Wednesday, September 5, 2012

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Google Android News Android Forums

AT&T Branding Revealed on Sony Xperia T in UK Promo Shot

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 01:48 PM PDT

Last week we were hit with a triple-shot of news from Sony at IFA regarding their upcoming devices, and one of those devices was the announcement of their flagship phone – the Xperia T. While the beans were spilled at IFA regarding the specs for Sony’s upcoming beast, we were left wondering about specific U.S. release information. Well, today that picture became clearer by way of a promo shot posted on a UK retailer’s product page for the Xperia T. In the shot, you can clearly see the AT&T logo below the Home key on the phone. On the product page itself, there are three images used in the description of the phone. The first two images simply show the same “Xperia” logo that we saw at IFA, however the last image replaces the Xperia logo with the AT&T logo. AT&T hasn’t released an official comment regarding the image, but we’ll keep you posted if they release a statement regarding the revealing shot.

source:  Phones4U

 

 

 

 

 

Motorola Photon Q 4G LTE Review: Hands-Down The Best QWERTY Slider Phone Available On Sprint’s Network

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 11:08 AM PDT

 

As Sprint has launched bigger and better smartphones for 2012, it’s only natural that we see an entrant in the QWERTY arena and that’s why Sprint decided to bring its customers the Motorola Photon Q 4G LTE smartphone. Now many of you are thinking wait a minute— the original Photon 4G was neither an LTE smartphone nor a phone with a slide-out keyboard. While those two points are certainly true, the 2012 refresh of the Photon Q certainly has a lot going for it. There’s a fast processor, gorgeous ColorBoost display and a pretty slick design. Moreover, it doesn’t hurt the physical keyboard is possibly one of the best keyboards on an Android phone.

The Photon Q has internals that competes quite nicely with other premium phones, but the phone is priced at a princely sum of $200. That’s certainly a far cry from Motorola’s Atrix HD which is essentially a premium smartphone priced at $100. Then again Sprint’s other QWERTY smartphones currently in its lineup are the Samsung Epic 4G that is priced at $100— despite it being a two-year old device and the Kyocera Rise smartphone priced at $20. So in essence, the Photon Q certainly has an edge over the other QWERTY devices because of the fact that well, there’s virtually no other phone to compete with in Sprint’s lineup as far as pure specs and raw power. So is Sprint’s newest Motorola toy worth the price? Join us after the break to see if the phone is indeed worth the money.

 

Design

 

 

If you checked out our initial hands-on with the device, you’ll note the overall build is a mesh of the DROID 4 and the original Photon 4G’s a unique design. The front of the device features has a clear and almost metallic-like plastic along with angled diamond-cut corners that have been smoothed out a bit. A 4.3-inch screen compliments the front of the device which guessed it— features no capacitive buttons at all on the display and a simple Motorola logo at the top. To one side of the device, you’ll find the power button and headphone jack to the top, the volume rocker and wait for it— a dedicated camera button to the side. The other side has the standard microUSB and microHDMI ports. The back of the device features an interesting mesh of a softer plastic along surrounding an unusual rubbery-type texture with a subtle Motorola logo in the middle. The combination of the two makes for what is certainly a comfortable grip whether you hold the device with or without the keyboard open. Oh and one thing you won’t find on the Motorola Photon is the tasteless unnecessary Sprint logo at all. Kudos to Sprint for making the subtle, but welcomed decision.

 

 

Going forward to the keyboard, we obviously see this area as one of the focal points of the review. The keyboard is hidden under the device and is accessible by simply sliding the face of the device up. More importantly, the keyboard is well-designed as there’s nothing that feels flimsy or unsettled. When the keyboard function is engaged, you’ll know everything is secure based off of a distinct lock or “click”, courtesy of the spring mechanism. In addition, you’ll find the complete 5-row layout of the keyboard which is surrounded by more of the appealing soft rubbery material. Motorola thankfully included a dedicated top row for numbers which makes for even more simplified typing. The keys are spaced out just enough so that you won’t accidentally hit the wrong button, while being close enough so that you won’t need to overwork those thumbs of yours and do an extended reach. The keys are also raised and meticulously designed, so they don’t feel the least bit spongy or unresponsive– there’s satisfying click you get when typing that’s almost reminiscent of that on a traditional Blackberry. With the keyboard slid out combined with the unique material on the phone’s back and deceiving , you will find a rather comfortable.

