HTC unveils latest Beats-enabled Android smartphone (live blog)
The handset maker takes the wraps off its new Beats Audio-enabled HTC Rezound, which will get the Ice Cream Sandwich OS update early next year.
Editor's note: We used Cover It Live for this event, so if you missed the live blog, you can still replay it in the embedded component below. Replaying the event will give you all the live updates along with commentary from our readers and CNET reporters. To get the key points from today's announcement, you can check out a summary of what got announced, in our story here. You can also read CNET's first impressions of the Rezound with Beats Audio. To get a closer look at the device, see the slideshow of our hands-on. And check out this video from CNET TV.
NEW YORK--HTC is expected to launch its latest 4G LTE handset with integrated Beats Audio technology at an event here today.
The company hasn't been too secretive about the new device, which is called the HTC Rezound and is expected to operate on Verizon's network. Advertising has already been spotted in Verizon Wireless stores. The new HTC Rezound (aka HTC Vigor) is expected to have a 4.3-inch 720p HD touch screen, a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, and an 8-megapixel camera.
But the big draw for the new device could be the integrated Beats Audio technology. The new audio technology comes from HTC's acquisition of Dr. Dre's Beats Electronics. There are already a couple of devices on the market that use the technology.
• HTC rolls out Ice Cream-ready Rezound
• HTC Rezound with Beats Audio first impressions: Music to our ears
• Photos: HTC Rezound hands-on
When Beats Audio is enabled, the sound of the audio is instantly louder, with a much deeper bass. It's hard to say if this feature really makes the music quality on the phone that much better than audio on other devices. Still, HTC will likely highlight it in its marketing.
To follow all the action at the HTC event, check out CNET's live blog. We'll be using Cover It Live to give you the news as it is happening. I'll be in New York along with CNET Reviews editor Rich Brown and photographer Sarah Tew. Kent German, head of the mobile team for CNET Reviews will be in San Francisco following the live blog and helping to answer audience questions. And CNET TV's Bridget Carey will be there doing a hands-on video of the new device.
Doors open to the event starting at 3 p.m. ET (12 p.m. PT). So check back with us about 3:15 p.m. when we'll kick off the live blog.
Editors' note: The original, bare-bones version of this story was posted Wednesday at 2:49 p.m. PDT.