Sep 15

HTC Bliss to be called the Rhyme, launching September 20?

Posted in: Android, HTC, htc sense, HtcSense, leak, leaks, mobilepostcross, mobilepostmini, rumor, rumors, Today's Chili
The HTC Bliss is a phone we’ve seen so much of that new press renders don’t necessarily show us anything we haven’t seen before — there have been enough hands-on photos, walkthrough videos and leaked Sense 3.5 screenshots that there’s really no questioning its future. The image you see above was leaked with a few new pieces of quality information: the Bliss will inevitably become the Rhyme once it hits stores — which plays right into HTC’s infatuation with Beats, though the tech probably won’t be incorporated here — and will likely be announced at the September 20th event (the date on the press image is often a solid indicator). HTCInside is also reporting that the Rhyme will be available in silver / white, pink / yellow and dark blue, so perhaps it isn’t completely for the ladies, no?

HTC Bliss to be called the Rhyme, launching September 20? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 05:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink ThisIsMyNext  |  sourceHTCInside (translated)  | Email this | Comments

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Sep 14

Motorola Admiral outed as mystery Sprint Direct Connect device, strikes a pose for the camera

Posted in: Android, cdma, exclusive, gingerbread, Google, mobilepostmini, motorola, qwerty, Sprint, Today's Chili
That unnamed Motorola smartphone coming this fall to help usher in Sprint’s new CDMA-based Direct Connect service? It appears to be the Admiral. If the name sounds familiar, its trademarked logo actually appeared simultaneously with the Samsung Epic 4G Touch. But it’s so much more than a name now, thanks to a tipster who sent in an image of the device next to some well-detailed specs. The Admiral will likely be a portrait QWERTY Android 2.3 device powered by a 1.2GHz single-core Qualcomm MSM8655 CPU, and will feature a 3.1-inch VGA display, 5 megapixel camera with 720p HD video recording and a stellar 1,860mAh battery. Oh, and it’s a rugged phone that’s built according to 810G military specifications. If this truly is the mystery Motorola Direct Connect smartphone we’ve been waiting for, it’s bound to turn a few hard-hat-donning heads.

[Thanks, Anonymous]

Motorola Admiral outed as mystery Sprint Direct Connect device, strikes a pose for the camera originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 01:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 14

Sprint changing return policy tomorrow, nixing Premier program at year’s end

Posted in: 4G, leak, leaks, mobilepostcross, mobilepostmini, network, Sprint, Today's Chili
Sprint’s been making mondo policy changes over the last two weeks in the form of increased fees, so what’s a few more cuts? We’ve received tips over the last day or so that suggest the Now Network up to its shenanigans again, making immediate changes to its return policy and soon putting the kibosh on its Premier program. Effective tomorrow, Sprint’s trimming its return period from 30 days to 14 and the risk-free trial offer — which ultimately allows you to walk away from your service within a month without being charged a penny — is vanishing into thin air. Reaching out for confirmation from a carrier spokesperson, we were told: “Beginning Sept. 16, Sprint is updating its return policy for new lines of service, upgrades, accessories and devices. We will share more details of the new Sprint Satisfaction Guarantee at a later date.” This doesn’t fully answer our query, of course, but it at least confirms that the return policy will fall victim to a few adjustments on Friday.

We also began receiving tips today foretelling the upcoming demise of the Sprint Premier program — the company’s two-tiered VIP program that offers annual upgrades and other perks. Premier members will apparently be notified as early as tomorrow (or as late as October) that they have until year’s end to cash in on their remaining benefits. The only reasoning given: “to help us focus on the areas that customers value the most, such as unlimited data plans.” Interpret that how you will, but ginormous things are going down in Overland Park, and we haven’t even heard the wondrous news about the carrier’s “Strategy Update” yet. Unless, of course, it’s all tied together somehow…

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Sprint changing return policy tomorrow, nixing Premier program at year’s end

Sprint changing return policy tomorrow, nixing Premier program at year’s end originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 14

Windows Phone Mango demoed by Microsoft in dramatic fashion (video)

Posted in: app, apps, developer, developers, mango, mobilepostmini, Today's Chili, video, windows phone, windows phone 7, WindowsPhone, WindowsPhone7

Sure we’ve seen plenty of Windows Phone Mango demos — heck, we’ve done a few hands-ons ourselves — but so far as slickness is concerned, few can compare to this latest offering from Microsoft, which looks to bring developers on board, while showing off some key features like Live Tiles and speedy switching between apps in dramatic hands-off fashion. The Mango is so close we can taste it. Video after the break.

