Tuesday, February 26, 2013

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ASUS releases PadFone Infinity promo video

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 02:59 PM PST

ASUS_PadFone_Infinity_Promo

Earlier today, ASUS revealed their latest PadFone device, the ASUS PadFone Infinity, and now they released a promo video.showcasing it’s attributes. The promo makes note of all the features of the PadFone including the 5-inch full HD display of the phone as well as the 10.1-inch tablet dock. It shows how a veterinarian and designer use the PadFone to be efficient on the go, so check out the video after the break.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Be sure to check out all our Mobile World Congress coverage here.


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Sony Xperia Z and Tablet Z to launch worldwide on March 1st

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 02:41 PM PST

xperia_tablet_z_xperia_z_angle1

Today at MWC, Sony announced that its Xperia Z and Tablet Z devices will go on sale globally on March 1st, 2013. The Xperia Z, Sony’s latest flagship phone, is already available for pre-order and available in some parts of the world with varying storage capacities. The Tablet Z, however, was announced back in January, but we didn’t have any details concerning a launch date or pricing. Check out the press release after the break and sure to follow us as we bring you all of the latest news coming out of Mobile World Congress 2013.


Sony announces global availability of Xperia™ Tablet Z – the world's slimmest tablet

February 25th 2013 0815 GMT, LONDON – At Mobile World Congress, Sony Mobile Communications ("Sony Mobile") today announced that Xperia Tablet Z – the slimmest* tablet available – will launch globally in Q2 calendar 2013. Additionally, Sony's flagship smartphone, Xperia Z will be available to buy in stores from March 1st.

Since it was announced in January, the Xperia Z has won 13 awards and received the widest ranging of any Sony smartphone to date with 140 sales channels in 60 markets across the globe.

Both the Xperia Z smartphone and Xperia Tablet Z combine premium specifications with the best of Sony technology, entertainment, design and connectivity.

Premium Tablet Design
Xperia Tablet Z is the most premium, high performance 10.1" LTE Android tablet available. Built from quality materials and featuring the same stunning OmniBalance design as its smartphone sibling, Xperia Tablet Z is also incredibly slim and lightweight at 6.9mm and 495g. Available in black or white and in LTE and WiFi versions, it is the first tablet to run on Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ S4 Pro asynchronous quad core processor and has the highest levels of water resistance (IP55 & IP57) ever delivered in a tablet, making it immune to accidental spills and splashes.**

"Xperia Tablet Z sets new standards in entertainment by matching premium specifications and Sony technology with cross-device connectivity and a consistent user-experience," said Kaz Tajima, Corporate Vice President, Head of UX Creative Design and Planning, at Sony Mobile Communications. "Xperia Tablet Z reinforces our intention to be a leading player in the premium Android device market, by building on the principles established by Xperia Z and perfectly optimising them for the tablet form factor."

Integrated Sony Technology
Xperia Tablet Z includes the very best of Sony technology. With a 10.1" HD WUXGA Display, powered by Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2, it delivers enhanced colour reproduction for a brilliant TV-like viewing experience. It also draws upon Sony's camera expertise with an 8MP rear camera featuring "Exmor R for mobile" as well as a 2MP HD front-facing camera for capturing the best images in any condition. Sony's S-Force Front Surround 3D, guarantees soul-shaking audio performance alongside Sony's Clear Audio+ mode and the innovative use of two in-built speakers with four 'speaker halls' on the left and right corners delivers amazing sound no matter how it is held. Xperia Tablet Z also includes Battery STAMINA mode, Sony's unique battery management technology that can significantly improve standby time. The WiFi variant also offers up to 64GB of storage with an optional mircoSD card.

Seamless One-touch Connectivity
Xperia Tablet Z includes more connectivity options than any other tablet. It also includes Sony's One-Touch functions that let users transfer content seamlessly from HD tablet to TV, tablet to speaker or phone to tablet just by touching them together. One-touch functions are a key component of Sony's device range this year and no other consumer electronics company is bringing as many NFC-enabled products to market. The tablet's Universal IR Remote allows users to control the TV and other Sony devices – as well as products from other manufacturers – directly from the tablet placing the device at the heart of the home. TV SideView is a new application that gives users an entirely new way to interact with the TV.***

Sony's media applications
Sony's signature media applications – "WALKMAN", Movies and Album – allow users to enjoy, control and view content regardless of their device. The Sony Entertainment Network can also be accessed from these applications and includes Music Unlimited with more than 18 million songs and Facebook social integration as well as Video Unlimited with access to over 100,000 movies and TV series.****

Xperia Tablet Z will launch with a number of accessories including a charging cradle, an LCD Screen Protector and Leather Carrying Cover that comes in Black, White or Red. These will be available from Sony stores or registered retailers.

Xperia Tablet Z will launch on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) and is upgradable to 4.2 after launch for the latest Android user experience.

