Hasta La Gadget!

“Big things ahead?” Well, it looks like HTC’s earlier tweet wasn’t a cheeky hint at the upcoming 5.9-inch One Max; but rather, it was a tribute to the sheer scale of the new “Here’s To Change” global ad campaign. The company has just confirmed that it did indeed sign Robert Downey Jr. for a two-year deal, which includes starring him in the ads as well as getting his creative input in the process. Given CMO Ben Ho’s promise to make the company’s voice louder, it’s no surprise that he’s spending the same amount as last year’s worldwide sales and marketing budget — about $1 billion — on this campaign alone, according to an HTC spokesperson. Not bad for Ho’s first big act since he joined the company towards the end of last year.

We were also told that the entire “Change” campaign should cover the span of 24 to 36 months, during which it’ll be split into three phases. As part of the first phase, come Thursday a whacky two-minute TV ad will begin to air in key markets, featuring Downey and his fellow actors blurting out what “HTC” could stand for — “Humongous Tinfoil Catamaran,” “Hipster Troll Carwash,” “Hold This Cat” and more — in order “to invoke interest and talkability amongst consumers.” Interestingly, you won’t find many mentions of any HTC phone in the first full ad, but the subsequent phases of the campaign will eventually focus on the mobile features. There’s no word on the timeframe for each phase just yet due to all sorts of variables.

It remains to be seen whether Downey’s contribution will help drive sales numbers, something that HTC desperately needs to just about survive these days. Perhaps an Iron Man special edition One could be considered? Yes please. Anyhow, press release after the break.

Filed under: Misc, Mobile, HTC

Comments

Source: YouTube

It goes without saying that a particular smartphone that is about to roll out would most probably experience its fair share of leaks, and the HTC One Max, also known as the T6 if code names are your cup of tea, is one of them. We have seen at least a couple of HTC One Max leaked images in the past – purported ones, they are, not to mention a teaser to boot. This time around, serial leaksters @evleaks has unveiled a non-final image of the HTC One Max, but we are quite sure that the final version will most probably look something like what you see in the above, and most folks would just think of it as a giant HTC One.

This is a pretty interesting line of thought – to move along to the “Max” suffix in the name, instead of the “Mini” suffix that we have seen various smartphone manufacturers do in the past. So far, rumored specifications of the HTC One Max includea 5.9 inch Full HD display, an UltraPixel camera at the back, 2GB RAM, a quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor, 16GB of internal memory, and a 3,300 mAh battery. We are also keeping our fingers crossed to see Android 4.3 Jelly Bean come on board when it arrives, too.

HTC One Max Non-Final Image Leaked original content from Ubergizmo.

No, the global One X+ isn’t getting an update to Android 4.2.2 and Sense 5 — not yet, anyway. A round of recent reports have incorrectly stated that an OTA update for the global One X+ has begun rolling out to users’ handsets. The purported update, which brings with it a host of HTC’s newest features like Zoe Share and BlinkFeed, is in fact a leaked RUU and not an official software release, as HTC confirmed to us. That’s not to say a true update isn’t on the way — it is — but the company’s not committing to a specific timeframe for that just yet. One X+ owners, you’ll have to hold onto hope just a little bit longer.

Update: It appears HTC’s Taiwanese site may have posted that update for users after all. A link on the company’s site clearly outlines the Android 4.2.2 / Sense 5 update as available for users. We’ve reached out to HTC once again for clarification and will update this post accordingly.

Update 2: HTC has confirmed that only the Taiwanese version of the One X+ is currently receiving the update. Still no word as to when that OTA will hit the global model, but it sure can’t be far off now.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Software, Mobile, HTC, Google

Comments

Source: HTC

Now that the LG G2 is official, the battle between mid-2013 Android flagships is fully underway. But which wins the war? We’ve pitted the new smartphone against its biggest competitors in the US — Samsung’s Galaxy S 4, the HTC One and the Motorola Moto X — to understand which device most deserves a place in your pocket.

Based purely on the spec sheet, the G2 is the frontrunner. Its larger 5.2-inch screen, quicker 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 and image-stabilized 13-megapixel rear camera will please those who want a media powerhouse. Its extra-large battery and 24-bit / 192KHz audio are also unique in a category where longevity and sound quality tend to play second fiddle. If all you want is the most technically capable device, look no further.

Yet each of the G2’s competitors has an advantage that’s harder to quantify. The GS4 has a full set of hardware nav keys (for those who prefer them), air gestures and a slightly tougher plastic build. The One claims superior low-light photography and dual speakers. And the Moto X partly makes up for its lackluster speed through design customization and helpful tricks like Touchless Control. To us, that puts LG in an awkward middle. While the G2’s performance is almost beyond compare, many of its software features aren’t all that unique — those who aren’t sold on its performance could easily be lured away.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung, HTC, Google, LG

Comments

​

So, it’s not the new HTC some in the UK might have been hoping for, but the Desire 500 is officially heading west. The 4.3-inch, 1.2 GHz, quad-core device that first popped up a couple of weeks back will be coming to British shores some time this month, in lacquer black and glacier blue color options. While pretty much everything else remains the same — 8- and 1.6-megapixel cameras, BlinkFeed and Highlights — some might be interested by the confirmation of dual SIM and NFC variants, depending on markets. No pricing just yet, but expect to get considerably more change from your pound than its elder sibling and similarly sized stable mate.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, HTC

Comments