Motorola’s 4.3-inch Photon 4G brings Tegra 2, kickstand magic to Sprint (video hands-on)

You know something big is about to go down when you can get the CEOs from two major tech companies to sit down together for lunch. As suspected, today’s Sprint / Motorola event, presided over by Dan Hesse and Sanjay Jha, marked the debut of the rumored Photon 4G. The handset packs a 4.3-inch qHD display, 1GHz dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of built-in memory, and pre-installed Gingerbread — plus, for better or worse, the latest version of Blur. The skinny new smartphone’s got front and rear facing cameras (the latter of which is eight megapixels), a dedicated camera button, and micro-USB and HDMI ports, which will hook into a soon to be announced docking device.

The handset is the first from a US carrier to offer up global 4G connectivity, and it’s also got 3G support, should you need it (that’s CDMA / WiMAX in the US and GSM internationally). Enterprise functionality, traditionally a bit of an oversight with Android handsets, is present too, thanks to business-minded tools built into Blur and increased security, courtesy of the manufacturer’s acquisition of 3LM (“Three Laws Mobility” to its friends). Sprint’s influence shines through as well, with the inclusion of a built-in active kickstand on its rear, a first for a Motorola device. Flip it open, and the display will automatically switch to landscape mode for optimal viewing.

We managed to get a little hands-on time with the device prior to the announcement, and by and large, the touchscreen and software seemed quite responsive. The handset itself is both skinny and narrow and feels good in the hand, though the smooth back doesn’t offer much in the way of traction for those prone to dropping their phones. The buttons on the device were a bit stiff and sunken, though we’ll have to hold off on passing judgment on that front, since this is a pre-production unit — hopefully we’ll get out hands on something more final in the near future. The Photon 4G is set to hit Sprint this summer — an exact date and price point have yet to be announced.

Dana Wollman contributed to this report.

Continue reading Motorola’s 4.3-inch Photon 4G brings Tegra 2, kickstand magic to Sprint (video hands-on)

Motorola’s 4.3-inch Photon 4G brings Tegra 2, kickstand magic to Sprint (video hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 12:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 on sale at NYC Best Buy today, pre-orders now open

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is finally among us. At noon Eastern Time today, Best Buy’s New York City store at Union Square will start selling Samsung’s extra-slim 10-inch Tegra 2 tablet, with the first 200 buyers also receiving a matching leather pouch to store their precious inside of. Geographically challenged Android tablet lovers will also be able to pre-order the Tab 10.1 from Best Buy today (eventually, the pre-order button doesn’t currently work) and widespread US availability is still expected on June 17th. Pricing isn’t explicitly listed on Best Buy’s landing page, but we presume it’s the same as we’ve been told earlier: $499 for the 16GB or $599 for the 32GB WiFi-only versions. If you can’t live without some LTE goodness in your mobile life, Verizon’s also promised pre-orders for the 4G-capable Galaxy Tab 10.1 today, though that costs a far less palatable $530 (16GB) and $630 (32GB) on top of a two-year data contract.

[Thanks, Jack and Arturo]

Update: Best Buy has sorted out its systems and all four WiFi variants (black or white, with 16GB or 32GB storage) are up for pre-order.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 on sale at NYC Best Buy today, pre-orders now open originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 05:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC Sensation goes to FCC for a second helping, flavored with AT&T bands

At the risk of toying with our ever-so-fragile hearts, the HTC Sensation took a second spin through the hallowed halls (or labs) of the FCC. This time, however, it went through with slightly different innards. The same PG58110 was spotted sneaking a visit to the nation’s capital with AT&T frequencies — 850 / 1900, to be specific — in tow, rather than the T-Mobile AWS we saw in the first go-round. Now, before any Big Blue loyalists jump too far out of their chairs, know that this doesn’t guarantee we’ll see an AT&T-branded Sensation adorning the walls of retail stores, but at least there’s a chance we’ll see an unlocked version to purchase on our own at some point. It seems like a lot for a manufacturer to go through when it could’ve just included all of the US bands in one phone, but we digress. Follow the break for another FCC image.

