Author: PhoneDog.com – Latest videos, reviews, articles, news and posts

Hello from Vegas!

No sooner did I land at McCarran Airport this afternoon, than I was whisked away to Motorola’s press event on the eve of the International Consumer Electronics Show. There, I met up with Noah, John and Aaron, who have already been hard at work covering CES and were now assessing the latest announcement from the infamous Droid maker.

Moto unveiled its latest (but — the company promises — definitely not its last) Android handset: The Backflip. The unique device sports a 3.1-inch touchscreen and a full QWERTY keyboard that folds backwards. And that’s not the only unusual thing about this phone; there’s also a touchpad on the backside of the display component. (So if you’re holding it with two hands, you can swipe to navigate screens using the fingers on the back.) The company announced plans to release APIs to let developers innovate different ways to use the touchpad.

Motorola’s looking at a Q1 launch in Europe and parts of Asia, but there’s no word on when it will land in the U.S.

Look for more details on this and other news from the PhoneDog editors soon. In the mean time, enjoy these fast comparisons between it and Moto’s other Android phones, the Cliq (on the left) and the Droid (on the right).

Live from CES 2010, Noah checks out the new Lenovo LePhone. LePhone is an Android-based device with a heavily customized OS and UI. Launched primarily for the Chinese market, LePhone is part of Lenovo’s new mobile strategy.

Leonovo’s press conference at CES ’10 was an odd mashup of Far East engineering and Near West infomercial-style presentation. A fellow blogger who shall remain nameless just referred to Lenovo’s presenter as, “The Shamwow Guy.” Yup – it’s that cheesy.

The products Lenovo launched today look better than the event itself did, though I’m scratching by head a little over the name of the company’s new smartphone: “LePhone.” Yeah, it’s pronounced just like you’d think, “Le Phone.” Yikes. 

LePhone is being targeted at the budding Chinese market, but it also represents a step towards Lenovo entering the global market as well. It also, frankly, looks like an odd mash-up/ripoff of both Android and iPhone OS. Check out this slide from the presentation – if this doesn’t scream “iTunes App Store,” I don’t know what does.

The phone itself is a touchscreen candybar device powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. Lephone runs a proprietary build of Google’s Android OS that seems possibly derived from the Android-based oPhone. Lenovo also indicated that they seem willing to tweak and tailor the OS and user experience to the needs of various carriers as they pick the device up. What I saw of the UI is based around social networking, threaded conversations, people-centric views of data, widgets, and cloud services. 

Despite a name that’s either bad or maybe just translates poorly to English, Lephone itself is slick. I got to play with one for a few moments, and the UI is colorful, fun, and very responsive. The hardware is kind of like a rounded off iPhone with a larger display and colored plastic accents to go with all of that black and chrome. 

Lenovo also launched the Skylight “Smartbook” and the IdeaPad U1 “Hybrid Netbook.” Both are 3G-capable mobile computers, the former notable for it’s ultra small, curvy design and the latter for its dual-purpose form factor. The U1 functions both as a Windows 7-powered netbook and, after you snap the display out of the clamshell body, a Linux-based tablet with a multitouch display.

Verizon Wireless was recognized as the World’s Best Wireless Data Service Provider by Business Traveler magazine, based on their survey of reader opinions.

Needless to say, the nation’s largest wireless carrier was pleased.  “The continued recognition from Business Traveler readers of our international data services is a strong validation that our efforts to extend our best-in-class domestic services to  business customers to stay connected and productive while traveling abroad are working,” said John Mara, director for global services for Verizon Wireless.

Good news for Verizon, given that the global traveling crowd is a relatively new demographic push on their end.  For those that travel overseas on a regular basis, would you agree with the assessment?

Noah goes hands-on with the new Google Phone: The HTC-made Nexus One, featuring Android 2.1 “Eclair.”

