HTC One Google Edition confirmed, June 26th, $599

[s44]

Android Police has some answers:

The IR blaster will be disabled out of the box since this is a stock Android device.

http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/0...tc-camera-features-and-no-beats-audio-switch/

 

[poofyhairguy]

Android Police has some answers:
http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/0...tc-camera-features-and-no-beats-audio-switch/

 

[Red Storm]

Android Police has some answers:
http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/0...tc-camera-features-and-no-beats-audio-switch/

Boo.

 

[dlock13]

What did you guys expect? All of the HTC features are software tweaks. You can't expect them all to work. That's why I'm wondering if the camera will even be good!

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

its not just software. you still need the hardware for a camera to shoot 8 fps continuous shooting. i feel like that will also disappear with aosp camera.

 

[Red Storm]

What did you guys expect? All of the HTC features are software tweaks. You can't expect them all to work. That's why I'm wondering if the camera will even be good!

IR is not just software, was hoping that would be the one thing to make it in.

 

[Dari]

Can someone tell me what is so special about stock Android? Is this a blasphemous question to ask around here? I just don't understand what's so special about it when a lot of the interesting bit about the Android Experience are in the apps. Even the Google apps are not married to the latest OS. THey are separate. It's not as if the OEMs are going out of their way to make Android worse...

 

[Bateluer]

Android Police has some answers:
http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/0...tc-camera-features-and-no-beats-audio-switch/

I expect there's going to be some kanging from the HTC Sense 5 RUUs for the AOSP roms.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Can someone tell me what is so special about stock Android? Is this a blasphemous question to ask around here? I just don't understand what's so special about it when a lot of the interesting bit about the Android Experience are in the apps. Even the Google apps are not married to the latest OS. THey are separate. It's not as if the OEMs are going out of their way to make Android worse...

Less bloat is a huge benefit. I realize part of the experience is in the apps, but there's just so much crap on these Touchwiz phones. Not sure why my gf's SGS3 runs like absolute trash.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Can someone tell me what is so special about stock Android? Is this a blasphemous question to ask around here? I just don't understand what's so special about it when a lot of the interesting bit about the Android Experience are in the apps. Even the Google apps are not married to the latest OS. THey are separate. It's not as if the OEMs are going out of their way to make Android worse...

For me its three things:

1. Touchwiz looks like an ANCIENT version of Android. They do that on purpose- so older Galaxy owners can feel comfortable- but for someone who was seen real Jellybean its ugly.

2. Stock Android rolls up with Google's updates of the OS, and there is always a lag with the skinned versions. So if you want the newest update of Android ASAP, stock in the way to go.

3. Stock Android has less going on (its not watching your eye movements) so its smoother.

 

[Crono]

Can someone tell me what is so special about stock Android? Is this a blasphemous question to ask around here? I just don't understand what's so special about it when a lot of the interesting bit about the Android Experience are in the apps. Even the Google apps are not married to the latest OS. THey are separate. It's not as if the OEMs are going out of their way to make Android worse...

If you've ever bought a new Windows PC, you have a good analogy to understand what the appeal is. Power users and computer enthusiasts don't appreciate having OEMs and computer resellers installing crap on top of Windows. Especially when the software slows down the system and takes up space, or even more annoyingly are the free trial software programs that used to come with desktops that would require purchase or paid subscriptions to work.

Some manufacturers develop useful and lightweight programs that are good, but even then you would rather have the option to pick and choose what is installed, or rather not have the computer come with anything except for unadulterated Windows.

The same is true of Android smartphones, but it's even worse than what went on (or still goes on, just set up a laptop for someone and ASUS put way too many of their own programs in) on the desktop side. Manufacturers make it hard to remove all those programs, they eat up memory and battery life, and very often they are poorly and inconsistently designed. There are cases to be made for some OEM installed apps or features, especially those tied closely to hardware; I wouldn't want to lose IR functionality (which turns the phone into the best universal remote I've had, even easier to use than the Harmony One I owned) on my One or the camera features like Zoes or Highlights.

The problem, though, is that these companies aren't selective, and it's better in a lot of cases to have the stock, vanilla, AOSP, original, or whatever else you want to call it, Google version of Android. It's better to err on the side of speed, clean and consistent design, and minimalism than to throw in 1,000 programs and a cluttered and old interface that slows down what should otherwise be a lag-free and fast phone (speaking of the S4).

I honestly don't mind HTC's implementation of Android on the One at all, but would I prefer stock Android? Yes, but only if I could keep the camera features, the IR features (whether or not it's tied to HTC's TV program - so long as I can control my A/V setup, I'm good), and maybe most importantly still use Media Link HD, which came free with my phone and is an awesome way to wirelessly mirror my phone on my television and stream content from my phone to it. I love using my phone as a media streamer, it means I can use it as my primary media device almost anywhere.

