HTC Salsa Review

HTC has introduced at the MWC 2011 in Spain a new HTC Smartphone built entirely to be social, combining the simplicity, ease-of-use and depth of HTC Sense user interface with the power and connectivity of Facebook. The HTC Salsa Smartphone features a dedicated Facebook button for access to the key functions of the Facebook website that are integrated throughout the HTC Sense user experience. The HTC Salsa Smartphone is designed to provide a seamless, social experience by enabling you to stay in touch with your friends anywhere and anytime of the day.

If you are a Facebook™ fanatic and just can’t live without staying in touch with your friends and family, then the Salsa is your ideal phone to opt for. The HTC Salsa incorporates devoted keys for Facebook™ access that allow users to access their accounts on a single button press. Besides, HTC have also taken time to customize the built in Android™ 2.3 Gingerbread OS and have also fitted in the latest HTC Sense UI.

Although Facebook™ doesn’t demand much resources for access, yet there aren’t many handsets currently available in the market that provide the complete Facebook™ experience. The HTC Salsa on the other hand will provide users the complete access to all their Facebook™ features right on the Salsa. Users can easily upload their pictures, share Facebook™ locations, chat with online friends and even post comments on their wall. HTC perfectly understands the need of multitasking that’s why the Salsa comes powered by a nifty 800 MHz processor which is rather handy especially if you happen to be listening to music and surfing Facebook™ at the same time. Users can even add comments, tag their friends, add new photo galleries and define their privacy settings. The best bit about the Salsa is that, users can access their Facebook™ account via the dedicated ‘Facebook™ key’ within the handset. One click, and your in!

The look and feel of HTC Salsa is simply exemplary. HTC have always been synonymous for their understated elegant looks and sophisticated styling, the Salsa is no different. HTC will ship the unit in just two colors, Black and Silver, with both supposedly carrying a sort of brushed metallic look. The dedicated Facebook™ logo right at the bottom looks rather cool and definitely gives the handset a unique feel, although Im wondering how much FaceBook paid for that to be there!

HTC have packed in a rather mediocre display but nothing to complain about. The 3.4 inch capacitive touch screen delivers images and videos in 256K colors. Interestingly, HTC have also stuffed in an excellent Accelerometer sensor for UI auto-rotate, Proximity sensor for auto turn-off and the latest version of the HTC Sense UI. Although users might experience the lack of quality when it comes to videos or moving images, however viewing texts or in this case, you FaceBook page is fine the Salsa.

The HTC Salsa, which has a respectable 480×320 resolution touchscreen capable of recognising multitouch, but rather washy colours. Viewing angles on the other hand are broad, and daylight visibility isn’t too bad, so we wouldn’t let it put you off this mid-range phone.

Although memory options might seem poor from the onset as HTC haven’t included much of internal memory, but the Salsa definitely makes up for it by supporting microSD™ card that allows the Salsa’s memory to be bolstered to a mammoth 32GB. Luckily, virtually all flash memory manufacturers have dropped prices significantly therefore buying a 32GB memory card certainly sounds like a worthwhile investment.

Although the Salsa only has a 5MP fully auto focus camera but the Salsa does rather well with what it has. HTC have also provided the Salsa a powerful LED flash for capturing pictures and videos in the dark. The 5MP camera can capture still images at 2592 x 1944 pixels where as videos are recorded on standard VGA quality. The camera also features support for Geo-tagging along with face detection. Grippingly, HTC have also included a secondary VGA camera for video calling purposes that can be done over the handsets impressive 3G network.

HTC have always made handsets that boast of superior connectivity. The newly unveiled HTC Salsa is no different as it gets its fair share of connectivity features. This complete quadband GSM handset comes with support for both 2G (GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900) and 3G (HSDPA 900 / 2100) networks. On the connectivity front users can expect GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA @7.2 Mbps, [email protected] Kbps, Wi-Fi® 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth® 3.0 with A2DP support and micro USB v2.0.

With HTC marketing the handset as ‘The Facebook™ phone’ connectivity needed to be of top notch in order to have an edge over competition. From the looks of things HTC have unquestionably got things right especially with their high speed 3G connectivity features.

Even though the Salsa supports great many business features such as built in Google Search, Maps, integrated Gmail, YouTube™, Google Talk, Picasa integration, Organizer, Document viewer, Voice memo, Predictive text input, HTML browsing with third party application support MMS, Email, Push Email and IM support, but the Salsa is incredibly cool handset for music playback. HTC have slotted in a 3.5mm jack where in users can plug-in pretty much any standard headphone jack. The quality of music is exemplary. Both bass and treble are just appropriate on provided headphones. However, the same can’t be said of video playback. In fact the Salsa’s 256K color lets it down rather badly. The integrated music player can play MP3/AAC+/WAV/WMA (audio) where as the video player can playback MP4 and H.264 video formats.

Don’t go in expecting miracles, and the HTC Salsa will impress you with its performance. Call quality is clear, and the 800MHz CPU paired with 512MB of RAM mean there’s little sign of slowdown.

Battery life on the other hand, is nothing short of superb. After 37 hours of testing, with Wi-Fi, account syncing and GPS all on, we’re down to 16 percent. That’s right – we’re still going. Of course, HTC stuffing a capacious 1520mAh battery inside the HTC Salsa does make you wonder who was on holiday when the much larger HTC Desire HD was being built. No matter: this is an Android phone you can use for two solid days, a very rare feat.

Verdict:The HTC Salsa may be a smaller, budget device, with Facebook at its core but it's actually a surprisingly grown up smartphone. It's smartly styled, speedy in operation, packed full of features, and can get you to Facebook nirvana quicker than you can say toasted Tortilla. Whether your desire for Facebook fripperies is strong enough to overcome the slightly high price is more of a personal preference issue but if you do like the idea then it's very well executed.


HTC Sensation 4G Review

The HTC Sensation 4G is T-Mobile’s version of the phone known internationally as simply the HTC Sensation. 4G marketing aside, the handset brings the same powerful hardware and fluid software that make it the manufacturer’s latest flagship device. The Sensation 4G has been dubbed a superphone, and earns the title easily with its combination of devilishly good looks and killer user experience.

The top-notch hardware offered  by the HTC Sensation 4G makes using the phone effortless. HTC has hit the right note on almost every factor, from the dual-core chipset to the crisp and clear qHD display. All of this is bundled in a sleek unibody design that feels about as solid as a handset can.

A huge part of what makes the Sensation such a treat to use is the dual-core Snapdragon CPU clocked at 1.2GHz. The processor provides plenty of pep there is hardly a task (or multi-task) the chip isn’t up for. It helps that the CPU is backed by 768MB of RAM to insure no bottlenecking of resources. Moving through the HTC Sense user interface is smooth and responsive and nary a snag is to be found. Gaming is fluid and rendered easily.

It’s also rendered beautifully on the 4.3-inch qHD display. This the same qHD display tech that seems to be making its way into every high-end Android smartphone, so we won’t spend too much time praising it, but it looks just as good as ever. In a world where you’d be hard-pressed to find a device with less than a 4-inch screen, the 4.3-inch size feels comfortable and provides plenty of screen real estate.

Battery life was a bit surprising in a good way. Heavy use is sure to drain your juice quickly, but keeping to tasks such as calling and texting provides oodles of standby time.

The HTC Sensation 4G features Android 2.3.3 with HTC Sense 3.0 on top. Sense has always ranked as one of our favorite custom Android UIs, and here it is implemented to perfection. The latest version of Sense features key enhancements while maintaining much of what made Sense good to begin with.

You will notice as soon as you boot up the phone the new active lock screen. By dragging application icons into the unlock ring the phone will launch directly into services such as the phone dialer, email, and camera. It takes a few steps out of the process, and comes in real handy when you want to quickly snap off a picture without navigating through the UI to jump to the camera.

HTC has implemented a “3D” homescreen system which provides a rotatable carousel of content. Flicking from screen to screen is accompanied by a pretty animation and you won’t hit a dead end — screens cycle back around, a small change that is much appreciated.

The Sensation makes short work of 3D rendering for games and doesn’t skip a beat in the process. The same goes for pulling down webpages and streaming videos from the internet. And watching those videos on the Sensation’s qHD display doesn’t disappoint.

We haven’t always been the biggest fans of the 4G name being thrown on this 3.5G technology, but we simply can’t deny the speeds it provides. Downloads and uploads are quick and painless. Uploads to YouTube took mere minutes (though the phone won’t push large files to the web unless you are on a WiFi connection), and browsing even the bulkiest of webpages comes with hardly a hiccup.

An 8MP camera is coupled with a dual-LED flash and is capable of recording 1080p video. A front-facing camera is present for video calling and plenty of opportunities for glamor shots without the use of a mirror.

Images retain great color and the camera fares well in low-light situations. Of course, a dual-led flash means you won’t have to worry too much about that. At its full 8MP resolution, images look gorgeous to say the least. The Sensation may offer one of the best cameras we have seen in an Android phone, but we’ll let the results speak for themselves.

We would have liked a bit more out of the actual video recording, but for a smartphone we get what we’d expect and a bit more. Quality is good, though the result is a bit washed out.

The HTC Sensation 4G is the complete package: powerful hardware, stylish design, and a solid user experience. The phone doesn’t feel like too much for the average user but its ability to serve the power user is endless. We could even go so far as to say the Sensation might just be the best handset.


HTC Sensation Review

The long-rumoured HTC Pyramid has finally been unmasked as the HTC Sensation, and takes over from the Desire HD as the company's Android flagship. We managed to get some hands-on time with the dual-core beast, to see if it lives up to our high expectations.

From the front it follows the same unimaginative build of other dual-core Android handsets including the Motorola Atrix and LG Optimus 2X. But turn it over and it’s classic HTC, this time with striking three-tone aluminium back. It feels incredibly well built and solid, certainly what you’d expect from HTC and of a premium product. The metal is a world away from the cheap plastic back of the Samsung Galaxy S2.

Connections include micro USB for charging and a 3.5mm jack. You also get DLNA for wireless streaming, Bluetooth 3.0 and can use your phone for tethering. Storage comprised of 1GB internal and Vodafone bundles an 8GB card. Instead of a dedicated HDMI, to hook the phone up to HD TV you need to invest the HTC Sensation MHL Cable.

Press the power button and the phone launches within seconds. The HTC Sensation runs Android 2.3.3 out of the box, what will make HTC fans excited is the latest version of HTC Sense V 3.0 looks very different. The homescreens are now 3D and you can (finally) flick 360 degrees through. Flick through quickly and the carousel minimises. It’s a little tweak but feels more intuitive, as well as looking slicker.

