Archive for March, 2010
The Dell Aero: AT&T’s Second Android Phone
Mar 29th
The Dell Aero– coming soon to AT&T
AT&T was pretty busy during CTIA last week, definitely making some big waves. We already saw AT&T and Palm announce that the Pre Plus and Pixi Plus would be coming AT&T’s way, but that wasn’t all, not by a long shot– they also revealed their second official Android phone (this not including the Nexus One that just came out with support for AT&T 3G), together with Dell called the Dell Aero (yes, Dell the computer company).
So what is the Dell Aero? According to AT&T– not only is it an Android phone, but the lightest Android phone out there. Design and specs wise, it looks to be pretty solid as well:
- A thin, sleek all touchscreen design with a 3.5 inch touchscreen with nHD resolution (or what looks to be a solid screen that should be fine for doing all your tasks from viewing texts to watching videos)
- 5 megapixel camera with flash and built-in integration with Facebook, TwitPic, Flickr, Picassa and YouTube– For direct uploading of your pix and videos to your social network site of choice, straight from your phone.
- WiFi, GPS and 3G
Unfortunately, that appears to be all AT&T is saying on the Aero right now, and we don’t yet know other details such as price, release date or even what version of Android it is running (though whatever version it is, we know AT&T and Dell customized it pretty strongly as you can see in the pic above which looks nothing like the stock Android homescreen we’ve seen on phones like the Droid and Nexus One), but we’ll make sure to let you know as soon as we find out.
One more pic of the Aero’s customized menu after the break.
Pix and info from AT&T
The Future is Now: Sprint Announces the HTC Evo 4G
Mar 23rd
We figured this was on it’s way, and today Sprint and HTC made it official. The first 4G phone is coming to the US this summer in the HTC Evo 4G (aka the rumored HTC Supersonic) and wow is this insane–like blow your mind insane.
I mean look at these specs:
- 4.3 inch multitouch screen with a 480×800 resolution– in other words, a crazy awesome screen (similar to that on the Nexus One).
- Thin, sleek design– think like HTC’s recently released T-Mobile HD2
- 8 megapixel camera with flash and support to shoot 720p HD video– yes, your phone can now record videos in HD! (Oh, and this is even better than what was rumored to be only a 5 megapixel camera– showing rumors aren’t always right).
- 1.3 megapixel front facing camera– for you guessed it, mobile video chatting! All I can say to this, it’s about time we in the US get this feature that’s been around overseas for awhile (though don’t get me wrong– I’m still pretty pumped about it).
Taking a video with Qik on the HTC Evo 4G
- Android 2.1 (with an updated, higher quality YouTube app to take advantage of the faster 4G speeds) with the latest and greatest version of HTC Sense (as we saw back at MWC)– there also is a 1 GHZ Snapdragon processor in here that should keep everything on the phone itself nice and fast.
- GPS, compass and WiFi with the ability to turn this into a mobile hotspot (like the MiFi and Overdrive), with support for up to 8 (!) users at once! The MiFi and Overdrive by comparison only allow 5.
- 1 GB of built in storage with microSD card slot (with room for up to 32 GB).
- 3.5 mm headphone jack, HDMI port (seriously, when do you ever see this on a phone!), and a kickstand for media playback (so you can prop it up on a table and video chat, watch movies, view pix etc. like you would on a laptop).
And of course– built-in 3G and 4G! This phone has both, which means not only solid 3G coverage when you’re outside of the growing 4G coverage, but also for when you do have 4G– you can now make a call over 3G while at the same time browse the web over 4G (something you’ve probably seen of in AT&T’s latest ads. This is pretty big news in its own right).
For the first 4G US phone, I gotta say, HTC and Sprint look to have set the bar really high. This is the future of our cell phones– truly a computer in our pockets, and now finally with the 4G speed to let you do all you could want, wherever you want.
Unfortunately, we’re going to have to wait till sometime this summer for this bad boy to arrive (and Sprint hasn’t yet said the price for the phone or the plan, if there is a different plan required for the new 4G devices), but again– wow!
