Facts

HTC teases a squeezable U event next month

By JC Torres/

HTC just can't catch a break in the smartphone market. Just when you thought the HTC 10 would be a winner, it fails to capture the market by storm. The HTC U Ultra's super shiny facade wasn't also enough to fend off criticism of its less than impressive features. All these isn't new to HTC and the Taiwanese company isn't one to easily give up either. Against all odds, it will be launching yet another "U" branded smartphone, and it has marked a May date to do just that.

HTC isn't really that good at keeping things under wraps, even in its own teasers. Or perhaps it decided that it's pointless to keep things secret. Without exactly saying it, HTC has practically confirmed one of the biggest features this new HTC U phone would have.

"Squeeze for the Brilliant U." That is the slogan HTC is using for its May press event. That is accompanied by a short video clip of someone doing just that, squeezing a smartphone at its sides. This pretty much confirms that the next U will have pressure-sensitive side edges that can be activated with a squeeze.

The tweet might hold other clues as well. The audio waves that are emitted from the bottom of the phone after the squeeze could hint at the return of HTC BoomSound after a brief hiatus. The U, which gets deformed into a wavy curve, could hint at this being the HTC "Ocean" that has been previously leaked. Which would mean that it will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, unlike the HTC U Ultra.

Will this "brilliant" HTC U address the flaws of its predecessor? We'll have to wait for a month to find the full answer. HTC will be holding its press event on 16th May 2:00 a.m. Eastern, which will be 11:00 p.m. of the 15th Pacific. The event will be live streamed from Taiwan.

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