HTC launches smartphone, imaging ecosystem components in Singapore

HTC has launched the RE, a new type of camera, the HTC Desire EYE smartphone, the HTC Eye Experience imaging software, and Zoe, a collaborative video editing community, in Singapore. 

"Back in 1997, we allowed people to leave their laptops at home in favour of powerful, pocket-sized smartphone computing. Today we are taking a similar leap forward - combining incredible hardware with unrivalled software," said Jack Yang, President of South Asia, HTC Corporation. “HTC is reinventing the way we think about imaging. We are taking you out from behind the viewfinder and putting you back where you belong, at the heart of the action and some amazing new innovation in software to enhance the use of technology.” 

HTC also shared pictures taken by the RE, which show its wide angle and adaptive exposure capabilities:

The HTC Desire EYE will available in Coral Red and Submarine Blue, from 27 November 2014, launching at the SITEX Show through StarHub and M1 at a recommended retail price of S$728 including GST. The RE will be available from 19 December 2014 for S$348. Updates will be announced on the HTC Singapore Facebook page. 

Read the blog posts about the launch here and here.

It's all in the eye of the beholder: HTC rolls out new phone and software

Continuing a heritage of smartphone innovation, HTC has launched its new top-of-the-range HTC Desire model, the HTC Desire EYE, together with mobile imaging software and a collaborative video editing app. 

Source: HTC. The new Desire EYE smartphone
in submarine blue.

The waterproof* 4G Desire EYE is designed to be the ultimate multimedia companion and is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor. Two 13MP cameras (front and rear) provide detailed image quality, and shots can be made one-handed. The HTC Desire EYE has back side illumination** (BSI) sensors to deal with low-light conditions, and dual-LED flash on both cameras. In addition, three dedicated microphones ensure crystal clear voice and video calling, while HTC BoomSound and a 5.2” Full HD display offer and the perfect way to view your photos and videos.

The new HTC EYE Experience takes mobile imaging software into a new league with face tracking for up to four people in the same room, with each face cropped and positioned on the screen for maximum clarity. The option to share screens adds productivity to smartphone-based video chats as well.

The Split Capture function can combine simultaneous photos and videos taken on the front and back cameras into one split-screen image or video for a new selfie experience. Voice Selfie uses a spoken command to trigger the shutter release, so that there is no need to touch the screen to start the camera. 

The new Zoe collaborative video-editing app allows several users to remix photos and videos into highlight reels, complete with themes and soundtracks. The app is available free of charge on Android now and on iOS later this year.

The HTC Desire EYE will be rolled out through mobile operators and major retailers across EMEA and Asia from October. The HTC EYE Experience will roll out to the following models (full feature list to be confirmed at roll-out): HTC One (M7), HTC One (M8), HTC One E8, HTC One mini, HTC One mini 2, HTC One max, HTC Desire 816, HTC Desire 820 and HTC Butterfly 2 in the coming months.

*Rated IPx7, 1 meter underwater for 30 minutes, out of the box. **BSI sensors are designed to handle low light situations more effectively than conventional camera sensors so that clearer pictures result in a dim environment.