Tag: nfc

Hot Wheels Introduces NFC And Smart Tracks In New Cars

Many still remember the fun they’ve had with the widely popular Hot Wheels toy cars in their childhood. Mattel introduced kids across the globe with every possible kind of cool cars there is to know about. The company had a diverse lineup of real life and even futuristic cars to put in children’s hands. Now the popular pocket-sized car toys are receiving a digital refresh with NFC and Smart Track.

Hot Wheels id by Mattel introduced new NFC enabled cars on its latest Smart Track. The application that allows kids to scan their collection is available in the iOS App Store for free. This app acts as a virtual garage that allows children to measure track speeds and laps through infrared sensors in the Hot Wheels Race Portal. The portal scans the cars and it connects to the Hot Wheels tracks. Users can actually provide cold hard numerical proof of who’s car is faster, inculcating a sense of healthy competition.

Classic brands have tried remaining relevant in the current tech-savvy younger generations for a while now. The hope of keeping collectable toys alive is a dying breed in the current world and failed attempts at digitalizing do exist. Mattel’s launch of an augmented reality game is one such example, failing due to poor compatibility with most handsets and even lesser remote-controlled cars. Hot Wheels id will still keep the physical aspects of toys while incorporating technology into its diverse range of racing cars.

Mattel’s Hot Wheels will add-on to the classic experience through virtual challenges and mini-games with the companion app. Those that own Hot Wheels tracks can just use a smartphone or the Race Portal to scan the new id cars. What differentiates the new iterations from the bunch is the NFC chip housed on the bottom of these toy cars. The chips will store the car’s performance data.

Introducing #HotWheelsid, a completely new way to collect your favorite die-casts. Complete with a Spectraflame paint job, new wheels, and an NFC chip, your #HotWheels can now be digitized! Available at Apple and https://t.co/wMrq6pnNQP. https://t.co/fa4BN3Cjca pic.twitter.com/uv3iD4l3wW
— Hot Wheels (@Hot_Wheels) June 14, 2019

The app isn’t mandatory for the experience and children do not constantly require their parent’s smartphones or tablet computers as data can be stored locally and transferred later on. Hot Wheels Smart Track Kit brings the added benefit of a launch booster for the cars at the stars, making the toys the fastest and most powerful yet. Children can quantify the track distance and speed with the Smart Track’s 16 USB-connected pieces.

Also Read: Huawei Pushes Back The Launch Date Of The Mate X To September

The entire set is available at the US version of Apple websites and Apple stores. An Android version of the app is scheduled to launch on Google Play on June 10th. Individual Hot Wheels id toy cars cost $6.99 (approx. Rs.500) while the Race Portal, including two of the aforementioned cars, is up for grabs at $39.99 (approx. Rs.2,800).

June 15, 2019
ATMs to Support Apple and Android Pay

Because many retailers still don’t offer NFC support for payments, life is still not as easy as it could be if among other things smartphones could also be used to do ATM transactions as well. This is precisely what Bank of America and Wells Fargo are working on offering at their ATMs in the US.

“We’ve been working on the technology that allows us to hook to digital wallets, leveraging NFC on mobile phones to replace the card at the transaction at the ATM. Right now the wallet that we support is Android Pay,” says Jonathan Velline, Wells Fargo’s Head of ATMs.

Similarly, Bank of America is also working of employing NFC at its ATMs. It should be made available in February in some ATMs in Silicon Valley, New York, San Francisco, Charlotte and Boston. Even though Bank of America has not explicitly mentioned which wallets would be supported, we can assume them to be Apple and Android Pay for now.

While these potential developments sound fancy and appealing, there is no news on when they will be available in India as well. Hold your breath until we update you about the next development on this front.

