Apple Pay Now Supports HSBC and Over 70 Other Issuers in U.S.
Apple updated its Apple Pay participating issuers list today with 75 additional banks, credit unions and financial institutions supporting the contactless payment service in the United States. Apple Pay now has over 600 participating issuers nationwide, and several more plan to support the NFC-based mobile payment service in the future.
HSBC Atrium in Buffalo, New York
HSBC, one of the ten largest U.S. banks, highlights the complete list of Apple Pay participating issuers. As a disclaimer, it should be noted that some smaller banks, credit unions and financial institutions listed may have already had support for the contactless payments service and are only now being reflected on Apple’s website.
The full list of new Apple Pay participating issuers is ahead. Read more 
HTC announces the One A9 with guranteed 15 day Google software updates and so much more
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HTC took to a different kind of stage today to announce the new HTC One A9 smartphone. the presentation wasn’t all about specs, although they did touch on the audio amplier in the headphone jack and the AMOLED display with Gorilla glass 4. Instead they focused on a plethora of other perks. We will get to all the official specs when we have a bit more time later tonight. For now, here are some of the details that might interest you.
The HTC One A9 unlocked version of the device is set to be available for pre-order today through HTC.com. I just looked and didn’t see it yet, so be patient. The unlocked version goes a bit further than most. HTC states it is SIM unlocked and will support all carriers, much like the Moto X Pure Edition does. It goes beyond just sim unlocked though, as the bootloader can be unlocked. Nothing new there, however unlocking the bootloader on the One A9 will not void your warranty. That is pretty stellar news. The unlocked variant also gets Uh-Oh protection to cover your device from accidents too.
The other huge news that just might give HTC a step up on this device was update timelines. HTC is committing to pushing out whatever version of Android Google puts on their Nexus line to the HTC One A9 with-in 15 days of it going out. That makes the HTC One A9 the first ever non Nexus device, or Play Edition device, to gain the latest Android OS in an exceptionally fast timeline. As the announcement hinted, the One A9 is launching with Android 6.0 Marshmallow out of the box as well.
If you are wanting to get your pre-order in for the new HTC One A9, unlocked, you will be looking at an introductory price of $399.99. You will have the choice of Opal Silver or Carbon Gray, with Deep Garnet and topaz Gold coming in a few weeks.
I caught a bit more during the drive to work, like SD card support, but those were the initial things that really hit my brain as important. Of course specs, battery life, actual camera results and more are going to be important as well. I will get more put together later in the day for everyone. If you don’t want to wait on me, head over to the HTC One A9 page for all the details and get a pre-order in.
The post HTC announces the One A9 with guranteed 15 day Google software updates and so much more appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Sphero Review: BB-8 Is a Must-Have Toy for Star Wars Fans
Sphero’s been making iPhone-connected ball-shaped robotic toys since 2011, and while the company has been successful with the original Sphero and the Ollie, it stumbled on a major hit this year with the launch of the BB-8, a Star Wars branded iPhone-controlled droid.
BB-8 is based on the droid from the upcoming movie Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It combines Sphero’s existing robotic ball technology with the Star Wars universe, a marriage that’s resulted in the most appealing, advanced Sphero toy to date.
Sphero’s BB-8 has a fun backstory and was designed with help from Lucasfilm. Throughout the development process, Lucasfilm provided Sphero with details on BB-8, feedback on the design, and the iconic sounds that bring the toy’s personality to life.
The “real” BB-8 can be seen in the Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer
Hardware and Design
Design wise, the BB-8 consists of a robotic ball, similar to the original Sphero, and a droid head that fits onto the ball using magnets. Under the head, there are a set of wheels that allow it to move around and stay in place on top of the body of the BB-8 while it is in motion.
BB-8 is about the size of a baseball and fits in the palm of a hand. If you have a Sphero already, the body of the BB-8 is the same size as the Sphero ball. The head is about the size of half a ping pong ball and is adorned with two ornamental antennae. The body and the head are both made of a smooth plastic and there are LEDs inside that allow BB-8 to light up. This is a pretty durable plastic – even when BB-8 slammed into walls, it remained undamaged. Plastic is breakable though, and it’s still worth being gentle with BB-8.
Read more
The HTC One A9 is finally official, costs $399.99 for a limited time
It goes without saying, the HTC One M9 was a big disappointment. But now HTC is here to try and redeem itself with the HTC One A9, a 5-inch Android 6.0 smartphone. The Taiwanese-company this time around is following the path of Motorola and offering its device unlocked for a “promotional price” of $399.99.
