Android Tablet Update

Today Qualcomm announced the keynotes and agenda for their Uplinq 2012 mobile developers conference and we are celebrating the event by giving away a free pass to one of our readers. The conference will be held June 27-28, at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront hotel and will cover the Android, Windows Phone, Windows 8, HTML5 and Brew platforms.

Qualcomm’s developer network, QDevNet, will also sponsor a pre-conference Mobile CodeFest & Hackathon on June 26 for hardcore coders. The event will include device giveaways, provide coders hands-on, deep-dive training on how to exploit leading mobile technologies to create extraordinary user experiences. The hackathon will end with a lightning round of presentations, with judging and awards totaling more than $50,000 immediately to follow.

Uplinq 2012 keynote speakers and breakout sessions

Keynote speakers include:

• Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, chariman and CEO of Qualcomm
• Aaron Levie, co-founder and CEO of Box
• Dr. Peter H. Diamandis, charimand and CEO of the X PRIZE Foundation
• John Hering, co-founder and CEO of Lookout

Super session topics this year are:

• How Do Developers Take Control of Their Destinies in a Cross-Platform World?, a fireside chat between Rob Chandhok, senior vice president of software strategy for Qualcomm and president of Qualcomm Internet Services, and Ben Wood, director of research for CCS Insight
• Snapdragon Processors Powering the Next Million-Dollar App, presented by Raj Talluri, senior vice president of product management for Qualcomm

Uplinq 2012 breakout sessions will cover such topics as:

• Growing the Ecosystem: The Future of HTML5 Web Apps
• Designing Graphics & Gaming Apps Across the Snapdragon S-Class Tiers 
• MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) LTE Gaming
• Developing Connected, Proximity-Aware Apps with AllJoyn
• Drive Consumer Engagement with Vuforia
• Premium, Freemium, Bundles & More: The Evolution of Brew App Business Models
• Harness the Rise of the Machines: FastCV, Accelerating Mobile Computer Vision
• Trends in Technology & Digital Content in Education: An Untapped Market
• The Windows 8 Platform for Metro Style Apps
• Diving Into the Windows Phone Market: Should I Make the Jump?
• Nokia’s Inside Track for Developers to Leverage Its Devices, Reach & Relationships
• Tapping into the Next Generation of Location-Based Applications
• Accelerating your Android Application with Renderscript and LLVM

Get 30% discount on admission

The registration price for Uplinq 2012 is US$375, but our readers can get 30% off using a special coupon code. The price includes registration for the pre-conference Mobile CodeFest and Hackathon (limited to 300 coders). The Uplinq 2012 registration page can be found at www.uplinq.com/user/register.

Uplinq 2012 30% discount code: UB2012

Win a free pass to Uplinq 2012

As we mentioned above, we also have a free, 1-time pass to give away to one of our readers. If you live in the San Diego area and are able to attend, just leave a comment below to be entered to win. We are looking for someone who has experience with Android development, so include a link to any apps you have published in the Google Play Store to increase your chances of winning.

A little more than 24 hours after the introduction of the HTC Desire C, another HTC phone is making its debut. It may not be an official unveiling by HTC, but a leaked document and an unnamed source claim that HTC is working on a slightly cheaper version of the HTC One S. Currently known as the HTC Ville C, this new device is said to feature nearly all of the same internal components as the HTC One S.

The only difference we have been able to identify is the Qualcomm MSM8260 S3 processor (the same chip found inside the HTC Sensation) which replaces the MSM8260A S4 chip currently used to power the HTC One S. While the leaked document shows the MSM8260 processor clocked at 1.7GHz, the source claims that the HTC Ville C’s chip will be clocked at 1.2GHz.

On the software side, the HTC Ville C will be running on Android 4.0 paired with HTC Sense 4.5, giving it a leg up on HTC’s current HTC One series.

