Fancy a handset that will help you through your day? With artificial intelligence and voice assistants becoming a big thing in tech, HTC have chosen to deliver a new helper in their two new handsets. Called “Sense Companion”, it can advise you to charge up if you’ve got a busy day at work or offer tips based on the weather or time of year. HTC offer up examples of the companion asking if you’d like to change your morning alarm on a bank holiday, or to recommend a restaurant if you’ve booked a weekend away. It’ll learn and evolve and “gets to know you”.
Their two new handsets are the HTC U Ultra and the HTC U Play, and that U Ultra has a small second display above the main one which features a lot of those Sense Companion tips without getting in your way.
This additional panel will also let you get fast access to your favourite contacts, apps, reminders and event notifications.
The U Play is more of a mid-ranger by comparison and lacks that second display, but let’s have a look at the specs and how they differ.
The HTC U Ultra is perfectly symmetric and features coloured 3D curved glass. This, according to HTC, reflects light well and “vapoured minerals are layered to add depth and brilliance from every angle”. Thanks to the additional microphones, it can respond to you more easily – even if it’s asleep – and can answer your questions, let you answer a call, dismiss an alarm and more.
We’ve not had any networks come forward to announce that they’re carrying these new phones as yet or which particular models will be available where. What we do know, in the UK at least, is that the HTC U Play and HTC U Ultra will be available to buy through Dixons Carphone and via the HTC.com website plus Amazon and very.co.uk. We have no information on pricing.
You may have noticed something called “HTC USonic”. This, as we’ve seen on Coolsmartphone before, will analyse your hearing and build a custom sound profile that suits you. Two tiny microphones listen for the sonic reflection in your ears and the reflected tone helps to adapt the sound to your environment and you.
The HTC BoomSound Hi-Fi edition speakers will deliver powerful sound whilst the camera tech on the Selfie Shooters will let you switch between the 16 megapixel mode (for detail) or UltraPixel for added light sensitivity.
HTC have sent us a rather bizarre press release below (take a look, really, it’s a bit mad), but we’d love to hear your thoughts on the new HTC devices. Are they enough to get you buying?
U laugh, U cry
U love, U lose
U play, U fight
U work, work, work…
U question why
U want change
U dream big
U are bold
U are unstoppable
U are U
We hear U
We see U
We learn from U
It’s all about U
To the brilliant U
HTC U Ultra: It’s all about U
Introducing HTC U Ultra. Made for the brilliant you
It reflects U
Beautiful with its sophisticated new liquid surface
It learns from U
Evolving as your companion, getting to know you better over time
It puts U on top
Convenient with a new Dual Display
It listens to U
Unique in adapting sound to your personal hearing
It captures the best U
Vivid light, color and detail with UltraPixel cameras front and back
Reflects U
Your ambitions – reflected
A new, beautifully 3D contoured, liquid surface that’s designed to reflect the best you
Lustrous, symmetrical, curved glass construction1 reflects light beautifully
Color from vapored minerals layered to add depth and brilliance from every angle
As the polished surface bends and blends seamlessly into the side of the phone
Allowing it to nestle perfectly in your hand.
Learns from U
Introducing HTC Sense Companion2
The personal companion who is always learning from you
Suggesting you dress warm and leave for work earlier on a snowy day
Or reminding you to charge if it figures you need more power to last until you get home
And even recommending the perfect restaurant when you’re away for the weekend
It knows you – and it’s made to evolve and get to know you better over time.3
Responds to U
Voice recognition – the most natural way to interact
HTC U Ultra can recognise your voice and respond, even if it’s asleep
Navigate your phone, take or reject calls, snooze or dismiss alarms, and more
Just say the word.
Puts U on top
Get updated, not interrupted
The new Dual Display gives you the information you need, at your fingertips
Perfect for fast, convenient access to the things you use the most
Like your favorite contacts, apps, reminders, event notifications and more
Because what’s important to you should always be right on top.
Listens to U
Every person’s inner ear is as unique as their fingerprint
HTC USonic4 analyses your inner ears with a sonar-like pulse, and then adapts to you
Like having a sound engineer in your phone
Tiny microphones listen for the sonic reflection in your ears
One in the left ear, one in the right
Analyzing the reflected tone to optimise the headset just for you
Now you can hear the details you were missing.
Whether you’re in a library or at a party, you can adapt your headset to suit noise levels around you.
HTC BoomSoundTM Hi-Fi edition speakers deliver pulse-pounding audio
Featuring separated sound design like leading acoustic systems
Tweeter above, woofer below
While four omnidirectional mics capture positional sound
Recording 360-degree immersive audio that’s just like being there
At the rock show. In the concert hall. Anywhere you want.
