Android Authority this week – May 17, 2015
Android fans, this week was relatively quiet, but we’ve still got a few glimpses of exciting new devices coming soon. HTC launched yet another high-end smartphone in Japan and hinted it may try its luck with a low-end tablet; Xiaomi opened up its store in Europe, while specs of its next Redmi device leaked out; Google launched a new and greatly improved Android One device and issued a big update to its Play Music web app; the Galaxy S6 Active surfaced; Oppo revealed its R7 and R7 Plus; and Asus revealed it’ll launch a new smartwatch at Computex.
Inside AA HQ
Inside AA HQ
We’re already in May, and that means we’re heading for an interesting time in the mobile industry, as companies rush to make their big announcements before the inevitable summer lull. Without doubt, the most interesting upcoming event is Google I/O on May 28; with Android M all but confirmed to be announced at the conference, it looks that we’ll have another preview edition to geek over in the summer months.
New devices are coming: Oppo has the R7 and R7 Plus launching next week, and Josh will be in China to cover it. Back in the States, Nvidia has an Android gaming announcement, Asus is about to launch the Zenfone 2, and Huawei has a surprise for early June. Computex is taking place in Taipei in the first week of June and we expect a smattering of Android tablets and Asus’ new smartwatch. And there’s E3, and given how mobile is becoming a key focus for companies like Nintendo, Konami, or Square Enix, we look forward to quite a few interesting mobile gaming announcements.
We’re expanding our team with some bright new people, including an absolute expert in electronics and electrical engineering. Expect some great deep-level articles on the topic soon.
As always, take a few seconds to enter our weekly giveaway, this week we are giving away a Samsung Galaxy S6! You never know when luck strikes and you get yourself a hot Android device!
Android Authority Podcast
The stuff you shouldn’t miss
- Feature: What does Samsung need to do to make the next Tab S a hit?
- Tech talk: The race to add more cores to mobile SoCs continues, and that’s actually not a bad idea
- Feature: The Note 5 is coming, and it has some big shoes to fill – Andrew explains
- Tips: Nirave looks at how to improve the battery life of the Galaxy S6 Edge
- Review: The Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 is one of the best budget phones of the year, thinks Josh
- Feature: Truths and myths about the cell phones radiation and its effects on our health
- Feature: We’re almost half through the year: what cool Android phones should we expect in late 2015?
- Opinion: Simon discusses the pros and cons of Google adopting a yearly release cycle for Android
Top news of the week
And here are the top news in the Android world this week:
Xiaomi rumors and new store
- Next Xiaomi Redmi rumors: 1080p, octa-core and Isocell camera
- Xiaomi beta testing its UK accessory store (Update: France, Germany and US too!)
HTC thinking about a cheap tablet
New Android One
Galaxy S6 Active leaks
HTC J Butterfly
This is the Oppo R7
Google app updates
- Google to shut down editing in Map Maker following the peeing Android fiasco
- Google Play Music’s web interface updated with huge Material Design refresh
- Chromecast support makes its way to CBS, HGTV, FOX and many others
- Google Fit receives distance tracking, history, a new widget and more in new update
New ZenWatch
Sound off
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Happy Sunday!
Hardware manufacturers take notice of MediaTek’s deca-core processor
The upcoming Helio X20 processor, developed by MediaTek, has reportedly received attention from plenty of the largest Android device manufacturers. Companies that have expressed interest in the deca-core processor include Sony, LG, HTC, ZTE, Lenovo, Meizu, Huawei, and Xiaomi. The only major companies missing from that list are Samsung and Motorola, but they have their reasons. Samsung utilizes in-house Exynos processors while Motorola has a close relationship with Qualcomm to take from their Snapdragon line.
The heightened interest in the Helio X20 processor could allow MediaTek to become the go-to for such components. MediaTek has released processors of all levels at competitive prices for hardware manufacturers. The Helio X20 is being aimed at high-end devices and carries a price of about $241.
Source: DigiTimes
Come comment on this article: Hardware manufacturers take notice of MediaTek’s deca-core processor
HTC still considering taking a stab at the budget-friendly tablet market
We’ve heard multiple times that HTC wanted to get back into the tablet market with something based off of their recent Nexus 9. While the Nexus 9 fills a high end role, (and is mostly maintained by Google) HTC was planning on releasing something a little lower-end to try to appeal to the budget-minded consumers all while keeping some of the fantastic features of the N9. Nothing concrete has come out of those rumors yet, though.
On Thursday, HTC completely more or less side-stepped the question by saying that they’re looking closely at the tablet market, but the company is still focused on other markets where it’s easier to make money. Profit margins on cheap tablets are extremely thin, and it’s already a very competitive, saturated market, so that might not be a wise move for a company that’s still trying to right a sinking ship.
Not too long ago, HTC has said that they weren’t interested in making super cheap tablets, but they were open to the idea of more co-branding with companies like Google, and that they were planning on getting back into the tablet space at some point in 2015.
