Verizon's HTC Thunderbolt, also known as the wireless carrier's first handheld LTE device, still has a TBD date, but at least pre-orders are being taken. Multiple sources have said that Best Buy dealers nationwide are taking pre-orders for the new Android device.
To get a pre-order, buyers just have to plunk down $50 toward the device. Best Buy stores are reporting that the device will be ready to pick up on Feb. 14th, or Valentine's Day, although Verizon hasn't released an official date..
It's indeed interesting to see that Verizon is willing to push out another device so close to its star device, the iPhone 4, which launches to retail on Feb. 10.
As far as a price, it's been reported that the HTC Thunderbolt will cost $249, and while that's $50 more than we usually see for Android phones on Verizon's network, it's also the first LTE handheld device on their network.
Showing posts with label iPhone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label iPhone. Show all posts
Feb 6, 2011
Motorola - Xoom Youtube Video and Overview
Motorola's new tablet boasts a slightly larger screen and resolution (10.1 inches, 1280x800) than Apple's existing iPad. It also uses a cinematic 16:9 display ratio aimed at watching movies, contrasted with the more computer-like 1024x768 resolution of the iPad's 9.7 inch screen and its portrait-oriented dock, aimed more at productivity apps like Apple's own Pages, Numbers and Keynote.
Internally, Motorola's Xoom tablet uses a faster dual core Nvidia Tegra 2 SoC, roughly similar to the new Texas Instruments chip used by RIM's PlayBook; both are a full generation ahead of the Apple A4 SoC used in last year's iPad and the similar Samsung Hummingbird chip used in the Galaxy Tab. Xoom also includes 1GB of RAM, four times as much as the existing iPad.
The Xoom also includes dual cameras; a 2 megapixel front facing camera for video chat and a 5 megapixel rear-facing unit with 4× digital zoom and auto focus, capable of 720p video capture. Apple's existing iPad has no cameras, while the coming iPad 2 refresh is expected to add a much simpler VGA FaceTime camera and basic 1 megapixel rear camera identical to that being used in the iPod touch, rather than the significantly better 5 megapixel camera used by iPhone 4.
Xoom is, according to an Engadget report, expected to become available February 24, in a CDMA/EVDO 3G-only version sold by Verizon for $800. The unit will be accompanied by optional data plans that start at $20 32GB per month for 1GB, but an ad from BestBuy also notes that "to activate WiFi functionality on this device, a minimum of 1 month data subscription is required." Unlike the iPad, there are no cheaper WiFi-only versions of the Xoom.
Stay up-to-date with news about the Motorola Xoom
Motorola Xoom Release Date and Pricing Revealed
Best Buy has released an image ad that confirms that the Motorola Xoom will be launched on February 24, and its price will be $799. This is very expensive, even compared to the iPad, but when you compare the hardware, the iPad just doesn't compare to the Xoom. However, people are sure to be complaining and hesitant to buy before the price drops.
Motorola's new tablet boasts a slightly larger screen and resolution (10.1 inches, 1280x800) than Apple's existing iPad. It also uses a cinematic 16:9 display ratio aimed at watching movies, contrasted with the more computer-like 1024x768 resolution of the iPad's 9.7 inch screen and its portrait-oriented dock, aimed more at productivity apps like Apple's own Pages, Numbers and Keynote.
Internally, Motorola's Xoom tablet uses a faster dual core Nvidia Tegra 2 SoC, roughly similar to the new Texas Instruments chip used by RIM's PlayBook; both are a full generation ahead of the Apple A4 SoC used in last year's iPad and the similar Samsung Hummingbird chip used in the Galaxy Tab. Xoom also includes 1GB of RAM, four times as much as the existing iPad.
The Xoom also includes dual cameras; a 2 megapixel front facing camera for video chat and a 5 megapixel rear-facing unit with 4× digital zoom and auto focus, capable of 720p video capture. Apple's existing iPad has no cameras, while the coming iPad 2 refresh is expected to add a much simpler VGA FaceTime camera and basic 1 megapixel rear camera identical to that being used in the iPod touch, rather than the significantly better 5 megapixel camera used by iPhone 4.
