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Mobile Miscellany: week of May 21st, 2012
Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week, it was revealed that the HTC EVO 4G LTE likely supports simultaneous voice and data connections on Sprint's network, Samsung's Galaxy Ace 2 landed at Three in the UK and Vertu revealed a refresh to its Constellation series of luxury phones. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of May 21st, 2012.
Sprint LG Viper 4G up for pre-order now, coming on April 22nd
Just as promised when we first met the carrier's Viper 4G, Sprint's placing the device up for pre-order today. Notably, rumors of an eventual April 22nd release date can now rest comfortably, with The Now Network saying it'll do its best to get the Gingerbread handset on all early-adopting hands before Sunday. For being one of Sprint's initial LTE slabs, the Viper bears a flexible $99 price tag -- of course, that's with a two-year deal, a $50 mail-in rebate and an understanding that the carrier's LTE waves aren't even live yet. If you're not due an upgrade just yet, though, then you'll have to part ways with around $400. Sound good? Head over to the source below to give it a last gander before you decide to add it to your cart.
LG Viper 4G may hit Sprint stores on April 22nd
Pre-orders of Sprint's first LTE-capable device, the LG Viper 4G, begin tomorrow. The Now Network is keeping quiet on an official release date for the time being, but that isn't stopping the carrier from sharing a few crucial nuggets of information with its employees first. We got our hands on a screenshot apparently informing Sprint's forces that the device will be all yours for the buying on April 22nd, through your choice of retail sales channels and online stores. No new details are revealed otherwise, and we still don't know exactly when the LTE service itself will go live, but we're definitely seeing a light at the end of this tunnel. [Thanks, anonymous]
Sprint confirms that LTE phones can enjoy unlimited data on Everything plans
The formal unveiling of LG's Viper this morning may not have piqued your interest, but Sprint loyalists hellbent on maintaining access to an unlimited plan may want to take a second look. Initially pointed out by TechHog, and confirmed to us today by a Sprint spokesperson, the carrier's impending LTE data network will indeed be included on its existing Everything plans. In other words, the Viper -- as well as any other LTE smartphone, Galaxy Nexus included -- will be able to surf the LTE superhighway without limits. To date, the "unlimited" nature of Sprint's data remains a huge differentiator in a world full of hamstrung options, tiers and throttles, and it'll certainly be used to get the attention of heavy users in the months ago. We also reconfirmed that Atlanta, Baltimore, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City and San Antonio are on track to receive LTE in "midyear 2012," with "other markets following in the third and fourth quarters." Huzzah!
Sprint LG Viper gets full specification leak, doesn't want to hurt Mother Earth
While our early hands-on with the LG Viper revealed a four-inch Nova display and an able 1.2GHz dual-core processor, the full breakdown has made its way to SprintFeed's inbox. Some interesting features include a mention of eco-friendliness (no further details here, but expect recycled plastics), NFC capabilities and a substantial-sounding 1700mAh battery. We're sulking about the inclusion of Gingerbread, at a time when every major manufacturer (including LG) has readied upgrade programs to ICS and the five-megapixel camera's a drop down from LG's other dual-core handsets. Hopefully, these stepped-down specs will translate to lower prices when it finally swings by your local Sprint outlet.
MetroPCS LG Connect 4G hands-on (video)
MetroPCS has had LTE longer than any other carrier in the US, and it's still rolling. At this year's Pepcom Digital Experience, the regional service provider had a couple new devices, one of which being the LG Connect 4G. The second LG handset on MetroPCS to offer the next-gen service (after the Esteem), the Connect is certainly less bulky and much more light to hold, with a 4-inch NOVA display in tow. Clocking in at 1.2GHz, it's also the first handset on the carrier's lineup that contains a dual-core CPU. Amongst these specs, the Connect 4G also sports a 5MP rear camera with LED flash and 720p HD video capture, and has a VGA front-facing cam. As much as we begged and begged, the reps wouldn't budge on pricing or an exact date, but we do know that it's going to be coming out sometime in February. And if MetroPCS isn't for you -- or if don't live in one of their areas of coverage -- you'll see the Connect as the LG Viper on Sprint as well. Check out the full gallery of images below and a hands-on video after the break.