Home Blog Page 1287

Flygrip: The one-handed accessory you never knew you needed [review]

AndroidGuys
-
0

Have a big phone? A big tablet? Little hands? Slippery hands? Here’s what it comes down to: if you can answer yes to any of these, then you need a Flygrip. What’s a Flygrip, you ask? Here’s a video to give you an idea. Basically, it’s a small accessory that goes on the back of your device and uses your middle and ring finger as a stabilizer and your index finger as a counterweight, so you can use your device one-handed.

With my Galaxy SII’s massive screen, I was constantly having to do some major hand acrobatics to use my phone one-handed, if I could ever even do it at all. Enter the Flygrip. This device has not only made it so that I can use the device with one hand, but it allows me to simply keep a better grip on it, even when I’m using it with two hands. And one-handed swyping? This thing makes it a breeze.

Need more? How about this: the Flygrip also gives you a built in kickstand. Simply take the back piece, insert it into the built-in slot, and you’re watching movies hands free.

The package comes with the Flygrip itself, padding for the finger slats for smaller hands, extra adhesive, an alcohol swab for cleaning, paperwork, and – I’ll admit it – a REALLY cool box.

If you struggle with using your device (phone or tablet) with one hand, then you need to check this out. Be sure to hit up their website here and get you one. They run about $30 each.

Galaxy S III announced, ‘inspired by nature’

AndroidGuys
-
0

Well, it looks like the cat is out of the bag. After months of mock-ups, fakes and leaks, Samsung has announced its new flagship: The Galaxy S III. Packing a whopping 720p HD Super AMOLED screen and a home-made quad-core Exynos processor (unless you’re on Verizon), this device is at least on par or even better than the competition. The only major drawback is the pixel alignment: It uses the lesser Pentile pixel layout instead of the full RGB matrix which means that two pixels share one green subpixel, resulting in less clear white and sharp edges like numbers will appear a little ‘frayed’.

But it’s not all about the specs: Instead of just upping the megapixel count of the camera, Samsung is aiming on a more integrated camera. Instead of just having a camera app, it’s now integrated with basically the complete OS. That includes facial and gesture recognition, easy sharing options and much, much more but we’ll go into more detail about that later.

One of the main selling points will probably be Samsung’s take on Apple’s Siri: S Voice. It mostly offers the same features but from what I’ve heard, it’s going to be very hard to beat or even equal Siri. For more details, I suggest you read the included press release below or visit Engadget.com, since they got an early scoop from Samsung.

 

[spoiler]

