Hasta La Gadget!

Remember those Ativ Tab and Ativ S trademarks we saw just a couple of days ago? They may well be more than just Samsung’s daydreams. As long as details at The Verge prove true, the devices attached to those names represent a two-pronged revival of Samsung’s Windows-based mobile strategy. We’re most interested in the Ativ S: thanks in part to Windows Phone 8’s multi-core support, it’s effectively a Galaxy S III for the Microsoft crowd with a similar 4.8-inch Super AMOLED HD screen, a dual-core 1.5GHz processor, a 8-megapixel rear camera and a 1.9-megapixel front shooter. Swinging attention to the Ativ Tab shows what’s likely to be a commonplace list of features for a Windows RT slate. Outside of the 10.1-inch screen, it’s sporting its own 1.5GHz dual-core chip and 1.9-megapixel front camera as well as a 5-megapixel rear sensor, HDMI video out and USB. We’re still missing a slew of details, such as storage and launch dates, although we might not have to wait long at all to know — if the claims are correct, one or both of the Ativ models may show their faces at Samsung’s IFA 2012 events.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile

Samsung Ativ Tab and Ativ S details leak, hint at a Windows RT and Windows Phone 8 power duo originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 12:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  The Verge (1), (2)  | Email this | Comments

Everyone knows that Samsung is making a big Windows 8 push at IFA, but there’s new signs emerging that it might shake up its naming scheme in the process. We now know through SamMobile that Samsung has quietly snapped up a pair of trademarks with the Ativ badge that would let its branding venture beyond the Galaxy. Ativ Tab is the most conspicuous: unless Samsung is planning a shakeup of its Android slates, there’s a distinct chance we’re looking at the future name for one or more Windows 8 tablets. Ativ S is slightly more nebulous, although that very familiar oversized S raises the possibility of a high-end Windows Phone 8 smartphone like the Odyssey. Whether or not Samsung wields these trademarks later this week, or at all in the near future, is still up in the air — it may be holding on to names as a precaution rather than previewing a course of action. If the Ativ label makes its way into stores, though, it may give Samsung a much catchier (if not entirely intuitive) name for its Windows devices than Series 5 Hybrid PC.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets

Samsung trademarks Ativ Tab and Ativ S names, may give a peek into its Windows (Phone) 8 world originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Aug 2012 22:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink SamMobile (Twitter)  |  Justia, Trademarkia  | Email this | Comments

Call it the end to a brief chapter in the Windows Phone saga. While there had been murmurs that the HTC Arrive was on its way out soon, any doubt has been removed now that the smartphone has vanished from Sprint’s website and is likely on the endangered list at retail stores. The QWERTY slider’s retirement leaves Sprint without any sort of Windows Phone in its roster, cutting the number of major US carriers backing Microsoft’s platform down to three. Before you ask, we honestly don’t know if the CDMA provider has a replacement waiting in the wings anytime soon: rumors of a Sprint Windows Phone 8 model surfaced as early as March, but the Yellow Swoosh network was nowhere to be seen among the Windows Phone 8 launch partners slated for this fall. The gap is conspicuous enough that Sprint subscribers may need a heaping amount of patience if they’re not willing to switch networks for a Windows Phone fix in the near future.

Filed under: Cellphones

HTC Arrive makes its exit, leaves Sprint with a Windows Phone-shaped hole originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 16:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  WPCentral  | Email this | Comments

We knew the date, we’re even pretty sure that Nokia will be outing new hardware. What wasn’t confirmed, however, was which carriers would be involved. If reports from Bloomberg are to be believed, we can expect Verizon to be one of them, and pretty soon too. Nokia has been a little more friendly with AT&T and T-Mobile, but this speculation could mean we see the first Windows Phone on Big Red since the middle of last year. Naturally we’ll still have to wait and see exactly what pans out and when, but for now, the Verizon faithful (or contractually obliged) with Windows Phone yearnings, have a little glimmer of hope.

Filed under: Cellphones

Nokia Windows Phone 8 devices said to arrive on Verizon this year originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 05:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink WMPoweruser  |  Bloomberg  | Email this | Comments

We just received an invite from Nokia and Microsoft to attend a Windows Phone-centric event on September 5th. This is the same day as Nokia World’s opener, and we have a feeling this isn’t a coincidence. Rumors have been rampant that the Finnish company would choose this particular week to announce its lineup of Windows Phone 8 devices, and we’re hoping this is indeed the case. Granted, the invite comes with a large reference to Nokia Maps, so it’s certainly possible the navigation service could be a primary focus of the event, but we’re hedging our bets on new handsets. Either way, we’ll be there to share the excitement with you.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Software

Nokia and Microsoft announce September 5th Windows Phone event originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 13:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments