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Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 and new Galaxy Tab 10.1 hands-on: thinner than the iPad 2, dual-core power, TouchWiz 4.0

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/22/samsung-galaxy-tab-8-9-and-new-galaxy-tab-10-1-thinner-than-the/

You know who took the iPad 2 launch pretty seriously? Samsung, that's who. Just as we had heard, the company's executives were impressed by Apple's ability to slim down its tablet and, well, it turns out that it took it as a challenge to come up with some thinner tablets of its own. That's right, in addition to the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 that we have seen repeatedly teased over the last few weeks the company's announcing a totally revamped Galaxy Tab 10.1, and both slates are incredibly thin yet very well spec'd. On top of that, both will be the first Honeycomb tablets to stray from the pure Android 3.0 experience and add what Samsung's taken to calling its TouchWiz UX or TouchWiz 4.0. We've got all the details and some hands-on impressions waiting below, so hit the break!

Gallery: Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 and 10.1 hands-on

Gallery: Samsung TouchWiz UX for Honeycomb

Continue reading Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 and new Galaxy Tab 10.1 hands-on: thinner than the iPad 2, dual-core power, TouchWiz 4.0

Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 and new Galaxy Tab 10.1 hands-on: thinner than the iPad 2, dual-core power, TouchWiz 4.0 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 11:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CHART OF THE DAY: The Real Reason AT&T Is Buying T-Mobile

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/chart-of-the-day-the-real-reason-att-is-buying-t-mobile-2011-3

AT&T has several good reasons to spend $39 billion to acquire T-Mobile. But the most important reason that AT&T needs more wireless spectrum -- the airwaves used to operate mobile services -- and T-Mobile has it.

Think your wireless service is bad now? Imagine how congested the network is going to be in a few years when there are even more smartphones in use, PLUS tens of millions of new devices sold each year that get connected to the cell network. These include tablets, netbooks, laptops, and more.

Click here for more charts from the investor presentation AT&T gave today to explain why it's buying T-Mobile →

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Monday, March 21, 2011

LG Thrill 4G is AT&T's Glasses-Less 3D Smartphone [Phones]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/#!5783947/lg-thrill-4g-is-atts-3d-smartphone

Looks like LG's Optimus 3D smartphone will be called the Thrill 4G in the US at AT&T, where it'll have 4G support—and be the country's first 3D phone. With a 5MP stereoscopic camera shooting pics and video in 3D, you'll be the coolest kid around...before 3D becomes yesterday's news, anyway.

The screen measures 4.3-inches, and inside there's a dual-core 1GHz processor working away behind the curtains. Launching with Android 2.2, it'll no doubt be upgradable to Gingerbread at a late date, just like the Optimus 3D. We're still awaiting the official photos of the LG Thrill 4G, but you can see what the Optimus 3D looks like, above.

AT&T also announced the HTC HD7S is coming to its network too—it's a Windows Phone 7 handset with a 4.3-inch WVGA super LCD screen, 5MP camera (with dual-LED flash), and 1GHz processor.

AT&T TAKES SMARTPHONE CUSTOMERS INTO A NEW DIMENSION
Pair of 4.3-inch Smartphones For Best-in-Class Portfolio Include the LG Thrill 4G With Glasses-free 3D Experience, in Addition to the HTC HD7S, an Exciting Addition to the Windows Phone Portfolio

DALLAS, March 21, 2011 -

Key Facts
· AT&T* announced two new leading-edge smartphones, the LG Thrill 4G and the HTC HD7S, will be added to the industry's best portfolio of mobile phones.

· The LG Thrill 4G is the first U.S. smartphone that will feature a "glasses-free" 4.3-inch stereoscopic 3D display plus 4G speed capability on the nation's fastest mobile broadband network.

· Beyond its 3D screen, the LG Thrill 4G features a dual-core, 1 GHz processor, and a 5-megapixel dual-camera that allows you to shoot and share high definition videos and images in 3D.

· The HTC HD7S adds to the best portfolio of Windows Phones with its 4.3-inch, WVGA, super LCD display, 1 GHz processor and 5-megapixel camera with dual-LED flash.