Samsung Introduces the GALAXY S III, the Smartphone
Designed for Humans and Inspired by Nature
May 4, 2012
Effortlessly smart and intuitively simple, 
Samsung GALAXY S III reveals a new concept of smartphone
London, UK—May 4, 2012—Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, announced today the third generation GALAXY S, the GALAXY S III. Designed for humans and inspired by nature, the GALAXY S III is a smartphone that recognizes your voice, understands your intention, and lets you share a moment instantly and easily.
This sleek and innovative smartphone has the enhanced intelligence to make everyday life easier. With Samsung GALAXY S III, you can view the content like never before on the device’s 4.8 inch HD Super AMOLED display. An 8MP camera and a 1.9MP front camera offer users a variety of intelligent camera features and face recognition related options that ensure all moments are captured easily and instantly. Samsung GALAXY S III is powered by Android™ 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, with greatly enhanced usability and practicality to make life easier. Packed with intuitive technology, the GALAXY S III delivers a uniquely personalized mobile experience that refuses to be compromised.
“With the GALAXY S III, Samsung has maximized the consumer benefits by integrating superior hardware with enhanced smartphone usability,” said JK Shin, President and Head of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung. “Designed to be both effortlessly smart and intuitively simple, the GALAXY S III has been created with our human needs and capabilities in mind. What makes me most proud is that it enables one of the most seamless, natural and human-centric mobile experiences, opening up a new horizon that allows you to live a life extraordinary.”
Introducing Natural Interaction
The GALAXY S III enhances the interaction experience between the device and user. Smart enough to detect your face, voice and motions, the GALAXY S III adapts to the individual user to provide a more convenient and natural experience. With the innovative ‘Smart stay’ feature, the GALAXY S III recognizes how you are using your phone – reading an e-book or browsing the web for instance – by having the front camera identify your eyes; the phone maintains a bright display for continued viewing pleasure.
The GALAXY S III features ‘S Voice,’ the advanced natural language user interface, to listen and respond to your words. In addition to allowing information search and basic device-user communication, S Voice presents powerful functions in regards to device control and commands. When your phone alarm goes off but you need a little extra rest, just tell the GALAXY S III “snooze.” You can also use S Voice to play your favorite songs, turn the volume up or down, send text messages and emails, organize your schedules, or automatically launch the camera and capture a photo.
In addition to recognizing your face and voice, the GALAXY S III understands your motions to offer maximized usability. If you are messaging someone but decide to call them instead, simply lift your phone to your ear and ‘Direct call’ will dial their number. With ‘Smart alert,’ the GALAXY S III will also save you from trouble by catching any missed messages or calls; your phone will vibrate to notify missed statuses when picked up after being idle.
Easy and Instant Sharing
The Samsung GALAXY S III is more than a personal device that can be enjoyed by one user – it wants you to share and experience smartphone benefits with family and friends, regardless of where you are. With the new ‘S Beam,’ the GALAXY S III expands upon Android™ Beam™, allowing a 1GB movie file to be shared within three minutes and a 10MB music file within two seconds by simply touching another GALAXY S III phone, even without a Wi-Fi or cellular signal. The ‘Buddy photo share’ function also allows photos to be easily and simultaneously shared with all your friends pictured in an image directly from the camera or the photo gallery.
With ‘AllShare Cast’, users can wirelessly connect their GALAXY S III to their television to immediately transfer smartphone content onto a larger display. ‘AllShare Play’ can be also used to instantly share any forms of files between GALAXY S III and your tablet, PC, and televisions regardless of the distance between the devices. Under AllShare Play is also the ‘Group Cast’ feature that allows you to share your screen among multiple friends on the same Wi-Fi network; you can make comments and draw changes at the same time with your co-workers, witnessing real-time sharing on your individual device.
Human-centric Design with Uncompromised Performance
The GALAXY S III not only presents features with enhanced usability, but also provides an ergonomic and comfortable experience through its human-centric design. Its comfortable grip, gentle curves, and organic form deliver a rich human-centric feel and design. Inspired by nature, its design concept is the flow and movement of nature. The elements of wind, water and light are all evoked in the physical construct of the GALAXY S III. In its essence, the minimal organic design identity is reflected in the smooth and non-linear lines of the device. Available in Pebble Blue and Marble White at launch, Samsung will introduce a variety of additional color options.
With a 4.8” HD Super AMOLED display, the GALAXY S III offers a large and vivid viewing experience. Samsung Mobile’s heritage Super AMOLED display even enhances to HD and 16:9 wider viewing angles. To ensure faster content sharing and connectivity, the GALAXY S III offers Wi-Fi Channel Bonding which doubles the Wi-Fi bandwidth.
The GALAXY S III also sports a range of additional features that boost performance and the overall user experience in entirely new ways. It introduces ‘Pop up play,’ a feature that allows you to play a video anywhere on your screen while simultaneously running other tasks, eliminating the need to close and restart videos when checking new emails or surfing the Web. Its 8MP camera features a zero-lag shutter speed that lets you capture moving objects easily without delay – the image you see is the picture you take. With the ‘Burst shot’ function that instantly captures twenty continuous shots, and the ‘Best photo’ feature that selects the best of eight photographs for you, the GALAXY S III ensures users a more enhanced and memorable camera experience. HD video can be recorded even with the 1.9MP front-facing camera, which you can use to capture a video of yourself. Improved backside illumination further helps to eliminate blur in photos that result from shaking, even under low lights.
Mobile payment is also accessible with the device through advanced Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. The gaming experience is enhanced through ‘Game Hub,’ providing access to numerous social games, while Video Hub brings users high quality TV and movies. Furthermore, Samsung Music Hub will offer a personal music streaming service. Game Hub, Video Hub and Music Hub will be introduced in select countries initially and soon rolled out to global markets.
The Samsung GALAXY S III will be available from the end of May in Europe before rolling out to other markets globally.

Note to Editors:
Samsung GALAXY S III Product Specifications

 

Network 

 2.5G (GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE): 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz3G (HSPA＋ 21Mbps): 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 MHz

4G (Dependent on market)

 

Display

 4.8 inch HD Super AMOLED (1280×720) display

OS

 Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)

Camera

  

Main(Rear): 8 Mega pixel Auto Focus camera with Flash & Zero Shutter Lag, BIS
Sub (Front): 1.9 Mega pixel camera, HD recording @30fps with Zero Shutter Lag, BIS

 

Video

  

 

Codec: MPEG4, H.264, H.263, DivX, DivX3.11, VC-1, VP8, WMV7/8, Sorenson Spark
Recording & Playback: Full HD (1080p) 

 

 

Audio

 Codec: MP3, AMR-NB/WB, AAC/AAC＋/eAAC＋, WMA, OGG, FLAC, AC-3, apt-X

Additional

Features

 

S Beam, Buddy photo share, Share shot

AllShare Play, AllShare Cast

Smart stay, Social tag, Group tag, Face zoom, Face slide show
Direct call, Smart alert, Tap to top, Camera quick access

Pop up play
S Voice
Burst shot & Best photo, Recording snapshot, HDR

 

Google™ Mobile Services

 Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Latitude
Google Play Store, Google Play Books, Google Play Movies
Google Plus, YouTube, Google Talk,
Google Places, Google Navigation, Google Downloads

 

Connectivity

 WiFi a/b/g/n, WiFi HT40
GPS/GLONASS
NFC
Bluetooth® 4.0(LE)

