New HTC One M9 Hima Details Surface Once More

We still have around two weeks to go before the end of the year, but rumors about 2015 flagship devices seem to be coming in every other day. Be it the Samsung Galaxy S6, HTC One M9 Hima or Sony Xperia Z4, new reports on these devices have been appearing regularly over the past few weeks. The source of the previous HTC Hima leaks upleaks has shared some new info on the HTC 2015 flagship device today. According to the trusty leaker, HTC will be announcing the Hima smartphone at a dedicated event of its own and not at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The launch should still be in March according to upleaks, so there is still around 3 months left for the unveiling.

Apart from the launch timeframe, upleaks also reveals that the Hima will come in three color options – Gray, Silver, and Gold. Strangely that sounds a bit too familiar. That’s right, these are the exact same color options that the Apple iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus come in. It might seem like Apple was slightly inspired by the HTC One design with the new iPhones, and now it seems like HTC has been inspired by Apple’s color choices for its next flagship smartphone. The leaker also reiterates that the 2015 HTC flagship will not be named ‘One M9’. As HTC didn’t change its flagship naming convention this year for the One M8, we were expecting that the Taiwanese smartphone maker will continue with the One M’X’ naming convention next year as well. Not that it is disappointing in any way though, a new name for their flagship will certainly be a welcome change.

As for the rest of the spec-sheet, upleaks is pretty sure that there won’t be any major changes going forward and the 2015 HTC flagship will arrive with a 5-inch display with 1080p resolution and not a bigger display with Quad-HD resolution like most of its rivals are rumored to sport next year. This doesn’t really sound very surprising considering how HTC been a step behind the competition when it comes to adopting larger display sizes on its flagship. The HTC One M7 came with a 4.7” display when its rival’s features 5-inch displays. This year’s One M8 comes with a 5-inch display while most of its competitors come with 5.1 or 5.2-inch + displays. While the display size isn’t likely to be a major problem, the 1080p resolution on a 2015 flagship doesn’t sound very promising and might make Hima seem a bit outdated when compared to rivals from Samsung and other major Android OEMs next year.

The other rumored specs of the device are a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chipset, 3GB RAM, 20.7MP rear camera, 13MP or 4MP UltraPixel front-facing camera, 2840mAh battery, LTE Cat.6 connectivity, and Android 5.0 Lollipop OS with HTC Sense 7.0 overlay.

HTC 2015 Flagship Smartphone ‘Hima’ Specs Leak

It was only last week that we reported on the HTC One M9 specs leak, and now we have another leak on the upcoming flagship, this time from seasoned smartphone leaker upleaks. They claim that the device has a codename ‘Hima’ and not the usual M type naming-convention that HTC has traditionally been using for its flagship devices. This does make us wonder what HTC would name its 2015 flagship. Surprisingly, the information shared by upleaks about the alleged specifications of the device differs significantly from the leak last week.

Instead of the 5.5-inch display size claim that was made last week, upleaks reports that Hima will come with a 5-inch Full HD display, which is pretty much identical to what we have on the HTC One M8. We’re not sure if HTC would really want to continue with a 1080p panel on their 2015 flagship when we are already seeing flagship devices with Quad-HD displays. By 2015 we expect Quad-HD resolution to become the norm on all flagship devices, so if this information is true, then it may not be such a good idea for HTC. As far as the chipset goes, Hima will be powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 Octa-core chipset with 2.0GHz quad-core A57+ 1.5GHz quad-core A53 clusters. The amount of RAM is expected to be 3GB, which is pretty much a standard on flagship devices now.

Just like the display and the chipset, the other bits of information also vary completely from the previous leak on the M9. Instead of the earlier rumored 16MP rear shooter, Hima is said to feature the 20.7MP Sony Exmor RS IMX220 sensor that is seen on the Xperia Z3 and Motorola Droid Turbo. After using the sensor on its Xperia smartphones exclusively for about a year, Sony has now started selling the image sensor to its rivals. We really wouldn’t be surprised if the HTC 2015 flagship does sport this sensor as a lot of devices are slated to use the IMX220 sensor in the near future. The front-facing camera could be a 13MP unit or the 4MP UltraPixel camera. We’re hoping it is latter. Battery capacity isn’t said to go up significantly on the Hima, as it could pack only a 2840mAh battery, which isn’t much bigger than the 2600mAh capacity battery on the HTC One M8. The smartphone would debut with Android 5.0 Lollipop version with HTC Sense 7.0 UI running on top.