The lock screen is active now; launch an application by dragging the icon onto the circular lock icon. By default it’s Phone, Mail, Camera and Messages, but you can choose four of your own favourites. Elsewhere HTC has updated the weather widget; you get a cool 3D effect of rain coming towards you.

At 4.3-inches the screen is a great size and HTC has boosted the resolution of the Sensation to 960x540, matching the Atrix. It’s bright and sharp, and movies look fantastic.

Whites can’t quite match the purity of the iPhone 4’s retina display and blacks don’t reach the inkiness of the AMOLED screen on the Samsung Galaxy S2. Whites are ever so slightly pink and off-angle viewing isn’t as good. Although we should point out the screen is still great and will be fine for most people, but not class-leading. It's also quite tricky to see in bright sunlight.

At the heart of the HTC Sensation sits a 1.2 Ghz dual-core processor with 768MB RAM. Everything feels quicker zooming in and out of web pages is lighting quick, as is scroll up and down web pages. You can play back HD movies and stream movies without a stutter, downloading is quick too.

As with other HTC handsets the text wraps automatically. Flash support is native, so you can easily play videos. The quick look-up tool is new; tap this to access You Tube quickly.

Photos and videos are accessed via Albums, where they are displayed as piles, which you click to reveal thumbnails; unfortunately you don’t get the timeline of the Sony Ericsson Neo. From here you can quickly share them via social networking websites, email or Bluetooth.

DLNA lets your share music, pictures and movies. The native player is Connected Media, but we couldn’t get this to work, so we installed the Twonky Media app and could easily share to our PlayStation 3.

When viewing movies tap SRS enhancement to add virtual surround sound effects, it makes a huge difference, creating a much more immersive experience. A new feature is HTC Watch, which you can use for streaming movies. Music through the speakers is fairly loud, plug in some headphones and you can access settings include Pop, Rock and Bass booster.

The Sensation has two cameras. A front-facing VGA camera for video calls and a rear 8-megapixel offering.  The rear camera is OK, but not as good as the Galaxy S2. Colours are generally natural, if a little pale, but fine detail can appear too soft, like many cameraphones it's at it's best in bright sunlight.  Be careful with the white balance presets, while Auto produces natural results, some of the others can produce oversaturated results.

Capture HD video and 1080p and 720p,it  isn't as sharp as we'd like, with some artefact blocking.  At 1080p in motion is smooth and fairly sharp at the edges, if lacking fine detail. Video editing is limited to trimming tracks, so is best viewed as editing for web upload rather than creating masterpieces.

In many ways the HTC Sensation is outstanding. The metal build is exactly what we expect from a smartphone of this calibre. Performance is exceptionally good, loading programs quickly, ensuring the phone never feels slow. HTC Sense is great too; sure there are a few things we'd like to see included, but the more efficient UI is still the best on an Android handset.  Our main criticism is the screen, which is good, but not as good as the Samsung Galaxy S II. But to be rated as almost the best Android handset on the market is no bad thing.


HTC Sensation XE Review: It is a Beats by Dr. Dre Android Phone

HTC has decided to get all hippity-hop happy with its latest smart phone, the HTC Sensation XE. It's a refreshed version of the brilliant HTC Sensation that packs Beats audio tech, as well as a faster processor and improved battery life.

The HTC Sensation XE comes with a set of in-ear Beats by Dr. Dre headphones. Plug these boisterous bad-boys in, and the phone switches to a different audio profile, doing some clever processing trickery to tune your music specifically to the earphones.We suspect that will boil down to making your tunes sound a bit bassier, but we're ready to be impressed -- some existing Beats audio products have delivered better audio quality than their garish colour schemes would suggest, so maybe this mobile can give your tunes a little extra punch.

Impressively, those headphones will come with a cable remote that lets you control music playback, or answer calls via a built-in microphone. No more fishing your mobile out your pocket to answer calls.

The HTC Sensation XE packs a more powerful processor than the existing version of the Sensation. While the current model has a dual-core 1.2GHz chip, the HTC Sensation XE ups the voltage with a dual-core processor clocked at 1.5GHz. The previous version was impressively fast, so we can only assume that this new iteration will blow our heads clean off our shoulders with its snappy performance.

It comes with large 4.3 inches of S-LCD capacitive touchscreen which has 16M colors and 540 x 960 pixels resolution. Display also has other features like Multi-touch input method, Accelerometer sensor for UI auto-rotate, Proximity sensor for auto turn-off, Gyro sensor, Touch-sensitive controls and HTC Sense UI which makes easy to handle touch screen.

We're told the HTC Sensation XE packs a bigger battery, that should improve its chances of survival away from the mains. Smart phone batteries are rubbish in general and most modern mobiles need to be charged every day, so we're interested to see if the Sensation XE can do any better.

As you can see in the photos above, the HTC Sensation XE has been given a little lick of paint. We suspect the blood-red accents and Beats logo will be divisive, but we did think the all-grey casing of the first Sensation was a bit dull, so we appreciate that it's been jazzed up.

The Operating System of HTC Sensation XE is powered by Android v2.3.4 Gingerbread OS and it has powerful 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, Adreno 220 GPU, Qualcomm MSM 8260 Snapdragon with 768 MB RAM memory. Phone is equipped with 4 GB (1 GB user available) internal space and also has microSD card slot to upgrade memory till 32GB for mass storage of Data.

With the 8 mega Pixel camera of HTC Sensation XE users can record High Definition videos ([email protected]) with stereo sound recording and captures crystal clear photos. It also makes users free from carrying camera while outing. Camera features 3264×2448 pixels, autofocus, dual-LED flash, Geo-tagging, touch-focus, image stabilization, face detection and instant capture. Phone also has VGA camera at front side for doing video calls.

It is a totally entertainment phone is able to play various format of media player like XviD/MP4/H.263/H.264/WMV and MP3/AAC+/WAV/WMA player. It also has TV-out (via MHL A/V link) features to connect phone with TV. Phone also has Stereo FM radio with RDS, 3.5 mm headphone connecter, Loudspeaker, Beats Audio and Beats headset.

With a more powerful processor and the promise of better battery life, the HTC Sensation XE could be much more than just a cheap branding tie-in.


HTC Sensation XL Malaysia Review: Smart Phone with Beats Audio

HTC Sensation XL is one of the good looking cell phone by HTC Company. It has very attractive body having dimension of 132.5 x 70.7 x 9.9 mm. Device runs with Android v2.3 Gingerbread Operating System along with 1.5 GHz Scorpion processor, Adreno 205 GPU, Qualcomm MSM8255 chipset CPU and 768 MB RAM memory. It also has pretty impressive battery power with Li-Ion 1600 MAH standard battery.

The device comes with large 4.7 inches of S-LCD capacitive touchscreen which is having 16M colors and 480 x 800 pixels resolution. It also has other display features like HTC Sense UI 3.5, Accelerometer sensor for UI auto-rotate, Proximity sensor for auto turn-off, Multi-touch input method, Gyroscope sensor and Touch-sensitive controls makes easy to handle screen.

HTC Sensation XL is inbuilt with 8 Mega Pixel camera which can captures crystal clear photos and HD quality videos (720p). 8 MP camera reliefs users carrying camera while outing. Camera has 3264×2448 pixels, autofocus, dual-LED flash and Geo-tagging features which makes image and videos quality more better. It is also inbuilt with 1.3 MP camera at front side for video calling.

The sound quality of HTC Sensation XL is quite good it has sound features like Beats Audio and Beats headset it makes the better sound while listening music. It is also capable to play many formats of media players like MP4/H.263/H.264/WMV and MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player. It is also inbuilt with Stereo FM radio with RDS, Loudspeaker and 3.5 mm Jack.

It internal space is much enough to store songs, images, videos, movies and other data with 16/32 GB storage, and there is no option to increase external memory so users have satisfy with the memory given in the phone.

It has Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPRS, EDGE, microUSB v2.0 to share and receive data with other device or on web. In 3G it can access up to 14.4 Mbps internet speed while surfing web. It is also inbuilt with many social apps like Google Search, Maps, Gmail, YouTube, Calendar, Google Talk, Facebook and Twitter to connect with world.


ARM version of Windows could run on Macs with new Apple M1 chip

Are you a Mac user that has the occasional need for Windows? Well, perhaps you'll be able to dual-boot on the new Apple M1-based Macs in the future. Or at least, that's what Apple VP of software engineering Craig Federighi has claimed.

According to Ars Technica (via 9to5Google), the ARM version of Windows can run natively on the new MacBooks powered by Apple's M1 chips. However, that would only happen if Microsoft allows it. Apple doesn't have the license to use the ARM version of Windows on its devices. On top of that, Boot Camp won't work on the new machines either.

Fortunately, it's not a complete dead end for users who want to use Windows on their Macs. If you want just want to run certain programs, there's the CrossOver emulator that let's use Windows app. For those who want to use Windows in its entirety, Parallels provides you with Windows virtualisation, which is probably the next best thing to Boot Camp.

Having said that, do you consider the flexibility of being able to run Windows or Windows apps useful enough to go through the hassle? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


HTC Titan Review

At the launch of its latest phones, HTC claimed to the biggest Windows Phone handset vendor. This in itself is not much of a claim considering the minimal amount of the smartphone market Microsoft has managed to garner. However, despite this, HTC has obviously hitched itself to the WP7 wagon for the foreseeable future by launching two new Windows Phone handsets.

The Titan is a monster of a smartphone measuring 131.5 x 70.7 x 9.9mm but it’s size is not reflected in its weight, which comes in at just 160g, though it feels rather lighter in the hand. The back of the phone features a two-tone carbon-grey metal case, which also features the Windows Phone logo.

The 4.7in LCD screen is the first thing that strikes you when you pick up the Titan. It has a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels and while the display models we saw had the brightness set all the way up, the screen looked very bright and sharp, with great viewing angles - among the best we've seen.

The HTC Titan smartphone offers a dedicated hardware camera button to easily capture high resolution pictures without unlocking the phone. With the 28mm wide-angle lens users can capture more of the scene in front, while the back-illuminated sensor and the f/2.2 aperture lens make pictures look great even in low-light conditions. Also included in the HTC Titan is a panorama function to capture stunning photos of wide skylines and vast landscapes. With such great looking photos, you really can feel comfortable leaving your point-and-shoot camera at home.