Hot on the heels of T-Mobile’s HSPA announcement earlier in the day, AT&T was quick to announce the availability of an HSPA 7.2 Mbps software boost to their existing 3G footprint, beating their original deadline of 2010 by a year.  Upgrading is one thing, but the issue lies in AT&T’s non-upgraded back-end system.  Yes, you’re reading it correctly: the network is capable, but the back-end doesn’t support it just yet.  The nation’s second largest wireless carrier says that most of the data it handles will operate over the upgraded back end by the end of 2010.  Rollouts of true HSPA (front-end and back-end) continue in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, and Miami.

Think of it like a funnel – large at one end, small at the other.  In order for AT&T to improve their back-end, they have to turn the funnel into a cylinder – equal in size when it comes to the front-end and back-end.  That’s expected to happen just before 2011 in all 3G markets nationwide.  Considering Verizon’s claim to have LTE rollouts in progress then, it would be prudent to complete the back-end upgrades as quickly as possible.

Via Engadget Mobile

This morning, Noah covered Google’s press conference unveiling (and launching) the Nexus One via live Twitter rhyme-stream style. (That’s one talented dude! Not an easy feat, I tell ya.) And if you want the write-up, his blog post has all the deets. But those of you looking for a vid hook-up, the official promo clip is live and ready for your viewing pleasure.

So PhoneDog boys and girls, I’d like to introduce to you Google’s Nexus One. Weigh in below on whether this makes you want the phone more, less or if — like me — you’re just wondering if you could get the background song as a ringtone.

I was a fan of the original LG Lotus. (How could I not be? I’m a girl, and the thing’s shaped like a little makeup compact, fer cryin’ out loud!)

A cute form factor plus an awesome qwerty keyboard? That’s a winner in my book and, no doubt, in Sprint and LG’s as well, since it looks like they’re releasing an updated version of the tiny messaging phone.

There have been rumblings that a new Lotus (presumably the LX610 Lotus Elite) was coming, but this latest item seems to cement them pretty well: Engadget posted a big billboard mounted on the side of a Las Vegas hotel that promotes the Chocolate Touch, the eXpo, and — you guessed it — the Lotus Elite. Well, actually, there’s no official name listed there, but all rumors point to it being dubbed the Elite.

No updates on specs or prices yet, but stay tuned.

Via: Engadget

Samsung Mobile US today announced a forthcoming demo and consumer trial of the new Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) Mobile Digital TV standard. The Samsung Moment – an Android phone currently available on Sprint in the US – will be showing off a new Mobile DTV chip in a demo at CES this week and a near-term consumer trial in Washington, DC this Spring.

From the press release:

“We are delighted to include the Samsung Moment as a key device to be used by Sprint customers during the Consumer Showcase in Washington DC this spring. Mobile DTV technology will allow DC area consumers to watch their favorite live programs with instantaneous access to local news, weather, emergency information, and of course their favorite entertainment programs broadcasted by eight local TV stations,” said Brandon Burgess CEO of ION Media Networks and President of the Open Mobile Video Coalition (OMVC).

The OMVC is actively promoting mobile digital television technology within the U.S. broadcast industry to achieve widespread market penetration in 2010. 

Mobile TV is a big deal in some markets across the globe, but has been more or less a yawnfest here in the US. A lack of real Mobile DTV standards and technologies has been partially to blame for that, but there’s also the part where US consumers are used to hundreds of channels, HD video and audio quality, and timeshifting DVRs powering their viewing experiences. Personally, I could see a quality Mobile TV option coming in handy for sports and other live events, but beyond that I’d just as soon TiVo my programs and watch them at home on a big screen without worry of draining my phone’s battery.

What say you? High quality Mobile TV: Exciting? Yawn? Great if it’s cheap? Sound off now, and we’ll try to get you some hands-on coverage of the demo later this week from Vegas.

Google’s throwing a press shindig at 10 AM PST on Tuesday, January 5th (that’s Pacific Time … which means 1 PM in the Eastern US). Odds are they’ll be officially unveiling the Nexus One handset. Who knows what else they might do. Maybe free ponies for everyone. Maybe health care reform. But probably that Nexus One thingy, anyway.

Me, I’ll be covering the happenings. Right here on PhoneDog. For you. Maybe I’ll even rhyme a little. Or maybe not. We’ll see. You should tune in for it.