Source

January 29, 2016
OnePlus Defends OnePlus 2 and for Making People ‘Settle’

It is a known fact that the OnePlus 2 doesn’t include the NFC, however users and potential customers have been unhappy about this. Therefore, today on a Reddit – Ask Me Anything, four employees of the company fielded questions on everything, such as the voice-over-LTE, the lack of NFC and other such matters. For those who aren’t aware of the term, NFC or Near Field Communication is a short range wireless RFID technology, that can be used for touch-based payments or wireless charging.

Apart from this, OnePlus has been faced with some very serious questions about their taglines and not being able to match up to them. For example, their tagline that says “innovations from the future,” or “Never Settle” and claiming to follow a philosophy that essentially warrants them to create a device without gimmicks, bloatware or compromises; have all been under the radar recently.

A Redditor asked that “with such a powerful mantra like that, wouldn’t it be ironic to settle without quick-charging or wireless charging if I choose your phone?” Here is what OnePlus said:

We’ve always said that never settle is true for us too. That means, if you’re not happy with the product you shouldn’t settle for ours either. With the OnePlus 2, we made the set of choices that we think delivers the best user experience, but because users are not the same they won’t all feel the same. That’s fine – we’ll work hard to make each iteration better than the last.

Adding to this, an employee also mentioned the power of the new Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 technology, as being able to charge a phone from 0% to 100% in approximately 2 hours. Despite this, there have been comparisons with the Nexus 6, that is said to charge enough for the entire day in just one hour. Another aspect that has been criticized, is the inability of the OnePlus 2 to take advantage of the NFC-based Android Pay.

Last but not the least, OnePlus was asked about a recent interview given by Carl Pei at USA Today, speaking about the release of a third device; to which an employee confirmed that there will most definitely be another OnePlus smartphone, however it won’t be called the OnePlus 3 or OnePlus 2S.

Do you think OnePlus has responded adequately to the queries of its users?

For more information: [tw-button size=”medium” background=”#07ABE2″ color=”” target=”_blank” link=”https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/3fmkb5/oneplus_ama_postlaunch_edition/”]Reddit.com[/tw-button]

August 4, 2015
Along with a Stylus, Next iPad Will Come with Advanced Features like NFC and Force Touch

The idea of including the hand-held Stylus accessory was never supported by Steve Jobs. But things have taken a different route altogether from Steve’s ideologies. We earlier came across KGI Securities’ prediction of Apple planning to bring out a stylus accessory for its future iPad. Now, a person familiar with the next iPad has reaffirmed this fact.

According to the source quoted by Apple Insider, the Cupertino-based tech giant is building an all-new iPad with a 12.9-inch display. Temporarily titled as ‘iPad Pro’, the tablet will feature a brand new set of features like a Stylus, NFC radio, and many more used in the Apple Watch and the latest MacBook.

If the source is to be believed, then Apple may embed NFC radio in its next iPad, allowing it to serve as a payment receiving terminal for Apple Pay. Another added benefit of NFC is simplified pairing, which could help connect the speculated stylus as well. There are also speculations of the stylus being connected through Bluetooth, but nothing can be confirmed as yet.

The inclusion of Force Touch indicates, that the future iPad would be smart enough to sense the difference between a deep tap and a soft tap. It opens a space of possibilities for new commands and combinations.

The USB-C port is the latest development included by Apple on the 12-inch MacBook. The compact, universal USB port is fast and connects to all your devices whether phone or charger. The iPad Pro is expected to have both the new USB-C port and the standard Lightning connector.

Another major feature to beef up the upcoming device is the next-gen A-series processor. There is no wording on the exact version of the processor, but considering the other high-end features, the processor will also be the latest.

For now, these are just reports and the final product may pack some different features from what are anticipated. For confirmation, we will have to wait for an official announcement.

May 4, 2015
Samsung Pay is Now Ready to Go Head On With Apple Pay

Samsung has announced its own version of Apple Pay, titled Samsung Pay at MWC 2015. With S-Pay customers can make secure mobile transactions. Samsung has collaborated with Visa and Mastercard and is planning to further expand the eco-system with the likes of American Express, Bank of America, Citi, JP Morgan and US Bank.

