HTC One M9 (GSM)
AT&T's HTC One M8 and M9 Get Marshmallow Today
AT&T will begin distributing Android 6.0 Marshmallow to its variants of the HTC One M8 and One M9. HTC's VP of Product, Mo Versi, shared the news via his Twitter account. The update brings the two phones inline with the software seen on the HTC 10. The update will be pushed out over the air, which should be downloaded via WiFi. AT&T customers who own the M8 or M9 can check for the update through the settings menu.
HTC to Update One A9 and One M9
HTC representative Mo Versi said the unlocked variants of the One A9 and M9 will see system updates arrive in the next 24 hours. The A9 will be updated to Android 6.0.1, while the M9 will be updated to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. HTC hasn't said when carrier versions of these handsets will receive the same updates.
HTC Says Marshmallow Roll Out to Start Late 2015
HTC executive Jason Makenzie today said the company plans to start updating its smartphones to Android 6.0 Marshmallow before the end of the year. The One M9 and One M8 will be first to see the update, which will begin to arrive in December. Other HTC handsets will see Marshmallow in 2016, include the One M9+, One E9 and E9+, the ME, M8, and E8 EYE, as well as the Desire 826, 820, and 816.
HTC Offering $100 Play Store Credit to One M9 Buyers
HTC today kicked off a short promotion that will reward buyers of the One M9 smartphone with $100 in Google Play Store credit. Buyers will need to scoop up the phone from HTC.com no later than Oct. 31 to claim the $100 in free app, music, movie, and game content.
HTC Bringing the One M9+ to Europe
HTC today said it plans to expand availability of the One M9+ outside of Asia to select European markets. The One M9+ is a slightly larger version of the M9 that has different camera and processor configuration. The design is similar to that of the One M9, including the metal materials and BoomSound stereo speakers. The screen measures 5.2 inches and has quad HD resolution (the M9 has a 5-inch full HD screen). The phone is powered by a MediaTek Helio X10 processor with eight cores clocked at 2.2 GHz (the M9 has a Qualcomm processor). The phone has 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage, with support for memory cards up to 128 GB. The M9+ has a 20-megapixel main camera with a 2-megapixel secondary camera to capture depth-of-field information (similar to the One M8). The front camera relies on HTC's ultrapixel design. HTC gave the One M9+ a fingerprint sensor, which is positioned on the front of the phone in the home button. Connectivity options include Bluetooth, NFC, GPS, WiFi, and LTE. The phone ships with Android 5.0 Lollipop and Sense 7. Pricing and availability will be announced by individual carriers. HTC hasn't said if the phone will be sold in the U.S.
AT&T's HTC One M9 Slated to Get Lollipop 5.1 July 15
AT&T will begin updating the HTC One M9 to Android 5.1 Lollipop on July 15, according to HTC rep Mo Versi. Notably, the system update includes improvements for the camera. The update will be available over-the-air.
HTC Updates Lock Screen and Sense Home Apps
HTC has made updates available to its Lock Screen and Sense Home apps for the One M9 and other handsets. The Lock Screen gains a significant refresh thanks to Lollipop-style notifications, full-screen album artwork during music playback, and more detailed local weather information. The Lock Screen can now display Yelp reviews and BlinkFeed content, too. As for Sense Home, HTC improved the home screen widget and themes, and resolved a number of bugs and performance issues. Both HTC Lock Screen and Sense Home are free to download from the Google Play Store.
HTC's One M9 Earns RAW Support Via Camera Update
HTC today rolled out an update to its camera application for the One M9 and One M8. The new camera application adds RAW camera mode to the one M9, which lets users capture, download, and adjust full-sized digital negatives. The app also adds a Crop-Me-In shooting mode to the One M8. Other new features for both the M9 and M8 include an adjustable divider in Split Capture mode, and the ability to add and remove camera shooting modes. The HTC camera application is free to download from the Google Play Store.
HTC's Design Chief Departs After One Year at the Helm
Jonah Becker, HTC's VP of Industrial Design, announced he is departing the company. Becker joined One & Co., a design firm bought by HTC, 17 years ago. He succeeded Scott Croyle, who himself left HTC a year ago. "It's been an amazing journey with One & Co and HTC, but it's time for a new adventure," said Becker through his personal Twitter account. Of his departure HTC said, "We would like to thank Jonah for his work with HTC, and wish him all the best in his future endeavors. He has been succeeded by Daniel Hundt, based in our San Francisco design office." Becker's departure comes just a week after HTC announced a change at the executive leadership level. Long-time CEO Peter Chou switched roles to run the company's Future Development Lab. Cher Wang, who helped found HTC, has assumed the role of CEO. HTC is on the cusp of releasing its 2015 flagship smartphone, the One M9, which Becker played a large role in designing.