While the industry awaits news of Google’s Nexus One, some more Apple ponderings have hit the wire — including new predictions for the long-awaited tablet.

So add this to the growing rumor pile, folks: Citing unnamed people who were “briefed by the company,” The Wall Street Journal asserts that a 10- or 11-inch Apple tablet — in possibly two different exterior finishes — may ship in March for as much as $1,000. Previous rumors pegged a 7-inch and/or a 10-inch version running around $800 or so. (And Piper Jaffrey analyst Gene Munster predicted that the tablet may cost even less, at around $600.) 

Would that $1,000 estimated price be full retail? And could there be any carrier subsidy involved? None of that is clear yet, but one thing’s certain: If the tablet is going to cost a cool grand, it’s going to keep a lot of would-be customers from jumping on the tablet bandwagon.

Another interesting part of this story references analysts who think the device will work with some sort of subscription model to a nationwide Wifi service. Huh? Is that a misprint? Are they talking about 3G? Or maybe those sources meant to say Mifi, WiMAX, or the like. Whatever it is, it’s pretty curious.

Analysts currently believe an Apple tablet will be priced at about $1,000, possibly including a subscription to a nationwide Wi-Fi wireless service. The tablet is expected to be a multimedia device that will let people watch movies and television shows, play games, surf the Internet and read electronic books and newspapers. People briefed by Apple also say that the company believes it could redefine the way consumers interact with a variety of content. Textbooks and newspapers, for example, could be presented differently through color screens, a touch interface, and the integration of live up-to-the-minute information from multiple sources. (WSJ)

Last but not least, even though the industry has circled January 26th in their calendars as the announcement date, the writer of the WSJ article (among other people) believe the event could take place the following day (January 27th) instead.

What hasn’t changed is the focus of the tablet. It’s still expected to be one slick-looking device that serves up vids, flicks, TV programs, games, websites, e-books, and digital newspapers/magazines on the go.

So if the tablet debuts at $1,000 instead of $800, would that keep you from picking it up? Sound off below.

Via: 9to5Mac, Gizmodo, The Wall Street Journal

(Thanks, @_ciro_!)

(EDITED: Added previous price rumors in there. Thanks, cambunton!)

T-Mobile is kicking it into high gear for 2010, as they pinged us this morning to let us know that HSPA 7.2 is live across the carrier’s 3G footprint.  Sure, everyone’s excited about the HSPA+ tests that are running in Philadelphia as we speak, but considering AT&T’s full rollout of HSPA has barely begun (ok, ok, a few cities here and there), we’ll give Magenta credit.  By the same token, T-Mobile is the fourth largest wireless carrier in the United States, and the smallest nationwide carrier.  Their 3G footprint is small, so it makes for an easier upgrade. 

What do you think?  Verizon’s fast coverage with a large 3G footprint?  AT&T’s faster 3G with a smaller footprint?  Or T-Mobile’s smoking fast 3G coverage with the smallest footprint?  Tough call.

Huge news on the prepaid front this evening, as BGR reports that Boost Mobile will be receiving the BlackBerry Curve 8330 later in the month.

The Curve 8330 will join the Boost line, along with the Sanyo Incognito and Mirro, on January 13th.  Pricing will be $249, $149, and $99, respectively.  Boost Mobile plans will offer unlimited calling, text messaging, and web browsing, and will be $70/monthly for Curve users.  The standard $50/month charge will apply to the Incognito and Mirro.

I’m not a fan of Boost Mobile’s iDEN offerings due to past (and present) issues with text messaging and slow data connectivity, but with the BlackBerry Curve 8330 being a CDMA device, I would be more than willing to pick up one myself.  Unlimited (reliable) calling, text messaging, and web sounds like a good deal to me.  Why spend $99 monthly on a Sprint Curve 8330 when you can spend $70 monthly on a Boost Mobile Curve 8330?

We’ve seen prepaid BlackBerry devices appear on T-Mobile and MetroPCS in the past, but a third prepaid carrier being added to the mix shows a continued push by RIM into the consumer market.  With pricing like $70 per month, it also throws the theory that “prepaid is more expensive than postpaid” on its head.  Yes, the price of the device is costly upfront, but the value of no contract and $240 in yearly savings is worth it to me.  What say you?