Samsung offers this capability by deploying a technology called Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST). Consumers can use Samsung Pay in merchant locations regardless of whether the terminals support NFC or traditional magstripe, which is the vast majority of existing terminals.

The system essentially relies on the Galaxy S and Note devices fingerprint sensor. Users just need to swipe up from the bottom to launch the Samsung Pay app, choose their credit card and simply authenticate the transaction with their fingerprint. Proper safety measures have been taken, Samsung has integrated the system with its KNOX platform, ARM TrustZone and tokenization.

Samsung claims it has tied up with 90% retailers in the US already. Samsung Pay launches in the United States and Korea in the summer, while other regions (such as Europe and China) will follow later. The first devices to support it will be the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge.

March 1, 2015
CES 2015: LG Unveils a WebOS Powered Smartwatch That Unlocks an Audi

The year 2014 was the year the smartwatch gained prominence in pop culture. Samsung, LG, Motorola along with Asus and others brought their models in the market. On the operating system front, most of the watches have gone for the Android Wear OS. Samsung has gone with its own Tizen OS for its smartwatch lineup; the only exception is the Gear live which was unveiled last year at Google I/O. Now LG has unveiled a prototype of new smartwatch that runs on webOS.

LG’s new Smartwatch almost looks like the G Watch R that it released last year. It has a circular display which is more wrist and eye-friendly than the rectangular clock faces we have seen in the market. The patterned leather along with the machined crown and buttons give the watch a premium look.

The circular UI does look user friendly. (Source: TheVerge)

But the real revelation is what is on the inside. Observing a few demos, it is quite clear that the WebOS running on the device is user-friendly. It was Palm that originally developed the OS and later sold it to HP that subsequently sold it to LG. LG has inducted the OS in its Smart TV line-up making it quite easy to use and navigate. Even on this prototype smartwatch the OS seems to perform quite efficiently.

The menu options are presented in a circular dial fashion where all icons can be rotated around. Unlike the Moto 360 where the edges of the display gets slightly cropped, this smartwatch has an OS that is tailored for a round display. The device also packs a phone dialer. The feature that might help it find a lot of premium consumers is its ability to unlock an Audi door lock using NFC. The company plans to bring a webOS powered smartwatch lineup by next year.

Overall this prototype webOS smartwatch looks like a good effort on the part of LG. Android wear is still in its initial stage and considering the massive support it has from Google, it will stand as a formidable opponent to any OS in the industry. Apple Watch too is bound for the market in a few months. It seems like the Smartwatch market is finally ready to shed its infancy and ready to be recognized as a valid consumer technology.

January 8, 2015
Apple Pay Expected to Launch on 18th October

Apple Pay, Apple’s NFC and Touch ID-based mobile payment solution, might arrive soon than anyone expected. Apple announced its first mobile payment system will launch this month, however the company did not not reveal a specific date. Now, a new leaked memo suggests Walgreens, America’s online pharmacy service, will begin rolling out the service next week on October 18. The training materials, shared by MacRumors, for the Apple Pay launch at Apple retail stores have also detailed some new specifics regarding the Apple Pay setup and transaction processes both on customer iPhones and in Apple retail stores.

It’s unclear if this is specific to Walgreens or if the memo is referencing a widespread rollout. However, according to the leak, it’s unclear if this is specific to Walgreens or if the memo is referencing a widespread rollout. Credit cards can be added to Passbook via an iTunes account or by using the iPhone’s camera to scan in details. Passbook will be able to store up to 8 credit/debit cards, according to the training materials.

The date makes sense, as this Thursday (October 16th) is Apple’s iPad event, which would also be a logical time to announce the roll-out of Apple Pay. As announced on September 9, popular drug store Walgreens is one of Apple’s major launch partners, along with other companies like McDonalds, Macy’s, Staples, and more. According to the Walgreens memo, customers who have an iPhone 6 will be able to use Apple Pay in Walgreens stores by tapping their devices “to the upper portion of the pinpad to pay for their purchase.”