Of course, that’s not to say HTC is ditching carries. On the contrary, the One A9 will be making its way to all four US carriers, with one model covering AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint. Another model will be available at Verizon, covering a different set of bands for the carrier.
Here’s some of the specs the One A9 is sporting:
- Snapdragon 617 Octa-core CPU
- 5-inch Super AMOLED 1080p display
- Gorilla Glass 4
- 3GB of RAM
- 16/32GB of internal storage
- microSD support
- 13-megapixel rear camera with OIS
- Front 4MP UltraPixel camera
- HTC BoomSound
- 2,150mAh battery
- Android 6.0
The HTC One A9 will launch worldwide the first week of November. You’ll have to look at your respective carriers for specific pricing and availability, but if you’re looking at buying the One A9 unlocked, you’ll be able to get it straight from HTC for the aforementioned promotional price of $399.99. It will be available in Topaz Gold, Carbon Gray, Opal Silver, and Deep Garnet, varying by market, of course.
Is the HTC One A9 the savior the Taiwanese-based company needs? We’re not entirely sure just yet. The One A9 is certainly an identical clone of the iPhone 6, and hardly meets the specifications we’ve come to expect from flagships. But does HTC really have the marketing power of Samsung or Apple to get the One A9’s name out there? We’ll have to wait and see.
Those interested can pre-order the device here for the $399.99. HTC did call it “promotional pricing” so it will presumably get more expensive in the near future.
Press release below.
NEW YORK – Oct. 20, 2015 – HTC today unveiled the latest addition to the award-winning HTC One family, the HTC One A9. Melding the best of HTC’s acclaimed design and innovation with the latest from Google’s Android, this is a stunning, no-compromise smartphone that stands out from the crowd. Built for people who want a better choice, the HTC One A9 is a smartphone that combines striking design on the outside with the newest features of Android 6.0 Marshmallow with HTC Sense on the inside to create an unrivaled smartphone experience.
“HTC is a smartphone pioneer, having delivered the first Android smartphone, the first Windows smartphone, the first 4G smartphone, and the first all-metal smartphone,” said Cher Wang, chairwoman and CEO, HTC. “Today we’re taking that heritage of innovation to the next level, unveiling a phone that stands apart in a market increasingly dominated by a company which controls every aspect of your phone. The HTC One A9 breaks from this trend by offering an incredible design, fantastic performance, cutting-edge software features and the freedom to take full control of your smartphone experience.”
Metalmorphics: A new standard of all-metal design excellence
An evolution of the iconic HTC One family design, the HTC One A9 draws on the natural beauty around us, by using rich, striking colors and unique finishes – an approach called “metalmorphics.” New curves, refined edges, and precision-cut ridges on the power button flawlessly combine with the super-thin metal frame giving the phone a natural and lightweight feel. The elegant dual finish, available in a Carbon Gray, Opal Silver, Topaz Gold and Deep Garnet1, is painstakingly brushed with hairline detail and bead-blasted before the sides are polished, giving additional depth and richness that is unique in the smartphone market. Finally, in a stunning fusion of metal and glass, a 5-inch, edge-to-edge, 2.5D Corning® Gorilla® Glass 4, Full HD AMOLED screen cascades into the metal frame, giving you brighter and more vivid colors for brilliant graphics and gaming, even in direct sunlight.
Unleash your inner photographer
Your best camera is the one you use whenever the moment strikes, so it should be able to capture stunning shots in any situation. The HTC One A9’s front and rear cameras, coupled with powerful yet simple editing tools, mean epic photos and videos are only a tap away. Its main 13MP rear camera features Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), which automatically minimizes hand shake and corrects vibrations to give you a crystal-clear picture every time. Meanwhile, the front UltraPixel camera delivers the best self-portraits in any lighting condition, using HTC’s UltraPixel sensor to capture 300% more light than conventional smartphone cameras.
With the HTC One A9, no detail is too small. Offering an optional Pro mode to capture the perfect photo without being a photography expert, you can also save photos using RAW capture – a tool used by professional photographers – for an unmatched level of detail and post-shot editing flexibility. Or you can keep things simple with Photo Editor’s one-button enhancement feature, which automatically brightens colors and sharpens edges for unbelievably clear and crisp photos2.
