AT&T surprises customers with cheaper than advertised smartphones.
AT&T’s first wave of LTE Android devices have arrived on Sunday, the Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket and the new HTC Vivid. The two new Android smartphones are the first to use the wireless carrier’s Long Term Evolution technology which is still limited but obviously growing.
Surprisingly, AT&T has decided to implement a price cut amounting to $100 on both the new Samsung Galaxy S2 and HTC Vivid, but not nationwide. According to reports, the subsidized Galaxy S II Skyrocket and HTC Vivid are available in New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles and the cheaper price tags are available only from AT&T’s official website. Some areas also claim $50 price cuts.
The Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket is the LTE variant powered by Qualcomm dual-core 1.5 GHz CPU and 1GB of RAM. The Galaxy S2 Skyrocket is equipped with 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus screen with 480 x 800 resolution, 8-megapixel primary camera, front-facing 2-megapixel camera and Android Gingerbread 2.3.5 upgradeable to Android 4.0 (next year, according to Samsung).
Meanwhile, the HTC Vivid is the “HTC Sensation” with LTE, powered by 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 4.5-inch qHD screen, Android Gingerbread 2.3 and also upgradeable to Android 4.0 (also according to HTC), and two cameras: 8-megapixel back and 1.3-megapixel front-facing.
The Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket’s original price is $249.99, while the HTC Vivid is priced at $199.99, both require 2-year contract agreement and data package.
Apparently, the new LTE Android devices are getting serious rivals coming from Verizon, the new Motorola Droid Razr, the HTC Rezound and the much-anticipated Samsung Google Galaxy Nexus with pre-installed Android Ice Cream Sandwich operating system 4.0.
This report was originally posted on PopHerald.com as Samsung Galaxy S2 Skyrocket, HTC Vivid: “Cheaper”, under Gadgets and Mobile Category.
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Moto has found a new way to make Android Tablets more versatile: Meet the Motorola Corvair.
Google’s Smart TV Platform has just been glorified with the Android Market (with the latest Android 3.1 Honeycomb update) not so long ago. Now, some companies are finding even more ways to keep you from leaving the couch.
Despite Sony’s attempt to make the lives of TV addicts easier to use their Google-laden set-top boxes, the very QWERTY control panel that they have released didn’t quite make the cut, it looked intimidating and seemed like it came from the era of Atari arcade games–just a wee bit more complicated.
If you don’t feel like downloading a Google TV remote control app for your tablet, Motorola’s bound to do something about it with the help of a low-cost, 6-inch tablet based on the Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) that’s dedicated for just being a remote control.
For starters, the Moto Corvair features a 6-inch capacitive touch screen display, WiFi and controls your Google TV set-top box or Smart TV using both the RF (Radio Frequency) transmitter and the traditional infrared (which gets interfered quite easily) as compared to other remote control products out there that uses only the latter, the device also packs a whopping 4,000mAh lithium-ion battery which guarantees to keep you in command for a long period of time.
Based on the images of the Corvair posted online, the device seems to mirror its display off to the TV or vice-versa, though we’re not sure, we’re yet to find out more info about this glorified remote control. Also, given that this device is low-cost, we don’t think that it’ll feature a dual core processor upon its release but that’s quite reasonable since people won’t be buying this device for processor-intensive apps anyway right?
This report was originally posted on PopHerald.com as Motorola Corvair: A Google Android tablet and TV remote in one, under Gadgets and Mobile Category. Source: The Verge.
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New tablet from Amazon? Consumer Reports recommends iPhone 4S and HTC’s first 720p smartphone unboxed.
Amazon launching a new tablet soon?
Well, aside from multiple rumors/reports claiming that a bigger Amazon tablet is coming (possibly with 8.9-inch screen) based on “supply chains,” a new trademark application is suggesting that the next Amazon tablet will drop the “Kindle” name, and will just use the “Fire” branding.
According to UberGizmo, a company linked to Amazon.com has filed the trademark applications with the US Patent and Trademark Office related to the “Fire” branding.