Key features for Xperia Tablet Z

10.1" HD 1920x1200p WUXGA Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2
S-Force Front Surround 3D
The world’s thinnest design at 6.9 mm and lightweight at 495g for 10.1" water resistant tablet
Dust and water resistant (IP55 & IP57) with a durable glass front display
Snapdragon S4 Pro processor with 1.5GHz asynchronous quad CPUs and 2GB RAM
One-touch connectivity with Near Field Communication (NFC)
A unique OmniBalance design with subtly rounded edges and smooth reflective surfaces
8 MP rear camera featuring "Exmor R for mobile" and Superior Auto plus 2MP HD front camera
Battery STAMINA mode further improves the standby time.


Come comment on this article: Sony Xperia Z and Tablet Z to launch worldwide on March 1st

Dual-screened NEC Medias W prototype shown at MWC

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 02:03 PM PST

mediasw

In a world of ever changing technology where phones are getting larger and tablets are getting smaller, the NEC Medias W gives us the best of both worlds. Spotted at MWC 2013 the Medias W looks sort of confusing at first. In tablet mode it has two screens covering 5.6-inches, but by simply swinging the device at the hinge, you get a 4.3-inch smartphone. This is the first dual-screen offering we have seen since the Kyocera Echo.

The Medias W features two 540 x 960 LCD displays,  a 1.5 GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor, 1 GB of RAM, an 8 MP camera and 16 GB of internal storage with a microSDHC slot for expandable storage. The device only features a single camera which acts as both a photography camera when in phone mode and a video conferencing camera when in tablet mode. The Medias W also comes with stock Android 4.1 Jelly Bean which is sure to delight Android enthusiasts and will come with less bloatware on the worldwide version of the device upon release. Let us know your initial impressions of the device in the comments below and as always, click here for all the latest news coming out of MWC 2013. Hit the break for more photos.

mediasw_07 mediasw_06 mediasw_05 mediasw_04 mediasw_03 mediasw_02 mediasw_01

Source: Engadget


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Watch the entire ASUS press conference from MWC featuring the PadFone Infinity and Fonepad

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 01:31 PM PST

ASUS_MWC_2013_Presser

ASUS had a little presser this morning at Mobile World Congress in which they unveiled the PadFone Infinity and the Fonepad. Now you can watch it in its entirety, and you will not only get to see the PadFone Infinity and Fonepad announcements, but you will also learn about ASUS Open Cloud Computing (AOCC). Total running time is 44 minutes, so if you have some time, check it out after the break.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Be sure to check out our complete Mobile World Congress coverage


Come comment on this article: Watch the entire ASUS press conference from MWC featuring the PadFone Infinity and Fonepad

Intel Announces Faster Processors, New LTE Chip And Mobile Partnerships

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 10:58 AM PST

Intel announced the launch of a new line of Atom processors (Clover Trail+) and OEM partnerships at MWC. Like Motorola, Intel is apparently not playing the cores game with smartphones. They’re releasing dual-core Atom Processors for (2.0GHz Z2580, 1.6GHz Z2560, and 1.2GHz Z2520) they claim will deliver double the computing performance and up to three times the graphic capabilities of its current crop of mobile processors. Battery life was described as “competitive.” Intel said ASUS, Lenovo, and ZTE are on board with the new processors.

Intel also announced a new LTE chip, the XMM 7160, capable of supporting 15 LTE bands simultaneously. The new chip purported to be the world’s smallest and lowest-power multimode-multiband chip supports DC-HSPA+, EDGE in addition to LTE. The XMM 7160 is scheduled to begin shipping sometime during the first half of 2013.

There was some quad-core news from Intel. It said it is working on a line of quad-core tablet Atom processors, known as “Bay Trail.” Intel said some of these processors are actually already in the market (running on Windows devices). Intel believes these processors will bring all-day battery life and weeks of standby to Android. Acer, ASUS, Dell, Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo, LG Electronics and Samsung were all listed as working on tablets using the Bay Trail processors. They’re expected to come to market in time for the 2013 holiday season.

Follow all of our MWC 2013 coverage here. Press Release after the break.

BARCELONA, Spain–(BUSINESS WIRE)–MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS – Intel Corporation today announced a range of new
products, ecosystem and enabling efforts that will further accelerate the company's presence in mobile and help usher in new
devices and richer experiences with Intel Inside®The announcements include a new dual-core Atom™ SoC (“Clover Trail+”) platform forsmartphones and Android* tablets, and the company's first global, multimode-multiband LTEsolution that will ship in the first half of this year. Other disclosures included "Bay Trailmomentum, mobile device enabling efforts, and continued smartphone momentum in emerging

markets with the Intel® Atom™ Z2420 processor-based platform.