With how many rumors are swirling around about an HTC tablet, I think it’s only a matter of time before we hear something. The Nexus 9 has done relatively well, and a premium HTC tablet might be able to compete on the high-end of the tablet market, especially considering there aren’t any killer Android tablets that command market share like Apple’s iPad.
source: Focus Taiwan
Come comment on this article: HTC still considering taking a stab at the budget-friendly tablet market
HTC is “looking closely” at affordable tablets, as rumor about H7 tablet surfaces
HTC may be interested in launching an affordable tablet, following its return to the market with the Nexus 9.
Talking to Chinese media at the Taiwan launch of the One M9+, HTC North Asia boss Jack Tong said the company is “looking closely” at the entry-level and mid-tier tablet market.
“There is less room for product differentiation and a fierce price war, so we must be very cautious about running that business. We will see if we can get better returns on smartphones or other businesses. But we are looking closely at it,” Tong said.
Tong did not confirm or deny that HTC has an affordable tablet coming down the pike, but his statement is a reversal from what he said in November, when he hinted that HTC was interested in the upper segment of the market.
Tong’s comment seems to be related to a rumor started by @upleaks and picked up by several websites earlier this week. HTC is working on a low-end tablet device codenamed H7 that should launch in Q2 (by the end of June), according to @upleaks, who has a solid track-record with HTC rumors. No other details about the H7 are known.
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HTC has long been rumored to be working on self-branded tablets, to profit from the positive exposure generated by the launch of the Google co-branded Nexus 9. We were expecting a new HTC tablet much sooner, to be honest; almost eight months after the Nexus 9’s release, HTC has done little to take advantage of the opportunity. In short, the Nexus 9 has not become the launch pad we hoped it would be.
Tablet sales are waning, as large smartphones are making them less interesting and laptops have refused to fade away, as post-PC theoreticians have predicted. Still, HTC can still reap some benefits out of the tablet business, especially now that the company is launching new product categories in order to wean itself off smartphones.
HTC Car app gets moved into the Play Store for easy updating
The HTC Car app claimed a new home in the Play Store this morning. Owners of select HTC devices will notice that an update has been pushed to the device; however, there is not actually an update. The changelog reads “Now available for updates on the Play Store.” Doing so allows HTC to easily update its app that enables car mode for drivers. Rather than making users wait for device software updates, changes can be made from the Play Store.
Could this move have anything to do with the company’s potential push into automobiles? We will have to wait and see.
Hit the break for download links.
Come comment on this article: HTC Car app gets moved into the Play Store for easy updating
New HTC J Butterfly announced for Japan, offers better specs than the M9
While the HTC One M9 has its fans, there are also a number of people who have criticized the latest flagship for not doing enough to set itself apart from its predecessor. Not only is the design very similar to the M8 but even the specs aren’t a dramatic jump forward, especially when it comes to the 1080p display. For those that were hoping for a bit more from the One M9, you might want to take a look at the latest iteration of the HTC J Butterfly.
Although the body of this phone is plastic instead of metal, the insides are as premium as ever with a 5.2-inch QHD display, a Snapdragon 810 processor, a 2700 mAh battery, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage with microSD, BoomSound front-facing speakers, a 20.2MP duo camera and a 13MP front cam. The J Butterfly (HTV31) is available in three different colors (red/white/blue) and it also sports water-resistance.
The J Butterfly will be heading to Japan, exclusively through carrier KDDI, later this summer. It is also very possible the phone will be re-branded as the Butterfly 3 in other markets. For those in the United States, it is less likely that you’ll ever see the device officially launched, though anything is possible.
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So why did HTC hold off these special extra (high-end duo camera, better front facer, QHD), instead of releasing them with the M9? That’s a good question, though really only HTC knows the answer to that.
Not too long ago, AA’s Nirave wrote a post about how Sony and HTC could risk falling further behind the crowd, due to their design/hardware decisions made with the Xperia Z4 and One M9. Whether you agree or not, it is interesting that HTC choice to forgo extras like QHD on its primary flagship, only to turn around and include them in other devices like the One M9+, E9+, and now the J Butterfly.
Do you think that HTC made the right move by avoiding the QHD trend with its flagship? Conversely, would J Butterfly-level specs have been enough to sell you on the One M9, even if design stayed largely the same?
HTC J Butterfly heads to Japan with high end hardware
HTC on Thursday announced the J Butterfly , a high-end smartphone for the Japanese market. Powered by Android 5.0 Lollipop with HTC Sense 7, the phone boasts an impressive set of specs.
For starters, the phone offers up a 5.2-inch QHD (2560 x 1440 pixel) display and 20-megapixel rear Duo camera. Around front we find a 13-megapixel front-facing shooter and BoomSound stereo speakers.
Dig deeper and you’ll see a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor with 3GB RAM, 32GB storage, and a 2700mAh battery. Indeed, the phone also allows for external storage in the form of a microSD expansion card slot.
The J Butterfly boasts a waterproof and dust proof polycarbonate shell and will be sold in multiple colors.