Seesaw LLC was the company name listed in the Fire patent applications, the same company used by Amazon to file its Silk Browser and Kindle Fire brands. This rumor must be taken with a grain of salt, knowing that the “Kindle” branding is very popular.
Kindle Fire is scheduled to arrive in US next week, sporting the “surprisingly cheaper than other tablets” tag price of $199 without the contract. It is worth noting that the Kindle Fire is using Android operating system, but was tweaked to include Amazon’s virtual stores only.
According to analysts, Kindle Fire will compete against Apple’s expensive iPad, and other Android tablets with larger screen, more expensive tag prices and 2-year contract agreement/s with wireless carriers.
Speaking of Apple, the company’s new iPhone 4S is being recommended by Consumer Reports. The publication is claiming that the new Apple smartphone performed very well in their tests, and praises the smartphone’s battery life. Apparently, many customers are complaining about the phone’s unexpected shorter battery life.
Consumer Reports said “Apple iPhone 4S did very well” in their standard battery tests, adding that it scores “very good” overall. Is it possible that the tests include comparisons with LTE devices?
LTE devices? A good segway.
HTC’s second Verizon LTE device will not arrive until next week but a third-party retailer has already thrown an ”unboxing video” (filming while opening the product for the first time). See it below this post.
The HTC Rezound is the second Long Term Evolution device of the Taiwan-based company running under the banner of Verizon. The phone is powered by a 1.5GHz dual-core CPU with Qualcomm Adreno 220 GPU, 1GB of RAM, includes a front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera, an 8-megapixel digital camera, Beats Audio-branded ear buds and software, and Android Gingerbread operating system.
The HTC Rezound is getting some attention due to its display, the 4.3-inch screen with 720p resolution (720 x 1280 pixels), plus the free branded buds, obviously.
Not too long ago I became fed up with the price change with a certain other movie service that shared the same color as today's featured App so I switched services (for my physical dvds) and started using Redbox. Immediately I went looking for a Redbox App because I didn't want to be one of the thousands (if not tens of thousands) of people that stand there staring at the box as they try to decide what they want to rent. I wanted to be able to browse, locate, and reserve my movies directly from my iPhone on the go. With Redbox for the iPhone I can do that.
Function
This App obviously is designed to aid users of their service so it isn't going to do much beyond that, but as long as it preforms all of the tasks to make renting movies from Redbox easier and more enjoyable, it has done its job. The first thing that I wanted to be able to do with this App is browse and search the different movies contained withing the boxes. As you can see from the image, the movies are broken down into popular categories to help you easily navigate to what you're looking for. Also included is a search option. Have a title in mind already? Go to the search bar and type the name in to instantly show that movie.
The second thing that I wanted to be able to do was read the plot, know the run time, and find out who was in the movie. I don't always want to know these things, but there are a lot of times that I do, Redbox has you covered. Do all of these things with ease as soon as you find the title you're looking for.
Third (and most importantly) I wanted to be able to find out which locations had the title that I was looking for. I don't want to drive to my favorite (and closest) location just to find out that the movie I want isn't in stock there. With Redbox for the iPhone you can not only see what locations have it, but you can also reserve it! That's awesome! No need to worry that someone else is going to get there and rent the latest Carebear before you can make it to the box (If you have little kids like me, you know this isn't a good situation). Redbox has you covered.
Bottom Line
This may seem like a one trick pony, but what it does, it does well. I really enjoy the Redbox service and this App makes that service that much better. My only gripe is that there isn't a native iPad App, but for something like this, the scaled up iPhone version works just fine.
Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime benchmark score was leaked online.
Computer company Asus hasn’t officially launched its new Android tablet, the Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime tablet yet, but it looks like they’re already testing (and benchmarking) it to see if the Nvidia Kal-El is the “it” CPU.
The “score” established by the new Transformer Prime with Nvidia quad-core CPU was listed by the Android benchmark application AnTuTu, and was discovered by Tech website Tech2 on Friday.