Xoom is, according to an Engadget report, expected to become available February 24, in a CDMA/EVDO 3G-only version sold by Verizon for $800. The unit will be accompanied by optional data plans that start at $20 32GB per month for 1GB, but an ad from BestBuy also notes that "to activate WiFi functionality on this device, a minimum of 1 month data subscription is required." Unlike the iPad, there are no cheaper WiFi-only versions of the Xoom.
Stay up-to-date with news about the Motorola Xoom
Motorola's new tablet boasts a slightly larger screen and resolution (10.1 inches, 1280x800) than Apple's existing iPad. It also uses a cinematic 16:9 display ratio aimed at watching movies, contrasted with the more computer-like 1024x768 resolution of the iPad's 9.7 inch screen and its portrait-oriented dock, aimed more at productivity apps like Apple's own Pages, Numbers and Keynote.
Internally, Motorola's Xoom tablet uses a faster dual core Nvidia Tegra 2 SoC, roughly similar to the new Texas Instruments chip used by RIM's PlayBook; both are a full generation ahead of the Apple A4 SoC used in last year's iPad and the similar Samsung Hummingbird chip used in the Galaxy Tab. Xoom also includes 1GB of RAM, four times as much as the existing iPad.
The Xoom also includes dual cameras; a 2 megapixel front facing camera for video chat and a 5 megapixel rear-facing unit with 4× digital zoom and auto focus, capable of 720p video capture. Apple's existing iPad has no cameras, while the coming iPad 2 refresh is expected to add a much simpler VGA FaceTime camera and basic 1 megapixel rear camera identical to that being used in the iPod touch, rather than the significantly better 5 megapixel camera used by iPhone 4.
Xoom is, according to an Engadget report, expected to become available February 24, in a CDMA/EVDO 3G-only version sold by Verizon for $800. The unit will be accompanied by optional data plans that start at $20 32GB per month for 1GB, but an ad from BestBuy also notes that "to activate WiFi functionality on this device, a minimum of 1 month data subscription is required." Unlike the iPad, there are no cheaper WiFi-only versions of the Xoom.
Stay up-to-date with news about the Motorola Xoom
Motorola Xoom Overview
The Motorola Xoom tablet is dripping with Android 3.0 Honeycomb sweetness. It's the first version of Android that Google, the operating system's creator, says is ready for the big screen. Along with a dual-core processor and a 10.1-inch display, the Xoom could be the tablet that shows Apple's iPad who's boss.
The Motorola Xoom is the first Android 3.0 Honeycomb tablet to be announced and we managed to get a sneak peek at the eagerly anticipated slate at Motorola's preview event in London.
At just 740g, the Xoom is heavier than the Samsung Galaxy Tab but is around the same weight as the iPad. It uses the same Nvidia Tegra 2 processor and 1GB of RAM as Motorola's new Atrix smartphone. Motorola claims the 10.1in screen has a resolution of 1,280x800 which sounds a little odd to us – we'd expect most screens of that size to have a resolution of either 1,024x600 or 1,366x768.
Thanks to Android 3.0, the Home screen looks disorientating and different if you're used to an Android 2 smartphone but it actually has most of the same user interface elements you'd expect. A taskbar of favourite apps runs along the bottom of the screen, while a Search field and a button listing all the installed apps run along the top. In the middle are widgets which have been redesigned to take advantage of the extra screen resolution. For example, the GMail widget includes a scrollable Inbox list while the Calendar widget lists your appointments for the day.
Many of the bundled Google apps have also been tweaked to make the most of the Xoom's large screen. The web browser has desktop-style tabs and the Incognito privacy mode familiar to Google Chrome users. The YouTube app lists videos on a scrollable 3D wall similar to the Top Sites feature in Apple's Safari web browser. Google Maps now has an optional 3D mode showing the outlines of buildings on streets in over 100 cities including Birmingham and Cardiff, but oddly not London at present.
GMail now shows your list of labels and the contents of your inbox simultaneously in two separate panes. Tapping a message shows a preview of the message alongside the contents of your inbox or selected label. Android 3.0 still has separate apps for GMail and other email accounts, such as Exchange, so we weren't able to see if Exchange users will be able to take advantage of this expanded user interface.
The Motorola Xoom is the first Android 3.0 Honeycomb tablet to be announced and we managed to get a sneak peek at the eagerly anticipated slate at Motorola's preview event in London.