"Today's announcements build on Intel's growing device portfolio across a range of mobile
market segments," said Hermann Eul, Intel vice president and co-general manager of the
Mobile and Communications Group. "In less than a year’s time we have worked closely with
our customers to bring Intel-based smartphones to market in more than 20 countries around the world, and have also delivered an
industry-leading low-power Atom™ SoC tablet solution running Windows* 8, and shipping with leading OEM customers today.
Looking forward, we will build upon this foundation and work closely with our ecosystem partners, across operating systems, to
deliver the best mobile products and experiences for consumers with Intel Inside."
New, Efficient Atom™ SoC Platform

Intel's new Atom™ processor platform (“Clover Trail+”) and smartphone reference design delivers industry-leading performance
with low-power and long battery life that rivals today's most popular Android* phones. The product brings Intel's classic product
strengths, including high performance that lets you enjoy smooth Web browsing, vibrant, glitch-free, full HD movies, and an
Android* applications experience that launches fast and runs great.2/25/13 Intel Accelerates Mobile Computing Push | Business Wire
www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130224005214/en/Intel-Accelerates-Mobile-Computing-Push 2/4

The platform's 32nm dual core Intel® Atom™ Processors — Z2580, Z2560, Z2520 — are available in speeds up to 2.0 GHz, 1.6
GHz and 1.2GHz, respectively. The processor also features support for Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology, supporting four
simultaneous application threads and further enhancing the overall efficiency of the Atom cores.

The integrated platform also includes an Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator engine with a graphics core supporting up to 533MHz
with boost mode, and delivering up to three times the graphics performance
1
for rich 3-D visuals, lifelike gaming and smooth, full
1080P hardware-accelerated video encode and decode at 30fps.
"Our second-generation product delivers double the compute performance and up to three times the graphics capabilities
1
, all
while maintaining competitive low power," Eul said. "As we transition to 22nm Atom SoCs later this year, we will take full
advantage of the broad spectrum of capabilities enabled by our design, architecture, 22nm tri-gate transistor technology, and
leading-edge manufacturing to further accelerate our position."

The new Atom platform also brings advanced imaging capabilities, including support for two cameras, with a primary camera
sensor up to 16 megapixels. The imaging system also enables panorama capture, a 15 frame-per-second burst mode for 8
megapixel photos, real-time facial detection and recognition, and mobile HDR image capture with de-ghosting for clearer pictures
in flight.

The platform is also equipped with Intel® Identity Protection Technology (Intel IPT), helping to enable strong, two-factor
authentication for protecting cloud services such as remote banking, e-commerce, online gaming and social networking from
unauthorized access. Since Intel IPT is embedded at chip-level, unlike hardware or phone-based tokens, it can enable more
secure, yet user-friendly cloud access protection. Intel is working with partners including Feitian*, Garanti Bank*, MasterCard*,
McAfee*, SecureKey* Technologies Inc., Symantec*, Vasco Data Security International* Inc. and Visa* Inc. to incorporate this
technology into their services.

With WUXGA display support of 1900×1200, the platform will also enable larger-screen Android* tablet designs. It also includes
support for Android* 4.2 (Jelly Bean), Intel Wireless Display Technology, HSPA+ at 42Mbps with the Intel® XMM 6360 slim
modem solution, and the new industry-standard UltraViolet TM Common File Format.

Customers announcing support for “Clover Trail+” platform for phones and tablets include ASUS*, Lenovo*, and ZTE*.
Debuting at CES last month, the Lenovo* IdeaPhone K900* is based on the Intel® Atom™ processor Z2580 and delivers rich
video, graphics and Web content at fantastic speeds. The IdeaPhone is 6.9mm thin and also features the world's first 5.5-inch full
high-definition 400+ PPI screen for increased clarity of text and images. The K900 will be the first product to market based on the
Atom processor Z2580. Lenovo plans to introduce the smartphone in the second quarter of 2013 in China, followed soon by
select international markets.

Building on the Atom processor platform (“Clover Trail+”), Intel also highlighted its forthcoming 22nm smartphone Atom™ SoC
(“Merrifield”). The product is based on Intel's leading-edge 22nm process and an entirely new Atom microarchitecture that will
help enable increased smartphone performance, power efficiency and battery life.

Long-Term Evolution (4G LTE)
Intel's strategy is to deliver a leading low-power, global modem solution that works across multiple bands, modes, regions and
devices.
The Intel XMM 7160 is one of the world's smallest
2
and lowest-power multimode-multiband LTE solutions (LTE / DC-HSPA+ / EDGE), supporting multiple devices including smartphones, tablets and Ultrabooks™. The 7160 global modem supports 15 LTE bands simultaneously, more than any other in-market solution. It also includes a highly configurable RF architecture running real
time algorithms for envelope tracking and antenna tuning that enables cost-efficient multiband configurations, extended battery
life, and global roaming in a single SKU.