See also: Top Ten Business Smartphones of 2009

A few readers asked me for a Top 5 Smartphones of 2009 list. One even suggested that I’d promised such a list a few months back. I don’t remember that, but I believe him … and am happy to oblige, as tough as it’s been to settle on such a list.

So here you go, sorta. My Top Ten Smartphones of 2009 is actually two lists: The Top Ten Business Smartphones and the Top 5 Consumer Smartphones. Considering that smartphones are becoming more and more mainstream, and that subtle differences between “productivity smartphones” and “entertainment smartphones” are becoming more and more important to consumers, a dual list seemed like the way to go. 

Bear in mind that this list will likely be close to obsolete before the first three months of 2010 have come and gone – that’s how fast the marketplace changes. But for now, looking at 2009, I’ve made my picks.

And so here’s one half of the list, my ten favorite consumer smartphones of 2009:

Top 10 Consumer Smartphones

1. Apple iPhone 3GS/3G

Fanboys. Haters. Biases. Prejudices. Nothing seems to inspire extreme emotions amongst tech blog devotees like an Apple product. And no Apple product inspires  more of those feelings than the iPhone. 

Fine, whatever. It’s the best consumer smartphone out there right now – as in, if you told me I had to recommend a smartphone to someone who I knew nothing about, and I couldn’t ask any questions about their likes or usage habits, I’d recommend iPhone. Why? No other phone combines Web, Email, Fun, and Usability like Apple did with this thing. And, oh yeah: Apps, apps, apps. You might not care about them, but Average Joe and Jill do. iPhone OS is due for a serious overhaul, as even the average consumer is going to want multitasking out of their smartphone this year. But for now, it doesn’t really matter – so long as Apple and AT&T work out that nasty dropped call business sooner than later.

2. HTC Droid Eris/Hero

HTC’s Hero was the first Android phone I really got excited about. Why? HTC took what they’d learned from years of making Windows Mobile more usable and applied it to a modern, open-source mobile platform in Android. Sense UI means that users who aren’t interested in tinkering get home screens full of useful goodies right out of the box. HTC’s custom apps mean they also get iPhone-style pinching and zooming on the Web and in their photo albums. Sprint’s version of Hero traded the European version’s iconic angles for a rounder (some say blander) look, and then Verizon came along with a thinner, slightly faster take on what Sprint had launched. The result is my current favorite of all the Android phones out there.

See Also: Noah’s Top 10 Consumer Smartphones of 2009

A few readers asked me for a Top 5 Smartphones of 2009 list. One even suggested that I’d promised such a list a few months back. I don’t remember that, but I believe him … and am happy to oblige, as tough as it’s been to settle on such a list.

So here you go, sorta. My Top Ten Smartphones of 2009 is actually two lists: The Top Ten Business Smartphones and the Top 5 Consumer Smartphones. Considering that smartphones are becoming more and more mainstream, and that subtle differences between “productivity smartphones” and “entertainment smartphones” are becoming more and more important to consumers, a dual list seemed like the way to go. 

Bear in mind that this list will likely be close to obsolete before the first three months of 2010 have come and gone – that’s how fast the marketplace changes. But for now, looking at 2009, I’ve made my picks.

And so here’s one half of the list, my ten favorite business smartphones of 2009:

Top 10 Business Smartphones

Sure, Valentines Day is coming up next month, but it appears that Palm is pulling a play out of the Centro handbook: release a device in black, and then offer different colors shortly thereafter.  To that extent, an image from Sprint’s systems clearly show that pink is the next color in the Pixi line.  Will it be announced and shown off at CES?  No idea, but an appearance in the system is a strong indicator that it’s coming soon.

Though the pink color option shown in the picture above is from Sprint’s internal systems, there’s no word if Verizon will pick up the pink color in its rumored Palm Pixi Plus.  I’d like to hear from you – pink?  Black?  Blue?  Purple?  What’s your color of choice?