October 13, 2014
Sony Brings Out Sleek New Wireless Headphones for Bass lovers

Sony India today announced the launch of its latest wireless headphones, the MDR-XB950BT Extra Bass Bluetooth Headset. The latest pair from the audio stable of Sony looks and sounds a little different than some of its earlier over-ear Bluetooth headphones.

The headset implements support for SBC, AAC, and aptX wireless audio streaming codecs with an electronic boost circuit for more substantial low end. The headset features 40mm dome drivers to deliver a frequency response of 3 to 28,000 Hz with a sensitivity of 102 dB/mW when used passively with the supplied cord. In wireless operations, the headphones can transmit a frequency response of 20 to 20,000 Hz approximately 30′ by using the A2DP Bluetooth.

The headphone come with NFC that offers a One-touch connection with smartphones, allowing users to listen to rich wireless sound with soaring highs and rich, solid lows. Further, it also feature a built-in microphone, letting users take calls and chat hands-free while on the move.

Calls can be answered and terminated with a simple push of a button on the headset. When a call is over, any music or media that was playing will automatically resume. The swiveling earcups fold flat for greater portability and the headset comes with both a micro-USB cord for charging as well as a stereo connecting cable for passive operation.

Also, Sony is providing an option of a premium leather carrying case exclusively with the MDR-XB950BT. The new wireless headset is already available on online and offline stores for Rs. 12,990.

October 8, 2014
Does the Apple Watch Make Sense For the Indian Market?

Yesterday at the massive event held at Cupertino California, Apple announced its long-awaited smartwatch, the Apple Watch. And we have to admit, this revolutionary device looked stunning. Square face with detachable straps, Apple Watch has an easy to understand interface for working with standard applications. It’s user-friendly, equipped with the new ‘Apple Pay’ remote payment system, and, obviously, comes with amazing watchfaces. With three choices to choose from, Apple Watch, Sport, and Edition, there ought to be something for everybody.

Well, everybody here might refer to be restricted to people from developed country. How much is Apple’s newest technology feasible for a country like ours, where tech such as NFC and Apple Pay wouldn’t be of much use?

Clearly, Apple has put lot of brains and research in the Watch. However, the starting range US$349 (INR 22,000 approx), Apple’s Watch seem quite expensive in Indian market which is ruled by value for money budget devices. The Indian handset market is ruled by Android-powered smartphones. It seems to be a major setback that the Apple Watch requires an iPhone to operate. Which makes its real price much, much higher.

Second major setback, India doesn’t have kind of technology to fully experience the power of Apple Pay, which will be one of the selling points of this device other countries. In India, over the past year, there have been several NFC trials for ticketing in Delhi Metro, in Delhi buses and a movie halls in Mumbai, which failed.

Apple has also tied up with several app developers to create useful apps for their watch. One of the important features which was welcomed yesterday, with a round of applause from the audience, was the ability to open hotel room doors by simply tapping the Apple Watch to the door. This feature was brought out with collaboration with Starwood Hotels, a popular chain in the US. They’ve even teamed up with American Airlines, to automatically show you your flight information and a copy of your boarding pass on your watch. With such apps, Apple Watch eliminated the need to carry around magnetic plastic cards provided by hotels and the need to safe-keep your boarding pass. However, it will take a long time before Indigo Airlines or Taj Hotels invest to work on such technology.

We wouldn’t say that this wearable would fail in our country. It still has several interesting features which would make life simpler, no matter where you’re located on the globe. Apple’s ecosystem is undeniably very strong. The way it lures consumers into the endless arena of iPods, iPhones, Macs, App Store, iTunes Store, and Apple TV is enviable.

