First impressions: HTC Desire Eye and RE

The "Desire" name has been applied to many HTC handsets over the years, from the original flagship Android device to the current range of midrange and budget smartphones. The HTC Desire Eye is the latest addition to the Desire range, which  pushes it into uncharted territory with a device that challenges the class-leading HTC One M8 in terms of features.

This is a high-end device and the immediately obvious feature is that it has a 13 megapixel camera on both the front and the back of the phone. We've seen "selfie" phones like this before, but the Desire Eye takes it to a new level. Another obvious feature is the large 5.2" 1080 x 1920 pixel display on the front, bigger than the One M8 but with the same resolution.

Inside is a 2.3GHz quad-core CPU with 2GB of RAM, essentially the same as in the HTC One M8, along with 16GB of flash storage plus a microSD slot. In almost all features the Desire Eye is as good as the One M8 or is better, except that the One M8 does come with a gorgeous (but expensive) metal case where the Desire Eye is somewhat simpler.

Even though the One M8 has been a successful device, the trick dual 4 megapixel camera on the back is seen as both over complicated and lacking when it comes to its pixel count. To some extent the cheaper HTC One E8 resolves the camera issue by packing a 13 megapixel primary camera and simpler case design, so conceptually the Desire Eye is probably more closely related to the One E8 than the One M8.

The camera comes with all sorts of clever editing tricks that can be done automatically rather then firing up Photoshop, and many of these features will be rolled out to other recent HTC smartphones via a software update.

Initial reports say that the HTC Desire Eye will be available on AT&T in the US next month with other regions following. No guidance was given on price.

Launched alongside the HTC Desire Eye is the RE - a waterproof periscope-like remote camera accessory that can be used for taking photos or recording video. Selfies feature again here, but the RE can also be used as a personal camcorder in a similar way to a GoPro. This appears to be heading to the US in the first instance with other markets to follow.

Both these devices show promise and manage to offer something different from the competition, although with the Desire Eye a lot of the desirability will come down to price as well as the feature set.

Press Release: The HTC One gets supersized with the HTC One Max

The HTC ONE^® GETS SUPERSIZED with THE HTC one Max

 

World’s best smartphone now in 5.9” with new and improved HTC Sense 5.5 ® experience

London, October 14, 2013 — HTC, a global leader in mobile innovation and design, today announced the HTC One max, a super-sized smartphone that brings the award-winning design, functionality and performance of the HTC One to fans of larger handsets. A new Fingerprint Scan feature takes convenience to a new level while acclaimed features including HTC BlinkFeed™, HTC Zoe™ and HTC BoomSound™, combined with the new HTC Sense 5.5, which are all enhanced to continue to deliver the best overall smartphone experience, now on a larger screen.

 

“The addition of the HTC One max means that we now have an HTC One phone for everyone. The family has been built on quality and game-changing innovations and the HTC One max is certainly no exception,” said Peter Chou, CEO of HTC Corporation. “The upgrade to HTC Sense 5.5 will provide our most amazing mobile experience yet, with the HTC One max delivering the size and power required to do everything you want, and more, without compromise.”

Big and powerful

The HTC One max’s 5.9” full HD1080p display is perfect for enjoying photos, videos and movies on the go. Smooth and efficient performance comes courtesy of a quad-core Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 600 processor featuring a quad-core 1.7 GHz CPU enabling jaw-dropping performance, ultra vivid videos and booming sound. Whether you’re watching videos in stunning HD, playing games or checking out what’s hot online, the HTC One max sounds amazing, looks sharp and keeps working when you need it.

The 16GB or 32GB onboard memory can be expanded thanks to a microSD™ card slot, with a massive 50GB of additional free Google Drive online storage being offered exclusively to HTC One max owners.

The large 3300mAh embedded battery means that this level of performance will last and last. Even the most intensive users will find the HTC One max is up to the challenge thanks to the optional HTC Power Flip Case, a stylish 1150mAh battery expansion for your HTC One max which offers both protection and extra juice when you need it most.

Maximum convenience at your fingertips

The average person checks their phone multiple times a day, so the HTC One max welcomes a new era of convenience and advanced functionality thanks to a built-in Fingerprint Scan feature. Located on the back of the device, the fingerprint scanner allows users to lock or unlock the screen and quickly launch up to three favourite applications by assigning an individual finger to each.

More content than ever before

The HTC One max’s Sense 5.5 upgrade comes with a more social, personalised HTC BlinkFeed that can be further refined by customisable topic categories and new integration with premium content providers including Instagram and Google+. Up to 120 articles can also be downloaded for offline viewing, making BlinkFeed even better for snacking on information wherever and whenever you are.

