Samsung and Google have announced the newest version of Android, Ice Cream Sandwich aka 4.0 and Samsung has popped up with the highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy Nexus, probably the worst kept secret in history.

4.65-inch 1280 x 720 Super AMOLED HD screen
1.2GHz dual-core processor
Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
5-megapixel rear-facing camera with LED flash
1.3-megpaixel front-facing camera
1080p HD video capture and playback
1GB of RAM
16GB or 32GB internal memory versions
1750mAh battery
Bluetooth 3.0
NFC support
Barometer
8.94mm thick
135g (weight)
Pentaband HSPA+
LTE available by region

There’s USB 2.0, WiFi a/b/g/n, a compass, a barometer!?, and perhaps one of the best looking, high resolution screens on any phone out there. Google Face Unlock also comes with the phone to provide for a cool and secure unlock system.

Rumored prices start at $299 on-contract, no word about the unlocked price yet.

Verizon finally aired their first ever commercial for their upcoming LTE network during last night’s Sunday Night Football. The Stephen Spielberg-esque ad ad features a lightning bolt delivered by snail mail, and confirms rumors that the network is “coming in December.” As previously noted, Verizon’s initial launch next month will be fairly significant, the 5-12 Mbps service covering 38 markets (roughly one third of the population) and 60 airports right out of the gate. We’re still waiting on Verizon to reveal their pricing for the speedier service, which as of last week the company still claimed they weren’t sure of.

Link to the original article…

As we mentioned in March, Harbinger Capital Partners is building a new nationwide LTE network dubbed “Lightsquared” using spectrum owned a satellite subsidiary by the name of SkyTerra. Leaked launch information indicates that the company should have 20 markets live by 2012. While they may not have built any cell cites yet the company this week announced that they’ve launched their SkyTerra 1 satellite, which will provide the satellite half of their network build equation.

According to the company, the new bird is one of the largest ever built:

The satellite, a Boeing 702HP built by Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems, is designed to provide wireless mobile services to millions of subscribers. LightSquared’s SkyTerra 1 satellite features a 22-meter L-band reflector-based antenna the largest commercial antenna reflector to be put into service. The satellite, among the most powerful commercial satellites ever built, will provide ubiquitous nationwide coverage and enable integrated satellite-terrestrial service using products that are similar to today s typical mobile devices in terms of size, capabilities and build costs.

Lightsquared plans to sell wholesale access to their LTE network, which will use this new satellite for rural coverage and emergency communication services. The LTE portion of the network will cost about $7 billion and will be built by Nokia. On the more terrestrial news front, it was revealed this week that Harbinger is being investigated by the SEC for a $113 million loan taken out by Harbinger founder Philip Falcone to pay personal taxes and potential “preferential treatment” of certain investors.

Link to the original article…

If you’re clumsy, there’s no excuse to not have a quality case for your smartphone. Heck, even if you’re not clumsy, there’s no excuse to not have a quality case for your smartphone. The phones are as expensive as they seem to be fragile – read: very. Well, Trident Case has the remedy for your fragile gadget fear with their Cyclops series of cases:

Crafted in the spirit of the protective one-eyed mythical cyclops, today Trident Case announced the availability its latest new line of products named after the powerful giant. The Cyclops ™ line of protective cases and covers are designed to be sleek, protective and tough and come in nine stylish colors. Customized case designs are available for the iPhone 4, HTC EVO, Motorola Droid X and Samsung Galaxy S mobile phones.

The Cyclops line of protective cases provide a perfect, heavily-fortified sanctuary for the iPhone 4 and several other new mobile phone products. Constructed with highly impact-resistant polycarbonate wrapped with a shock absorbing silicone ring, and a bubble-free screen protector, the Cyclops envelops the device with a superb level of protection.

Best part? They’re available in multiple colors, feature a built-in protective anti-dust, anti-glare screen cover with the Apple iPhone 4 case at $24.95 and the HTC EVO 4G and Samsung Galaxy S cases start at $34.95, the cases are competitively priced and definitely look like they’re more than up to the task for protecting your gadgets.

[ Links: Trident Case ]

Microsoft has confirmed that as with previous Windows phones, Windows 7 phones will come with tethering enabled right out of the box. Brandon Watson, Microsoft’s Director for Windows Phone 7, confirmed the feature on the Windows Weekly Podcast, but noted that it will be up to the carrier whether the function is enabled or not. Since Windows 7 phones will only arrive for GSM carriers this year, that means AT&T and T-Mobile. AT&T of course cripples such functionality in Android phones to force you to pay AT&T an extra toll whereas T-Mobile does not.

The question then is: how hard will Windows Phone 7 make getting around these restrictions?

Update: Tethering may not come ready out of the box. More on this in a bit.

Link to the original article…

Looking more sinister than the previous keyboard enabled HTC G1, the HTC Desire Z is one slick looking piece of kit. Due to debut with Android 2.1 with Android 2.2 (Froyo) will be released shortly as a firmware upgrade.

