HTC update roadmap leaked, confirms KitKat coming soon for HTC One

HTC insider LlabTooFeR has leaked an HTC roadmap containing its update plans for many of its actively used models. On Thursday, we passed along word from the Taiwan based manufacturer that the Android 4.4 update for the HTC One is now undergoing carrier testing and should receive certification as soon as next week. Once that occurs, the carriers are free to push out the chocolatey update.

This is confirmed by the roadmap which shows the HTC One, HTC One Dual SIM, HTC One mini and HTC One max receiving Android 4.4.2 and Sense 5.5 in late January to mid February. The map also reveals that so far, only the HTC One has been confirmed to receive another update during late summer or autumn. This update will include Sense 6.0, along with what apparently will be the next Android build after 4.4.2.

While the roadmap did confirm the cancellation of Android 4.3 for Verizon's HTC DROID DNA, the phone, along with the HTC Butterfly and HTC Butterfly S, will receive the Android 4.4.2 update in March or April. These phones are presently undergoing testing for the update.

We should also point out that the HTC EVO 4G LTE is undergoing testing for an update to Sense 5.0, and the HTC Desire 601 is being tested for the Android 4.4.2 update that carries Sense 5.5. The roadmap did not provide possible dates for when those two units might be updated.

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HTC One users in the US should see Android 4.4 KitKat update very soon

The long-awaited Android 4.4 KitKat update reached its way to the Google Play and developer editions of the HTC One in November, but users on the four major carriers in the US have been stuck on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. Luckily, HTC announced on Thursday the majority of HTC One users in the US are one step closer to seeing Android 4.4 KitKat on their handset.

HTC has rolled out its KitKat update to Verizon, Sprint, AT&T and T-Mobile for final carrier testing, and certification is expected to come next week. This means the update has reached the third out of fourth stage before being pushed out over-the-air to users' handsets.



The update is now in carriers hands to install their own custom software and run tests, and then software is ready. Users are simply at the mercy of carriers, not HTC, to release the update.

We presume the update will be released in the US in the coming weeks, if no issues are found. HTC had previously promised January, but the days left are quickly numbering.

There's no word on KitKat for the HTC One in the UK.
Source: HTC

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Android 4.4 KitKat now available for European HTC One

The Google Play Edition of the HTC One got the latest Android 4.4 KitKat update in November and it was quickly followed by the Developer Edition of the handset and its US Unlocked units.

However, until today large parts of Europe were stuck waiting for HTC to expand the rollout. Well, worry no more - the latest release has now started seeding on the Old continent.

The French SFR carrier was among the first to start seeding the Android 4.4.2 KitKat to the HTC One units on its network. This is the first EU HTC One getting the update, which means other European regions and carriers will be getting the KitKat treatment soon enough.

The new 4.4.2 update brings Android 4.4.2 and its improvements plus the latest Sense 5.5 UI. Your phone will become noticeably faster thanks to the new firmware. Hopefully it won't take long before the other European Ones get to taste KitKat.

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HTC One (M8) concept cuts down on bezel and loses the capacitive buttons

Google+ user Nikolai Prettner has posted an unofficial concept of the next-generation HTC One (M8) handset, and we wouldn't mind if his predictions were to come true.

The next-generation HTC One is expected to keep a close design to the first-generation with a few subtle changes. As shown by Prettner, when you cut down on the HTC One's bezels and get rid of the capacitive touch buttons, the handset becomes even more stylish.

There haven't been many leaks for the new HTC One. The only images so far have shown afingerprint sensor on the rear - not much has been suggested about the front of the device. Of course, Prettner's mock-up is all guessing and hopefulness, but if he was spot-on HTC would have quite the stylish device on its hands.

The handset is expected to carry a larger 5-inch 1080p display, 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor with 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, a bigger 2,900mAh battery, microSD slot for expandable storage and Android 4.4 KitKat. Other sources have suggested the presence of two sensors for the camera too, with some Lytro light field effects possible.

The next HTC One is expected to launch soon. During a patent trial in late-2013, a Nokia lawyer brought evidence that HTC will launch the "HTC One Two" in the first quarter of 2014. HTC's lawyer didn't dispute Nokia's claim, and it left the judge to take Nokia's statement as valid.

For now, concepts like Prettner's will have to hold us over until we see more leaks or something official from HTC.

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HTC One (M8) concept cuts down on bezel and loses the capacitive buttons

Google+ user Nikolai Prettner has posted an unofficial concept of the next-generation HTC One (M8) handset, and we wouldn't mind if his predictions were to come true.

The next-generation HTC One is expected to keep a close design to the first-generation with a few subtle changes. As shown by Prettner, when you cut down on the HTC One's bezels and get rid of the capacitive touch buttons, the handset becomes even more stylish.

