Valve releases a kit for making virtual reality apps
Eager to build a game or 3D modelling tool that takes advantage of HTC’s Vive and other SteamVR-friendly virtual reality headsets? It’s time to get cracking. Valve has released a software development kit that lets apps use SteamVR hardware, including Valve’s controller and room-scale Lighthouse tracking. On top of that, the platform now works nicely with both the Unity game engine (through a plugin) and Unreal Engine 4. It’ll be a long while before you can actually run programs built on this code — the VR devices have yet to reach many developers, let alone the public — but this at least gets the ball rolling.
Filed under: Displays, Gaming, Wearables, Software, HTC
Via: VentureBeat
Source: Steam Community
HTC Camera update brings RAW image support to the One M9
We’ve know that RAW image support was coming to the HTC One M9 from day one, but it had yet to make it way into the final software. Thankfully, a new update to the HTC Camera app is finally bringing Raw capture to the One M9, where it will be found as a photo mode in the camera app.
One of the star features for the HTC One M9 is supposed to be its rear camera, which finally moves away from the UltraPixel setup of the M7 and M8. Unfortunately, poor post processing and other issues have led to an arguably somewhat lackluster experience. With access to RAW images, however, third party programs and just everyday photo enthusiasts might be able to edit the files themselves with the aim of creating better images.
Raw image support is obviously the biggest change here, but there’s also some minor changes effecting some other HTC devices as well. Here’s the changelog, for those interested:
- Raw Camera mode, only available on the HTC One M9
- Crop-Me-In mode, only available on the HTC One (M8 EYE) running Android 5.0 Lollipop and the HTC Desire EYE
- Adjustable divider in Split Capture mode
- Add and remove camera modes
To grab the latest version of the HTC Camera app, you’ll want to head on over to Google Play.
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HTC One M8 reportedly won’t see Android 5.1 until August
Over the last year or two, Motorola and HTC have established a rep for being the quickest OEMs when it comes to updating flagship devices to newer versions of Android, but that’s apparently not the case with Android 5.1 — at least as far as HTC is concerned. While Samsung has already reportedly jumped ahead to Android 5.1.1 with the T-Mobile Galaxy S6 Edge, HTC has taken to Twitter to reveal that we probably won’t be seeing Android 5.1 with Sense 7 on the One M8 until at least August.
@squishybytes Android 5.1 and Sense 7 will be released on the HTC One M8 in August 2015. Nothing has been confirmed with the HTC One M7 
— HTC UK (@HTC_UK) April 29, 2015
The official HTC tweet actually comes from the UK branch, but it’s safe to assume a similar timeline will apply globally, with US carriers models being some of the last to receive the update.
HTC also mentions the update for the One M7, only saying that “nothing has been confirmed” for the device so far. Considering the M7 is getting up there in age, don’t be too surprised if the One M7 doesn’t make the leap forward to Android 5.1.
Considering the 5.1 update brings a number of fixes to the table that should improve the Lollipop experience, it’s a shame that we have to wait this long. Then again, it’s possible that HTC is just playing it safe with the timeline and could end up releasing it sooner.
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Android 5.1 to hit HTC One M8 in August
Although the past few months have seen a plethora of smartphone manufacturers pushing the Android 5.0 Lollipop update out to their devices, Google has been busy working on the next minor update to the operating system, Android 5.1. The HTC One M8 was one of the “legacy” devices that received a 5.0 Lollipop update at the end of January. Users were disappointed to learn that HTC did not include the Sense 7 update in that package. HTC’s UK Twitter account has revealed the next update for the device will be coming in August with some of the improvements that users are looking for.
According to HTC UK, the next update for the HTC One M8 will include an update to Android 5.1 and it will include HTC’s Sense 7 UI. Based on some follow-up discussion in the Twitter thread, the Android 5.1 update for the HTC One M9 may hit at the same time, so HTC may be working to get those two devices on the same update schedule.
@JKMcCloskey Hey James, the HTC One M8 will have a Software Update for Android Version 5.1 and Sense 7 in August 2015
— HTC UK (@HTC_UK) April 29, 2015
Come comment on this article: Android 5.1 to hit HTC One M8 in August
HTC debuts INK campaign for One M9
In August of last year, we covered the HTC One M8 Phunk Studio Edition, a limited edition of the device with only 64 total units. Phunk is a “contemporary art and design collective” from Singapore that made an eloquent design for the back of this version of the One M8.
Now, HTC is going to do the same with the One M9, this time with a body-art-inspired design, which you can see above. The company partnered with supermodel Jourdan Dann, known for her work with the likes of Victoria’s Secret, Hilfiger, and DKNY, and asked her to come up with the artwork. Dann is also an ambassador for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America.
According to HTC about the artwork for the One M9:
The open hand and eye symbolize the need for protection and strength while still being open and approachable in personality and style. The natural leaf elements and patterns around the outside of each visual reflect the growth in creativity that Jourdan is feeling at this time, and the sun and moon together represent balance and harmony in her character.
The post HTC debuts INK campaign for One M9 appeared first on AndroidGuys.
New HTC INK program will bring body art-inspired engravings to the One M9
The HTC One M9 is one of the most beautiful smartphones ever produced, even though it has only changed slightly over the past few years. If you aren’t quite happy with the overall design of the phone, or want a more custom version of the handset, HTC has you covered. HTC INK is a new program launched by the company, which will offer limited edition One M9 handsets that feature custom-designed, body art-inspired engravings on the back of the smartphone.
