HTC launches all-glass AI smartphone without headphone jack and second screen

Did you think HTC was going to give up on its smartphone wing after having been an Android underdog for quite a while now? Well, you are wrong. The tech firm has announced its shift in approach of the smartphone world. They will now concentrate on developing smartphones preloaded with its own AI assistant, reports The Verge.

Whereas the original intention for developing mobile phones was to talk to other humans, that motive has swiftly changed. Major stakeholders are now focused on how we can use the devices and let them handle the complex tasks for us.

With Google’s Voice Search, Microsoft’s Cortana and Apple’s Siri, you can get anything pop up on your smartphone screen just by use of voice commands. Samsung’s Viv and Amazon’s Alexa have not been left out either. And HTC has similarly jumped into the boat of AI competition with its “HTC Sense companion.”

The company teased the launch of the new U series smartphones last month, hinting at the “For U” personalization it had in the pipeline, reports Tech Crunch. But on 12^th December, HTC announced the HTC U Ultra, a 5.7 inch flagship phablet clad in glass on the front and back as well as the HTC U Play, which comes with a 5.2 inch display.

As confirmed by the company’s spokeswoman, its AI is based on HTC’s own AI software but added I has now been made compatible with Google Now.

Some of the goodies that the AI brings include a reminder to charge your phone, keep watch on your juice levels or even a notification to wear warm clothes if the weather outside is cold. What’s more, you can even be suggested for a restaurant if you have date plans. The AI is able to do all these by learning your daily activities.

Two Screens on One phone?

There is a small secondary screen on top of the main panel whose purpose is to display the notifications like those from favorite apps and priority contacts.

HTC says that they have been motivated by the need to ensure the main screen has enough space for uninterrupted browsing. This secondary screen prevents you from being obscured by such notifications.

HTC has introduced great features on its flagship product. However, it may have failed when it comes to the battery. Its 3000mAh battery can be considered to be too small for the large screen display.

The company may have decided to go the Apple way considering that none of the two gadgets come with a headphone jack.

Press Ctrl+d to bookmark this website for a more comprehensive review of the HTC U Ultra tomorrow as we still put it to test.