Should you Trade in your HTC One X for the HTC ONE

With the launch of the HTC One, many owners of the HTC One X and HTC One X+ are asking the question as to whether or not it would be advisable for them to go for an upgrade and replace their units to the HTC One.

The HTC One as compared to the HTC ONE X have a lot of similarities as the HTC One does take its roots from the HTC One X's success. Both are running Android's latest OS Jelly Bean (HTC One X got upgraded via OTA from ICS to Jelly Bean) and they both have 4.7-inch displays and are both quad core powerhouses (The US version of the HTC One X is dual core. But the similarities end there.

The HTC One is using a 1080p display, as compared to the 720p display on the One X and One X+. The One also is equipped with a faster processor and double the RAM. They also give buyers a choice of a larger internal storage, 32/64 GB variants, and the latest version of Sense (reports though indicate that the HTC One X and One X+ shall be getting the same Sense via OTA in the coming months) user interface. 

The HTC One also has a 2300 mAh battery as compared to the 1800 mAh  and 2100mAh battery in the One X and One X+ respectively. HTC One has a made significant sound enhancements called BoomSound which includes amplified dual-front facing speakers along with an HDR microphone and Sense Voice. The HTC One also has Zoe and BlinkFeed (speculations also indicate that these might be included in the next sense update that shall be rolling out OTA to the HTC One Series units).

Camera is also another feature that has been indicated as an improvement as the HTC One now uses a 4 Ultrapixel Camera that is said to rival those sporting 8MP and 13MP cameras. Though in terms of picture quality shows a slight advantage in low light situations versus that of the HTC One X series. 

With these notable consideration, the HTC One is definitely a nice upgrade for those who are using the HTC One X Series. But in terms of end user experience, the HTC One X series units do present a lot of value in terms of what they bring to the table, and unless you really want to ahead of the game on a yearly basis and dishing out a bit more extra in terms of cash, then the HTC One is your best bet. However, if budget is a concern and you still want to experience the best that HTC has to offer, the HTC One X series is your best bet and from personal experience it is sure to keep you happy and satisfied, just watch the battery consumption which can be improved though with applications such as Juice Defender. 

Till Next Time...

-Metz-

HTC One X 4.1.1 Official Jelly Bean Update Review

It has been over a month since HTC had announced that they'll be releasing the Jelly Bean Update to HTC One X Users globally and today they have finally delivered on their promise. Below you'll get to see the many new things that has been improved, changed and redesigned software wise by HTC for the the One X users. If you have visited our article on what to expect with the HTC One X Jelly Bean update you'd be pleased to see that they have delivered on those things and have given much more.

Messaging application is now without the arrow keys though that can still be activated in the options setting located beside the side bar. 

The Notification screen is more comprehensive than the old ICS layout. Please take note that the Battery Icon and avast are third party apps that I have installed and have seamlessly integrated with the new software. The power saving options are also ready accessible here with just a click and you can adjust what it shall affect via settings or through this same button.

Power saving settings give you control of the cpu and so much more.

Back to messaging, by pressing and holding the symbols key, gives you access to the most used and fun emoticons for more convenience.

Color layout has also changed and is now less glaring to the eyes.

Power Settings Show a different more modern feel but still pretty much provides the same functionalities plus of course the power saving options that have been upgraded.

This shows the current android version and other software version updates.

The setting menu now resembles that of the HTC One X+'s

There are three new skins that have been added which brings a bit of a refreshing new feel and color combination.

Layout of the application menu has also been changed and improved.

Some of the built in applications such as flashlight have also gotten an upgrade with regards to their look and feel.

Task manager shows the full 1GB ram and what is being utilized. Interface has also been revamped and is a lot more intuitive to use.

Gallery application of HTC One X has had the most in terms of overhaul.  Now you can view photos based on where they are located, where they are stored and what event/day they were taken.

Google Plus interface has also changed just a bit.

