• Lower priced , compact version of the HTC One handset goes on sale in the middle of August
Phones 4U expects Mini to be a ‘ hit ’
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HTC looks to boost its customer numbers with new HTC One Mini
• Lower priced , compact version of the HTC One handset goes on sale in the middle of August
By Michael Garwood
HTC has unveiled a new smaller and more affordable version of the HTC One , the ‘ One Mini ’.
The aluminium device goes on sale in mid-August and follows the “ success ” of the Taiwanese manufacturer ’ s flagship HTC One device which launched in March .
The HTC One is currently HTC ’ s most widely ranged product , sold in 181 countries and through 583 networks .
The new ‘ One Mini ’ runs on Android 4.2.2 and uses a Micro SIM . It includes a 4.3-inch HD ( 720 × 341 ) touchscreen , which is around half an inch smaller than its predecessor ’ s screen .
Features include a 1.4GHz dual-core Qualcomm 8930 Snapdragon 400 series processor , a 1.2-megapixel front-facing Ultra-Pixel camera , 1080p full HD video , the latest version of HTC Sense , 4G compatibility , Wi-Fi , GPS
Fashion chain Monsoon is set to collaborate with mobile accessories firm Lazerbuilt on a new collection to mark its 40th anniversary .
The partnership will see high-end accessories created for a host of smartphones and tablets , with particular focus on the new range of iPhone and
Data allowance has for the first time overtaken minutes as the top priority for consumers when choosing a mobile contract , according to price comparison site uSwitch .
A survey carried out by the site shows 43 per cent of consumers prioritised data allowances when choosing their current contract , while 41 per cent considered minutes first . This is compared to 35 per cent and 47 per cent respectively for their last contract .
The consideration given to text allowances has decreased
Wheeler unveils latest device HTC One Mini , above , and between BlackBerry Z10 ( l ) and iPhone 5
and a 3.5mm audio jack . Colour variants include ‘ Glacial Silver ’ and ‘ Stealth Black ’.
The device also includes 16GB internal storage – half that included on the original – and uses a 1,800mAh battery providing up to 13.27 hours ’ talk time , and a standby time of up to 692 hours .
Beats Audio , HTC BlinkFeed , BoomSound ( front-facing
iPad devices expected to launch later this year .
The three-year deal will see the products made available in early October and distributed exclusively by mobile accessories specialist Kondor .
Lazerbuilt product and marketing director Andrew Byatt added : “ Monsoon is
slightly , from 18 per cent to 17 per cent of those polled .
The figures also revealed more than a quarter of consumers speakers ) found on the HTC One are also present .
NFC connectivity and the infrared port of the HTC One have been omitted to accommodate the new handset ’ s smaller dimensions .
HTC director of commercialisation product management Graham Wheeler described the device as having “ all the key pillars ” of the One ,
HTC brand awareness at an ‘ all-time high ’
Graham Wheeler also revealed , during a preview of the HTC One Mini , that HTC ’ s brand awareness is at an all-time high on the back of the HTC One , prompting the manufacturer to add the Mini .
He claimed brand awareness was currently above 80 per cent , although he refused to provide comparative details , with the firm ’ s “ younger ” targeted audience around 87 per cent ,
Lazerbuilt bags high street retailer Monsoon for accessory partnership
a brand with tremendous customer loyalty , a distinct eclectic style and a wide breadth of influences .
“ To be able to collaborate with the Monsoon brand teams has been extremely valuable and led to some great designs that really offer something unique to the market .”
Data more important than minutes now according to consumer survey
( 26 per cent ) use less than 30 minutes per month , while 32 per cent of UK customers have allowances of less than 300 minutes per month .
Twenty-five per cent of respondents said they use less than a fifth of their monthly minutes allowance . uSwitch telecoms expert Ernest Doku said : “ The death knell for mobile minutes has tolled . It is now up to networks to respond to this shift by providing mobile owners with an attractive and affordable selection of deals offering data .” but in a smaller package .
He added the handset will be priced “ two price points ” beneath the HTC One and be aimed at a wider addressable market – but that it will still remain a high-end device .
Wheeler said : “ We really had a great run in terms of the overall effect the HTC One has had on the company .
“ We wanted to extend the device family and our addressable market by launching the Mini and taking the key pillars that we talk about on the HTC One and put it together in a smaller package and a more value-orientated price point .
“ For a device that offers no compromise on experience , it really does offer a great value experience to the consumer .”
HTC Corporation CEO Peter Chou added : “ The HTC One Mini embodies everything that makes the HTC One a success on a smaller but equally eyecatching scale .”
Man in hospital after iPhone 4 electrocution
Apple has warned customers of the danger of using ‘ knock off ’ Apple charging products after a second person in as many weeks was electrocuted while charging their phone .
Last week it was reported that a 30-year-old man from Beijing was electrocuted while using a ‘ knock off ’ charger to recharge his iPhone 4 .
Wu Jiantong has been in a coma since the incident , which took place on July 9 .
As Mobile News went to press , Wu was said to be in a serious but stable condition .
Doctors confirmed he was receiving treatment as a result of being electrocuted .
Fatal consequences Wu ’ s sister told local reporters she had heard her brother shout “ I ’ m being electrocuted ” while connecting his handset to a charger and then found him convulsing and foaming at the mouth .
It is the second incident
Phones 4U expects Mini to be a ‘ hit ’
Phones 4U has confirmed it will be selling the HTC One Mini when it is released next month .
EE has also confirmed it will stock the ‘ One Mini ’, in ‘ glacial white ’ when it goes on sale in mid-August .
Phones 4U chief commercial officer Scott Hooton said : “ The HTC One Mini is an opportunity for HTC to bring their smartphones to a different set of customers – it ’ s a smartphone made for those customers who want the best bits of the HTC One but in a smaller , more compact package .
“ We ’ re sure that this mini version of the supercharged HTC One , which has won critical acclaim for its incredible performance and design , will be a hit at Phones 4U .”
although again he refused to |
provide a comparison . |
Wheeler also claimed 94 |
per cent of HTC One owners |
“ would recommend the brand ”, |
with the number of people |
intending to buy HTC in the |
next six months doubling . |
He |
said : |
“ Our |
brand |
awareness is at an all-time high , and the intent to buy is now almost double since the HTC One launched .” |
Goal-line mobile technology |
Hooton – device will appeal |
Doku – death knell for minutes
One Mini ( left ) with original
related to Apple chargers this week – a 23-year-old air stewardess died after being electrocuted when answering a call on her iPhone 5 while it was charging . Investigators are yet to establish what type of charger was used . Wu ’ s charger , which Apple claims was not an official product , was unplugged by his sister , who claimed she felt the electric current run through her body before calling paramedics .
Apple said : “ It was with great sadness we learned through press reports that a Beijing customer was injured while using a ‘ knock off ’, or counterfeit , charger and we are looking into this further .
“ Our customers ’ safety is very important to us and we have carefully designed all Apple products to meet government safety standards . We recommend our customers only purchase Apple products from Apple or authorised Apple resellers .”
MN 2013-0730 News p12 . indd 6 24 / 07 / 2013 17:04