Transformer Prime’s Antutu score is unsurprisingly higher compared to dual-core powered Android tablets and smartphones and it has breached the 10000 Antutu score mark — and it directly suggests that the upcoming Asus tablet may be the fastest tablet that will hit the market early next year. The Asus Transformer Prime tablet is expected to offer the new Android Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0 operating system.
According to Asus, its new EEE Pad Transformer Prime is faster, stronger, slimmer, and sexier — adding that the company’s upcoming offering “will set a benchmark for what tablets should be.”
The new Asus tablet will compete against Apple’s popular iPad 2 and new Android tablets including the cheaper Amazon Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet (in USA).
This report was originally posted on PopHerald.com as Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime benchmark score revealed, under Gadgets and Mobile Category. Source: Tech2.
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Motorola’s new smartphone will debut in stores on November 11.
Motorola will arrive in stores and online on November 11 at exactly 11 in the morning, Motorola Mobility and Verizon have confirmed. The new Droid Razr is Motorola’s smartphone that will compete against Apple’s new iPhone 4S, and the set of new Android smartphones.
Verizon and Motorola are also celebrating the anniversary of the original Droid which was launched 2 years ago with the Android 2.0 operating system.
The new Motorola Droid Razr is powered by 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, equipped with 4.3-inch Super AMOLED screen with 540 x 960 resolution, 8-megapixel primary camera, front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera and Android Gingerbread 2.3.5 with the custom Motorola skin on top of the user interface.
Motorola has confirmed that the Droid Razr and the international Motorola Razr are scheduled to receive the Android Ice Cream Sandwich operating system early next year.
The Motorola Droid Razr is one of the three new LTE Verizon Android devices that will arrive this month. The second Long Term Evolution Android device that will hit the US market is HTC’s first 720p HD phone, the HTC Rezound with Beats Audio technology (with free Beats by Dre ear buds), and the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, the first Android Ice Cream Sandwich smartphone.
According to a Verizon Wireless spokesman, the company will focus on promoting the Droid Razr this month, ahead of Apple’s iPhone, Samsung’s Google Galaxy Nexus and the HTC Rezound. Verizon is now airing the “Slice” teaser commercial to promote the Droid Razr.
It is worth noting that the Motorola Droid Razr is an exclusive Verizon Wireless smartphone, while a Samsung Galaxy Nexus in other carriers like T-Mobile and AT&T is highly possible based on an FCC document that has confirmed the Galaxy Nexus device with AT&T world bands and T-Mobile’s 1700 AWS band support.
This report was originally posted on PopHerald.com as Motorola Droid Razr release date revealed, under Gadgets and Mobile Category.
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Google’s popular mobile operating system growing fast, but Apple’s new smartphone market share contribution not yet counted. RIM and Microsoft shares decline.
A new quarterly report from comScore has been released, revealing the unstoppable growth of the Google Android operating system, and Apple’s steady gain too. According to the Internet marketing research company’s September 2011 mobile subscriber market share (for US market only), Google’s Android operating system has gained 4.6% last quarter, from June’s 40.2%, and now owns a total of 44.8% US smartphone market.
It is worth noting that Android is the operating system used by mobile phones manufactured by Samsung, LG, HTC and Motorola.
Apple’s iOS, the operating system used by the iPhone, gains an additional 0.8% US market share. As of September 2011, Apple reportedly owns the total of 27.4% market share. Apple’s new smartphone, the iPhone 4S, is not yet included in the percentage.
According to Apple, the iPhone 4S is the most successful iPhone yet, with a total of 1 million pre-orders in less than 24 hours, and the company has sold 4 million iPhone 4S in less than three days. It is highly possible that the iOS will show-off a more impressive gain in the next quarterly mobile market report.
However, Android’s latest innovation is also expected to create a momentum that will surely generate more growth. Samsung’s new smartphone, the Google Galaxy Nexus with the latest Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update, will arrive in stores this month and will be sold by Verizon Wireless, the largest wireless carrier in United States based on the latest market share figure. Motorola, HTC and Samsung’s smartphones are also expected to receive the Android 4.0 update next year.
