Hasta La Gadget!

Could this 5-inch LG handset be Verizon’s answer to the Galaxy Note? Our Intuition tells us otherwise (get it?), but that screenshot above and corresponding FCC docs deign to differ. Really though, that lady razor name’s the purported new moniker for Big Red’s rebranded Optimus Vu: the heretofore Korea-only phablet we recently reviewed. While we found the outsized handset’s worth as a true S-Pen rival hampered by its lack of a digitizer and 4:3 aspect ratio, it could catch on with folks eager for a 7-inch tablet alternative. However this one eventually shakes down in the crowded Android marketplace, it appears subs are in store for a 4G LTE ride and the carrier’s typical $199 on two-year contract pricing. Curiously, the leak makes no mention of an included stylus, so perhaps the operator’s opting to spin this one as a more traditional smartphone release. Smart move, that.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless

LG Optimus Vu to bow on Verizon as the Intuition, stylus not included? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 21:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Well, at least no one can blame AT&T for dodging the core issue any longer. After watching Verizon Wireless snag satisfaction crown after satisfaction crown from AT&T over the years, it seems that the latter is finally using a highly defensive blog post on the issue of FaceTime over cellular in order to cop to what we’ve all known: AT&T’s network is in no shape to handle the glut of devices currently running on it. After being taken by storm in 2007 with the iPhone, AT&T has been racing to right the supply / demand curve, and it came to a head once more last week when the operator announced that only Mobile Share users would be able to use FaceTime over its 3G / 4G airwaves once iOS 6 hit. Naturally, pundits were quick to slam the company for implementing a policy that nudges existing users with grandfathered unlimited data plans to slide up to a plan that’s potentially less awesome, but a lengthy letter on AT&T’s Public Policy Blog lays out the real reason.

The company makes clear that the decision to limit FaceTime over cellular to Mobile Share customers does not violate the FCC’s net neutrality rules — after all, it’s being decidedly transparent about the frowned-upon choice — nor does it cross the line on any “blocking” issues. Its argument is simple: it’s not blocking you from using any video chat application you want, but it is exercising its right to manage the doors through which all chat applications can and can’t be used. The money quote is here: “We are broadening our customers’ ability to use the preloaded version of FaceTime but limiting it in this manner to our newly developed AT&T Mobile Share data plans out of an overriding concern for the impact this expansion may have on our network and the overall customer experience.” Despite our scorn, we’re halfway glad the policy is in place — after all, how would you feel if you couldn’t load a vital email because everyone else on the block was chatting with their mum about chimera cats on FaceTime? Rock, meet hard place.

Filed under: Cellphones

AT&T confesses: its network couldn’t handle unchecked FaceTime over cellular originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 10:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The future of Motorola post-acquisition may still be a mystery, but the manufacturer has managed to stay quite active over the last few weeks: it unveiled the Atrix HD, its first smartphone with an HD display and native ICS build, and there’s already much anticipation around Verizon’s Droid RAZR HD ahead of the holiday season. For the here and now, however, it’s Sprint’s turn to soak in the Moto love with the Photon Q 4G LTE. (Say it five times fast.)

Naturally, the name of the phone doesn’t leave a whole lot to the imagination. As you’d expect, it’s a follow-up to last year’s Photon 4G that trades WiMAX for LTE and adds a full-sized QWERTY keyboard. What the name doesn’t tell you, though, is that this phone costs a lofty $200 on contract, and features a qHD ColorBoost display (not to be confused with the Atrix’s 720p screen, which uses the same branding). In other words, it’s gotta be pretty good to have any success at that price point. How does the latest Googorola device hold up against the rest of Sprint’s LTE lineup? Is it worth the premium? Follow us southward to find out.

Continue reading Motorola Photon Q 4G LTE review: the best full QWERTY phone on Sprint’s network

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless

Motorola Photon Q 4G LTE review: the best full QWERTY phone on Sprint’s network originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While Brits still languish at the back of the queue for LTE, there is at least a sliver of hope that regulator Ofcom is moving forward with plans for 4G provision. It’s announced today that carrier Everything Everywhere (the combined network of Orange and T-Mobile) will be allowed to use its 1800 MHz spectrum to push out next-generation phone services. Ofcom decided that the change to the UK network’s license would deliver “significant benefits to consumers, and that there is no material risk that those benefits will be outweighed by a distortion of competition.” Auctions for additional 800 and 2.6 GHz bands are still on track to happen later this year, aiming for a roll-out through 2013. Everything Everywhere will be allowed to use LTE and (bizarrely) WiMAX starting 11 September 2012, although this may not be the launch date for any commercial service — which could be unfortunate. The UK’s comms regulator goes into the specifics after the break.

Continue reading Ofcom approves Everything Everywhere’s early 4G plans, starting next month

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Internet

Ofcom approves Everything Everywhere’s early 4G plans, starting next month originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Aug 2012 02:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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On the heels of its successful debut in Korea and Japan, the Optimus Vu: will make its global debut starting in select markets in Europe, Asia, Middle East/Africa and Latin America starting in September. With the world’s first 5-inch 4:3 aspect ratio display, the Optimus Vu: blurs the line between traditional tablets and smartphones for a truly unique smart device experience.
Since its March debut in Korea, the Optimus Vu: has sold over 500,000 units, demonstrating public acceptance of its …