AT&T, T-Mobile Share HTC One M9 Pricing Details
AT&T and T-Mobile today followed up HTC's announcement concerning One M9 pricing and availability with their own. AT&T will begin accepting pre-orders for the M9 at 12:01 AM tonight and will sell the device in stores April 10. The device will cost $199.99 with a two-year contract or $708.99 at full retail. Customers looking to pay over time can get the One M9 for $23.64 per month with Next 24, $29.55 with Next 18, or $35.45 with Next 12. AT&T is selling the 32GB model in silver or gray. T-Mobile plans to begin accepting pre-orders for the M9 at 6:00 AM Pacific Time on March 27 and will sell it in stores April 10. T-Mobile is offering it for $0 down followed by $27.08 per month for 24 months. T-Mobile will also sell the device at the full retail cost of $649.92. T-Mobile's version of the device will have WiFi calling. Both AT&T and T-Mobile will ship the One M9 as customers place orders, which means they'll likely arrive before the April 10 in-store availability date.
HTC to Sell One M9 March 27 for $649, Carriers April 10
HTC will make the One M9 available for purchase on its web site beginning Friday, March 27 for $649. Carrier and major retailer sales of the device will kick off on or about April 10. HTC will be offering an unlocked version of the One M9, which supports the LTE networks operated by AT&T and T-Mobile, in addition to major carrier models. The company is offering a 12-month, interest-free payment option for customers who'd rather pay for the device over time. AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon plan to sell the phone and it will also be available from Amazon, Best Buy / Best Buy Mobile, Costco, and Target. The phone will be sold in gunmetal gray or two-tone gold/silver and in 32GB and 64GB models. The One M9 comes with Uh Oh protection, which will let owners get a free replacement device if theirs suffers a broken screen or water damage. The One M9 goes on sale via HTC's web site at 12:01AM Eastern Time. The phone features a 5-inch full HD screen, 20-megapixel main camera, Snapdragon 810 processor, BoomSound stereo speakers, and an all-aluminum chassis.
HTC One M9 Primed for April 10 Launch
HTC today said the One M9 will begin shipping April 10. U.S. carriers haven't said when their individual variants will go on sale, but they should offer the phone soon after the April 10 launch.
HTC's One M9 to Include Free 'Uh Oh' Insurance
HTC today announced Uh Oh Protection for the One M9, a program that will provide owners with a free replacement device if the M9 is damaged. Uh Oh Protection comes with the M9 automatically; customers won't need to sign up for it, but it is limited to the U.S. Under the terms of the program, HTC will provide a free replacement phone if the M9 suffers a broken screen, water damage, or if the customer chooses to change wireless network operators. The one-time replacement is available during the first 12 months of ownership. M9 owners who do not take advantage of Uh Oh Protection at the end of 12 months will receive a $100 credit towards the purchase of a future HTC One handset. Uh Oh Protection is an offshoot of the HTC Advantage program, in which HTC offered free screen replacements for the One M8, One mini, and One max. The HTC One M9 is expected to go on sale in the U.S. soon.
Galaxy S6, S6 Edge and HTC One M9 MirrorLink-Enabled
The Car Connectivity Consortium today announced that the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, and the HTC One M9 support the MirrorLink standard for connecting to cars. MirrorLink is a platform-agnostic tool that allows smartphones to push apps and content to in-dash consoles. It competes with Google's Android Auto and Apple's CarPlay. With MirrorLink on board, the GS6, GS6 Edge, and One M9 will be able to connect to the infotainment systems of supported cars.
Hands On with the HTC One M9
HTC’s flagship One phones are iconic and well-regarded. The already refined design has been refined further for 2015, representing a relatively modest update. While it looks very similar to last year’s M8 version, the new One M9 upgrades nearly everything. It packs in a kitchen sink worth of features, earning its flagship status easily. We take a look at what’s new in this hands-on preview.
HTC One M9 Graced with 20-Megapixel Camera
HTC today announced the One M9, its latest flagship phone. It retains the 5-inch full-HD screen of last year's One, but upgrades most other features, including a 20-megapixel main camera with a sapphire lens and the ability to shoot 4K video. Downloadable camera plug-ins will include a RAW mode option. The front camera now uses an UltraPixel sensor, and the processor is an octa-core Snapdragon 810. Other specs include 3 GB of RAM, 32 GB of internal storage, a memory card slot, an IR port, and BoomSound dual front speakers. The battery is slightly larger. The design is similar to last year's One M8, including unibody metal construction with a curved back and fine brushed finish. The design has been tweaked with sharper rear corners, a smoother front, and a unique two-tone anodized finish in the silver/gold color option. It will also be available in a dark gunmetal grey, all gold, and pink. The One M9 starts shipping in Taiwan in mid-March, and will come to all four major U.S. carriers soon after.