There haven't been many leaks for the new HTC One. The only images so far have shown afingerprint sensor on the rear - not much has been suggested about the front of the device. Of course, Prettner's mock-up is all guessing and hopefulness, but if he was spot-on HTC would have quite the stylish device on its hands.

The handset is expected to carry a larger 5-inch 1080p display, 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor with 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, a bigger 2,900mAh battery, microSD slot for expandable storage and Android 4.4 KitKat. Other sources have suggested the presence of two sensors for the camera too, with some Lytro light field effects possible.

The next HTC One is expected to launch soon. During a patent trial in late-2013, a Nokia lawyer brought evidence that HTC will launch the "HTC One Two" in the first quarter of 2014. HTC's lawyer didn't dispute Nokia's claim, and it left the judge to take Nokia's statement as valid.

For now, concepts like Prettner's will have to hold us over until we see more leaks or something official from HTC.

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AT&T's HTC One X+ finally gets its Android 4.2.2 and Sense 5.0 update

Last Monday, we told you that by the end of this week, the Android 4.2.2 update for the AT&T HTC One X+ would start its rollout no later than Friday with Sense 5.0 along for the ride. The good news is that the update has begun, right on time. And this means that the BlinkFeed streaming news and social media feed is now available for your phone along with the new photo gallery, Music Channel and Miracast.
Since the update is rolling out in waves, don't jump if it hasn't hit your phone yet. You can also try to pull it out of your phone by going to Settings > Software Update > Check for Updates. Some of the new features include the Daydream screen saver, the Battery Percentage Notification that allows you to have a more precise idea about the battery life left on your phone, the new lock screen that removes the ring, a new notifications bar and quick settings, the updated app tray, Auto Exposure and Auto Focus lock on the camera, an updated camera interface and a new recent apps list.

We also have some good news for those with the HTC One X. HTC says that shortly after the update starts rolling out for the HTC One X+, it will start to be pushed out for the AT&T version of the HTC One X. HTC states the update will take 20 minutes to complete. We would suggest that you be connected to a Wi-Fi network when updating your phone. And your battery must be at least 35% charged for the update to complete. If this is the end of the road for the HTC One X+, the phone is going out with a bang.


AT&T HTC One X+ gets Android 4.2.2 and Sense 5.0Fullscreen

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HTC M8 aka Two to feature QHD screen, twin UltraPixel camera

HTC One's successor codenamed M8 and also known as One 2 and Two should launch this March, following an MWC debut in late February. As the rumor has it HTC M8 will be powered by the latest Qualcomm chipset (currently the Snapdragon 805) and will come with a bigger, at least 5", screen of QHD resolution (1440x2560px) display.



The insider reveals even more details about the M8 - HTC will keep using the UltraPixel technology for its new flagship, though the new camera will feature twin UltraPixel sensors. This should improve the auto-focus, image quality, and depth of field. There is no word on the resolution of the two UltraPixel sensors though, nor more details on their exact manner of operation.

If this insider is indeed telling the truth, then HTC will probably announce the One successor at the MWC in Barcelona by the end of February.

We already saw various HTC M8 leaks and rumors. Some leaked benchmark results showed the test M8 device was running on Snapdragon 800, while others suggested it won't be called HTC Two, but One+. We guess we'll know soon enough.

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New HTC One with bigger screen, better camera reportedly planned for March release

HTC is working on a new version of its flagship One phone with a planned release date in March, says Bloomberg. A source close to the project has reportedly said that the company will keep the same design as the One but increase the screen size and bump up the specs: it will supposedly include what's described as a twin-sensor rear camera that will improve focus and image quality. Toshiba recently announced a two-sensor smartphone camera that would allow photo refocusing similar to that of the Lytro light field camera, and other companies have worked on similar modules in the past. Bloomberg's report fits with the timing of the first HTC One announcement, which happened just before February's Mobile World Congress in 2013.

The screen on the new One is said to be at least 5 inches compared to the current version's 4.7 inches, but smaller than that of the 5.9-inch HTC One Max; it's been rumored previously to come with a Snapdragon 805 processor. The phone is said to be named the HTC One+, following in the footsteps of the One X+, an iteration on the company's last flagship phone: the One X+ looked virtually identical to the One X but came with a processor and storage upgrade. Outside the obvious change to screen size, the design of the One+ is supposed to be very similar to the One — which hopefully means HTC won't downgrade build quality as it did on the mini and Max versions it's already released.

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HTC One 2 (M8) case leak ressurects mystery hole

With the release of the HTC One Max, we saw the company move forward with fingerprint recognition on a pad that sat under the device’s back-facing camera. Here in some of the first images of what’s being shared as cases for the M8 (the next HTC One), it looks like HTC is keeping the ball rolling. This case suggests that we will, indeed, be working with a 5-inch display, but this time with a slightly more rounded-off body, as well.

