Users of the Moto 360 might be worried about the lack of Android 5.1.1 update. Apparently Motorola is yet to fully optimize the performance on its Android Wear smartwatch. As said on Twitter, they are working with Google to ensure that the software runs great.
The post Motorola Explains Moto 360’s Android 5.1.1 Delay appeared first on xda-developers.
At HTC’s annual general meeting, HTC CEO and Chairwoman Cher Wang apologized to the company shareholders for HTC’s recent performance, as reported by Taipei Times. This apology comes a few days after HTC’s stock price dropped to a 12-year low of NT$98, while HTC’s highest was at April 1st 2011 at NT$1,300. The recent dismal performance was blamed on poor operational efficiency and overly conservative marketing strategy in the global market.
While we are not privy to the exact numbers which indicate “poor operational efficiency”, dwindling profits on the other hand should come as no surprise to anyone who hasn’t been living under a rock since the launch of HTC One M9.
Launched amidst direct competition from a redesigned Galaxy S6, the One M9 felt like a deja-vu product. That by itself is not a bad thing, but critics were quick to point out that the One M9 brought nothing new to the table whilst ignoring some major qualms against the previous iteration of HTC’s flagship, the One M8. To add salt to wounds, the One M9 was also at the heart of the one of biggest controversies of 2015, thanks to the heating issues caused by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 810, which further aggravated shipment delays after launch . In view of disheartening sales, HTC also had to resort to cutting its component orders for the One M9 by 30%.
All of this together paints a rather poor picture, one of a company in distress. But in order to retain shareholder confidence, HTC’s CEO Cher Wang did promise a turnaround for the company in the second half of 2015. Wang revealed that the company plans to improve upon its core business segment of smartphones. This starts with the launch of a “Hero Product” in October and continues on with “significant improvements” in innovation and design for the next years flagship model.
Along with new releases, HTC will also aim to enhance its existing business models by improving the product mix strategy for smartphones, which could mean a greater choice on a wider price range. There will also be reduction in production costs thanks to improvements in production efficiency and optimizations of components supply chain.
Another notable announcement comes in the form of improvements in marketing strategies. HTC will not renew its contract with Robert Downey Jr after this year. On the face of it, this looks like good decision-making but it would have made more sense to discontinue contracts with the teams responsible for advertisements featuring twerking green trolls and antidepressant medication rather than the actor.
All in all, the first half of 2015 has been nothing short of a nightmare for HTC. But the management is positive that the company can come full circle and make up lost ground in the second half of 2015.
We hope HTC does indeed work upon its past mistakes and improve upon its current form. The brand “HTC” remains one of the most influential in XDA’s history, and we hope they make a comeback comparable to the Galaxy S6.
What do you think of HTC’s latest game plan? Is it enough to survive in such a fiercely competitive market? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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The post HTC Promises Launch Of “Hero Product” In October appeared first on xda-developers.
After months of waiting and anticipation for users, OnePlus finally launched the Bamboo Styleswap Cover for the OnePlus One in India on May 29th. Priced at Rs. 1,499 (~$24), the accessory is being sold at a price less than the rest of the world. But is it still worth buying?
The product listing for the Bamboo Styleswap Cover was scheduled to go live on Amazon.in on May 29th 2015 at 2pm IST, but it did not go online till 3pm. This did cause some confusion and sparked fears that the product was already sold out within a few minutes of launch, but that was not the case. Once the listing went live, everything sailed smoother.
The retail box contains the Bamboo Styleswap Cover, a matching Micro Sim card tray, a blue tool to help in installation and an instruction manual. The instructions are in Chinese as well as English, along with accompanying pictures. Unlike the international retail unit and what was mentioned in the OnePlus India Blog post (and later clarified), the unit received by me did not have a matching Nano Sim card tray. So, if you are a Nano Sim card user, you would still need a Nano-Sim-to-Micro-Sim adapter. For installation, you also need to remove the Sim Card tray using the tool given in the retail packaging of the OnePlus One phone as there is no tool for Sim removal provided with the case packaging. Not much of an issue by itself, but worth pointing out for future owners.
