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HTC U11

After seeing some preview videos of the U11's squeeze feature, I think I can confidently bet that this isn't going to be something that catches on with smartphones. Perhaps in the future, this will be seen as a first step toward gestures or sort other form of interactions with the body of smartphones, but this looks like a rough start.

I think anytime you're required to apply pressure to something that isn't tactile (like an actual button) to activate something, I think that was the wrong direction. Seeing all the videos of users awkwardly squeezing the phone just doesn't strike me as intuitive.

This isn't going to be the feature that saves HTC. And I don't foresee this feature catching on in other major smartphones.

And boy does the front design look outdated (not very different from an iPhone or Pixel). LG and Samsung, I think, have really had an affect on the industry. They've really steered the smartphone design forward, Samsung especially. Such large bezels are just a no-go in 2017.

As it stands, the U11 just makes HTC look even further behind.
 
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widgeteer said:
I would think cases aren't an issue as the squeeze feature is triggered by pressure and not touch.
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I have some rigid cases made by Luvvit and Ringke and J&D that don't have any give along the sides. I like them for that reason because they protected my iPhones from bending when I was doing landscaping work. I guess that kind of case would be a no go with a squeeze enabled phone chassis.
 
epicrayban said:
After seeing some preview videos of the U11's squeeze feature, I think I can confidently bet that this isn't going to be something that catches on with smartphones. Perhaps in the future, this will be seen as a first step toward gestures or sort other form of interactions with the body of smartphones, but this looks like a rough start.

I think anytime you're required to apply pressure to something that isn't tactile (like an actual button) to activate something, I think that was the wrong direction. Seeing all the videos of users awkwardly squeezing the phone just doesn't strike me as intuitive.

This isn't going to be the feature that saves HTC. And I don't foresee this feature catching on in other major smartphones.

And boy does the front design look outdated (not very different from an iPhone or Pixel). LG and Samsung, I think, have really had an affect on the industry. They've really steered the smartphone design forward, Samsung especially. Such large bezels are just a no-go in 2017.

As it stands, the U11 just makes HTC look even further behind.
Click to expand...
yep agreed.....they added a feature to the HTC U11 that nobody has ever said they wanted.....
"if only i could squeeze my phone" It has a top rated camera paired with last years body design
 
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jamezr said:
yep agreed.....they added a feature to the HTC U11 that nobody has ever said they wanted.....
"if only i could squeeze my phone" It has a top rated camera paired with last years body design
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I noticed that when they demonstrate the so called usefulness of it in for example camera. The act of squeezing the phone actually moved / tilts the phone so your likely to end up with a either a blurry or not the composition you wanted. It just comes across as a solution to a problem nobody was actually having.
 
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I can see the usefulness of squeezing the phone when you need something one handed. I'd like it for Google Assistant and opening the camera. I won't condemn it, but I don't see how incredibly useful it will be. But I do see SOME use.

On a side note, after 18 months on a 6s Plus, I think 3D Touch is terrible. It's glitchy; when I need a long press, I accidentally activate 3DT; and you have to guess when something actually uses it.

On another side note, after using Google Assistant on my iPhone over the weekend, holy shizznit, this is light year's ahead of Siri!
 
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Wildo6882 said:
I can see the usefulness of squeezing the phone when you need something one handed. I'd like it for Google Assistant and opening the camera. I won't condemn it, but I don't see how incredibly useful it will be. But I do see SOME use.

On a side note, after 18 months on a 6s Plus, I think 3D Touch is terrible. It's glitchy; when I need a long press, I accidentally activate 3DT; and you have to guess when something actually uses it.

On another side note, after using Google Assistant on my iPhone over the weekend, holy shizznit, this is light year's ahead of Siri!
Click to expand...

Sadly due to regional restrictions I can't download Google Assistant for iOS here 🙁.

Those with it, does the iOS version play quiz show style games with you like Android version ?
 
MRU said:
I noticed that when they demonstrate the so called usefulness of it in for example camera. The act of squeezing the phone actually moved / tilts the phone so your likely to end up with a either a blurry or not the composition you wanted. It just comes across as a solution to a problem nobody was actually having.
Click to expand...

Precisely this. It just doesn't look ergonomically smart to have to squeeze your phone to get an action.
 
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widgeteer said:
If I weren't interested in the Essential phone, I would probably be all over this.
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I got my unlocked U11 the other day. I've only been playing with it in the house, as I haven't convinced myself which route I'm taking with my phone. It is an absolutely beautiful phone. No lag. No light bleed from the LCD panel. I'm on the reservation list for the Essential phone, and I do like the more stock approach of that, but I wonder how updates will be for them, and I also wonder if that camera can beat the U11, which is VERY good and important to me.
 
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Wildo6882 said:
I got my unlocked U11 the other day. I've only been playing with it in the house, as I haven't convinced myself which route I'm taking with my phone. It is an absolutely beautiful phone. No lag. No light bleed from the LCD panel. I'm on the reservation list for the Essential phone, and I do like the more stock approach of that, but I wonder how updates will be for them, and I also wonder if that camera can beat the U11, which is VERY good and important to me.
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Does "Ok Google" work with the screen off and phone locked?