We’re not sure what to make of the HTC Ville C. The device looks to be identical to the HTC One S in nearly every aspect and we can’t really see HTC releasing this phone in Europe or the U.S. unless they manage to cut the handset’s price by at least $100. How much would you be willing to pay for an HTC One S if it was powered by last year’s Qualcomm MSM8260 S3 processor?

The HTC Desire C is official. HTC’s new entry-level Android 4.0 handset features a 3.5-inch HVGA (320 x 480) display, 600 MHz Qualcomm processor, 512 MB of RAM, 4 GB of internal storage, microSD card slot, 5 megapixel camera, Beats Audio, and a 1,230 mAh battery. For those who want to make sure they have the latest technology on their entry-level phone, HTC is also offering an NFC enabled version of the HTC Desire C. The phone will be available in white, black and red once it shows up in stores sometime in June.

The off-contract price for the HTC Desire C is set at £169.99, but UK service providers like T-Mobile, Orange and Three will be giving the phone away for free with plans starting at £15.50 per month.

While the HTC Desire C may aesthetically look like the HTC One series, the handset does not feature a dedicated imaging chip and the advanced performance of the One series. HTC has not announced any plans of bringing the HTC desire C to the U.S. market, but we wouldn’t be surprised if the phone showed up on regional carriers in the next few months.

What do you think of the HTC Desire C? Does the world really need another entry-level Android device?

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Think you could game on a tablet for 26 hours in a row? Ever dream that your name would appear in the Guinness Book of World Records? Want a shot at $50,000 in cash prizes?

Today Qualcomm announced they are working with the Guinness Book of World Records to host the first ever Snapdragon Gaming World Record Challenge at this year’s E3. Gamers will be provided with a Snapdragon-powered Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 and then be challenged to play the latest Android games to beat the record of Longest Video Games Marathon on a Tablet.

Qualcomm tells us they have partnered with popular developers Gameloft, Halfbrick, Sega, NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., Glu and Com2Us, so there should be plenty of games to keep you going.

If you live in the Los Angeles area, and we know a lot of you do, then you should register for the qualification event that is taking place later this month. Anyone who is a California resident and over the age of 18 can sign up, and they will be entered into a random drawing for one of 120 spots for the qualification party.

Qualification Party details include:

• What: Snapdragon Gaming World Record Challenge Qualification
• Where: Lexington Social House, 1718 Vine St., Hollywood, CA
• When: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at 7:oo PM
• How: Register now

Once the 120 participants have been chosen for the qualification event, they will compete on one game that will be announced at the event. The top 50 Challengers will win a coveted seat for the Snapdragon Gaming World Record Challenge at E3 from 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 5 through to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 6.

Those who are lucky enough to qualify for the World Record challenge will have a chance to score some serious cash prizes and a new Android tablet.

Prizes include:

• Grand Prize – $20,000 and a Samsung Galaxy 8.9 Tab
• Second Prize – $15,000 and a Samsung Galaxy 8.9 Tab
• Third Prize – $7,000 and a Samsung Galaxy 8.9 Tab
• Fourth Prize – $5,000 and a Samsung Galaxy 8.9 Tab
• Fifth Prize – $3,000 and a Samsung Galaxy 8.9 Tab

We love Android games and I’m thinking about attending, so let us know if you register and plan to attend. Are you up to the challenge?

The international version of the HTC One S has been available for a few weeks already and now customers in the U.S. can purchase the phone from T-Mobile for $199.99 (after $50 mail-in rebate) with a new two year contract. HTC was kind enough to send us a demo unit a few weeks early so that we could give you a detailed look at what to expect from the HTC One S. Early reviews of the international version of the HTC One S were favorable, but does T-Mobile’s software tweaks and HSPA+ network allow the One S to live up to its full potential?

