With the barrage of Android smartphones on the market, manufacturers have to innovate not just in the hardware aspect, but also in the software to differentiate themselves and offer something new to customers.
HTC is one of the few that has managed to innovate in both areas with the HTC One, an attractive phone with a cool aluminium shell and glossy 4.7-inch screen.
This was one of the most hotly anticipated mobile phone launches this year and the Taiwanese manufacturer does not disappoint. The phone won the industry's GSMA award for best new mobile handset, device or tablet at the Mobile World Congress this year, albeit before Samsung unveiled its S4. Nonetheless the HTC One is still set to be a game-changer.
Its most striking new feature is the homescreen. Gone is the dull Android interface, replaced with HTC's Blinkfeed, a dynamic user interface that pulls content from selected news sources and social media accounts to give an up-to-date account of all the things that interest you. It is a bit like the Windows live tiles, but better and richer.
A unique feature is Zoe, the imaging part of the handset. Instead of just plain still pictures, you can take a three-second shot and capture a longer moment. Going through the gallery as these pictures come to life is akin to reading a newspaper from the Harry Potter films, the inspiration behind the technology.
"Features around imaging is what we're very excited about. There is a strong trend towards communication with images and more video instead of still images," says the HTC executive Drew Bamford.
The screen is sharp and excellent for video playback, which is enhanced with the front-facing speakers, a simple aspect, but one that provides a far superior listening experience.
The aluminium body is cool to the touch and gives it a sturdy feel, but it is prone to heating up.
Overall this is probably one of the best smartphones on the market, durable, usable and intuitive.
thamid@thenational.ae
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