I'm definitely tempted to try this phone. Keep reading good things online.

http://www.droid-life.com/2017/06/16/5-reasons-htc-u11-worth-buying/
 
Lot of talk about this camera and how good it is.
I think I'm put off by the silly squeeze thing and also, I don't know whether I actually like the design.
That shiny finish is just a recipe for dirt, grime and prints errrrwhere.

Same thing with the XZ Premium though.

Part of me would like to have a go of the U11 to see what it is like in everyday use, especially the camera.
 
Aneres11 said:
Lot of talk about this camera and how good it is.
I think I'm put off by the silly squeeze thing and also, I don't know whether I actually like the design.
That shiny finish is just a recipe for dirt, grime and prints errrrwhere.

Same thing with the XZ Premium though.

Part of me would like to have a go of the U11 to see what it is like in everyday use, especially the camera.
Click to expand...
Yeah same.... Another case for that 'device rental' service us gadget whores really could do with.
 
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MRU said:
Yeah same.... Another case for that 'device rental' service us gadget whores really could do with.
Click to expand...

Omg this is where my fortune is...!
Could you imagine that?! Why is there not such a service?!

I would be all over something like that if there was one. 😀
 
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well, I was about to pull the trigger to try this phone out, I even got a $50 off coupon code from HTC.com chat help, but I found out that it doesn't have Band 4 LTE and I have Verizon, which is a popular band here where I'm at. Even though this phone doesn't have a CDMA radio, I am rarely on 1x or 3G and have LTE everywhere I go, but not having band 4 is an issue. Plus, it looks like folks at XDA are having issues with Verizon, even though the phone is supposed to work on Verizon (outside of the CDMA radio thing). So if you have Verizon and were wanting to try this phone, it maybe worth while to wait to see if they iron out things or if the band 4 thing is true: LINK Sounds like Verizon and HTC are working on the issues these folks are having, but when they will be rectified, no one knows.
 
Have been really fighting the urge to buy this phone recently. And today, I just gave in.

Have my BB KEYone as my daily device and it's going nowhere as I like it a lot. However, in my new job I'm required to do some night shifts where binge watching of YouTube vids and Netflix is pretty much the only way to get you through... lol. And the KEYone just doesn't cut it in these areas.

I've been looking into the U11 and today I went into town to pick one up.
Reason for wanting this device over others like LG G6 and OP5 is basically 2 things. The camera, which clearly is worthy of that DXO marking and the audio. The 2 things I do on my phone more than texting is taking photos and listening to my music. The U11 seems to be the one for that.

In addition, it also has a front finger print scanner (which I much prefer) and there are no on screen Android buttons, which I often find can get in the way. I also love the design. Those colours are damn cool.

They had stock of all colours apart from red (my choice would be Amazing Silver anyway) so off I went to make a purchase and check one out just to make sure I was sure. I ended up walking away empty handed however, after confusing myself when I checked out the XZ Premium...

This XZP is not a phone that was not on my radar at all... I had an XZ in Platinum last year which I really really liked but it developed a screen fault and got exchanged. I sold the new device and moved on, keeping just the iPhone 7 Plus I had.
I really liked the XZ, mainly it's version of Android and the design of the device itself. Even though it's getting on with that boxy design now, I do still like it.

I checked the Premium out and it was the chrome version and it just looked really really nice. It was so super fluid and snappy I couldn't believe at how well it was moving round apps, especially with all that junk they put on demo models. (Side note, I also had the same experience with the U11 demo, which was also super zippy).

I had a little play with the XZP and set one of the 4k pics that are preinstalled on the album as the phones wallpaper. A multicolour rainbow of open umbrellas - and it looks absolutely gorgeous on that screen. Boxed in by shiny chrome. 😀. Just lovely.

And then when I was asked if I needed any help I was like "well I didnt think I did..." 😛.

I decided not to act on impulse and come home and do some more research.
It hasn't helped. I really like both phones. I like the idea of this super slo-mo video on the XZP for the dog etc (which my sisters and partner will get entertainment out of in our whatsapp group!) But the actual camera itself just can't compete with the U11's. Plus, there have been some reports about that wide angle lens causing some weird ripples on photos which Sony have kinda acknowledged but not actually agreed to do anything about.

The bezels on the XZP are huuuuuge and the phone itself is hefty, but being used to an iPhone 7 Plus, that doesn't bother me. I think I'm more just thinking about all the fun I can have with home screens on that gorgeous display!

The sensible option would be the U11. It's (IMO) the best Android out there at the minute for me, but that Sony just really gets me. It doesn't help a girl I used to work with at CPW told me she has it and she absolutely loves it. We were a bad combo me and her when I worked there! We basically egged each other on to change our phones what felt like weekly at times! 😀.

I don't know why I'm posting, I guess I need to vent as all of this trying to decide is just not helping / making it easier!

I'll be sure to post when I do decide!
 
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