Continue reading HTC Sensation goes to FCC for a second helping, flavored with AT&T bands

HTC Sensation goes to FCC for a second helping, flavored with AT&T bands originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 23:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New and improved Droid Bionic getting a 4.5-inch display and docking connection?

Since Motorola delayed the launch of the LTE-equipped Droid Bionic to carry out “several enhancements,” we’ve debated if this might entail swapping out Tegra 2 in favor of a PowerVR GPU. But now leaked photos are starting to surface, and it would seem that Motorola went and redesigned the body, too. These pics reveal a phone what might be a 4.5-inch qHD display running Gingerbread — not the 4.3-incher with Froyo that was originally slated to ship this spring. Even more intriguing, the revamped handset sports an Atrix-like docking connection, suggesting that new and improved user experience will include the option of a so-called lapdock. And, as an added flourish, Motorola smoothed out the rubberized back cover, nixing the pattern it had at CES. No further word on a launch date, but for now you can get your fill of spy shots at the source link.

New and improved Droid Bionic getting a 4.5-inch display and docking connection? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 10:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile might launch Samsung Exhibit 4G and Gravity Smart June 22nd?

Millions of schoolchildren may be getting ready for three months of lazy summer days, but T-Mob’s just starting to get its hustle on. Samsung’s Gingerbread-equipped Exhibit 4G and Froyo-laden Gravity Smart have been officially confirmed for sometime in the month of June, but all is quiet about the exact date. If this leaked screenshot above comes to fruition, though, it means we’ll be seeing these two phones hit the shelves on June 22. The Exhibit 4G will tempt us with access to T-Mobile’s 21 Mbps HSPA+ network, while the Gravity Smart looks to be a splendid entry-level QWERTY slider. The pricing for either phone is still anybody’s guess, but at least the possibilities have been narrowed to $100 or less — a good idea, since it wouldn’t take any sales away from the Sensation 4G if it were any higher.

T-Mobile might launch Samsung Exhibit 4G and Gravity Smart June 22nd? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 09:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC EVO 3D launches on June 24th for $200, joined by EVO View 4G tablet at $400

The HTC bonanza that Sprint has been cooking up for a while now has its official launch date: June 24th. That will be the day when the 4.3-inch EVO 3D and its tablet buddy, the 7-inch EVO View 4G, launch on the Now Network, both equipped with WiMAX radios and Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) as their OS. The 1.2GHz dual-core EVO 3D costs $200 on contract, with pre-orders available right now provided you buy a $50 Sprint gift card, whereas the 1.5GHz single-core EVO View 4G will set you back double that, at $400, while still requiring a two-year contract. Skip past the break for the full press release details.

Oh, we’ve also just noticed that Sprint Premier customers will be able to buy the EVO 3D online on June 21st — a three-day headstart on the competition to say thank you for being so damn premier.

Continue reading HTC EVO 3D launches on June 24th for $200, joined by EVO View 4G tablet at $400

HTC EVO 3D launches on June 24th for $200, joined by EVO View 4G tablet at $400 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 07:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LightSquared and Sprint reportedly close to $20 billion LTE agreement, John Deere watching closely

LightSquared and Sprint close to $20 billion agreement, John Deere watching closefullyWell, we already know that a certain tractor manufacturer isn’t particularly fond of LightSquared and its GPS-bustin’ LTE technology, but other companies with yellow logos apparently harbor a much different sentiment. Really, though, who wouldn’t be smiling when there’s a supposed $20 billion in it for you? According to the ever-familiar “people familiar” with the story, as quoted by Businessweek, LightSquared is getting closer to a long-rumored 15-year deal that would pay Sprint $20 billion in exchange for piggy-backing on its aggressive network expansion. This would help LightSquared get up to speed much more quickly, get Sprint access to some lovely LTE, and together completely revitalize the paper maps industry.