Research in Motion, the makers of the BlackBerry smartphones and Microsoft and its Windows Phone operating system, are the not-so-popular platforms in America, based on comScore’s Q3 report. Research in Motion has steadily lost market share, and Q3 is not an exception with a total of 4.6% decline, from June quarter’s 23.5% to 18.9% for the last quarter. Microsoft is also a victim of Apple and Google’s success with 0.2% decline, from June’s 5.8%, to 5.6% only for the September quarter.
Research in Motion and Microsoft are expected to release new smartphones this year and early next year. For Research in Motion, reports say the Canadian company will release new smartphones with the BBX operating system, while Microsoft’s new partner, Nokia, will release its first set of Windows Phone devices in Europe and Asia this month, and early next year in United States.
This report was originally posted on PopHerald.com as iPhone 4S (iOS 5) not yet counted: Google Android growing fast, under Gadgets and Mobile Category. Source: comScore
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New reports say the iPhone 4S is also suffering from mute outgoing calls.
Apple has confirmed that the iPhone 4S is suffering from battery life problem, but it will get a remedy this month with an iOS 5 update.
New reports are claiming that the iPhone 4S is also suffering from mute outgoing and incoming calls.
However, a new “bug” was reported by multiple users, claiming that the iPhone 4S is also suffering from a bug that mutes outgoing calls.
According to an article posted by Gizmodo quoting a Macrumors article, iPhone 4S owners complain about a mobile call glitch where the phone mutes some outbound calls, and the call bug is reportedly affecting iPhone 4S customers on all three carriers in United States, Sprint, Verizon Wireless and AT&T.
Aside from the outbound calls, some users also complain about a bug affecting both the incoming or receiving calls, and outgoing calls. Affected users also reported that the issue occurs on multiple devices as they’ve exchanged their iPhone 4S at Apple stores in to get rid of the call problems.
Some users have reported that toggling the speakerphone on and off fixes the call bug. Apple is still not confirming the new problem, and if it can be fixed with a software update.
Apparently, the computer and smartphone company is expected to release the first software update for the new iOS 5 operating system, the iOS 5.0.1. Multiple reports have confirmed that the quick battery drain issue was resolved. However, the call mute bug is a new glitch being reported, so it is still unknown if the upcoming update will also address the issue.
The iPhone 4S was released in United States and other countries last month, and will arrive in at least 11 more countries this month. According to Apple, the iPhone 4S is their most successful smartphone yet, based on the number of pre-orders and sold units.
This report was originally posted on PopHerald.com as iPhone 4S battery life is not the only problem?, under Gadgets and Mobile Category. Sources: Gizmodo, MacRumors.
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Verizon’s new Long Term Evolution challenges the iPhone’s design and power.
Motorola Droid Razr is arguably the best-looking (and the most attractive) Motorola Android device ever, from its thickness of only 7.1 mm to its Kevlar back, large Super AMOLED qHD screen to its Long Term Evolution technology (plus the Verizon ad blitz), it is quite obvious that the new Droid Razr is one of the biggest competitors of Apple’s new iPhone 4S smartphone.
The iPhone 4S is now available in USA, while the Motorola Droid Razr is a Verizon Wireless exclusive device that will arrive this month.
What smartphone is better? See our brief comparison between the Apple iPhone 4S and the Motorola Droid Razr below:
CPU or Processor, or SoC
The iPhone 4S and the Motorola Droid Razr are dual-core devices — smartphones that are equipped with a dual-core CPU or processor or SoC. For starters, the dual-core CPU offers faster web browsing and application support compared to the “already outdated” single-core CPU.
The iPhone 4S is reportedly using an 800MHz dual-core A5 chip, while the Motorola Droid Razr is powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core processor.
What phone is better? Well, technically, the Motorola Droid Razr wins but the iPhone 4S and its iOS operating system are optimized to take advantage of the dual-core processor, resulting in a faster and more responsive experience.