The burst shooting mode, designed to capture fast-moving action. Press the shutter button and as you move the camera to follow the action, it will take a series of shots, from which you can chose the best. Again this was straight-forward to use though we weren't able to capture any fast-moving action at the launch event. The camera will also record HD (720p) video.

The HTC Titan smartphone also features a HD video function to shoot vibrant and bright 720p videos. And with the HTC Photo Enhancer, users can quickly touch up pictures and upload them to social media websites like Facebook, tagging your friends as you go using automatic face detection built in to the HTC Titan Windows Phone.

Inside, the Titan is powered by a single-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor running at 1.5GHz. It will be backed up by a measly 512MB of RAM, which could limit multi-tasking, a feature which the Mango update will bring. In our brief play with the phone we did notice some lag when we opened up more than three apps at once, though otherwise the interface zipped along nicely.

With the large expansive screen of the HTC Titan with built in Microsoft Office Mobile, this advanced smartphone from HTC enables users to easily create, edit and collaborate files. The huge keyboard makes typing on the HTC Titan quickly and comfortably. Also included are various E-mail features like Linked inboxes, to manage multiple email accounts and to synchronize your to-do list. You can also add group contacts to make communication faster and simpler, and users of the HTC Titan can even store their notes in the cloud with Microsoft OneNote.

The HTC Titan offers the ultimate mobile multimedia experience. The HTC smartphone includes the HTC Watch application to put an entire library of videos and TV shows right at your fingertips, letting people discover the latest video content in a visually engaging way. Users of the HTC Titan phone can perfectly enjoy the Zune music service thanks to the Virtual 5.1 surround sound system.

In addition, the HTC Titan Windows Phone supports HTML5 for smooth and fast internet browsing. Naturally the HTC Titan also offers mobile gaming. The HTC Titan is the only phone with Xbox Live built-in. Users have access to a large number of games for Windows Phones.

We're really impressed by the look and feel of the HTC Titan, and while we had our reservations about a screen that massive, we found it was actually quite comfy to hold, and looked really bright and impressive. It remains to be seen whether Windows Phone Mango can compete with the likes of the iPhone and Android, but with mobiles this accomplished leading the charge it should stand a good chance.


HTC U Ultra Hands-On First Impressions!

It's been a long time HTC has release a new flagship smartphone and now they've finally come up with the HTC U Ultra.  Available now at a price tag of  RM2999 here in Malaysia. It features a shiny new design, secondary display for the HTC U Ultra, smart AI (Artificial Intelligence) personal assistant and more. Although this may be a new flagship, but does the HTC U Ultra holds up against the other high end flagship? Check out the video below to find out more!


HTC U Ultra Sapphire Glass Limited Edition now available in Malaysia with 128GB storage for RM2999

HTC Malaysia has announced that their sapphire glass equipped HTC U Ultra, the HTC U Ultra Sapphire Glass Limited Edition is now available in Malaysia and also comes with 128GB internal storage for RM2999. Other tech specs remain the same with the HTC Sense Companion, 12MP UltraPixel 2.0 camera and dual display. However, the fact remains that there are limited units of the HTC U Ultra Sapphire Glass Limited Edition so best get it soon if you want it.

In related news, JerryRigEverything have tested the HTC U Ultra Sapphire Glass Limited Edition against other sapphire glass objects. For those who don't know, sapphire is rated just below diamond in terms of hardness so the video checks just how much sapphire glass is actually being used so see it for yourself below:


HTC U Ultra and HTC U Play product demo and hands-on video

Recently we managed to get some time with the HTC U Ultra and HTC U Play complete with a first looks product demo and hands-on video. Featuring a shiny new design, secondary display for the HTC U Ultra, smart AI (Artificial Intelligence) personal assistant and more, the HTC Ultra is priced at RM2999 while the HTC U Play is going for RM1899. Check out the 2 smartphones in the video below:


HTC U Ultra review - An ultra shiny and powerful HTC flagship

As of April last month, HTC made a price drop for the U Ultra for RM2599. Does it seem like a little pricey? That depends on your preference, it does come with a super shiny body glass build with impressive specifications. With a price like that, it has actually brought some competition to other mobile phone brands such as Samsung, Huawei and Apple. Let’s take a look at how this HTC flagship performs.

Right off the bat, the most obvious aspect of the phone is of course the premium sleek design, the craftsmanship of this fuselage and glass panel interface is truly remarkable, as you can see in our hands-on picture of how beautifully it shines especially if you bring it out to sunny outdoors. It also comes in three other colours which are pink, white and black. However, since it’s carrying a 5.7-inch 2K HD screen, it does feel a bit too big even if you have a huge hand.

Front view, the power button has a great texture to touch

The USB Type-C and speaker grill at the bottom, SIM card tray is at the top

Side view with the volume and power buttons

It's worth mentioning that the screen density is pretty high up to 513ppi, so even if you're under the sun, you won't be blinded by the sunrays on your display.

Alright, so aside from the gorgeous body, what else does it have? One of the standout features it has is the Dual Display function. This feature acts as a secondary touchscreen to display incoming notification messages or it can be used as a shortcut to launch selected apps at the shortcut bar. The Dual Display is really easy to use, and quite customizable but not very easy to reach one-handed. If HTC added in a floating button like Apple, we think it would ease the one-handed usage for users.

In the camera corner, HTC planted their second generation UltraPixel sensor for the main camera with a pixel size of 1.55μm. It also supports laser and phase detection auto focus, along with optical image stabilization. Finally, RAW file pictures can be saved and it can also record in 4K resolution and even 3D.

In addition, the camera has this function called ZOE mode which allows the user to take 3 seconds of Full HD video. In other words, it sort of works like a gif-like feature so you can have some fun with that. For the selfie lovers, they will be happy to know that there’s a selfie panorama on board as well.

Free 100GB Google Drive space by HTC, sweet!

Moving on to the performance section, HTC fans will be glad to know that this flagship performs up to their expectations. With a Snapdragon 821 processor and 4GB RAM under its belt, the configuration allowed a smooth experience in gaming, video and music playback, and we don’t even need to force close the apps.

However, we think the battery performance is just alright, as on heavy usage it will last around 11 hours average and it takes 2 hours to fully charge. Another downside is the Type-C port on the phone, as it only supports the USonic headset. Even with the Audio Jack Adapter Toolkit updated, many users still complained that it doesn’t support other headphone brands. Despite that, the USonic headset still sounds pretty good.

Camera performance is flagship level, with clear details and sharp images. Also, thanks to the 1.55μm pixel sensor, the brightness of the image appears more than what your eyes see. Check out our picture samples below.

Auto mode (left) and flash mode on (right)

Colours tend to fade out a bit in low light environments

This image is suppose to be darker than it looks

Even with the strong sunlight behind, the camera can still capture the image flawlessly

Low light shot, still have a good glimpse of what you're looking

Low light self-portrait (left), ordinary self-portrait (right)

So overall, we think that the U Ultra is not bad. The ultra beautiful design is a fan favourite, the screen is big as well for entertainment (perhaps too big), but you have the Dual Display to assist you, while image quality is great as well. However, we feel that HTC should have added more battery juice, as 3000 mAh is certainly not enough to last, especially for heavy users.

It’s good that HTC slashed the price to RM2599 from RM2999, else there is little reason to consider it. But at that price range, you have the Huawei P10 at RM2599 and the Mate 9 for RM2699 RM2499, these two are worthy opponents since their performance (especially the battery) are top-notch, not to mention the dedicated monochrome lens offers more specialist black and white photography options. Besides that, there's also the OnePlus 3T which we just reviewed not too long ago, which is another flagship killer for just RM2229.

So what do you think? Anything else we missed out? Let us know in the comments below, thanks for reading and stay tuned for more reviews at TechNave.com.


HTC U11 EYEs is now official with dual front 5MP + 5MP cameras, 3930mAh battery and more from ~RM1995

So it's now official, the HTC U11 EYEs is the newest selfie smartphone featuring mid-range tier specs. Available in silver, red and black, it's not known if it will come to Malaysia or not, perhaps at a later date this year. Since it was launched simultaneously in Taiwan, China and Hong Kong, and it's priced at 14900 TWD (~RM1995), 3299 Yuan (~RM2028) and $3898 Hong Kong dollars (~RM1972) respectively. Below is the official specifications.

The design is very similar to the U11 series with its 3D glass panel behind, together with the IP67 rated chassis, the display is using a Corning Gorilla Protection 3 grade. The main highlight is the cameras, of course, aside from having Optical Image Stabilization, the main 12MP UltraPixel also uses ultrafast autofocus, HDR, a back-illuminated sensor (BSI), slow-motion video shooting, and 4K video shooting.

But probably the most interesting choice that HTC made was using a dual front 5MP + 5MP camera. We aren't sure of the picture quality but it does have the standard selfie features such as Beauty Mode, HDR, and a secondary bokeh effect lens. The selfie camera also supports full HD video recording, facial recognition and voice selfie.

Lastly, since it's using a USB Type-C port, that also means there's no 3.5mm headphone jack, but at least the box comes with a USonic Smart Sonar headphone that is said to feature an advanced sonar-like technology that can give the best audio experience by analyzing your ear's inner shape.

Do you want this phone to come to Malaysia? Maybe you can let Brightstar Distribution Sdn Bhd know about it since they are the authorised resellers of HTC in Malaysia. Stay tuned for more HTC news at TechNave.com.


HTC U11 Eyes press render and leaked tech-specs released before official launch

Now that CES 2018 has passed behind us, we can now look forward to other smartphone gadgets that are coming soon. It was only last week that we announced the official arrival of the HTC U11+ by Brightstar Distribution Sdn Bhd, but today there will be a new variant called U11 Eyes and it will be revealed soon in Beijing, Taipei and Hong Kong at the same time. Here's what we know.

Coming directly from HTC Taiwan Facebook page, the U11 Eyes is designed as a selfie smartphone so you can probably bet that there is a pair of cameras on the front but no information was revealed on how many megapixels it has. However, thanks to Twitter leaker Evan Blass, the device is said to feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 652, 4GB + 64GB memory, Android Nougat out of the box, an awesomely huge 3939mAh battery and IP67 water and dust resistant grading. Edge Sense should also be present and rumours have it that facial recognition could make it to the cut.

That's all we know so far, so until then we will wait for the official announcement later so stay tuned for that at TechNave.com.


HTC U11 Plus concept renders reveals first look at stunning bezel-less display

HTC is reportedly planning to release a few more smartphone models before the end of 2017 which includes the coveted HTC U11 Plus flagship smartphone. Popular concept render designer Waqar Khan has apparently captured the concept build of the phone in one of his concept render videos showing the full spectacular of the HTC U11 Plus.