 

 

You would think full keyboard underneath would make for a bulky and heavy phone, but in reality, everything is crammed into a fairly light package. The Photon Q 4G LTE is 126.5mm long and 13.7mm thick which may seem like a lot, but actually isn’t when you think about it. In fact, the device is only 1.5mm thicker than the original Photon 4G, yet squeezes in a full slide-out keyboard. With the keyboard slid out combined with the unique material on the phone’s back and surprisingly light weight, you will find a rather comfortable and worthwhile typing experience.

 

Hardware

The Photon Q 4G LTE features internals comparable to other top-level devices in Sprint’s arsenal. Right off the bat you’ll note the device features a zippy Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 MSM8960 dual-core processor along with 1GB of RAM. The Photon Q 4G LTE also features an 8MP camera with 1080p video recording, a 1.3MP camera with 720p video recording, NFC (which is no surprise since Sprint is a big fan of Google Wallet on its devices) and Bluetooth 4.0. You’ll note that I neglected to initially mention one major aspect of the phone’s hardware and that’s the on-board storage, which is only limited to 8GB. Actually— 8GB is a bit misleading. The true amount of available storage when the phone is first powered on is only limited to around 4.5GB. One can only wonder why Motorola keeps insisting on including such meager amounts of storage space on the internal memory of its more recent devices. Fortunately, the saving grace is there is a microSD expansion slot, so there is the ability to save lots of content on the device without too much of a concern.

 

Display

 

The Photon Q 4G LTE also features a solid display, though it’s no real competition to the displays found on the Samsung Galaxy S III or HTC EVO 4G LTE. Right off the bat, you’ll notice the bright and vivid colors along with the sharp texts on the 4.3-inch screen, which is solely thanks to Motorola’s ColorBoost technology. As seen in the Motorola Atrix HD smartphone, ColorBoost is more or less an enhancement to the display found on a Motorola device, which is similar to Samsung’s Super AMOLED technology as an example. In addition, there’s no hint of pixelation on the device as we are treated to a non-Pentile display. While it’s nice an all, there is a catch– and a big one at that. The display is at a “measly” 960 x 540 resolution, meaning the device is right in qHD territory.  Fortunately, the device has fairly detailed pixel density at around 256 ppi and the device has great viewing angles, even outdoors in bright sunlight. Oh and it also helps there’s not too much of the device’s real estate being used by an overly aggressive bezel.

 

 

All in all, the 4.3-inch screen is nice, though it would have been nice to have seen a 720p screen. Then again, there are trade-offs Motorola probably needed to make considering it needed to keep the overall costs of the phone down.

 

Software

As mentioned in the Atrix HD review as well as Rob Nazarian’s walkthrough on the DROID RAZR MAXX, Motorola’s Ice Cream Sandwich rendition here is as good as good can be. Fire up the device and you’ll see the device is loaded up with Android 4.0.4, which is quickly becoming common standard among recent Android devices. On top of Android 4.0.4 is Moto’s unobtrusive Blur UI— something that is as light of a skin as possible. Users will be treated to essentially a near-stock Android experience, though there are some pretty neat notifications which offers notable enhancements over stock Android software. For starters, there are little arrows on the Browser, Phone Dialer & Contacts and Text icons that allow you to access cool widgets that show a history log of different actions taken within those apps. There’s also the nifty Circles Widget which displays the time, weather and battery life in a simple manner. Oh and let’s not forget the Smart Actions app which allows the phone to adjust itself depending on its location.

Of course no review of the software features would be complete without a report on the carrier-branded bloatware installed on the phone. In what can be described as something no less than shocking, bloatware is actually kept to an absolute minimum on the Photon Q 4G LTE. The only Sprint-branded apps preloaded are Sprint ID and Sprint Zone which each cannot be uninstalled, but at least don’t hog up the device’s space or its resources.

One quick aspect of the device’s software needs to be mentioned— and boy is this one a biggie. Thanks to Google’s heavy hand in Moto’s operations, the device is among the first to be developer-friendly, courtesy of Motorola’s simple and easy-to-use unlock bootloader tool that’s accessible via the web. This means that some of you who probably are not big fans of the original software will have an easier means to tinker and fiddle by slapping on custom ROMs at your heart’s content. This feature alone is probably one of the biggest of the Photon Q 4G LTE, despite little mention from Sprint.