Sometimes a still photo just isn’t enough. With the HTC One A9’s Hyperlapse editing tool you can speed up your videos to 12 times as fast for a dramatic time-lapse effect, creating an immersive video that perfectly captures the moments that matter. Speed through your video or use capture mode to edit in slow motion, highlighting those unforgettable memories. Or use HTC Zoe to easily and automatically mix your best shots and videos into one professional-looking highlight reel that can be shared with friends and family to tell the story of any moment from every angle.
Awesome audio: music the way it’s supposed to sound
Game changing audio has always been core to the HTC One family – the HTC One A9 delivers amazing sound quality, with HTC BoomSound™ integrated into the headset combined with Dolby Audio™ surround technology3, delivering immersive, vibrant sound that matches a live experience in your headphones by taking high-resolution audio to the next level4. With a built-in DAC that delivers audio at 24-bit, 192KHz quality – better than CD quality – it provides a richness and depth like you’ve never before heard from your music collection. A powerful high-output headphone amplifier, with double the output of other handsets, provides more power and dynamic range so you can hear every nuance of your favorite music, videos and games. Optional high-resolution audio certified HTC Pro Studio Earphones deliver both noise isolation and truly immersive sound.
Cutting-edge software: Android 6.0 Marshmallow
The first non-Nexus smartphone powered by Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the HTC One A9 brings Google’s latest innovations and the simplicity of HTC Sense right out of the box. Combined with a multi-directional fingerprint scanner, Android Pay makes purchasing items as secure and as easy as “tap, pay, done.”5 Google’s Now on Tap feature also intuitively provides contextual information about whatever is on your screen – look up reviews for a movie from a text, hear a song mentioned in a blog post, or book seats at a restaurant from an email, all at the press of the home button.
With so many new features, the HTC One A9 has also been designed with all new power-saving capabilities to maximize battery life. Doze automatically turns off power hungry applications when your phone is left idle, such as when charging overnight, while App Standby knows when an app open in the background isn’t being used and shuts it down until you need it again. In addition, the phone’s new processor, AMOLED screen and support for the optional HTC Rapid Charger 2.0, for up to 75% faster charging6 are all optimized to maximize battery life throughout the day7. In real terms this means, for example, that you can play 12 hours of HD video on one charge.
Performance designed for the way YOU use your phone
Featuring the newest Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 617 processor with integrated X8 LTE and 64-bit octa-core CPUs, the HTC One A9 is designed to deliver a perfect balance of powerful performance, fast connectivity and better battery life. With support for epic LTE wireless speeds through next-generation carrier aggregation technology, it delivers more high-definition streaming videos, more pulse-pounding high-resolution audio and more storage in the cloud to hold everything your heart desires. The phone is available in both 16 and 32GB configurations and features expandable memory, supporting up to 2TB in SD card storage, perfect for storing all your apps, games, photos, music and videos.
To protect your smartphone, pair it with the HTC Dot View™ II case, available in Obsidian, Deep Garnet, Sea Coral and Turquoise Blue. Its retro-inspired dot matrix cover reveals instant notifications, weather updates, caller ID and more, even while closed, and simple gesture controls bring music, flashlight, radio and voice recording tools closer than ever.
The HTC One A9 and accessories will be available worldwide, both at retailers and at htc.com, beginning November 2015.
U.S. Availability
In the U.S., the HTC One A9 will be available across multiple carriers and retailers. They will announce colors, availability and pricing for their respective channels. In addition, HTC will be making a special Unlocked edition available on www.HTC.com. This edition will be SIM Unlocked and will also allow you to unlock the bootloader without voiding your warranty, giving our customers an even greater level of freedom. And, in order for customers to experience our best-in-class sound quality, this version will come with 6 months of unlimited music on Google Play Music and UH OH Protection, which includes one free replacement within the first 12 months of ownership for a cracked screen, water damage or carrier switch. You can pre-order the HTC One A9 on htc.com today for a special, limited time promotional price of $399.99 and it will be available in Opal Silver and Carbon Gray initially. Deep Garnet and Topaz Gold will be made available in the coming weeks.
Come comment on this article: The HTC One A9 is finally official, costs $399.99 for a limited time
HTC One A9 first impressions
The latest smartphone offering from HTC, unveiled earlier today, may be the latest addition to the company’s One series, but that looks to be mostly in spirit, given that this new device features quite the departure from the flagship line. What does this smartphone bring to the table? We find out, with this first look at the HTC One A9!
