Samsung and HTC phones go head-to-head in an ‘uncheatable’ benchmark test
Remember the allegation that Samsung cheats at benchmarks? Despite the manufacturer’s semi-denials, there’s growing evidence to suggest that not only Samsung, but also a number of other Android phone makers engage in some level of chicanery. Usual…
Verizon now offering $300 HTC One Max
Verizon Wireless has quietly started offering its latest smartphone, the 5.9-inch HTC One Max. Priced at $299 (as expected) with a two-year service agreement, the handset is a plus-sized take on the flagship device of 2013. The HTC One Max runs Android 4.3 Jelly Bean with HTC Sense 5.5 UI and…
HTC G1 gets a taste of Ice Cream Sandwich (video)
Even though Ice Cream Sandwich is popping up everywhere since its source code was released to the public, we’ve got to give a shout out now that its been squeezed onto the original Google phone, HTC’s G1. The G1 was last seen sporting an unofficial Honeycomb port, and now jcarrz1 from XDA-Developers is showing off his device running Android 4.0 in this video. So far the touchscreen is (slowly) working, along with all apps and “ICS goodies”, though WiFi, Bluetooth and rotation are still out. That’s a nice effort for a device that some said wouldn’t see any versions past 1.5, so press play and witness the unholy fusion of Android’s past and present working all at once, or hit the source link below to grab the alpha release for yourself.
via HTC G1 gets a taste of Ice Cream Sandwich (video) — Engadget.
HTC Zeta rendered, rumored to pack 2.5GHz quad-core CPU and Ice Cream Sandwich
Ready for today’s grain of salt? We just got handed imagery and specs of a possible HTC device in the works codenamed the Zeta. It’s a quad-core handset, much like the Edge that was leaked last week, but it has a much faster 2.5GHz APQ8064 CPU along with 1GB of RAM running the show, on a 4.5-inch 720p HD display. According to our source, the uniquely shaped smartphone will come with Ice Cream Sandwich pre-installed with Sense UI (version 4.0 wasn’t specified, but we’d be surprised to see it any lower on an ICS device) and have 32GB of internal storage space, an 1,830mAh battery, Beats Audio, Bluetooth 4.0, an 8MP rear camera with dual LED flash, 1080p video capture and a 1.3MP front-facing cam. Dimensions? We have those, too: the Zeta is said to measure at 109.8 x 60.9 x 9.8mm (4.32 x 2.4 x 0.39 inches) and weigh 5.15 ounces (146g). Pricing and availability aren’t known, and we’re still digging for more info. It certainly has an intriguing look; the sharp corners would be a huge departure from HTC’s recent design choices, though it appears to have HTC’s signature unibody build in the back. So are we just looking at a cool concept or is this the next flagship phone? We’re hoping it’s the latter.
via HTC Zeta rendered, rumored to pack 2.5GHz quad-core CPU and Ice Cream Sandwich — Engadget.
HTC Jetstream review
When HTC entered the tablet game, it did so in reverse course. Where other manufacturers were jostling for elbow room in a 10-inch form factored world, the company opted for smaller, more familiar battleground, eschewing the rough-hewn Honeycomb OS for a Gingerbread-baked Sense overlay on the Flyer. Naturally, the time for that mini-slate to shine has come and gone. In its stead, we’re treated to a flagship of sorts — HTC’s first 10-incher and AT&T’s inaugural 4G LTE slate. Android 3.1 makes an appearance here, as does Sense 1.1 for tablets, but is the skinned experience really any different from the custom UX we’ve all come to love or hate on phones? Can the added Scribe pen functionality, repurposed here from its 7-inch brother, transform the Jetstream from third pillar offering to an always-on, on-the-go assistant? And will those newly hatched 700MHz speeds convince you to cough up for that weighty $700 price tag? Follow along past the break to see how it fared. Read more 
HTC Sensation XE Spotted In White
HTC kicked-off its partnership with Beats by announcing the Sensation XE in September. Its specs may not be quite up to the level set by the HTC Rezound, but a 1.5GHz dual-core processor and the ability to shoot 1080p video are nothing to shake a stick at. When we first got a chance to see the phone, it was only available in a charcoal black. It looks like there will soon be a new color option for Sensation XE buyers to consider, with signs of a white model on the way. The silvery-white XE is listed on the Japanese version of retailer Expansyss site, where the phone is noted as ready to ship-out, arriving in 5-15 days. We dont have any specific information on plans for this XE to be brought to other nations, but it will likely become available wherever the black XE is sold. Expansys is selling the model for what works out to about $570. The Sensation XE has a 4.3-inch qHD screen, includes 768MB of RAM, and runs Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread with Sense 3.0 on top.