 

 

Performance

The Photon Q 4G LTE has the same processor as devices like the HTC EVO 4G LTE and Samsung Galaxy S III, so it’s only fitting the Photon 4G LTE flies like Sprint’s other flagship devices. For the average Sprint customer, there is no hint of slowdown, lag or stuttered performance. Switching between screens is fluid and quick, while programs open up almost instantly. Oh and for those of you that care— multitasking is certainly a breeze with the Photon Q 4G LTE. While Sprint’s targeted customers probably don’t care about benchmarks, here are some scores we were able to achieve during our testing:

 

  • Antutu – 6,328
  • Vellamo – 2,415
  • Quadrant – 4,766

 

 

 

Simply put, the device holds its own against other devices and customers can rest comfortably knowing the phone will perform at an optimal level.

 

Battery Life

While Motorola has a solid build of the device complimented by exceptional software, its optimization of the battery life is actually better than that of the Atrix HD, but still somewhat disappointing to say the least.  The smartphone is powered by an ample 1,785mAh non-removable battery. While mostly idle, the device was fully powered for an astounding 18.5 hours! However it quickly changed when the device was actually used. When fully charged at 7:00am and moderately used at a 50% brightness level (i.e. push notifications from Twitter or Facebook, streaming music and taking some photos), the battery was completely zapped between 7:00pm to 8:00pm. This is pretty surprising because the Photon Q 4G LTE actually operates on Sprint’s 3G EV-DO network here in the New York City area. Conversely, the Atrix HD was able to achieve roughly the same operating time, yet it was used on a 4G LTE network. In an even more surprising twist, a standard rundown test had the device looping a video with maximum brightness and gave us a lackluster 5 hours and 58 minutes.

Quick sum-up: the battery life on the Photon Q 4G LTE will definitely suffice for the average user. However, Motorola has become a victim of its own success with the DROID RAZR and DROID RAZR MAXX smartphones and has now launched a second device with what is ultimately average battery life, instead of exceptional battery life.

Network Quality

Ah yes, the Photon Q 4G LTE’s x-factor. As you already know, Sprint is slowly rolling out its 4G LTE network across different markets around the country. The device is among Sprint’s first devices to utilize a true 4G LTE radio, but the reality is the majority of Sprint customers will not be able to truly enjoy a real 4G LTE experience, until additional markets go live with the enhanced network. So in the meantime, Sprint is marketing the Photon Q 4G LTE as a 4G device, when it’s operating on painfully slow 3G speeds. Testing here in the New York area was especially frustrating as not only are you on 3G speeds, but you’re on 3G speeds in a dense area. During off-peak hours (specifically between 3:00am – 6:00am), the average download/upload speeds were 1Mbps/1Mbps. However during peak hours, the speeds certainly changed for the worst as we saw an average of 700Kbps download and 900Kbps upload speeds. The worst part is how the speeds were painfully apparent when trying to stream music or even load up graphic-intensive websites on the mobile browser as there were noticeable delays. The device also acts as a hotspot, but connecting even one device to the Photon Q 4G LTE was a nightmare as some pages repeatedly timed out, despite a lack of activity from the Photon Q 4G LTE itself. Those of you looking to surf the web or do the basics like Tweet should be OK, though it’s wise to stay close to a WiFi signal, if possible.

 

 

The device’s network quality is below average— even by 3G standards, but at least it has superb call quality. Call quality was relatively clear with little or no trace of background noise.

Camera

If battery life is a slight disappointment with the Photon Q 4G LTE, then the camera is certainly the device’s Achilles’ Heel. The device features an 8MP camera, yet the camera and camera software are average at best. Here’s a case in point: Most (if not all) of the sample photos taken with the Photon Q 4G LTE were grainy, jagged and quite frankly, the images came out looking dead or painfully average. Fortunately, the camera didn’t fall victim to too much unusual color distortions that plagued the Atrix HD and actually had some decent photos, particularly in bright settings. The shutter function is nice as well, though it’s nothing compared to that found on the Samsung Galaxy S III or HTC EVO 4G LTE.

 

The video recording function on the other hand is disappointing as there’s simply no detail in the videos whether recorded in 720p or full 1080p HD. The colors in the objects appear awfully faded, frames per second seems to be on the lower end since the flow of the video doesn’t flow as smoothly as that found in other devices. You can check out a sample video taken at the World Trade Center site out in New York City.

 

Click here to view the embedded video.