To kickstart this new program, HTC has partnered with none other than worldwide fashion icon Jourdan Dunn to come up with the design. Dunn partnered with celebrity “ink-er” Cally-Jo Pothecary to create the design attached above. Here’s how HTC describes the first image:
The open hand and eye symbolize the need for protection and strength while still being open and approachable in personality and style. The natural leaf elements and patterns around the outside of each visual reflect the growth in creativity that Jourdan is feeling at this time, and the sun and moon together represent balance and harmony in her character.
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If you’re not too keen on this first design, HTC says it will have more information for us about the INK program in the near future. What are your thoughts? Would you be more willing to buy a One M9 if it featured an interesting design? Let us know what you think.
Unreal game engine will support HTC’s virtual reality headset
The crew at Epic Games has made a point of welcoming virtual reality with open arms, and it’s not about to shy away any time soon. The studio recently updated its roadmap with indications that Unreal Engine 4 will support Steam VR (and by extension, the HTC Vive headset) no later than May. Also, Epic isn’t wasting much time getting up to speed with Sony’s newer Project Morpheus gear — there’s promises of silky-smooth 120Hz visuals, among other things. This wider support won’t matter until you can buy both the VR hardware and titles based on UE4, but it suggests that there won’t be a shortage of immersive gaming when everything lines up.
Filed under: Displays, Gaming, Wearables, Sony
Via: Road to VR
Source: Epic Games (Trello)
HTC publishes Q1 2015 earnings, revenue up 25% year over year
HTC has just posted its financial results for the first quarter of 2015, showing strong improvements in overall revenue and net profit.
From January 1st to March 31st of this year, HTC earned a total revenue of $41.5 billion, which is up a massive 25% year over year. While this is roughly $1.5 billion less than the company earned in Q4 2014, HTC is still showing many signs of progress. After taxes have been taken out, HTC earned $.36 billion in net profit, or $.43 per share. HTC expects revenue in Q2 2015 to be in the range of NT$46 billion to NT$51 billion.
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Moving into Q2, HTC is certainly putting its best foot forward. The company just recently launched the One M9 flagship at MWC a few months ago, alongside the HTC Grip, their first fitness tracker. Also announced at the show was the HTC Vive, a futuristic virtual reality headset built in partnership with Valve. HTC also recently announced in Beijing the HTC One M9+, a bigger One M9 flagship with a fingerprint sensor slated to make its way to a select number of Asian regions.
If you’re interested in learning more about HTC’s financial earnings, head to the source link below.
HTC looks to India for manufacturing, smartphone launches in future
Yesterday Sony revealed a little bit about their strategy for the Indian market and how they plan to target the entry-level tier along with plans to explore a manufacturing facility in the country. HTC is indicating that they too plan to explore options to manufacture smartphones in the country and will look to India to serve as the “launch site” for some of their forthcoming global smartphones.
According to HTC’s president of global sales and chief financial officer, Chia-Lin Chang, “We have a third-quarter plan for our global launch in India to introduce a device which is specifically designed for the Indian consumer.” The device that is released will eventually become HTC’s global smartphone option for buyers. HTC’s plan to launch their next global smartphone in India, and possibly manufacture the device in the country, mirrors similar plans announced by Xiaomi.
Unlike Sony, which is targeting entry level phones in the sub Rs 10,000 range ($159 USD) as a way to gain market share in India, HTC says their new global smartphone will be in the Rs 15,000 – 20,000 range ($238 – $317 USD). Chang says part of the reason for pursuing the mid-tier of the market is to ensure HTC can continue to deliver a better user experience, notably by including 4G LTE support in the devices. HTC may include a sub Rs 10,000 device in their portfolio, which Chang says may include up to 10 new devices to be released this year, but that will not be the focus of their efforts.
According to research firm CMR, HTC is the second largest smartphone vendor with 4G LTE devices in India, claiming a 19% market share, behind Apple’s market leading 45% share. In terms of the overall market, HTC claims about 6% of the Indian market by volume with a target of 10% by the end of the year.
source: The Economic Times
via: Android Central
Come comment on this article: HTC looks to India for manufacturing, smartphone launches in future
HTC to launch a mid-range phone designed for India in Q3
You’ve probably noticed that India has quickly risen to focus in the smartphone industry this year. The nation’s appetite for feature rich mid-range smartphones has already drawn in the cut throat Chinese manufacturers and the fact hasn’t escaped household brands either. HTC’s president of global sales, Chia-Lin Chang, has announced that the company will be introducing a new smartphone specifically designed for the Indian market later in the third quarter of 2015.
“We have a third-quarter plan for our global launch in India to introduce a device which is specifically designed for the Indian consumer,”
Speaking with ET Telecom, Chang stated that the Indian market is critical for HTC. HTC’s new mid-range smartphone will be priced at Rs 15,000-20,000, pitting the handset against the likes of Xiaomi’s popular Mi4 and the Asus Zenfone 2, and making it more expensive than the new Mi 4i, Moto G 2nd Gen and Huawei’s Honor range. The company may also be planning a sub-Rs 10,000 smartphone for the future, but it will take longer to reach the market.
“For Rs 10,000 and below segment, we will be going slightly slower because we want to ensure better experience,”
Chang also stated that HTC is looking into manufacturing operations in the country, but won’t make a decision until four to five months’ time. Interestingly, HTC currently holds a 6 percent smartphone share in the Indian market, which grows to a 19 percent share if you look at only 4G LTE devices. This new smartphone could help HTC break into the country’s top five manufacturers.
Less than a week ago, Xiaomi went to India to unveil its Mi 4i smartphone and yesterday Sony announced that it is looking to grab some share of the Rs 8,000-10,000 budget price bracket. India has quickly become one of the most competitive regions to do business, with manufacturers all looking to carve out a share of one of the next big mobile markets.
AIVAnet 