The back of this device - which we’re still calling the HTC One 2 as a placeholder - shows one of two things. One possibility is that there’s no longer an LED flash bulb back there. That’s basically unthinkable, as every headliner device for the past several years has used a back-facing flash for their camera.

NOTE: Above you're seeing the HTC One (code-name M7). Below you're seeing three images of supposed HTC One 2 (M8) cases - for a device that's not yet been revealed by HTC.

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Prototype of HTC One revealed

A prototype of the HTC One reveals a much different design than the one eventually used by the Taiwan based manufacturer. This version of the flagship Android model for HTC features plenty of soft touch on the back giving it a look reminiscent of theHTC DROID DNA. The dual speakers though, were already on the front of the device, but the casing itself is plastic as opposed to the one-piece aluminum eventually used.

The HTC One's design was actually leaked by evleaks exactly one year ago today. The image seemed so different that immediately the leak was denounced as being a fake by those supposedly close to the project. Instead, these insiders claimed that another series of leaked photos represented the look of the HTC One(then still called the M7). Now that the picture of the prototype has been released, we can see that both sides were right. The plastic cased, soft touch HTC One prototype was the last version of the HTC One that some insiders had seen, while others knew that HTC had decided to go with the unique looking model made of a single slab of aluminum.

If you ask us, HTC made the right decision with the design it picked for the HTC One. It should be very interesting to see what changes, if any, HTC is making to the HTC One's successor, believed to be the HTC One+.



Prototype of the HTC One revealedFullscreen

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HTC Denmark says One X+ won't get Android 4.4 KitKat

HTC has already updated its One flagship with Android 4.4 KitKat and is working to bring the update to its One mini and One Max siblings. Many of the loyal HTC users were waiting on confirmation whether or not some of the previous One droids will be getting the same treatment.

Even though there is nothing official from HTC's HQ, HTC Denmark spilled the beans on the company's plans for the HTC One X+. An HTC rep has responded to a question over Twitter concerning the KitKat update for One X+:

"We can confirm the HTC One X+ will remain on the current software version, Android 4.2.2 and Sense 5."

This means no Android 4.3 Jelly Bean or 4.4 KitKat for the HTC One X+. And if the One X+ isn't getting newer Android versions, then One X and One S users should probably abandon all hope too.

                    Source:Gsmarena.com

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Sony Xperia Z1 Compact hands-on

In the announcement of the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact, the company made a rather pointed suggestion - our best doesn't have to be our biggest. Working specifications that closely match those of the Sony Xperia Z1, this miniature device works with high-end processing power and a 20+ megapixel camera. Right next to the Xperia Z1, the Xperia Z1 Compact also looks like it's working with a display that's just as brilliant - as you'll see below.

This device has impressed us in a way that's not only based in the device itself, but in the idea that it'll open up a new trend for smaller smartphones through 2014. While users have been asking for smaller devices - like the Galaxy S4 Mini and HTC One Mini - to work with top-level power for some time, Sony delivers. They deliver in a variety of colors to boot!

This machine works with the ability to pair with the Sony Smartwatch 2, it's got a matching set of peripherals if you wish, and it's made with metal and glass. While we're still not too impressed with the fingerprint-magnet this device appears as right out of the box, we still come away impressed with the overall feel of the machine

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iPhone 6 camera tipped to retain 8-megapixel sensor

It’s been suggested this week by suppliers overseas that Apple’s next iPhone will continue to work with an 8-megapixel sensor. While this - for those of you only counting these megapixels - means that the end resulting photos will be the same amount of pixels wide and tall, there’s still plenty of room left for improving the resulting images therein. It’s also been suggested that Apple’s current OIS - optical image stabilization - will be improved in their upcoming engine.

The tip comes from Nomura Securities in China where the China Post reports their chat with the team - apparently there’s been a rumor of similar parts being used in the next iPhone compared to the one that’s out right this minute. This bit of news apparently had adverse effects on Largan Precision, suppliers of Apple’s camera module.

Stocks “tumbled” for Largan once it was suggested in China that Apple’s next iPhone will not work with a 16-megapixel camera as it’s been anticipated by “industry observers”. Instead it could very well be that Apple’s improvements in the camera environment will be to the image quality, not the size of the image

In other words - the misconception that the amount of megapixels you’ve got is the most important factor in the quality of your camera prevails. Apple’s mod recent camera works with larger pixels and a new and improved flash module - next we’ll likely see tweaking in the pixels and the delivery once again. Stick around as the iPhone 6 rumors and leaks continue for the next several months at least!

VIA: MacRumors

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