Hasta La Gadget!

Google rolled out the Android 4.4.2 update recently shortly after it had rolled out Android 4.4.1 for Nexus devices. Updates such as these are first rolled out for Nexus devices before they gradually make their way to devices manufactured by other OEMs. The benefit of owning a Google Play Edition device is that you’re much higher up the list, meaning that updates are rolled out for these variants soon after the Nexus devices have received their fix. The first two GPE smartphones released earlier this year, the Galaxy S4 and HTC One, have both received the latest release of KitKat, Android 4.4.2.

These incremental updates don’t bring any major features, however they do fix various bugs, including device specific bugs. Furthermore, a SMS related security exploit that was discovered recently has also been patched in Android 4.4.2. The updates have started rolling out over-the-air for both Google Play Edition smartphones, alternatively, users can download the firmware files from Google and flash their devices manually. Just recently a couple of new GPE devices were released, including the first ever GPE LG G Pad 8.3 tablet and a similar edition of the Sony Xperia Z Ultra. Both of these devices, the smartphone and the tablet, come with Android 4.4 KitKat preinstalled.

Galaxy S4 And HTC One Google Play Edition Receive Android 4.4.2 Update original content from Ubergizmo.

The folks over at HTC have not been doing too well in recent times, never mind that their HTC One has proven itself to be quite the performing smartphone in terms of hardware and usability. This is rather surprising actually, especially when you consider how HTC used to be in a position of strength just a few years ago, only to see its market share decline by a sizeable amount (and subsequently, affect its earnings with each passing quarter, too). It does seem to be quite an uphill battle for the company now, and it seems that HTC will be making their flagship HTC One available for no money down, although you will be tethered to an installment plan.

Having revealed a new page that trumpets this particular offer, it works pretty much in the same manner as picking up the handset from a carrier for free. You will need to submit yourself to a credit check beforehand though, and assuming everything turns out to be fine and dandy, you can easily pocket HTC’s flagship smartphone from as low as $25 each month. Those who are eligible will be able to choose from a 32GB HTC One with no-interest monthly payments of $25, where it will run the course of two years. Bear in mind that this offer applies only to those living in the US, and for the GSM version of the HTC One – automatically disqualifying Sprint and Verizon customers.

HTC Offering HTC One For $25 Monthly original content from Ubergizmo.

Earlier today we reported that Nokia scored a win in a patent lawsuit against HTC in the UK. Justice Arnold of the England and Wales High Court ordered an injunction against HTC, found to have violated Nokia’s EP0998024 patent on “modular structure for a transmitter and a mobile station.” As a result of this order, the HTC One Mini has been banned from being sold in the UK, the ban goes in effect on December 6th. HTC has responded to this development, the company says its working with its chip suppliers to “explore alternative solutions.”

The company also said that it is pleased with the court for staying an injunction against certain chipsets, including those found in the HTC One. Due to the stay, HTC’s flagship smartphone has currently not been banned from being sold in the UK. The company has filed an urgent application to appeal, so until that plays out, the validity of stay on the injunction depends upon what the outcome of HTC’s appeal is. HTC says its primary focus is to ensure “minimal disruption” to customers and its business, and it assures customers that the HTC One handset will be available in the UK as usual. With the precarious financial situation the Taiwanese manufacturer is in, it really can’t afford to have its flagship smartphone banned from a lucrative market like the UK.

HTC Exploring ‘Alternative Solutions’ After Device Ban In UK original content from Ubergizmo.

The HTC One smartphone is available from all four major U.S. carriers, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint to be precise. Customers who bought their units from these carriers are currently waiting for Android 4.4 KitKat update to drop, given the fact that KitKat is the latest version of Google’s mobile operating system. While HTC is yet to say when carrier branded units are going to receive the update, the manufacturer revealed via Twitter that Android 4.4 has been released for U.S. unlocked as well as the developer edition variants of HTC One.

It didn’t say what changes the update brings to Sense UI. It can be presumed that only necessary changes have been made to Sense UI to ensure its compatibility with Android 4.4, this presumption can be made keeping in mind the fact that the update has been released quite quickly and major changes usually take months to be made before they’re finally rolled out. HTC joins Motorola in ensuring a quick release of KitKat for at least some of its devices, Motorola rolled out the update for Moto X even before it reached Google Play Edition variants of the HTC One and Galaxy S4. HTC is rolling out the update in stages for the U.S. unlocked and developer edition variants, so if you own one, don’t worry if the update notification doesn’t immediately pop up.

Developer Edition And U.S. Unlocked HTC One Receives Android 4.4 Update original content from Ubergizmo.

We often don’t see dual-SIM variants of flagship smartphones being released in the West, they’re usually released in markets such as India and China where substantial demand for these variants already exists. HTC One was launched earlier this year and despite the fact that it brought in raving reviews, the device didn’t exactly do wonders for the company in terms of generating revenue. HTC released dual-SIM variant of its flagship in both China and Russia now it has brought the variant over to the UK, a move that’s likely to make carrier partners a bit angry.

The reason why carrier partners may find fault with this move is because dual-SIM phones can’t be locked to one single carrier. That’s the entire premise of a device being able to run two SIMs, the user is free to switch networks. The dual-SIM HTC One is now available for pre-order through HTC UK’s website, it costs £494.99, exactly the same as an unlocked single-SIM HTC One. The dual-SIM variant does come with a microSD card slot, something that’s not present on the other variant. It also has a removable back cover but the battery is not user replaceable. The dual-SIM variant also lacks 4G LTE support. Its definitely a major shift for HTC to offer a dual-SIM variant of its flagship device in the UK, it remains to be seen if the company has any plans of doing the same over in the U.S.

Dual-SIM HTC One Goes On Sale In The UK original content from Ubergizmo.