Pick the best U
Take brilliant selfies anyway you like
Easily switch between 16MP and UltraPixelTM in the front camera5
So you can choose between unparalleled light sensitivity* of UltraPixel –
Perfect for candlelit dinners –
Or the high resolution of 16MP –
When you want the biggest shot with the most detail.
Captures U
Every phone camera claims to take great photos
Ours is rated the industry’s best
The 12MP UltraPixel main camera delivers less blur, faster focus, better photos at night
Because every photo is important to you, anytime, anywhere.
HTC U Ultra
Perfectly symmetric
Beautifully colored 3D curved glass
Exquisitely thin
Featuring HTC Sense Companion, HTC USonic with 3D Audio, and magnificent cameras
Built to reflect the best U – the #BrilliantU
The HTC U Ultra will be available to buy through Dixons Carphone in a range of colours. They will also be available through our distribution partners, Brightstar and Data Select and online from HTC.com, Amazon, Very.co.uk and other leading retailers. Pricing to be confirmed and availability will be from February.
There’s more for U ➔
HTC U Play: For the playful you
This is HTC U Play. The playful phone that fits perfectly in your hand
It reflects U
Beautiful with its sophisticated new liquid surface
It learns from U
Evolving as your companion, getting to know you better over time
It listens to U
Unique in adapting sound to your personal hearing
It captures the best U
Vivid light, color and detail with UltraPixel cameras front and back
Reflects U
Shine on with the 5.2” smartphone designed to reflect the best you
A new, beautifully 3D contoured, liquid surface
Lustrous, symmetrical, curved glass construction reflects light beautifully
Color from vapored minerals layered to add depth and brilliance from every angle
As the polished surface bends and blends seamlessly into the side of the phone
We’ve paid special attention to each detail.
Learns from U
HTC U Play comes with HTC Sense Companion2
The personal companion who is always learning from you
It even comes with voice recognition built-in
So it’s able to respond to your voice –
Just say the word to navigate your phone, take or reject incoming calls,
Snooze or dismiss an alarm, send messages and even begin hands-free navigation.
It knows you – and it’s made to evolve and get to know you better over time.3
Listens to U
Every person’s inner ear is as unique as their fingerprint
HTC USonic4 analyses your inner ears with a sonar-like pulse, and then adapts to you
Like having a sound engineer in your phone
Tiny microphones listen for the sonic reflection in your ears
One in the left ear, one in the right
Analysing the reflected tone to optimise the headset just for you
Now you can hear the details you were missing.
Whether you’re in a library or at a party, you can adapt your headset to suit noise levels around you.
Captures U
Take brilliant selfies anyway you like
Easily switch between 16MP and UltraPixelTM in the front camera5
So you can choose between unparalleled light sensitivity* of UltraPixel
Or the high resolution of 16MP for whatever meets your need
The 16MP main camera delivers less blur, faster focus, better photos at night
Because you never want to miss that perfect moment.
HTC U Play
Perfectly symmetric
Exquisitely thin
Featuring HTC Sense Companion, HTC USonic adaptive audio, and 3D curved glass
Built to reflect the best U – the #BrilliantU
The HTC U Play will be available to buy through Dixons Carphone in a range of colours. They will also be available through our distribution partners, Brightstar and Data Select and online from HTC.com, Amazon, Very.co.uk and other leading retailers. Pricing to be confirmed and availability will be from February.
Notes to editors:
1 HTC U Ultra is also available in a premium, ultra-hard, sapphire edition with 128GB internal storage. Consult local retailer for availability.
2 HTC Sense Companion retrieves information from third party websites and databases. HTC is not responsible for the accuracy of such third party content.
3 Some feature available for download in 2017 and may not be pre-installed. Feature installation requires an internet connection and download and acceptance of an HTC system update.
4 Inbox accessories may vary from country to country. Please check with an authorised retailer or operator for availability. HTC USonic compatible with USB-C connection only
5 UltraPixel mode is four times more sensitive to light than standard mode.
About HTC
HTC Corporation aims to bring brilliance to life. As a global innovator in smart mobile devices and technology, HTC has produced award-winning products and industry firsts since its inception in 1997, including the critically acclaimed HTC One and Desire lines of smartphones. The pursuit of brilliance is at the heart of everything we do, inspiring best-in-class design and game-changing mobile and virtual reality experiences for consumers around the world. HTC is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE: 2498). www.htc.com