Design
The iPhone 4S features glass on front/back and metal antenna on the side, a “very premium” design but incredibly prone to shattering on impact. Apparently, one of the weaknesses of the iPhone 4S is its easy to shatter design.
Meanwhile, Motorola is claiming that the new Droid RAZR will prove that “thin isn’t frail,” with the phone’s kevlar back, scratch–resistant Corning Gorilla Glass display and the phone is “splash resistant” courtesy of the so-called “waterrepellent nanocoating,” and non-removable battery design.
Touch Screen
The Motorola Droid Razr, similar to other Android devices, is offering a larger screen size: a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED qHD screen with pixel density of 256 ppi. The iPhone 4S, similar to the old iPhone 4, offers a smaller 3.5-inch touchscreen with 330 ppi. The iPhone 4S is better when it comes to pixel per square inch, while the Droid Razr’s screen is just decent.
According to the WikiPedia entry of “Pixel Density,” good quality photographs usually require 300 pixels per inch when printed, so the ppi offered by the iPhone 4S is more than enough to satisfy your eyes, while an “almost” experience for the Droid Razr.
Apple is calling its 330 ppi the Retina Display, because “pixel density is so high your eye is unable to distinguish individual pixels.”
Camera
The 8-megapixel camera on the iPhone 4S is one of the best in the smartphone market so far. It can actually replace your old to decent point-and-shoot cameras. The macro video recording of the iPhone 4S is also impressive.
Meanwhile, the Motorola is claiming that the Motorola Droid Razr’s 8-megapixel camera can “create some cinematic awesomeness,” and the phone has “image stabilization technology for less blurry video.”
Operating System
The iPhone 4S is pre-installed with iOS 5 out of the box and will get automatic updates from Apple if available. The new iOS 5 supports the over-the-air or OTA software update, so a user can update his/her iPhone directly on the device. Other features are iCloud, Twitter integration, iMessage, dedicated camera button support, camera tools, and web browsing enhancements.
Meanwhile, the Motorola Droid Razr includes Android Gingerbread 2.3.5 out of the box which is not the latest Android version, but still a powerful build which supports Google Talk with video, Google+ video conferencing, battery management, enhanced web surfing, better virtual keyboard and improved application support including gaming apps.
According to Motorola, the Motorola Droid Razr will receive the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system “early next year.” The Android Ice Cream Sandwich is the “latest and greatest” Android version yet with new features like Face Unlock, Cellular Data management support, design improvements including the more intuitive applications and widgets drawer, better contacts app or the “People App,” and built-in camera tools.
Internet connectivity
The Motorola Droid Razr is better than the iPhone 4S when it comes to data connectivity, courtesy of the Razr’s Long Term Evolution. The iPhone 4S is a world phone and supports both the CDMA and GSM — but our tests show (Verizon version) 0.90Mbps download, and 0.20Mbps upload. AT&T’s iPhone 4S is faster with 1.5Mbps to 2.5Mbps downloads, or 0.50Mbps to 0.80Mbps upload.
Meanwhile, the Motorola Droid Razr is expected to offer 5 to 15Mbps actual download, and 3 to 5Mbps actual upload speeds based on our tests using other Android LTE devices. It is worth noting that the LTE speed of the Droid Razr may vary “by plans or other factors.”
Price
Phone’s retail price is the most important factor impacting the market’s purchase decision.
Verizon Wireless will start selling the new Razr this week, sporting the tag price of $299.99 on contract and requires data plan (minimum of $30 per month) or $649.99 for the full retail price. Apparently, the Motorola Droid Razr is $100 more expensive than its iPhone 4S counterpart (on contract).
You get what you pay for right? Well, Motorola and Verizon will add a free 16GB MicroSD card out of the box, so your phone can store more photos, videos and games. It is also worth mentioning that almost all “premium LTE Android smartphones” (HTC Thunderbolt, Droid Charge, the upcoming HTC Rezound) of Verizon Wireless have used (and will use) the $299.99 price tag.
This report was originally posted on PopHerald.com as Motorola Droid Razr vs iPhone 4S, under Gadgets and Mobile Category.
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