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Leaked screenshots show Galaxy Note 2 on AT&T and Verizon

Sean Buckley — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 15:56:00 -0400

Samsung may not have spilled the beans on US variants of the Galaxy Note II, but phablet fans have already set their sights on the usual suspects. Aiding rumors, for instance, are a collection of screenshots showing the phone running on both Verizon and Ma Bell's networks. A BriefMobile source says that the AT&T version of the oversized handset is being tested, as are T-Mobile, Bell Canada and Sprint variations. The AT&T version is said to be a dead ringer for the international model, retaining its quad-core Exynos processor while snubbing the network's branding. Much like Sammy itself, the source didn't have much to say about availability -- just "soon." Can't wait? Skip on down to the source link below to tease yourself with leaked screenshots.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

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Source: BriefMobile (1), (2)

Huawei Ascend D Quad (hands-on)

Zachary Lutz — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 11:19:00 -0500

It's no secret that Huawei is intent on joining the big boys in the smartphone arena, and the Ascend D Quad is undoubtedly its most promising attempt yet. The manufacturer is determined to make some serious headway into the world of handset ~~relevance~~ dominance, and the Ascend D Quad -- alongside its larger-battery XL brother -- are ready to play ball in the specs game. With a homegrown 1.5GHz quad-core CPU, 8MP rear camera, 720p display and plenty more components that top the charts, we think the chance of Huawei making a big name for itself is more promising than it ever has before.

We just took an opportunity to play around with the potential game-changer, and our initial impressions were quite positive. Immediately, our attention was drawn to the display itself, which boasts incredibly vibrant colors and excellent viewing angles. And the device, with its elegant soft-touch back, was incredibly comfortable to hold -- in fact, it felt much similar to the Honor in many respects, with the exception of its width. The unit we played with was running on stock ICS, but it's quite possible this won't be the final software version when the thing is fully baked. We hope to get add more impressions throughout the week as we go to Huawei's booth and spend some more quality time. For now, however, check out a few images below.

Dana Wollman and Brad Molen contributed to this report.

Gallery: Huawei Ascend D Quad hands-on

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AT&T Galaxy Note review

Tim Stevens — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0500

It was once said that if a phone or tablet used a stylus its hardware designers had blown it. It was also said that if the software on that device contained a task manager that coders had similarly missed the mark. The Samsung Galaxy Note on AT&T contains what many would consider a stylus and, if you hold down the Home button, you're presented with what can only be described as a task manager.

So the Galaxy Note, Samsung's massive 5.3-inch "superphone," is critically flawed then, right? No. It is, in fact, one of the best phones to hit the market since another Samsung powerhouse -- the Galaxy Nexus. It's a device with a lot to love and is the kind of phone that would make almost every Android aficionado swoon. However, with its massive 5.3-inch display and generally understated styling, it isn't for everybody. We reviewed it before in European guise, but now read on to see if AT&T's $300 LTE version of this big brute is just right for you.

Gallery: Ceramic White AT&T Galaxy Note LTE overview

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LG's Tegra 3 phone specifications leak, benchmark tests cower in fear

Mat Smith — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 06:40:00 -0500

LG's got a leak and it's revealing some intriguing details on another flagship smartphone -- even backing them up with some screenshots. According to MoDaCo's mole, it will brandish a 4.7 inch (720 x 1280) display, powered by LG's first Tegra 3 quad-core setup. Processor speeds for the LG X3 are pegged at around 1.5GHz on a single core, dropping to 1.4GHz during multi-core use. Hopefully, the 2,000mAh battery will withstand all that thinking power, while Ice Cream Sandwich should help push those multitasking chops to its limit. Camera-wise, you can expect an increasingly standard eight-megapixel sensor, with a 1.3-megapixel camera on the front. There also appears to be some NFC hardware inside, identified by that circular logo at the top of these tantalizing screengrabs -- something we saw on LG's Prada phone 3.0. We're hoping to get a full explanation (and a look at some hardware) at Mobile World Congress. There's just a few weeks to go.

