The Galaxy Nexus smartphone I ordered on Sunday from the U.K. has arrived. I haven't played enough yet, but the little time I've had with the first Android 4.0 smartphone has been most impressive. The best way to put the experience? Android has finally grown up.
Galaxy Nexus first look video and impressions
Mon, 05 Dec 2011 01:27:06 GMT
In case you forget that AT&T's latest LTE-equipped smartphone hit shelves today, consider this a friendly reminder from your mobile obsessed friends here at Engadget. We're talking about the LG's Nitro HD, the 4.5-inch device we lovingly handled last week -- loaded with a skinned version of Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread, running atop its peppy 1.5 GHz Qualcomm APQ8060 dual-core processor. If you'll recall, it's notably packing a 1280 x 720p screen resolution with an ultra-crisp looking 329ppi, an 8 megapixel rear camera (1.3 MP up front) and a healthy 4GB of internal storage supplemented by an included 16GB microSD card (expandable to 32GB). Thankfully, bloatware on the Nitro is at an all time low, but we'd be remiss if we didn't mention that's it's been confirmed to be loaded with the ickyness of Carrier IQ. Sure, it's not as tasty as an Ice Cream Sandwich, but if your hungering for LTE-enabled 4G speeds on Ma Bell, at least you now have a third option. It can be yours now for $250 with a two-year renewal of service, and you'll find more info at the source link below.
AT&T's LG Nitro HD goes up for sale, LTE-enabled Gingerbread pep for $250 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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AT&T's LG Nitro HD goes up for sale, LTE-enabled Gingerbread pep for $250
Joe Pollicino
Mon, 05 Dec 2011 01:34:00 GMT
Although Verizon has yet to officially announce the Motorola Droid 4, that didn't stop the carrier from giving the world a sneak peek at this upcoming high-end Android smartphone.
Verizon Gives a First Look at the Motorola Droid 4
info@brighthand.com
Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:42:34 GMT
NFC isn't just for mobile payments. Google uses it in its latest operating system to beam information like maps, videos, and contact information from one phone to another.
Android Beam in action: Ice Cream Sandwich's flashy NFC feature
Jessica Dolcourt
Fri, 02 Dec 2011 02:00:17 GMT
Tonight at LG’s media event in New York City, we were lucky enough to get some quality time with the LG Nitro HD. The third in AT&T’s line of LTE-capable phones, the Nitro HD was announced earlier this week with a launch date of December 4 for AT&T. Some of its spec highlights include a 4.5-inch 720p display (like the HTC Rezound), a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, an 8-megapixel rear camera and 4G LTE support from AT&T, of course.
Since the Nitro was announced before its dedicated media event (and since it’s basically the Optimus LTE we’re seeing over in Europe), there’s really no reason to hash out all the specific deets. So let’s just get down to business, shall we?
First impressions:
- Right off the bat the first thing you’ll notice is the Nitro’s size. It’s a hefty little beast with that 4.5-inch screen and a waist line of 10.4mm. That’s not terribly thick but not what I would call thin, either. For some perspective, it’s thickness falls right between the Droid Razr and the HTC Rezound.
- The screen, as expected, is pretty slick running at 720p. With a resolution of 1280×720 on 4.5-inches of real estate, the LG Nitro HD actually has a slightly greater pixel density than the iPhone 4, at 329ppi as opposed to 326ppi. It’s not the best display I’ve ever seen, but it can certainly compete with many other recently released phones.
- As far as performance is concerned, we have no complaints here. The NitroHD is snappy and super responsive, and web browsing was pretty enjoyable. We haven’t gotten a chance to test out AT&T’s LTE network as New York City isn’t quite on the list yet, so unfortunately reflections on that will have to wait.
- The textured back finish feels nice, and gives the Nitro a much pricier feel than its plastic casing would imply. Still, the strip of brushed plastic around the edge lets loose the secret that back panel was keeping.
- The Nitro HD doesn’t take prints well at all, whether it’s the textured back panel or (most noticeably) the display.
- The 8-megapixel rear-facing camera performed very well, handling white balance and movement between light and dark settings well. Shutter lag was a bit annoying, but it’s certainly no worse than most Android phones.
- This particular LG device has an LG Optimus skin running over Android. It isn’t terribly obtrusive but does seem to slow things down a bit from a strictly vanilla experience.
- I’m somewhat bothered by the fact that the charging port is square on the top of the phone, as that makes it pretty difficult to play around with in landscape mode while plugged in. It also has a plastic covering protecting the port, which will probably snap right off after a couple weeks of use.