We will of course be all over this as more info comes out, but what you think– are you impressed with this new 4G phone? Will this be your new phone (and would you switch to Sprint for it)? Sound off in the comments.
For more info on the HTC Evo 4G, see Sprint’s site here.
Palm Pre Plus and Pixi Plus Coming Soon to AT&T
Mar 22nd
CTIA is still a day away but that doesn’t stop some big news from coming out early. It’s been a long time coming, but sometime over the “coming months” AT&T will finally release their own versions of the Palm Pre Plus and Pixi Plus. The news was made official this morning, with the Pre Plus said to be coming in at $149.99 (same as Verizon) and the Pixi Plus at the very good price of $49.99 ($30 cheaper than Verizon’s Pixi Plus, and the price we thought the Pixi Plus should’ve been at all along).
Specs-wise, both of these are pretty much the same as the Verizon versions announced in January– WiFi, GPS, 3G, webOS, 16 GB of storage and a 3 megapixel camera with flash and video recording on the Pre Plus, and 8 GB with a 2 megapixel camera with flash and video recording on the Pixi Plus etc. The big add on for the AT&T Pixi Plus is that AT&T will also offer a blue backplate for the phone (a major change we’re sure interests you lots), in addition to the standard black and other swappable covers available for the Pixi.
These are definitely solid additions to AT&T’s lineup– giving you a full array of smartphones to choose from no matter what OS and design you prefer. Though seeing the recent problems Palm has been going through (their stock has dropped to below $4 today, with lots of speculation of perhaps someone buying the company), let’s hope Palm and AT&T make that “coming months” into a “really soon” real quick.
For all the details, check out AT&T’s Coming Soon page here, and Palm’s official blog post here.
Pic from Palm
Sprint Announcing a 4G Phone This Week?
Mar 21st
A rumored shot of the 4G packin HTC Supersonic for Sprint
Ok Sprint users– you can now think of this past week as an awesome one. Not only was it announced that you guys will soon be getting the Nexus One, but if these rumors are true– then we got for you something that will make that look like a toy. So what could possibly upstage news of the “Google Phone” coming to Sprint? Try the first US 4G phone! Yes, you read that right– a 4G phone!
As we know, for the past 2 years Sprint has been working hard on the rollout of their upcoming 4G network all across the US– already covering major cities such as Baltimore, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Seattle and Chicago (just to name a few); with others like New York, Boston and San Francisco said to be on the way in the “near future.” So with all that ever-expanding 4G coverage and only 2 data modems– like the Overdrive– being the only devices able to use it, it would make sense for Sprint to be preparing to launch a 4G phone to really kick off the 4G party (particularly with Verizon and AT&T beginning their 4G rollouts later this year/early next year).
So what could this first 4G phone possibly be? Obviously it has to be something insane, and from what this looks to be– we can definitely see this being it. Pix and info are pointing to an all touchscreen, Android 2.1 running phone called the HTC Supersonic (maybe the name has to do with the “super fast” 4G speeds?) to do the honors as the first Sprint 4G phone. The Supersonic is also said to be packing HTC’s latest and greatest version of it’s Sense UI (as we saw back at MWC), a 1 GHZ Snapdragon processor (as seen on the Nexus One), a 5 megapixel camera, and a 4.3 inch touchscreen (like on the HD2). All this in a very slim and sleek design as you see in a rumored shot of the device above.
Now those are just some rumored specs on the device (remember– until we hear official word from Sprint or HTC that’s all we can say this is), but according to the Wall Street Journal, we shouldn’t have to wait to long for this to all become official as Sprint is expected to do so this week at CTIA (think of CTIA as a part 2 of the big cell phone shows along with MWC, just this is taking place in Las Vegas and with more of a focus for US phones. This was where the AT&T Samsung Impression was announced last year for example).
We’ll of course have all things CTIA covered for you when the event takes place this Tuesday through Thursday– so stay tuned and keep checking back!
Pic and info from Phone Arena
Are You Tech-Ready for March Madness?