Ultimate imaging

Featuring HTC’s UltraPixel camera technology, HTC Zoe mode, that brings your photos to life, and a 2.1MP front-facing camera, the HTC One max will capture stunning photos and full HD 1080p videos whether you’re the photographer, the subject or both. Dual Capture means you can now snap memorable moments and your reaction to them in one extraordinary photo or video by simultaneously shooting with the front and rear cameras.

Improved imaging is also introduced through Video Highlights, which combines your photos and videos to create a mini movie complete with the soundtrack and visual theme of your choice. And with the HTC One max, your Video Highlights can now be any length you want.

  

Design at its Best

Available in Glacial Silver, the HTC One max shares the same premium design credentials as the rest of the HTC One family, providing an all round exceptional experience.

Global Availability
The HTC One max will begin rolling out across the globe from mid - end October.

Press Release: HTC and rising fashion star David Koma announce special edition HTC One mini

HTC and david koma PRESENT SPECIAL EDITION

HTC ONE MINI

Innovative design collaboration brings together fashion and technology pioneers to create exclusive smartphones

[London, 4^th September 2013] – HTC, a global leader in mobile innovation and design, has partnered with David Koma, one of the rising stars of British fashion, to create an exclusive special edition of the new HTC One mini. The limited run of 10 handsets features unique artwork from the designer, which celebrates the concept of 'change' through both reflecting his previous collection and giving a sneak preview of his forthcoming show at London Fashion Week. They will be available for consumers to win exclusively through a creative competition hosted on Twitter.

The special edition collection sees HTC and David Koma working together to explore the ideas of change and innovation – traits that both are synonymous with in their respective fields – in a project that celebrates the power of design to bridge material and format. Each special edition HTC One mini handset features one of two exclusive designs by David Koma, printed onto the phone's aluminium back panel. One of the unique abstract designs is inspired by his Autumn/Winter 2013 collection, while the other gives a flavour of what is to come in the Spring/Summer 2014 show, taking place on the 14^th September, during London Fashion Week.

Since graduating from Central St. Martin's College of Art in 2009, David Koma has quickly gained prominence on the international fashion scene with his striking embellishments and celebration of form. His creations have been worn by stars including Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Jennifer Lawrence and his shows have become one of the most highly-anticipated events of London Fashion Week.

The HTC One mini boasts the award-winning features and design of its counterpart, the HTC One, with a slimmer build and compact 4.3" display screen.  It features an Ultrapixel camera, which delivers incredible high performance in low light, making it perfect for taking catwalk pictures at Fashion Week. It also features an automatically updating Blinkfeed home screen for all the latest gossip and Facebook updates, and dual frontal stereo speakers, encased within a stylish aluminium unibody.

Speaking about the partnership, David Koma said:  "The designs I've created for this special edition of the HTC One mini mirror the transition in style from my previous season's collection to my upcoming one which will be presented during London Fashion Week. Pushing boundaries and exploring new techniques play a huge part in how I bring a collection together - taking part in this project has been a very exciting experience for me and an opportunity to find inspiration from working with new materials."

Peter Frolund, General Manager HTC UK, added: "The dynamic and daring nature of David's work is a perfect fit for HTC, where our goal is to enable and encourage young talent to drive change through creativity. These exclusive editions of the HTC One mini celebrate the simple beauty of the original handset we created and turn it into a must-have collector's item for anyone who is a fan of David's unique style."

A highly exclusive run of only ten handsets will be created with David's designs. Consumers will have the opportunity to win these through a Twitter competition run by @htc_uk from 4^th to the 23^rd September, using the hashtag #htckoma. To stand a chance of winning, entrants must submit their own design inspired by David's work, using any medium or material to reflect their own take on the idea of 'change'. A grand prize of the print of the original artwork, signed by David Koma, will be awarded to one overall winner.

The HTC One Mini is not (quite) a mini version of the HTC One

The HTC One is definitely one of the best smartphones currently on the market, but it is a little on the large side for some. So, following in the footsteps of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini, HTC have announced the HTC One mini.

The HTC One mini really does look like its bigger sibling and retains the One's distinctive good looks, unlike the rival GS4 Mini which just looks like any other Samsung phone.

Of course, the display is smaller being a 4.3" unit rather than a 4.7" one and unsurprisingly it has a lower resolution (but still manages to be 720p). But inside, the CPU is much slower and their is less RAM and onboard storage and there's no NFC support. However the ultrapixel camera is still on the back plus the One mini supports LTE.

