HTC One Android 4.3 update reportedly begins rolling out

While we have not heard any official word from HTC about the Android 4.3 update to the HTC One, it seems the company has started the rollout in its home-turf, according to reports.

@LlabTooFeR, who claims to be a ROM developer, has posted an image of the screenshots of the Android 4.3 update for the HTC One Twitter. The tweet mentions, “HTC One in Taiwan just started getting Android 4.3.”

The latest Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update for the HTC’s flagship smart phone looks to be available over the air (OTA). The screen reveals the software build number to be 3.18.709.2 and is about 512MB. The tweet also mentions that the update brings bug fixes and enhancements for the HTC One which is majority include battery charging animation in power-off state, improvements in gallery and camera department with upgrade to colour contrasts in low-light situations and adding soundtracks to highlights. However, the official change log has not been revealed, yet.

It was also rumored that with Android 4.3 update, the HTC One would also receive the new Sense 5.5 UI, however there’s been no mention of this with the currently reported update.

Last month, a tweet by HTC’s president of global sales, Jason Mackenzie confirmed that the Android 4.3 update would be rolled out to the HTC One in US and Canada by the end of September. HTC’s 2013 flagship smartphone was released in February and natively ran Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with Sense 5 UI out of the box. Despite the company announcing an update for the One to Android 4.2.2 in Asia and European markets, the update has not been rolled out across the globe.

For those unaware, the HTC One comes with a 4.7-inch full-HD display with 468 pixels per inch packed in an aluminium unibody. It is powered by a 1.7 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor alongside 2GB of RAM. HTC One comes with 32GB and 64GB storage options, but without expandable storage. Connectivity options include Wi-FI 802.11 a/ac/b/g/n. Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, NFC, Infrared and Micro-USB.

HTC One Max reportedly official name of the rumoured 'T6'

The latest word on HTC’s rumored upcoming flagship phablet codenamed HTC T6 is that the company plans to officially introduce the Smartphone as the HTC One Max.

Popular phone tipster, @evleaks claims that the HTC One Max has been confirmed as the retail name of the HTC T6. The tweet said,”HTC One Max confirmed as retail name of the T6. “However, the tweet does not mention anything about the possible launch dates of the long-rumored HTC One Max. The Taiwanese handset giant has been rumored for a while to be working on a large screen Smartphone which will boast a large 5.9-inch display.

Earlier, specifications of HTC’s upcoming One Max phablet surfaced online. The device is said to run Android 4.3 Jelly Bean HTC’s Sense 5.5 UI on top. Other specifications leaked include TD-LTE connectivity, a5.9-inch full-HD display with 1080x1920 pixels resolution, and a 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon processor coupled with 2GB of RAM. The leaked specifications also revealed that the alleged HTC One Max will sport a 2.1-meagapixel front-facing camera and the 4MO Ultrapixel camera on the back, which has been introduced in the HTC One.

Some reports even claimed that the HTC’s phablet may be showcased this month that pointed out to possible launch at IFA in Berlin. However, the device was not showcased at the event.

Not too long ago, alleged renders of the HTC One Max (T6) were leaked online. The leaked image showed was supposed to be the non-final artwork of the HTC T6. While it was not the final artwork, it did give a good idea of what to expect from the upcoming phablet from HTC.

Now HTC One makes an appearance in 'Blue'

HTC launched its flagship smartphone, HTC One in two colour variants, Black and Silver. Soon, the company also showcased the 'Glamour Red' version of the device. It looks like now the company seems to be gearing up for a fourth Blue colour variant of the phone, if a new rumour is to be believed.

Serial phone leaker @evleaks has posted an image of the HTC One in Blue colour. The image shows the front and back panel of the smartphone.

We had also reported about this earlier, when the company unveiled the Glamour Red version of the device.

There is also a news report suggesting that the Taiwanese handset maker is prepping the variant of its flagship smartphone for a specific carrier. Phonearena reports that, "Verizon's inventory systems have been updated with an additional SKU (stock keeping unit) code, HTC6500LVWBLU along with the description 'HTC One in Blue'.

Just to recap, HTC One features a 4.7-inch screen with full-HD display. It is powered by a 1.7GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor along with 2GB of RAM. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, NFC, Infrared and Micro-USB. The smartphone was launched with Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) along with a brand new version of Sense UI. It has received the Android 4.2 update, as well.

Meanwhile, HTC is busy promoting its next device, which is expected to be the One Max, on Twitter. The company posted a teaser video on Tuesday, suggesting something big is arriving.

The new video was tagged as 'Big Things Ahead' and showed a person with an HTC device (which we believe is the HTC One Max) that featured the same design as that of the HTC One. The person with the device was shown waiting for a helicopter's arrival and then the person who gets down from the helicopter gives a land slap to the first person. The device is visible twice in the video though it is not clear whether the device is the new One Max or the original flagship device.

Android 4.3 update - Rolling out to HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play editions

Google released the next iteration of Android operating system dubbed as version 4.3 Jelly Bean with the launch of its next generation Nexus tablets last month. The update was first rolled out to Nexus devices, with word that the Google Play editions would be next in line.

AnandTech claims both the HTC One and the Samsung Galaxy S4 from Google Play are currently receiving OTA (over-the-air) update notifications. For the Samsung Galaxy S4 the update is around 150MB and for HTC One it's 180 MB.

The update lands in immediately after both HTC and Samsung released the Android 4.3 kernel sources online, according to the site. The Android 4.3 update for both devices have been developed by the OEMs and have no changes to the user-interface.

When Google announced the Google Play Edition devices, it promised quick updates on the device and a complete stock Android experience. With this update the Google Play Editions of Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One joins the list of devices running Android 4.3 that only included Nexus devices until now.

The Android 4.3 update comes with some new features like restricted profiles which enables users to restrict app usage and content consumption on an Android device, dialpad autocomplete that adds the autocomplete feature in the dialpad suggesting contact names or phone numbers when users start keying-in something, keyboard and input which now comes with an upgraded algorithm for tap-typing recognition that makes text input easier while chatting via messages or even while composing emails and new camera UI that offers a new updated Camera app that features a new arch based menu which makes it easier to control and switch camera settings.