1. Hardware design

Since the introduction of the HTC Magician, HTC has focused on delivering handsets which feature a unique personality and standing apart from the indistinguishable plastic slabs pushed out by the competition. The HTC One S takes HTC’s design language to the next level while bringing back many of the characteristics which give the phone that recognizable HTC look. To say that the design of the HTC One S is minimalistic would be a gross understatement.

The HTC One S is an astonishingly elegant phone made of a single piece of aluminum which wraps around the entire device. The front of the phone features 4.3-inch display, three capacitive buttons, a front-facing camera and micro-drilled speaker holes. The One S features an MHL enabled microUSB port long its left edge, volume rocker on its right edge and the phone’s power button and 3.5mm headphone jack can be found along the top. The back of the phone is accented by a blue ring around the camera lens which is paired with an LED flash, an HTC logo in the middle and a Beats Audio logo towards to bottom. The back of the phone features two plastic panels which house the antenna, speakerphone and microSIM card slot.

2. Build quality

With the exception of a few select devices, the majority of smartphones produced these days are made of cheap, glossy plastics. These phones may look nice in a display case, but once you get your hands on them, you can feel that very little thought was actually put into the production material and you find yourself constantly looking for ways to clean the phone from the smudges left behind by your greasy fingers.

Fortunately, the HTC One S is one of the few devices where the design of the phone is just as important as the materials used to make it. HTC has been milling aluminum casings for their phones since the HTC Legend was introduced in 2010, but HTC has taken things one step further this time by giving the aluminum a gradient finish on the HTC One S. The color of the phone fades from dark to light. The color fade is present on all sides of the device, but it is more noticeable when looking at the back.

The HTC One S measures 130.9 x 65 x 7.8 mm, making is the thinnest phone ever produced by HTC. Though the handset only weighs 119.5 grams, its balance and aluminum shell give the device a solid feel.The attention to detail on the One is is pretty remarkable. Rather than cutting out a hole in the aluminum and fitting it with a cheap speaker grill, HTC used a micro drill to create 76 holes in the aluminum.

HTC has also stepped up things up when it comes to the glass which covers the display on the One S. While most phones have a glass panel which covers the front of the phone, the glass on the One S flows over the sides, accentuating the slight curve on the back of the phone. But HTC did not stop there. A closer look reveals that the glass panel features a raised edge which keeps the glass from making contact when the phone is placed face down on a surface.

3. Display

The HTC One S is the first phone from HTC to feature a Samsung Super AMOLED display. HTC dabbled with AMOLED displays from Samsung a few years back, but made the switch to Sony’s Super LCD panels when supply issues caused production delays for the original HTC DROID Incredible. Since then, the technology has gotten a lot better and it seems as though Samsung has been able to boost production enough to keep up with demand.

The 4.3-inch qHD display on the HTC One S should be a familiar size for those’s who are familiar with the HTC Sensation or the EVO 3D from last year. The size of the display may not be as impressive as the 4.7-inches of the HTC One X, but it does allow single hand use of the phone without  re-positioning your grip to reach the far edges of the display or pull down the notification bar.

The display on the One S is optically laminated to its Gorilla Glass covering, reducing the space between the glass, producing some pretty amazing viewing angles. Unfortunately, the optical lamination does not make up for the fact that the pentile matrix display looks inferior to the Super LCD displays HTC has used in the past. The traditional RGB subpixel layout is swapped for a RGBG configuration, causing noticeable discoloration in high contrast situations. The issue is easily noticeable in the application drawer where white application icons show a green hue on their left edge and a magenta hue along the right side.

Another down side to the Super AMOLED display on the one S is its outdoor performance. We wouldn’t suggest taking your phone out of your pocket to check your email in direct sunlight, but you will be able to use the phone on a cloudy day or if you’re in a shaded area.

