HTC 10
HTC's Unlocked 10 Snags Android 7 Update
HTC said the unlocked variant of its HTC 10 smartphone should receive Android 7 Nougat beginning today. The update is being pushed out over-the-air to the U.S. version of the HTC 10, which was sold directly by HTC online. Beyond Nougat, the update also installs the latest Android security patches from Google and provides other system enhancements. The update measures 1.1 GB and should be downloaded via WiFi.
HTC Makes Red and Gold 10s Available Online
HTC today said U.S. consumers can order the red or gold HTC 10 smartphones from its web site. The limited edition colors were announced earlier this year for select markets. This marks the first time they are available to U.S. buyers. Customers can get the phones for $100 off, or with a pair of noise-cancelling JBL headphones for a limited time. The devices are available for preorder online, but HTC didn't say how soon they will ship.
HTC Cuts the 10's Price By $100 for US Shoppers
HTC has dropped the price of the HTC 10 for the rest of the month. The phone now costs $599 when purchased from HTC's web site, a cut of $100. The lower price still includes HTC's Uh Oh Protection, wherein HTC will replace a phone with a cracked screen or water damage during the first 12 months of ownership. HTC is also offering $100 toward accessories purchased on HTC.com with proof of an HTC 10 purchase from one of HTC's parters (AT&T, Best Buy, etc.) The $100 can be used for add-ons such as the Ice View Case, but not HTC's Vive virtual reality product. The promotion runs until July 31.
HTC 10 Picks Up Security Update, Bug Fix
HTC has begun pushing a minor update to unlocked variant of the HTC 10 smartphone. According to the change log, the update adds the latest security patches, fixes some bugs, and improves system stability. The update clocks in at 304MB and should be downloaded over WiFi. It is free to install and use.
HTC Says Verizon's 10 to See Camera Update May 27
HTC's Mo Versi said via his Twitter account that the Verizon Wireless variant of the HTC 10 will receive a maintenance update that improves several aspects of the phone. The release chiefly boosts the camera's performance, including the autofocus feature. The update also tweaks performance and solves several bugs. The maintenance release will be pushed out over the air. HTC already delivered this same update to the unlocked/global variant of the 10.
HTC Says Android N to Reach Most Recent Phones
HTC today said some of its phones will be updated to Android N. The devices include the HTC 10, One A9, and the One M9. These are HTC's more powerful, high-end handsets. HTC didn't say when the update might be pushed out.
HTC 10 Reaches T-Mobile Stores May 18
T-Mobile today said the HTC 10 will be available online and in stores beginning May 18. Customers can buy the HTC 10 for $0 down with 24 monthly payments of $28.34. Customers who buy the HTC 10 between May 18 and May 24 will receive the HTC Rapid Charger and the HTC Ice View case for free. The HTC 10 has an aluminum unibody design, 5.2-inch quad-HD screen, Snapdragon 820 processor, optical image stabilization, BoomSound HiFi, and Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
HTC 10 System Update Tunes Camera, WiFi Performance
HTC has begun distributing a system update to the 10 smartphone ahead of its general release that improves the camera and connectivity functions. Specifically, low-light images should be sharper and brighter, as should images captured outdoors. The laser-assisted autofocus user interface has been tweaked, and the HDR function has a wider range of light sensitivity. Last, purple noise should no longer be visible in photos captured in Pro Mode. WiFi performance is also improved thanks to Smart MIMO. This update is reaching unlocked European versions of the 10 first, and will soon hit the unlocked model that's for sale directly from HTC. U.S. carriers will begin to sell the 10 over the course of the next week. It's not clear how quickly this system update will be made to carrier models.
Verizon Shares More HTC 10 Launch Details
Verizon Wireless says it will be the first U.S. carrier to stock the HTC 10 in retail stores, beginning May 5. Verizon began accepting preorders for the phone today and claims no other carrier will sell the device in stores before May 10. Verizon is offering the phone for monthly payments of $27 for 24 months, totaling $648. Verizon is also taking preorders for the Ice View Case for the HTC 10. The Ice View Case is semi-transparent and allows users to perform certain functions even with the front flap closed. The case costs $50, but Verizon didn't say when it will ship. Verizon highlighted several other cases that fit the HTC 10, all of which are eligible for the Case Loyalty Program, which entails increasingly larger discounts on multiple purchases of cases.
Sprint to Sell HTC 10 Starting May 13
Sprint today said the HTC 10 will reach its stores on May 13. Sprint is not offering a lease option for the HTC 10, as it does for Apple's iPhone or Samsung's Galaxy S phones. Instead, Sprint will finance the phone for 24 months with payments of $26. An unlocked version of the HTC 10 is already available for sale directly from HTC.com for $699. The phone includes a 5.2-inch quad HD display, Snapdragon 820 processor, 12-megapixel camera, fingerprint sensor, and high-quality sound. It runs Android 6 Marshmallow.