Sense 5 otherwise doesn't bother me and it doesn't seem slow at all, and Blinkfeed I actually use quite often whenever I'm waiting in line or otherwise have some time to kill to look at headlines and read news, so really the only appealing thing about the Google edition for me would be that it doesn't come with the AT&T, Facebook, Twitter, etc. apps. I currently have all those apps in two folders which I never open. HTC otherwise doesn't have many gimmicky apps or features installed. Stock Android does look better overall, though, and if I were given the option of all the HTC features (via drivers preinstalled, and with the apps available to download through Play), but with stock Android underneath, I would take it.

 

[poofyhairguy]

You are right. Sense is really nice. If I had a One the big advantage to me would be more timely updates. I bet the Sense ROM is two Android releases behind AOSP at some point in the One's life.

 

[ponyo]

The appeal of Google stock Android for me is the timely update direct from Google. This is important because majority of the mod community work is built on Google updates and open source drivers. HTC One Google Edition will benefit all One owners because the mod community will now have the proper tools to fully support this phone.

But I'm less excited about HTC One Google Edition as I am with Galaxy S4 Google Edition. The way I look at it, HTC One GE is pretty much same as Nexus 4 but with 32gb storage and higher res screen. The sealed battery sizes are similar and both will run the same stock Android version. Meanwhile GS4 GE has something you won't find in a modern Nexus phone- removable battery and mSD card. With N4, HTC One, and GS4 all running the same stock Android version, the only difference will be price and hardware rather than software. GS4 has all other phones beat when it comes to hardware and utility. Of course it's also the most expensive.

 

[Bateluer]

You are right. Sense is really nice. If I had a One the big advantage to me would be more timely updates. I bet the Sense ROM is two Android releases behind AOSP at some point in the One's life.

The Sense 5 Ones likely won't move beyond 4.2.2, in all likelihood. Especially the Verizon version, that may or may not exist.

But I'm less excited about HTC One Google Edition as I am with Galaxy S4 Google Edition. The way I look at it, HTC One GE is pretty much same as Nexus 4 but with 32gb storage and higher res screen. The sealed battery sizes are similar and both will run the same stock Android version. Meanwhile GS4 GE has something you won't find in a modern Nexus phone- removable battery and mSD card. With N4, HTC One, and GS4 all running the same stock Android version, the only difference will be price and hardware rather than software. GS4 has all other phones beat when it comes to hardware and utility. Of course it's also the most expensive.

Between the N4, the GS4GE, and the One GE, the One is head and shoulders above the others in build quality. I'd definitely place the One above the GS4 in hardware, though the GS4 has more features. Features that, I should add, have been attacked as being 'fluff' or 'gimmicky'.

Both the GS4 and One have stupid button arrangements though. Nearly 2 years after the Galaxy Nexus showed everyone how it was done, and only Nexus and Moto devices have on screen buttons. Pathetic.

 

[tvdang7]

I do not get why this will not work on tmobile aws? its the same cpu as the s4 technically.

 

[lothar]

Can someone tell me what is so special about stock Android? Is this a blasphemous question to ask around here? I just don't understand what's so special about it when a lot of the interesting bit about the Android Experience are in the apps. Even the Google apps are not married to the latest OS. THey are separate. It's not as if the OEMs are going out of their way to make Android worse...

If you've ever owned a Dell or HP computer versus building your own, you would understand.
If you're a "get a Dell" dude type and don't understand what's so special about building your own PC versus buying a Dell or HP computer, then there's not much explanation I can do for you.

 

[lothar]

The appeal of Google stock Android for me is the timely update direct from Google. This is important because majority of the mod community work is built on Google updates and open source drivers. HTC One Google Edition will benefit all One owners because the mod community will now have the proper tools to fully support this phone.

But I'm less excited about HTC One Google Edition as I am with Galaxy S4 Google Edition. The way I look at it, HTC One GE is pretty much same as Nexus 4 but with 32gb storage and higher res screen. The sealed battery sizes are similar and both will run the same stock Android version. Meanwhile GS4 GE has something you won't find in a modern Nexus phone- removable battery and mSD card. With N4, HTC One, and GS4 all running the same stock Android version, the only difference will be price and hardware rather than software. GS4 has all other phones beat when it comes to hardware and utility. Of course it's also the most expensive.

AMOLED, AMOLED, AMOLED...

Basically, the only difference between HTC One and Galaxy S4 to me now is:
-Both have stupid button arrangements, but HTC's method is by far more stupid. Probably the most stupid I've ever seen on any device in fact.
-One phone has AMOLED, the other does not. (This is personally a big thing for me. I own a Nexus 4 and I miss it.)
-One phone has front facing speakers, the other does not.
-And I suppose if you're into the "premium" build quality stuff vs. plastic debate which I won't get into.
-The $50 difference between both phones essentially amounts to nothing and is not even worth mentioning.

Everything else including Sense, TouchWiz, Air Gestures, Smart scroll, Beats audio, BlinkFeed, and anything else I missed are all bloatware, gimmicks, and marketing fluff to me.