Upleaks also claims that the smartphone would be launching around MWC 2015 and will be offered by all major US carriers when it launches. Carriers are already testing the device in their labs apparently. Along with the Hima flagship, HTC could also announce some Desire models for 2015 at the same event in March 2015. Additionally a Hima Ace model is said to be coming as well, which would be similar to the HTC One E8 launched this year. So you could expect a cheaper variant of the Hima with dual-SIM support for the Chinese market and other Asian markets like India.

HTC One M9 Rumors Point to a 5.5 Inch Quad HD Display, Snapdragon 805 & 16 MP Camera

As we head closer towards the New Year, rumors about 2015 flagship devices are starting to intensify. We have already heard some substantial rumors about the Samsung Galaxy S6 and the Sony Xperia Z4 so far, and now it’s the turn of the HTC 2015 flagship. Chinese technology website MyDrivers seem to have accessed some information on the HTC One ‘M9’ flagship smartphone that is expected to arrive in stores next year. Much of what the report claims isn’t very surprising, but there are some bits that seem a bit doubtful to us.

According to MyDrivers the One M9 will come with a 5.5-inch display with Quad-HD 2560 x 1440 resolution. This is definitely the least surprising bit of info as most flagships next year are expected to sport Quad-HD displays. As far as the internals go, they claim it would be equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 chipset and 3GB RAM. The mention of Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 instead of the Snapdragon 810 does seem a bit weird as flagships are expected to use the more powerful Snapdragon 810 chip next year, and Qualcomm has already claimed that the chip will be ready for devices by early next year.

Even though the UltraPixel camera technology did not receive wide acclaim from the consumers as well as reviewers, HTC has not changed its mind regarding the tech and continued to use the 4MP UltraPixel sensor unchanged on this year’s One M8 flagship smartphone. In a recent interview, a top HTC executive reiterated the company’s insistence on the UltraPixel tech and claimed that the company isn’t going to abandon it anytime soon. But according to the Chinese report, the One M9 would feature a 16MP rear camera with optical image stabilization. If that does indeed turn out to be true, it would definitely be great news for HTC fans and consumers who have been staying away from beautifully built HTC flagships only because of the low resolution 4MP UltraPixel rear camera.

Another main highlight of the HTC One line of smartphones has been the Boomsound stereo speakers. But if we believe the sources of the Chinese website, HTC might drop the Boomsound branding on its next flagship smartphone. HTC has apparently partnered with premium Audio brand Bose for the audio on One M9. Could we perhaps see tiny Bose stereo speakers on the One M9? That is definitely going to be pretty impressive, even if it might seem a bit too far-fetched at this point.

The battery capacity and overall battery stamina on the One M8 is slightly disappointing, especially in comparison to its direct rivals. The One M9 will supposedly pack a 3500mAh capacity battery. So battery life on the One M9 should be quite good if the report is accurate that is. Lastly they mention it will come with Android 5.0 Lollipop out of the box, which is a given.

The report also mentions about a “Prime’ variant of the One M9. No other details regarding the model have been provided though. We heard rumors about a One M8 Prime earlier this year that was allegedly going to feature a Snapdragon 805 chipset and a Quad-HD display. We all know what happened to that. So let’s hope that these rumors and the One M9 Prime won’t end up disappointing like the One M8 Prime rumors.

Android 5.0 Lollipop Update for HTC One M7 GPE to Arrive By the End of the Week

The Android 5.0 Lollipop update for Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10 is already out in the wild, and, as usual, the Google Play Edition devices are coming up next. The HTC One M7 Android 5.0 Lollipop update for Google Play Edition was supposed to roll out early this week, but it got delayed. According to @moversi the new firmware will hit the first devices by the end of the week.

Mo Versi announced on Twitter, in a response to a follower, that the HTC One M7 GPE Android 5.0 Lollipop update will be out this Friday. The release has been delayed over unknown reasons, but HTC’s VP of Product Management said that they are “working aggressively to get it out as soon as possible.”

There’s no doubt that the Android 5.0 Lollipop update for HTC One M7 GPE will be rolled out in phases, meaning that some of you might have to wait longer than others. You probably know already that once your device becomes eligible to receive the new firmware update you should be able to notice a system update message in the notifications bar. Tap on it, choose ‘Download now’, wait until the download is completed, then select ‘Install now’. Your smartphone should reboot and install the new software. In case the system update notification failed to appear, you would also want to perform a manual check under Settings > About phone > System updates > Check now.