The HTC One A9 may feature a full metal unibody construction like the rest of the One family, but that is where the similarities in terms of design end. The One A9 now comes with rounded corners and sides, that do contribute to the handling experience, and the back is also a lot flatter, compared to the curved rear of the HTC flagships. Of course, with a 5-inch display, the device offers a handling experience that is better than what is available with most other smartphones out there, given their larger screen sizes.
The entire phone has a very symmetrical look, and everything is centered on the back. Up front is where you will notice a new button that houses the fingerprint reader, under the still available black HTC bar. Despite there being a large slit up front above this display, another rather surprising omission this time around is the dual front-facing BoomSound speakers, which has been a signature HTC element until now. There is, instead, a single bottom-mounted speaker to be found, which is enhanced by Dolby, but the experience may no longer be the same with the new placement, even if more testing is of course, required before we jump to any conclusions.
Next to the speaker is the microUSB port and the headphone jack, that comes with its own hi-res audio enhancements as well, which HTC claims should provide a far better audio experience with earphones compared to any competing devices out there. On the right side is where all the buttons are to be found, with a textured power button placed below the volume rocker. On the left are the two slots for the SIM card and the microSD card.
There’s no getting around the fact that the HTC One A9 looks a lot like the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s, and the handling experience is quite similar as well, with the One A9 being slightly thicker, but featuring the same symmetrical design and rounded corners and sides that we’ve seen before with the iPhone. HTC did mention that although it may seem like the inspiration did come from Apple’s camp, the use of metal has actually been HTC’s design choice first. Further, given that the One A9 is being touted as a solid alternative to the iPhone, it may not be a bad idea to have some of the design choices that people tend to like about the Apple smartphones.
Despite all of that, it is up to you as to whether you like the look of the HTC One A9. There are a few color choices available with this device as well, including a lighter silver color, and one that is called deep garnet, a dark red color that looks really good.
On the display front, the One A9 comes with a 5-inch AMOLED display with a Full HD resolution, resulting in a pixel density of 441 ppi, and the display is protected by a Corning Gorilla Glass 4 panel. AMOLED displays are known for their high saturation, and that remains the case here, but you do also have the option to change the saturation levels in the Settings, by changing it to sRGB mode.
The display looks really good overall, and while it may not come with a Quad HD resolution, which is more or less becoming the standard, 1080p is more than enough on a display of this size, and the viewing experience is still very enjoyable, with there being no problems with this screen thus far.
Under the hood, the One A9 comes with an octa-core 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 processor, backed by the Adreno 405 GPU and 2 or 3 GB of RAM depending on the in-built storage option you opt for. It may not be the faster Snapdragon 810, but what this processing package allows for is compatibility with Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0, which will be available with the device in the coming months.
As mentioned, there is no dual front-facing speakers to be found here, which is quite disappointing, especially if you are someone who uses the device for media-consumption and gaming without headphones. With our without headphones, you do get Dolby enhancements that allow for a good audio experience overall. More testing will be necessary, but the main story here is that the front-facing speakers has been left out this time around.
16 GB or 32 GB of on-board storage is available, which also dictates whether you get 2 GB or 3 GB of RAM, with the base 16 GB model coming with 2 GB of RAM. Expandable storage via microSD card is to found as well, with support up to 2 TB, which means that storage will certainly not be of concern with the One A9.
Up front is the fingerprint scanner, integrated into the button that can also be used as a home button, even though there are on-screen navigation keys as well. After registering a fingerprint, using it is as easy to leaving your finger on the button, which should wake up the device and then unlock it. It may not be the fastest fingerprint reader that we’ve tested thus far, but it is still very reliable, and using a fingerprint scanner remains one of the better ways of quickly unlocking your device. The scanner is also compatible for use with Android Pay, for that added layer of security when making mobile payments.
The One A9 comes with a non-removable 2,150 mAh battery, which does sound very small given the current scheme of things, but the battery life should be helped by the lower resolution display, the more battery-friendly processing package, and the various battery saving features baked into Android 6.0 Marshmallow. The big draw here is when it comes to the fast charging capabilities of the One A9, and while Quick Charge 2.0 is available out of the box, a future update will allow it to go up to Quick Charge 3.0, making it one of the first devices to be able to support that.