 

Sensor

Accelerometer, RGB light, Digital compass, Proximity, Gyro, Barometer

Memory

16/ 32GB User memory (64GB available soon) ＋ microSD slot (up to 64GB)

Dimension

136.6 x 70.6 x 8.6 mm, 133g

Battery

2,100 mAh

 


＊ Specifications above may differ on the LTE version.
＊ All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.
＊ Android, Google, Android Beam, Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Latitude, Google Play Store, Google Play Books, Google Play Movies, Google Plus, YouTube, Google Talk, Google Places, Google Navigation, Google Downloads are trademarks of Google Inc.
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2011 consolidated sales of US$143.1 billion. Employing approximately 206,000 people in 197 offices across 72 countries, the company operates two separate organizations to coordinate its nine independent business units: Digital Media & Communications, comprising Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, and Digital Imaging; and Device Solutions, consisting of Memory, System LSI and LED. Recognized for its industry-leading performance across a range of economic, environmental and social criteria, Samsung Electronics was named the world’s most sustainable technology company in the 2011 Dow Jones Sustainability Index. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

[/spoiler]

 

T-Mobile announces $20 Prism 3G for May 6

Scott Webster
-
0

T-Mobile today announced their next Android smartphone, the “budget-friendly” Prism 3G, putting it on sale a few short days from now.  Priced at $19.99 after $50 mail-in rebate and two-year agreement, the phone runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread and features entry-level specs.  Details include a 3.5-inch HVGA touch display, a 3.2-megapixel camera, 2GB microSD card, and 3G connectivity.

Chances are good that you existing Android users already have a more powerful device sitting on your desk right now.  With hardware that would have been merely average in 2010, it’s definitely not worth your upgrade money. On the other hand, this is the perfect entry-level device for Aunt Alice.

The T-Mobile Prism lands at Best Buy on May 6, at Walmart on May 9 and then on to T-Mobile retail stores starting May 23.  Should you opt for picking one of these up without a contract, you’ll need to have $149.99 in your wallet.

T-Mobile Introduces Its Latest Budget-Friendly Smartphone: T-Mobile Prism

 Built for first-time smartphone customers, the new Android device is expected to be available starting May 6.

BELLEVUE, Wash., — May 2, 2012 — T-Mobile USA, Inc., today announced the upcoming availability of the T-Mobile® Prism™, the latest budget-friendly option for cost-conscious consumers looking for their first smartphone.  The T-Mobile Prism will be available to T-Mobile customers through flexible pricing options, including no annual contract paired with a T-Mobile Monthly4G™ plan or paired with a two-year T-Mobile Classic or Value plan.

Powered by Android™ 2.3 Gingerbread and featuring a 3.5-inch HVGA touch screen, the new 3G smartphone enables T-Mobile customers to easily surf the Web, access their favorite social networking sites and choose from thousands of applications to download from Google Play. The  T-Mobile Prism also makes it simple to capture and share photos and videos via its 3.2-megapixel camera with digital zoom and video recorder. With the T-Mobile Prism, customers can sync multiple email accounts, including Microsoft Exchange, Google calendar and contacts, T-Mobile contacts, and more.

The T-Mobile Prism is expected to be available at Best Buy starting May 6, at Walmart starting May 9 and available nationwide at T-Mobile retail stores, online via www.T-Mobile.com and at select dealers beginning May 23. The T-Mobile Prism is expected to cost $19.99 after a $50 mail-in-rebate card with a two-year service agreement and qualifying Classic voice and data plan or $149.99 via no annual contract.

Samsung announces new 1.4GHz quadcore Exynos processor, to power next Galaxy handset

AndroidGuys
-
0

There’s this little company you probably haven’t heard of called Samsung. Anyway, apparently they had a couple of good phones over the past couple of years that sold a few units and…yeah, I can’t keep that up. Long story short, those of you like myself that have been looking high and low for real information on the upcoming Galaxy phone can at least glean one piece of fantastic information: it’ll be running that rumored Exynos 1.4 quadcore processor. In a press release and a shiny video (which we’ve got below, thanks The Verge) Samsung announced both the specs of the new processor and the fact that’ll be powering their next Galaxy line ” that will officially be announced in May”. Beyond being ridiculously fast, the processor manages to buffer battery life 20% better than the previous Exynos line, which is not a small feat. The processor is also “pin to pin compatible” with the last gen Exynos, allowing manufacturers to use similar boards with less cost. Check out the press release and video below and I gotta know: Are you as excited as I am? Let us know in the comments!

Source Engadget, The Verge

 

[divider]

[highlight]

Samsung’s New Quad-Core Application Processor Drives Advanced Feature Sets in Smartphones and Tablets

Designed on 32nm HKMG process, new energy-efficient chip exceeds 1.4GHz per core

SEOUL, Korea–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a world leader in advanced semiconductor solutions, today introduced the industry’s first quad-core application processor built on the High-k Metal Gate (HKMG) low-power process technology. With unprecedented performance capabilities exceeding 1.4GHz based on the ARM® CORTEXTM A9 quad-core, the powerful, yet energy-efficient Exynos 4 Quad, allows system-level architects to integrate maximized power efficiencies into smartphones and tablets which enables double the processing power at a 20 percent lower power bill over its predecessor, the 45nm process-based Exynos 4 Dual.