At just 740g, the Xoom is heavier than the Samsung Galaxy Tab but is around the same weight as the iPad. It uses the same Nvidia Tegra 2 processor and 1GB of RAM as Motorola's new Atrix smartphone. Motorola claims the 10.1in screen has a resolution of 1,280x800 which sounds a little odd to us – we'd expect most screens of that size to have a resolution of either 1,024x600 or 1,366x768.
Thanks to Android 3.0, the Home screen looks disorientating and different if you're used to an Android 2 smartphone but it actually has most of the same user interface elements you'd expect. A taskbar of favourite apps runs along the bottom of the screen, while a Search field and a button listing all the installed apps run along the top. In the middle are widgets which have been redesigned to take advantage of the extra screen resolution. For example, the GMail widget includes a scrollable Inbox list while the Calendar widget lists your appointments for the day.
Many of the bundled Google apps have also been tweaked to make the most of the Xoom's large screen. The web browser has desktop-style tabs and the Incognito privacy mode familiar to Google Chrome users. The YouTube app lists videos on a scrollable 3D wall similar to the Top Sites feature in Apple's Safari web browser. Google Maps now has an optional 3D mode showing the outlines of buildings on streets in over 100 cities including Birmingham and Cardiff, but oddly not London at present.
GMail now shows your list of labels and the contents of your inbox simultaneously in two separate panes. Tapping a message shows a preview of the message alongside the contents of your inbox or selected label. Android 3.0 still has separate apps for GMail and other email accounts, such as Exchange, so we weren't able to see if Exchange users will be able to take advantage of this expanded user interface.
Motorola's Xoom 3G Contract may Similar iPad's
The new upcoming Motorola Xoom tablet may be offered with a 3G contract similar to that of the iPad. That is, if Verizon maintains the current tablet contract scheme it offers with Samsung's Galaxy Tab.
Motorla's Xoom is one of the most highly anticipated tablets since the introduction of Apple's iPad early last year. The Xoom will be the first tablet to use Google's Android 3.0 operating system ("Honeycomb"), have front and rear-facing cameras, a dual-core Nvidia processor, and Google Talk with video chat, among other marquee features.
Verizon offers the 7-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab tablet--which has integrated 3G capabilities only one-way: for full price ($499.99) with a month-to-month 3G contract. This makes the structure of the 3G contracts more or less the same as the iPad's, which is also month-to-month.
Will the Motorola Xoom follow suit? That, of course, remains to be seen, but Verizon's across-the-board pricing strategy for tablets is currently to offer the tablet at full price with month-to-month 3G, according to documentation that can be obtained at Verizon stores.
Verizon is already on the record, stating that the "XOOM device will launch as a 3G/Wi-Fi-enabled device in Q1 2011 with an upgrade to 4G LTE in Q2."
Verizon tablet 3G data pricing differs slightly from iPad pricing. The iPad offers a 2GB data plan for $25 a month, on a month-to-month basis. For tablets, Verizon currently offers a 1GB plan for $20 and a 3GB plan for $35. (Verizon also offers a 5GB plan for $50 a month and a 10GB plan for $80.)
The full price of the Xoom is not known yet, though rumors have it ranging from $699 to about $799. The iPad 3G ranges from $629 to $829.
There is also the possibility that Verizon will offer a two-year contract that would likely bring down the Xoom's price.
One of the outstanding questions is whether the Xoom will be more of a 4G device, as Verizon's promotional materials seem to indicate.
It is not clear at this point how a 4G data plan for a Verizon tablet would be structured.
Rumor: Apple iOS 4.3 will Release Valentine’s Day
All of us think that the Apple iOS 4.3 will land sooner as opposed to later on but a whole new rumor suggests that it might destroy some Valentine’s Day ideas which has a Feb. 14 launch at 10 a.m. PST.
The iOS 4.3 rumors arrives from MacStories, that’s citing unnamed sources for that launch date. The most recent iPhone/iPad software program is intended to add a multitude of characteristics.
One of your coolest characteristics of iOS 4.3 will be the potential for third-party builders to add in AirPlay assist. This will likely permit a video clip app maker, by way of example, to possess that material stream about the air to an Apple Television linked to a big-screen tv.