Despite numerous experiments by HTC when it comes to the camera, this has still been one of the negative aspects of previous HTC flagships. HTC is still in search for a great camera setup, and are certainly hoping that the updated package found with the One A9 is the answer. On the back is a 13 MP unit with optical image stabilization, and the device also comes with a front-facing 4 MP “Ultrapixel” camera, which should allow for some nice self-portraits in low light conditions.
Taking a look at the camera application, there are a couple of new shooting modes to be found here, including the return of a Pro Mode that also allows for shooting in the RAW format, as well as a hyperlapse mode. The images we’ve been able to take thus far have looked pretty good, and we will certainly be putting this camera to the test in an upcoming camera shootout and the comprehensive review.
On the software side of things, the HTC One A9 comes with Android 6.0 Marshmallow out of the box, with the latest iteration of HTC’s Sense UI on top. This version of Sense has been dialed back quite a bit, and provides the feel of a stock Android experience, while retaining the signature look and elements of the UI from before, like Blinkfeed. With Marshmallow on-board, features like Doze, Google Now on Tap, and App Permissions are all to be found here.
Specifications
| HTC One A9 | |
|---|---|
| Display | 5.0-inch AMOLED display 1920 x 1080 Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Processor | 64-bit octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 |
| RAM | 2/3GB |
| Storage | 16/32GB |
| MicroSD | Yes, up to 2TB |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 4.1 Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 & 5 GHz) 3.5 mm stereo audio jack micro-USB 2.0 (5-pin) port |
| Fingerprint scanner | Yes |
| Sound | Dolby Audio and Hi-Res Audio |
| Software | Android 6.0 Marshmallow HTC Sense |
| Camera | Rear: 13MP with sapphire cover lens, f/2.0 aperture, OIS Front: HTC UltraPixel, f/2.0 aperture, fixed focus |
| Battery | Non-removable 2150mAh, Quick Charge 2.0 (forward compatible with Quick Charge 3.0) |
| Dimensions | 145.75 x 70.8. x 7.26mm 143g |
| Colors | Opal Silver, Carbon Grey, Deep Garnet, Topaz Gold |
Gallery
So there you have it for this first look at the HTC One A9! The One A9 will be priced at $399, which is certainly an impressive price point for a device that is a part of the flagship HTC One line. This device does allow for the feeling that HTC is trying some new things, and while the design may be quite similar, and the removal of front-facing speakers a disappointment, these are all aspects that aid in the inclusion of some new features, which HTC is hoping will make for a compelling smartphone.
HTC One A9 officially announced: everything you need to know
Ever since the HTC One M9 was announced back in March 2015, many of us have been wondering what the Taiwanese company has planned for us next. Today we find that out, as HTC has just officially unveiled the One A9.
Complete with HTC’s familiar all-metal unibody design, high-resolution audio experience and Android 6.0 Marshmallow with the latest version of HTC Sense, the One A9 certainly seems to be quite the contender in the mid-range smartphone space. With that said, does it come with enough to help it stand out from the crowd? Without any further ado, let’s take a look at the all-new HTC One A9.
HTC in video
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HTC One A9 specs, features and design
| HTC One A9 | |
|---|---|
| Display | 5.0-inch AMOLED display 1920 x 1080 Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Processor | 64-bit octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 |
| RAM | 2/3GB |
| Storage | 16/32GB |
| MicroSD | Yes, up to 2TB |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 4.1 Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 & 5 GHz) 3.5 mm stereo audio jack micro-USB 2.0 (5-pin) port |
| Fingerprint scanner | Yes |
| Sound | Dolby Audio and Hi-Res Audio |
| Software | Android 6.0 Marshmallow HTC Sense |
| Camera | Rear: 13MP with sapphire cover lens, f/2.0 aperture, OIS Front: HTC UltraPixel, f/2.0 aperture, fixed focus |
| Battery | Non-removable 2150mAh, Quick Charge 2.0 (forward compatible with Quick Charge 3.0) |
| Dimensions | 145.75 x 70.8. x 7.26mm 143g |
| Colors | Opal Silver, Carbon Grey, Deep Garnet, Topaz Gold |
For starters, the HTC One A9 features an all-metal unibody design, similar to what we’ve seen in past HTC phones like the One M9, M8 or M7. It comes with a 5.0-inch AMOLED display with 1920 x 1080 resolution and Gorilla Glass 4. The company chose to forgo a Quad HD panel for the One A9, and that shouldn’t come as a surprise. Full HD screens are lighter on battery consumption and are much cheaper, which will undoubtedly help with the overall cost of the smartphone, and help make the non-removable 2150mAh battery last a bit longer.