Due to the Samsung supplied AMOLED shortage, this HTC will have an Super LCD instead. And the Desire Z will have the typical GPS, A-GPS, Wi-Fi and HSDPA connections. Disappointing bits, besides the Android 2.1 is that it comes with only a 5MP camera with a single LED flash. No word on which carriers will get this nor price yet.

Read further details about the HTC Desire Z.

Last May Wal-Mart launched “Common Cents Mobile,” one of many rebranded Sprint prepaid wireless services. Wal-mart also sells Straight Talk service, which runs on the Verizon and AT&T networks. Apparently to ensure T-Mobile doesn’t feel left out, Wal-mart’s now teaming with T-Mobile to launch a Wal-mart branded postpaid wireless phone service subbed “Wal-Mart Family Mobile.”

According to a merchandising VP at Wal-Mart, they’re launching a postpaid service, in part because there’s “a perception among customers that prepaid service doesn’t offer access to the best phones or the best network quality.”

Link to the original article…

After making a ton of cases for the Apple iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4, OtterBox is finally making some cases for Google Android phones.

The Android™ revolution is in full swing with HTC’s EVO™ 4G and DROID Incredible leading the way. OtterBox® now has both of these hot smartphones covered with its Commuter Series® protective cases. Rich with functions and sporting vibrant touch-screens, the EVO and the Incredible are screaming for some added protection.

While not yet announced for all of the Android based phones, this is a good start. Can’t wait until they make one for my Samsung Captivate.

Prices start at $34.95, the OtterBox cases have become the de facto manner to protect your cellphone while maintaining full functionality.

[ Links: OtterBox Communicator for HTC Droid Incredible, HTC EVO 4G ]

I’ll admit. I’m a huge fan of textPlus by GOGII. It allows me to send texts to multiple users, groups and best of all… it’s free. textPlus just got better.

Texting has become a sight to behold. After reaching over 8 million downloads for its popular free group texting application textPlus, GOGII unveils today textPlus 4 Pics Edition, a visually rich social mobile application that uses the power of pictures to take texting to a fun, social level. Free to download and use, textPlus 4 Pics Edition is available on iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

textPlus 4’s unique picture capabilities turn iDevice text exchanges into powerful photographic conversations. Here’s how:

• Picture Communities: It’s show and tell for texting – a group of users texting in one Community chatroom can easily send and receive pictures to illustrate their live discussions.
• “Face Text:” Eye-roll, giggle, growl or grimace. Texters get emotive by using iPhone 4’s front-facing camera to snap and post their own real-time facial expressions; make a face, click the button, 3, 2, 1 – it posts instantly into the conversation flow. It’s like texting from a photo booth.
• Real picture messaging: The #1 most-requested feature from textPlus users, picture messaging lets users send, receive and save photos in one-to-one, private, community and even app-to-SMS conversations – all for free.

Yep… you can finally send and receive photos from people within the textPlus groups or your Apple iPhone contact list… for free. Look for a review in a bit.

[ Links: textPlus 4.0 ]

Bamboo, Microsoft Windows Phone 7 and a seriously sweet design that makes the Apple iPhone look like a dinosaur… do want.

Following the success of original S-series Bamboo Phone I, Enever Design has developed a modern sophisticated version that uses bamboo casing to imbibe organic aesthetic that compliments the subtle detailing of an ordinary design. The S7 has been outlined with special emphasis on two things. Firstly, the unique camera oriented shape shape which also happens to be the best part of the phone to facilitate handy clicks and secondly, the ability to meet the demands of the soon to be launched Window Phone 7 mobile operating system.

Sporting microSD, micro SIM and micro HDMI, this little mobile monster comes with a 8 megapixel with Xenon flash and is due to come out later this year. Price is not known yet though.

[ Links: Enever Design S7 Windows 7 Phone via The Design Blog ]

Acer has introduced a Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU based, Android 2.1 OS loaded smartphone named Stream at IFA 2010 held in Berlin, Germany from September 3 to 8.

‘Stream’ is loaded with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 1GHz processor and 3.7 inch AMOLED display. It also supports Acer UI 4.0, 512MB ram, Wi-Fi, GPS and micro HDMI.

Link to the original article…

Back in July, slides shown at a T-Mobile manager’s meeting suggested the company wanted to push their 3G HSPA network toward downstream speeds of 42 Mbps. T-Mobile today confirmed those ambitions. T-Mobile’s busily deploying HSPA+ upgrades capable of 21 Mbps downstream speeds (though users see half that), and 42 Mbps speeds will arrive sometime in 2011.

While technically still just 3G, the company will be offering speeds as fast as fourth-gen services, including Verizon’s upcoming LTE service (5-12 Mbps) and Clearwire (3-6 Mbps). Granted, many users are more interested in coverage and reliability above of a few extra megabits per second.

Link to the original article…