The HTC U11 Plus is looking mighty fine with its dazzling bezel-less design, which will be HTC’s first attempt at a bezel-less smartphone. Rumours also suggested that the HTC U11 Plus will be rocking a QHD+ 2880 x 1440p 5.99-inch display with an 18:9 aspect ratio partnered with the powerful Snapdragon 835 chipset in the engine room.

Other than that, the HTC U11 Plus is also rumoured to include 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage for the base model, a 12MP main camera and topped with an 8MP front camera. We are also expecting to see the return of the revolutionary Edge Sense feature from the HTC U11 which will be unwise to exclude. Other features may also include an IP68 waterproof certification.

Not much else is revealed for the HTC U11 Plus but it is expected to be launched as early as 11 November 2017. Malaysians waiting for this phone will have to wait a bit longer as no Malaysian news or pricings have been shown so far.

Of course you can always depend on Technave.com to provide you with the latest and greatest tech news.


HTC U11 Plus official teaser shows bezel-less display and launch date

It’s official, the HTC’s official Twitter account has announced that the HTC U11 Plus is going to revealed to us on the 2 November 2017.

HTC released a teaser image a few days ago painted with the date “11.02.2017” which is obviously the date of the release of the HTC U11 Plus but what’s this? – behind the date is a silhouette of a device that could very well be the HTC U11 Plus.

Based on the image, the HTC U11 Plus looks to be HTC’s very first bezel-less device with a bottom screen way smaller than what we’ve seen so far on HTC flagships. This could mean that the HTC U11 Plus could also sport an 18:9 aspect ratio.

As for the specs, GSMArena has reported that the HTC U11 Plus is due to feature a 5.99-inch 1440 x 2880p display with the Snapdragon 835 chipset running the show. Complimenting the chipset would be 4-6GB RAM with a 64-128GB storage option. The main camera will be 12MP with a f/1.7 aperture and a 8MP front shooter. A generous 3930 mAh battery powers the whole thing and it will come with the latest and greatest Android 8.0 Oreo.

No Malaysian release has been hinted in anyway nor is there an official price to base our assumptions on, but we are smelling the whiff of a Malaysian release shortly after the official launch. Interested to learn the latest updates on the HTC U11 Plus? Then make sure to tune your browsers to TechNave.com for the latest updates.


HTC U11 Plus will be revealed on 2 November 2017

As speculated, HTC has confirmed that they will be revealing the HTC U11 Plus on 2 November 2017. Venue and time are not known, but it could be released in China. Tech-specs information is quite scarce too but here's what we know about it so far.

We can expect the flagship to house a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset, as well as the bezel-less display that every smartphone manufacturer is going for now. Rumours have it that the display will be 5.99-inch with an 18:9 aspect ratio in QHD+ 2880 x 1440 resolution. Memory capacity stands at 4GB + 64GB, while the camera setup carries a 12MP for the back and 8MP for the front. The Edge Sense feature, which allows you to "squeeze" the side to perform certain tasks should make a return too.

Excited about the new HTC smartphone? We are looking forward to it too so stay tuned for that at TechNave.com.


ASEAN countries agree on Mutual Recognition of Covid-19 Vaccination Certificates

Travelling between Southeast Asian countries will become easier and smoother soon as ASEAN countries have agreed to recognise each others’ Covid-19 vaccination certificates. The matter was mutually agreed upon during a special discussion session of the 15th ASEAN Health Ministers’ Meeting (AHMM) held in Bali on Saturday (14 May 2022).

Deputy Health Minister II, Datuk Aaron Ago Anak Dagang who represented Malaysia in AHMM said that the recognition will be implemented using the ASEAN Universal Verification Mechanism. Other mechanisms may also be used, given that it is developed on the technical specifications of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

As reported by national news agency Bernama, the initiative is aimed at facilitating the verification of Covid-19 vaccination certificates issued by each ASEAN country. Furthermore, Indonesia will be leading the efforts in developing the ASEAN Universal Verification Mechanism.

Aaron Agong further asserted that the voluntary system can support ASEAN member countries that did not yet have a Covid-19 vaccination certificate verification system. Hence, it would allow for smooth re-opening of borders and accelerate ASEAN’s recovery from the pandemic.

Awesome! What do you guys think of this initiative by ASEAN countries? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for the latest tech news in Malaysia and beyond!


HTC U11 Solar Red edition has arrived in Malaysia for RM3099

We told you guys and girls about the HTC U11 Solar Red edition last month and we finally got our wish come true, this red hot flagship is now available at all authorised HTC retailers in Malaysia and the price is still the same RM3099.

As the second country in South East Asia to get newest colour addition, there are also other colours with the likes of Amazing Silver, Brilliant Black and Sapphire Blue in the 6GB RAM/128GB variant. To recap the tech-specs, the Solar Red U11 still boast the same Snapdragon 835 processor, 5.5-inch QHD display, a 12MP HTC UltraPixel 3 main camera and a 16MP at the front, 3000mAh battery, and of course, the special HTC Edge Sense function that lets the user launch their favourite apps conveniently with just a squeeze.

The camera specs may not look that impressive, but it has scored 90 points from DxO, the flagship also has one of the best audio speaker thanks to the uSonic sound system.

For more information, kindly visit www.htc.com and their official Facebook page for the latest news and promotions.


HTC U11 Solar Red edition is now available for ~RM2780

Just yesterday, HTC Malaysia has started their U11 flagship pre-order for RM3099 bundled together with the U11TIMATE Box Set that consist a stainless steel bottle, a U Notebook, and a HTC Dual Port Car Charger. However, they also have been promoting the hot Solar Red edition for four days in a row now, strongly hinting that it’s coming to Malaysia soon.

Although that’s the case, we think it’s best not to put our hopes too high for that because according to the timeline, the Solar Red U11 should have been revealed by now in HTC Malaysia website. Although the colour did appear in there, the pre-order page still leads both Lazada.com.my and 11street.my with Black and Silver respectively as the only colour options.

Anyway, if you don’t mind getting an AP set from USA, you can actually head over to this link here and get the Solar Red edition for $649 which is around ~RM2780.

The Solar Red U11 still sport the same tech-specs and features such as the the new HTC Edge Sense technology, 5.5-inch QHD display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, 6GB + 128GB memory capacity, a 12MP HTC UltraPixel 3 main camera, a 16MP front camera, and a 3000 mAh battery on board.

We will keep an eye if the Solar Red edition comes to Malaysia or not, stay tuned for more HTC news at TechNave.com.


HTC U11 coming to Malaysia on 1 June 2017

We’ve been teased for weeks and months but finally its official, HTC's latest flagship the HTC U11 is confirmed to be launched in Malaysia on 1 June 2017!

The DxOMark’s number one camera device will be available in Amazing Silver, Sapphire Blue, Brilliant Black, Ice White and Solar Red, and  will sport the following specs:

Are you as excited as we are? Do stay tuned to TechNave.com for the inevitable Malaysian release and pricing of the HTC U11 next week!


HTC U11 revealed with new HTC Edge Sense squeeze function, 6GB RAM, IP67 water resistant grade, and more

Today, HTC has finally unveiled their latest much teased smartphone called the HTC U11. Promoted with the theme Brilliant U for the past few weeks, it is the world’s first smartphone featuring a unique squeeze interaction. Below are the official specifications and features:

So what is this “Brilliant U” that HTC been teasing about? Well, it’s called the HTC Edge Sense and what it does is that it can sense your touch to do various tasks or interact with you. This includes from taking photos or opening any kind of apps. It can also be used to send text messages faster and easier (according to HTC) and even open Voice to Text function when squeezed lightly. Edge Sense is customizable as well with short squeeze, squeeze and hold, and so on.

Meanwhile, HTC also introduces the latest version of HTC USonic, which now combines Active Noise Cancellation and an improved BoomSound Hi-Fi edition speaker for better Dynamic Range Audio. There’s also three intelligent companions pre-installed inside - HTC Sense Companion, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa. In China, HTC U11 also offers Duer AI Assistant: Powered by Baidu DuerOS.

The phablet is available in Amazing Silver, Sapphire Blue, Brilliant Black, Ice White, and Solar Red, and will be available worldwide from May 2017 onward. Stay tuned for more news on the availability and price of the HTC U 11 in Malaysia coming later in June at TechNave.com.


HTC U11 to feature cool new Edge Sense functions

As if the HTC U11’s Edge Sense is not amazing enough, HTC is teasing to expand the functions even further. For those who doesn’t know, HTC’s Edge Sense allows users to squeeze the sides of the phone for certain functions like launching applications.

The video below by HTC showcases what’s next to expect from the Edge Sense.

So based on what we can see, you'll be able to squeeze your U11 in order to zoom inside Google Maps and Google Photos, change views in Google Calendar, answer and hang up calls, dismiss alarms, and even pause videos in YouTube with the Edge Sense.

Wow with the success of the Edge Sense, perhaps we may see more HTC devices with this function and maybe more cool new features. If you were still sitting on the fence on this Snapdragon 835, flagship device, this may well be the tipping point for you. Pre-orders for the HTC U11 have recently begun in Malaysia for RM3099 so make sure you check it out here.

Unfortunately, no real release time was mentioned anywhere so it may still take a while for these new features to come for all HTC U11 devices. Make sure to stay tuned to TechNave.com for the anymore updates.


HTC U12 appeared at Taiwan, showing its LTE+ technology

While HTC will be laying low for the upcoming MWC 2018 event, they decided to show up at the recent Taiwan 5G industry event and surprise, surprise, a wild HTC U12  appeared out of nowhere showcasing its LTE+ technology.

We are thinking the U12 should be a prototype model since there's no information the tech-specs. But besides that, it's very obvious that the flagship will have an 18:9 screen-to-body ratio as seen in the cover image, the bezels at the sides are quite minimal as well and look quite curvy than its predecessor. On top of that, rumours said the flagship's display will be 6-inch long in 2880 x 1440 resolution, the processor should also be a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 and from the video above, it can reach up to 809.58 Mbps which is quite impressive. This is all thanks to the Qualcomm X20 LTE model.

Well, that's all we got from the video. But it's a nice looking phone, don't you think? Stay tune for more HTC news at TechNave.com.


HTC U12+ could be the only flagship from HTC for 2018

Sorry folks, this is just a design concept, not the real HTC U12+

Right after announcing the HTC Desire 12 and Desire 12+ last week, rumours from GizmoChina and an insider hint that the HTC U12+ could be the only flagship coming from HTC for 2018. No HTC U12 is expected but a HTC U12 Life midranger could come instead.