4. Software

Besides the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, the HTC One S is the first new phone to be released by a U.S. carrier with Android 4.0 pre-installed. Unlike the Galaxy Nexus, the HTC One S does not come with stock Android. Like the overwhelming majority of Android phones, the One S comes with a custom skin – HTC Sense 4.0. In the past, HTC Sense offered some amazing advancements, but things got a little stale last year when HTC introduced Sense 3.0 on the HTC Sensation. The software build got a lot heavier that it needed to be with 3D animations and glossy buttons that didn’t add any real benefit to the end user.

Fortunately, HTC listened to consumer feedback and gave birth to Sense 4.0. The latest version of HTC’s UI is intended to allow users to customize the look and feel of their device while making interaction with the OS slightly easier. But HTC Sense is a lot more than just a skin. HTC has modified or replaced the majority of the stock Android applications on the phone is order to give users a consistent look and feel.

One of the first things you’ll notice when you turn on the HTC One S is the new lock screen. Users can choose between a variety of lockscreen styles which display the weather, calendar events, stock quotes, pictures or even social media updates from friends. But the customization doesn’t end there. While stock Android allow users to unlock the device or launch directly into the camera, the Sense 4.0 lock screen allows users to launch whichever application or folder is placed in the launcher dock on the home screen.

HTC has also taken the liberty of customizing the multitasking menu in Android 4.0. Rather than displaying a vertical list of applications with cropped images, Sense 4.0 features application cards (similar to those in webOS) which scroll horizontally and must be flicked up to be removed from the list.

There are many who think HTC and other OEMs should be forced to produce phones with stock Android. Unfortunately, we don’t see that happening any time soon. Sense 4.0 may not be as sharp as stock Android, but it’s the best custom skin we’ve used in quite some time.

5. Performance

The Android ecosystem is made up of some amazing devices, but when it comes to performance – the HTC One S takes the crown. Inside the HTC One S is a dual-core 1.5 GHz Qualcomm MSM8260A Snapdragon S4 processor (paired with an Adreno 225 GPU) which runs laps around the competition.

Those who love to play games on their Android phone will certainly enjoy using the HTC One S. The phone was able to tear through games like Temple Run, Dead Space, Shadowgun and NBA Jam without missing a beat and we wouldn’t be surprised if the phone’s power is able to keep up with the newest titles for at least a year.

When it comes to regular use, the HTC One S is as smooth as silk. We didn’t experience any lag within the UI and launching applications is faster than ever.

To give you an idea how much power the HTC One S has under the hood, we run the phone through a few benchmarks. The HTC One S came out on top in most benchmark tests – even beating out the quad-core Tegra 3 powered HTC One X on several occasions. Naturally, you should always take benchmark score with a grain of salt since they don’t really tell you how a phone will perform in day-to-day situations, but we were blown away.

6. Cameras

The HTC One S may be the thinnest and most powerful phone ever made by HTC, but one of the main selling points is the handset’s advanced camera and ImageSense technology. HTC’s focus with the One series is to give users “the power of a true digital camera on your phone.” In order to pull that off, HTC has equipped the HTC One S with an 8 megapixel BSI (back side illuminated) imaging sensor, f2.0 lens and a dedicated imaging chip which work seamlessly and deliver some of the most stunning images we have ever seen from a camera phone.

But HTC didn’t just add amazing hardware components and call it a day. HTC completely redesigned the camera application on the HTC one S, giving users quicker access to more settings. The most noticeable difference in the camera application is the camera shutter and video capture button which are shown at the same time. This simple change allows you to launch the camera application and record a video or snap a shot without having to dig through the menu switch between video or camera mode.

What’s even more interesting is that you can capture images while recording video in 1080p HD. While recording, you can press the camera shutter button and the One S will extract the frame from the video and gave it to your gallery. The system isn’t perfect since pressing the button while shooting video can cause the phone to move slightly, but we doubt most people will notice since most people have a hard time holding their phone still while recording video as it is. If you forget to snap a picture while recording a video, you can always go back and extract the image you want after the fact. Images extracted from video will match the size of the video resolution, producing 2 megapixel images while recording in 1080p.