Since the One M7 GPE is running an unaltered version of Android, you should expect the 5.0 update to bring all the Lollipop specific goodies such as multi-user support, smart lock, revamped navigation bar and quick settings, Material Design, lockscreen notifications, battery saver, or better battery statistics. The new update also arrives with Android Runtime (ART) instead of Dalvik and support for 64-bit processors, OpenGL 3.0, and USB Audio.

The HTC One M7 GPE Android 5.0 Lollipop update might have a size of over 600 MB; therefore we are recommending you to use a Wi-Fi network to download the update file. You know, just to avoid unwanted data charges.

HTC One M8 Android 5.0 Lollipop Update for Google Play Edition to Roll out This Friday

The Taiwan-based phone maker revealed a few days ago that the HTC One M8 Android 5.0 Lollipop update will be rolled out for the Google Play Edition early this week. It seems though, that the update has been delayed a bit, but that it will become available by the end of the week.

According to HTC’s @moversi, the HTC One M8 GPE Android 5.0 Lollipop update will be pushed to users starting this Friday. HTC’s official hasn’t revealed the reason why the update has been delayed, but he mentioned that the team is “working aggressively to get it out as quickly as possible.”

As usual, the Android 5.0 Lollipop update for HTC One M8 GPE will be rolled out in phases, which means that some of you might not be able to download and install it right away. Once your terminal becomes eligible to receive the new firmware you should be able to notice a system update message in the notifications bar. Tap on it, then follow the on-screen instructions. In case the system update notification failed to appear you would also want to perform a manual check under Settings > About phone > System update > Check now.

Because we are dealing with a major update, expect the update file to have a size of over 600 MB. It’s recommended to download the update using a stable Wi-Fi network in order to avoid unwanted data charges.

The Android 5.0 update for HTC One M8 will arrive with all the Lollipop-specific goodies such as lock screen notifications, Material Design, revamped notifications bar and quick settings, multi-user support for phones, better battery stats, new recent screen, and more. The new update also ditches the obsolete Dalvik runtime over ART, brings Audio USB out, and native support for 64-bit processors, where available.

New HTC One M7 Android 4.4.2 OTA Update Rolls Out for Sprint Users

The HTC One M7 device on Sprint has received earlier today a brand new Android 4.4.2 KitKat update with firmware version set at 5.05.651.2. Check your device’s notification panel starting today and see if there are any new files available for download and installation.

Android 4.4.2 KitKat firmware version 5.05.651.2 adds a Google Security tweaks, fixes bugs and improves the overall performance of your device. The download size of this new update build is 325.18 MB, so you should be able to complete the installation even with your device’s mobile data connection.

These security changes added by the new update should’ve been released with Android 4.4.4 KitKat, but it seems like HTC and Sprint have decided to skip it and instead implement all tweaks in an Android 4.4.2 update. In case the new update notification doesn’t show up in the Notifications panel, then you can go to All Apps > Settings> System Updates> HTC Software Update and hit the ‘Check Now’ button. If there is any new file available for download, then you should confirm the process and your device will automatically complete installation.

Make sure that your Sprint HTC One M7 device has at least 40% power left in it before you start the update process. If the new update doesn’t show up in the Notifications panel, then you can always choose to install the new Android 4.4.2 5.05.651.2 KitKat firmware manually by following the instructions listed at HTC support web page here.

This 5.05.651.2 firmware of Android 4.4.2 will probably be the final KitKat release that we will see for the One M7 Sprint device, as Google has launched the official Android 5.0 Lollipop and HTC will begin to work on implementing the new OS version for all their smartphones.

Nexus 9 Confirmed by HTC Exec, Release Date Could Be October 16

It’s no longer a mystery that Google is planning to introduce new Nexus hardware later this year. After we’ve heard dozens of rumors regarding the launch of the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 and after the latter device was spotted in FCC database and in a legal Nvidia document, now we have official confirmation from an HTC representative.

HTC President of North Asia Jack Tong has told Focus Taiwan that the new Nexus 9 tablet is “HTC’s commitment to return to the tablet market after three years of absence.” HTC Flyer is the last tablet launched the Taiwan-based company, a device that saw the light of day early 2011 and failed to impress both in terms of popularity and hardware.

