| Exclusive Deal | While supplies last, save 40% off over 40 iPhone 5 and iPhone 4/4S cases and chargers as well as Samsung S III cases at Kensington.com. Use coupon code 'SAVE40%' at checkout to receive this exclusive discount. |
Verizon has just revealed which of its devices will be getting an upgrade to Android 4.0. While no dates were revealed, the carrier only promised that the updates will arrive sometime this year. Only 4G LTE-compatible hardware appeared to be enjoying the update, however.
HTC has expanded on its Android 4.0 upgrade plans to include more of its North American lineup, most of all Verizon's hardware. It had already included the Rezound in its plans, but it now intended as of Friday to include the Droid Incredible 2, Rhyme, and Thunderbolt among the upgrades. The exact timetable wasn't outlined.
HTC's One X and One S could be joined by two more phones in a more streamlined lineup if leaks bear results. The One V described by Pocket-lint would be the final name of the Primo and amount to a drop-in replacement for the Rhyme, albeit without the single-gender bias. It would keep the 3.7-inch display, a five-megapixel camera, and a 1GHz processor that would still be just fast enough to record 720p video.
HTC's UK head Phil Roberson in an interview Thursday made clear that HTC was scaling back its strategy of flooding the market with devices. The executive argued to Mobile Magazine that HTC had "tried to do too much" in 2011 and oversaturated the field with devices. This year would be about making "something special," or having fewer but more distinctive devices.
HTC on Monday expanded its free 5GB Dropbox plan to come with "all" its Android phones. The Facebook update revealed that all its future Android phones will come preloaded with the Dropbox app and qualify for the 5GB free plan. It had previously focused on the Rhyme and hadn't said it would preload the app.
HTC and Verizon ahead of their Fashion Week event unveiled the Rhyme, an attempt to revive the idea of a woman-focused phone. Along with its plum color, the Android 2.3 phone has a charm cable that plugs in and lights up for calls and texts without having to take it out of a purse. A special docking station provides both 'stealth' speakers for listening to music but also alarm clock functions, and Beats-derived headphones with the signature flat ribbon cables also come in the box.
What appear to be official press photos of the HTC Bliss have leaked in advance of the smartphone's Sept. 20 launch. The Bliss, which may launch as the Rhyme, is said to be designed specifically to appeal to young women. The Rhyme will be the first to feature the latest version of HTC's Android UI, HTC Sense 3.5. Although the new name suggests that Beats Audio will be included, the specs that leaked earlier this week do not.
An alleged pricing schedule for upcoming Verizon offerings has surfaced, providing insight into launch plans for several devices including the Motorola Xoom LTE and HTC's Rhyme handset. The minimum advertised price (MAP) list, which was posted by Droid-Life, suggests the LTE-equipped tablets may arrive as early as September 8 for $499 with a two-year contract.
HTC has filed for trademark protection for two names with the USPTO. The company submitted two applications each for Enamor and Rhyme. If granted, the names could be used on either a mobile phone or tablet, HTC said in its categorizations.