LG Thrill 4G
The LG Thrill 4G will be exclusive to AT&T customers and reach AT&T stores in the coming months. Running the first dual-core, dual-channel 1 GHz processor in the U.S. and based on the Android 2.2 platform, LG Thrill 4G will be among the first to deliver a glasses-free 3D experience to U.S. customers and will allow users to shoot 3D video and 3D stills with the dual 5-megapixel stereoscopic camera. In addition to apps and games from Android Market, LG Thrill 4G will offer 3D content via the "LG 3D Space," which houses 3D games, video clips and images for quick, convenient access.

Preloaded with 16 GB of memory (8 GB onboard plus an 8 GB MicroSD card), the LG Thrill 4G will record 3D video at 720p resolution and 2D at 1080p quality. The smartphone will be able to play video back in high definition through the HDMI-out port on the device or stream content wirelessly through DLNA technology.

HTC HD7S
The HTC HD7S will be the largest screen on a Windows Phone from AT&T and will include the latest version of Windows Phone software that offers many new benefits including the ability to copy and paste text. A powerful 1 GHz processor will power the unique Windows Phone experience and any of the more than 10,000 applications available for download or purchase from Windows Marketplace. In addition, with the preloaded U-verse® Mobile application, qualifying AT&T U-verse customers can download and watch hit TV shows on their Windows Phone. Non-U-verse customers can subscribe to U-verse Mobile for $9.99 a month and choose from a broad selection of programming to watch on their Windows Phone. This new AT&T smartphone will be the first HD7 model from HTC in the U.S. with an improved super LCD high resolution display. The HTC HD7S will be available in company-owned AT&T retail locations and online at www.wireless.att.com in the coming weeks.

Quotes
"AT&T customers know that we offer the best lineup of cutting-edge smartphones in the country. Our first 3D phone plus a new, leading Windows Phone underscore our commitment to continue to offer the best," said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president, Devices, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "2011 is going to be another landmark year for us with more best-in-class devices."

AT&T Smartphone Portfolio
AT&T is the leader in smartphones and expects to widen that lead in 2011. The LG Thrill 4G is the latest proof point in AT&T's commitment to an industry-leading Android portfolio in the U.S., including 12 new Android smartphones in 2011. For further details please visit www.att.com/thrill4g. AT&T is the leader in Windows Phones, offering the only portfolio of Windows Phone 7 devices, now including the HTC HD7S with its 4.3-inch screen. For further details visit www.att.com/htchd7s.

The LG Thrill 4G is one of more than 20 4G devices AT&T plans to deliver in 2011. AT&T has completed the deployment of HSPA+ to virtually 100 percent of its mobile broadband network, which enables 4G speeds when combined with Ethernet or fiber backhaul.

Nexus S 4G on Sprint Is the Same Nexus S Plus WiMax [Smartphones]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/#!5783863/nexus-s-4g-on-sprint-is-the-same-nexus-s-plus-wimax

The Nexus S 4G on Sprint is a self-explanatory little phone: It's the same Nexus S—Android 2.3, contour display, NFC powers—but with the added goodness of Sprint's 4G WiMax network.

It's probably our pick of Android phones now on Sprint—the Evo is nearly a year old, and the major advantage of the Nexus S is that it'll be on the bleeding edge of Android updates. Even if it's no Atrix 4G in terms of ultra-powered specs, it's good to see this phone make some headway on other carriers. Especially now that this kind of phone won't be happening with T-Mobile, if the AT&T deal goes through. No official pricing yet, but $200 with a two-year contract sounds like the safe bet. [Google]

Samsung Galaxy S II Mini leaks out for Three, plus Nokia X7, Flyer and PlayBook release dates in UK

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/20/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-mini-leaks-out-for-three-uk-plus-nokia-x7/

No, not the Galaxy Mini, that low-end Android sprout -- this looks like Samsung's smaller alternative to the upcoming Galaxy S II superphone. We just got handed UK carrier Three's entire spring-summer lineup, and the Android 2.3 handset certainly stands out, pretending to be miniature in spite of a 3.7-inch screen (think Droid), a 1.4GHz processor (think Pre 3) and 21Mbps HSPA+ connectivity. But that's the tip of the iceberg compared to what's in store for Three -- it looks like the Nokia X7 is alive, well, and tracking for a June release (not to mention the LG Optimus 3D), and tablets will drop too, with May bringing the HTC Flyer and the WiFi-only BlackBerry PlayBook launching in June. See specs and slated launch windows in our gallery below, and join us in hoping these documents portend a rapid US release.

Gallery: Three UK leaked roadmap with Galaxy S II Mini