HTC U Ultra Credit:HTC
HTC is betting on artificial intelligence (AI) to breathe new life into its faded brand with the introduction of a sleek new “U” smartphone line.
Encased in gleaming, almost liquid glass body, the new U Ultra and U Play phones come with a new technology called “HTC Sense Companion.” The AI assistant is designed to continuously learn from the user to create a customized experience.
According to HTC, the Sense Companion can perform a wide variety of functions to help smooth out its user’s day, including prioritizing notifications, contacts, apps, and reminders based on user input; suggesting clothing and commute adjustments based on the weather; recommending restaurants based on a user’s previous price, distance, and category patterns; and alerting a user if their battery life may not make it through the day. The technology also allows users to unlock their device, take or reject calls, and snooze or dismiss alarms using voice recognition from up to two meters away.
But AI isn’t the only nifty feature included in the U line.
Similar to LG’s V20, the HTC U devices also include a “dual display” that allows users to toggle through their favorite contacts and apps, notifications, and settings on a 2-inch secondary screen above the main display. The U line also boosts selfie quality with 16 mp front camera that allows users to switch between the camera’s regular high-resolution function or its UltraPixel setting for low-light situations. Both the Ultra and Play versions of the device include a 12 mp rear camera as well.
The Ultra model runs on Android 7.0 and comes with a 5.7-inch, Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor, 64 GB or 128 GB of storage expandable up to 2 TB, a 3,000 mAh battery with up to 26 hours of talk time and Quick Charge 3.0, HTC BoomSound Hi-Fi edition speakers, 3D audio recording on four microphones, 4K video and dual-SIM capabilities, a fingerprint sensor, Bluetooth and NFC technology, and HTC Connect for wireless streaming to multi-room audio systems, TVs, and speakers. The device also includes a 5.7-inch screen that comes with a quad HD (2560×1440) Super LCD 5 display in the 64 GB version or sapphire glass in the 128 GB edition.
The Ultra is currently available for pre-order online in three colors, ice white, sapphire blue, and brilliant black, with a $749 price tag. Orders of the Ultra will begin to ship in mid-March.
The Android-based Play comes with a 5.2-inch, 1080p display, 32 GB or 64 Gb of storage expandable up to 2 TB, a 2,500 mAh battery with 15 hours of talk time and fast charging capability, HTC USonic speakers, a fingerprint sensor, Bluetooth and NFC technology, and HTC Connect for wireless streaming to multi-room audio systems, TVs, and speakers. It will be available in “select global markets” early this year.
Filed Under: Devices
