We don’t know a whole ton about the HTC 11, but recent leaks give us a look into the specifications and an idea of the design, so it’s time for consumers to start thinking about whether or not it makes sense to upgrade. We took a look at the information available and will try to give you a sense on whether this new entry is a purchase or a pass.
Latest HTC 11 News
First we’ll look at the basics of what we know so far about the HTC 11.
- Suspected Release Date – Mid to Late 2017
- What’s new? – SD835 Chip and Android Nougat
- Cost – $690 (estimate)
When Can We Expect the HTC 11?
As mentioned above it’s probably going to be mid to late 2017 before we see this newest model. It was suspected that we’d see the phone in the next few months, but at the Mobile World Congress, HTC simply announced an upgraded version of their current phone. New models of mobile devices often coincide with new chips, and with Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 385 chip it’s likely we’ll see new flagships from a lot of companies this year.
Because of this new chip and the fact that there was no announcement of the HTC 11 at the Mobile World Congress, we’re anticipating that the phone will likely release mid to late 2017. That’s a decent amount of time from now, and with other high-end offerings from Samsung and Apple just around the corner you might be hard pressed to wait on this upgrade. HTC’s president of Smartphones and Connected Devices, Chialin Chan, spoke to Tbreak and confirmed that they’re just waiting for the right technology.
“Every time there is a brand new CPU with power that we can leverage, we’re always at the forefront doing that,” he explained. “Some people are talking about the timing, but timing was determined nine months ago. This [the Snapdragon 821 inside the HTC Ultra U] is the best CPU out there. When the next flagship CPU comes, HTC will be one of the very first tier doing that.”
“When we will look back, it will be clear why HTC introduced [the Ultra phones]. We want to have a couple of months of leadership before the next flagship CPU comes,” he continued, adding: “But that will be in another period of time – not at MWC. Not for us or any other player, I can tell you that for sure. When the new CPU comes, HTC will have another flagship.”
This interview means that it’s likely we’ll see the HTC 11 sometime this year.
HTC 11 Features
Now into what really matters. What features does HTC’s upcoming flagship have that warrants an upgrade over the HTC 10? Let’s take a look at what we know, courtesy of Trustedreviews:
- 5.5-inch screen
- QHD display resolution
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor
- Quick Charge 4.0
- 8GB RAM
- 256GB storage
- 12-megapixel dual primary camera
- 8-megapixel selfie camera
- 3,700mAh battery
The featured image is a alleged photo of the upcoming phone and we’ve also reposted it below.
HTC 11 Rumors and Leaks
The main source of speculation about the HTC 11 comes from well-known gadget leaker Evan Blass, who confirms reports about a mysterious handset called the HTC Ocean
https://twitter.com/evleaks/status/788284466867339264?ref_src=twsrc^tfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.trustedreviews.com%2Fnews%2Fhtc-11-release-date-specs-2017-price-uk-news-rumours
The HTC Ocean was leaked by a designer at HTC and was originally a concept that featured ‘Sense Touch’ that allowed users to perform functions by swiping or tapping the edge. Whether this HTC Ocean concept will translate into the HTC 11 is yet to be seen. Considering that they haven’t released a flagship this year and the phone is likely in development, it’s likely we’ll see these features included.
Another leak from Weibo suggests that we’ll see the HTC 11 featuring a 5.5-inch display with a fairly standard QHD resolution – that’s 1,440 x 2,560 pixels. According to the leak we can also expect a 12 megapixel camera on the back of the phone with an 8 megapixel camera on the front.
As we gleaned from the interview with HTC’s president of phones, and from looking at past entries, it’s very likely the phone will include the new Snapdragon 835 chip which is 27% faster than their last chip. That improvement alone might be worth the upgrade from the HTC 10, but is unlikely to set the HTC 11 apart in a field of phones that are boasting the same chips with similar or superior specs.
Operating System
It’s possible we’ll see the HTC 11 running on Android 7.0, but just a few days ago Google announced the introduction of developer testing for Android O. Android N, the previous developer release, eventually became Nougat. So with this new release of developer tools for the upcoming software upgrade it’s definitely possible that we’ll see the HTC 11 running on Android 8.0.