As to where this phone will be offered, well… it’s exclusive to Japan’s carrier KDDI.
The post HTC J Butterfly heads to Japan with high end hardware appeared first on AndroidGuys.
HTC J Butterfly brings the best of the One M9 and One M9+ to Japan
A new device from HTC has released in Japan, the HTC J Butterfly HTV31. This may be the most powerful smartphone HTC has brought to the market yet.
There has been a flood of rumors surrounding this device, and as it turns out, the latest ones seemed to have been true on the hardware front.
The new J Butterfly brings the best of the HTC One M9 and One M9+ to this device, offering a phenomenal hardware package. Here’s the full specs sheet:
- Snapdragon 810
- 5.2-inch WQHD Display (1440×2560)
- 20.2 MP DUO camera (which supports 4K movie recording)
- 13MP front facing shooter
- 3GB of RAM
- 2700mAh battery
- Android 5.0 Lollipop
- microSDXC support (up to 200GB)
- IP55/IP57 water and dust resistance
One of the excellent features of this device is that it supports Quick Charging. With the correct AC adapater, you should be able to go from dead to fully charged in 110 minutes.
Japanese carrier KDDI says they’re looking at a release in early June, and buyers will be able to get the J Butterfly in red, white, and indigo blue.
source: KDDI
via: G for Games
Come comment on this article: HTC J Butterfly brings the best of the One M9 and One M9+ to Japan
HTC’s Butterfly 3 makes you wonder why the M9 exists
Here’s yet another case of “Japan gets all the nice things.” Earlier today, local carrier au by KDDI announced its smartphone lineup for the summer, and the one that caught our attention was the new HTC J Butterfly (HTV31), which will no doubt be entering other markets as the Butterfly 3. With the centered 13-megapixel selfie camera and subtle front-side BoomSound stereo speakers, this new phone shares a similar face with the Desire Eye and the Desire 826; except its 5.2-inch screen has a much sharper Quad HD resolution. The familiar Duo Camera feature on the back (for bokeh plus filter effects) is here to stay, though for some bizarre reason, the secondary camera is placed below its 20.2-megapixel counterpart instead of above it, meaning you’ll have to be more careful with where you place your index finger while holding the phone.
As a flagship-level device, it’s no surprise to see Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 810 chip with 3GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage, microSD expansion, IR blaster, NFC and LTE-Advanced radio (225 Mbps down, 25 Mbps up) here. With this in mind, the Butterfly 3 sits somewhere between the M9 and the M9+ — same chipset as the former, same screen plus main camera as the latter; but all inside a waterproof (IP55 and IP57) plastic body. We don’t mind the lack of fingerprint reader here, but we are a little baffled by the slightly smaller 2,700 mAh battery, as both the M9 and M9+ come with 2,840 mAh.
Other than that minor niggle, we’re liking what HTC’s offering here. Let’s face it, the Butterfly 3 is much prettier than its predecessor and, in some ways, the M9 series; at least there isn’t a sharp ridge running around the phone this time. Folks in Japan can grab one in early June, but if you’d rather have a fingerprint reader and don’t mind missing out on the Duo Camera, then you may want to wait for the mysterious M9e. Until then, feel free to check out some hands-on photos courtesy of our friends over at Engadget Japanese.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, HTC
Via: Engadget Japanese
Deal: HTC One M8 (no-contract) for $299 on BestBuy.com and eBay
The One M9 may be newer and slightly flashier, but there really is no reason why you shouldn’t consider last year’s One M8 as an alternative, especially at a discounted price. And that’s exactly what Best Buy is offering on its website and through its eBay outlet.
Best Buy is offering a brand new, no-contract HTC One M8 (32GB) for AT&T, Sprint, or Verizon for $299. That’s a great deal for a device that still sells for around $600 without a service plan on Amazon. Note that these are carrier versions, so you will need to activate and use them on the respective networks.
Check out the deal links on eBay:
- HTC – One (M8) 4G LTE Cell Phone with 32GB Memory – Gunmetal (AT&T)
- HTC – One (M8) 4G LTE Cell Phone with 32GB Memory – Gunmetal (Sprint)
- HTC One (M8) 4G LTE Cell Phone w/ 32GB Memory Amber Gold (Verizon Wireless)
Or BestBuy.com:
- HTC – One (M8) 4G LTE Cell Phone with 32GB Memory – Gunmetal (AT&T)
- HTC – One (M8) 4G LTE Cell Phone with 32GB Memory – Gunmetal (Sprint)
- HTC One (M8) 4G LTE Cell Phone with 32GB Memory – Amber Gold (Verizon Wireless)
All versions come with one-year manufacturer warranty. The One M8 offers a 5-inch Full HD display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of storage (expandable), a 4 UltraPixels Duo Camera, a 5MP front shooter and stereo BoomSound speakers. Even if it’s a year-old, at $300 the M8 is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a stylish, capable, and affordable Android smartphone.
Check out our full review of the One M8 for more details and let us know what you think of the deal in the comments.
AIVAnet 