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5 Accessories Every HTC One M8 Owner Should Buy

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The HTC One M8 took the successes of an already great phone, in the form of the original HTC One, and tweaked it a little to make it even better. The new dual camera, almost all metal construction and the longer battery life made it worth upgrading less than a year after I got the first HTC One last fall. After picking up the phone the week it launched at AT&T, I needed some HTC One M8 accessories to enhance the already great experience. Here’s the gadgets and tools I bought for my HTC One M8.

A Durable HTC One M8 Case

Please Read 15 Best One M8 Cases

The HTC One feels pretty durable even without a case, but most users need to protect their phone with a durable case. High-end smartphones need some protection from normal wear and tear, even with the awesome HTC Advantage program which replaces even broken screens.

Users can go with the HTC One M8 Dot View Case, but instead I got the Speck CandyShell Cases for HTC One (M8). It costs $34.95 and does a great job of protecting the phone while not getting in the way. The M8 and case together feel a bit thick, but that’s a good thing for people who drop their phones a lot. This case already protected my phone from a few drops thanks to the dual layer of shock absorption.


speck candyshell for htc one m8 black

I chose the Black/Slate version. They offer other two-tone combinations like White/Black, Beaming Orchid Purple/Revolution Purple and Haze Purple/Grape Purple. The case comes with a glossy finish that’s comfortable in the hand.

Google Chromecast

The Google Chromecast ($35) connects to an HDMI port on a TV. The user installs the Chromecast app on their phone and connects to it directly via Wi-Fi. The app sends Wi-Fi login information to the Chromecast and then it connects to the Wi-Fi network in the person’s home, classroom or office.  When a person opens an app on their phone that supports the Chromecast, the video from the app can show on the TV through the Chromecast.

chromecast

At launch only a few apps supported the feature, but now there’s a pretty sizeable list in the Android Google Play Store. Here’s some key apps that work with Chromecast.

  • Google Play Music, Movies and TV apps
  • Netflix
  • Vevo Music
  • Red Bull TV
  • YouTube
  • Pandora
  • Plex,
  • Hulu Plus
  • HBO Go
  • AllCast
  • Chrome

Most of these will stream video or music to the Chromecast. The AllCast app streams content from the HTC One M8 or other Android phones.

External Battery Backup

The HTC One M8 battery lasts longer than the previous model, but that doesn’t mean it will always get the user through a full day of heavy use. That’s why an external battery can help. HTC didn’t design the phone with a user replaceable battery, so a case or one of these small batteries helps solve the power problem.

We recently highlighted some great external battery solutions for smartphones. My favorite comes from RavPower. The RAVPower Luster 6000mAh External Battery takes up less room than most external batteries. I hate carrying around too many gadgets in my pocket, but when I know the battery needs to last longer than normal, I take the RAVPower Luster with me.

ravpower luster 6000 mah external battery plus flashlight

The battery includes one USB port capable of pumping 5 volts of 2.1 amps on the USB charging port. It outputs enough juice to power a hungry smartphone, like the HTC One M8, or even a large tablet. It charged the phone 1.5 times without a problem and still held enough juice to light the LED flashlight built into the battery. Pull it out to find the right key to the house at night or to find that errant cable behind a computer or in the back of the entertainment center.

The battery lists for $50, but you get it on sale for $30. It comes in gold, blue, pink or black.

64GB Micro-SD Card

The HTC One M8 added a micro-SD card slot this time around, correcting a big weakness with the previous version of the phone. This one feature alone made it a great upgrade over the first One. So find a good fast card.

sandisk iultra 64gb micro sd card

The phone’s slot supports up to 128GB. That’s great, but that much memory also costs over $100 and it’s a bit hard to find one now. Amazon sold out of the SanDisk 128GB card. Sears online sells an off-brand card for about $50. Instead, I got the lower capacity 64GB SanDisk Ultra class 10 card which works great and costs less than $40 on Amazon.

No matter which card you get, install it by using a SIM card tool or a stiff thin paper clip. Push into the hole on the right edge of the phone just above the volume buttons near the top. Pop the card into the tray. It only fits one way. Slide the tray with the card back into the side of the phone.