Continue reading Windows Phone Mango demoed by Microsoft in dramatic fashion (video)

Windows Phone Mango demoed by Microsoft in dramatic fashion (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 14

LG Marquee steps out in leaked press shot, coming this October? (updated: it’s official)

Posted in: Android, gingerbread, leak, LG, mobilepostmini, phone, Phones, smartphone, Smartphones, Sprint, Today's Chili

It looks like the LG Marquee’s gearing up for its coming out party. We first caught wind of the Optimus Black clone when it surfaced in blurrycam form at a Radio Shack briefing, running what appeared to be vanilla Android, and branded for the Now Network. Well, thanks to a leaked press shot over on PocketNow, we can clearly see that the device is, indeed, sporting a lightly-skinned version of the pure Gingerbread experience, with Sprint ID replacing the browser in the phone’s launcher. Cosmetically, you’ll also notice the new grey-colored chassis has a striped band sweeping down the battery cover, although the camera placement remains similar to its European cousin. Aside from that, the only other notable difference is in the design and arrangement of the capacitive buttons. The specs seem to fall line with its elder LG stablemate, as the handset packs a single-core 1GHz processor, 2 megapixel front-facing / 5 megapixel rear cameras and 4-inch NOVA display. The only question that remains is whether you’re willing to forgo impending beastliness for elegance this October when it’s rumored to launch.

Update: Sprint’s made it official. The LG Marquee’ll be available for pre-order online on September 20th, and will go on sale October 2nd for $99.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a two-year contract.

Continue reading LG Marquee steps out in leaked press shot, coming this October? (updated: it’s official)

LG Marquee steps out in leaked press shot, coming this October? (updated: it’s official) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 11:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 14

Bell begins rolling out LTE network today to trial markets

Posted in: 4G, canada, lte, mobilepostmini, network, Today's Chili

When we reported that Bell’s LTE network would be deploying “soon,” the company happily obliged by launching it less than two weeks later. Beginning today, the Canadian carrier will have its next-gen services available to a limited number of markets, including Toronto, Waterloo, Hamilton, Guelph and Mississauga. The deployment will spread over the course of the next year, though no specific plans were mentioned aside from the obvious expansion to urban areas first, followed by rural and remote coverage as determined by the outcome of the country’s upcoming 700MHz spectrum auction. Sadly, the only device available at launch — contrary to our original report — will be the Sierra Wireless U313 Turbo Stick, available online today for $80, though “smartphones and tablets” should be expected to arrive later this year. Head to the presser for more details.

[Thanks, gjac0m]

Continue reading Bell begins rolling out LTE network today to trial markets

Bell begins rolling out LTE network today to trial markets originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 08:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 13

AT&T announces $25 monthly GoPhone plan beginning September 18th

Posted in: att, mobilepostmini, Today's Chili

With all of the unlimited everything plans dominating the world of prepaid currently, it’s easy to forget about the smaller offerings ideally suited for those looking for appetizers instead of the all-you-can-eat buffet. AT&T’s announced a new monthly package that may fare well with the nibblers, doling out 250 anytime minutes and unlimited messaging for $25 beginning on September 18th. Two other prepaid services are launching the same day: a $10 international long distance package that includes 250 minutes within a period of 30 days, and per-use roaming in Canada which can be had for $.39 per minute and $.25 per message sent ($.20 per message received). It’s nice to see the company, notorious for its recent history of streamlining plans, adding another selection onto the tray of prepaid hors d’oeuvres. Full presser can be found after the break.