Capturing a picture at the right time has gotten a lot easier with the HTC One S. Rather than going into setting and selecting Bust Mode, simply press and hold the camera shutter button and the One S will capture four pictures every second (up to 99). Once you are done shooting, the interface shows you all the images you captured and you can choose to save as many as you want or just the one shot which captured the moment just right.

The flash has also been improved with an LED Smart Flash with 5 power levels which automatically adjust based on lighting levels. The new flash settings do a better job than most LED flashes we have used in the past, but the BSI sensor on the One S allows you to snap pictures in very low lit situations.

The front-facing camera on the HTC One S is capable of capturing video and pictures in VGA (640 x 480), a dramatic reduction from what the main camera is capable of. The resolution may sound like a drawback since there are devices on the market with feature 1.3 megapixel front-facing cameras capable of recording video in 720p, but we’ve found that the only thing we really use the front-facing camera for is the new face-unlock feature in Android 4.0.

7. Battery

The HTC One S features a an average sized 1650 mAh battery which is built into the phone. Those who are used to carrying around an extra battery or two to make sure they can make it through the full day have voiced their concern with HTC’s decision, but we really don’t see too much of an issue. In the few days we have spent with the HTC One S, we observed better than average battery life which is most likely due to the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 chip used to power the device and the Super AMOLED display.

The longest the battery has been able to keep the HTC One S up and running has been a little over nine and a half hours. In that time period, I used the One S to stay on top of multiple email accounts, browse the web, listen to Pandora for a good hour, tweet, run benchmark and network speed tests several times, capture 100+ pictures and record 10 minutes of video. If that’s not considered heavy use, I don’t know what is.

Under regular use, I expect the HTC One S will easily make it through an entire work day (12-14 hours) without needing to be recharged. I’ll be updating details about the battery performance in about a week so that I have a better representation of how long the 1650 mAh battery inside the HTC One S will last.

8. Call quality and sound

Even though the HTC One S can do some amazing things, at its roots, it’s still a phone. Call quality on the HTC One S isn’t as remarkable as the new HD Voice feature which will be available on the HTC EVO 4G LTE, but it is on par with other Android phones currently on the market. Call quality does improve when using T-Mobile’s WiFi calling application which  routes voice calls over WiFi.

Like most other HTC phones these days, the HTC One S features Beats Audio integration for an “authentic sound experience.” Unlike previous iterations of Beats on HTC’s phones, HTC Sense 4.0 integration with Beats Audio brings the audio enhancement to all audio and video applications on the device. Beats Audio doesn’t make a dramatic difference if you have a good pair of headphones, but I did conduct a “blind test” with several people and 6 out of 8 people claimed they enjoyed the audio tones better with the Beats Audio equalizer turned on.

9. 4G

When it comes to 4G speeds, LTE reigns supreme. T-Mobile’s has outlined its 4G LTE rollout plans, but the first LTE markets are not expected to go live for at least another year. Consequently, the HTC One S is equipped with a radio which is capable of taking advantage of T-Mobile’s 42 Mbps HSPA+ 4G network.

While I typically don’t have any issues with T-Mobile’s 4G network, the HTC One S has presented some curious issues. Speed tests on the device have been very inconsistent, ranging from 14.3 Mbps down and 2.1 Mbps up to 350 kbps down and 105 kbps up. I’ve also encountered issues with web pages not loading and application download errors in Google Play. I may have a faulty unit, but the issue most likely stems from a faulty radio which will probably be fixed through an update from HTC and T-Mobile.

The times when the HTC One S had a good connection, data speeds were impressive. At one point I was able to download and install a 24 megabyte game from Google Play in less than 15 seconds. While all the major networks are caught up in the 4G game, most consumers still don’t know the difference between HSPA+, LTE or WiMax. T-Mobile’s network may not technically be 4G, but it usually delivery consistent data speeds which are faster than most people’s home internet connections.