“The quad-core processor offers phenomenal multitasking abilities surpassing any single or dual application processor. Since all the cores must share a single battery, the power management and efficiency in the limited battery capacity are indispensable for mobile computing devices,” said Taehoon Kim, vice president of System LSI marketing, Device Solutions, Samsung Electronics. “Given the diverse functionalities consumers are demanding from their mobile devices today, the Exynos 4 Quad meets those high-performance needs while keeping power consumption very low.”

Multi-core processing delivers enhanced performance, enabling users to accomplish more tasks in a shorter period of time. For example, a task such as streaming video can run on one core while the other cores update applications in the background, connecting to the web and scanning virus-check simultaneously.

Benefitting from a use case where the parallel processing and workload sharing among the four cores is necessary, the Exynos 4 Quad is particularly well-suited for heavy-load applications such as 3D games, video editing, and calculation-intensive simulation.

Due to its 32nm HKMG low-power process and power-saving design, the Exynos 4 Quad has two times the processing capability over the 45nm process based Exynos 4 Dual while consuming 20-percent less power. To improve power efficiency, Samsung adopted hot-plug functionality to support on-off switching for each core as well as the per-core dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS), which offers a dramatic reduction in power consumption by adapting different levels of voltage and frequency when changing workloads.

Having identical form factor measurements (12mm X 12mm X 1.37 mm), the Exynos 4 Quad is pin-to-pin compatible with the 32nm process based Exynos 4 Dual, allowing mobile device designers to immediately adopt the new solution without additional cost, engineering or design efforts.

In addition, the new processor incorporates a full HD 30 frame per second video hardware codec engine for high resolution 1080p video recording and play-back, an embedded image signal processor interface for high-quality camera functionality and an HDMI 1.4 interface for sharp and crisp multimedia content transmission.

Samsung developed a power management IC (PMIC), the S5M8767, as a companion chip to power the Exynos 4 Quad processor. By integrating various circuitry such as nine highly efficient and programmable buck converters and 28 low-dropout regulators (LDOs) into the small package of 5.0 mm x 5.0mm x 0.4mm, the S5M8767 is designed to scale up or down the dynamic voltage depending on the clock speed in 6.25mV step for managing power delivery and maximizing battery life at the system level.

Already in production, the Exynos 4 Quad is scheduled to be adopted first into Samsung’s next Galaxy smartphone that will officially be announced in May. Samsung’s Exynos 4 Quad is also sampling to other major handset makers.

“The application processor is a crucial element in providing our customers with a PC-like experience on mobile devices. Samsung’s next Galaxy device, which will be officially announced soon, offers uncompromised performance and ground breaking multi-tasking features, thanks to Exynos 4 Quad’s powerful performance and efficient energy management technology,” said Hankil Yoon, Senior Vice President of Product Strategy Team, Samsung’s Mobile Communications Business.

Last year, Samsung introduced a new online hub dedicated to its Exynos processor. Designed to facilitate easy communication with industry partners and end users, the new micro-site takes you a step closer to the ultimate experience Exynos delivers; product information, user experience and information on promotion events. More information can be found at http://www.samsung.com/exynos.

[/highlight]

Review: Verizon Motorola Droid 4

AndroidGuys
-
0

The Droid line from Motorola and Verizon has made quite a stir over the years, and has almost set itself apart from the “Android” platform. Donned with an ultra techie moniker that any Star Wars fan would be able to relate, we’re  on the 4th iteration of this lineup, which is now known as the Droid 4. This model doesn’t stray far from the original intention with it’s powerful backbone and sturdy craftsmanship. I’ll say it over and over again throughout this review, but the Droid 4 seems to be made,marketed and sold to the many business professionals on the Verizon Wireless network. Typically on sale for $199 with a new 2 year contract from Big Red, I’m going to touch on some of “what I consider” to be key points during this review.

Continue

T-Mobile lists $199 HTC One S for April 25 debut

AndroidGuys
-
0

T-Mobile has officially given us the pricing and launch date for their new HTC flagship handset, the HTC One S.  Confirming recent rumors, The HTC One S will be available on April 25 at T-Mobile retail stores, various dealers,and online for $199.99 (after a $50 mail-in-rebate card) with qualifying two-year service agreements.   Powered by Android 4.0 and featuring HTC Sense 4, the handset joins the short list of devices capable of handling the theoretical speeds of 42Mbps.

Although announced after AT&T’s HTC One X, the One S will be the first to ship with Android 4.0/Sense 4 in the United States.  With specs that include a4.3-inch qHD Super AMOLED screen, a 1.5GHz, dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor, and an 8-megapixel camera, T-Mobile should have quite a winner on their hands.