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AT&T Galaxy Note with LTE hands-on at CES 2012 (video)

Myriam Joire — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:46:00 -0500

It's official! As expected, everyone's favorite giant superphone, the Samsung Galaxy Note, is finally making its way to the US -- and with a dash of LTE, no less. The mini tablet will be available on AT&T in both carbon blue and ceramic white for an undisclosed price sometime in the near future. Specs are almost identical to its global sibling -- 5.3-inch 1280x800 HD Super AMOLED display, S Pen, Android 2.3.6 (Gingerbread), 1GB of RAM, 16GB of built-in storage, up to 32GB of additional storage via microSD card, 2,500mAh battery, eight-megapixel 1080p AF camera with flash and two-megapixel front-facing camera. Like its stablemate, the Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket, AT&T's Galaxy Note receives a brain transplant with a 1.5GHz dual-core CPU (presumably a Qualcomm Snapdragon S3) replacing the 1.4GHz dual-core Exynos processor. Beyond support for AT&T's speedy LTE network, the device includes UMTS/HSPA+ (21Mbps) and GSM/EDGE world radios. This US variant will also be available with a number of accessories, including a desktop dock, a spare battery charging system, flip cover cases (available in multiple colors) and the Galaxy Note S Pen holder kit.

We took AT&T's Galaxy Note for a spin, and it's a dead-ringer for the global model in terms of size, weight and general layout. The most obvious differences are the carrier logo just below the earpiece, and the four capacitive keys replacing the three-button layout (physical key flanked by capacitive buttons) common to non-US Galaxy handsets. Pop the battery cover and you'll notice subtler changes, with the plastic SIM and microSD card holders being replaced by thinner metallic ones in order to accommodate the additional thickness from ~~(presumably) an LTE~~ the NFC antenna mounted inside the battery door with matching contacts on the phone's chassis [see update below]. Another difference is with the S Pen, which now features a contrasting grey side-button instead of the same black color as the pen's body. While the key is still just as difficult to locate by touch, it's now trivial to find at a glance. Performance wise, during our brief time with it, this version of the Note felt just as snappy as its predecessor, despite the aforementioned chipset swap. ~~Unlike the other Galaxy S II-class devices on AT&T, there's no sign of NFC here.~~ We'll keep you posted as we learn more, but until then check out the galleries below and hit the break for our hands-on video and the mandatory PR.

Update: We've been able to confirm that AT&T's Galaxy Note features NFC. The antenna is located inside the battery cover, just like on the Nexus S.

Gallery: AT&T Galaxy Note LTE hands-on

Gallery: AT&T Galaxy Note LTE press shots

Richard Lai contributed to this post.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Wireless, Mobile

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Sony Xperia ion coming to AT&T in Q2: offers 1.5GHz dual-core CPU, 720p Reality display and dual HD cameras

Brad Molen — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:46:00 -0500

AT&T and Sony Ericsson haven't exactly had the best of luck as Android partners -- we submit the Xperia Play 4G and the Xperia X10 as exhibits A and B -- but it appears that the two companies are blowing on the dice in Vegas and hoping that luck will change with their latest flagship. AT&T and Sony (that's right, not a hint of Ericsson in sight) took to the stage to announce the Xperia ion. It's packing some good specs, too: a 4.6-inch 1280 x 720 HD Reality display, a 1.5GHz dual-core CPU, LTE, 16GB flash storage and a 12MP Exmor-R rear camera offering 1080p video capture that's paired up with a 1.3MP front-facing cam that offers 720p HD video. It'll also be Playstation-Certified, much like the Xperia Play before it.

The ion's gearing up for a Q2 release, but we were disappointed to learn that it's going to launch with Gingerbread installed, especially given the fact that Sony's been very forthcoming about upgrading its Xperia lineup to ICS by the end of the first quarter. We suspect the delay will be at least in part due to additional carrier testing. Granted, it's a long time away and things are subject to change. No pricing has yet been announced, but it's quite likely we'll see the feature-laden smartphone starting out around $250, if not more. We should have a hands-on shortly.

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LG Spectrum cranks out the Verizon LTE, coming January 19th for $200

Brad Molen — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:00:00 -0500

We had a pretty strong hunch that the LG Spectrum, a rumored Verizon LTE handset, would stop by CES to say hello, and sure 'nuff, here it is. The new device is coming out on January 19th for $200, and has a lot to love: it offers a 4.5-inch HD (1280 x 720) IPS display utilizing RGB, a Qualcomm 1.5GHz dual-core CPU, 8MP camera in the back with LED flash and 1080p video capture, a 1.3MP front-facing cam and HDMI mirroring with MHL. Verizon's boasting the Spectrum as the first and only device that features ESPN ScoreCenter content in HD, as well as a SmartMovie HD app that lets you create and edit videos directly on the phone. What about Ice Cream Sandwich? Nope, not yet. The Spectrum sports Gingerbread for now, but it should get the upgrade sometime in the first half of 2012. Given that most top-notch 4G phones on Verizon debuted at $300 in 2011, we'd say this is a breath of fresh air for anyone who wants some good specs. Check out all the details in the press release below.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile

