Powered by Blackfire: the HTC U11 Life and the HTC U11+

December 12, 2017

The Tech

This past year, consumer electronics company, HTC, began shipping the HTC Bolt, the HTC U Ultra, and the HTC U11 smartphones with built-in HTC Connect powered by Blackfire’s wireless multi room technology. Now, HTC has added two more smartphones to the mix: the HTC U11 Life and the HTC U11+, both with HTC Connect, powered by Blackfire.

The HTC U11 Life is a more compact, less expensive version of the company’s widely popular HTC U11 smartphone, while the HTC U11+ is a larger, updated version of it with higher-end finishes, a 6-inch screen, and bigger battery. The U11+ is one of the first smartphones to ship with the Android 8.0 Oreo operating system out of the box, while the U11 Life runs on the Android Nougat with HTC Sense in the US. Both phones feature the Edge Sense, which was first introduced in the HTC U11, allowing users to trigger an action, such as summoning Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, by squeezing the sides of the phone. Neither the U11 Life nor the U11+ have a headphone jack (RIP), which seems to be the trend on most smartphones nowadays. But HTC is giving audio quality a huge boost on the U11+, with 30% more volume than the flagship U11, better dynamic range and less distortion.

And of course, both the HTC U11 Life and the U11+ both feature HTC Connect, powered by Blackfire, which can stream any local or web-based music or video via Wifi from an HTC smartphone to any Blackfire powered stereo device, wireless multi room speakers, or entertainment system by swiping up the home screen with three fingers. With HTC Connect, users can create a wireless 5.1 surround sound system or stream different music to multiple speakers at the same time. (Check out this easy guide to help you wirelessly stream music from an HTC U11 smartphone to Blackfire compliant speakers.) Setting up your wireless home entertainment system has never been easier.

The HTC U11 Life is available in the US and can be purchased here.

HTC Connect, Powered by Blackfire, in New HTC U11 Smartphone

September 28, 2017

The Tech

FireCat

HTC Connect, powered by Blackfire, is shipping in the latest HTC smartphones, including the HTC Bolt, the HTC U Ultra, and the HTC U11. Today, we’ll take a closer look at the HTC U11, the newest smartphone on the HTC roster, and the first smartphone with “hands-free” Amazon Alexa built-in.

So how does “hands-free” Alexa work on the HTC U11? The same way an Alexa voice-activated speaker, like an Echo or Dot, does: simply set your phone’s microphone to the “Always-On” setting, and voila! You’ve got Alexa in your pocket! Just like an Amazon voice control speaker you may have at home, there’s no need to press any buttons to wake it up. Just say “Alexa,” and and she will respond. You can have her look up today’s weather, or even turn your house lights on – whatever your home Alexa can do, your HTC U11 Alexa can do it too.

As mentioned, the HTC U11 features HTC Connect, powered by Blackfire, which can stream any local or web-based music or video via Wifi from an HTC smartphone to any Blackfire powered stereo device or entertainment system – no matter the brand – by swiping up the home screen with three fingers. With HTC Connect, you can create a wireless 5.1 surround sound system or stream different music to multiple speakers at the same time. (Check out this easy guide to help you wirelessly stream music from your HTC U11 smartphone to Blackfire compliant speakers.) Setting up a wireless home entertainment system has never been easier.

The HTC U11 comes in sapphire, Silver, Black, and Red. Get yours here.

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September 26, 2017

Uncategorized

Blackfire Research

Support

Optimizing your Blackfire System

FireConnect

Harman Kardon Omni Wireless HD Audio

HTC Connect

Speaker Setup

Developer Partner Site

View more Blackfire Tips & Tricks

FireConnect

FireConnect, powered by Blackfire, is the name given to the Blackfire RED framework implemented in Onkyo, Pioneer and Integra products - including A/V Receivers, Sound Bar Systems, Home Theater Systems, and Wireless Speakers. FireConnect creates wireless, multi-room, multi-channel audio over standard Wi-Fi, operating on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and over 5GHz Wi-Fi, with advanced multi-room media pipeline handling.

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Harman/Kardon Omni Wireless HD Audio

Harman/Kardon Omni Wireless HD Audio, which features the Blackfire RED framework, can be found in any Harman/Kardon Omni products, including the new Omni + Series. With the Blackfire RED framework embedded into Harman/Kardon products featuring Omni Wireless HD Audio, users can enjoy flawless multi-room audio; wireless, multi-channel surround sound; and wireless streaming through services like TIDAL and Deezer, built-in.

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HTC Connect

With HTC Connect powered by the Blackfire RED framework, you can wirelessly stream any local or web-based music or video over Wi-Fi from an HTC smartphone to any Blackfire powered stereo device or entertainment system - including Harman/Kardon and Pioneer - by swiping up the home screen of your HTC smartphone with three fingers. With HTC Connect powered by Blackfire, you can stream music to multiple speakers across the home simultaneously using your HTC smartphone as the controller.

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Powered by Blackfire: The HTC One M9

February 7, 2017

The Tech

Blackfire Research

Blackfire Research is proud to partner with leading smart phone and electronics manufacturer HTC, for their award winning, HTC One M9 smartphone. Blackfire Research technology is featured in the smartphone’s HTC Connect service, which allows users to “wirelessly stream music or video from HTC One M9 to speakers or TV by just swiping up the screen with 3 fingers.” (HTC.com)

With HTC Connect, you can stream media wirelessly from your phone to any Blackfire powered product, from leading brands such as the HARMAN KARDON™ Omni series of speakers. Once connected, the audio and music from the HTC smartphone is routed to these products, much like Bluetooth. However, unlike Bluetooth, Blackfire technology enables much longer range, improved resolution, superior sound quality, and multi room play.

Blackfire powered products can be used in various multi room or in-room configurations. They can also be grouped into various zones, selected for playback at will, and be shared by multiple phones. Therefore, the user can enjoy music from the HTC One to a HARMAN KARDON OMNI 20 Speaker in the kitchen and simultaneously send it to a HARMAN KARDON Adapt plugged into their stereo system – all playing simultaneously, in high quality, over the home Wi-Fi. Blackfire technology is compliant with any online music/media service applications on the HTC One M9, which allows HTC One users maximum flexibility in enjoying their music and makes the HTC One a powerful media platform.

The HTC One M9 is carried by AT&T and Sprint. For more information, visit http://www.htc.com/us/.