"The 7160 is a well-timed and highly competitive 4G LTE solution that we expect will meet the growing needs of the emerging
global 4G market," Eul said. "Independent analysts have shown our solution to be world class and I'm confident that our offerings
will lead Intel into new multi-comm solutions. With LTE connections projected to double over the next 12 months to more than2/25/13 Intel Accelerates Mobile Computing Push |

Business Wire
www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130224005214/en/Intel-Accelerates-Mobile-Computing-Push 3/4
120 million connections, we believe our solution will give developers and service providers a single competitive offering while
delivering to consumers the best global 4G experience. Building on this, Intel will also accelerate the delivery of new advanced
features to be timed with future advanced 4G network deployments."

Intel is currently shipping its single mode 4G LTE data solution and will begin multimode shipments later in the first half of this
year. The company is also optimizing its LTE solutions concurrently with its SoC roadmap to ensure the delivery of leading-edge
low-power combined solutions to the marketplace.
Intel® Atom™ Platform Z2420

As Intel expands its geographic presence, the company sees tremendous opportunity in delivering rich Intel-based mobile
experiences to consumers across emerging markets.

As part of its strategy to take advantage of the fast growing market for value smartphones in emerging markets, which some
analysts expect to reach 500 million units by 2015, Intel highlighted continuing momentum with the Intel Atom Processor Z2420
platform (formerly “Lexington”). Since it was first announced at CES, Acer* (Thailand, Malaysia), Lava* (India) and Safaricom*
(Kenya) have all announced new handsets.

Etisalat Misr*, a leading telco operator based in Egypt and a subsidiary of Etisalat group UAE, in collaboration with Intel today
announced plans for the Etisalat E-20 Smartphone with Intel Inside®. Set to debut in Egypt in April, the Intel-based handset will
be the first in the Middle East and North Africa region, and the second introduction in Africa to-date, building on the recent launch
of Safaricom* in Kenya.

Demonstrating the flexibility of the Atom SoC platform to accommodate a range of device and market segment needs, ASUS*
later today will announce a new Android* tablet based on the Intel® Atom™ Processor Z2420.
Tablets with Intel Inside®

Building on the device momentum and industry-leading power-efficiency of the award-winning Atom processor Z2760, Intel's first
quad-core Atom SoC (“Bay Trail”), will be the most powerful Atom processor to-date — doubling the computing performance of
Intel's current- generation tablet offering and providing the ecosystem with a strong technology foundation and feature set from
which to innovate. The “Bay Trail” platform, scheduled to be available for holiday 2013, is already up and running on Windows*
and Android* and will help enable new experiences in designs as thin as 8mm that have all-day battery life and weeks of
standby.

Intel is currently working with Compal*, ECS*, Pegatron*, Quanta* and Wistron* to accelerate “Bay Trail” tablets to the market.
Intel is also extending its work with leading OEM partners globally, building on the strong foundation of Intel Atom processor
Z2760-based tablet designs in market from Acer*, ASUS*, Dell*, Fujitsu*, HP*, Lenovo*, LG Electronics and Samsung*.
Enabling Mobile Devices with Intel Inside®

Intel today announced an expansion of its ecosystem enabling efforts to deliver new device and market innovations across a
range of Windows*- and Android*-based mobile devices.

Intel platform and enabling programs have been the foundation of OEM and ODM innovation for decades. The new program will
focus on accelerating time to market for leading-edge mobile devices based on Intel® architecture with top OEMs and
ODMs. The program will focus first on tablets, followed by phones, providing pre-qualified solutions with simplified building blocks
to scale designs quickly for mature and emerging markets. The Atom Processor Z2760 and the company's forthcoming 22nm
Atom SoC, codenamed “Bay Trail,” will be the starting foundation for the effort.

About Intel

Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) is a world leader in computing innovation. The company designs and builds the essential technologies that
serve as the foundation for the world's computing devices. Additional information about Intel is available at newsroom.intel.com
and blogs.intel.com.2/25/13 Intel Accelerates Mobile Computing Push | Business Wire
www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130224005214/en/Intel-Accelerates-Mobile-Computing-Push 4/4
Intel, Atom, Core and the Intel logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the United States and other countries.
*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
1
Compared to the Intel Atom Processor Z2460 platform; Graphics clock will vary based on SKU: Z2580, Z2560, Z2520.
2
Compared with competitive solutions shipping in market today.