All in all, I’d call the LG Nitro HD a fine option, but not necessarily my first pick. It packs specs that can compete on paper, but simply can’t keep up on the hardware front. The Nitro HD will show up on AT&T shelves December 4 for $249 with a two-year contract.
LG Nitro HD For AT&T: Hands-On
Jordan Crook
Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:28:57 GMT
It took a long time for the Galaxy S phones in the US to receive Android 2.2 Froyo, so it’s no surprise that Gingerbread would take just as long as well. For those of you who own the Samsung Fascinate on Verizon, it looks like the day has come for you to finally get Gingerbread on your phones – provided you haven’t already done the job yourself by loading a custom ROM. We all know that Ice Cream Sandwich is already out, but since it’s not going to arrive on this phone anytime soon (unless Verizon/Samsung prove us wrong) and you don’t plan to get your hands dirty – you might as well just enjoy the official Gingerbread update first.
According to reports online, it looks like the update also fixes the phone’s GPS and signal strength issues. So if you own a Samsung Fascinate, keep an eye out for the update notification for your phone or try pulling it manually. As usual, back up your phone just in case, and do let us know how the Gingerbread update goes for you.
Verizon Samsung Fascinate receives Gingerbread, By Ubergizmo. Top Stories : Asus Transformer Prime Review,
Verizon Samsung Fascinate receives Gingerbread
George Wong
Thu, 01 Dec 2011 20:43:10 GMT
We are about to see the release of the new Samsung Galaxy Nexus, the first mobile phone to come with the Ice Cream Sandwich version of the Android operating system installed. There are some well documented improvements offered by this new system such as unified applications for both mobile phones and tablet devices. There are however some features that are less well known and one of them is the support offered to visually impaired users.
The New Samsung Galaxy Nexus Offers Support For Visually Impaired Users
Fri, 02 Dec 2011 09:09:45 GMT
AT&T's Samsung Focus S is one of the premier Windows phones available in the U.S., or anywhere.
AT&T is carving out a niche for itself as a friend to Windows Phone.
In the last month, it's released the mammoth, terrific HTC Titan, the low-cost-but-high-value Samsung Focus Flash, and the sleek, premium Samsung Focus S--in my opinion the most appealing all-around Windows Phone to date.
There's good reason this Windows Phone 7.5 handset scores high marks. It's got nice internal specs, high-performing dual cameras (1.3-megapixel and 8-megapixel, respectively), and Samsung's brilliant 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus screen. The specs aren't surprising. After all, the Focus S is essentially the Windows Phone version of AT&T's highly-rated Samsung Galaxy S II, minus the little green Android.
It may be neck-and-neck with the Titan on most features, but unless you're thirsting for a huge 4.7-inch display, the Focus S' size is more universally appealing. Watch the video, peruse the photo test gallery, and read all the pros an... [Read more]
Related Links:
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Will the real Android flagship phone please stand up? (Ask Maggie)
Samsung Focus S review: Best Windows Phone yet?
Jessica Dolcourt
Wed, 30 Nov 2011 22:42:11 GMT
http://pocketnow.com/windows-phone/...umia-800-review
"We've been wishing and hoping for Nokia to use a powerful Windows-based mobile operating system since 2003, and finally we see the incredible phone manufacturing expertise from Finland merged with the gorgeous new Windows Phone software."
If you still have any questions about the Nokia Lumia 800, PocketNow.com has posted a fairly extension review along with numerous pictures and camera test shots. The reviewer came away impressed by some aspects of the hardware and software but was disappointed in the lack of certain features found on existing Nokia phones. Hit the read link to see the full review.
Nokia Lumia 800 Review By PocketNow
Richard Chao
Thu, 01 Dec 2011 01:00:00 GMT
MS OS handsets out in 2012
Lenovo has confirmed rumours that it plans to enter the Windows Phone business, with handsets due in the latter half of next year.…
Official: Lenovo adopts Windows Phone
Thu, 01 Dec 2011 11:40:13 GMT
High-tech cane concept for the blind is a Foursquare-enabled smartphone
Tecca
With approximately 285 million visually-impaired people around the globe, it's no wonder Selene Chew decided to work on a technology that could benefit them for her senior thesis project ...
New cane for the blind uses Foursquare checkins to locate nearby friendsThe Next Web (blog)
all 2 news articles »
High-tech cane concept for the blind is a Foursquare-enabled smartphone - Tecca
Wed, 30 Nov 2011 01:38:30 GMT
The carrier continues to bolster its 4G LTE lineup with a top-tier Android smartphone from LG.
