HTC U Ultra launched, comes with an AI assistant

Despite the earlier clamor for smartphones without headphone jacks, manufacturers are following in Apple’s footsteps and ridding their flagship devices of the classic port. Image: HTC

There are two very distinct features that make the U Ultra stand out. These are the small secondary screen and an AI assistant dubbed the Sense Companion, reports Engadget.

The secondary screen just above the main one is reminiscent of an LG device. This screen is paired with an AI that employs machine learning, that is, capable of learning the user’s usage habits and customize the device and services accordingly.

Image: Twitter/@htc

For example, should a holiday pops up on the calendar, the Sense Companion will shut off all alarms to let users sleep in a little longer. The AI can even determine which contact will appear on the secondary screen whenever a message is received.

As for the rest of the phone’s specs, the HTC U Ultra comes with a 5.7-inch Quad HD Super LCD 5 screen. Enclosing its electronics is a sleek metallic body available in four different colors (black, white, blue and pink), and is only 8mm at its thickest. The back is also covered with curved glass that adds to its elegant design.

Inside the metallic body is a Snapdragon 821 processor, 4GB of RAM, Android 7.0 Nougat, and a 12-UltrPixel camera with an f1.8 aperture. Most of all, this flagship no longer comes with a headphone jack.

Image HTC

Pre-orders for the HTC U Ultra are now available and the device is priced at $749. Alfred Bayle

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