The Verdict
The jury’s still out on whether or not this phone will be worth the wait. There’s certainly some exciting entries coming out from competitors in the coming months, so I’d really only recommend that diehard HTC fans hold on for a release. From what I can tell from what we know, there’s nothing particularly revolutionary about the HTC 11. Sure, it’s probably going to be a great phone, but probably not a reason to avoid upgrading to another manufacturer’s current model.
Gadgets
Amazon DJI Store in Germany hacked? DJI NEO Fly More Combo reveals it
We wanted to check all DJI Stores across the world on Amazon and found out an interesting probable hack on there store in Germany.
See below Screenshot
Some might even buy the Fly More package without regards to the Title –
KuyuqudGVg 6 x 12 Inch Summer Sushi Printed License Plate Frame for Car, Car Tag, Car Tag –What?????
So when you buy it and than realize you receive a pack of Car Tags instead of DJI NEO Fly More Combo and want to ask a refund will Amazon Germany give it back to you or will the buyers remain with a minus 293 Euro in there account.
What are you thougts about this?
Gadgets
Spotify is providing refunds for Car Thing as it confronts a lawsuit regarding the malfunctioning of the streaming device
Spotify is receiving ongoing criticism for its choice to terminate support for Car Thing, its in-car streaming device, which was announced in May. According to the company, the device will become inoperable after December 9, 2024. Gen Z users on TikTok are sharing videos to express their dissatisfaction with Spotify’s decision and its suggested measures, such as transitioning to Android Auto or CarPlay. The users point out that they often lacked access to integrated infotainment systems in their cars, which makes them a prime target market for a specialized player like Car Thing.
The streaming service’s in-car device hadn’t been on the market long enough to become outdated. The product was introduced in February 2022 but was subsequently discontinued within the same year. However, the company assured customers who had already purchased units that it would continue to provide support and maintenance. Prior to its release, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek indicated that there was a significant consumer interest in this product. During an earnings call with investors, Ek reported that over 2 million users had registered on the Car Thing waitlist in anticipation of its launch.
While Spotify did not disclose official figures, it is probable that Car Thing did not meet expectations or did not justify further investment in the current challenging economic climate. Spotify, on the other hand, terminated approximately 1,500 employees towards the end of last year. This followed previous rounds of layoffs earlier in the year that impacted hundreds of employees.
Car Thing users, on the other hand, are not concerned with the company’s financial issues; their primary concern is the functionality of the device or, at the very least, receiving a refund for the $90 cost.
As a result, some individuals have attempted to lodge their complaints directly with Spotify by sending direct messages on the X platform using the handle @SpotifyCares or by utilizing different email addresses associated with Spotify that have been shared on Reddit. As a result, certain users have reported that Spotify provided them with multiple months of a premium subscription as compensation for their inconvenience, whereas others have stated that they inquired with customer service and were informed that no reimbursements were being offered.
According to Spotify, they have recently implemented a refund procedure for Car Thing. However, the user must present evidence of purchase in order to be eligible for the refund.
Car Thing users were officially informed about the availability of customer support through a second email sent on Friday of last week, in response to the increasing criticism and dissatisfaction caused by the discontinuation of Car Thing. Within the message, Spotify provides users with the appropriate customer support link to contact the company. The email does not guarantee any reimbursements but states that users can contact us for inquiries.
Although a refund might appease a certain segment of the user population who are dissatisfied with Car Thing, numerous individuals are earnestly imploring the company through TikTok videos and comments on Spotify’s TikTok posts to refrain from rendering their device inoperable. (Indeed, grievances regarding the Car Thing have become so prevalent on Spotify’s videos that the algorithmically generated search recommendation on certain videos is “what is the spotify car thing.”)
“Spotify, I kindly request that you refrain from subjecting me to any further distress.” “I have a strong affection for my automobile,” expressed Carla, a TikTok user known as @carlititica on the platform.
“Depressed,” expressed another user, @nikkilovestech. “They seem to encourage people to use their phone, which is a source of distraction,” she stated in the video description while demonstrating a Car Thing mounted on her dashboard. In her video, she also addressed the issue of electronic waste resulting from the discontinuation of a fully functional product.
Spotify is still facing challenges regarding the discontinuation of Car Thing, despite the introduction of a refund process that has not been widely publicized. According to Billboard, Spotify is currently dealing with a class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The lawsuit alleges that Spotify deceived customers by selling them a product that would soon become outdated, and then failing to provide refunds. The lawsuit was initiated on May 28th.
