknown

on Tuesday, June 18, 2013

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1.2 million HTC One handsets shifted in May but outlook is still gloomy

It looks as if HTC is mounting something of a comeback, with reports pegging sales of its HTC One handset at around the 1.2 million mark for May – the company’s highest sales figures for 11 months.

1.2 million isn’t bad but HTC is not yet out of the woods with Citigroup predicting more trouble just around the corner for the ailing smartphone maker. 

‘We expect HTC shipments to peak in May, stay at a similar level in June and start to decline in July,’ said Citigroup Global Markets analyst Kevin Chang. 

‘We estimate that HTC One accounted for around half of HTC’s May sales,’ Chang added. Without access to HTC’s official sales figures, Chang estimates HTC One shipments at around 1.2 million – up 100 percent from April.

• HTC One mini rumoured for July release date
• HTC Nexus Edition getting Android 4.3 update in July

The HTC One received positive reviews across the board with some reports even declaring it the best Android phone ever created. Initial sales reflected this and despite HTC facing component shortages it still managed to surpass analyst forecasts.  

‘Citigroup originally forecast HTC would ship only 1 million HTC Ones last month before ramping it up further this month,’ reports Taipei Times.

‘Chang said he revised his shipment forecast upward because HTC’s component yield rate had improved faster than expected, which in turn had enabled it to push some shipments to last month from this month.’

• HTC One review

Chang believes HTC One sales have now peaked, just as they did last year following the launch of the HTC One X and HTC One S, with many consumers now holding out for the new iPhone.

Saturation in developed markets is also highlighted as a key factor affecting demand for the HTC One as we move through 2013, the report added.

Perhaps this is why HTC is planning a smaller, more affordable, version of its One handset and the rumoured T6 phablet. One device a year – the strategy allegedly adopted at the start of 2013 by HTC – will not cut it in today’s Android space.

To succeed you need product, a gargantuan marketing spend, and lots of choice. Don’t believe us? Just ask Samsung.

Posted by Unknown

on Monday, June 10, 2013

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HTC One wins “Best Device” award at Computex 2013

The HTC One is a design wonder and while it might not have the backing of marketing as huge as Samsung’s, it is scoring all sorts of awards. Now, it has been ranked “Best Device” of Computex 2013.

The One has already won the “Best New Mobile Handset, Device or Tablet” award at MWC 2013, and now only adds to its list of medals. Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou himself presented the award to HTC.

"For the new HTC One to win yet another international award, it demonstrates how HTC’s proven design capabilities, both in product design and user experience, is bringing a new perspective to the industry," HTC Chief Marketing Officer Ben Ho said."We will continue to innovate and provide consumers with the highest quality products."
The HTC One became the winner amidst 254 nominants and obviously a huge competition. It has also started selling well which is great news for ailing HTC.

source: Hardware Zone

Posted by Unknown

on Monday, June 10, 2013

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HTC Butterfly S to be announced on June 19

We knew that an HTC Butterfly S was coming sooner than later and now we know when it will be publicly unveiled. Taiwanese media has been getting invitations to a June 19 press event, during which the smartphone is to be introduced. The HTC Desire 600, or some kind of a local variant of it, is expected to make an appearance as well, judging by what is stated in the invitation. 

What's going to make the HTC Butterfly S better than the current HTC Butterfly isn't totally clear, although we think that it should get a faster processor and a larger battery, all the while keeping the screen size at 5 inches and resolution at 1080 by 1920 pixels. According to rumors, an UltraPixel camera is also in tow for the HTC Butterfly S, while the user interface will be tricked out with a layer of Sense 5.0 UI. That will bring BlinkFeed, Zoe, and other goodies found on the HTC One flagship. Further changes aren't being mentioned, but aren't out of the question. What markets and carriers will get the HTC Butterfly S is something we're hoping to learn on June 19. If history is bound to repeat itself, Verizon might be interested in the device, potentially launching it as an HTC Droid DNA successor. That, however, is just a guess, so don't get too excited yet. 

Posted by Unknown

on Monday, June 10, 2013

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