September 5th, 2011

T-Mobile’s Next Big Android Phone Gets Caught On Camera

HTC Amaze

If you recognize the phone up top, ye ol’ hypothalamus is probably already hard at work churnin’ out the “Do Want” signals.

If you don’t, here’s all you need to know: it’s called the HTC Amaze 4G (or the HTC “Ruby”, if we’re goin’ by its internal codename), it’s T-Mobile’s next flagship Android smartphone, and it’s a beast.
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September 2nd, 2011

Patent Troll WiLAN Targets Apple, HP, HTC, Dell And Others In Yet Another Suit

wilan

Self-proclaimed “technology innovation and licensing company” WiLAN, billed as a notorious patent troll by most anyone else (and often, much worse), this morning announced that it has initiated litigation against Apple, Dell, HP, HTC, Kyocera, Alcatel-Lucent, Novatel and Sierra Wireless America.

In its filing, WiLAN claims that these companies are infringing two U.S. patents, namely No. RE37,802 (related to CDMA and HSPA technology) and No. 5,282,222 (related to Wi-Fi and LTE). → Read More

August 31st, 2011

Today In Also-Ran Tablets: The HTC Jetstream And Sony S And P

we're-doomed-c3po

Today won’t be remembered tomorrow. Nothing of consequence happened today. Steve Ballmer didn’t resign, Dell didn’t get out of the PC business and I didn’t stop procrastinating and actually go to the gym. Nope, like any other boring summer day, several products were announced, start-ups announced funding and another wireless carrier jacked up fees. Today is just another day.

But while we’re still here, the last day of August, several tablets from major brands were announced that deserve a bit more conversation. Sony finally revealed the full specs and launch details for the P and S tablets. HTC, likewise, did the same with Puccini tablet, which now sports the rather predictable name of Jetstream. You see, these tablets are just like all the other Honeycomb tabs that were hyped for months and eventually hit with a thud instead of a bang. → Read More

August 31st, 2011

HTC Sensation Redux To Sport Beats By Dre Audio?

Untitled-5

Since HTC’s purchase of a majority stake in Beats Electronics, the big question was which of their snazzy new handsets would be the first to benefit from an audio overhaul. Rumor had it that the Vigor may be the first to get a taste of the Dr. Dre treatment, but according to a leaked spec sheet, it may be a refreshed version of HTC’s Sensation that nabs the distinction. → Read More

August 31st, 2011

HTC: The Thunderbolt And Droid Incredible Will Be Updated to Gingerbread In September

Gingerbread

Good news, HTC Thunderbolt/Droid Incredible owners! You’re gettin’ some Gingerbread!

It’s a bit late in the game (Gingerbread has been around for nearly 10 months, after all) but HTC has just announced that both the Incredible and the Thunderbolt should be updated to Android 2.3 sometime in September. As usual, there’s no mention of a specific date — but hey, at least it’s officially on the way! → Read More

August 29th, 2011

Video: Sense 3.5 UI Leak Shows The New Face Of HTC Phones

sense35

Eagle-eyed readers may have spotted the “With HTC Sense” badge on the newly-leaked HTC Vigor’s rear-end, and yet another leak may have disclosed what to expect when the thing turns on. A five minute video tour of HTC’s updated Sense 3.5 UI has just surfaced, and allows us a peek at what the next big HTC devices have in store for us. → Read More

August 26th, 2011

HTC Vigor Spotted In The Wild, Possibly Packing Verizon LTE

htc-vigor21

As far as Verizon devices are concerned, the Droid Bionic probably holds the crown for “Most Anticipated Handset,” but newly leaked shots of the HTC Vigor may steal a bit of that spotlight.

Rumored to be the newest addition to Verizon’s LTE line up, the Vigor sports a name that’s downright ancient in comparison: it was first spotted in a trademark application from 2009.

The Vigor made waves earlier this month when an ersatz version was spotted on a Dutch retailer’s website, but the real deal sports a less angular body that matches up nicely with HTC and Verizon’s design language. Specifically, with its funky textured back plate and red camera trim, the Vigor could easily pass for another entry in Verizon’s Incredible series. → Read More

August 23rd, 2011

Failbook Phone: AT&T Already Looking To Ditch The HTC Status, Says Source

HTC Status has now updated its relationship with AT&T to "It's Complicated".

Surprise! Even a clever little gimmick like a dedicated Facebook button can’t save a bad phone from an early demise.

After just 36 days on the shelves, a trusted source close to AT&T tells us the carrier is already prepping to ditch HTC’s so-called “Facebook Phone”, the Status. The reason? The thing just isn’t selling. → Read More

August 19th, 2011

HTC CEO Sticking With Android Despite Google-Motorola Deal

HTC_new-logo

“We welcome the news of today’s acquisition, which demonstrates that Google is deeply committed to defending Android, its partners, and the entire ecosystem.”

That was Peter Chou’s line from right after the Google-Motorola deal was announced, and it would appear he’s sticking to it. Today, the HTC CEO has announced his intention to stick it out with Google and Android in spite of the multi-billion dollar acquisition. → Read More

August 19th, 2011

HTC Releases Evo 3D Bootloader Unlock Tool

evo-3d

It’s only been a few days since HTC got its bootloader unlock tool up and running, but unfortunately it was only made available to owners of the European/international version of the HTC Sensation. Obviously that didn’t do a lot to help our American hackers get what they want.