 

Accessories

The Photon Q 4G LTE also features a few impressive accessories that are optional. The first is an HD Dock which effectively allows you to mount your device and display content onto your HDTV or HD monitor. Colors have a nice zing complimented by the same impressive detail that you see on the device screen, while sound is crisp and clear too. Video looked outstanding when displayed on the HD screen, though it should be noted that the Hulu Plus app is curiously not compatible with the device at this time, so you won’t be able to see content from that app onto a bigger screen at this time. There’s also a car dock that’s available which allows you to utilize one of the Smart Actions function and utilize the device as a de facto car navigation system.

The Good

  • Outstanding QWERTY keyboard
  • Device is fairly light considering it has a full-sized keyboard hidden
  • Terrific performance
  • Near-stock Android experience
  • With moderate use, the battery life is solid but…

The Bad

  • … the battery life could have been better optimized considering the Photon Q 4G LTE was used in a 3G area
  • The device has a qHD screen, despite its competition having 720p screens
  • Average camera
  • No 4G LTE in most markets
  • $200 is a bit pricey for a slider

 

Final Thoughts

Considering Sprint currently has only 2 other sliders in its lineup with one being almost 2 years old, the Photon Q 4G LTE immediately catapults itself into the best slider available on the network. Heck, it might even be one of the best overall smartphones available on Sprint’s Now Network. It has an attractive design, is comfortable to hold, has excellent keys and a generally straightforward and simple user experience. The lack of true 4G is probably the biggest dealbreaker with the smartphone and well— $200 seems like an awful lot, especially since Motorola has a comparatively featured phone in the Atrix HD priced at only $99. So if you want a premium smartphone, but don’t care for the keyboard, then do yourself a favor and stay clear from this device and grab yourself the HTC EVO 4G LTE or Samsung Galaxy S III instead. Then again, there’s still a niche for QWERTY slider phones and between the Epic 4G Touch, Kyocera Rise and Motorola Photon Q 4G LTE, there’s no question the Motorola Photon Q 4G LTE is the best option.

 

 

AT&T announces the entry-level Pantech Flex coming September 16th; Offers qHD display and dual-core CPU

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 10:33 AM PDT

 

AT&T has announced their new entry-level Android handset, the Pantech Flex. As the name suggests, the device is “flex-ible” to the users needs. While the device offers Android’s 4.0 ICS interface, users do have a choice to select “Easy Experience” mode if ICS is too difficult to use. Does this feature seem familiar to you? If you can recollect, Samsung has a similar device in Verizon’s Galaxy Stellar in which the user can choose between “Starter Mode” and “Standard Mode” depending on what they want. Seems like both carriers are attempting to cater to the “less technologically advanced” consumer.

As for the specs, the Flex offers a 4.3 inch qHD display, an 8 megapixel camera, a 1.5GHz dual-core processor and more. AT&T will offer the device for $49.99 starting September 16th. You can watch the introductory video of the device below.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Full press release after the break.

New Pantech Flex from AT&T Provides Added Choice for Simplicity Seekers

First 4G LTE Smartphone from AT&T to Feature "Easy Experience" Mode Runs Android 4.0

Dallas, Texas, September 04, 2012

The first smartphone at AT&T to offer customers the option to choose between the traditional Android operating mode and a more simplified version ideal for new smartphone users, the Pantech Flex will be available exclusively from AT&T* online and in company-owned retail stores for $49.99 with a two-year agreement and qualifying voice and data plans, beginning Sept. 16.

The Pantech Flex offers a unique dual experience system that runs on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). The standard Android format is available for the customer who wants instant access to a wide range of their favorite features – social media sites, email, video and more. In addition, Flex provides the "Easy Experience" mode which prioritizes customers' apps on the home screen in a clearly organized and easy-to-read format.  Easy Experience users can enjoy an intuitive experience without sacrificing any of the latest in smartphone technology.  By switching simply between traditional and easy modes, depending on preferences, Flex is a very easy to use device.  To see more of the Flex's features in action, check out this video.

In addition to its dual operating systems, Flex weighs only 4.6 ounces and has a slim design that makes it easy to slip into a pocket or purse. Flex features a full touch 4.3-inch qHD Super AMOLED display for a vibrant picture and a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor. The intelligent Pantech SwiftKey technology makes typing a breeze – it minimizes key strokes by learning a user's natural language for more accurate word predictions and corrections.  Flex also features an eight-megapixel rear facing camera with 1080p HD video recording capabilities and a two-megapixel front facing camera.

"The Pantech Flex is a great phone because of its versatility," said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president, Devices and Developer Services, AT&T Mobility. "This phone simplifies the smartphone experience and allows someone who has been hesitant to buy a smartphone a chance to get familiar with it at their own pace, and still leaves open the possibility of having the more traditional experience."