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September 10, 2014
Moto ‘Skip’ is a Tiny Accessory That Will Help You Find Your Smartphone

Remember Skip? The petite accessory by Motorola that lets you bypass your phone’s lock screen entirely and “skip” the step of entering a passcode or pattern to use your phone. It was introduced last year alongside Moto X. And now, the word is Motorola is working on the second version of ‘Skip’ which is said to be more useful than its predecessor.

According to new filings at the FCC, the next version of the Skip will use Bluetooth instead of NFC and will become more mature from just being a quick access key to your smartphone. The updated version of Skip will also be capable of helping you locate your misplaced keys if the device is attached to your keychain.

It works the other way round too, double-pressing the power button will make your nearby Android phone ring so it’s easier to locate. This could prove to be of huge help if you’re one of those who always loses their phone. It is pointed out that Motorola is also working on an app which will be available for all Android devices, through which you’ll be able to see where your Skip was last connected.

When you get within the range of finding it, Skip will start beeping to help your search. According to Motorola’s user manual, the small device will last about a year on a single battery, and it relies on Bluetooth to pull off most of its functionality.

No information has been made available in terms of pricing or availability. It is said that the probabilities are high that we will see this device at the September 4th event where we expect Moto X+1 and Moto G2 to launch.

August 27, 2014
Jabra Launches New Solemate Mini Speakers at a Price of 4999 INR

Jabra launched its new portable speaker, the Jabra Solemate Mini is the latest edition the company’s Solemate line up of speaker and is priced at 4999 INR.

The Jabra Solemate Mini features front-facing speakers and provide wired as well as wireless playback mode options. The Solemate Mini Speakers can be used with Bluetooth and NFC for connectivity options and can also be wirelessly controlled. The speakers support Bluetooth version 3.0 and NFC based Perimeter Pairing. The speakers has a Digital Signal Processing (DSP), a technology that digitally optimizes voice and music and suppresses echoes. They also have an omni Directional/ noise filter equipped microphone to eliminate background noise while answering calls. The speakers feature an all-round rubber protection design for durability to handle scratches and for making the speakers resistant to sweat, dust and splashes, claims the company.

The Jabra Solemate Mini speakers weigh 295 grams and will be available in Red, Yellow, Blue and Black colors. The company claims a playback time of 8 hours.

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October 31, 2013
Samsung Galaxy Gear Control App Confirms NFC And Other Features

Samsung has already confirmed that its Galaxy Gear smartwatch would launch on September 4th, but that does not stop more details from leaking out. As the launch date comes near, we all now have a good idea of how the Galaxy Gear would look like, but this recent leak shows the mobile app for Smart Watch and gives us a better picture of how would the device work.

Evleaks posted screenshots of the Gear Manager, an app that is said to connect with the Galaxy Gear. The images mostly contain details from the past rumors, like the SM-V700 model number, app support and NFC pairing. There are also a couple of nifty features like the “find my watch” tool, while another tab shows an abstracted representation of the Samsung Galaxy Gear itself.

The unpacked event is less than a week away, so we will soon know what the final product will look like and what features will it bring to the consumers.

[via]

August 30, 2013
Sony Unveils Xperia M and M Dual
Enjoying the success of dual sim phones, Sony has shown off the new Xperia M and Xperia M Dual. Both the Xperia M and the Xperia M dual carry a 4.0-inch TFT display of FWVGA resolution. The M and M dual run on a 1GHz dual-core processor along with Adreno 305 graphics, 1GB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage of which 2.8GB is user-accessible. A 32 GB microSD can expand the end-user storage.

Both phones have a 5-megapixel rear camera with auto-focus and a 0.3-megapixel front snapper along with a 1,750mAh battery and Wi-Fi, 3G with HSPA, Bluetooth 4.0 and NFC. Sony has built in NFC connectivity and dedicated sharing apps, and the company is pegging Xperia M and Xperia M dual to be phones with “magical one-touch functions”. The Xperia M runs on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) while the dual will come with Android 4.2.2 out of the box and both flavors will run Sony’s own Timescape skin.

