Verizon's Samsung Galaxy Tab sprouts LTE, upgraded camera

We knew that Honeycomb tablets would be a big deal here at CES, but one thing we didn't expect was for Samsung's Android Froyo-based Galaxy Tab to get a little spec bump already just a few short months after release. This one is strictly a Verizon special, stuffing in an LTE modem (while maintaining backward compatibility with Big Red's 3G network), adding another 200MHz to the Hummingbird processor for a grand total of 1.2GHz, and moving the rear camera from 3 megapixels to 5. No word on pricing or a release date -- but this definitely explains the recent price drop, eh?

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VERIZON WIRELESS AND SAMSUNG MOBILE ANNOUNCES FIRST 4G LTE-ENABLED SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB™

New 4G LTE-Enabled Samsung Galaxy Tab™ Features Access to Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE Mobile Broadband Network and 5 Megapixel Rear-Facing Camera

LAS VEGAS and BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – From the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Verizon Wireless and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) today announced that a 4G LTE-enabled Samsung Galaxy Tab™ will be available on the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network.

The 4G LTE-enabled Galaxy Tab features a 7-inch enhanced TFT display with 1024 x 600 WSVGA resolution, full support of Android™ 2.2 with access to Adobe® Flash® 10.1, 1.2GHz Cortex A8 Hummingbird application processor and access to more than 100,000 applications available on Android Market™.

Designed with a rear-facing 5 megapixel camera, the 4G LTE-enabled Galaxy Tab is also outfitted with a front-facing 1.3 megapixel camera and camcorder, enabling video chat capabilities. The 4G LTE-enabled Galaxy Tab includes access to Samsung's Social Hub service, built around messaging, contacts and calendar sync, it allows users to send and receive information, whether it is e-mail, social network updates or text messages. It also features Samsung's Media Hub content service available on the 4G LTE network, which offers a robust collection of premium movies and TV episodes for purchase or rental from some of the biggest entertainment companies in the United States. Additionally, the 4G LTE-enabled Galaxy Tab will come preloaded with popular LTE-specific applications.

"The 4G LTE-enabled Galaxy Tab takes full advantage of Android 2.2 to deliver a blazingly fast experience for customers," said Marni Walden, vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless. "The 4G LTE-Samsung Galaxy Tab pairs Samsung's advanced technology with the power of Verizon Wireless 4G LTE, so that customers can leap into the future of the mobile multimedia experience."

The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network, launched in December 2010, is the fastest, most advanced 4G network in the United States, providing speeds up to 10 times faster than Verizon Wireless' 3G network. Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network currently reaches one-third of all Americans, with plans to expand the network to the company's entire 3G coverage area over the next three years.

For more information about Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network, visit www.verizonwireless.com/lte and for more information about Verizon Wireless at CES, please visit www.verizonwireless.com/ces or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/verizonwireless.

HTC EVO Shift 4G Announced For Sprint

Most follow-ups tend to be better-featured than their previous namesakes.  The HTC EVO Shift 4G, however, goes the other way, setting itself up as a more affordable alternative to the original EVO 4G.

Likely aimed at those overwhelmed by the original EVO 4G's price and, probably, size, the new handset is an attempt to provide the same high-speed WiMAX access in a more accessible package.  That means cheaper, smaller and just a tad less powerful, but still good enough to gut it out with today's ever-growing roster of Android smartphones.

Details of the HTC EVO Shift 4G include a 3.6-inch capacitive touchscreen (800 x 480 resolution), a 5.0 megapixel camera module (with 720p video recording), aGPS, stereo Bluetooth, WiFi, stereo Bluetooth, an FM tuner, microSD card expansion (up to 32GB) and a 1,500mAh battery (rated at up to 6 hours of talk time).   Of course, it's got access to both Sprint's EV-DO Rev. A and WiMAX networks, allowing users to stay connected majority of the time.  Core hardware consists of an 800MHz Qualcomm processor and 512MB of RAM -- a slight step down from the original EVO 4G.

One big change here is the inclusion of a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, which could be a  critical selling point for heavy messaging users who just can't wing it on virtual keys.    It's a lot more pocketable, too, sporting dimensions of 4.6 x 2.3 x 0.6 inches and a weight of 5.9 oz.

The HTC EVO Shift 4G will be running Android 2.2 at the helm, with availability slated for January 9.  Price is $149.99 with a two year agreement from Sprint.