HTC says the device can last up to 12 hours with HD video playback, up to 9 hours with internet use (on Wi-Fi), or up to 18 days on standby. It’s also Quick Charge 2.0-compatible, and forward compatible with Quick Charge 3.0, Qualcomm’s newly-announced fast charging standard.
Quick Charge capabilities aren’t the only thing helping out the battery, though. This device runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow, which means it comes with all of the awesome battery-saving features that have been introduced in the latest version of Android. Not only this, but it also runs the latest version of HTC Sense, which is one of the most simple OEM skins we’ve seen on any current smartphone on the market.
Under the hood, the One A9 sports a 64-bit octa-core Snapdragon 617 processor, along with 2 or 3 gigabytes of RAM, depending on which configuration you choose. The 2GB of RAM model comes with 16GB of on-board storage, while the 3GB of RAM variant comes with 32GB of internal memory. Both variants also come with microSD expansion up to 2TB (2,000 gigabytes), so you’ll definitely have enough memory to store all of your photos, videos and music.
And plenty of storage is what you’ll need, too, because the One A9 comes packed with a number of attractive features for all of your multimedia needs. It comes with support for 24-bit, 192KHz high-resolution audio and a dedicated headphone amplifier, which HTC says can produce up to 2x the volume compared to competing smartphones. The company is also selling its new Pro Studio Earphones with the handset to bring it to the next level. Audio quality is definitely something we’ll test in great detail in our full review, which will be out in a few weeks.
On the camera front, it sports a 13MP rear-facing camera with a sapphire glass lens cover, optical image stabilization (OIS), auto-focus, hyperlapse video support and the ability to shoot in RAW. HTC has never really hit it out of the park in the camera department in the past, so we’re pretty excited to see what the A9’s camera can do. HTC says it has improved the camera interface by making it much simpler and easy to use. More commonly-used features like switching between cameras and turning HDR off are now located to the left side of the viewfinder, so it should be a little easier to take photos with the A9. It also features an UltraPixel front-facing camera, which will definitely be able to take care of your selfie needs.
As you’ve probably noticed by now, the One A9 comes with a home button below the display. This is because HTC has decided to include a fingerprint scanner on the device. This is certainly good news, as mobile payment popularity is on the rise, especially with the recent launch of Android Pay.
As for the overall design of the device, the One A9 is slim and quite small, measuring just 145.75 x 70.8. x 7.26 mm. It will also be quite easy to hold in one hand, thanks to the smaller 5.0-inch display. Some HTC devices in the past have been a bit slippery due to the all-metal design, which we’re hoping the company addressed with this device. If it does turn out to be too slippery, though, there’s good news – HTC is releasing a Dot View II case with the One A9, which will not only add protection from minor bumps and drops, but also some added functionality thanks to the retro-looking dot matrix display.
Where and when can you buy the One A9?
The HTC One A9 will be available around the world through retailers and HTC.com, with pre-orders starting today for those in the United States. The unlocked version of the One A9 is set at $399.99 (presumably the 16GB/2GB RAM model) , and will initially be offered in Opal Silver and Carbon Gray, with a Deep Garnet color arriving “in the coming weeks”.
There will be two versions of the unlocked A9, one that works with Sprint specifically, and the other SKU for T-Mobile, AT&T, and with a software update coming that will allow use on Verizon’s network using LTE only with a previously activated SIM, giving support for full voice, data, SMS, and MMS. HTC also plans to offer the A9 through select carrier partnerships, though not all the details have been revealed on this just yet.
Though the A9’s asking price might seem a bit high, considering you can get higher-spec’d devices for a similar price point, the A9 does offer the advantage of HTC’s Uh Oh Protection in the US. This free program gives you a replacement device in the first 12 months if you crack it, water damage it, or simply switch to another carrier and need a different version. The HTC One A9 will also include 6 months of free unlimited music through Google Play Music.
It’s also worth considering that, even if its spec sheet makes this seem more like a mid-range entry, HTC is offering several premium features that make this one stand a bit above what you’d expect from the mid-range, and from design and featurs its pretty obvious this phone is being marketed as an iPhone alternative — though whether this is enough to make the A9 a ‘must buy’ remains unseen.