AT&T debuts 4G LTE-capable LG Nitro HD
Scott Webster
Mon, 28 Nov 2011 20:31:12 GMT
If you’ve bought a high-end LG Android phone this year – you won’t have to worry about Ice Cream Sandwich, at least according to LG’s recently posted statement on its Facebook page. The company announced that the Optimus 2X, the Optimus Black, the Optimus 3D and the Optimus LTE will be receiving the highly anticipated update to Ice Cream Sandwich. Other phones are being considered, and the company plans to bring Ice Cream Sandwich to as many of their phones as possible.
It’s certainly good news for LG phone owners, seeing how the company’s previously retracted statement about being uncertain if they were going to update the Optimus 2X wasn’t received very well. But the company has yet to release Gingerbread for a number of phones which makes us wonder if it’ll be able to keep its Ice Cream Sandwich promise. Let’s hope this just means that it’ll skip Gingerbread altogether and just jump straight to Ice Cream Sandwich.
LG Ice Cream Sandwich plans announced, By Ubergizmo. Top Stories : Epic 4G Touch Review,
LG Ice Cream Sandwich plans announced
George Wong
Tue, 29 Nov 2011 01:04:24 GMT
A smartphone app offering digital versions of shop loyalty cards will open up card schemes to many disabled people for the first time, its developer has said.
The “mClub” app from print and digital directories company Yell – which is free to download –allows retailers to offer deals such as “buy nine cups of coffee, get the 10th free” without using a physical card. A pilot service – available for both the Apple iPhone and Android phones – has been launched in London, Plymouth and Reading, with a BlackBerry service due to be released in the next few weeks.
Although the service was not originally designed for use by disabled people Artur Ortega, senior accessibility developer at Yell, told E-Access Bulletin this month that when he saw the idea presented internally he immediately saw the potential benefits for disabled people, and was able to influence the design process.
“Before, it wasn’t possible for blind people to use loyalty cards,” Ortega said. “You couldn’t find the right card in your pocket, and you didn’t know how many stamps were on it. The app is also useful for someone who has reduced mobility in their hands and who might have problems getting a card out of their pocket or wallet.”
Once the app is running, loyalty points are added for each participating retailer either by swiping it near a terminal on Android phones using near field communication, or by scanning a QR code (a square bar code) using the iPhone. Although there is a beep emitted when the app is successfully swiped, the lack of near–field communication on an iPhone was a limitation for blind users unless helped by a shop assistant, Ortega acknowledged.
Running the app itself was not too hard for blind users, with iPhones coming pre-installed with VoiceOver text-to-speech functionality and Android phones able to run similar software such as the Mobile Accessibility suite from Code Factory, he said.
This kind of approach, combined with geo-location technology, is implemented in the new smartphone version of the company’s home page www.yell.com, which is hugely liberating for disabled people, Ortega said. “If I need a taxi, I can find one immediately and then call the taxi using the same device, I don’t have to copy telephone number – it’s two clicks away. Or I can order a table in a restaurant – it’s a huge advantage for blind people or people with reduced mobility.
“Before, you had to call someone and ask them to put you through to the restaurant. If the line was busy you had to call again and ask them to look it all up again.”
Smartphone App Launches Accessible Loyalty Cards
Dan Jellinek
Fri, 18 Nov 2011 10:00:13 GMT
Heading out to brave the crowds on Black Friday? Don’t go it alone. Pack along some willing friends and family members, and load up on these apps that should make your experience much more tolerable.
- ShopSavvy – Scan a bar code to see if the product you’re about to buy is actually discounted. ShopSavvy scans available prices for identical products online and in nearby stores so you can see if you’re getting the best deal.
- Aisle411 – Android and iPhone users can get custom views of participating stores with Aisle411 to help you find what you’re looking for fast. Or at least faster than the folks that don’t run to the electronics section. Also included is a list maker so you know what to grab.
- BFAds – Scan the available Black Friday ads, make your shopping lists, and reference items on the go. You can search by item or category and even compare prices between stores.
- Amazon Price Checker – Even though you won’t likely find any Black Friday prices on this app (available for Android and iOS), you will be able to see the regular price of an item, which will tell you if they’ve actually been discounted, or if you’re about to get scammed at the register.
- Snaptell – Comparison shop while you’re on the go with this app that lets you snap a pic of the item in question, then provides reviews and prices from various stores.