 

T-Mobile Launches Ultra-Sleek HTC One S April 25

T-Mobile’s Thinnest Smartphone Brings an Amazing Camera and Beats Audio ™ Integration to America’s Largest 4G Network ™

BELLEVUE, Wash. — April 18, 2012 —Today, T-Mobile USA, Inc. and HTC Corp. announced the highly anticipated HTC One ™ S will be available at T-Mobile ® stores nationwide on April 25. As HTC’s premier launch partner in the U.S., T-Mobile will be the first to offer the ultra-sleek HTC One S, which is the company’s first device to ship with Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and HTC Sense ™ 4.

The latest smartphone from T-Mobile to take advantage of 4G (HSPA+ 42) technology on America’s Largest 4G Network, ™ the HTC One S provides T-Mobile customers with an amazing camera and authentic sound technology, plus a diverse selection of apps and services that give customers amazing 4G experiences.

“The HTC One series is a revolutionary device portfolio and we’re proud to be the first carrier to introduce the HTC One S to the U.S. market,” said Andrew Sherrard, senior vice president of marketing, T-Mobile USA. “With a stunningly thin design that doesn’t compromise performance, the HTC One S is a sleek 4G smartphone with beauty and brains that our customers will be proud to show off.”

With the HTC One S, customers will find a fantastic music experience that works seamlessly on T-Mobile’s 4G network. Customers can listen to their music libraries — up to 20,000 songs —straight from the cloud and purchase new music on the go with Google Play. Virtually all audio experiences sound better on the HTC One S thanks to its built-in Beats Audio ™ technology, which provides a richer and more authentic sound experience whether consumers are watching movies, listening to music or playing games.

Featuring an 8-megapixel back-side illuminated camera and HTC ImageSense, ™ which provides a variety of enhancements to the camera’s lens, sensor and software, the HTC One S is always ready to capture pictures in the blink of an eye. Consumers have immediate access to their cameras from their home screens and a super-fast auto focus with continuous shooting to take continuous photos at 4 frames per second simply by holding the shutter button. In addition, the smartphone enables high-quality video recording with a full high-definition (HD) 1080p camcorder and the ability to concurrently capture HD video and still images at the same time. With access to 25 GB of free cloud storage from DropBox, HTC One S customers also can bring their photos, documents and videos virtually anywhere they go and upload new content to the cloud via T-Mobile’s network or Wi-Fi. HTC One S also gives customers a new way to share their content through use of HTC’s wireless Media Link HD accessory. * The small accessory allows easy sharing of any content on the phone with any TV that supports HDMI.

“Blending the latest technology with HTC’s focus on consumer experience, the HTC One S allows people to capture amazing images as high-definition video and photos at the same time with merely a touch of their finger,” said Martin Fichter, vice president, product management, HTC Americas. “And HTC’s Media Link HD accessory provides an easy wireless solution to share those great photos, videos and other entertainment on their TV screen with a swipe of their hand.”

Also included with the HTC One S are applications that deliver added value, utility and fun. T-Mobile TV makes it possible to enjoy free or premium live and on-demand programs, from the hottest TV shows to kids’ programs. With the Amazon Mobile application, T-Mobile customers can search and buy millions of products directly from their device and receive special offers on select merchandise. Also highlighted is a T-Mobile-exclusive version of the popular “Where’s My Water?” game from Disney Mobile, with ten levels that can’t be played anywhere else.

The ultra-sleek and modern HTC One S will be available in gradient blue and is T-Mobile’s thinnest smartphone (7.95mm). In addition to featuring a beautiful 4.3-inch qHD Super AMOLED screen, the HTC One S is equipped with a 1.5GHz, dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor by Qualcomm ® and access to T-Mobile’s fastest 4G (HSPA+ 42) speeds, making the HTC One S a powerful device ideal for customers seeking a fantastic mobile experience.

Availability

The HTC One S will be available on April 25 at T-Mobile retail stores, select dealers, national retailers and online at http://www.t-mobile.com for $199.99 after a $50 mail-in-rebate card with qualifying two-year agreement. For more information, visit http://www.t-mobile.com/one or http://www.htc.com/us/products/htcones-tmobile.

Use of some features requires qualifying data plan and/or access to a Wi-Fi connection.

* HTC Media Link HD accessory sold separately.

About T-Mobile USA: Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile USA, Inc. is the U.S. wireless operation of Deutsche Telekom AG (OTCQX: DTEGY). By the end of the fourth quarter of 2011, approximately 129 million mobile customers were served by the mobile communication segments of the Deutsche Telekom group — 33.2 million by T-Mobile USA — all via a common technology platform based on GSM and UMTS and additionally HSPA+ 21/HSPA+ 42. T-Mobile USA’s innovative wireless products and services help empower people to connect to those who matter most. Multiple independent research studies continue to rank T-Mobile USA among the highest in numerous regions throughout the U.S. in wireless customer care and call quality. For more information, please visit http://www.T-Mobile.com. T-Mobile is a federally registered trademark of Deutsche Telekom AG. For further information on Deutsche Telekom, please visit http://www.telekom.de/investor-relations.