Contacts
Intel Corporation
Claudine Mangano, 408-887-2706
claudine.a.mangano@intel.com
Agnes Kwan, 408-398-2573
agnes.ck.kwan@intel.com


Come comment on this article: Intel Announces Faster Processors, New LTE Chip And Mobile Partnerships

Virgin Mobile adds the Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE smartphone to its lineup

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 10:55 AM PST

Samsung_Galaxy_Victory_4G_LTE_Virgin_Mobile

 

Virgin Mobile subscribers are sure to be excited at this tidbit of news— the popular prepaid carrier has announced the arrival of the Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE smartphone to its Android lineup. That’s right friends— Virgin Mobile has announced one of its first 4G LTE smartphones for its customers. The Galaxy Victory 4G LTE will arrive with modest features including a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 4-inch display, a 5MP rear-facing camera + 1.3MP front-facer and Jelly Bean 4.1 loaded up. While the specs aren’t anything to sneeze at, the device will arrive both online and at retail stores for a mere $300 in mid-March. Suddenly, the thought of owning a budget-level device on contract-free 4G LTE speeds sounds slightly more appealing, doesn’t it? More details can be found once you hit the break to check out the full presser.

 

Virgin Mobile USA Adds Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE

 

4G LTE Speed With the Value of No-Contract Plans
WARREN, N.J.–(Business Wire)–
Given the ongoing demand from consumers for speed, power and value in wireless,
Virgin Mobile USA is now offering 4G LTE1 service to its No-Contract customers.
Virgin Mobile adds Galaxy Victory 4G LTEfrom Samsung Telecommunications America
(Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the United States and the
No. 1 smartphone provider worldwide2, to its all-smartphone lineup.

Savvy speed enthusiasts will enjoy the cutting-edge technology, high-speed3 Web
browsing and amazing value of this Android device with Virgin Mobile`s
No-Contract4Beyond Talk unlimited data and messaging plans5 that start at $35
per month. Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE is available today in gray for $299.99
[excluding taxes] only at virginmobileusa.com and will then roll out to national
retail and participating dealers in mid-March.

“With the phones customers want, unlimited data and messaging included on all
plans, and now 4G LTE capable devices, we continue to provoke customers to ask
themselves why they haven`t switched from postpaid to a better deal with Virgin
Mobile,” said Mark Lederman, director, Virgin Mobile USA.

Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE is Virgin Mobile`s first LTE device, delivering a
postpaid experience without a contract and loaded with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean,
which brings stunning graphical capabilities and an upgraded Google Now service,
including contextual search. S Beam lets you quickly share large video files,
photos, documents and more just by tapping the back of two S Beam-enabled
devices together6.

Access to the speedy 4G LTE network from Sprint lets you browse the Web, upload
photos and stream music faster than ever before on the 4-inch touchscreen
display. Behind the scenes, a 1.2GHz dual-core processor handles with ease
whatever you can throw at it. Other features include:

* 5.0MP rear-facing camera
* HD video capture
* 1.3MP front-facing camera
* Bluetooth 4.0
* NFC capable
* Wi-Fi capable
* MicroSD slot for expandable storage up to 32GB (card not included)

About Virgin Mobile USA

Virgin Mobile USA offers millions of customers control, flexibility and
connectivity through Virgin Mobile’s Beyond Talk No-Contract plans with
unlimited 3G data, and available 4G data speeds for mobile phone service,
including Android-powered smartphones and for prepaid Broadband2Go high-speed
Web access on the Nationwide Sprint Network. Virgin Mobile Beyond Talk monthly
unlimited data plans, which start at $35, are ideal for those smartphone users
hungry for the most connectivity and the least amount of voice minutes. Virgin
Mobile-branded devices are available at more than 40,000 retail stores,
including Target, Walmart, Best Buy and RadioShack. Top-Up cards are available
at approximately 150,000 locations nationwide. Experience Virgin Mobile on the
Web at Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, and purchase Virgin Mobile USA products at
www.virginmobileusa.com. For more news, click here.

About Samsung Telecommunications America

Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, (Samsung Mobile) a Dallas-based
subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets
wireless handsets, wireless infrastructure and other telecommunications products
throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new
possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and
discovery, we are transforming the worlds of televisions, smartphones, personal
computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, LTE systems, medical devices,
semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 236,000 people across 79 countries
with annual sales exceeding KRW 201 trillion. To discover more, please visit
www.samsung.com.

Samsung, Galaxy Victory, and S Beam are trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd. Other company names, product names and marks mentioned herein are the
property of their respective owners and may be trademarks or registered
trademarks. “4G” used in connection with the Samsung Victory 4G LTE refers to
the fact that the device is capable of operating on Sprint`s 4G LTE network.