So, with all of that said, what are your thoughts? Are you interested in the new One A9? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Engadget giveaway: win a Samsung Galaxy Note 5 courtesy of Bitdefender!
As major corporations continue to succumb to hacks and the government’s prying eyes are still relatively unchecked, it’s always a good idea to bulk up your personal security. Bitdefender has been in the business of just that for years and now its new Mobile Security and Antivirus is available to secure your mobile Android devices. The app stays lean by using in-the-cloud antivirus services which are continually updated. On your device, it offers malware scanning, device tracking in the case of possible theft, App Lock to secure individual apps with a pin and Privacy Advisor to help keep your private data safe from snooping apps. There’s even Android Wear integration to alert you if you step too far away from your smartphone. If you enter this week, that handset could be a new Samsung Galaxy Note 5 (32GB, Black Sapphire), along with a year’s subscription to Bitdefender’s service. Just head down to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning this security app and Android smartphone package.
- Entries are handled through the Rafflecopter widget above. Comments are no longer accepted as valid methods of entry. You may enter without any obligation to social media accounts, though we may offer them as opportunities for extra entries. Your email address is required so we can get in touch with you if you win, but it will not be given to third parties.
- Contest is open to all residents of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Canada (excluding Quebec), 18 or older! Sorry, we don’t make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so direct your anger at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
- Winners will be chosen randomly. One (1) winner will receive one (1) Samsung Galaxy Note 5 (32GB, Unlocked international version, black sapphire) and a one year subscription to Bitfender Mobile Security & Antivirus software.
- If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of being contacted. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen. Make sure that the account you use to enter the contest includes your real name and a contact email or Facebook login. We do not track any of this information for marketing or third-party purposes.
- This unit is purely for promotional giveaway. Engadget and AOL are not held liable to honor warranties, exchanges or customer service.
- The full list of rules, in all its legalese glory, can be found here.
- Entries can be submitted until October 21st at 11:59PM ET. Good luck!
‘Minecraft’ with a story isn’t as weird as you’d think
A story-driven game about Minecraft, the block-building phenomenon adored by children and adults alike, might sound a tad contradictory. By design, Minecraft has little in the way of plot or characters — the world is randomly generated and the best “stories” occur naturally based on what you decide to build and explore. The game’s open nature is what makes it special, and it’s also the reason why Minecraft: Story Mode, a spin-off title with a carefully crafted plot, has been met with so much skepticism. Minecraft works because it doesn’t have a story — is it possible, or right, for another developer to give it one?
Telltale Games is best known for adventure game adaptations of popular franchises such as The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones and Fables. Unlike Minecraft, these properties come with established stories, characters and mythology that the team can work with. Using its own game engine and a comic book art style, Telltale typically offers a game “season” comprised of five episodes. These are broken down into cutscenes, branching conversations, quick-time events and puzzles. Occasionally, you’ll get the chance to walk through an environment, but there’s little in the way of exploration or creativity. You want freeform building and crafting, like that found in Minecraft? Better look elsewhere.
Despite these enormous differences, Minecraft: Story Mode works. It’s a charming celebration of the game that made Markus “Notch” Persson a billionaire, and its narrative and characters feel like they fit the world — despite them never being mentioned in the original game. In episode one, you take on the role of Jesse, and unlike most Telltale games you can choose between a boy or a girl, as well as one of three different races. It’s a nice touch and immediately gave me some sense of attachment to the character, voiced by either Patton Oswalt (best known for his roles in Ratatouille and The King of Queens) or Catherine Taber (you might recognize her voice from Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Final Fantasy XII or Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker). With a small group of friends, you set out to win a building tournament at a Minecon-style convention called Endercon.
You won’t find any reference to Jesse’s treehouse, his or her pet pig Reuben or the Endercon competition in the original Minecraft game. Which could have been a problem, but Telltale quickly won me over in a few different ways. For one, Story Mode doesn’t claim to be the definitive storyline for Minecraft. It’s a different take on the blocky franchise and is set in its own, separate version of the Minecraft world. That gives the writers room to experiment, while also protecting the source material. Story Mode also weaves in countless elements that will be familiar to fans of the original game. Creepers, beacons and portals all appear in episode one, and are easily recognizable. When Telltale does introduce a new idea — for instance, a colorful amulet used to locate important characters — it doesn’t feel out of place in the Minecraft universe. Story Mode is respectful to the original game by expanding, but never abusing Minecraft‘s established items and mechanics.