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AOC reveals 22-inch, USB-powered 1080p monitor

James Trew — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 06:41:00 -0500

Take two cables into the shower? Not AOC, who's announced its new e2251Fwu 22-inch USB monitor, a sizable step up from last time. Taking power and signal from the same lead means one less wall port and less desk-spaghetti, which it claims makes it ideal for multi-screen computing. Spec-wise, we're looking at 20,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio (far less at native, no doubt), 1,920 x 1,080 resolution and a 5ms response time. The plug and play device should work on all your favorite operating systems, when it lands in February for $199. See the full PR after the break.

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Sony Ericsson LT28at with 4.55-inch HD display, 13MP camera and LTE gets Bluetooth certification

Brad Molen — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 03:55:00 -0500

Reading entries to the Bluetooth SIG for device certification can be a frustrating activity. They're generally void of any telling detail aside from the device's model number, and they rarely give any insight into what we can expect from the upcoming product. The Sony Ericsson LT28at, a handset we haven't seen or heard from before, decided to be a little different and use the opportunity to get a little pre-CES scoop. The LT28a -- not to be confused with the LT26i (Nozomi), a rumored handset with a 4.3-inch HD screen and 12MP camera -- claims to offer LTE, a 720p HD Reality display, 13MP rear camera with an LED flash and a front-facing cam capable of taking 720p HD video, and is said to take the Xperia lineup into "superphone territory." Sounds nice, but we have a feeling the land will be populated by hostile forces of all kinds at CES, so we hope they're prepared.

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HTC Rezound review

Brad Molen — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:00:00 -0500

The Motorola RAZR and Samsung Galaxy Nexus seem to be the two Verizon LTE juggernauts enjoying the lion's share of the spotlight, with the HTC Rezound sandwiched smack dab between the two of them. But that doesn't mean the device has any less to offer -- you might even say it's entitled to some bragging rights. It's not the thinnest phone, nor does it have Ice Cream Sandwich (yet), but being the first carrier-branded handset in the US boasting a 720p HD display should carry a lot of weight. The Rezound -- as you might have gathered from the name -- is also the first HTC gizmo in the States to integrate Beats Audio. So does it fare well against its LTE competition? Is it enough to take your mind off of the Nexus? Read on below to find out.

Gallery: HTC Rezound overview

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HTC Vigor with 1.5GHz dual-core CPU and Beats sighted in Dutch online store (update: it's a fake)

Brad Molen — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 14:45:00 -0400

Not much is known about the HTC Vigor, but if the above image is accurate, we have more than a wagonload to look forward to. A supposed render and spec list of the new superphone showed up on The Phone House, a Dutch online retailer, and was quietly taken off the site at a later time. According to the site, the Vigor will have a 4.3-inch HD display with 1280 x 720 resolution; it'll also offer a 1.5GHz dual-core CPU, Android 2.3.4, and integrated Beats Technology -- which would make the Vigor the first labor of HTC's latest purchasing decision. There's no word on if the device will have LTE inside, though Verizon docs indicated previously that it's geared up to be the Thunderbolt's replacement sometime this fall. This time, let's get that battery life figured out, okay?

Update: The marketing manager of The Phone House came out in response to the screenshot, declaring it to be a fake and explaining why the image is wrong. Feel free to check out the More Coverage link to get the full scoop. Otherwise, let's move along -- nothing to see here.

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Samsung SDI shows off 63-inch 4k x 2k plasma

Darren Murph — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 23:47:00 -0400

There's a slight possibility that you haven't noticed, but Samsung SDI is on fire. Like, seriously burning down FPD International 2008. After treating onlookers to a flexible OLED, a 40-inch Full HD OLED display and an assortment of other eye-enticing panels, the outfit has one-upped itself once more with a 63-inch 4k x 2k plasma. Sure, actually finding 4k x 2k content will be a challenge, but who wouldn't want to be ready for the inevitable worldwide domination of Super Hi-Vision? Most of the other specs (contrast ratio, luminance, where it's being stored with loose security, etc.) were sadly absent, but with a native resolution like this, the rest takes a back seat anyway.