The same Taiwanese outlet also writes that Tong said that HTC’s plans for the tablet will be revealed in a press conference held in New York. Even though HTC’s exec didn’t mention anything about the Nexus 9 release date, Focus Taiwan suggests that the tablet co-developed by Google and HTC could be officially introduced to the public October 16th.

If the rumors that surfaced on the web over the past few weeks prove true, the Nexus 9 would arrive with beastly specifications. They say that the HTC-made tablet will be powered by a 64-bit Nvidia Tegra K1 processor paired with 3 GB of RAM, while packing 16/32 GB storage, 8 MP primary camera with OIS, and 3 MP secondary cam. It seems that it will also have an 8.9-inch screen with 4:3 aspect ratio. Even though it was initially reported that the Nexus 9 will have “aluminum zero-gap” construction, a recent leak shows that the device might have a soft touch plastic back like the one of the Nexus 5. Without a doubt, Nexus 9 will run Android L out of the box.

New HTC One M8 Release Could Deliver Improved Camera

The HTC One M8 was announced and released back at the end of March and has been an extremely popular smartphone throughout the year, with one major flaw. That being the improved “Duo Camera” on back featuring two 4 UltraPixel cameras for a unique set of features. However, a new and improved option is reportedly coming soon.

The original HTC One had the same 4 UltraPixel camera, and in 2014 HTC added a second camera on the back of its flagship phone in order to deliver tons of new features, but many complained about the dip in resolution, and lack of the option to crop photos.

The One M8 received heavy praises from most reviews in all aspects except the camera, and it sounds like HTC is listening to its fans because two new rumors have surfaced this week suggesting a new HTC One M8 release could be coming next month with a 13 megapixel Duo camera setup instead. Simply called the HTC One M8 Eye.

The 4 megapixel “UltraPixel” camera delivered on the phone simply can’t compete with the 8 megapixel iPhone 6, or even the 13 and 16 megapixel cameras in smartphones like the Moto X, LG G3, or the Galaxy S5.

As a result, HTC is apparently set to release another smartphone with a long and odd name, and two new reports are confirming that. While we’ve yet to see any leaks or hear anything of this sort from HTC, a few sources have all the details. Popular HTC developer LlabTooFer posted the information this week on Twitter, and a second source is reporting something similar.

@Upleaks doesn’t reveal as much as the other, but simply states that there is a new HTC One M8 coming with the 4 UltraPixel camera being swapped out to offer a 13 megapixel Duo Camera (still two cameras on back) and it is called the HTC One M8 Eye. This may not be the final name upon release, but we’ll have to wait and see.

Speaking of release, LlabTooFer claims the new smartphone is actually set to be announced and released in October along with some changes. The current HTC One M8 only runs Android 4.4.3 KitKat, but the new M8 Eye will have the absolute latest Android 4.4.4 KitKat, HTC Sense 6.0 UI on board, and of course the better camera.

It’s worth noting that HTC released a plastic variant of the One M8 on Sprint earlier this year with a 13 megapixel camera called the HTC One E8, which could have set the groundwork for this new and improved smartphone.

The HTC One M8 is arguably one of the best smartphones of 2014, save for the camera, and another option with this issue addressed could sway a few of those iPhone 6 buyers to look back to HTC before years end.

@Upleaks also confirms the front camera will still be 5 megapixels, like the HTC One M8, and the new phone will offer an all aluminum design. Most likely we’re looking at the exact same smartphone with a different camera, but will have to wait and see. If so buyers can expect a 5-inch 1080p HD display, quad-core processor, 32GB of storage, the new 13 and 2MP Duo Camera options on the back, and a decent 2,600 mAh battery on this new phone.

Nexus 9 Release Date is Close, Sources Confirm

Nexus 9 Release Date is Close, Sources Confirm

The Nexus 9 release date is yet a mystery, but its launch is “very close.” Well, at least that’s what two of the biggest tech publications in the world seem to suggest.

Both Wall Street Journal and The Verge wrote September 22 that the Nexus 6 release date is close. Unfortunately, neither of the two publications gave further details regarding the launch of the highly-anticipated tablet.

Even though previous rumors suggested that the Nexus 9 will have an 8.9-inch display, WSJ wrote that the upcoming table will sport a 9-inch screen, in the same time confirming that it is manufactured by HTC. According to “people familiar with the matter” HTC’s engineers have been visited Google’s headquarters over the past few months to complete the project.

On the other hand, sources familiar with The Verge said that the Nexus 9 release is “imminent.” Once again, no further details were given.