The Sony Xperia M will be available in four colour options – Black, White, Purple and Lime. While the dual will be available in Black, White and Purple colours. While no pricing information has been shared for the two phones, it is expected that the phones will go on sale in Q3 2013.

Sony Xperia M and Xperia M dual key specifications
- 4-inch display with FWVGA resolution
- 1 GHz dual-core processor
- 1GB RAM
- 4GB internal storage, expandable by up to 32GB via microSD
- 5-megapixel rear camera with auto-focus
- VGA front-facing camera
- Dual-SIM (GSM+GSM) only for Xperia M dual
- Wi-Fi, 3G, Bluetooth, aGPS, NFC
- 1,750mAh
- Android 4.1 for Xperia M, Android 4.2 for Xperia M dual
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June 5, 2013
HTC Will Launch the new portfolio including Windows Phone 8X and 8s for India and Asia Today

We are in Singapore for the launch of the new HTC Windows Phone 8 Devices, including the Windows Phone 8X and the 8S alongside Android devices like the HTC One X Plus. We will get you cover by cover so stay tuned to iGyaan and expect updates on Twitter ( @iGyaan) and Facebook as they happen.

HTC Windows Phone 8X will Be HTC’s flagship running Windows Phone 8 operating system, which was officially released on the 29th of October. It features a completely new approach to Windows Phone 8 Devices with a new polycarbonate unibody design and a list of new bright colors. The HTC Windows Phone 8X features a 1.5 GHz Dual Core Snapdragon S4 processor, a 4.3 inch display, 16GB of inbuilt storage and 1GB of RAM. WiFi a/b/g/n, NFC and an integrated 1,800mAh Li-ion battery. There’s also quadband radio support for GSM/GPRS/EDGE, HSPA/WCDMA (850, 900, 1900, 2100MHz) and LTE where available.

The HTC Windows Phone 8S also features similar builds but has a dual tone look. The display is a rather sharp 4-inch, 720p screen. For memory there’s 1GB of RAM and 4GB of onboard storage, with room for an additional 32GB via microSD expansion. That actually puts it above the 8X, which is stuck at 16GB of space thanks to its lack of expandable memory support.

The HTC One X+ (plus) will come with a faster 1.7GHz Tegra 3 CPU, larger 2,100mAh battery, expanded 64GB of storage and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with Sense 4+ onboard. The One X+ is targeted to replace the One X as a new flagship for Android.

No information on pricing, but all of the above are pegged at a pre Diwali availability. Stay tuned for more information.

November 2, 2012
HTC Launches Windows Phone 8X 4.3-inch 720p display, LTE, dual-core S4 (PR)

HTC has launched their new flagship phone, this time for Windows Phone 8, its called ironically the Windows Phone 8X. Remember the One X ? well this takes the same unibody shell and slaps it with a lot of colour, adds 4.3-inch 1280 x 720 Super LCD 2 display with Gorilla Glass 2 coating, dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 processor buffered by 1GB RAM, 16GB of internal storage, WiFi a/b/g/n, NFC and an integrated 1,800mAh Li-ion battery. There’s also quadband radio support for GSM/GPRS/EDGE, HSPA/WCDMA (850, 900, 1900, 2100MHz) and, LTE for the US Version.

HTC sets itself apart from the crowd of Windows Phone 8 devices with HTC-specific features including Beats Audio with a built-in amplifier, and dedicated ImageChip for continuous shooting (100 shots). A 2.1-megapixel front camera with 88-degree ultra-wide-angle lens and an 8-megapixel rear module with an f/2.0 lens complete the Camera benefits.

The phone will be available in November in four distinct colors – California Blue, Graphite Black, Flame Red and Limelight Yellow.