HTC Ville detailed: HTC Sense 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, thinner than iPhone
We just got the scoop on another brand new HTC handset, which will be part of the company’s Mobile World Congress announcements alongside the HTC Edge we detailed yesterday. The HTC Ville (codename) is set to launch in April with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and, for the first time, HTC Sense 4.0. The smartphone will feature a 4.3-inch qHD Super AMOLED display, and is powered by a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon Series 4 processor. In addition to those specifications, the HTC Ville will house an 8-megapixel backside-illuminated camera, just like the one on the HTC Edge, with 1080p HD video capture support. We’re told the handset won’t feature NFC due to the metal construction of the case, and it will be less than 8mm thick, we understand. Lastly, it will be a HSPA+ device powered by a 1,650 mAh battery, and of course Beats audio processing will be included as well.
via HTC Ville detailed: HTC Sense 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, thinner than iPhone.
HTC Vivid review
HTC’s been around this block before — the LTE one, that is. Back in March, the manufacturer was the first to hold Verizon’s hand as it tested the 4G waters with the Thunderbolt. That launch may have been fumbled (see: hotspot cycling and 3G connectivity for starters) and the device plagued by battery issues, but as far as head starts go, Big Red got a big leap. Now the time has come for AT&T to play catch-up, shedding its reliance on an HSPA+ faux-G crutch and shifting over to LTE wireless speeds.
To do this, the carrier’s enlisted HTC’s veteran expertise, taking advantage of its 700MHz know-how and offering the manufacturer a redemption song of sorts. This round two redux takes the form of the Vivid: an all-black, metal-backed unassuming plastic slab that houses a dual-core 1.2GHz processor and 8 megapixel rear camera with dual LED flash under a 4.5-inch qHD display. Impressive as its specs may be, AT&T’s not betting the entire farm on this phone and is trotting out the Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket alongside to shoulder the burden. But for a device once codenamed the Holiday, its battle for consumers’ attention and disposable dollars could prove to be anything but leisurely. Will LTE history and its battery draining missteps repeat themselves? Can AT&T get a leg up on its first place competition with this $199 device? And is the allure of “true” 4G even worth your hard-earned dollars? Follow us after the break as we find out.
AT&T to expand 4G coverage and launch first LTE smartphones November 6th: HTC Vivid, Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket
AT&T’s starting to catch the LTE fever, as the carrier’s announced that its first two devices with the true 4G will be ready to grab as of this upcoming Sunday. First we have the Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket: the long-rumored device can be yours for $250 with a two-year commitment and will offer a 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, Android 2.3.5, 1.5GHz dual-core CPU, 8MP rear camera with a 2MP front-facing cam and 16GB of internal storage space. Next up is the HTC Vivid (Holiday), which will be offered in both black and white for $200 and appears to match the specs leaked to us a couple months ago: it uses a 4.5-inch qHD (960 x 540) display, 1.2GHz CPU, 8MP rear camera with f/2.2 28mm wide angle lens and 1080p HD video recording. What about the “4G” branding? Contrary to the carrier’s HSPA+ devices, neither device will have LTE or 4G as part of their official name. Both phones will be reverse compatible with AT&T’s HSPA+ network, in case you’re not using the phone in an LTE-capable area; speaking of which, AT&T also announced that the November 6th launch will also bring four additional markets live, including Boston, Washington DC, Baltimore and Athens GA. Data plans for AT&T’s LTE smartphones will remain the same, with $15 getting you 200MB per month, 2GB going for $25 and 4GB with mobile hotspot connectivity for $45. Check below for a press gallery and the full press release.
HTC Radar review
Windows Phone 7 Mango is here and that means a selection of new smartphones to choose from. The new version of the OS is aimed at users who are either upgrading from the first batch of 2010 handsets, or moving over to the platform for the first time.
The HTC Radar is a pretty risk-free handset. It has not got the massive 4.7-inch screen of the HTC Titan, nor is it as small as the iPhone 4S. The question is, does the Radar have anything to offer an increasing sophisticated mobile phone audience? We’ve been using one, so let’s take a more detailed look.
Design
The Radar is designed to replace the HTC 7 Mozart and HTC 7 Trophy. It introduces a number of new features, while at the same time offering a mid-range entry point into the wonderful world of Windows Phone 7. While the Titan will impress high-end users, those early adopters that like to show off their gleaming phone at the first chance, the Radar is going to be a subtler offering, and the design reflects that.
Measuring 120 x 61.5 x 10.8mm and weighing 137 grams it is not the thinnest phone, the fattest phone, or even the sexiest phone. It comes in white and silver, or gun metal grey, and at first glance is similar in design to the company’s HTC Desire and Desire S handsets.
The 3.8-inch Super LCD screen has a resolution of 480 x 800, and it is this that occupies the majority of the phone’s front surface. You’ll find the three standard Windows Phone 7 buttons beneath it, as you will on any Windows Phone 7 device. Read more
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