Tech specs for the U12+ are rumoured to include a Snapdragon 845 processor, 5.99-inch 2K+ display, up to 6GB of RAM, 256GB of storage along with IP68 water resistance, face unlock and a 3420 mAh battery. On the back there will be a 12MP + 16MP dual rear combo while an 8MP front camera will handle selfies.

No Malaysia release dates or pricing details but the HTC U12 is expected to be priced around the same as the Samsung Galaxy S9, so maybe RM3099 sometime in May 2018? Would you buy the HTC U12+ for that price tag? Discuss in our Facebook page and stay tuned for more at TechNave.com.


HTC U12+ design leaked showing four cameras

Although it's still a long way for HTC to introduce a new flagship, there are some rumours and leaks about the HTC U12+ here and there. In this latest news, Venture Beat somehow managed to get an image copy but of low quality.

So just to have a fun analysis, if the so-called U12+ is real then this unreleased flagship will be HTC's first quad-camera smartphone. You can see the dual camera setup from the front and back (looks like a face haha). According to sources, the dual rear camera is 16MP + 12MP while the front is using 8MP + 8MP, which is a first for a smartphone to do so (if true). It also looks like the bezels are completely gone but of course, this is due to low image quality so we are taking this with a grain of salt.

On top of that, the tech-specs also list a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset, 6GB + 128GB memory capacity, a 3420mAh battery, a 6-inch display with an 18:9 screen-to-body ratio and of course, it runs on Android 8.0 Oreo.

One more information about the flagship, it seems that HTC is planning to release the U12+ in late April 2018 and there won't be a standard U12, a bold move but we shall see.

So what do you think of the design? Stay tuned for more HTC news at TechNave.com.


HTC U12+ officially announced with quad cameras and more for ~RM3182, confirmed coming to Malaysia from end of June 2018

Skipping one number from the HTC U11+, HTC have officially announced their HTC U12+ featuring a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, 6GB RAM, 64GB storage + microSD and an enhanced side squeeze tech Edge Sense 2. Camera-wise, it packs in 12MP Ultra Pixel 4 (OIS, phase detection autofocus, laser autofocus) + 16MP (2x optical zoom) dual rear cameras, 8MP + 8MP wide angle dual front cameras that support 4K video recording at 60 fps and full HD recording at 240 fps slow motion.

DxOMark have given it 103 which is only second to the 109 placed Huawei P20 Pro. While there's no exact Malaysia release date or pricing details, it will be coming to Malaysia in Translucent Blue from the end of June 2018 and is on pre-order in the US for $799 (~RM3182).

The design is still glossy Liquid Design with IP68 dust and water resistance but other features include louder aptx capable BoomSound dual stereo speakers, 4x microphones and a 6-inch 18:9 aspect ratio full view Super LCD6 display with 1440 x 2280 pixel resolution and HDR10 + DCI-P3 support. A pair of noise cancelling USound earbuds are bundled together as well.


HTC U12+ tech-specs leaked from retail box, reveals dual 8MP front camera, Snapdragon 845 chipset and more

From our last post, we reported that the HTC U12+ is probably the only device that will be released from the company this year. While there are some leaks here and there, someone just took a screenshot of a retail box design and it's giving us a full look at the tech-specs written there. Let's check it out.

According to the leak, we are not surprised by the fact that it will feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset as it was speculated many times already. But as for the memory capacity, there's an 8GB of RAM on board and a respectable 128GB internal storage with an expandable memory up to 2TB which is more than enough for an average user. The display is only up to 5.5-inch and this might mean that they are not following the top-notch design trend as most phones do nowadays.

Furthermore, the main camera is only a single 12MP sensor, while the front uses a dual 8MP + 8MP front camera with HDR Boost. The following features include the ever convenient squeezy Edge Sense 2, an IP68 water and dust resistant grade, 3D Audio recording, HTC BoomSound, quick charge 4.0 and wireless charging.

With this, it looks like the U12+ is going for a premium selfie smartphone with an expensive price tag. As per tradition, it will come into the Malaysia market after a few months after its debut whenever that is. Stay tuned for more HTC news at TechNave.com.


ASKADRON will be a new Malaysian Drone Sports academy with a racing track, classrooms and more

Just over the weekend, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah just announced a new National Academy for Drone Sports Excellence in Tasik Paya Bungor, Pahang. Dubbed as AKSADRON for short, it will be Malaysia's first development in hopes of producing more talents for the drone industry.

Currently, a total investment of RM5 million is used to develop a 1.27-hectare piece of land that is owned by the Pahang State Development Corporation. According to the minister, ASKADRON will "have an internationally-recognised drone racing track with space for drone control, spectator area ana tower control". Moreover, there will be classrooms, workshops, flight simulators and accommodation.

Tasik Paya Bungor is 40KM away from the Gambang Toll Plaza and was chosen as the location for ASKADRON due to its open wide space beside the lake. In addition, he also said the academy will be a one-stop centre for technical experts and drone enthusiasts to participate in any drone-related activities.

ASKADRON is expected to be opened to the public by the end of 2022. But what do you think of this development? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


HTC U20 5G and Desire 20 Pro release: SD765G and 5G support from ~RM1295

It seems that HTC has recently unveiled two new smartphones which include the HTC Desire 20 Pro, as well as the HTC U20 5G, via their Youtube channel. Unfortunately, there is no information on the Malaysia release date and local pricing, our source has mentioned that the device will be priced from 8990 TWD (~RM1295) and 18990 TWD (~RM2736) for the Desire 20 Pro and HTC U20 5G respectively.

In terms of the tech specs, the HTC Desire 20 Pro comes equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 chipset, 6GB RAM, 128GB ROM, 6.5-inch display and a 5000mAh internal battery which supports QC3.0 fast charging. As for the camera, it has a 48MP + 8MP + 2MP + 2MP while the front comes with a 25MP selfie camera.

The HTC U20 5G, on the other hand, comes with the Snapdragon 765G chipset instead, 8GB RAM, 256GB ROM, 6.8-inch FHD+ display and a 5000mAh internal battery with up to 18W fast charging support. Camera-wise, it has the same quad-camera setup as the Desire 20 Pro and a 32MP front-facing selfie camera.

With all that said, what are your thoughts on HTC releasing 2 new smartphones after a long hiatus? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


HTC U23 Pro release: SD 7 Gen 1, 6.7-inch FHD+ 120Hz display, 108MP quad rear camera and more from ~RM2504

After quite some time since their last upper midranger, HTC has announced the U23 Pro for Taiwan. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset, other tech specs include 8GB / 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage (and microSD card slot) and a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a FHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. The 8GB RAM variant is priced from 16990 TWD (~RM2504) while the 12GB RAM version goes for 17999 TWD (~RM2652).

In terms of cameras it offers a quad rear camera setup consisting of a 108MP main camera with OIS + 8MP ultrawide + 5MP macro + 2MP depth sensor. On the front, there’s a 32MP camera in a punch hole while the display is covered by Gorilla Glass Victus. Coming in black and white, the U23 Pro comes with a 4600 mAh battery with 30W fast wired charging and 15W wireless charging.

It should be noted that the U23 Pro comes with the VIVERSE app which is compatible with the VIVE XR Elite mixed reality headset. It also features IP67 dust and water resistance, 5G, NFC, WiFi 6, USB-C and a 3.5mm audio jack. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details but despite the rather hefty price tag there could still be some Malaysian HTC fans out there. Are you one of them? Let us know in the comments and stay tuned to TechNave.com


HTC Ville Price in Malaysia, Specs & Rumor

HTC Ville will be release by Q2 of 2012 (rumor only). The  HTC Ville price in Malaysia is yet to be annouce.


HTC Vive Consumer Edition and Vive Pro Starter Kit is officially available in Malaysia with prices starting from RM2999

HTC has announced that the HTC Vive Consumer Edition and Vive Pro Starter Kit is officially available for purchase for the price of RM2999 and RM6099 respectively. The virtual reality headsets will be officially distributed by ECS ASTAR Sdn Bhd across various partners and e-commerce websites in Malaysia.

The Vive Pro, which won around 20 awards during CES 2018 has introduced various improvements over the original Vive headset such as a much more pixel dense display of 615 PPI with the combined screen resolution of 2800 x 1600 pixels. The headset also comes included with a high resolution headset and a dual microphone which is also removable if you plan to use your own personal headsets.

In terms of tech specs, the original HTC Vive has a Dual AMOLED 3.6-inch 90hz display with a screen resolution of 1080 x 1200 pixels per panel, integrated microphone as well as various sensors such as the SteamVR Tracking, G-sensor, Gyroscope and proximity sensor. The Vive requires at minimum an Nvidia GTX 970 graphics card connected to the headset via HDMI cable. The Vive Pro on the other hand has a an improved Dual AMOLED 3.5-inch display with a screen resolution of 1440 x 1600 per panel, integrated microphone and headset, improved ergonomics compared to the previous generation, a set of sensors similar to the previous generation plus an IPD sensor, and lastly,  a USB Type-C port.

HTC has also announced the VIVEPORT subscription service which allows the customer to enjoy up to 5 titles per month with more than 1400 titles to choose, exclusive deals and discounts for all HTC Vive or even Oculus Rift users for only RM37.99 a month. The first 200 customer who purchased the HTC Vive Consumer edition will be eligible for a free 3-month VIVEPORT subscription

Other than gaming and entertainment, HTC has also announced the partnership with many different industries ranging from automotive, engineering, to even education due to the fact that these industries could utilize VR to achieve a much more cost effective and efficient solution. Check out HTC's official website for more information regarding the products mentioned and for more updates like these, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


HTC Vive Flow could launch soon, includes new metaverse for users

Virtual reality (VR) gaming is something that's never quite taken off. Excluding the relatively successful Valve Index with Half-Life: Alyx, most gamers aren't into VR at all. That's probably why companies like HTC are looking into other use cases like meditation.

Recently, HTC announced that it be launching the HTC Vive Flow on 14 October 2021. This device is targeted at consumers and is expected to be more affordable, as it's not intended for room-scale VR gaming. Instead, marketing images suggests that this model could be for meditation/relaxation and media consumption. It's also expected to be relatively lightweight and is accompanied by a container-like device.

Besides that, the HTC Vive Flow is also expected to support a new platform called the VivePort Verse. According to Protocol, this service allows users to create custom avatars and enter a metaverse to explore it or meet others. Mobile devices and PC devices will have access too, so it would be an accessible and more creative way to host virtual events or meetings.