About HTC

Founded in 1997, HTC Corporation (HTC) is the creator of many award-winning mobile devices and industry firsts. By putting people at the center of everything it does, HTC pushes the boundaries of design and technology to create innovative and personal experiences for consumers around the globe. HTC’s portfolio includes smartphones and tablets powered by HTC Sense, ™ a multilayered graphical user interface that vastly improves user experience. HTC is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE: 2498). For more information, please visit http://www.htc.com.

Sprint taps 4G LTE-ready LG Viper with April 22 launch

Scott Webster
-
0

Sprint today announced that the LG Viper will make its arrival in stores around the country on Sunday, April 22.  As one of  the carrier’s first 4G LTE smartphones, the handset runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread and carries a $99.99 price tag.

Hardware for the LG Viper includes a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB RAM,  4GB internal storage, and a 4G microSD card. Additionally the handset features a 4.0-inch display, 5-megapixel camera, and VGA front-facing camera for video chat. Although it comes with Android 2.3 out of the box, we expect to see an Ice Cream Sandwich update before too long.

If you’re interested in picking up the new LG Viper, Sprint will gladly take your pre-order money today.  In fact, doing so will ensure that your phone arrives a day or two before it goes on sale.  The $99.99 sticker is after $50 mail-in rebate and with a two-year service agreement.

LG Viper 4G LTE from Sprint Launches on April 22; Pre-Order Begins Today

First 4G LTE device from Sprint with eco-friendly features, LG Viper 4G LTE available for just $99.99

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., & SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sprint (NYSE: S) and LG Mobile today announced Sunday, April 22, as the availability date for the highly anticipated LG Viper™ 4G LTE, one of the first smartphones to be available on the upcoming 4G LTE Network from Sprint. LG Viper will be available in Sprint sales channels, including www.sprint.comand 1-800-SPRINT1, for $99.99 with a new two-year service agreement and $50 mail-in rebate via reward card1 (excludes taxes and surcharges).

New and existing customers can pre-order LG Viper 4G LTE beginning today at www.sprint.com/viper. Customers who pre-order LG Viper will begin receiving their devices as early as Friday, April 20 – two days before the device goes on sale – while supplies last.

LG Viper offers Android 2.3, Gingerbread, a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM and 4G of ROM. It also includes a 4GB microSD™ card. The sleek, ultra-thin smartphone also boasts a 4-inch bright and clear touchscreen display for better viewing under direct sunlight. It features a Corning® Gorilla® Glass screen protector for extra display resistance. A 5MP rear-facing camera with flash and a VGA front-facing camera allow for a fun and easy face-to-face video chat experience.

Additional apps and features include:

  • Google Play™ offers more than 450,000 useful applications, widgets and games.
  • Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, which allows the device to read information from everyday objects, such as stickers and posters embedded with NFC chips. Google Wallet™, another NFC component, allows the smartphone to be used like a wallet to make safe, secure purchases at NFC-enabled merchants nationwide
  • Sprint ID allows users to cut through the clutter of thousands of apps by selecting from a variety of mobile ID packs. Sprint ID packs include ringers, wallpapers and widgets.
  • Consumers can download Box on the LG Viper and receive 50GB of free cloud storage and sharing directly from LG, an estimated value of $240 per year, so users don’t have to stress about storing all of their favorite music, files, photos and other memories. The 50GB of free storage is exclusive to LG devices until July 22.
  • “Life’s Good Fairytales” app, a customizable storyboard that allows parents and children to bond over the creation and sharing of unique fairy tales through their device.2

Additionally, LG Viper is Sprint’s first 4G LTE device to feature eco-friendly attributes, including ULE Platinum Certification, the highest level of environmental performance recognized by sustainable requirements established by UL Environment and Sprint, a casing made of 50 percent recycled plastics, and packaging that is 100 percent recyclable.

LG Viper customers can enjoy an unlimited data experience with Sprint Everything Data plans. Sprint’s Everything Data plan with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM includes unlimited Web, texting and calling to and from any mobile in America while on the Sprint Network, starting at just $79.99 per month for smartphones – a savings of $40 per month versus Verizon’s comparable plan with unlimited talk, text and 2GB Web, or $10 per month savings versus Verizon’s 450-minute plan with unlimited text and 2GB Web.

Sprint recently announced Atlanta, Baltimore, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City and San Antonio are expected to have 4G LTE and enhanced 3G service in mid-year 2012. Sprint 4G LTE should enable faster speeds for data applications, and the enhanced 3G service could offer better signal strength, faster data speeds, expanded coverage and better in-building performance. The upcoming launch of these large metropolitan areas demonstrates the continued commitment by Sprint to invest in its network through Network Vision. Whether a Sprint customer is using a smartphone to share a video, checking the Web via a mobile hotspot, Sprint 4G LTE will make it easier. For the most up-to-date details on Sprint’s 4G LTE rollout, please visit www.sprint.com/4GLTE.

