Google’s standard Android keyboard with gesture typing and floating word suggestions is available for all Android 4.0 or better devices. Sony’s Xperia Z looks like the next Google Experience phone while Samsung boosted the Galaxy S 4 free storage with an update. Read more »
HTC will reportedly reverse course and offer a “Google Edition” HTC One phone, with the official announcement expected next week. That could give HTC a boost by getting more marketing help and making pure Android fans happier. Read more »
HTC was the shining star during the early days of Android. Now it is reeling under the pressure of cheap Androids, a dominant Samsung and a management disarray. It’s a damn shame, as the new HTC One is actually a nice device. Read more »
After months of slowing smartphone sales and reduced profits, some HTC employees aren’t waiting for the company’s turnaround. Is it possible that HTC is planning to focus more on Asia over the U.S.? Read more »
While it’s just a promotion that could end at any time, AT&T is now discounting the HTC First to under a buck with contract. Something tells me that Facebook’s phone is a solution in search of a problem. Read more »
Another month brings another set of HTC tablet rumors. Maybe the company is looking to build Windows tablets but I can’t think of a single reason why. Read more »
Once the brightest rising stars in this new smartphone era, HTC has been falling from grace for nearly two years. The company’s latest quarterly results reflect the situation. Can the HTC One help a turnaround or is there more HTC needs to do? Read more »
There’s really no need for Microsoft to build its own Windows Phone 8 hardware since partners are offering solid handsets, says Microsoft’s Terry Myerson. Maybe hardware isn’t the problem. Read more »
The trend of larger screens on flagship Android phones shows no signs of stopping. At some point, however, one has to wonder how big “too big” is. At this rate, could Android smartphones outgrow their user base as one-handed phone use disappears? Read more »
HTC has had another rough quarter financially, but the delayed HTC One isn’t the problem. HTC hasn’t been a shining star for months; it’s now just a dim light in Samsung’s galaxy. Read more »
The announcement of Facebook Home this week has elicited applause, shock, horror, and disapproval. But it may not matter much anyway as the numbers suggest its reach will be modest at best. Read more »
Samsung may have a lead in the worldwide smartphone market, but Apple’s dominance is growing in the U.S. Read more »
There’s little doubt that Facebook will unveil a new phone on Thursday, but the star of the show will be software, not hardware, in this battle between Facebook and Google for user engagement. Read more »
AT&T does have an exclusive, at least at time of launch, on the 64 GB HTC One smartphone. The carrier announced a contract price of $299 for that model, while $199 buys a 32 GB version. Pre-ordering earns a free wireless HDMI adapter. Read more »
A reported leak of the software that will power Facebook’s upcoming phone shows specs of the handset as well as capabilities of what appears to be a dedicated Facebook home screen for Android devices. Read more »
Just designing a superb smartphone isn’t enough these days: You have to get the device components to build the handsets in a timely fashion. Due to reduced confidence in HTC, parts suppliers aren’t as interested in building parts quickly. Read more »
HTC did not infringe on two of Nokia’s patents, a Mannheim court has found. Nokia had claimed that one of the patents covered app store functionality found in Google Play. Read more »
Want LTE service in the U.S.? You’ll likely need a contract with your smartphone. Unless you want to use Sprint’s LTE network through Boost Mobile that is. Here’s why it’s a smart play from Sprint’s prepaid brand. Read more »
The new One has a large 4.7-inch 1080p display with 468 ppi resolution. It’s LTE-capable and runs Android Jelly Bean. In addition to a custom HTC home screen, there’s a new newsfeed feature called BlinkFeed. Read more »
Last year, HTC debuted its One line of smartphones. Now a leaked image shows that the M7 could be a new One and it looks more industrial. Read more »
How could HTC stage a smartphone comeback? Perhaps with not one, not two, but three camera sensors in its upcoming M7 handset. Read more »
The closer we get to Mobile World Congress, the more information leaks about new Android tablets and phones. Here’s a recap, along with good news for those wanting a Nexus 4. Read more »