Sprint 4G LTE markets as of Feb. 25, 2013

Anderson, Ind.; Atlanta; Athens, Ga.; Austin, Texas; Baltimore;
Barnstable/Hyannis/Mid-Cape, Mass.; Boston; Bryan/College Station, Texas;
Calhoun, Ga.; Carrollton, Ga.; Chicago/Naperville/Joliet, Ill.; Clark County,
Va./Jefferson County, W.Va.; Columbia, Tenn.; Dallas; Emporia, Kan.; Fort Wayne,
Ind.; Fort Worth, Texas; Framingham, Mass.; Franklin County, Pa.; Gainesville,
Ga.; Gary, Ind.; Gettysburg, Pa.; Granbury/Hood County, Texas; Hagerstown,
Md./Martinsburg, W.Va.; Harrisburg/Carlisle/Hershey, Pa.; Harrisonburg, Va.;
Houston; Huntsville, Texas; Hutchinson, Kan.; Indianapolis/Carmel, Ind.;
Kankakee/Bradley/Bourbonnais, Ill.; Kansas City, Kan./Mo.; Lawrence, Kan.;
Manhattan/Junction City, Kan.; McPherson, Kan.; Muncie, Ind.; New Bedford/Fall
River, Mass.; Newnan, Ga.; Peabody, Mass.; Rockford, Ill.; Rome, Ga.; Salina,
Kan.; San Antonio; Santa Rosa/Petaluma, Calif.; Sedalia, Mo.; Shenandoah/Page
Counties, Va.; South Bend/Mishawaka, Ind.; Southern PR: Ponce/Coamo/Guayama,
Puerto Rico; St. Joseph, Mo.; Topeka, Kan.; Vallejo/Fairfield, Calif.; Waco,
Texas; Waukegan/Lake County, Ill.; Western PR: Aguadilla/Isabela/Cabo
Rojo/Mayagüez, Puerto Rico; Wichita Falls, Texas; Wichita, Kan.; Winchester,
Va.; York/Hanover, Pa.

____________________________________

1 4G LTE where available as of Feb. 25, 2013; list of markets at end of
document.

2 Samsung Mobile is the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the United States based
upon reported shipment data, according to Strategy Analytics, North America
Handset Vendor Marketshare, Q3 2012. Samsung Electronics Company is the No. 1
smartphone provider worldwide based upon reported shipment data, according to
Strategy Analytics Global Smartphone Vendor Market Share by Region: Q3 2012.

3 Coverage is not available everywhere.

4 Service is subject to Virgin Mobile`s Terms of Service and other materials
provide at time of activation.

5 All plans include 2.5GB/month of 3G/4G high speed data or 3.5GB/month with
purchase of mobile hotspot capable device and plan. Adaptive protocol video
limited to 600Kbps. Speeds (including video) reduced to 256Kbps for remainder of
plan cycle, with speeds restored at beginning of next plan cycle. Additional
terms apply.

6 S Beam requires initial connection between devices; transfer times may vary.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available:
http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20130225005344/en/

Virgin Mobile USA
Lorena Pino, 908-660-0330
Lorena.pino@sprint.com
or
MWW for Samsung Mobile
Carrie Gaffney, 214-414-3322
Cgaffney@mww.com

Copyright Business Wire 2013


Come comment on this article: Virgin Mobile adds the Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE smartphone to its lineup

Galaxy S IV will be first handset to feature ROAM integration, Visa’s mobile payment partner

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 10:11 AM PST

galaxy_s3_visa

We’re still waiting on the official Galaxy S IV announcement, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t excited to hear about new features the device is going to have ahead of time. Visa and Samsung have announced that they’ve come to an agreement with Visa’s new mobile payment partner’s system, ROAM. It’s similar to Google Wallet and Isis, so hopefully US carriers don’t block it right out of the gate. The big difference, though, is that the APIs banks and merchants will use for accepting payments will come from Visa, and will supposedly offer higher security than what Google Wallet and Isis do.

Samsung’s Galaxy S IV will feature NFC-enabled payments through ROAM alongside Visa’s NFC software and PayWave application, and with the expected numbers Samsung plans on selling, that’s going to put NFC payments in millions of people’s hands. That’s a great first start towards making NFC payments commonplace. And, according to Visa, they’ve been in talks with “9 out of the top 10 handset makers” to get this NFC/payment combo shipped on as many devices as possible. They already have 55 approved with 55 more in line. Pretty impressive.

We still haven’t seen Google Wallet or Isis make any significant gains in revolutionizing how we pay for things, but maybe Visa can change that. Samsung’s a good company to use a first partner to make that happen. For the rest of our MWC congress, click here.


Come comment on this article: Galaxy S IV will be first handset to feature ROAM integration, Visa’s mobile payment partner

ZTE Grand Memo now official, 5.7-inch 720p display with Qualcomm Snapdragon 800

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 08:15 AM PST

zte-grand-memo

As expected, ZTE pulled the wraps off of the Grand Memo at Mobile World Congress. It features a 5.7-inch 720p display along with the latest from Qualcomm, the 1.7GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800. It also has 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage a 13MP rear camera, 1MP front camera, 3,200 mAh battery, and Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean. It comes in at 8.4mm thick, which is pretty thin. One complaint with larger displays is typing, and ZTE has you covered with the ability to situate the keyboard a little to the left or right so you can type with one hand.