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HTC AND MICROSOFT UNVEIL FIRST SIGNATURE WINDOWS PHONES

New Windows Phone 8X and 8S by HTC to be available through
more than 150 mobile operators globally

NEW YORK, 19th September, 2012 – HTC, a global leader in mobile innovation and design, and Microsoft today unveiled the first signature Windows Phones, the stunning Windows® Phone 8X and 8S by HTC®. The smartphones feature the new Windows Phone 8 operating system and boast iconic design, studio-quality sound with Beats Audio™ and incredible camera capabilities.

“Pairing HTC’s beautiful new Windows Phone 8X and 8S with our brand is a big milestone for both companies,” said Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft. “Together we are offering customers a clear choice and a truly unique experience. I’m thrilled to take our longstanding partnership to the next level.”

“We’ve been inspired by Windows Phone 8 to create new smartphones that give the platform the iconic design and personality it deserves,” said Peter Chou, CEO of HTC Corporation. “Windows Phone has clearly emerged as one of the top mobile ecosystems and is competitive against any other smartphone platform in the world.”

Iconic Design
The only phone with Live Tiles, Windows Phone has a clear, differentiated vision and the consumer experience has been widely recognized as being groundbreaking, innovative and fresh. HTC created the Windows Phone 8X and 8S to blend the virtual and the physical utilizing a three dimensional, pure uni-body design based on the Windows Phone Live Tiles. The Windows Phone 8X and 8S by HTC are perfectly sculpted with a dramatic taper making them feel magically thin in your hand.

Because color is such an integral part of the Windows Phone experience, HTC is bringing bold, sophisticated and adventurous colors in a premium matte finish to these devices. The Windows Phone 8X will come in a variety of colors including California Blue, Graphite Black, Flame Red and Limelight Yellow. The Windows Phone 8S by HTC will be available in Domino, Fiesta Red, Atlantic Blue and High-Rise Gray.

Capture and share your world
For the first time, HTC is introducing a 2.1mp, f/2.0 aperture, 88° ultra-wide angle front-facing camera that allows up to four people and more to be captured at once. It also supports 1080p video capture. The rear camera sports an 8mp CMOS sensor with backside-illumination (BSI) for improved low-light performance, along with an f/2.0 aperture, 28mm lens and a dedicated imaging chip. A physical shutter button makes it quick and easy to capture spontaneous action, even if the phone is locked.

Spectacular Sound with Beats Audio
Exclusively available on HTC smartphones, Beats Audio provides authentic, studio-quality sound that delivers the spirit of the original recording. The Windows Phone 8X by HTC featuring Beats Audio also offers a unique audio amplifier powering the 3.5mm audio jack and the speaker, boosting the audio signal for even better sound no matter if you’re listening to music, playing a game or watching a video.

Brilliant Display
The Windows Phone 8X by HTC features a beautiful, 4.3″ HD-resolution super LCD 2 screen protected from everyday bumps and scrapes by lightweight Gorilla® Glass 2, while optical lamination reduces reflections and glare, ensuring you see every detail. The Windows Phone 8S by HTC boasts a bright super LCD 4″ screen with Gorilla® Glass, allowing users to see the Windows Phone Live Tiles, and every message and photo, with crystal clarity and sparkling color.

Entertainment
With the Windows Phone 8X and 8S by HTC people can carry their favorite music, movies and photos with them wherever they go. With the Windows Phone Store and Xbox Live, it is easier than ever to enjoy the latest video, music and games on the move.

Availability
The Windows Phone 8X and 8S by HTC will be available beginning in November. Available through more than 150 carriers in 50+ countries, the Windows Phone 8X or 8S by HTC will be available from the world’s top carriers including: United States: AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless. Europe: Orange, O2 Telefonica, MTS, Three UK, T-Mobile, and Vodafone Asia-Pacific: Chunghwa Telecom, Optus, Singapore Telecommunications Ltd (Singtel), Smartone, Telstra and Vodafone Australia.

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September 19, 2012