While Spotify is unable to provide a comment regarding the lawsuit, a representative did share the following statement regarding Car Thing:
The objective of our Car Thing investigation in the United States was to gain further insights into individuals’ auditory habits while driving. In July 2022, we made a public statement declaring our decision to cease any future manufacturing activities, and now we must bid farewell to the devices altogether. The deactivation of all Car Thing devices will occur on December 9, 2024, giving users until that date to continue using them. To gain further knowledge about the various methods available for listening to Spotify in your car, please refer to the For The Record section. Car Thing users can contact Customer Support for any inquiries by visiting: https://support.spotify.com/us/contact-spotify-support/
While the issues surrounding Car Thing may not impact all of Spotify’s user base, this development coincides with a period when users are already dissatisfied with being required to pay additional fees for features they consider essential to a music service, such as access to lyrics, a feature that Spotify recently made available only to paying subscribers. Furthermore, users are expressing dissatisfaction with Car Thing and are issuing ultimatums to discontinue their subscription to Spotify due to the introduction of paid access to lyrics.
Furthermore, Spotify raised its subscription fees last year, and Bloomberg has reported that another price hike is imminent in 2024.
Mobile Devices
3 Video Games About Women’s Health
Video games have transcended entertainment to become powerful tools for promoting health and wellness. One notable genre in this realm is fitness gaming, exemplified by titles like Hatsune Miku Fit Boxing, which motivates players to engage in physical activity to enhance their fitness levels. Building on this foundation, developers have ventured into women’s health with games designed to raise awareness and empower players to take control of their well-being. Here are 3 video games on women’s health that provide valuable health information and foster a sense of agency to uplift women around the world.
Tampon Run – Menstrual health
Created by Girls Who Code alumnae Andrea Gonzales and Sophie Houser in 2014, Tampon Run is an old-school 8-bit online game where the main character, Luna, lobs tampons to destroy enemies, who will confiscate the tampons if she lets them pass by. Interestingly, the concept of weaponized tampons is based on a real incident that occurred in 2013, where Texas state troopers confiscated tampons as potential projectiles, but not guns, from visitors observing a vote on abortion restrictions at the Texas State Capitol. The goal of Tampon Run is to destigmatize periods and menstrual products, which, up until recently, have not been properly studied to measure their absorbency, which underscores the need to address menstrual health so that women can get better care.
In between tossing tampons, Luna shares empowering messages about how periods are a natural part of women’s lives and should not be a source of shame or embarrassment. The game is available to play on the Tampon Run website and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store for iOS users.
PCOS Vitality – PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a complex hormonal condition and the leading cause of female infertility that affects approximately 5 to 6 million women in the US, according to the Endocrine Society. Common features of the condition include having irregular menstrual periods, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. Additionally, some studies estimate that up to 88% of women with PCOS are overweight or obese. While there are weight loss programs helping women tackle PCOS, focusing on aspects like lifestyle, symptom management, diet, and other tips for how to lose weight with PCOS, the condition itself remains grossly under-researched. For some women, it may take years to confirm that they have PCOS, as there are other disorders that mimic PCOS signs and symptoms that must be excluded.
The lack of research has extended to a lack of awareness among the general population and is what clinicians from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland are trying to address with the 2023 game PCOS Vitality. Essentially a learning tool, the game takes users through a simple obstacle course. As you click toward the finish line, you are asked simple trivia questions about PCOS. The game is free to play on Focus Games’ website.
Bound by Blood – Period poverty
Period poverty refers to the lack of regular access to period products, painkillers, or underwear during a menstrual cycle. In the US, where 16.9 million menstruating women live in poverty, two-thirds cannot afford basic menstrual products. Period poverty has also been associated with mental health issues and urinary tract infections.
Available to play on the itch.io website, Bound by Blood was created by Jessica Gates in 2017 and aims to educate players about the reality of period poverty. Users take the character of Beth, a homeless woman who wakes up in her car and realizes that she’s started her period. Players then make a series of choices to try to stay as hygienic as possible in spite of lacking resources such as menstrual products and clean restrooms. There isn’t really a way to “win” the game, and it is instead a peek into the reality of life where period products are inaccessible and how this affects women’s quality of life.
Through these games, players not only gain valuable insights into various aspects of women’s health but also find themselves actively engaged in their own well-being. As developers continue to explore this emerging field, the potential for video games to serve as educational tools and catalysts for change in healthcare remains promising
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