[Sprint]

Samsung Infuse 4G Will Get Next-Gen Super AMOLED Plus

Super AMOLED first came on the scene less than a year ago.  Yet, here it is getting an upgrade already in the form of the Super AMOLED Plus, which will debut in  the new Samsung Infuse 4G.

What will we get with Samsung's latest display technology?  According to the company, it will feature a 50% boost in sub-pixel count, resulting in notable improvements in both the screen's contrast and readability under sunlight.  A  full 4.5 inches of that makes it to the new handset, making it one of the largest screens in a smartphone to date (which should render it unpocketable, despite that crazy slim design).

Announced details of the Samsung Infuse 4G include an 8 megapixel camera module around the back, a 1.3 megapixel camera in the front for video chats and the usual roster of wireless connectivity options. Do note that, despite the name, this isn't an LTE phone; instead, it's going to connect to AT&T's HSPA+ network, which is a beefier 3G network, rather than 4G.

It will run Android 2.2, likely with Samsung's usual TouchWiz UI running on top.  Processor is  a 1.2-GHz single-core Hummingbird, which should be plenty fast enough to commandeer the whole thing.

Announced by Samsung and AT&T at CES, the device isn't ready for primetime yet, so only dummy units were on hand.  Regardless, the Samsung Infuse 4G should prove one of the more interesting Android options this year with the next-gen display and that hot-looking slim frame.  No word on pricing or release dates, though.

[via Cnet]

CES 2011: T-Mobile Has Sold Over 900,000 4G-Enabled Devices

We’re live at T-Mobile’s Press Conference at CES 2011, where bandwidth (be it WiFi or any of the major carriers) is… lacking — so no live blog, unfortunately.

With that said, we just caught this little gem: So far, T-Mobile has sold roughly 900,000 4G devices. While that’s no landslide, it’s certainly not too shabby — especially when you consider that they’ve only got 4 different 4G devices, only 2 of which (the myTouch 4G and the G2) are phones.

Sony Ericsson's Xperia Arc hands-on video

We'd heard -- and seen -- that the Xperia Arc was going to make its debut at CES this year and even saw some details and a vid earlier today. Sony's press event is set to start in the next hour or so but we've managed to get a little video for you ahead of the official event. Feast your eyes on all the curvy magic, digest it, love it, and then pop right back for our liveblog and tons more info on this little Android 2.3 Gingerbread wonder.

Official Google Video Preview Of Android 3.0 Spied Briefly

An official video promoting Android 3.0 Honeycomb has just appeared on YouTube, apparently without any accompanying fanfare from Google. It’s on the Android Developers channel, but one would expect at least a blog post to show off the various nuances of the new interface. Actually, as I was writing this very paragraph, the video was taken down, so I’m guessing this was unintentional.

Good thing I downloaded the 720p version and got screenshots of all the interesting bits! We’ll have video for you momentarily, but for now, enjoy these screengrabs of Android 3.0.

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CES 2011 Video: Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc Gets Handled

Continuing to bring you the news from CES 2011 in Las Vegas we have some hands-on video footage of the new Android Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc smartphone for your viewing pleasure below and you can also check out other videos and all the specs by hitting up (here).

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc hands-on video comes our way courtesy of Jon Rettinger over at Technobuffalo who is at CES 2011, and delivers almost five minutes of getting up close and personal with new Android 2.3 Gingerbread toting smartphone.

Size wise the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc is 4.2 inches with 3 physical buttons for back, home and menu, microSD slot, and a 2.5mm jack and is apparently the first smartphone to utilise Sony’s Bravia Engine for the display.

Apparently Sony is touting the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc as “the world’s thinnest smartphone,” something reportedly assigned to the iPhone 4 so iOS fans may be a tad disgruntled about that.

In the video below Jon shares some of his first impressions on the handset and there’s also an overview by a Sony Ericsson rep, so worth a look, Jon also says that “this is definitely one of those devices that needs to held to be appreciated. It’s extremely thin, but manages to feel sturdy.”

So all you need do now is jump on down, sit back, punch that play button and check out the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc hands-on video…enjoy.

New Samsungs Appear at Regional Carriers

Two unannounced phones from Samsung recently went on sale at different regional carriers. The R610 is a higher-end slider for US Cellular and the R300 is a basic clamshell for MetroPCS.

R610: The R610 has the looks but not the features of the D900. This slider trades GSM radios for CDMA-EVDO and features a 1.3 Megapixel camera that also supports video recording, an MP3 player, stereo Bluetooth, and it has a microSD slot for storage.

R300: This entry-level flip has 1x data. It does offer a speakerphone, and basic web access, but it does not have a camera or more advanced features.