Images via Andreas Nilsson and courtesy of iStockphoto, izusek
Black Friday: 5 Apps That Make Bargain Shopping Easier
GeekSugar
Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:49:19 GMT
If wireless products are topping this year’s present wish lists, AT&T has you covered with a Thanksgiving weekend of promotions.
Starting at 12:01 a.m. on Black Friday, AT&T’s website deals page will unveil sales on touchscreen devices (yes, including tablets) with new gadget deals rolling out each day through Monday. The rest of the weekend features:
- Saturday, Nov. 26 - All Windows 7 and certain Android devices are available for one cent.
- Sunday, Nov. 27 – The BlackBerry 9860 is one cent and HTC’s Red Inspire is $30.
- Monday, Nov. 28 - Select smartphones including the Motorola Atrix, Samsung Infuse, and HTC Inspire sell for one cent.
The deals come with a few strings; all require a two-year service plan, smartphones require AT&T voice and the minimum $15 monthly data plan, and messaging devices must be purchased with a minimum $20 monthly messaging plan.
Be sure to check out our Black Friday deal roundup page for more Black Friday deals.
AT&T to Offer Smartphones for One Cent on Black Friday
GeekSugar
Thu, 17 Nov 2011 22:47:05 GMT
The Photon 4G features a 1GHz dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor along with 1GB of RAM and Android 2.3 "Gingerbread". The Photon 4G is the first WiMAX equipped phone from Sprint to feature global GSM roaming.
Sprint's Superphone, Motorola Photon 4G Impresses
Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:44:01 GMT
During last year’s holiday shopping season, Amazon released Price Check for the iPhone, a comparison shopping app which allows users can scan the barcode of a product, take a picture of an item or say the product’s name to access product listings on Amazon.com’s marketplace. Today, the e-commerce giant is launching the app on Android phones.
Shoppers use the Price Check app to scan a barcode, snap a picture, or say or type a product name to see prices from Amazon.com’s marketplace and its 2 million online merchants. One exclusive feature to the Android app is the ability to scan in either portrait or landscape mode. The app will display prices sorted from lowest to highest and will also show if the item is available for free shipping.
Users can read product reviews, add the item to a wishlist, share the item and decide whether the Amazon offering is a better deal than the store offering. Shoppers can then purchase the item with 1-Click shopping. Amazon says Price Check includes prices on ‘millions of products’, from books to HDTVs to blenders to baby strollers.
Amazon says that so far this year, shoppers with iPhones choose Price Check’s barcode scanner to check prices more than any other search method available with the Price Check app and use Price Check ‘millions of times’, most frequently on weekends.
The app is similar to eBay’s RedLaser scanning app, which includes similar functionality and the ability to buy items directly from eBay. Amazon also recently released Flow, which uses augmented reality to help users explore and discover tens of millions of products in a real world setting, including books, DVDs, packaged electronics and toys.
Amazon Brings Comparison Shopping App Price Check To Android Phones
Leena Rao
Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:20:29 GMT
America’s first Android-powered smartphone with Beats Audio technology now available at Wirefly
(PRWeb November 14, 2011)
Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/11/prweb8957561.htm
HTC Rezound: Verizon’s 4G LTE Smartphone with Beats Audio Now Available on Wirefly.com
Mon, 14 Nov 2011 19:11:24 GMT
RIM has announced two new BlackBerry smartphones, both sporting BlackBerry OS 7 – the Bold 9790 and Curve 9380.
BlackBerry Bold 9790 offers a standard BlackBerry form factor, with a physical QWERTY keyboard and a 2.44-inch screen with a 360 x 480 pixel resolution. It also sports a 5-megapixel camera on the back, a 1 GHz CPU and 8 GB of storage memory, further expandable via microSD cards.
BlackBerry Curve 9380 replaces the physical keyboard with a larger, 3.2-inch screen with a 480 x 360 pixel resolution. Its specifications aren’t officially out yet, but rumors say it will have a 5-megapixel camera, 1 GB of storage and an 800 MHz CPU.
The prices for both devices are still unknown, but they’ll be hitting the market over the “coming weeks.”
In other BlackBerry news, the Verge obtained an image of a device possibly called BlackBerry London, which is rumored to have a dual-core, 1.5 GHz CPU, 1 GB of RAM, 16 GB of storage memory and an 8-megapixel rear camera, as well as a 2-megapixel one on the front.
If real – and it’s still very much in rumor territory – BlackBerry London should be the first device from RIM to sport the upcoming BBX operating system.
RIM Announces BlackBerry Bold 9790 and Curve 9380
Stan Schroeder
Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:25:26 GMT