Continue reading AT&T announces $25 monthly GoPhone plan beginning September 18th

AT&T announces $25 monthly GoPhone plan beginning September 18th originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 22:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 13

BlackBerry Bold 9790 Bellagio photographed in the wild, poses for family portrait

Posted in: BlackBerry, leak, leaked, leaks, mobilepostmini, research in motion, ResearchInMotion, RIM, Today's Chili

If you haven’t yet snagged one of RIM’s two newly refreshed Bold devices, you might want to hold off for the runt of the litter. Originally leaked back in May, the Bellagio 9790 borrows the bumped-up specs of its recently unveiled cousins, while staying true to the slimmed-down form factor of its 9700 predecessor. The leaked shots over at BGR show the diminutive portrait QWERTY next to the 9900, clearly showcasing the former’s likely 2.4-inch touchscreen, optical trackpad and 5 megapixel rear-facing camera. We already know this phone’s destined to ship with BlackBerry 7 OS, but as for the rest of the feature list, expect it to pack 8GB of storage, NFC-capability and a 1.2GHz processor. Of course, rumors being what they are, this could all very well change before the handset’s purported end of year launch. Curious to see more? Then hit up the source link below for additional in-the-wild shots.

BlackBerry Bold 9790 Bellagio photographed in the wild, poses for family portrait originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 20:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 13

LG Optimus Hub officially outed as successor to Optimus One dynasty (video)

Posted in: Android, gingerbread, Google, LG, mobilepostmini, optimus, smartphone, Smartphones, Today's Chili, video

Well, LG’s gone ahead and made the successor to the Optimus One all official-like. The device you’ve previously known as the Univa (E510) has been renamed as the Optimus Hub, and it’s set to arrive in Italy next month for €199 off-contract. The specs remain the same since we first peered at the handset, though we’re now able to fill in some additional gaps. First, the camera has received a bump to 5 megapixels, and while the phone’s ability to record video still tops out at VGA (640 x 480), it’ll now capture up to 24fps (rather than 18fps with the Optimus One). Sadly, an LED flash remains absent from the scene. This Euro version features quad-band GSM support, although its 3G connectivity is limited to the 2100 and 900MHz bands and HSDPA caps out at 3.6Mbps. HDblog (based in Italy) was fortunate to get some hands-on time with the device, and even if you don’t speak Italian, it appears to operate quite well — just take a peek after the break. How will it compare to offerings from Huawei and ZTE in the battle for your hard-earned coin? That folks, remains to be seen.

Continue reading LG Optimus Hub officially outed as successor to Optimus One dynasty (video)

LG Optimus Hub officially outed as successor to Optimus One dynasty (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 15:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Pocketnow, Unwired View  |  sourceHDblog.it (translated)  | Email this | Comments

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Sep 12

Motorola Electrify coming to US Cellular this month as a rebranded Photon 4G

Posted in: Android, mobilepostmini, moto, motorola, smartphone, Today's Chili
We shouldn’t be completely shocked by the news, but it’s great to hear regardless. US Cellular announced the upcoming availability of the Motorola Electrify, which is essentially its rebranded version of the Photon 4G — sans WiMAX, of course. The device will be ready for your purchase sometime later this month for $200, which is the same starting cost as Sprint’s variant provided you don’t factor in the initial $100 mail-in rebate. The Electrify is a 1GHz dual-core handset with Android 2.3, a 4.3-inch qHD display, webtop support and 8MP rear / VGA front-facing camera set. We definitely love seeing powerhouses like this make it to the smaller carriers, so if you’re an interested US Cellular fanboy or girl, just be sure that you’re not dying to see what the company will offer when its LTE network launches.

[Thanks, ChuckyTee]

Continue reading Motorola Electrify coming to US Cellular this month as a rebranded Photon 4G

Motorola Electrify coming to US Cellular this month as a rebranded Photon 4G originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink AndroidCentral  |  sourceUS Cellular  | Email this | Comments

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