Verizon to Kick Off HTC 10 Preorders April 29
Verizon Wireless today said it will begin accepting preorders for the HTC 10 on April 29. Verizon expects the phone to launch in early May and has not yet provided pricing details for the phone. Verizon is giving consumers the opportunity to test the HTC 10 in retail stores, also starting on April 29. Verizon says the 10 will include its HD Voice service and WiFi Calling. The phone includes several Verizon offers, such as three free months of HBO Now, credit for handset trade-ins, and ETF payoffs for customers who switch to Verizon. An unlocked version of the HTC 10 is already available for sale directly from HTC.com for $699.
Ice View Case for HTC 10 Replaces Dot View
Alongside the 10 smartphone, HTC today announced the Ice View Case. This case is similar to the Dot View Case, but makes big improvements in usability. HTC said it found the Dot View Case offered limited resolution and, worse, was practically unreadable outdoors. The company reimagined the case with a semi-transparent front surface that can take advantage of the full pixel count of the underlying display. HTC 10 owners can see and answer incoming calls, skip tracks, and take pictures without opening the case. HTC didn't say how much the Ice View Case will cost.
Hands-On with the HTC 10
HTC showed off its 2016 flagship smartphone today. The HTC 10 takes all the characteristics we've come to appreciate in HTC and amps them up. The 10 is not a complete rethink, but it's enough of a refresh that the 10 is a compelling option in a world awash with Galaxies and iPhones. The HTC 10 is a metal-clad warrior looking for a fight. Here are Phonescoop's first impressions of HTC's latest handset.
JBL Headphones First to Use USB Type-C with HTC 10
HTC and JBL today announced a pair of headphones optimized for the HTC 10 smartphone. What's unique about these headphones is they are among the first to use the USB-C connector, rather than standard 3.5mm headphone jack, to connect with the HTC 10. Since they use USB-C, the JBL Reflect Aware C headphones are able to provide active noise cancellation without internal batteries; they draw power from the HTC 10 itself. Users can customize the level of background noise so they may remain aware of their environment. The headphones are sweat-proof and come with three sport ear tips and three regular ear tips. The cables are reflective to improve user visibility at night. The headphones will include a power pack so they may be used independently from the HTC 10. HTC did not say when the JBL Reflect Aware C will go on sale, nor what they will cost.
HTC 10 First Android Phone to License Apple's AirPlay
The HTC 10 smartphone, which runs Android, is the first to officially license Apple's AirPlay media streaming technology. The phone ships with a wide range of media streaming protocols as part of its HTC Connect software feature, including Google's ChromeCast, Qualcomm's Miracast, DLNA, and DisplayPort. AirPlay is one of the options in HTC Connect, which can be accessed quickly with a three-finger swipe. HTC said its AirPlay license allows the 10 to stream audio to AirPlay-connected speakers. Apple hasn't said if other Android phone makers plan to offer similar functionality.
HTC 10 Re-Focuses On the Camera and BoomSound
HTC today announced the 10, its flagship handset for 2016. This Android phone carries forward an aluminum design, for which HTC has become known, and makes big improvements to the camera, software, and other core features. The 10 is milled from a single block of metal and includes exaggerated chamfers along the edges to help set it apart visually from competing models. The 5.2-inch quad HD screen is covered in 2.5D glass that curves where it meets the metal. HTC stepped up the camera to 12-megapixels. The camera can launch in 0.6 seconds, has an aperture of f/1.8, and includes optical image stabilization, laser-assisted focus, and two-tone flash. The user-facing camera rates 5-megapixels and also includes an aperture of f/1.8 and OIS. The phone runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow with the freshest version of Sense from HTC. Importantly, HTC is committed to reducing app duplication on its devices and has dropped a handful of its own apps (calendar, calculator, browser, gallery) in favor of Google's. The 10 also drops some Google apps (camera, messenger) in favor of HTC-made apps. HTC made changes to BoomSound, as well. Rather than offer two full-range speakers that deliver stereo sound, HTC separated the speakers into their tweeter and woofer components, located in the earpiece and along the bottom edge, respectively. HTC claims this arrangement delivers superior sound quality, even if it's not stereo. At the same time, HTC added software that allows people to create individual sound profiles that can be paired with the optional set of earbuds. Other hardware features include a Snapdragon 820 processor with 4 GB of RAM, 32 GB of storage, and support for 2 TB memory cards. The 10 relies on a USB Type-C connector and includes the same fast fingerprint sensor found on the One A9. The HTC 10 packs a 3,000mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0 and advanced power management functions that HTC says delivers two days of battery life. The HTC 10 will be available in silver, gold, gray, and red. HTC said Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless plan to sell the phone in the days ahead. Each carrier will announce pricing individually. Separately, HTC plans to sell an unlocked (for AT&T/T-Mobile) and bloat-free version of the 10 from its own web site. The unlocked version will be available in silver and gray. It costs $699 and includes one year of Uh Oh Protection against cracked screens and water damage.