Via Engadget Mobile

I’ve been holding my breath, waiting to see what Apple’s potentially game-changing new tablet device might bring with it. Well, happy new year to us! Thanks to a leak of what seems like an internal document, it looks like a lot.

PhoneArena got the goods from an anonymous tip serving up more than just vague buzz, but actual specifications. The info comes courtesy of images that appear to be Apple memos or fact sheets. Among the details contained therein are some pretty juicy bits, including:

• 7.1-inch multitouch display (with fingerprint-resistant coating)
• 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo processor
• 2GB DDR3 RAM
• 120GB hard drive
• built-in projector

What isn’t clear from this is whether the tablet will be 3G-enabled. This is a pretty big factor for any mobile device, since it will determine how truly portable it is and whether it will allow data through cellular networks. In laymen’s terms, that means you’d be able to browse the web, get email and such whenever you want, even without Wifi. It could also potentially mean there could be some relationship with one of the major mobile carriers.

And last, but definitely not least important, is the operating system.

If you laid bets on whether the tablet will run the iPhone OS or a version of Snow Leopard, be prepared to pay up. The document mentions neither. Instead, the tablet seems to jump the fence, and dive right into a next-gen operation system that isn’t on the market yet: Mac OS 10.7, codename “Clouded Leopard,” a new platform that allows for touchscreen functionality and a new widget-based homescreen. 

This is some crazy stuff. That OS on top of those specs — well, that simply has my jaw hitting the floor. Not just because this might be an unbelievably sexy beast of a mobile gadget, but because of the ramifications this could have across other Apple products. Think of it: Clouded Leopard sort of seems like an evolution of both the iPhone and Mac platforms.

The fact that this new OS takes on the nomenclature (or naming convention) of Apple’s desktop operating system is no joke. The current version is Snow Leopard, aka 10.6. If this tablet debuts with 10.7, what would the next desktop operating system be called? Or could this possibly suggest the general direction for Cupertino’s whole line of computers? And what would that mean for the iPhone? Will we see 10.7’s influences reach into the next version of the smartphone platform? The possibilities are just mind-boggling.

Now that we’ve pondered that for a moment, let’s come back down to earth. It’s important to remember that all this comes from an anonymous source, so you know how that goes: We need to put our cynical pants on, just like with any other rumor. Docs can be faked, and unknown sources are always a little suspicious. Luckily, we don’t have too much longer to wait and see if this pans out. January 26th is when Apple is expected to make some sort of announcement, and most of the industry believes the purpose is to introduce this tablet to the world. 

But one thing’s for sure — if these specs and OS details are true, then they definitely call up more questions than they answer.

Via: PhoneArena

Fast facts (rumors?) on the Apple tablet

This is some of the recent gossip that’s circulating

• Some blogs report that the tablet’s name may be iSlate or iGuide
• Expected to have either 7-inch or 10-inch display (or both via two different versions)
• Apple vendors are working on strengthening the glass displays (presumably so such a large screen won’t be vulnerable to easy breaking or shattering)
• Cost may be around $800
• Announcement expected this month, but won’t launch until March or April
• The main purpose of the device may be for media consumption (and not content creation)

Mock-ups of what the Apple tablet could look like:

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Are you one of those people who thinks that phone hacking looks like a lot of fun but is just too risky to try on your own device? Maybe you hack phones all day and just want to add another one to the colleciton. Whatever the case, check out this contest over at DroidDog. It has got to be the quickest and easiest way to get yourself into a rooted G1. All you have to do is log into Twitter and send the following tweet:

RT @PhoneDog_John Win a rooted G1: http://bit.ly/4JoxS5 || RT and follow @PhoneDog_John to enter! #DDG1

Do that, and you’re entered. Enter as often as you like between now and 01/31/10. Read the full rules here. Good luck!

As Aaron wrote earlier today, the US Government has launched Distraction.gov, a website aimed to educate citizens about the dangers of texting or otherwise using a cell phone while driving. Here’s the video they posted. And, oh yeah: If you text while you’re driving in my neighborhood, I will not be happy.