Getting to installation of the cover, it is certainly not an easy task. The back covers for the OnePlus One are not “hot-swappable” (for lack of a better term). You need to remove the Sim Card tray before trying to pry the existing cover off. The Instruction Manual recommends using the headphone jack to create a gap. This is done by half inserting the headphone pin into the jack and applying a bit of pressure at an angle to create a gap. Once a gap is created, use the included blue tool to pry the cover off from the top first, and then extend on to either side of the phone. Lastly, simply pull the cover downwards and away to completely remove it.
Even with fairly experienced hands, it took me 10 mins to successfully remove the existing phone cover without any damage. There is certainly scope for damaging your existing cover if you do things the wrong way, so be sure to follow along the Instruction Manual carefully and take your time with the procedure.
Snapping on the Bamboo Styleswap Cover was a cakewalk compared to removing the Original Cover and took all of 5 seconds to lock in place and be ready for use.
As far as the Bamboo texture goes, it feels great. It has slightly grainy vertical lines along the back resembling the ones in the actual Bamboo fibre. The vertical lines are not deep but are noticeable when you actively try and feel them by sliding your finger across the back panel.
Coming from the Sandstone Black cover, the Bamboo styleswap cover was a welcomed change. The Bamboo cover exudes a premium and unique feel from a distance, in comparison to the Sandstone Black cover which gave a premium feel only when someone held the phone. In the three days that I have used the Bamboo cover, it has elicited more questions and compliments from people than the Sandstone Black has in my month long usage of the OnePlus One. The Cover is prominently different than what the Indian market and public is used to, and it encourages people to ask questions about it and hold the phone to feel it for themselves.
With regards to grip, the Bamboo Styleswap cover features way smoother finish than the Sandstone Black. This can be a bad experience for those who prefer the rough feel and extreme grip that the Sandstone Black allows. However, once your hands get used to the smooth finish and Bamboo texture, the phone still remains grippable. The phone slides in and out of the pocket with better ease, but does not simply fall out (as compared to smooth glass phones like the Nexus 4).
There is another thing to note about the Bamboo Styleswap Cover. The cover is actually just a tad bit thicker on the main back panel as the Bamboo wood is overlaid on top of a plastic back shell. This actually helps the phone, especially in the camera area as the protruding camera lens now sits inside a recession created by the slightly thicker bulk. On the Sandstone Black cover, the entire camera exterior protrudes out of the cover, while on the Bamboo Styleswap cover, only the top 10% of the camera exterior is protruding so you can just feel the edge of the module exterior. I no longer need a case to get the confidence of putting down my phone with the screen up to avoid scratching the camera lens, as the lens no longer touches the surface upon placement.
One gripe I had with the Bamboo Styleswap cover, however, is the noticeable rattling of the power button. Unlike the buttons on the Sandstone Black cover, there is a noticeable gap between the power button and cutout in the case, leading to back-and-forth travelling movements when I place my finger. The clickability and responsiveness of the button is intact, but the travel is definitely there. This is not an issue with my installation of the cover as the volume buttons do not travel in a similar fashion. Removing and reinstalling the cover did not fix it, so future buyers do need to take note.
As a whole, the Bamboo Styleswap cover complements the OnePlus One. The phone itself is a beast on the inside, and the Bamboo cover gives it the touch of uniqueness on the outside. Apart from difficulty with installation and some power button travel, there is nothing else to complain about. Coupled with the fact that it is available in the Indian market at a very reasonable price of Rs. 1,499 ($25) with free shipping makes it a very good add on. If you like to turn heads and want people to ask you about your phone, this is something you should definitely buy. Know what you are expecting and you will not be disappointed with this one.
The post OnePlus One Bamboo Styleswap Cover Review appeared first on xda-developers.