Mar 18th
With only a few hours left till one of the biggest sporting events of the year, we wanna help you stay up to date on everything related to March Madness, sharing with you a slew of gadgets and apps to cover the variety of your needs, from watching the games, to checking scores, to seeing if you picked that game upset in your brackets while on the go– with something available for your computer, iPhone/iPod Touch or other smartphones.
Nexus One Coming to Sprint and AT&T
Mar 18th
There has been much talk about the Nexus One coming to Sprint and AT&T, and over the last two days, those rumors became fact. Google yesterday announced that those interested in an AT&T 3G version of the latest and greatest Android device, without the need to switch to T-Mobile, can now buy their own for $530 without contract, the same price as the unlocked, no-contract T-Mobile 3G version (T-Mobile also has a subsidized $180 with a new 2 year contract and special plan).
Additionally, Sprint announced today that they too plan to carry the Nexus One very soon– though unlike the AT&T-capable version, the Sprint Nexus One is still in the same territory as the Verizon Nexus One: we now know it’s coming, we just don’t know exactly when and for what price.
Both the Sprint and AT&T versions of the Nexus One will be sold only and directly from Google’s online store– google.com/phone.
So, anyone out there excited for the Nexus One to come to your carrier?
To learn more about the Nexus One, see our initial post here.
Is This Microsoft’s Tablet?
Mar 16th
With the iPad launch nearing, things in this rejuvenated tablet market look to become much more interesting– and much more intense. Now there’s been word for a while of rumors of Microsoft making their own tablet– codenamed “Courier”– and recently more shots of what this device is have leaked out, and I, as someone who views the iPad as a possible the perfect school computer, and is really considering buying my own iPad once it comes out (though I might wait that little extra time for the 3G version)– would really consider dropping those plans immediately for this. Yes, this looks to be that good.
The Courier truly is a very unique and very cool device– with dual multi-touch screens (reminds me of an open notebook), a very stylish and sleek interface (while rumored to be based off the Windows Phone 7 Series OS, this is not just plain copy of a Windows 7 or Windows Phone 7, but something different that looks to be perfectly designed for this type of device), a camera (something we all know the iPad is missing), and a special “Courier pen” that can be used for writing notes onto the tablet. Seriously check out this video of the Courier from Engadget:
Whether or not you like Microsoft or are “an Apple fanboy,” you gotta admit this looks amazing. There also is said to be a headphone jack for media playback, some really cool artistic apps for all you creative types out there, an eBook app (as seen below; maybe this is also Microsoft’s attempt to get into the very hot eBook game, as the iPad is Apple’s), and as you saw in the video, a dedicated website for uploading your work and sharing it with the world. I mean, imagine this– your taking notes in school miss a day. You upload this and your friends can come in and instantly fill in what’s missing (as well as save the notes if they needed). Projects and collaboration couldn’t have been made easier.
The web looks great here as well (exactly as you’d expect on your laptop or desktop)– and if this thing can do some gaming like Windows Phone 7 Series, I’ll be the first to line up!
I’m really hoping Microsoft fesses up to this soon (as of right now, we still gotta categorize this as a rumor as of course Microsoft hasn’t acknowledged that this thing even exists), and before I and many others give in to the temptation and go for the the iPad. But seeing as the iPad goes on sale in only a couple of weeks– which tablet would you rather go with– the iPad, Courier or are you looking at some other tablet?
Pix, video and info via Engadget
Everything You Need To Know About God of War III
Mar 15th
Lovers of blood, gore, and killing the Greek gods are waiting anxiously for next Tuesday, March 16. That’s the day that God of War 3 is coming out and this game will conclude the biggest and toughest path to revenge that has ever been written into a video game. Click to read more on what’s new, whats old, and what is just plain awesome in God of War 3.
Sony Officially Announces the PlayStation Move Motion Controller
Mar 10th
We saw a brief glimpse of it last year at E3, and we have not seen much of it since. However, last night at the Game Developers Conference in San Fransisco, Sony unveiled new details about the upcoming PlayStation Move– Sony’s wireless “wand-like” motion-sensing controller.