This is not the first time we’re hearing rumors about the Nexus 9 release date. Earlier this month, we’ve told you about an Nvidia legal document which was revealing that the Nexus 9 is expected to launch Q3. This means that we will get to see the next-gen Nexus tablet in flesh by the end of the month. On the other hand, MoDaCo founder and trusted member of the Android community Paul O’Brien said that the Nexus 9 might be announced October 16.

If the rumors are to be believed, the Nexus 9 is codenamed Flounder or Volantis and it will be a beast when it comes to hardware specifications. It seems that the 9-inch tablet will be underpinned by a 64-bit-enabled Nvidia Tegra K1 processor paired with 4 GB of RAM, while sporting an 8 MP primary camera, 2 MP secondary camera, and HTC’s “zero-gap aluminium construction.” Either way, the new Nexus 9 will definitely run Android L out of the box.

HTC One M9 Concept Images Emerge

HTC One M9 Concept Images Emerge

The HTC One M8 was announced and released back in March, and now that the phone has been available for more than half of a year, consumers are starting to look forward to the next release. At this point we don’t know what to expect from the next HTC One smartphone, but some new HTC One M9 concepts have started to fuel the fires.

The original HTC One debuted in 2013, and was quite popular for offering stunning front facing speakers, an all aluminum design, and the latest version of Android. Beats Audio kept the sound clean, and the new 4 UltraPixel camera on the back was a welcomed edition as well.

This year HTC did more of the same by improving the HTC One in many key areas, including the camera, and released the HTC One M8. Now though, we’re looking forward to the new HTC One M9 for 2015, and a few concept images have emerged that should have potential buyers excited about HTC’s future smartphones.

One designer and developer by the name of Fabrizio D’Onofrio has recently released his expectations and wishes regarding the new HTC One M9 smartphone, and it looks rather impressive. Of course this isn’t a leaked render from HTC or anything, and merely a fan-made concept image of what the new device could look like in 2015.

The HTC One M8 is over six months old, and that means the company has likely been working on a successor for quite some time. Often devices are in the works for over a year before being released, so a new HTC One M9 is likely already in multiple stages of development, design, and even fabrication. Although mass production is still months out.

Of course HTC hasn’t confirmed anything, but multiple rumors about a new HTC One M8 Prime, or a new HTC One M9 coming early next year have been floating around, so a new phone is likely coming soon. The images above and below are one fans idea of what it could look like.

This designer has imagined a new and improved HTC One M9 with both an aluminum and titanium frame, coming in at only 7mm thin and of course the latest hardware and specs in the mobile market. This is all just speculation of course, but still fun to see what designers and developers come up with, especially when compared to current devices available today.

Fabrizio D’Onofrio imagines a new HTC One M9 with a 2560 x 1440 Quad-HD display, similar to the LG G3 and Galaxy Note 4 that were released late this year, and a few other neat features as well. Of course HTC will keep the front-facing Boomsound speakers, and hopefully improve the camera on the back to a 13 megapixel duo camera setup. The front camera is 5 megapixels for excellent selfies, which we’ve seen from a few other recent HTC smartphone releases.

This fan would see HTC offer the device with a 2.7 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 810 processor that has 64-bit support for Android L, run with 3GB of RAM, and offer 32 GB of storage with a micro-SD slot. HTC has been lacking on battery size as of late, and this designer hopes for a bigger 3,000 or 3,500 mAh battery. However, there’s only so much you can fit into a sleek 7mm thin smartphone.

The front speaker grills have been reimagined, but otherwise many of the popular design elements of the smartphone remain on board. Those being the curved aluminum shell, bold HTC branding around the back, and the Duo camera setup from this year.

Nexus 9 Release Date Revealed by Nvidia Leagal Document

Nexus 9 Release Date Revealed by Nvidia Leagal Document

As the Nexus 6 release date draws near, more information about the highly-anticipated tablet is staring to surface online. Earlier this year it was rumored that a new Google program called Android Silver will replace the Nexus family of devices. Well, after a Google representative officially denied the rumors, reports of new Nexus devices started to hit the web.

We heard about the Nexus 9 for the first time a couple a months ago, when a report was speculating that the new tablet is known internally as Flounder and that it’s manufactured by HTC. Now, an Nvidia document is both confirming the existence and release date of the HTC Nexus 9. According to the said document, the Nexus 9 release date has been set for Q3 2014, which is a bit surprising since most reports were pointing towards a late October launch. The said document is a part of Nvidia’s legal fillings for taking Qualcomm to court over alleged violation of several GPU patents.