10. Multimedia and accessories

When buying a new phone, you always want to make sure there are accessories which can be used to enhance the phones functionality or protect it from your clumsiness. HTC has pledged full accessory support for the HTC One S with screen protectors, cases (some with built-in kickstands to prop up the device) and even desktop and car docks. But HTC didn’t stop there. The HTC One S comes with support for the new  HTC Media Link HD and Car Clip so that you can enjoy your phone while in the car of just sitting at home on the couch.

HTC Media Link HD is a DLNA dongle which connects to a display via HDMI and allows dual-screen and mirroring capabilities from the HTC one S over Wi-FI.  As you might expect, the device allows you to use any application on your big screen TV, browse the web, play games and a lot more, but the real magic starts when you start up a movie. Rather than being forced to put down your phone so that everyone can enjoy a full length film, the HTC Media Link HD allows you to press the home button and continue using your phone and even make a call or two while the movie continues to play on the big screen.

HTC Car Clip allows users to integrate the HTC One S into their car via  the stereo’s 3.5mm auxiliary input. A new intuitive interface on the phone surfaces your music, maps, contacts, messages and more so that users can easily access all their information on the HTC One S without the typical distractions of the traditional Android UI. There’s always the option to just buy a $5 3.5mm audio cable to connect the phone to your car stereo, but where’s the fun in that?

Every phone we have reviewed has had its own set of issues. Some have buggy software builds while others simply don’t have enough horse power to accomplish simple tasks or play a few levels on Angry Birds. Fortunately for T-Mobile and HTC, the One S is beautifully designed, bug free (from what we can tell), features the best camera phone we have ever come across and has enough processing power to muscle through anything you can throw at it.

That being said, some people will shy away from the HTC One S due to minor issues with the display or the fact that it runs a custom skin on top of Android 4.0. Others will choose to wait things out to see what the competition has in store. There will never be a perfect phone which appeases every single consumer, but if you’re looking for the best T-Mobile phone that money can buy, the HTC One S is the phone for you.

AT&T has finally announced that the HTC One X will launch on May 6th with pre-orders kicking off on April 22nd. The price of the HTC One X is set at $199.99 with a two-year contract, matching Sprint’s asking price for the slightly better equipped HTC EVO 4G LTE.  The press release does not mention what color options the HTC One X will be available in, but images on AT&T’s site show both the white and black versions of the device.

While AT&T is calling their phone the HTC One X, it is in fact the HTC One XL which features a dual-core Qualcomm S4 processor instead of the quad-core Tegra 3 chip used to power the international version of the One X. HTC has chosen to use the Qualcomm chip on HTC’s version of the One X since it features integrated LTE support, boosting battery efficiency.

Will you be pre-ordering the HTC One X on April 22nd or will you take your chances and head to an AT&T store on launch day to pick the phone up in person?

The HTC EVO 4G LTE, Sprint’s variant of the HTC One X, was unveiled today at Sprint’s press event in New York city. Sprint’s CEO, Dan Hesse, took the stage during the press event, showing off what will be Sprint’s flagship smartphone for the summer.

The HTC EVO 4G LTE features a 4.7-inch 720p HD display, a dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor, 8 megapixel rear camera with an f2.0 lens BSI sensor, dedicated imaging chip and HTC’s new Image Sense technology. Other specifications include a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, 1 GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, NFC, LTE and a 2000 mAh battery which will keep the EVO 4G LTE up and running for over 24 hours.

One of the new unique features found of the HTC EVO 4G LTE is HD Voice. The feature uses voice over LTE in combination with noise cancelling technology on the handset to deliver extremely clear audio calls.

From a design standpoint, the HTC EVO 4G LTE features a uni-body annodized aluminum shell similar to other HTC devices. HTC has brought back the kickstand (painted red) which is featured prominently as a design feature on the back side of the handset. The placement of the kickstand would make most people think that they would be able to use in only in landscape mode, but HTC’s engineering magicians have created a dual-directional kickstand which works in landscape and portrait more – giving user the flexability allowed by the thicker kickstand featured on the HTC Thunderbolt.