The Verizon iPhone has the capability for that machine to make a cellular hotspot for other gadgets and lots of are expecting this to feature the 4.3 software program. Even when the AT&T iPhone gets this in the application, it will still be up to the carrier to assistance this.
Another thing that has long been rumored for iOS 4.3 may be the capacity for publishers to possess a subscription service through the App Store. The Daily just launched earlier this week and it had the first two weeks free thanks to a sponsorship from Verizon and the subscription feature is expected to kick in after that. That two-week time frame lines up nicely using the Feb. 14 rumor.
Builders have dug through the beta versions and found some multitouch gesture controls which could eventually eliminate the need for a home button. Apple has explicitly said that it is just seeking developer feedback on this and the gesture controls will be stripped out once this computer software hits consumers.
Much with the IntoMobile team will be at Cell World Congress during that time but you can be sure that we’ll give you up-to-the-minute news on the newest Apple computer software.
Apple's iOS 4.3 will Release Valentine's Day
Rumored Apple's iOS 4.3 will Release Valentine's Day. Apple's iOS 4.3 will release on February 14, a new rumor surfacing online pegs. The newest update for iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touches.
MacStories has reported from a "reliable source" that iOS 4.3 will be available on February 14 at 10 a.m. PT.
At some point in the next two weeks or so, Apple holds an announcement regarding in-app subscription APIs (and, I suspect, given this week's news regarding in-app payments for third-party bookstores, other in-app purchasing changes). At this point, Apple releases a new version of iOS with support for in-app subscription purchasing and the Wi-Fi hot-spot feature. I wouldn't even be surprised if Apple releases that iOS update prior to February 10, the date the iPhone 4 is slated to arrive in Verizon customers' hands.
Other rumors have suggested that the iPad 2 announcement would be included in a press event announcing iOS 4.3, though many believe that will not be the case. At this point, there does not appear to be any strong evidence that the iPad 2 is ready for consumers.
iOS 4.3 will include several new features for consumers, but also some slick new toys for developers to add to their apps. At the top of the list is AirPlay functionality APIs for third-party apps, full-screen banners for iAds, and streaming statistics for live, HTTP-streaming video.
My advice? Calm your excitement for iOS 4.3 and don't forget roses, chocolates, a card, and a fancy dinner reservation for your significant other this Valentine's Day. Remember, if the update does come, it'll be there on Tuesday.
Will we see an iOS 4.3, an iPad 2, both, or nothing on Valentine's Day? Let me know your opinion in the comments!
Feb 5, 2011
Verizon iPhone 4 Pre-Sales Result in Record
It didn’t take Verizon long to break that record, either. According to Verizon CEO Dan Mead: In just our first two hours, we had already sold more phones than any first day launch in our history. And, when you consider these initial orders were placed between the hours of 3 a.m. and 5 a.m., it is an incredible success story. It is gratifying to know that our customers responded so enthusiastically to this exclusive offer – designed to reward them for their loyalty.
AT&T also sold out its iPhone 4 pre-orders in the first day of availability, but there’s a key difference here: Verizon so far has only been selling devices to existing customers. Sales to new customers don’t begin until next week, on Feb. 10, at either Apple or Verizon locations. That’s when we’ll see how many switchers Verizon attracts.
If you missed out on the pre-sale or aren’t an existing customer, you can walk into (or maybe line up at) an Apple or Verizon store beginning Feb. 10 at 7:00 a.m., order online starting Feb. 9 at 3:00 a.m. EST, or reserve one for pickup on Feb. 9 and go into a store the next day to grab it at an Apple retail location.
Verizon iPhone 4 Datails
Verizon iPhone 4 will launch February 10. Face Time: People have been dreaming about video calling for decades. iPhone 4 makes it a reality. With just a tap, you can wave hello to your kids, share a smile from across the globe, or watch your best friend laugh at your stories — iPhone 4 to iPhone 4 or the new iPod touch over Wi-Fi. And it works right out of the box. No other phone makes staying in touch this much fun.
Retina display: The Retina display on iPhone 4 is the sharpest, most vibrant, highest-resolution phone screen ever, with four times the pixel count of previous iPhone models. In fact, the pixel density is so high that the human eye is unable to distinguish individual pixels. Which makes text amazingly crisp and images stunningly sharp.
