Android KitKat 4.4.4 Update: HTC One M8, M7 To Receive Security, Stability, & Bug Fixes

Android KitKat 4.4.4 Update: 

HTC One M8 and M7 

To Receive Security, Stability, & Bug Fixes

 

  In recent smartdevice news, tech fans will be excited to learn that the latest Android update is now available for the HTC One M8 and M7.

  Android 4.4.4. KitKat patch has brought about an improved handset performance, upgraded security and stability, as well as fixing a few bugs. The user interface has also received an update on the HTC One M8 and M7. For other phones however, like the Nexus phones, there isn’t much of a difference from the previous UI version.

  People can expect the update to come rolling onto their phones this July. Notifications will be sent to the phones whenever the update is ready. If ever the notification is not received, users can always go to the Settings Menu to activate the update.

  Most other devices will be receiving updates for the Android 4.4.3 upgrade as well. HTC has tried out testing the update with Sense 6 on both the M8 and M7 devices, but will promptly skipped out on the 4.4.3 in preparation for the Android L update which is set to come out soon.

Depending on the testing, most HTC devices will not see 4.4.3 and will directly update to 4.4.4. The HTC One M7, HTC One Max, Butterfly S, Desire 816, and the Desire 610 will remain on the 4.4.2 version for the meantime.

  HTC has made the announcement of the features and the updates that will begin appearing on the Google Play Store “HTC Customers and Enthusiasts, HTC is excited about the new features in Android L release and we can’t wait to share them with you. We are committed to updating our flagship HTC One family as fast as possible as part of our HTC Advantage program,” the company stated.

HTC Volantis?

HTC Volantis.......

Fake or Real?

  

  Rumors of a new HTC-made Nexus Tablet — codenamed HTC Volantis — began to escalate recently after a mysterious tablet (picture above) appeared in Google’s official Material design images. Carrying a nondescript form factor, the only standout feature we noticed was what appeared to be a large front facing speaker towards the top, something HTC is all too familiar with in their devices.

  Despite initial rumors suggesting this HTC Volantis (Nexus 9?) would launch carrying rather modest specs, along came @evleaks today throwing everyone for a loop. Mr. Leaks revealed a rather unbelievable assortment of specs and even more puzzling “leaked macro image” of the tablet, showing half a camera and some watermarks, one of which reads “Android Silver OS Alpha 1.4.” For the processor, the Volantis prototype is allegedly using a Snapdragon 810 CPU during its testing phase, with the final model switching over to a 64-bit NVIDIA Tegra K1 in the future.

  There’s also mention of a aluminum unibody design, 5GB of non-final RAM (overkill?), and an 8.9-inch 2560×1600 display (prototype is using a 1680×1050 display), 64GB of internal storage, and a 5MP camera (although it could ship with an 8MP shooter). Of course, HTC’s trademark BoomSound stereo front facing speakers were mentioned and while the image above looks pretty official, @evleaks mentions earlier renders being “fake.”

  It’s a pretty big pill to swallow. If @evleaks “leaked” specs hold true, this tablet could be one of the most powerful 9-inch tablets to ever hit the market, easily rivaling the best from Apple, Samsung, or any other manufacturer for that matter. Can’t wait to see how this one develops. Anyone thinking this might be their next Android tab?

Engadget Readers Give the new HTC M8 a 9.2 rating !

Engadget Readers 

Give the new HTC M8 a 9.2 rating !

  The HTC One (M8) has been a hit with critics: Our own Brad Molen calls it "a great smartphone that does a lot of fantastic things," while Laptop Magazine goes so far as to say it's "the best Android phone on the market." But now that the M8 has hit all four major carriers in the US and has had a chance to stretch its legs out in the wild, how has it fared in long-term, day-to-day usage? To find out, we turn to user reviews, written by erudite Engadget readers like yourself, and they certainly haven't held anything back.

The M8 scored top marks in the design department, with Mokaky saying he was "amazed by the elegant design and the superior construction of the device," while jaredvillhelm tells us that "people double take when they see the phone in my hand." However, though many users called the handset "beautiful," a few also brought up the M8's slippery nature. Indeed,MaroonR says, "Yes, the phone looks fantastic. However, if you're trying to use it with one hand in the car, you're probably going to drop it. The sides are really skinny, and the back doesn't do much to help you grip it."

MaroonR was pleased with the Sense UI, though, telling us, "The Sense gestures on this are really great -- the phone is tall, so some might have trouble reaching the power button; a double tap turns the screen on. Great!" AhmadAAziz calls it "snappy, intuitive and very simple to use." The camera also got quite a workout from our users, with JonSilveradmitting, "I was nervous about the camera, but for posting/sharing to social media/text/email, the camera is great. The software effects (UFocus, etc.) are nice too." And jaredvillhelm concurs, telling us, "If I wanted ultra clear camera shots, I'd buy a fancy Nikon; for my everyday quick pictures, I'm more than satisfied with this camera."

While professional reviewers do their best to gauge battery life on a phone, the real measure of how well it performs only comes after months of regular use, and jpspidermansays, "The battery on the phone has been lasting me about 36 to 30 hours with moderate use (moderate meaning movies, musics, phone calls and gaming). It's living up to the hype of long battery life without the constant worrying of the phone dying in the middle of the day." Mokaky agrees, saying, "it completes the day with me... no need to carry the charger again."

The best part of reading user reviews is seeing how a product affects the lives of everyday users. AhmadAAziz finds it useful at work, saying, "Sometimes I have to make a phone call from a factory's production yard, with all machinery running, and the in-call sound clarity is awesome." Others have had trouble keeping their phones out of the hands of others, with MaroonR noting that, "People will want to touch it, so be prepared to wipe it clean now and again," while phlogiston says, "I like my wife's iPhone, but it says something about the HTC One when she keeps trying to trade phones with me (I am not making that up)."

So it looks like users love the HTC One (M8) as much as, if not more than, the critics did. If you'd like to tell us how you feel about the M8, it's as simple as clicking the "write a review" button on the page, where you'll be taken to a simple review form.