A U.S. non-practising entity is using an old BT patent to attack Apple, Google, Motorola, HTC, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and others. However, BT denies any connection with the suit, saying it sold away all rights around the broad patent. Read more »
HTC is scrapping plans for a Windows Phone with large display due to the limited platform resolution. That could be a mistake as it’s difficult for Windows Phone handset makers to stand out from the crowd and a large screen paired with Beats Audio could appeal. Read more »
HTC’s Droid DNA for Verizon Wireless is here and both hosts on this week’s audio podcast have many likes a few a dislikes. Matt is trying a Chromebook and Jawbone UP again, while Kevin is watching HDTV on the iPad and Android phones for cheap. Read more »
Google’s Nexus 4 smartphone launched and quickly sold out. That’s a shame as my review shows the Nexus 4 to be a fantastic phone for the price. HTC launched its Droid DNA this week and I’m watching TV on my Galaxy Note 2. Here’s how. Read more »
HTC is going big with a stunning 1080p 5-inch Droid DNA, which will be offered through Verizon Wireless. The $199 device puts out 440 pixels per inch, sports a Snapdragon quad-core processor and also includes wireless charging. Read more »
Jobs wanted to “destroy” Android for copying his mobile operating system; HTC was the first company he targeted. But as Tim Cook has been molding Apple into a company he would run, it appears he decided keeping up Jobs’ total war wasn’t a sound, long-term investment. Read more »
Apple and HTC have agreed to settle all outstanding patent litigation between the two companies, signing a ten-year licensing deal but not disclosing financial terms. The settlement ends one of the most prominent battles over Google’s Android smartphone operating system. Read more »
Two new LTE handsets running Windows Phone 8 are heading to Verizon with pre-orders beginning tomorrow. The Nokia Lumia 822, a mid-range handset, will cost $99.99 after rebate while HTC’s Windows Phone 8X is $199.99. Both handset prices are with a new two-year agreement. Read more »
Samsung’s Galaxy S III was the best-selling smartphone model last quarter, says research firm Strategy Analytics. That may or may not be true due to the “shipped vs sold” argument. Truth be told, it doesn’t matter because only Samsung could possibly rival Apple’s iPhone. Here’s why. Read more »
Verizon Wireless traditionally hasn’t been a huge Windows Phone supporter, but it has added a new exclusive Microsoft handset to its lineup on Monday. Nokia’s Lumia 822 with LTE support will sell for $99 with contract and is aimed at first time smartphone owners. Read more »
Samsung may have lost a patent dispute with Apple but it’s looking like a smart investment: The company kept its top-selling smartphone sales status and increased its lead over Apple. Meanwhile, Nokia fell out of the top 5 smartphone sellers for the first time ever. Read more »
Apple stole the spotlight in the third quarter with the release of its iPhone 5, Amazon pursued the tablet market aggressively with a new line of tablets, and Microsoft prepped to launch Windows 8 and the highly anticipated Surface tablet. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
HTC reported a 79 drop in profit in the third quarter as it continued to struggle in the face of competition from Apple and Samsung. The once high-flying smartphone maker has been plotting a comeback but the prospects look dim. Read more »
The next Nexus phone may be based on the LG Optimus G, a 4-7-inch high-resolution handset with a quad-core processor and an ample 2 GB of memory. Leaked specs line up with recent chatter, indicating that this new Nexus could be announced next month. Read more »
Sony is taking games beyond its own hardware with the Sony PlayStation Mobile platform. The game store opens today for Sony and Sony Xperia Android phones and tablets, with three HTC models to have access soon. Purchased games also run on Sony’s PS Vita. Read more »
When HTC said it was changing strategies and cutting back on phone models, it never said anything about refreshing existing handsets. That’s precisely what it has in the HTC One X+: Same on the outside, but better performance and battery life with new internal hardware. Read more »
Whether it’s the iPhone 5, the importance of LTE, or BYOD trends disrupting the enterprise, there are always technologies, trends, and companies changing the way we define mobile. Here are some noteworthy segments to watch in the coming months, from location-based shopping to apps to wireless networks. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