LightSquared and Sprint reportedly close to $20 billion LTE agreement, John Deere watching closely originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 23:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide gets pictured with Gingerbread, may debut next month

We didn’t know it was possible, but Mr. Blurrycam just got out-Blurrycam’d. After getting some quality hands-on time with the FCC this week, the T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide had a brief photo shoot showing off a few of its assets. The images, provided by one of BGR’s sources, give us a brief look at the device’s keyboard and some of its software specs. The myTouch 4G Slide appears to be running Android 2.3.4 — the same version of Gingerbread found on the Nexus S — and the latest iteration of HTC Sense UI. This source also confirmed an 8 megapixel camera and teased that the phone runs “as smoothly as the HTC Sensation” and the screen “isn’t much to write home about.” We hear that the myTouch 4G Slide is penciled in for the first half of July, and looks to be a mighty fine QWERTY-slide option within T-Mobile’s Android stable. Or, as good as one can look given the circumstances.

T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide gets pictured with Gingerbread, may debut next month originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 18:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 to Drop Exclusively in New York City

Samsung’s sequel to the first 7-inch Galaxy Tab touts a bigger screen and thinner chassis. Photo: Jim Merithew/Wired.com

Samsung announced Thursday morning that its latest Android tablet is slated for release next week, but initially only in Manhattan, and only in one store.

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 hits the shelves in New York City’s Union Square Best Buy on June 8, exclusively available from the store for over a week. The tablet won’t roll out in wider release until 10 days later, on June 17.

Initially available in a Wi-Fi only version, the new Galaxy Tab’s price is on par with Apple’s iPad 2 Wi-Fi version. Each costs $500 for 16 GB of storage, and $600 for the 32-GB model.

Verizon announced there will also be a 4G version of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 on its LTE network, available for pre-order June 8. Though the company hasn’t given a ship date for 4G tablets pre-ordered that day, it’s interesting to think that Samsung will be the first to release a 4G-capable device.

Motorola’s Xoom — the flagship tablet for Android’s tablet-optimized Honeycomb operating system — promised 4G connectivity on Verizon’s network, but didn’t launch with it. Xoom owners are waiting to mail in their devices for a 4G upgrade, though Motorola and Verizon haven’t announced when the process will begin.

4G-enabled versions of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 cost $530 and $630 for the 16- and 32-GB models, respectively.

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 enters the already-clogged tablet market with a list of specs similar to others. It’s powered by Nvidia’s dual-core Tegra 2 processor, has front- and back-facing cameras, and as the name suggests, a 10.1-inch display.

But with a svelte 8.6-mm waist, Samsung’s is currently the thinnest tablet offering from manufacturers, even skinnier than the iPad 2’s 8.8 mm. And unlike a number of other devices we’ve seen, the new tablet will ship with Android version 3.1 (Honeycomb). The Xoom was the first device to run Android 3.1, and up until Asus’ Transformer received an over-the-air update to the software version this week, Motorola’s tablet was the only tablet with the latest software version.


LightSquared’s LTE breaks GPS in New Mexico trial, angers John Deere

LightSquared breaks GPS

With Best Buy, Cricket, and Leap already signed on as partners, LightSquared has a lot riding on the success of its nationwide LTE network. Unfortunately, the Airforce’s concerns about it interfering with GPS have been born by a test run in New Mexico. Officials in charge of the state’s 911 systems as well as trucker hat kings Deere & Co. reported loss of service up to 22 miles away from LightSquared’s cell tower. The company believes it has a solution to the interference problem, but hasn’t specified exactly what the fix might be. Now the 4G wholesaler’s future rests on a June 15th report to the FCC detailing the potential issues for both consumer navigators and the precision GPS systems used by the military and airlines — but when even John Deere is lobbying against you things start to look a little bleak.

LightSquared’s LTE breaks GPS in New Mexico trial, angers John Deere originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 10:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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