This is the first time the Nexus 9 is mentioned in an official document. So far, tablet was spotted on different occasions, including on WiFi Alliance website. Furthermore, a couple of weeks ago we showed you some CPU-Z screenshots that revealed that the tablet is powered by an Nvidia Tegra K1 processor.

If the rumors are to be believed, the upcoming Nexus 9 will be a powerhouse. It seems that the device arrives with a 8.9-inch display with 4:3 aspect ratio, 4 GB of RAM, 8 MP primary camera, 2 MP secondary camera, and “aluminium zero-gap” construction. Anyway, we are sure that Nexus 9 will come pre-loaded with Android L.

For what it’s worth, Nexus 9 is not the only Nexus device expected to debut synchronized with the launch of Android L. The rumor mill speculates that a new Nexus smartphone is in the works, co-developed by Google and Motorola and codenamed Shamu.

Verizon HTC One M8 Android 4.4.3 KitKat OTA Update Roll Out Starts Today

Verizon HTC One M8 Android 4.4.3 KitKat OTA Update Roll Out Starts Today

Verizon is on a roll as the Android 4.4.3 KitKat Official OTA Update for HTC One M8 will begin today. Last week, the original HTC One (M7) was updated to Android 4.4.3 and that’s when we also got confirmation that the One M8 device will get the new firmware files by the end of this week.

This KitKat software update only brings several tweaks and improvements, it isn’t a major release, but you should still install it on your smartphone as it comes with Extreme Power Saving Mode feature. This new tweak can be enabled right after the Android 4.4.3 firmware is installed, it should be welcomed with open arms as it will offer you the possibility of getting way longer battery life out of your HTC One M8.

However, the battery charge will last longer after your enable EPS Mode, but it will come with a price as you will only be able to initiate and receive calls as well as send and receive SMS text messages. This roll out news has been confirmed by Mo Versi, HTC’s President of Product Management and you should keep an eye on your smartphone’s notification screen and be one of the first Verizon users to update their HTC One M8 with the latest KitKat firmware build.

The Android 4.4.3 KitKat Update for HTC One M8 is rolling OTA (over-the-air) in phases and it will should hit all devices by the end of next week. Also, note that this update will only be pushed out for One M8 users that didn’t apply any changes to their phone’s system. If you’ve installed any custom ROMs or performed any other changes, then the new Android 4.4.3 KitKat update will not arrive for your Verizon HTC One M8.

This Android 4.4.3 build will be the last KitKat version that you will see released for your device because Google is getting the Android L (5.0?) OS ready for release. The future OS upgrade from Google should be available later this month or in October, we will know more in the coming weeks.

If the official Android 4.4.3 update notification is sent to your HTC One M8 Verizon then you should simply confirm the download and installation. Your phone will take care of the rest of the process and complete the update automatically. Tell us below if you’ve found any major changes besides the Extreme Power Saving Mode and the Security fixes that were added in this new KitKat release.

Besides the HTC One M8 getting a new KitKat update we have seen another smartphone getting an update from Verizon Wireless today. The Samsung Galaxy S5 on Verizon has received the Android 4.4.4 KitKat firmware update.

HTC One M8 Android 4.4.3 OTA Update Now Being Pushed to AT8T Users

HTC One M8 Android 4.4.3 OTA Update Now Being Pushed to AT8T Users

The international HTC One M8 received the Android 4.4.3 OTA update about a month ago, while the T-Mobile variant got it last week. Now we hear that the HTC One M8 Android 4.4.3 update is being rolled out for the AT&T users, therefore you should keep your eye on the notifications bar. For what it’s worth, the Verizon model is expected to get the new firmware sometime mid-September.

Because the HTC One M8 runs Android 4.4 out of the box, the usual KitKat stuff such as transparent status and nav bars, white status bar icons, immersive mode, new Location menu, cloud printing, or full screen album and movie art in the lock screen came pre-loaded. The AT&T HTC One M8 Android 4.4.3 update doesn’t introduce any visual improvements, but it arrives with numerous optimizations, bug fixes, and security improvements, so you would definitely want to install it on your device.