But today, HTC threw some love our way making the bootloader unlock tool available to owners of the HTC Evo 3D, according to HTC’s Facebook page. → Read More

August 16th, 2011

HTC Sues Apple Over Patents, Wants Injunction And Lots Of Damages

htcvapple

For lack of a better term, Apple has been more than a little litigation-happy lately. While they’ve focused most of their recent efforts on Samsung and Motorola, Apple is now coming under fire from a company they’ve already sued: HTC. → Read More

August 15th, 2011

HTC Finally Offers Bootloader Unlock, U.S. Users Must Wait

pict_6a

HTC has spent the past few weeks hinting and teasing us with the availability of their bootloader unlock tool, but at long last the wait is over. If you own an international HTC Sensation, then congratulations: you’re free to mosey over to HTC Dev to get your fix. → Read More

August 15th, 2011

Google: Buying Friends And Influencing Handsets

dalecarnegie

Google’s purchase of Motorola Mobility is, in the end, a mercenary effort to cement Android’s position in the handset ecosystem and to prop up a stalwart proponent of the platform. That’s fine. Google is a big company and it can now pick and choose – and buy – its own friends without input from the peanut gallery. But what does a Googorola merger mean?

First, we must understand that this is not a merger of equals. Motorola split itself in January after years of lagging phone sales. Motorola’s revenue dropped from a high of $10.6 billion to $4.89 billion in Q3 of 2010. They lost half of their portion of the handset market between 2008 and 2009, thus forcing the split from what is now called Motorola Solutions, a company that does everything except make handsets.
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August 12th, 2011

HTC’s 1st NFC Phone HTC Stunning is Actually Incredible S

Image (3) incredible-s.jpg for post 43743

Earlier this week, smartphone maker HTC revealed its first NFC-based device, reportedly called the “HTC Stunning.” The phone is being released in China and will include support for mobile payments through a partnership with China UnionPay, a Chinese bankcard network.

What we didn’t know, however, was what kind of phone the Stunning is. Now we do: it’s just the HTC Incredible S with a NFC chip. Also, it’s not called the “HTC Stunning.” That was a slight mistranslation from the Chinese for “Incredible.” → Read More

August 11th, 2011

Live Blog: HTC’s “Major Announcement”

beats

Late last night, HTC announced that they had a “Major News Announcement” to share this morning.

With HTC having made some of the finest smartphones we’ve ever seen (like the Thunderbolt, the 7 Pro, and the world’s original Android device, the G1), anything they consider “major news” is probably worth tuning in to.

So, what might they announce? Thanks to some late night leaks, we’ve got a pretty good idea — find the details, along with our live notes from HTC’s teleconference, below.
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August 10th, 2011

HTC’s Big Announcement: HTC To Acquire Majority Stake In Beats By Dr. Dre

beats

Cat, meet the outside of the bag.

You know that “major announcement” that HTC has scheduled for tomorrow morning? The details have just made their way out a bit early.
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August 10th, 2011

HTC To Make “Major Announcement” Tomorrow Morning

HTC_new-logo

The word is out, folks: HTC CEO Peter Chou has something big on the books for tomorrow. A live teleconference is scheduled for at 8:30 PT/11:30 ET, and while the email making the rounds offers no insight, you can rest easy knowing that people will be speculating the night away. Personally, given the email’s reliance on the word “major,” I’d expect the announcement to be more than your just your run-of-the-mill handset unveiling, but I’d gladly be proven wrong.

Our own Mobile Editor Greg Kumparak will be covering the event as it happens, so tune in for the full scoop tomorrow. → Read More

August 10th, 2011

First Windows Phone Tango Device (Sort Of) Goes On Sale In Slovakia

photo0025y

Today’s tidbit of Tango news comes not from the far-flung Asian shores it is expected to storm, but rather the small, landlocked nation of Slovakia. As it turns out, the first Tango device has gone on sale, but probably not the one you were hoping for.

A photo has gone up on Pretaktovanie.sk’s Facebook page advertising a HTC HD7 for sale with three choices of software: 7.0.7392, 7.10.7720 (Mango), 7.10.8200 (“Tango”). Awfully thoughtful of the salesman, yes?
→ Read More

August 10th, 2011

HTC’s First NFC Phone “HTC Stunning,” Launching in China

htc-phone

Smartphone maker HTC has committed to launching its first NFC phone, the HTC Stunning, which will debut in China sometime later this year. The phone will be an 4-inch, Android-based device, and will support bank card network China UnionPay’s mobile payment standard.

This will enable the phone to perform mobile payments at point-of-sale, using the contactless technology known as NFC, or “near field communication.” → Read More

August 5th, 2011

HTC Buys Mobile Web Services Company Dashwire For Up To $18.5 Million

dashwire

Taiwanese smartphone maker HTC this morning announced that it has agreed to acquire, through its HTC America Holding unit, 100% of Seattle-based mobile-web connected services company Dashwire for a maximum purchase price of $18.5 million to boost its HTCSense.com mobile cloud services offering.

Dashwire offers a range of consumer, social and device management software services for mobile operators, device makers and retailers. The company’s platform is available for Android, Windows Mobile, Symbian and BlackBerry. → Read More

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