From the description, HTC might be making something closer to glasses than a headset. The marketing images only show the sub-devices, so we can't confirm it either. But what do you think, what is HTC trying to go for here? Share your thought in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


HTC Vive Flow release: Lightweight body, 100-degree FOV, and more for ~RM2073

Earlier this week, HTC announced that it would be launching something new soon. At the time, it was pretty much confirmed that the product would be called the HTC Vive Flow. Now, we finally have the details of what it is all about.

Yesterday night, HTC released the Vive Flow for pre-order in the US. This model is a new virtual reality (VR) headset that's compact and lightweight. The headset comes with lenses (displays) that output 1.6K resolution at a 75Hz refresh rate, and the field-of-view is at 100-degree. For those who wear glasses, it also comes with adjustable diopter lenses so you can get a clear view. It even has built-in speakers, which means you won't need headphones or earbuds either.

Unlike the company's other models, the Vive Flow only requires an Android smartphone to be fully functional. You can easily pair it with your phone and get access to a variety of content like VR concerts, meetings, or movies. Moreover, you can 'cast' your phone's screen to the headset, which can be useful if you want to use the apps on it.

HTC is retailing the Vive Flow for USD 499 (~RM2073), but there's no confirmation on whether it would be available here. Would you want one if you can buy it in Malaysia? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


HTC Vive Virtual Reality headset announced

HTC was expected to announce a new flagship, HTC One M9 at the MWC event in Barcelona this year. However, the company has surprised its fans by introducing not one but three new devices at the event including the new HTC Vive virtual reality headset. This marks the Taiwanese giant's entry into this growing industry. The HTC Vive will directly compete with products such as the Oculus Rift, Samsung's Gear VR and Google Cardboard. The company developed this brand new VR headset in partnership with Valve, the famous game developer and distributor. It will use Valve's Steam VR tracking technologies for an immersive VR experience. The Vive features over 70 sensors and 360 degrees room tracking. It enables real world like interactions. For example, the user can walk and experience the virtual world with the headset at an impressive 90fps. There are two different VR controllers for the device with various VR experiences. HTC is partnering up with a number of well-known game developers and companies for developing a favorable ecosystem for its Vive headset. Some of the renowned names include Vertigo Games, Bossa, Dovetail Games, Wemo Labs, and Google. Even HBO, Lionsgate and the National Palace Museum in Taiwan will provide content for the company's newly announced headset. HTC has not yet announced an official price for the HTC Vive, but the company says that it will be available for purchase before the end of 2015. Meanwhile, the developer edition will be available in spring 2015.


HTC Vive XR Elite to offer VR/AR in a more portable form factor

Although VR has been around for years, it remains a tech that few are interested in. This is not just because of pricing, but also things like needing space for trackers or the headsets being too heavy. Well, HTC's new VR/AR headset was designed to address those issues.

At CES 2023, HTC revealed its new Vive XR Elite headset, which was first hinted at around October 2022. Unlike the HTC Vive Pro series headsets, the Vive XR Elite is a more compact headset that weighs just 625g. That makes it even lighter than its competitor, the Meta Quest Pro. HTC also confirmed that the battery pack and lenses could be removed, so you could even travel with the headset.

The Vive XR Elite also features a full-colour RGB passthrough, hand-tracking, and built-in speakers. Combined with its compact nature, you can easily pack it with a gaming laptop and enjoy VR games whenever you go. Like many VR headsets, the lenses can be adjusted so you can take off your glasses and still see just fine.

But if your problem with VR headsets is the pricing, this new model's price of USD1099 (~RM4839) probably won't convince you to buy it. Let us know what you think in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news on the latest gadgets.


HTC Vive torn apart, reveals easy reparability

The famous iFixit website, the site that breaks downs many, many things for the knowledge of the internet recently took apart the USD 799 (~RM3130) HTC Vive, and discovered that the 3D VR headset was designed to be repaired easily, by professionals if not by end users.

Unlike some other devices out there, the team found out that you only need standard screwdrivers to take it apart, without resorting to specialised tools. They do note that you should have the service manual by your side to help with the disassembly steps.

All we need to do now is wait and see if HTC Malaysia will be bringing in the Vive to the local market, and how much will it cost if it is sold here.


HTC Wildfire Review

The HTC Wildfire is a budget phone in a pricier handset's body. Specifically, it's an HTC Tattoo in the sleek, metal body of an HTC Desire. Its low-resolution screen struggles to show the powerful Android operating system at its best, but, if you're looking to save some pennies, there's still plenty to love about the Wildfire.

The phone has a solid feel – it doesn’t creak when the case is squeezed, and it feels robust. Like the Nexus One, the Wildfire has 4 capacitive buttons below the screen that are easily used, and not so close to the screen to be accidentally pressed. The buttons are the standard Android fare – Home, Menu, Back and Search – and their ordering is far more logical than, say, the order on the Nexus One. One disappointment about the Wildfire hardware is the optical trackball. This is the same ‘pointer’ used on the Desire, and it disappointed me there as well. It’s not particularly accurate, and where accuracy is needed – e.g. composing a long email or message – the optical tracker makes scrolling around text very frustrating.

The screen is a mixed bag – while it is responsive and easy to type on, it’s just too small for serious use.  The screen works fine for quick tasks, such as reading a quick email, making a phone call, or maybe browsing a mobile optimised website.  However, where it really falls down is doing anything more intensive – the on-screen keyboard takes up a lot of screen real estate, which makes using many apps impossible – for example, many popular Twitter apps (I tried Tweetdeck, Touiteur, Twidroyd and of course, Twitter) just don’t function well on the small screen – either there’s not enough visible on the screen, or the screen layouts simply appear ‘corrupted’ as they’re obviously designed for a larger screen.On top of this, the Wildfire screen is easily viewable in sunlight, and has the standard proximity and light sensors to make sure you don’t dial with your cheek, or that the light is appropriately bright for both bright and dark ambient light situations.HTC Wildfire - Software:

The Wildfire runs Android 2.1 (aka Eclair) with HTC’s own customised Launcher and other modifications collectively referred to as HTC Sense. You’ll be pleased to know that Android 2.2 is rumoured to come to the Wildfire soon – perhaps by the end of the year.

The Wildfire is powered by a 528MHz CPU, which the astute amongst you may recognise as the same CPU spec which powered the HTC Dream G1, Sapphire / Dream, and the Hero – yes, these are phones which are a bit old in the scheme of Android devices, and the inclusion of a 528MHz CPU in the Wildfire is a curious choice, and the lack of power is quite obvious.For example, typing on the keyboard can lag, switching apps can be slow (although not overly so), and installing apps is orders of magnitude slower than some faster handsets.  However, the CPU is well up to the task of ordinary use – phone calls, messaging, email, Twitter and Facebook are all easily handled, albeit slightly slower than the lightning quick transitions and activities a faster CPU would enable.HTC Wildfire - Camera & Video:

The Wildfire’s camera is a 5mp shooter, and it does well for the Wildfire’s purposes – as a lower-end phone destined (primarily) for the prepaid market, and thus, the younger demographic, the Wildfire is squarely aimed at the social media set. While the Wildfire won’t win any photography awards, its camera produces good photos suitable for sharing on websites and with friends – the auto focus, smile detection and other automatic magic allows the Wildfire to take good photos in most cases.

The Wildfire provides no surprises in this regard – audio quality is loud and clear, and the phone holds a signal remarkably well – in fact, it held signal in places where other phones on my person quickly dropped out. During a one hour telephone call between home and work the phone didn’t drop once, and call quality was ideal the whole way.HTC Wildfire - Battery Life:

Having given the Wildfire a good hammering over a few days, it’s entirely reasonable to expect a full day’s use out of the phone. Phone calls, messaging, checking Twitter throughout the day, an hour of streaming radio in the morning, and a further hour in the afternoon, and the battery indicator was still well in the green by arrival home at 6pm.As with most Android devices, further power savings can be achieved by disabling 3G, leaving WiFi off, turning off apps that use background updating, and avoiding power intensive activities – making/receiving calls, excessive data use, and minimising the time that the screen is active.

The HTC Wildfire doesn't skimp on smart-phone features, offering some of the best social-network integration that money can buy. There's really nothing about this handset that screams 'cheap phone' except the low-res screen.


ASUS All-in-One PC Series ET2030 now available in Malaysia for RM2399

ASUS Malaysia recently revealed that the ASUS All-in-One PC Series ET2030 is now available in Malaysia for RM2399. This ASUS AIO offers a slim yet compact profile with a 19.5-inch touchscreen display and 1600 x 900 pixel resolution. Powered by a 3.6Ghz Intel Core i3-4160T processor, 4GB RAM, 1TB hard disk drive and Windows 8.1, the ET2030 uses Intel HD graphics to deliver home video editing and other multimedia content for the family or office. Multiple I/O ports keep all the cabled connections neat and tidy. The small footprint lets it take up very little space while a built in super multi-DVD RW drive lets you play and rewrite DVD disc media with ease. Check out the ASUS site for more information.


HTC Wildfire S Review

The HTC Wildfire S is here to take the baton from HTC’s entry-level Android phone for 2010, the hit HTC Wildfire. This time around it’s sporting a spruced up screen, a newer bake of Android and a luvverly metal shell.

If the original Wildfire was a pico-sized version of the hit 2010 HTC Desire Android phone, so the HTC Wildfire S echoes the new look and design of its sequel, the HTC Desire S. Port placements are the same, the trackpad has been ditched in favour of responsive capacitive buttons below the display and it keeps that same beautiful metal build.

Unlike the Desire S, it’s not actually a unibody design, but it still feels top notch with a cool, strong and smudge resistant finish, and a lilac hue that’s not nearly as offensive on your eyeballs as you’d expect (there are black, white and red versions also).

It’s a miniature version of the Desire S, and it certainly feels it in your hand: we still can’t get over how small this handset is, at just 101.3mm long. Perhaps it’s all the jumbo four inch phones we’ve been using over the last year? Regardless, you’d do well to check one out in a shop to see if it suits your fingers: it’s gorgeous and sturdy, but it is small, so typing could be an issue for you.

This time around, HTC has bumped it up to a sharper 320×480, so almost every Android app is now supported, and text, websites and images appear sharper and much easier on the eye. Unfortunately, the LCD panel still can’t match the beautiful colours of the AMOLED display on last year’s Legend, which sports the same resolution, and it’s not something you’ll settle for if you’ve ever owned a handset with a more pixel dense screen.

