News: The New HTC One M8 Released Today—Here's Everything You Need to Know

After much hype and even more leaks, the HTC One M8 has finally been unveiled at the company's New York release announcement.

While specs for the new device have been known for a while, the announcement did shed light on a few interesting features. But before we get to that, here's what we know:

• Size - 146.36 x 70.6 x 9.35 mm
• Weight - 160g
• Display - 5.0" Full HD 1080p
• CPU - Qualcomm Snapdragon 801, quad-core CPUs
• Software - Android 4.4 KitKat with HTC Sense 6 and BlinkFeed
• Memory - 16/32 GB expandable to 128 GB with microSD
• Sound - HTC BoomSound with built-in amp and dual front speakers
• Battery - 2600 mAh non-removable battery
• Front Camera - 5Mp with HDR and 1080p video recording
• Rear Cameras - UltraPixel camera , BSI sensor, pixel size 2.0 um, sensor size 1/3", f/2.0, 28mm lens with HTC ImageChip and 1080p video recording with HDR video and a second camera for depth information
• Body - 70% metal frame up to the bezels

The device will ship with standard connectivity and sensors, as well as NFC, DLNA, MHL-out, and an IR blaster. The M8 will also feature a mimic of LG's KnockOn, letting you put the device to sleep/wake with a couple of taps on the screen.

New "Sixth Sense" Version of Sense

Playfully dubbed "Sixth Sense", the latest version of HTC's proprietary software will ship out-of-the-box, along with an Android 4.4 base and touting a full redesign "from the ground up". In addition to new features that allow for personalized themes and colors, Sense will have the ability to be upgraded right through Google Play, similar to their backup assistant software.

BlinkFeed

Newly designed, but sporting a similar look, BlinkFeed can aggregate over 10,000 new articles with customizable, savable feeds. New partnerships with Foursquare and FitBit, along with an SDK open to developers, means increased functionality for HTC's social viewer.

BoomSound

With dual front facing speakers and a built-in amplifier, HTC is boosting a 25% sound increase from the original One.

Sense TV

An onboard IR-blaster means you can control your TV, set-top box, and other peripherals. The new Sense TV app will allow for real time social feeds and live sports updates, all within the app.

Dual Cameras & Focus Technology

The much touted dual camera was showcased today, and I've got to say it's fairly impressive. The second camera will be used to create a hardware depth of field, allowing for post processing focus adjustments.

Aside from one-touch refocusing with UFocus™, you'll be able to take complete, 180° x 360° photos with Pan 360 as well as utilize the larger pixels (versus more pixels) for twice the average size to capture over 300% more light.

Zoe

HTC's Zoe software has also been updated, with the ability to add videos to images and incorporate your new music. Additionally, you can upload these to a cloud for collaboration, allowing others to add their own images and music.

HTC Advantage

With a renewed commitment to keep customers happy, HTC Advantage will ensure that devices remain updated two years from launch with the latest versions of Android, as well as HTC Sense. This means that owners of the current HTC One can except software updates as early as this summer, bringing most of the non-hardware specific features of the new device to the older legacy device.

In addition to software updates, the program also allows for free screen repairs/replacements of new devices within six months of purchase. This move makes it clear that HTC is counting on brand loyalty to gain customers.

When & Where Can You Get It?

HTC will launch the device in over 100 countries across 230 carriers, making this the single largest device rollout for the company.

Starting today at 1 p.m. EDT, you can order the M8 online on all major North American carriers (minus T-Mobile), as well as pick up a handset through in-store purchases at Verizon locations in the US and Carphone Warehouse in the London. Worldwide, in-store purchases should arrive by April 10th.

Online ordering is live for the following:

• AT&T
• Developer Edition
• Google Play Edition
• Rogers
• Sprint
• T-Mobile - starting next month online and in stores
• Telus
• Verizon

Hands-on Reviews from Around the Web

We hadn't gotten a chance to play with the new HTC One M8 ourselves just yet, but you can check out some of the hands-on review videos from across the web below for some immediate eye candy.

HTC announced that additional features will be available through updates in the next few months, including a further advancements to their Zoe software.

So what do you think? Will the new HTC One M8 be your next upgrade? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.