Most cards will work on the phone out of the box, but if the phone can’t read it, then format the card. This will erase the contents. To do this open Settings by sliding down from the top of the screen. Tap the icon in the upper right corner. Tap on Settings, the top right icon in the grid of icons that shows on-screen. Slide down to Storage in the Phone section. If the phone can read the card, this screen will show stats like total size and used space. To format the card slide down to Format SD card and tap it. The phone will warn the user that this erases the card. Tap on ERASE SD CARD at the bottom of the screen.

Some of the apps on the phone will run on the card, but they might run slowly. To run apps from the micro-SD card, open Settings and scroll down to Apps. Tap on an app title, scroll down and tap on Move. The OS grays out the button on some of the apps if the app can’t run on the card, or if it’s already stored there.

Now test the app. If it runs fine, move on to other apps, repeating the process for each app that you want to move.

Glass Screen Protector

Glass screen protectors solve some of the problems users get with plastic screen protectors, while doing a great job of protecting a screen from scratches or nicks. The plastic variety frustrate phone owners because they trap bubbles and lint under the plastic and wear out quickly. Worse, they don’t feel very good to the touch.  Meanwhile, most glass screen protectors go on easily and, if the installer accidentally lets a piece of dirt or lint get under the protector during the first application, they glass screen protector pulls off easily. Clean the screen and pick of the dust or lint and quickly reapply. The glass protector naturally pushes out bubbles easily and feels just like the phone’s glass screen.

HTC One M8 Zagg InvisibleShield Glass Screen Protector

The ZAGG InvisibleShield Glass Screen Protector $(34.99) does a great job of protecting the HTC One M8 screen. It went on easily and then disappeared. It’s only noticeable when I put it in my pocket with my keys, because I’m not worried the keys will scratch the screen. Before I even got my phone home, I applied this screen protector. Every phone I’ve used in the last three years has had a glass screen protector.

8 Comments

8 Comments

  1. Bella

    04/27/2014 at 6:26 pm

    Well I will definitely consider buying this External battery backup for my all new HTC M8. Although I recently purchased a USB car charger for it to keep my device fully charger while driving across the countryside. Another thing that I want to purchase is Glass protector. Thanks for sharing!

  2. Divinus FiliuS

    04/29/2014 at 1:50 pm

    I’d settle for android tv stick and dotview case.

  3. Albert

    05/23/2014 at 12:01 pm

    The off brand Micro SD card of 128GB from Sears is bogus. It only supports 32GB.

  4. Scottyshao

    06/27/2014 at 10:56 am

    Cannot imagine needing a 128GB memory chip. Not even a 64 really. I will stick to my 16gb I have had for some time now. I just bought this phone on ebay last night so it should arrive in a few days. I bought a Poetic Atmosphere Transparent Hybrid that had great reviews for $13.00.

    From your review I will get the Zagg glass screen protector. I will also get a sports armband for when I go jogging. I really hope the battery is better than my m7. I think the battery life on it is horrendous. Thanks for your advice

  5. earlando

    08/12/2014 at 4:14 am

    I have to disagree with you Scottyshao. I desperately needed the 128gb because I’m an otr trucker and have Verizon. There isn’t an unlimited data plan over here and I’m only home twice a month. So I do all my tv show downloads via home before I leave out, lol.

  6. chris

    11/04/2014 at 7:58 am

    I would like it to be known the best accessory to this phone has been my indash aftermarket car stereo,. A Kenwood ddx5901hd. With mhl and the Kenwood smartphone app.. Its like a dream.

  7. Bruno

    11/29/2015 at 4:21 am

    Except for the obvious SD and screen and body protection, this article could be called “the most unnecessary M8 accessories ever!”.
    Chromecast? Are you serious??? You have one of the finest HD processing units on the market and instead of connecting it straight to you FullHD TV with the MHL cable you’ll spend 4 times more to screw it all up via WLAN and that silly HDMI dongle?
    External battery… This phone has one of the best standby/talk times of its era. Are you sure you’re talking about the same phone as I?
    What a waste of time!

    • Lynsey Moat

      07/13/2016 at 12:04 am

      I absolutely agree with you Bruno. Chromecast is a great way to get a laggy and digitally blocky version of what’s on your phone and in only a few supported apps. I’m not trying to watch movies or play games in an 8bit-like video quality.

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