"Flex is a smartphone that's truly for everybody," remarked Wyatt Whaley, vice president of product planning at Pantech. "With the option to alternate between the traditional Android interface and Pantech's proprietary Easy Experience, Flex is ideal for users of all ages looking for an intuitive and flexible mobile experience."

For more information, visit www.att.com/aboutus

Additional information about Flex can be found at, www.pantechusa.com.

 

 

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's largest 4G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available athttp://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at@ATT.

About Pantech Wireless, Inc.

Pantech Wireless, Inc., an Atlanta, GA based subsidiary of Pantech Co., Ltd., researches, markets and develops wireless handsets, tablets and telecommunications products throughout North America as part of the Pantech Group. Pantech is the title sponsor and the wireless device partner of the 2012 Dew Tour.

 

 

© 2012 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 4G not available everywhere. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

A Samsung mystery device pops up in GL benchmarking dubbed as SGH-I317, sports JB and HD display

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 10:18 AM PDT

Well what do we have here? It looks like a mystery Samsung device has popped up in GL benchmarking touting an HD (1280×720) display, Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean and a max CPU frequency of 1600MHz (amount of CPU cores unknown). The device is dubbed as the SGH-I317, which indicates either an AT&T or Canadian handset.

Sadly, not much else is known about the device and we can only speculate what it may be. The obvious guess would either be a Galaxy S III for a Canadian carrier, or perhaps a Galaxy S III variant for AT&T (this I highly doubt). Another possibility would be the device being AT&T’s version of the Galaxy Note 2 that was just unveiled last week. After all, Samsung did say the Note 2 would arrive in States side sometime this Fall/Winter.

Either way, this is definitely a device to keep an eye on. As we get more information on this, we’ll be sure to let you know!

source: GLBenchmarking

NFL releases Game Rewind app for Android tablets

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 09:37 AM PDT

The NFL has released an app for Android tablets to accompany their NFL Game Rewind subscription service.  NFL Game Rewind lets users watch replays of NFL games in HD after the game has aired on regular television. You can watch either the whole game commercial free or a condensed version in about 30 minutes. Other features include things like Big Play Markers and dual/quad view options.

In addition to the basic service, you can upgrade to access other features. One that seems like it might be especially popular is the Coaches Film feature which gives you access to all 22 camera angles plus the endzone camera for a game.  On an Android tablet, this can be combined with the tablet-only feature of a telestrator.

If you can't get enough NFL football coverage, this may be the solution for you. Check out the Game Rewind subscription service. If you sign up, be sure to download the app using one of the download links below.

QR Code generator

Google Play Download Link

It’s time to play the pigs, Rovio announces Bad Piggies coming September 27th

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 09:13 AM PDT

We saw a teaser over the weekend for Rovio’s latest creation and they just told us that their new game, “Bad Piggies”, will be available on September 27th on Android, iOS, Mac, Windows 8, and Windows Phone. As far as the premise or game play, we don’t have a lot of information, but we do know that the focal point is the “second-most-loved characters in the Angry Birds universe,” the pigs. We also know that you won’t find a slingshot anywhere in the game and it will be a “totally new and unique gameplay experience.”

Executive Vice President of games at Rovio, Petri Järvilehto, said:

“There’s so much more to these pigs than what is seen in the Angry Birds games, and Bad Piggies is the first glimpse into what’s going on in the imaginative and ingenious minds of the pigs.”

Well we still have 3 weeks to go so want to guess how many more teaser trailers we will see? I’m guessing two more teasers and one full trailer.

Full press release after the break:

ROVIO TO LAUNCH BAD PIGGIES ON SEPTEMBER 27!

Espoo, Finland- September 4, 2012 

Rovio Entertainment, the creators of Angry Birds, today announced their newest game, Bad Piggies, launching September 27 for iOS, Android and Mac. This innovative game turns the franchise on its head by letting the fans play as the pigs – with all new, never-before-seen gameplay – and not a slingshot in sight!

"There's a lot of empathy towards the lovable enemies from the Angry Birds games, and we've been constantly asked: what about the pigs' side of the story?" said Mikael Hed, CEO of Rovio. "Bad Piggies gives you the chance to play as the second-most-loved characters in the Angry Birds universe, and explore this rich world through their green eyes."

The new game will launch on iOS, Android and Mac on September 27. Windows Phone, Windows 8 and PC versions will follow shortly.