Multitasking: iPhone 4 introduces a whole new way of multitasking. Now you can run your favorite third-party apps — and switch between them instantly — without slowing down the performance of the foreground app or draining the battery unnecessarily.* This smarter approach to multitasking is available only on iPhone.
HD Video Recording and Editing: Shoot your own movies in high definition. Capture impressive video even in low-light settings, thanks to the advanced backside illumination sensor and built-in LED light. Then edit and create your own mini-masterpiece right on iPhone 4 using the new iMovie app — with Apple-designed themes, titles, and transitions. It’s available on the App Store for $4.99.
5-Megapixel Camera with Built-in LED Flash: Take beautiful, detailed photos with the new 5-megapixel camera with built-in LED flash. The advanced backside illumination sensor captures great pictures even in low light. And the new front-facing camera makes it easy to take self-portraits.
If you want to know more about Verizon iPhone 4 visit www.verizonwireless.com
Verizon iPhone 4 Launch February 10
The iPhone 4 now available for pre-order for current Verizon customers on February 3rd at 3AM EST and we also knew that the iPhone would go up for general sale on February 10th. But thanks to this most recent bit, we can actually mark our calendars with something a bit more specific — 7AM local time. The iPhone 4 will be available for anyone and everyone that wants to shell out their hard earned money on February 10th at 7AM local time.
Otherwise, just to recap the pricing, the iPhone 4 will be $199 or $299 for the 16GB and 32GB model respectively and that price assumes a two-year agreement is attached. As for those looking to make the purchase off-contract, be prepared to shell out a bit more cash — $649.99 or $749.99.
As far as actually making the purchase on the 10th, the phone will be available at any of the Apple retail stores or the Apple website as well as any of the Verizon Wireless retail stores or the Verizon Wireless website. And lastly, for those looking to get an iPhone 4 on the 10th, you can also make a reservation beginning on February 9th that will allow you to pick up the device the next day when it is officially available.
Otherwise, it seems like this wraps things up and now it is just a matter of waiting until the 3rd or the 10th. And coincidentally, Verizon updated their iPhone 4 FAQ page once again and re-added the part about no special early upgrades for current customers.
Most of the Verizon Blackberry Users Will Go iPhone 4 on Launch Day
Verizon iPhone 4 will launch February 10. United Sample has released the results of an extensive survey of 727 AT&T and Verizon smartphone users. And if the responses of this seemingly small survey group track out to the general population come for the day that sound you hear is Android and RIM's cheerleaders weeping quietly in the corner.
That's because 54 percent of current owners of Blackberry or Android phones—Verizon customers registered themselves as either "very likely" or "somewhat likely" to switch to the iPhone 4 on launch day itself. On the flip side, 33 percent of this group indicated that they were "very unlikely" or "somewhat unlikely" to make the jump.
66 percent of Verizon's Blackberry users specifically stated that they were either very or somewhat likely to pick up an iPhone 4 on launch day. That number drops to 44 percent for Verizon's Android owners. But you can always ask them yourself: In total, 24 percent of existing Verizon owners intending to make a switch on launch day stated that they intended to stand in line to pick up a new device.
The main reason for the switch- coming in at 60 percent of all surveyed Blackberry and Android owners on Verizon's network remained the differences in interface between either Android or Blackberry phones and the iPhone 4. A dislike of the respective phones' web browsers and preference for the iPhone 4's came up at 58 percent, and "media"—presumably what a phone supports as well as its ability to easily play or transfer media—was indicated by 51 percent of Verizon Blackberry and Android users looking to jump ship.
However, the biggest factor holding this populace back from going Apple is the costs for doing so. Nearly half of the surveyed Verizon users, 46 percent, cited it as the largest reason as to why they wouldn't want to switch to an iPhone 4. In fact, 41 percent—when asked if they had any second thoughts about switching after learning more about Verizon's iPhone 4—indicated that the costs of the phone and associated data plans remained a large roadblock in their decision-making process.
Interestingly, only 26 percent of surveyed AT&T users indicated that they were "somewhat" or "very" likely to buy an iPhone 4 on launch day. The chief reason that any members of the surveyed AT&T audience would do so—at a 48 percent response rate—was the dropped calls they experienced on AT&T's network. However, 45 percent of the group indicated that the cost of the transition was the biggest issue holding them back.
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