It’s interesting that ZTE is going with some higher end specs like the Snapdragon 800 and the larger battery, but chose to go with only 1GB of RAM and a 720p display. The latter two specs are what you would find on a mid-range device, but I guess that’s ZTE’s way of keeping the price down.

It will launch in China this March followed by Europe. No pricing was specified.

Be sure to check out our complete Mobile World Congress coverage.

source: cnet


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ASUS announces the Fonepad, a 7-inch tablet featuring an Intel ATOM processor with 3G data and voice capabilities

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 07:36 AM PST

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ASUS is keeping busy at Mobile World Congress. They already unveiled the PadFone Infinity and now it’s time for the Fonepad. This one is a 7-inch (1280 x 800) tablet that sports 3G data and voice capabilities. This is the second Android device with a display 7-inches or greater that has voice capabilities. The Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 was the first one and was announced yesterday.

The other interesting thing about the Fonepad is that it has the Intel ATOM Z2420 processor, which I believe is the first ASUS tablet with Intel inside. As far as the rest of the specs, not much else was mentioned, but we do know that it will have 16GB of internal storage and there will be a microSD slot for the storage hungry crowd.

This one will hit the UK  in the later part of  the 2nd quarter with a suggested price of £179 (inc VAT) or $270. We are also hearing it will land in North America as well. Hit the break for the full presser and be sure to check out our full Mobile World Congress coverage.

Full press release

ASUS Announces Fonepad™

ASUS' latest mobile lifestyle device features built-in 3G for fast mobile data and full telephony support along with the versatility and power of a 7" tablet

Mobile World Congress, Barcelona, Spain (25th February, 2013) —  ASUS today announced Fonepad™, a competitively priced handheld with 3G voice and mobile data for all the features of a smartphone, with the versatility of a 7-inch tablet. Powered by a new Intel® Atom™ Z2420 processor with Android 4.1, Fonepad™ features a vibrant HD display with IPS technology for wide viewing angles and outstanding clarity.

"It is ideal to have a larger screen with entertainment, social media and other online activities now playing an increasingly important part in our mobile lifestyles," said Jonney Shih, ASUS Chairman. "The incorporation of 3G mobile data with full telephony support makes the Fonepad™ a perfect combination of tablet and phone in one single device."

"Extending our long history of collaboration, including most recently on the Ultrabook™ and Intel-based tablets, we are very excited to be partnering with ASUS again," said Hermann Eul, Intel® vice president and co-general manager of the Mobile and Communications Group. "Intel's new Atom™ Z2420 processor delivers the power, performance and flexibility required to accommodate a range of devices and market needs. We think the ASUS Fonepad™ is a very innovative device in an emerging category of 3G tablets with telephony features."

Beautiful metallic design with Intel® Atom™ performance

ASUS Fonepad™ is ideal for people who value both the voice communication features of a smartphone and the entertainment opportunities afforded by a tablet, but prefer the convenience of carrying just one device. Fonepad™ is a sleek and compact tablet with a metallic design that can be held comfortably in one hand, thanks to its light 340g weight and slim 10.4mm profile. Powered by the latest Intel® Atom™ Z2420 processor with full Android compatibility, Fonepad™ features a perfect balance of performance and energy efficiency, with hardware-accelerated 1080p Full HD video decoding and up to nine hours of battery life.

The 7-inch screen features 10-point multi-touch, and a crisp 1280 x 800 HD resolution for crisp, readable web page text and incredibly detailed photos. IPS technology ensures vibrant color with 178-degree wide viewing angles, and images that are clear and bright, even outdoors.

Built-in 3G for mobile data and voice calls

Built-in 3G with HSPA+ mobile data means ASUS Fonepad™ is an always-connected mobile device for seamless web browsing, fast downloads from Google Play Store, and smooth streaming of audio and video. Thanks to its full 3G telephony support, Fonepad™ can also be used for voice calls using the built-in noise-cancelling digital microphone or a Bluetooth headset. With just one mobile data plan to pay for, running costs are also much lower than those of a separate smartphone and 3G tablet.

Fonepad™ will be available in the UK with 16GB of internal storage and up to 32GB of additional storage with a microSD card. All models feature a front 1.2-megapixel camera for easy video chat and ASUS SonicMaster audio technology with MaxxAudio 3 processing by Waves ensures clear, well-rounded sound quality.

Exclusive ASUS apps and accessories for greater productivity

ASUS Fonepad™ comes with a number of exclusive ASUS productivity apps: Floating App for easy management of running apps and multi-tasking; SuperNote Lite for handwritten notes and drawing; and WebStorage Office Online for Microsoft Office-compatible document editing on the move. Fonepad™ users also get 5GB of free lifetime ASUS WebStorage for syncing and sharing data with other devices.