Compared to the Galaxy S4 Mini, the HTC One mini is bulkier and less powerful inside. On the other hand, it has a much better display and camera and more onboard storage. Overall, we'd probably go for the HTC over the Samsung.

We'll have a closer look at the HTC One mini later. In the meantime, HTC say that it will start to be available from August with a global rollout planned for September. We don't know the price, but the rival Samsung retails for about €400 and we wouldn't expect the HTC to be much more than that.

	HTC One	HTC One Mini	Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini
Screen size	4.7"	4.3"	4.3"
Screen resolution	1080 x 1920	720 x 1280	540 x 960
CPU	1.7GHz quad-core	1.4GHz dual-core	1.7GHz dual-core
RAM	2GB	1GB	1.5GB
Internal storage	32GB / 64GB	16GB	8GB
Primary camera	4 megapixels (ultrapixel sensor)	4 megapixels (ultrapixel sensor)	8 megapixels
Secondary camera	2.1 megapixels	1.6 megapixels	1.9 megapixels
NFC	Yes	No	Yes
LTE	Yes	Yes	Yes
Battery	2300 mAh	1800 mAh	1900 mAh
Size	137 x 68 x 9.3mm	132 x 64 x 9.3mm	125 x 61 x 8.9mm
Weight	143 grams	122 grams	107 grams

Press Release: Explorer to make first-ever video call from the summit of Everest

EXPLORER TO MAKE FIRST-EVER VIDEO CALL

FROM THE SUMMIT OF EVEREST

19th March 2013: HTC and British explorer Daniel Hughes are setting out to achieve an historic world first this spring. From an amazing 8,848m above sea level, Hughes will attempt to make the very first video call from the top of Mt. Everest.  At the summit, Hughes plans to speak live to BBC News using his HTC smartphone and the latest mobile satellite technology from Inmarsat, in temperatures as low as -35°C. HTC is one of the lead sponsors for this remarkable expedition. During his climb, Hughes will also make scaling the world’s tallest mountain an interactive online experience, inviting his followers to share the journey through video, pictures and webchats.  

Hughes, 32, aims to generate one million £1 donations for Comic Relief and place the first Red Nose at the top of Everest. He will begin his journey from base camp in mid-April and is expected to reach the summit via the South Col in mid-May.  However, from the moment he sets off from London, his followers will be able to take part in his journey through an interactive online experience. Through webchats, photos, video and social media, followers can track his progress along the notoriously difficult journey, where he will be able to respond to questions, share insights and provide updates via www.everestmillion.com.

HTC is providing Hughes with a selection of cutting edge devices to assist and document his mission, including the powerful new HTC One, featuring an Ultrapixel camera and 1080p HD video, to capture the climb in detail. Utilising features such as HTC Zoe^TM, long life battery and high-res photo capability of the phone, he will be able to capture every emotional step of his ascent. With on-mountain IP broadband access, followers will be able to share in the adventure, thanks to Broadband Global Area Network satellite technology provided by Inmarsat, the world’s leading provider of global mobile satellite communications.

The story behind the climb began with a 2010 trip to Bolivia, in which Hughes witnessed extreme poverty in the silver-mining region of Potosí and was inspired to take action to help others. Deciding to support Comic Relief because of their work with poor and vulnerable people across the world’s poorest countries as well as right here in the UK, Hughes decided to challenge himself to a feat never before attempted – putting a Red Nose at the top of Everest.  

Talking about the challenge ahead, Hughes said: “The Everest Million campaign is all about people coming together to do something amazing for Comic Relief and the projects it supports. Climbing Everest is going to be exciting and at times scary, but thanks to the amazing technology from HTC and Inmarsat I can make this a fully interactive experience. You’ll be able to join me every step of the way, from live tracking and web-chats to answering your questions anywhere on the mountain.”

Hughes’ intense training for the trip has taken place over a number of months and has been documented in a series of YouTube videos. To date, preparation has included climbing the mighty Mt. McKinley in the USA, the coldest mountain on Earth, as well as Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere. 

Phil Blair, HTC Head of UK & Ireland, added: “Daniel is taking on an incredibly dangerous challenge in order to raise money for others. We couldn’t be prouder of him, or more excited to be involved and offering our support. It’s been amazing watching his preparation for the trip and I’d urge people to check out some of the videos on You Tube. We’re also delighted to be working alongside Inmarsat to enable the public to follow his progress along the way.

“As you can imagine, this will be one of the toughest tests conceivable for our handsets. They will have to cope with below-freezing temperatures, changes in atmospheric pressure and more, however we’re sure they can and will step up to the challenge. We’ll be watching with baited breath as he reaches the summit!”

For more information, and to donate, please visit: www.everestmillion.com