HTC's next big launch (live blog)

HTC is set to launch its next flagship product.

3rd & 7 37yd

Roger Cheng 2/19/2013 2:46:06 PM
Hello all, Roger Cheng, executive editor for CNET News, here with Brian Bennett and Sarah Tew with all the details for today's HTC event.
Brian Bennett 2/19/2013 2:46:22 PM
Hey everyone! We just got in!
Brian Bennett 2/19/2013 2:46:58 PM
Lots and lots of reporters and bloggers here.
Roger Cheng 2/19/2013 2:47:29 PM
Today's event is held at Cedar Dance studio on the west side of Manhattan. It's a smaller venue than normal, which means it's pretty packed.
Roger Cheng 2/19/2013 2:47:45 PM
Although curiously, there's a ton of space around me and Brian. I hope it's not us.
Brian Bennett 2/19/2013 2:48:00 PM
Tell me about it! We're packed in here like sardines :)
Luke Westaway 2/19/2013 2:48:00 PM
Luke here from HTC's London event! We're still queuing outside, waiting for the event doors to open. On the plus side, an old-fashioned London bus has just turned up...
Roger Cheng 2/19/2013 2:48:11 PM
Looks like HTC will get a little bit of quiet carrier support. I've spotted folks from AT&T and Sprint here.
sarahtew 2/19/2013 2:48:59 PM
Sarah is shooting pictures in NYC.
Brian Bennett 2/19/2013 2:49:15 PM
We're all seated in a semicircle around a big screen with colorful images sliding by.
Roger Cheng 2/19/2013 2:49:16 PM
At the front of the room is a large screen showing a grid of live updating tiles. It's almost like Windows Phone, but not quite.
sarahtew 2/19/2013 2:49:19 PM
sarahtew 2/19/2013 2:49:50 PM
Roger Cheng 2/19/2013 2:50:10 PM
So we're expecting HTC to show off its latest flagship smartphone. There's a lot riding on this phone, as the company has been in a slump, and needs a win to re-energize itself.
Abraham 2/19/2013 2:50:26 PM
Any signs of T-Mobile?
Roger Cheng 2/19/2013 2:50:51 PM
@Abraham: No signs yet, but I would bet on them being here. HTC and T-Mobile have traditionally been good partners.
Brian Bennett 2/19/2013 2:51:31 PM
The music is generic corporate dream-like fare...leading to a crescendo. What could it mean?!!!
sarahtew 2/19/2013 2:51:48 PM
sarahtew 2/19/2013 2:52:16 PM
John Falcone 2/19/2013 2:52:22 PM
The HTC news so far (from New York and London):
sarahtew 2/19/2013 2:52:37 PM
sarahtew 2/19/2013 2:53:05 PM
sarahtew 2/19/2013 2:53:06 PM
Brian Bennett 2/19/2013 2:53:09 PM
Actually it looks like the images sliding by depict some sort of incredible lifestyle...perhaps made possible by a new phone?
Roger Cheng 2/19/2013 2:54:46 PM
HTC will definitely need to shake things up. The company has been stagnant, and despite some cool phones, haven't been able to get out of its downward trajectory.
BoloMKXXVIII 2/19/2013 2:55:30 PM
Roger Cheng gets a round a lot these days...
Roger Cheng 2/19/2013 2:55:54 PM
@BoloMKXXVIII: Be sure to follow me again tomorrow for the Sony live blog. Just trying to earn my keep around here.
Brian Bennett 2/19/2013 2:55:54 PM
Yeah they need something more than a mere flagship device...they need an uber flagship handset.
sarahtew 2/19/2013 2:56:23 PM
Roger Cheng 2/19/2013 2:56:28 PM
My definition of uber flagship: a flagship phone that crosses all carriers, and isn't just an exclusive at one carrier.
Mecer 2/19/2013 2:56:37 PM
wow New York event room is tiny!
Roger Cheng 2/19/2013 2:56:46 PM
@Mecer: Yes, it's a bit cramped here.
Roger Cheng 2/19/2013 2:57:01 PM
So the event is supposed to kick off in a few minutes, but I'm willing to bet we'll be a little late.
Brian Bennett 2/19/2013 2:57:13 PM
Ok, this constantly looping dream soundtrack is getting old.
sarahtew 2/19/2013 2:59:30 PM
sarahtew 2/19/2013 2:59:32 PM
Brian Bennett 2/19/2013 3:00:03 PM
More and more folks are piling in. Wow!
Roger Cheng 2/19/2013 3:00:39 PM
So we're hearing that the London event (which is happening at the same time) is facing delays, which may affect our start time. Hang on to your hats.
Roger Cheng 2/19/2013 3:30:14 PM
Gotta love the tech jargon terms.
Brian Bennett 2/19/2013 3:30:32 PM
BoomSound? That's an unfortunate name. Sounds like a boombox or something!
sarahtew 2/19/2013 3:30:42 PM
sarahtew 2/19/2013 3:30:44 PM
sarahtew 2/19/2013 3:30:45 PM
Roger Cheng 2/19/2013 3:30:49 PM
Using front-facing stereo speakers "makes sense," Becker says. It's designed for when you're watching videos on the phone. It gives you clearer sound than ever before, he says.