As usual, AT&T will be rolling out the new update in stages, which means that some of you might not be able to download and install it right away. As you may know, once your HTC One M8 becomes eligible to receive the new firmware, you should be able to see a system update message in the notifications bar. Tap on it, then choose “Download now.” After the files are downloaded, choose “Install now.” After the installation process is complete the Smartphone will reboot. In case the system update notification failed to appear, you would also want to perform a manual check under Settings > About phone > Software updates > Check now.

It’s also worth noting that the new Android 4.4.3 update for AT&T HTC One M8 has firmware number 2.23.502.3. Since it has a size of around 660 MB it’s recommended to download it using a stable Wi-Fi network in order to avoid unwanted data charges.

I remind you that HTC was one of the first companies to announce they will be bring Android L to their flagship devices. According to them, both One M7 and One M8 will receive the new software update within 90 days after Google releases the final code.

Metal Nexus 6 Concept Delivers Beautiful Design

Metal Nexus 6 Concept Delivers Beautiful Design

A stunning new metal Nexus 6 concept delivers a beautiful design that isn’t part of the latest Nexus 6 rumors but would certainly be good enough for the real Nexus 6 release.

Every year, Google releases a new Nexus Smartphone, each one better than the last. The current Nexus Smartphone, the Nexus 5, improved on the Nexus 4′s design and brought new software and hardware upgrades to the table. Best of all, Google managed to do that without drastically increasing the price tag of its popular Nexus series.

With the Nexus 5 approaching its first birthday, all eyes are on Google and its plans for the Nexus program. And while Nexus 6 rumors have pointed to a release from Motorola, designers have taken it upon themselves to deliver their own Nexus 6 ideas ahead of its suspected release.

A new Nexus 6 concept unearthed by Concept Phones showcases a gunmetal Nexus 6 made by HTC. HTC is not rumored to be making the Nexus 6 though the company is reportedly developing the next Nexus tablet, currently dubbed Nexus 8 and Nexus 9. The Nexus 9 is, like this concept, expected to feature a premium metal design reminiscent of the company’s HTC One series of Smartphone.

This gunmetal Nexus 6 concept is complimented by HTC’s BoomSound front-facing speakers, another feature that’s rumored to be on board the Nexus 9 tablet, a large edge-to-edge display, two cameras, and virtual buttons for navigation. While it’s not based on any Nexus 6 rumors, this metal HTC Nexus 6 concept is a great looking idea that would be good enough for Google.

Nexus 6 rumors center around a new device from Google and Motorola. Motorola, a company that up until recently was owned by Google, has never made a Nexus product before. Motorola Nexus 6 rumors have been rampant in recent weeks as leaks attempt to out its specs, release date and more ahead of the busy month of September.

The Information and Android Police, both solid sources, agree that Motorola is working on a new Smartphone called “shamu.” Google likes to name its Nexus products after creatures that live in the sea and “Shamu” is a name for a killer whale that became popular back in the 1970′s. While this codename doesn’t confirm it to be a Nexus product, it means that there’s at least a good chance that it is.

Motorola’s version of the Nexus, a device that’s referred to as Nexus 6 and Nexus X, is expected to incorporate a fingerprint sensor into the design. Motorola was one of the first companies to offer a fingerprint sensor with a Smartphone (Atrix 4G). Alleged Nexus 6 benchmarks point to a number of high-end features including:

•      2.6 GHz Snapdragon 805 Quad-core Processor with 3GB of RAM
•      5.2-inch 2560 x 1440 Quad-HD Display
•      32GB storage
•      12-13MP rear-facing camera
•      2.1MP front-facing camera
•      Android L
•      Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, NFC, and more

Both Android Police and The Information claim that “Shamu” will be a “phablet” with a screen as large as 5.9-inches, something that contradicts these supposed Nexus 6 benchmarks.

Early Nexus 6 release date rumors put the release inside of November. This fits in perfectly with Google’s usual Nexus release window and it mirrors what we’ve heard about the Android L release. Android L, Google’s next Android update, is rumored to be coming out alongside the Nexus 8 tablet in the third or fourth quarter.

If true, it could be that the new Nexus smartphone arrives much later than the iPhone 6 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, both of which are expected to arrive sometime next month. Samsung recently confirmed a Galaxy Note 4 launch date for September 3rd while the iPhone 6 launch date is thought to be taking place on September 9th.

So while we may not see an HTC Nexus 6 with a gunmetal design, we could perhaps see a Motorola Nexus 6 challenge the iPhone 6 and Galaxy Note 4 with a number of other high-end features.