Several new widgets have been added to the HTC Collection. Many of which take advantage of the amount of detail the screen can provide.

Google maps are still pretty much the same as with the last upgrade ICS 4.0.4

Music application of HTC One X has also been given a major upgrade and it is now pretty easy to go around your files as they are sorted by album, artist, genre and more. 

Bench mark scores where the most impressive based on the Antutu Scores. Previous score was rounding off to 10.5K and now has gone up to what you can see here now. End user result is also quite obvious

Bench mark results also with Quadrant Standard have shown a massive increase in performance. As you can see here, the previous HTC One X with ICS benchmark results barely hit 5,000 but with the Jelly Bean Update it is now close to 7,000

Screen and picture quality is just as stunning and the menu has been brought back to carousel mode which allows for continuous scrolling at least on the widget screen. 

Camera Layout has also had many upgrades and I personally think that it is a much more in tune with the overall user experience making the keys and menu option more ergonomically correct. 

Additional information such as hours of video taking left as well as photos are a very welcome addition. Front facing camera has also been improved by adding the same features that they have incorporated with the HTC One X+ such as timer for self portraits. 

Additional Camera settings have been incorporated to ensure that the users have full control of how the shots and videos are taken.

The HTC One X Jelly Bean update in my opinion is like a breath of fresh air for me as I can truly see how efficiently its software has merged with the hardware fully utilizing its skills and bringing the HTC One X the amount of seamless power it deserves. For the first time, I have not seen any lag in anything whatsoever. Games, applications and web-browsing have become so smooth and easy. Colors are somehow more vibrant too. This was something that HTC should have done with the HTC One X at the early part of this year right after it launched. Comparing it to the Samsung Galaxy S3 and Samsung Galaxy Note 2, the HTC One X is really still up there giving the top dogs a good run for their money. Of course the HTC One X+ still is the leading contender in terms of processor speed and battery life, but with the HTC One X now just a few points away from its flagship brother's benchmark this phone is definitely worth the cheaper price. ;)

I am sure that there'll be another update soon as Google has launched a new JB update on their phones with the version 4.2 but for now this HTC One X Official JB update is making me love my HTC One X so much more.

Till Next Time...

-Metz-

HTC One X Official Jelly Bean Update Received

I have been waiting for over a month to be able to get the Jelly Bean Update for my HTC One X and now it has finally arrived. It has promised a lot of performance enhancements and of course the much anticipated Google Now. I know that many are still waiting for it but I guess you'll have to expect to receive it once they get to your CID series number.

Here are some of the things that are now available on the update:

I'll do a write up review as soon as I get a chance to go through all the features. For now try to hit that update now button as I am sure this is going global faster this time.

I have written an article on what to expect with the JB Update here: HTC One X JB Expectations

PS. When you do get the update, make sure you have enough charge on your HTC One X because once you hit install and you have it plugged to its power cord you may encounter some unwanted glitches.

Till Next Time...

-Metz-

What to Expect with the HTC One X and One S Jelly Bean Update

I am like many of the other HTC One X users have been waiting patiently for the Android Jelly Bean update. Fortunately for us HTC has made an official announcement that this would most likely have happen for the international unlocked models of the HTC One X and HTC One S this month of Oct. Charging to experience though I would more realistically peg the actual date within middle half of the 4th quarter of this year since the last 4.0.4 update announcement took roughly over 45 days to reach my unit after the first official news of people who got the update in Europe got theirs. I guess this is still a lot better than the announcement of Samsung for their Samsung Galaxy S3 was pegged "to arrive in the coming months".

Putting aside realistic expectations of the actual Over The Air Jelly Bean Update for these HTC One handsets, here is a compiled list of some of the key features that will come with this much awaited update.