The pacing is a little slow to begin with, but once the Endercon building competition ends, the plot kicks into a much higher gear. At the very beginning, Telltale introduces a group of heroes called the Order of the Stone, which once defeated the Ender Dragon and subsequently faded into legend. The peril the world now faces is linked to these members, and it’s here the developer sets up a few of the overarching mysteries for the five-part season. It’s nothing exceptional, but I’m intrigued enough to play the remaining episodes.
Story Mode is supposed to be family-friendly, so there are some limitations regarding the writing and where Telltale can take its cheery characters. Other properties that it’s adapted in the past, such as The Walking Dead and Fables (The Wolf Among Us), have given the team more opportunities to create darker and more unpredictable personalities with devious plans. These provoke stronger reactions in the player, trickier decisions and more complex relationships with the characters you choose to side with. Most of Story Mode‘s cast is likeable (aside from Jesse’s friend Axel, who tends to be impulsive and self-centered), so I spent most of my playthrough just trying to be best friends with everyone.
That said, the characters are distinctive and have quirky, energetic personalities. All of them have clear motivations and desires, which makes it easier to predict the consequences of each dialogue decision. Previous Telltale games have suffered from occasionally stiff scripts and inconsistent pacing — an inevitability, perhaps, with branching storylines — but they’ve always made me care about the characters. The same holds true in Story Mode, which is a testament to the quality of the writing. Jesse’s friends might be a little shallow, but they’re also easy to root for. I really want my “Nether Maniacs” (early on, you get to choose your team name for the building competition) to survive and stay together, so I’m interested to see how the game tries to pull them apart in later episodes.
Even if you’ve never played Minecraft before, there’s a lot to like in Story Mode‘s first chapter. It’s a charming, if simple tale with interesting characters and a few memorable set pieces. In terms of game design, it couldn’t be further from Minecraft, but somehow Telltale has managed to make it work. I’m putting that down to the quality of the writing and the way it cleverly integrates classic items, monsters and gameplay mechanics. Story Mode raids everything in Minecraft‘s toolbox to support its own storytelling, and ultimately it works to great effect. The game could have been a lazy and awkward cash-in, but instead it’s a smart, respectful spin-off that celebrates Minecraft‘s special brand of creativity.
Spotify streaming comes to Virgin America planes
Virgin America has teamed up with Spotify and the New York Times to stream music and deliver news articles aboard its planes. If it’s new in-flight ViaSat WiFi connection can stream Netflix videos 35,000 feet in the air, then music files and news articles should be a cinch, right? We hope so, because Spotify will make its whole catalogue accessible onboard Virgin America flights — the company claims it’s the first airline to offer the service — along with city-inspired mood playlists. For instance, if you’re flying to NYC, you can choose to play VA’s “Empire State of Mind” or “A Night On Broadway Mix” playlist on your phone/tablet/laptop, while you can play “Welcome to the Windy City” if you’re going to Chicago. It’s a great chance to sign up for a free 30-day Spotify Premium trial, if you haven’t yet.
The New York Times, on the other hand, allows any connected device to access curated content and breaking news from its website’s Business, Travel, Technology and ‘Most Viewed’ sections, though subscribers can browse the full website. Just like VA’s Netflix collab, you can take advantage of these partnerships until March 2, 2016, after which, well, there are lots of other options on the airline’s in-flight entertainment system. In fact, those Android-powered devices have recently been upgraded with better screens and now offer more shows and video games.
[Image credit: Johnny Vulkan/Flickr]
Source: Virgin America
Google invests in Africa’s largest wind power farm
Google’s big bet on clean energy isn’t just limited to the US or Europe — far from it. The search firm just promised to invest in Africa’s largest wind farm, the Lake Turkana Wind Power Project in Kenya, by buying turbine maker Vestas’ 12.5 percent stake when the farm is complete. Lake Turkana should generate 310MW of energy when all is said and done, or as much as 15 percent of Kenya’s current output. That could not only help the country transition to green energy sources, but give it the kind of reliable electricity that’s tough to find in the region.
There are some self-serving reasons to invest, of course. More electricity means that more Kenyans get online (and thus see web ads), and it’d give Google an eco-friendly power source for any future data centers. However, it’s hard to knock the deal when it could improve both the environment and the quality of life for a whole nation.
[Image credit: Vestas]
Source: Google Green Blog
AIVAnet 