"We've had a lot of fun creating a totally new and unique gameplay experience," said Petri Järvilehto, EVP Games at Rovio. "There's so much more to these pigs than what is seen in the Angry Birds games, and Bad Piggies is the first glimpse into what's going on in the imaginative and ingenious minds of the pigs."

To get in on the action and see all the gameplay news first, go towww.badpiggies.com, follow the pigs on Twitterhttp://twitter.com/badpiggies and like the pigs on Facebookhttp://www.facebook.com/badpiggies. Stay tuned during the next few weeks, and see what the pigs are up to!

Sense 4.5 with Jelly Bean RUU leaks for the HTC One X

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 08:47 AM PDT

There has been reports that some users actually have a leaked Jelly Bean build for the One X, but nothing has surfaced until now. Football just posted a test only build, which is version 3.00.999.7 and is a whopping 641MB. We are assuming this is for the international version of the One X only. One problem is that Football is urging us to not install it since it’s strictly a test build and is unstable.

And last but not least, this is highly unstable release, 999 ID means it’s only for test purposes and you shouldn’t use it for everyday usage.

If there is any good news out of this it’s that it means HTC is closer to releasing Jelly Bean. We can only hope this test build isn’t all that current and that they already have newer builds in the wild.

download link - not recommended for installation

source: xda

Verizon Wireless officially announces the LG Intuition, Available September 6th for $199

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 08:19 AM PDT

The LG Optimus Vu certainly wasn’t as big of a hit as the Samsung Galaxy Note, but that’s not going to stop Verizon from launching it as the LG Intuition this Thursday, September 6th for $199. The biggest problem with the Intuition (Optimus Vu) is that the screen size is 5-inches, but with an aspect ratio of 4:3. Many thought the Galaxy Note was too big, but in reality this is the device that’s too big. LG thinks the 4:3 ratio makes it better for reading, but it’s too cumbersome for an everyday device. If you’re not familiar with this device, it comes with a Rubberdium™ pen, which is LG’s version of the S Pen. We did a hands on with the device a few months ago at CTIA so click here to check it out. Of course we encourage you to go to the Verizon store and see it for yourself, which won’t be until September 10th.

Hit the break for featured specs and the press release.

Specs:

  • 5-inch (650 NIT) display with high-definition detail / 4:3 aspect ratio to fully use the screen size and eliminate dead space
  • 1.5 GHz dual-core processor
  • 1 GB RAM
  • 8-megapixel camera with LED flash and 1080p HD video recording
  • 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera for video chatting
  • The Notebook app turns the Intuition into a virtual notepad for creating documents which, can include text, drawings, images, annotations, video and voice clips
  • Business ready with enterprise grade security, corporate data encryption with Data-at-Rest Encryption (DARE), secure multi-headed VPN for corporate network connections, remote wipe capability and more
  • Suite of Amazon apps includes Kindle, Shopping, MP3, Zappos, IMDB and Audible so customers can watch movie trailers, download audio books, shopping and more
  • Enhanced camera features include voice commands to take a picture, continuous shot to take 6 shots with one tap and panorama shot to merge horizontal shots.
  • Android™ 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
  • Mobile Hotspot – Share a 4G LTE connection with up to 10 Wi-Fi-enabled devices
  • Bluetooth® Version 3.0 + HS
  • SmartShare – Share media wirelessly to DLNA®-enabled devices

Full press release:

VERIZON WIRELESS AND LG BRING TABLET PRODUCTIVITY AND SMARTPHONE FUNCTIONALITY WITH THE INTUITION™ BY LG

4G LTE Connectivity and a Tablet-Like Experience on Vivid 5-Inch True HD Display

BASKING RIDGE and ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NJ — Verizon Wireless and LG Electronics USA today announced the Intuition by LG, a next-generation device that offers the full functionality of a smartphone and a tablet all in one slim, pocket friendly device.  The Intuition by LG, exclusively for Verizon Wireless, will be available online at www.verizonwireless.com starting Sept. 6 and will be in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores beginning Sept. 10 for $199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement.  The Intuition's innovative design and features let customers record their most creative ideas while also staying productive, all in one device. Customers will also have access to the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network, which covers more than 75 percent of the U.S. population and will soon be available in more than 400 markets nationwide.

LG's 5-inch display with high-definition detail gives customers a premium viewing experience with exceptionally sharp detail, and the 4:3 aspect ratio makes it ideal for reading e-books, watching videos, Web browsing and reviewing presentations.  The Intuition features the Polaris® Office app, allowing customers to view, create, edit and share documents, spreadsheets and presentations right on the Intuition's large display and can even organize files by category or folder.