And more surprisingly, we had some issues with touch response: now and then, taps we’d expect to register on any other Android phone would go unnoticed – which is a bit irksome when it comes to putting in your PIN number every time you want to unlock the phone.

HTC’s aim with the Wildfire S is to provide an affordable way into both the latest version of Android (2.3, the first sub-1GHz phone to offer this), and its clever HTC Sense services, from Facebook contact integration to app recommendation and cloud backup.

There is a price to pay though when it comes to hardware: the aforementioned screen and a rather bog standard 600MHz CPU that’s not the smoothest of smartphone experiences. Don’t expect high end games to run on this, even if most regular apps execute smoothly.

Android itself is a powerful operating system, with a wealth of apps and hidden features tucked away beneath its widgety homescreens. It’s not always an easy one to get to grips with, but HTC’s Sense software skin compensates, offering a seamless way to connect Facebook and phonebook contacts, and see updates when you make a call. It also has an excellent browser, which wraps text to fit the screen quickly and easily.

The HTC Wildfire S isn’t a flagship phone, and as such you can’t expect much more than the bare minimum that Google specifies and Android allows natively. You get your usual combination of HSDPA, Wi-Fi and GPS for location lock on, as well as the ability to share your 3G connection as a Wi-Fi hotpot, an extremely handy software feature of Android introduced in version 2.2.

The HTC Wildfire S is still rocking last year’s five megapixel sensor with seemingly little improvement: there is auto focus of sorts, but we still struggled to come away with particularly defined shots. Standard definition video is rather pedestrian too, with visible frame skips.

On the plus side though, the camera app loads up surprisingly quickly, and Android being Android, it’s incredibly easy to bung your content online to whatever service you want.

While LG adds .AVI video playback and Samsung throws in lossless audio and full HD MKV container support, HTC’s never lifted a finger, content to allow you to play back the limited file types Android supports natively. The same is true of the Wildfire S, which also lacks Flash video streaming support due to its low power processor. As such the HTC Wildfire S is only for those who want to listen to MP3 music files and not much else.

As ever, access to the Android Market puts hundreds of thousands of apps within a fingertip’s reach, but there are a few extra ones HTC has included you won’t find anywhere else. As well as HTC’s now famous and still futile Stocks ticker app, there’s a hub to download more themes, plus HTC’s cloud Sense services for backing up your contacts and tracking down your phone should it ever get lost.

Wildfire S - Call quality / battery life:

The HTC Wildfire S provides surprisingly respectable acoustics when it comes to making calls. It can belt out crisp sound, and we didn’t have any reports of muffled ramblings from unlucky recipients of our calls.

The first Wildfire didn’t set the world ablaze with reports of incredible battery life, but this one deserves to. Despite its small 1230mAh capacity battery, we found that the Wildfire S lasts a full two days of use between charges, with GPS, Wi-Fi and email sync all whirring away. Of course, this is in part because you won’t be using the phone to play games all hours of the day as you would on more powerful Google blowers: but the extended run time should definitely appeal to plenty of modest mobile users.

It may very well be HTC’s low price Android offering, but that doesn’t mean the HTC Wildfire S is the best affordable Android option. The HTC Wildfire S is however, the new micro Android option. If your fingers are the size of a grain of rice, and you’re looking for a more up to date Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini, you’ll love this tiny little smartphone. Us though, we’re all about the big screens.


HTC Zara Mini images and tech specs leak

Previously, most mini smartphone versions were made of the flagship models but rumours and leaked images have come up showing off the mini version of the HTC Zara which is more of a mid-range smartphone. The HTC Zara Mini or the HTC 301e has apparently been passed through China's Tenaa meaning that it does exist and is coming to China soon. The leaked pics of the device features the typical mini screen size of 4.3-inches but more or less the same design as the HTC Zara. Tech specs for the HTC Zara mini include the following:

Coming in black and white the HTC Zara mini looks to cover the entry-level to mid-range market. While we didn't see any Malaysia release dates we did find out the price which should be about $212 (RM). It will probably reach China first with a later release in Malaysia and other countries perhaps in September 2013.


HTC announced new Desire 830 for NT$9,990 (~RM 1230)

The new HTC Desire 830 has been announced in Taiwan, featuring a revised front façade, better screen and the inclusion of an optical image stabilization (OIS) system for the 13 megapixel rear main camera.

The phone replaces the Desire 820 in the company's mid-range offerings and is made from plastic in its entirety, so it is clearly made for that price point. Powering the Desire 830 is the MediaTek 830 Helio X10 octacore processor running at 1.5GHz, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB of on-board storage.

Differentiating the Desire 830 with its predecessor is the larger 5.5 inch 1080p display. The BoomSound speakers famous with the HTC brand is present in the Desire 830, flanking the screen top and bottom. This means that the music quality of the smartphone should be great for music or media playback.

For imaging, you get a 13 megapixel module at the back, with OIS built-in. The module will help in getting a clearer photo with every snap. On the front, there is a 4 megapixel UltraPixel sensor for selfies.

It is now available in Taiwan for NT$9,990 or about RM 1230. As of today there are no indication that HTC Malaysia will be bringing it into the Malaysian market, but the Desire series is well accepted here, so we may just see it on sale here soon.


HTC announced official online event on 12 April at 8pm (GMT)

In anticipation of HTC's new smartphone announcement, HTC has announced 12 April as the official date to unveil the rumoured HTC 10 device. However, instead of a live event; they will do it live online in their website (www.htc.com). The online event time slot will start at 8am in New York, 1pm London, and 8pm Taipei, just in case you're wondering; it'll be also 8pm in Malaysia time just like Taipei on Tuesday.

To recap the rumoured specs, the smartphone could feature Snapdragon 820 SoC inside the hood, 4GB RAM, carrying 32GB of internal memory, 5.15-inch screen display, a 12MP Ultrapixel dual camera for the rear, a 3000 mAh battery, and with the latest OS pre-installed. Stay tuned for more news at Technave!


HTC announces the budget HTC Desire 320 with quad-core CPU

A few days back, HTC had hinted that it would focus on the 'Desire' range at CES 2015. The Taiwanese company today unveiled its first Desire smartphone of the year, the all new HTC Desire 320. Like the name suggests, this particular device is the successor to the Desire 310 that was announced about a year back. As for the tech specs, the phone features almost the same specifications as the previous generation model. It comes with a 1.3GHz quad-core processor with 512MB/ 1GB RAM options depending upon the region of release. Users can choose between 4GB and 8GB for internal storage and can even expand it further via MicroSD card slot. An external memory card is essential given the fact that the 4GB model has just 1.5GB of free memory available to the user after system and apps. The display remains the same as the Desire 310, a 4.5-inch FWVGA resolution screen. There is a 5MP camera at the back, which can take videos at Full HD 1080p resolution and a VGA front camera. As for the connectivity options, the Desire 320 features quad-band 2G and 3G (HSPA) network support, Wi-Fi b/g/n, GPS and Bluetooth 4.0. The phone runs on Android 4.4 KitKat OS and comes with a 2100mAh battery which provides up to 12 hours of 3G talk time. The phone will first release in UK followed by other regions. It is currently available in Canada for $99 (RM351). HTC has yet to reveal a Malaysia pricing or release date of the model but the current Desire 310 retails for around RM460.


HTC confirms the next version of the HTC RE camera coming in 2015

Just a few days back we reported that HTC Malaysia was going to release the HTC Desire Eye smartphone and the HTC RE camera in the country on 5 December 2015. While we still have a day to go, a new report says that the second generation of this unique camera is already confirmed. According to Focus Taiwan, Jack Tong, the North Asia president of HTC confirmed that a new HTC Re camera was already under works and would be released sometime later in 2015. The device would be tailor made as a product for the mass consumer market. However, as of now, HTC has not yet revealed anything about this upcoming second generation of this everyday camera. The HTC Re is the company's first attempt at a standalone action camera and aims to compete with the likes of GoPro, but in a more casual manner. In fact, clicking pictures with this cylindrical shaped device is much easier than most other cameras in the market as it lets you shoot videos and capture images with just a click of a button. Given that the Re camera is releasing in Malaysia on 5 December 2015, expect concrete details like Malaysia availability and pricing in the next few days.


HTC could be releasing a pair of familiar looking earbuds

Based on a report by the AndroidPolice.com, it seems that HTC could be working on a pair of wireless earbuds that look similar to a black Apple AirPods. The only difference between HTC’s earbuds and the Apple AirPods is that HTC’s charging case opens lengthwise instead of flipping the top open.

Unfortunately, there is not much information known in regards to the upcoming HTC earbuds such as the Malaysia release date, tech specs, and pricing for now. With all that said, would you be interested in getting the HTC earbuds as soon as it is available in Malaysia? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


HTC could launch new flagship AR/VR headset at CES 2023

With 2023 around the corner, tech companies are preparing for CES 2023 (5-8 January 2023). There would be over 3000 exhibitors at the in-person event this time, with one of them being HTC. Specifically, the company will show off a new AR/VR headset.

According to The Verge, HTC will unveil a flagship AR/VR headset at CES 2023. HTC's Shen Ye (Global Head of Product) allegedly confirmed that the new model would be a small and lightweight 'all-in-one' headset. In other words, it's expected to support full-featured virtual and augmented reality. This upcoming headset was first hinted at in a teaser a few weeks back.

Go small or go home. pic.twitter.com/PUqqKn4V5E

In terms of specs, the new headset will come with front and side-facing cameras that support colour passthrough. Shen Ye also mentioned controller and hand-tracking support but didn't confirm if controllers would be included with the headset. Besides that, the new HTC headset should have approximately 2 hours of battery life.

For full details, we'll have to wait for HTC to unveil the device at CES 2023. So, what do you think of this? Is this AR/VR headset something you'd be looking forward to? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave.com for further updates.


HTC drops official HTC U teaser, hinting a brand new technology feature

So guess what? HTC has just dropped their official teaser for the HTC U launch. Set on 16 May 2017, it will be live streamed in Taipei at 2pm, New York at 2am, and London at 7am.

Looking at the teaser poster, it’s interesting to see the tagline “Squeeze for the brilliant”. In all honesty, it sounds really weird but something sophisticated at the same time. What is it trying to say? Well, maybe it’s like because it’s using the U series, and having it squeezed is making it look like some form of liquid water, hinting a water resistant feature.