Verizon announces $79 LG Lucid for March 29

Scott Webster
-
0

Verizon and LG have officially announced their next smartphone collaboration, the Android-powered Lucid.  Expected to arrive in but a few days (March 29), the Android 2.3 Gingerbread handset will retail for $79.99 after $50 mail-in rebate.

Features for the 4G LTE-ready LG Lucid fall right in line with previous rumors and include 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, 1GB RAM, a 5-megapixel rear camera with 1080p HD video recording capability.  Although it will debut with Gingerbread, Verizon indicates that the Lucid will be upgraded to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

We like the price point here as it is low enough to bring in new smartphone buyers but still packs enough hardware to satisfy the savvier crowd.  Considering where some of Verizon’s previous 4G LTE smartphones are priced, the LG Lucid is in a good spot.

Step Up To The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Network With Lucid™ By LG

Affordability and Simplicity Combine for an Ideal Mobile Experience

BASKING RIDGE, NJ —Verizon Wireless and LG Mobile today announced Lucid™ by LG, exclusively for Verizon Wireless, will be available starting March 29 in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com.

Lucid by LG is designed to create an easy-to-learn, easy-to-use experience for first-time smartphone users. The slim and compact design features a stunning 4-inch touchscreen display protected by Corning® Gorilla® Glass that gives customers superb brightness, enhanced clarity and readability, even while outdoors. Powered by America’s fastest 4G network, Lucid by LG customers have access to 4G LTE coverage in over 200 markets covering more than 200 million people.

Lucid by LG is packed with features to make the smartphone experience easy, while also increasing productivity. Customers can use the lock screen shortcuts to instantly access the phone, messaging, voicemail and camera application from the lock screen. Customers also no longer have to stop what they’re doing to reply to texts by using the Quick Reply feature, as text message notifications pop up on the screen and allow customers to reply directly from the Quick Reply notification. The Quick Dialer widget lets customers make calls directly from a home screen panel without having to open the phone application. Additionally, Lucid by LG has Guided Tours right on the device, which provides step-by-step tutorials for customers who want to learn more about their new phone.

Business professionals can take advantage of the Polaris Office app on Lucid by LG which allows customers to easily open, create and edit Microsoft® Office documents, including Word, PowerPoint® and Excel®. Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network takes Lucid by LG to the next level, loading websites 10 times faster than 3G, making it that much easier for a professional to stay up to speed on recent news and keep in touch with colleagues. The mobile hotspot feature lets professionals connect to up to 10 Wi-Fi-enabled devices to the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network, making it easy for teams to work from a remote location.

Additional features:

  • Android™ 2.3 Gingerbread, upgradable to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
  • 5-megapixel rear-facing autofocus camera with flash and full HD (1080p) video capture
  • Front facing camera for video chatting with friends and family
  • Video Producer – create and edit HD videos right on Lucid by LG
  • 1.2 GHz dual-core processor and 1 GB of RAM for fast Web browsing and multitasking
  • Virtual QWERTY keyboard with Swype® technology
  • SmartShare – share media with friends and colleagues wirelessly to DLNA®-enabled devices

Pricing and availability:

  • Lucid by LG will be available starting March 29 in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online atwww.verizonwireless.com for $79.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.
  • Customers who purchase a Lucid by LG will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan beginning at $39.99 monthly access and a smartphone data package starting at $30 monthly access for 2 GB of data.

For more information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com. Follow @VZWnews on Twitter for the latest news on Verizon Wireless.

 

Toshiba debuts 7-inch LT170 tablet

Scott Webster
-
0

For Toshiba’s next tablet, the company is going back to the same well that brought us the original Thrive.  The hardware maker recently introduced its new 7-inch LT170, with a seemingly identical form factor as their initial Android effort. Specifications include a 1GHz CPU, 512MB RAM, 8GB internal storage, and MicroSD and MicroUSB ports.

Priced at €299 ($400 US) this will have a hard time selling against a $200 Kindle Fire or Archos G9 Turbo series. Considering the rumored $150 Nexus Tablet could be a few months away we are not optimistic about the Toshiba LT170’s chances. There’s no indication yet as to if, or when, this tablet will come to the United States, however we would expect a separate announcement.

Source: Netbook Italia via Engadget

Pantech Burst review

Scott Webster
-
0

What we liked: At $50 with a two-year service agreement, the Pantech Burst is a wonderful 4G LTE value.  The screen sharp and the internals are better than expected.
Room for Improvement: Battery life is pretty average at best and the camera autofocus leaves much to be desired. Speakerphone is either tinny or slightly muffled, depending on volume levels.
Review at a Glance:  For the price, we love the Pantech Burst.  Considering the hardware, we would expect AT&T to ask for at least $50 more for the handset. Not that we’re complaining. Thanks to sharp color options and slight personalizations, the phone doesn’t feel cheap or look generic.