The QuickMemo™ app can be used with a single press of a button and allows customers to draw or write messages with the included Rubberdium™ pen or with their finger on just about any screen. Add a personalized handwritten note to pictures, maps, websites and easily share with friends through text messages, social media, email and more.  Customers can even pick different colors and pen types to help further customize their notes.

The Intuition also features the LG Tag+ app and two reprogrammable NFC (Near Field Communications) stickers that can be used to create and switch between different phone modes with a single tap.  For example, the stickers can be posted onto an office door or bedroom nightstand and customers simply tap the NFC sticker with their phone to activate a mode and tap it again to return to their original settings.  The different modes are customizable and include Car Mode, Office Mode, Sleep Mode and User Mode.  Settings like Bluetooth®, GPS, Wi-Fi and more can be turned on or off by tapping the back of the Intuition on an LG Tag+ sticker.

Additional Features:

  • 5-inch display with high-definition detail
  • 4:3 aspect ratio to fully use the screen size and eliminate dead space
  • 650 NIT display provides excellent legibility and sharp details even in direct sunlight
  • The Notebook app turns the Intuition into a virtual notepad for creating documents which, can include text, drawings, images, annotations, video and voice clips
  • Business ready with enterprise grade security, corporate data encryption with Data-at-Rest Encryption (DARE), secure multi-headed VPN for corporate network connections, remote wipe capability and more
  • Suite of Amazon apps includes Kindle, Shopping, MP3, Zappos, IMDB and Audible so customers can watch movie trailers, download audio books, shopping and more
  • 8-megapixel camera with LED flash and 1080p HD video recording
  • 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera for video chatting
  • Enhanced camera features include voice commands to take a picture, continuous shot to take 6 shots with one tap and panorama shot to merge horizontal shots.
  • Android™ 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
  • 1.5 GHz dual-core processor and 1 GB RAM
  • Mobile Hotspot – Share a 4G LTE connection with up to 10 Wi-Fi-enabled devices
  • Bluetooth® Version 3.0 + HS
  • SmartShare – Share media wirelessly to DLNA®-enabled devices
  • Pricing and Availability:

Intuition by LG will be available online at www.verizonwireless.com starting Sept. 6 and will be in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores starting Sept. 10 for $199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement.
As an online only promotion, customers who purchase Intuition by LG at www.verizonwireless.com between Sept. 6 and Sept. 10 will also receive a LG Tone Stereo Bluetooth® headset at no additional cost
Customers purchasing the Intuition by LG will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless data plan.  Share Everything Plans allow customers to add Intuition by LG to their account for $40 monthly access.  For additional information, customers should go to www.verizonwireless.com/shareeverything
For additional 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.

UniFlash Makes Flashing, Modding And Backing Up Your Android Device Easier Than Ever By Using A Desktop Computer

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 07:12 AM PDT

 

While it’s a fairly straightforward process to flash ROMs on an Android device, it can be a bit intimidating especially as users need to also modify or backup their device— which simply can be a complicated process. Thanks to UniFlash, it is now a simpler process that is done all from the comfort of your desktop PC. UniFlash is the brainchild of XDA member MiHailPro and utilizes a simple GUI so users can edit and flash ROMs and partitions, add or remove system apps, edit system files, and even perform and restore backups. This means you’ll be able to edit your various partitions and edit or manage your ROMs without too much concern or worry as you finally have a simpler means through your desktop computer.

The tool is available now though we’d recommend you backup all the contents on your device considering you know, a snafu or two may happen. Hit the thread at the source link to see additional details.

source: XDA Forums

 

Samsung officially announces the Galaxy Stellar for Verizon Wireless, Available Sept 6th for Free after rebate

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 06:47 AM PDT

As we reported over the weekend, Samsung just made the Galaxy Stellar (SCH-i200) official. It’s a lower-level phone that will be available at Verizon Wireless starting on September 6th for Free after a $50 mail-in-rebate. The Stellar features a dual interface so customers can choose between Starter Mode and Standard Mode. Those new to Android will appreciate the Starter Mode since the interface will be a simplified home screen with preset widgets for favorite apps, favorite contacts, and favorite settings. There’s even a Help App that features guided tours, walkthroughs, tips, and more. Experienced customers will opt for the Standard Mode since it will be more traditional.