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The HTC EVO 4G LTE willbe available for pre-order of May 7 for $199.99, with a launch date scheduled for later in Q2.

Is the HTC EVO 4G LTE from Sprint the One you’ve been waiting for?

Qualcomm has posted a cool video on their YouTube site promoting the impressive battery life that users can experience on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon line of processors. The premise of the video? Can a phone go around the world on a single charge? The video shows a mobile device taking videos from 9 cities in 8 different countries around the world, traveling over 36,000 miles along the way. In the top, right hand side of the screen, you’ll see a battery meter showing the Qualcomm battery draining as the trip progresses.

What Qualcomm wasn’t expecting was the amount of negative backlash they’d receive for the video. Several users are bemoaning the fact that Qualcomm buried some key details at the end of the video in fine print, like the fact that they used an extended battery and turned the phone off on the plane (thankfully), and that the battery drained a significant amount to produce a 2 minute video.

One of the gem comments came from user mutantemc, who stated:

2:04 minutes of battery? still better battery life than the iPhonemutantemc

The full video can be found below, but you’ll probably want to venture over to the YouTube site for all the lulz.

Update: QualcommVlog posted the following response on their YouTube page.

Hi all – we’ve seen a few questions about the video and wanted to share some answers. We turned the device off when traveling, but squeezed in a few extra texts before the flight attendants gave us the glare. It was a great trip. We had fun making the video and hope you enjoy it too.

Today Qualcomm launched a new promotion called The One Charge Challenge, in order to highlight the energy efficiency of their Snapdragon processors. They released a cool video called Around the World on One Charge to show what they accomplished with a single charge and are now asking users to do the same, in order to win a new Snapdragon-powered smartphone or tablet.

Battery life continues to be one of the top concerns among our audience, so it’s nice to see Qualcomm focus on this important issue. We actually saw the battery life of Android devices decrease in 2011 with the introduction of new 4G LTE networks, but Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon S4 processor should help reverse that trend. It’s built on a more power efficient 28nm process technology and it’s the first system-on-a-chip to feature an integrated LTE modem.

Check out the video below and head over to the Snapdragon Facebook page if you want to participate and try to win a new device.

How to participate:

• Think of an awesome One Charge Challenge.
• Choose to submit a video or photo of yourself. One submission only.
• Give your challenge a catchy title & fill out the necessary information.
• Describe what your challenge consist of. Let us know the necessary details and how it works. Being specific will help voters understand your challenge.
• Submit it on the Qualcomm Snapdragon Facebook page.

Consumers hoping to get their hands on a new Android phone powered by a Qualcomm S4 SoC (system on a chip) this spring may have to wait a few extra weeks. Reports are coming in that TSMC, the manufacturer of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S4 chip, abruptly stopped production of all their 28nm chips three weeks ago to make changes to the production process. Production is expected to be back in full swing in “short order” with supply levels reaching normal levels by the end of March.

The three week production halt of Qualcomm’s S4 chip (which began before Mobile World Congress) could translate into supply shortages or even launch delays for a few Android phones this spring. The HTC One series relies on the S4 chip for the HTC One S and One XL (One X for AT&T). While the phones are expected to debut in Europe during the first week of April, T-Mobile USA, AT&T and other service providers in Europe have not announced exact release dates for the HTC One.

The Qualcomm S4 SoC has been in full production since early 2012, so it’s hard to say how this production issue will actually affect the different OEMs who are using the chip in their phones. Handset delays of supply shortages will be directly affected by Qualcomm’s inventory level before the production stoppage. We hope TSMC gets the production line back up and running in the next few days. Any more delays could cause a serious chip supply shortage for Qualcomm that could carry into the summer.