The HTC One X and HTC One S will be getting an upgrade to Sense 4+. This would also include a new camera mode for the photography lovers out there. The SelfPortrait mode is also going to be a new addition to HTC’s own software and will allow users to have a greater control over the front-facing camera. Another awesome update is going to be with the HTC Watch 2.0 update that scrapes in all video-based content into one easy to reach area, allowing users greater control over media on the device as well as providing enhanced screen sharing with a television set. HTC has also taken the opportunity to enhance the Gallery app on the devices by integrating additional viewing methods that allow users to view stored images by location. Another notable update is the inclusion of Google Now.

Here is where you'll get to see what the HTC One X+ and also a preview of the Sense 4+ coming to the HTC One X series once the JB arrives. 

To sum it up, it basically gives HTC One X and HTC One S users similar software enhancements that is already seen with the HTC One X+ device that was launched early this Oct 2012. The only issue now really is when one is to expect the update to arrive in their devices. This unfortunately, like previous updates could take quite awhile. However, compared to the earlier HTC Devices the One series is proving to have a better track record of getting updates quicker though still way behind promised schedules. How this will affect performance is also still yet to be seen, though reports of XDA modifications that have installed Jelly Bean updates including that where they have used the HTC One X+ mod brings the HTC One X close to if not at par with the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. Again that is still yet to be seen once the update arrives.

Till Next Time...

-Metz- 

How To Edit Dictionary Words on HTC One X

I had seriously a hard time getting to figure out how to encode words into the dictionary of my HTC ONE X, at the same time I found that I have accidentally placed words into the dictionary unintentionally while typing really quickly as i responded to a friend or a business associate. If you are like me who sometimes gets to input the wrong words into the dictionary as you type and have no idea as to where to look to get those mis-spelled words out of your HTC One X or your new HTC ONE X+ simply follow the step by step guide detailed below. 

Entering words with predictive text

Predictive text input is enabled by default, and word suggestions are displayed as you type.

Tip: Tap  to switch between Multitap and XT9 predictive modes when using the Compact or Phone keyboard layout.

To enter a word in predictive mode, do any of the following:

• If the word you want is highlighted in green or orange in the suggestion list, just tap the space bar to insert the word into your text.
• If the word you want shows up in the suggestion list before you finish typing the entire word, tap the word to insert it into your text.
• If there's an arrow to the right of the suggestion list, tap the arrow to see more choices.

Setting a second language for predictive text

You can set the predictive text to be bilingual. As you type, you’ll get word suggestions in the languages that you’ve selected.

1. Slide the Notifications panel open, and then tap  > Language & keyboard.
2. Tap HTC Sense Input > Advanced settings.
3. Tap Bilingual prediction, and then choose the language you want.

Adding a word to the predictive text dictionary

While you're entering text using the Standard keyboard layout, any word you tap on the suggestion list is automatically added.

You can also add a word to the list manually.

1. Slide the Notifications panel open, and then tap  > Language & keyboard.
2. Tap HTC Sense Input.
3. Tap Personal dictionary > Edit personal dictionary > .
4. Enter the word you want to add, and then tap OK.

Editing or deleting a word in the predictive text dictionary

1. Slide the Notifications panel open, and then tap  > Language & keyboard.
2. Tap HTC Sense Input.
3. Tap Personal dictionary > Edit personal dictionary.
   • To edit a word, tap the word.
   • To delete words from the dictionary, tap  > Delete. Select the words you want to remove, and then tap Delete.

Backing up your personal dictionary to your phone storage

You can back up the new words you’ve added to the predictive text dictionary to HTC One X.

1. Slide the Notifications panel open, and then tap  > Language & keyboard.
2. Tap HTC Sense Input.
3. Tap Personal dictionary > Sync personal dictionary > Copy to phone storage.
4. When prompted, tap OK.

Importing your personal dictionary

1. Slide the Notifications panel open, and then tap  > Language & keyboard.
2. Tap HTC Sense Input.
3. Tap Personal dictionary > Sync personal dictionary > Restore from phone storage.
4. When prompted, tap OK.