The specs include:

  • 4-inch WVGA display (800 x 480 )
  • 1.2 dual-core GHz Snapdragon™ processor
  • Front-facing 1.3 megapixel camera for video chat and 3.2 megapixel rear-facing camera with auto focus
  • microSD™ card slot with support for up to 32 GB
  • Suite of Amazon apps includes Kindle, Shopping, MP3, Zappos, IMDB and Audible
  • Wi-Fi® Connectivity (802.11 a/b/g/n)
  • Android™ 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich – support for Google Mobile™ Services including Gmail™, YouTube™, Google Talk™, Google Maps™ and access to more than 600,000 apps available to download from Google™ Play Store
  • Backup Assistant Plus – media management and online storage service designed to help customers store and access media content such as music, videos, pictures documents and contacts.

Full press release after the break:

VERIZON WIRELESS LAUNCHES FEATURE-PACKED SAMSUNG GALAXY STELLAR™ SMARTPHONE

Features 4G LTE Connectivity, Dual Interface Options and B2B Enterprise Solutions

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and DALLAS – Verizon Wireless and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) announced today that they will offer the exclusive Samsung Galaxy Stellar™ starting Sept. 6 in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com.

The easy-to-use 4G LTE enabled Samsung Galaxy Stellar is designed to be compact so it fits easily in a customer's hand and make the first time smartphone experience simple.  Built with a compact design, the Stellar features a dual interface option so customers can choose between Starter Mode or Standard Mode.  Starter Mode gives customers a simplified home screen display with preset widgets such as Favorite Apps, Favorite Contacts and Favorite Settings for quick and easy access to frequently used apps and settings.  Starter Mode also features a quick dialer icon that allows customers to make phone calls directly from the home screen.  Standard Mode provides customers with a more conventional layout and gives customers the traditional Android™ experience.  The Stellar also includes a Help app that features guided tours, walkthroughs, tips for changing settings and more, so customers can master their device.

Samsung Galaxy Stellar customers can take advantage of blazingly fast 4G LTE connectivity to access an array of convenient and multimedia rich apps. A suite of Amazon apps is included that offers customers an easy way to discover content such as watching movie trailers on the IMDB app, downloading audio books with the Audible app, and one-click ordering with the Amazon shopping app. The Stellar also offers a variety of premium TV and film content for rent or purchase through the Samsung Media Hub.

The Galaxy Stellar is a SAFE™ (Samsung Approved For Enterprise) approved device featuring on-device AES-256 bit encryption, enhanced support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync®  and support for industry-leading Virtual Private Network (VPN) and Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to make working on-the-go secure.

Additional features:

  • 4G LTE – customers can expect fast download speeds of  5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of 2 to 5 Mbps in 4G Mobile Broadband coverage areas
  • 4-inch WVGA display (800 x 480 )
  • Suite of Amazon apps includes Kindle, Shopping, MP3, Zappos, IMDB and Audible
  • 1.2 dual-core GHz Snapdragon™ application processor
  • Wi-Fi® Connectivity (802.11 a/b/g/n)
  • microSD™ card slot with support for up to 32 GB
  • Android™ 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich – support for Google Mobile™ Services including Gmail™, YouTube™, Google Talk™, Google Maps™ and access to more than 600,000 apps available to download from Google™ Play Store
  • Front-facing 1.3 megapixel camera for video chat and 3.2 megapixel rear-facing camera with auto focus
  • Backup Assistant Plus – media management and online storage service designed to help customers store and access media content such as music, videos, pictures documents and contacts.

 

Business features:

Samsung’s SAFE enterprise mobility solutions provide flexibility and connectivity for mobile workforces, ensuring that users are able to operate     more efficiently while on–the-move.

  • ·         Microsoft® Exchange ActiveSync® (EAS) – Communicate directly with your Microsoft Exchange Server enabling push email, calendar, and contacts
  • ·         Virtual Private Network (VPN) and Mobile Device Management (MDM) Support from Industry-Leading Solutions Providers – Supports industry-standard VPN protocols to help users efficiently tap into VPN networks and MDM capabilities that allow IT departments to effectively safeguard employee's mobile devices and corporate data.
  • ·         On Device Encryption – SAFE helps prevent unauthorized access to mobile data by leveraging the AES 256-bit encryption standard, encrypting all data, including app-specific internal data and internal/external memory.

Price and availability:

  • The Samsung Stellar will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.comstarting Sept. 6 for free after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.  Customers receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.
  • For additional 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.
Posted by at 5:39 AM

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