Two new optional accessories are also available for Fonepad™. Available in four different colors, VersaSleeve 7 is a wraparound cover with a folding design that both protects Fonepad™ and props up the screen in two different positions for typing and watching video. Turn Case is a lightweight hard-shell case for Fonepad™ that features a soft interior to keep the screen clean and a built-in stand that places the screen at a perfect angle for watching video.


Come comment on this article: ASUS announces the Fonepad, a 7-inch tablet featuring an Intel ATOM processor with 3G data and voice capabilities

ASUS unveils the PadFone Infinity for the best of both worlds, 5-inch 1080p phone with a full HD tablet dock

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 07:18 AM PST

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We are yet to see any of the ASUS PadFone devices in the U.S., but it’s already up to its third generation. ASUS just pulled the wraps off of the PadFone Infinity at Mobile World Congress. If you’re not familiar with the PadFone series, it’s a smartphone that slides into a tablet dock giving you the best of both worlds with one data connection. The smartphone part of the PadFone is LTE capable and will sport a 5-inch 1080p (1920 x 1080) display at 441ppi along with a 1.7GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor.  It also features an Adreno 320 GPU, 2GB of RAM, 32GB or 64GB of storage, microSD slot, 13MP rear camera with f/2.0 lens, 2MP front camera, a 2,400 mAh battery, and Android 4.2. As far as connectivity goes it has EDGE, GPRS, GSM, WCDMA,LTE and DC-HSPA+, as well as WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, and GPS.

The tablet dock will feature a 10.1-inch 1080p display.

It will land in Europe in April for a price of £799 / €999 / $1,200. Asia will get it soon after, but no details were specified. Hit the break for the full press release and click here for all the latest MWC news from TalkAndroid.

Full press release

ASUS Announces PadFone™ Infinity

LTE smartphone with 5-inch Full HD display combines with a 10.1-inch tablet dock for seamless mobile flexibility

Mobile World Congress, Barcelona, Spain (25th February, 2013) – ASUS today announced PadFone™ Infinity, a powerful LTE smartphone with a sleek metallic design and a 5-inch Full HD display that becomes a 10.1-inch tablet when docked to its companion PadFone™ Infinity Station. PadFone™ Infinity features Android 4.2 and groundbreaking mobile performance, thanks to its next-generation Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 600 quad-core processor and up to 19 hours* of 3G talk time.
“PadFone™ Infinity is the latest evolution of our PadFone™ line,” said Jonney Shih, ASUS Chairman. “It combines incredible design with an uncompromised user experience derived from our Design Thinking philosophy.”

Premium design with premium performance
With a slender unibody design crafted from aerospace-grade aluminum, ASUS PadFone™ Infinity is both beautiful and durable. The 5-inch screen features a 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution with an extraordinary 441 pixels-per-inch for text so crisp it looks like a printed page and wonderfully detailed high-resolution images. 64GB of storage complements the class-leading Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 600 1.7GHz quad-core processor for a smooth and responsive premium Android experience, while 100Mbit/s LTE and 42Mbit/s DC-HSPA+ ensure super-fast web browsing and downloads.
ASUS PadFone™ Infinity features a high-performance 13-megapixel camera with an f/2.0 5-element lens that captures incredibly detailed images with no shutter lag. A dedicated image signal-processor enhances low-light image quality and enables PadFone™ Infinity to capture up to 100 sequential photos at 8 frames-per-second, while simultaneously recording 1080p Full HD video. PadFone™ Infinity can also output 1080p Full HD video via its micro-USB-compatible MyDP interface.

Share apps and mobile data instantly
The unique two-in-one nature of ASUS PadFone™ removes the tedious need to synchronize data between smartphone and tablet. Data and settings on PadFone™ Infinity are available instantly on PadFone™ Infinity Station upon docking, and running apps are smoothly reformatted to fit the larger display. Mobile data bills are also reduced, since a single data plan can be shared between both devices.
PadFone™ Infinity comes with new and exclusive ASUS apps, including SuperNote 3.1 for note taking, Story for creating stunning photo albums and ASUS Echo for voice control of PadFone™ Infinity.
PadFone™ Infinity has up to 19 hours of 3G talk time*, which increases to up to 40 hours when docked into PadFone™ Infinity Station. PadFone™ Infinity Station also has sufficient battery capacity to fully recharge the docked PadFone™ Infinity up to three times.
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*Specifications may vary without prior notice. Options, pricing, performance and availability dependent upon region. For more details about the products mentioned in this press release, please visit http://press.asus.com .
Availability & Pricing – UK
The combined price of the ASUS PadFone™ Infinity and Infinity Station will be around SRP £799 (inc VAT). Exact price and availability will be announced closer to UK launch date.


Come comment on this article: ASUS unveils the PadFone Infinity for the best of both worlds, 5-inch 1080p phone with a full HD tablet dock

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