And T-Mobile users: Don't rush to get this HTC One Google Edition just yet.
There are rumors spreading that the phone doesn't support T-Mobile's HSPA+ AWS bands. Given the fact that T-Mobile only has LTE in about 5-10 major cities so you will pretty much be stuck on 2G/Edge unless you have one of those refarmed spectrums that T-Mobile got from AT&T merger failure.
HSPA/WCDMA: 850/1900/2100 MHz
GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
LTE: 700/850/AWS/1900 MHz (US)

 

[zerogear]

IR will be disabled, but should work with 3rd party software.

 

[lothar]

I expect there's going to be some kanging from the HTC Sense 5 RUUs for the AOSP roms.

That's if HTC doesn't serve them cease and desist letters...

 

[OBLAMA2009]

its sort of gay the way they lied about this for a couple weeks

RIP nexus....

 

[zerogear]

Lied about it how? You mean like every other company who deny the existence of a product until official announcement?

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

AMOLED, AMOLED, AMOLED...

Basically, the only difference between HTC One and Galaxy S4 to me now is:
-Both have stupid button arrangements, but HTC's method is by far more stupid. Probably the most stupid I've ever seen on any device in fact.
-One phone has AMOLED, the other does not. (This is personally a big thing for me. I own a Nexus 4 and I miss it.)
-One phone has front facing speakers, the other does not.
-And I suppose if you're into the "premium" build quality stuff vs. plastic debate which I won't get into.
-The $50 difference between both phones essentially amounts to nothing and is not even worth mentioning.

Everything else including Sense, TouchWiz, Air Gestures, Smart scroll, Beats audio, BlinkFeed, and anything else I missed are all bloatware, gimmicks, and marketing fluff to me.

And T-Mobile users: Don't rush to get this HTC One Google Edition just yet.
There are rumors spreading that the phone doesn't support T-Mobile's HSPA+ AWS bands. Given the fact that T-Mobile only has LTE in about 5-10 major cities so you will pretty much be stuck on 2G/Edge unless you have one of those refarmed spectrums that T-Mobile got from AT&T merger failure.
HSPA/WCDMA: 850/1900/2100 MHz
GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
LTE: 700/850/AWS/1900 MHz (US)

Iono about AMOLED. If you properly calibrate an IPS screen, it's beautiful. BTW, did you tune your Nexus 4 colors? The Nexus 4 stock colors are absolutely horrendous. I did a full wipe last night and went back to stock for a while and it's just washed out and ugly.

I did the best calibration I could to get to Gamma 2.2 and to eliminate clipping, and the Nexus 4 screen is quite punchy. When stacked next to my gf's SGS3, I'd say the Nexus 4 does really well. I'd pick my Nexus 4 over the SGS3 when calibrated. It also outshines my SGS2. The only phone with a punchier screen is my Nexus S which can be calibrated.

If you looked at the HTC One X for example, that was a gorgeous screen against the SGS3. So as long as HTC provides decent color calibration for the Nexus Experience One, I'd say the difference isn't as big as you're seeing with the Nexus 4.

I guess opinions differ about the buttons, but I find Samsung's buttons to be great. The location may not be because its too close to the edge. However I'd rather have a permanent menu button. It's a customization I have to have in the CM 10.1 custom nav bar. Holding down Home to multitask is not a problem for me. I can still work efficiently. The One arrangement is just stupid and a 2 button layout just does NOT work for Android. With that said, I hope long-press menu gives "Search" capabilities on GS4. Is that how it works currently with Touchwiz? I remember that's how my GS2 worked. I honestly don't think Google's on screen button layout is perfect either. If anything, Android 2.x phones and 4 buttons were far more useful.

 

[Demo24]

the issue with the N4 isn't about fixed batteries though. You're talking about a bandaid solution which is carrying multiple batteries. The root cause is a software issue. I'm not too worried about the battery life on my iPhone 5 for example. That 1400mAh battery could be larger, but I'm not frantically looking for wakelocks or limiting use on a phone because it might not make it for the day.

The S4 does fine and so does the One. The question is how do they perform on AOSP because it seems every Nexus device so far fails on battery.



Interesting. I was a bit mistaken about the One doing so well on Wifi. It was the One X. It's hard to make solid conclusions when Anand's battery tests aren't apples to apples for the 3G/4G tests.

Well, I dunno what you have now but the last update my gnex got greatly improved battery life. Biggest difference? Wake locks have reduced in number dramatically. It easily makes it 15+ hours now.

Also heard of the two big things Larry page is interested in working on, its battery life and fixability. So my guess is the next android version will improve on this.

 

[ElectricD]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the HTC one has no LED notification light, right?

This is one of my favorite features of the Nexus phones and would be a deal breaker for me (not to mention the possible lack of HSPA+ bands)

 

[ChronoReverse]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the HTC one has no LED notification light, right?

This is one of my favorite features of the Nexus phones and would be a deal breaker for me (not to mention the possible lack of HSPA+ bands)

It has a notification light but it's terrible like the one in the One X. Htc had the cool idea of embedding it into the speaker grill but the practical effect is that you can't see it unless you're looking directly at your phone from the front.

It's also not tri-colour.