Squeeze for the Brilliant U. 05.16.2017 https://t.co/89OuHXbBlt pic.twitter.com/jLaeFD2wMW

Another feature that the HTC U could have is a capacitive edge sensor, what is that, you ask? Well, according to sources, this feature can detect the user’s grip and gestures on the smartphone; when detected the smartphone then can perform some functions such as a shortcut to a camera or others. Or at least, that’s what the teaser video from their Twitter account is trying to say.

So what do you think of this technology? Is it practical? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more HTC news at TechNave.com.


HTC drops second upcoming product teaser

Just a week ago, HTC began a new teaser product showing "150". Nobody really knows what it means, but they just did it again with a new one on their Twitter account, officially confirming the 20 September 2016 event.

It’s coming. 09.20 https://t.co/qJ9XDwNqEU #BeEdgier pic.twitter.com/aDgB1NOl9t

In case you can't watch the short clip, this time, it's just showing that the smartphone will come with a fingerprint sensor (like most smartphones do nowadays). Tech-specs wise, there seem to be some changes and it's said to sport a Snapdragon 820 chipset with 4GB RAM, 32GB ROM, a 5.1-inch display (2560 x 1440 resolution), a 12MP back camera + 5MP front shooter, and Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow out of the box. Also, it could be only the Desire 10 Pro coming out, but that remains to be seen.

As for the Desire 10 Lifestyle, it's set at using Snapdragon 400 processor, 2GB RAM + 32GB ROM, a 5-inch display (720p) and also using the current Android OS. That's all from HTC today, stay tuned for more news at Technave.com.


ASUS Announce FonePad Note 6 - inch Phablet

Entering the phablet range for ASUS is the new Asus FonePad Note FHD 6. This 6-inch touchscreen packs in a number of features including a built-in stylus. While it looks to be in direct competition with the Samsung Galaxy Note phablet series, ASUS seem to not want to (at least in name), and have instead categorized the FonePad Note as a tablet. Tech specs for the FonePad Note FHD 6 include:

As you can see from the tech specs above it is clear that you can use the FonePad Note FHD 6 for calling or mobile Internet so it should definitely be categorized as a phablet. First hand impressions show that it is longer than the Samsung Galaxy Note II. No news yet on pricing or availability just yet but we'll keep you updated.


HTC expands its VR headset portfolio with VIVE Cosmos Play, Elite, and XR

Virtual reality may be a fancy and exciting technology for some, but it's quite expensive to buy in considering some headsets cost as much as a gaming console. In order to expand its VR userbase, HTC is looking to deliver new VIVE VR headsets, with one that's targeted at those who want something cheaper.

According to Engadget, HTC has announced three new VR headsets, one of which is the affordable VIVE Cosmos Play. It comes with four tracking cameras instead of six and lacks built-in headphones, which means you'll need your own headphones for audio. The good news is, you still get a 2880 x 1700 resolution display, 110-degree viewing area, and 90Hz refresh rate from the original VIVE Cosmos.

Another model is the high-end VIVE Cosmos Elite. This one uses what's called an 'External Tracking Faceplate' that can be connected to SteamVR base stations. Technically, you should be able to use it to play SteamVR titles. As the more advanced model in this series, it also comes with a pair of VIVE controllers and built-in headphones, essentially an all-in-one setup. The Elite will allegedly cost TWD 29900 (~RM4135).

Finally, there's the VIVE Cosmos XR that's more of a mixed reality headset. This model is similar to the Cosmos Play, except it has four instead of two cameras in front. The extra two are apparently for high-resolution passthrough cameras that are supposed to provide a superior 100-degree field-of-view.

The VIVE Cosmos from last year is actually available in Malaysia but costs a hefty RM3699. If HTC really wants to make the Vive Cosmos Play a more affordable one, the price will probably have to be set to below RM2000. There's no official price or availability date, however, so we can only speculate for now.

It's important for there to be more VR software and cheaper headsets for more people to buy into the technology. The HTC VIVE Cosmos Play may just be the headset that can do so. But what do you think? How affordable does VR need to be for you to want it badly enough? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news.


HTC highlights the features of the HTC One M9 flagship in five new promo videos

HTC has never been popular for its marketing methods, but the company is trying hard to change that this year. The Taiwanese smartphone giant recently unveiled five new teasers for the upcoming HTC One M9 flagship device which is all set to hit the global markets soon. All the five videos focus on the important features of the device which helps the user in their everyday life. The first video gives an overview of all the features of the HTC One M9 smartphone. It particularly focuses on the premium metal design of the phone. The new flagship now comes in a two tone metal finish which is highlighted in the promo. The second video focuses on the camera of the device. It highlights the 20MP rear sensor with sapphire glass cover as well as the 4MP Ultrapixel shooter that takes great selfies even in dim light. One of the biggest highlights of HTC's flagship devices have been its BoomSound speakers and the third video shows off this feature with Dolby Audio Surround tech. Finally, the fourth and the fifth promos concentrate on the software and connectivity features of the One M9 like Blinkfeed, personalization options, 3 finger swipe for streaming and so forth but you can check them out for yourself below:


HTC is planning its own metaverse ecosystem with VR, AR, AI, 5G & NFTs

HTC was once a solid contender in the smartphone industry but has fallen out of the race due to the fierce competition among the players. That said, HTC is not entirely dead yet as they still develop other kinds of technologies around the world.

Just recently, HTC has jumped on the bandwagon of the Metaverse. Calling it the Viverse (vee-verse? vai-verse?), the company is attempting to create a metaverse ecosystem of its own through various means. This includes exploring, working and playing in a safe environment. All in all, it seems that HTC is planning to sell its Viverse universe through its devices.

On the Viverse website, HTC would provide users with its WebXR-enabled consumer services for building their own virtual world. There's Viveport for VR games, Vive Bytes as an NFT marketplace, Vive Connect as a cross-platform service to the Metaverse and Beatday that functions as a holographic music platform.

HTC didn't stop there, but the company will also introduce Vive Arts which lets you see a collection of art pieces virtually. If you're into film production, VR Originals could interest you and VR Chat is going to be part of it as well. Finally, HTC wants to go into the business side with Vive Business and many other means to connect.

So what do you think of HTC's Viverse ecosystem? Let us know in the comments below and do stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


HTC is skipping the new U12 flagship announcement at MWC 2018

Aside from Chinese New Year, another event that we are waiting is obviously MWC 2018 that will take place in Barcelona at the end of February 2018. There will be a ton of gadgets and technologies to look forward to, but unfortunately, HTC is not going to announce a new HTC U12 flagship there, according to an inside source.

However, to add on to that, the insider source also stated that HTC will do another event after MWC 2018. With this, we can assume that the rumoured HTC 12 is probably going to be revealed at that unknown period which could be in the first quarter or the early second quarter of 2018. Reason being why HTC is not going to show off their newest flagship is perhaps due to Samsung's announced event there, so obviously, the company won't want to clash with them.

As for rumoured specifications, the HTC U12 is said to look more or less the same as the U11+ which was recently released in Malaysia. That pretty much means that the body will still have that glass back, thinner bezels, as well as a possibility of going full-screen display at the front with 18:9 aspect ratio. We also expect the flagship to equip the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 with 6GB of RAM, and of course, the Edge Sense feature and Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box.

Oh well, whatever the case may be. We will definitely keep an eye out for that. So until then, stay tuned for more HTC news at TechNave.com.


HTC launched their latest squeezable flagship HTC U11 starting price at RM3099!

HTC Malaysia has finally launched their latest flagship for 2017, HTC U11. The HTC U11 will be available starting from late June with a price tag at RM3099. Only 128GB variant will be available to get here in Malaysia. In terms of colours, HTC Malaysia is bringing 3 options - Amazing Silver, Sapphire Blue and Brilliant Black. Below is the tech-specs:

The new Edge sense allows you to perform specific tasks by either short or long squeeze. Check out the quick demo video below.

Meanwhile, the Solar Red option may come to Malaysia later this year depending on demand. Stay tuned on TechNave for more upcoming HTC U11 news!


HTC may skip MWC 2015 for a dedicated launch event of its HTC Hima flagship

Latest reports suggests the HTC Hima, the successor of the HTC One (M8) flagship will miss MWC 2015. According to upleaks, a well-known tipster on Twitter, HTC may skip both CES 2015 and MWC 2015, only to launch the new flagship at a special event later in the year. The current flagship, HTC One (M8) had also skipped both these major events. If rumors are to be believed, HTC is dropping the 'M' brand name for its flagship device in favor of a new one called 'Hima'. The new HTC device is expected to come with the latest Snapdragon 810 processor. This new chipset features an octa-core processor with 4 Cortex-A57 cores clocked at 2.0GHz and 4 Cortex-A53 cores at 1.5GHz along with 3GB RAM. No tech specs about the internal storage or expandable storage options have been leaked. Other tech specs include a 5-inch 1080p display, 20.7MP rear camera, 13MP / Ultrapixel front Selfie camera and 4G LTE Category 6 connectivity support. The HTC Hima is expected to run on Android 5.0 Lollipop with Sense 7.0 UI on top. It may also feature a 2840 mAh battery. The new device is rumored to come in with same color profiles as the One (M8) – grey, silver and gold.


HTC new teaser video is "obsess" with making the new device the best

So a few days ago, HTC has confirmed that they will be releasing a new device soon. The #Powerof10 greatly implies that a HTC One M10 is in the making, and they are really trying hard to tell the people it will be one of the best phones to come in their latest video teaser.

To those who can't really watch the 30 second clip (because you're working in the office), here are some highlight transcripts for you, it says: “working non-stop not because we have to, because we want to.” and losing sleep “on making your phone even better”. What could this mean? Well, a few days ago HTC's CFO, Chialin Chang stated that the new device will feature a “compelling camera”. It's rumoured to be 12MP with a f/1.9 aperture, so in other words, maybe the camera features could be really great or something. Besides that, it could come in three variants of 16GB, 32Gb and 64GB of internal storage.

What's more, the smartphone is said to start in the USA first. I guess that means we will be getting the devices later than them as usual. Stay tuned for more news at Technave.


HTC offering Chinese New Year deals till 1 March 2015

HTC Malaysia is currently offering some promotions on their HTC smartphones and devices for the upcoming Chinese New Year. According to their Facebook page, this means that you could get some extra freebies like flash memory cards or official cases with your next HTC purchase. These HTC devices include the HTC Desire EYE and some other HTC Desire smartphones, the HTC Butterfly 2 and the Nexus 9 and will be valid until 1 March 2015. To get these freebies, check out their site and fill up your particulars with your proof of purchase.