Hasta La Gadget!

Unofficial details of the Pantech Perception have been around for long enough for the phone to feel old, but the truth is that it’s only just getting started. The 4.8-inch, mid-tier Android smartphone is at last launching with Verizon on April 25th, and it should cost $100 on contract after subscribers cash in a $50 rebate. It won’t trigger much regret among Galaxy S 4 buyers when it’s carrying a more GS3-like Super AMOLED 720p screen, 16GB of storage, an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 2-megapixel front shooter. That said, Pantech does promise an extra level of software savvy: the company’s customized variant of Ice Cream Sandwich (soon to upgrade to Jelly Bean) centers on a Motion Sense suite that lets owners wave their hands to answer calls, switch tracks or navigate contacts and photo galleries. While we can’t say we’re bowled over by that claimed advantage, the Perception may just hit the sweet spot for those who want an alternative to HTC and Samsung for a bigger handset.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Verizon

Comments

Source: Verizon

Alongside its developer model, HTC now has an unlocked One for the rest of us. The fetching 4.7-inch 1080p device is in stock at HTC’s US store with 32GB of storage and the same powerhouse specs we saw earlier: 1.7Ghz quad-core CPU, 2GB of RAM, 4-megapixel “UltraPixel” cam and Android 4.1.2 with Sense 5. You’ll also get a SIM-unlocked model, but unlike the 64GB equipped, $650 developer edition, it won’t come with a liberated bootloader — though it’ll cost a touch less at $575. So, if you’ve been biding your time for a carrier-free version of the svelte aluminum-bodied handset, you can place your order at the source.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, HTC

Comments

Via: GSM Arena

Source: HTC

If life were a pop quiz, our mobile editors would surely ace the cellphone round. However, Myriam might do well to consider ditching Brad when it comes to the Star Trek section. Those who want to take his place, tune in for the question to see if you know better. Post your answers directly to Brad.

Hosts: Myriam Joire (tnkgrl), Brad Molen

Producer: James Trew

Music: Tycho – Coastal Brake (Ghostly International)

Hear the podcast

Filed under: Podcasts, Mobile

Comments

After nearly a year of soaking rural and suburban locations with 4G, Sprint is finally starting to extend its reach to some major cities. Having wrapped up test runs in a handful of areas, the carrier is now officially offering LTE in 21 additional markets, including Los Angeles, CA, Charlotte, NC, Virginia Beach, VA, Memphis, TN and West Palm Beach, FL. What’s more, the Now Network revealed plans to bring its new high-speed offerings to more than 170 additional markets in the months ahead. Some of the cities on its docket include Orlando, FL, Portland, OR, El Paso, TX, Tulsa, OK and Spokane, WA. Didn’t see your hometown name-checked here? Check out the press release after the break for the full list.

Filed under: Wireless, Mobile, Sprint

Comments

Talk of a Galaxy S 4 Mini started while many of us were still processing the impact of its full-size cousin, but there was little to go on at first beyond unverifiable imagery and top-level specs. Thankfully, Samsung itself just removed some of the doubt through a user agent profile on its own website. While the code only references a previously suspected GT-i9190 handle (the Galaxy S III Mini is the GT-i8190), a 960 x 540 screen and an ARM11-compatible processor, those details are enough to suggest the tiny Life Companion is more than just a rumor — and, not surprisingly, less powerful than the GS 4. Dutch site TechTastic even claims to have spotted the Galaxy S 4 Mini by name when searching for the GT-i9190’s profile, although Samsung may have already scrubbed any such evidence. When previous rumors had the Mini surfacing not long after its bigger counterpart, we imagine it won’t be long before we know if the handset exists as more than just a string of text.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung

Comments

Via: TechTastic (translated), SlashGear

Source: Samsung