htc

Episode 21: Unboxing Google's Nexus 4 phone and Nexus 10 tablet

We're back, and just in time for the holiday shopping season! Welcome to the pre-Black Friday episode of Always On: the unboxing extravaganza.

This episode alone features Google's two new pure-Android Nexus devices -- the LG Nexus 4 and the Nexus 10 tablet. I so wanted to love the Nexus 4, since I'm definitely in the market for a pure-Android device, but I'm skeptical (as is our CNET reviewer, Lynn La) about the lack of 4G LTE in the unlocked model. Then again, I don't have to sit around worrying about it since the phone … Read more

HTC CEO slams Apple settlement estimates, calls them outrageous

HTC Chief Executive Peter Chou said today that he was happy with the settlement reached with Apple, and called the estimates floating around "outrageous."

Earlier this month, Apple and HTC struck a 10-year cross-licensing agreement, putting to bed a long-running and bitter legal battle. While the companies didn't disclose the terms of the deal, analysts had surmised that HTC was on the losing end, and would pay upwards of $6 to $8 per Android phone.

Chou, speaking to reporters, including Reuters, at a product event in Japan, slammed the estimates as inaccurate and "baseless," but … Read more

HTC's Droid DNA going international

As if it were any surprise, HTC looks to be readying an international version of the recently announced Droid DNA. A tweet from often-accurate @evleaks tells us the 5-inch smartphone will be released as a global edition and will be called the HTC Deluxe.

If the Deluxe name sounds familiar it is because that was one of the code names tossed around in the months leading up to last week's announcement. Some readers may recall recently hearing the phone tied to rumors of a HTC DLX moniker.

Reportedly, the HTC Deluxe will feature the same quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro … Read more

RadioShack Wireless adds $119 HTC Desire C

RadioShack Wireless today added another Android-based handset to its burgeoning roster of no-contract smartphones. Available just in time for the holiday shopping season, the HTC Desire C can now be yours for a cool $119.99.

While it's certainly not going to replace your existing Android experience, it's plenty for a first-time smartphone adopter. Those who want to dip their toes in the Android waters without breaking the bank will likely appreciate the device.

Powered by Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the Desire C features a 3.5-inch display, a 5-megapixel camera, a 600MHz processor, 512MB RAM, … Read more

Samsung wants details of Apple's settlement with HTC

Samsung is showing its first public interest in the settlement that ended the legal fight between rival Apple and HTC this past week.

Samsung this afternoon filed a request with the court for Apple to provide a copy of its patent license agreement with HTC.

That deal, announced on Saturday, put an end to the bitter battle between the two companies, a conflict that's similar, but smaller in scale to the one between Apple and Samsung.

In its filing, Samsung says it wants to see what patents were covered as part of the agreement since there may be some … Read more

Microsoft shakes up Windows leadership (week in review)

Microsoft experienced an executive shakeup this week that surprised many.

Steven Sinofsky, the Microsoft executive who turned the company's Windows franchise around and just led the effort to release Windows 8, left the company, effective immediately. Sinofsky, a controversial figure at the company, was reportedly warring with Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer.

The company said the decision behind Sinofsky's departure was mutual, though the abruptness of the announcement might suggest otherwise. Some Microsoft watchers had pegged Sinofsky as a CEO-in-waiting, but he developed a reputation for being divisive and not working well with executives in other divisions.

In … Read more

TomTom beats the drums for its own map-based ecosystem

TomTom, the company best known for its auto navigation systems, has opened its mapping data for app developers, making it easier for companies to make programs that could rival those from Google and Apple.

The company, which is one of the main data providers for Apple's Maps app, says it's providing access to its location and navigation services, including map display, routing, and traffic details.

TomTom noted its program, dubbed the TomTom Location Based Services Platform and Developer Portal, will expand its capabilities over time.

It currently includes the following content and services:

Map Toolkit API with … Read more

Who wins the battle for Verizon's top phablet of 2012?

Verizon Wireless customers now have three options should they be in the market for a 5-inch Android experience.

The latest handset to join the phablet family is the HTC Droid DNA, which the carrier announced yesterday. Like the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and LG Intuition it boasts a massive display and a full roster of high-end features.

But as compelling as each smartphone is, only one can come out on top. So let's take a deeper dive to determine which device will be crowned Verizon's king of gargantuan handsets?

LG Intuition A variant of the Optimus Vu, the … Read more

HTC sheds light on Android 4.1 plans

HTC has launched an FAQ page that details its Android 4.1 Jelly Bean plans. Though it stops short of listing specific device upgrade dates, it page spells out some of the factors that determine which models will make the cut.

It should come as no surprise that HTC will give priority to recent models such as the One X and One S. As far as other devices, though, the company is "actively reviewing" its portfolio of handsets.

To that end, HTC already has shut the door on two models, the One V and the … Read more