The Move will be made up of two parts very similar to how Nintendo has it with the Wii– the main “wand” (the one in the pic above with the wrist strap and giant glowing circle on top) is officially known as the Move, and will have smaller wand like controller (seen on the left) called the sub-controller. As you can tell these look very similar to the Wii’s Wiimote and Nunchuck, and they function very similarly but are also very different. For example, unlike on the Wii, these are going to be used in both casual as well as much more intense games such as the upcoming SOCOM 4 (which, as anyone who has played SOCOM before knows, it’s no Mario). So how else are they different? Well…
- The PlayStation Move uses the PlayStation Eye video camera (which Sony has had around in some form since the PS2) to track your movements and motions, and couple with that circle on top of the Move, look to provide a very accurate sense of exactly what your doing.
- The Nunchuck part of the controller, will not connect to the Move. Instead it will utilize the PS3′s built in Bluetooth to wirelessly sync up with the Move and the PS3 (unlike the Wii’s Nunchuck which needs to be connected into the Wiimote).
- The circle on top of the Move isn’t just to help the Eye sense where you are– it also changes color depending on what game you are playing and how fast your moving your controller (as seen above with the blue).
- Sony also has unveiled a list of starter games, and one in particular is called Sports Champion– which is like Wii Sports just a lot better looking. The next version of Sony’s hit SOCOM series– SOCOM 4– which is slated to be released this fall, is going to support the use of this controller, which should definitely put a new spin on the SOCOM experience, and looks to be the first real test for this new controller to see how it handles itself in an intense game.
Sports Champions on the PS3
Like Microsoft’s Project Natal for the 360, the PlayStation Move will be launched sometime around the holiday season (Sony, again like Microsoft, is viewing this like a major console launch) in either a bundle with a new PS3, by itself, or in a “Starter Kit” bundle with a PS Eye, controller and game for under $100 (which if you ask us looks to be a very solid deal).
One thing that I can’t though seem to wrap my head around is why Sony put an extra X and an extra O on the sub-controller, considering the Move already has them? I guess we will just have to wait to find out what their purpose is for when E3 rolls around June 3rd, and more info on the Move is sure to be announced.
If you want to see the first trailer for the PlayStation Move or more pix, check out Joystiq’s post on the Move here
Info and pix from Joystiq
NFL Mobile Coming to Verizon Next Month
Mar 10th
NFL RedZone– coming soon to Verizon Wireless
We know, it’s March. All our focus should be on Selection Sunday next week and March Madness (and baseball, for those who only care about the pros) and not so much on football for the next couple of months, with football taking a seat in the way back. (And don’t worry, we’re gonna have a lot of ways for you to use tech to keep up with both March Madness and the MLB season very soon).
Today, however, we’re gonna keep the focus on the NFL– as what Verizon and the NFL announced today is pretty sick for all you Verizon users out there. Not only will you guys soon get exclusive Skype, but for the next 4 years (at least, according to the Wall Street Journal) you will soon be getting exclusive access to the NFL Mobile. Starting next month with the NFL Draft, Verizon users will not only be able to follow live on their phones (we’re talking live video, not just an ESPN livecast), but also will have access to on-demand video of NFL Network analysis of the Draft, pick-by-pick Draft tracker updated in real time, and in-depth prospect profiles, blogs, news and more.
And come next season, users will be able to not only watch Sunday and Thursday night games, NFL RedZone, and the NFL Network live from your phones, but also game highlights and an extensive collection of on-demand video featuring analysis and inside access from NFL Network and NFL Films, live radio broadcasts of every regular season and playoff game from both home and away teams, access to fantasy information, news, and player and team statistics, and customizable NFL alerts, ringtones and graphics.
All I can say, if your a football fan on Verizon, than today truly is your lucky day. We’re not yet sure exactly which phones will get the app or how much the app will cost (which again, is a Verizon exclusive, so sadly all you Sprint users that had the NFL Mobile Live app look to be out of luck now), but hopefully we’ll know more info before April 22nd.
In the meantime, who you think goes number one next month?