When Pantech and AT&T announced the Pantech Burst at CES a few weeks back, we were skeptical at what might be in store for consumers.  Priced at only $50 (with a two-year agreement), we didn’t think it would be much of a handset once we got our hands on it.  Well, I’m glad to say that I was wrong and that the Pantech Burst is worth every penny.

First Blush

Specs are admirable here and even beat most of the current crop of Android smartphones.  Details include a 1.5GHz dual-core CPU, 4-inch Super AMOLED display, a 5-megapixel camera, and 4G LTE support.  Powered by Android 2.3 Gingerbread, the phone looks as nice most smartphones, even if it’s a generally uninspired form factor.  Color is sharp (Ruby Red) and the black accents give it a touch of class; the phone certainly doesn’t look cheap. The Pantech Burst fits nicely in the hand and feels neither overly heavy or light.

Powering on the smartphone, the 4-inch Super AMOLED display grabs your attention with its contrast, brightness, and clarity.  If you’ve ever experienced a Super AMOLED on a Samsung handset then you’re already familiar with the quality we’re dealing with here.

User Experience

The lock screen is slightly different from most other handsets and hardware makers and includes six icons that you drag into the center circle.  Much like HTC introduced with Sense a year back, you have instant access to phone, email, music, and others.  If there were one recommendation I could give it would be to include the camera instead of something else.  The notification drop-down shade gives you quick settings for some of your more common stuff such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

We'd love to jump straight to camera but we cannot.

The Pantech Burst comes loaded with a number of applications such as AT&T’s Navigator, Amazon Kindle, Qite Lite, and RSS reader, Yellow Pages Mobile  and more.  Not the worst set of bloatware we’ve encountered but it’s not full of value either.  Of course you also get your Google apps like YouTube, Gmail, Talk, Android Market and other familiar titles.

Camera

The backside of the Pantech Burst features a 5-megapixel camera while the front offers a 2-megapixel camera.  Like most Android handsets there are options for adjusting resolution, flash, white-balance, and others.  I liked some of the filters on the phone as it reminds me of Instagram and other third party apps.  Unremarkable and mostly average across the board, the phone works best in brighter light.  Indoors isn’t the worst, however, as even fluorescent lighting still looks decent in most cases.  My one major gripe about the camera is that it takes for ever to focus once you snap a photo.  If you are looking to capture a candid moment with babies, animals, or sports then you’ll likely come away with “after” shots that you have to explain.

  

Sample shots from Pantech Burst (unedited)

Switching to video mode, the Pantech Burst records 720p HD while most of today’s top Android handsets record 1080p video.  I cannot complain much here because we’re not dealing with a $150-$200 phone.  Playback is crisp and looks great on the 4-inch display and the phone captures sound about as good as it does video.

Sound

Unfortunately no matter how good the Burst captures sound, the phone doesn’t do it justice when it comes to playing.  Speakerphone leaves much to be desired and is perhaps one area where the phone falls very short.  At high levels the sound is muffled and distorted and low levels are very hard to discern.  I love to listen to podcasts and audiobooks on my mobile devices so it looks like I will be using Bluetooth in this case.

Others

Unfortunately we were not able to test the handset on AT&T’s 4G LTE network so we don’t have any speeds or benchmarks to share at this time.  Considering the network is just getting underway it may be some time before our neck of the woods is blanketed with the faster coverage. To that end, I would have a tough time selling this phone on the merits of 4G LTE connectivity alone.  Chances are good that you’ll not have 4G LTE in your market yet, however, that should not deter you from buying the Burst.  If you were to factor in everything else with the phone, it’s more than worth the $50 price tag.  Should you have support for 4G LTE in your city then consider that a bonus!

At 1,680mAh battery, the Burst is rated with battery life of 4.5 hours talk time and 10 days standby time.   We ran through the battery a couple of times and found that to be somewhat of an aspiration.  Even though we had not loaded many of our daily use apps, the phone died pretty quickly.  While it wasn’t the worst we’ve encountered, we’ll definitely consider a high capacity replacement down the road.  Looking at the competition, other models on the market are starting to come with 2,000mAh capacities which only makes this look worse.  If you’re coming from a feature phone and considering your first Android, be warned that the battery is not a selling point.

Wrap Up

When you consider what you get for your money, the Pantech Burst is quite a deal.  We’ve come a long way from the days of all Android phones running $200 with a contract and this is a step in the right direction.  This might not be something you’ve replaced your current smartphone with but it’s more than enough for your friend’s first foray into Android.  Even though other companies such as Samsung and HTC have a chunk of the Android market space there is plenty of room and opportunity for others.  If Pantech is able to produce this type of handset and price on a regular basis then we might have a dark horse on our hands for 2012.

There’s just enough personality here to stand out from the gray slabs that we often see and the themes and UI touches are nice.  Whereas I previously looked at Pantech as a low-grade handset maker I will certainly give extra consideration to future Android endeavors.

1...1,2861,2871,288...1,315Page 1,287 of 1,315