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Mobile Miscellany: week of February 11th, 2013
If you didn't get enough mobile news during the week, not to worry, because we've opened the firehose for the truly hardcore. This week brought new smartphones from Alcatel, Samsung and Xolo, along with a sneak preview of the BlackBerry Travel app. 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 February 11th, 2013.
Alcatel One Touch Evo 7 makes FCC pitstop, still runs Ice Cream Sandwich
If it's ICS, you can be sure it ain't fresh. And Alcatel seems to know that, but it's offering a base version of its non-HD One Touch Evo 7 tablet that runs that so very 2011 Android OS anyway. Yes, this is the very same 7-inch "modular" slate we saw at this past CES, except now it's made an appearance at the FCC, indicating market availability on the horizon. Just in case you need a refresher, Alcatel's outfitted the tab with a WSVGA (1,024 x 600) display, single-core 1GHz Rockchip CPU buffered by 1GB RAM and 4GB of internal storage -- nothing to get excited about, really. All the goods are here on display, from test setup shots to its user manual. So, feel free to peruse the source below for a glimpse at the official docs.
Hands-on with the Alcatel One Touch Idol, the Ultra's younger sibling (video)
Promise not to get confused, but in addition to the One Touch Idol Ultra -- which currently holds the title as world's thinnest smartphone -- Alcatel has just announced the One Touch Idol, which sports thicker curves and a less impressive set of components. The Android 4.1 phone offers a 4.7-inch qHD (960 x 540) IPS display, along with 512MB RAM and a 1.2GHz dual-core CPU. The Idol features an 8.15mm profile, but at 110g, it also weighs less than the skinnier 119g Idol Ultra. The phone will be sold in single SIM (4GB built-in) and dual-SIM (8GB built-in) versions, but there's only one connectivity configuration for now: 900MHz / 2100MHz HSPA and quad-band GSM. The One Touch Idol is set to arrive in China this month, but pricing hasn't been announced; Alcatel also filled us in that we'll likely see a US carrier pick up the Idol sometime in the near future, but it declined to give us additional details on which company is involved. The simpler-named Idol is overshadowed by its flashier older sibling, but it inherits the same overall design language. So what kind of thoughts, feelings and emotions did we have about this new entry in Alcatel's lineup? Head below and you'll be rewarded with photos, impressions, a video and press release. %Gallery-174935% Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Alcatel's affordable OneTouch Pop phone lineup revealed for Q1 arrival
In addition to the quad-core One Touch Scribe HD and the astonishingly thin One Touch Idol Ultra, Alcatel just took the wraps off of its 2013 lineup of budget Android smartphones. The trio consists of the One Touch X'Pop, S'Pop and T'Pop, which will be sold throughout Asia, Europe and Africa. Unfortunately, it's difficult to determine how aggressively Alcatel plans to push these devices, as the company hasn't announced pricing for any of the handsets. Leading the pack is the X'Pop, which includes a 4.5-inch qHD (960 x 540) display, a dual-core 1GHz CPU, 512MB RAM and Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). The phone also features a 5-megapixel primary camera, a front-facing VGA shooter and a microSD card slot. The X'Pop is set for availability this month. All three Pop handsets will come in two different flavors: one that offers HSPA connectivity over the 900 / 2100MHz bands, and another that sports HSPA access over the 850 / 1900 / 2100MHz bands. In all cases, quad-band GSM is part of the mix. To learn about the One Touch S'Pop and T'Pop, just hop the break. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Alcatel outs two high-spec One Touch phones: the 5-inch 1080p Scribe X and Scribe HD-LTE
Rather like CES itself, Alcatel is only just getting started. In addition to the 5-inch 720p Scribe HD that was just announced, there's also going to be a Scribe X version of that handset with a top-end 1080p panel, a slightly faster 1.4GHz quad-core processor and a higher-res 12-megapixel rear camera. Separately, there'll also be an LTE version of the Scribe HD, which we gather will have much the same specs except for the faster modem. So, the crucial upgrade options are there, just not at the same time.
Alcatel One Touch Tab lineup starts at $129, due in Q3 with Android 4.1
Alcatel's pair of Evo tablets will find a trio of low-cost siblings later this year, as the company has just announced the One Touch Tab family of slates. Each of the devices will arrive in Q3 and will come loaded with Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). Unlike the Evo lineup, a mobile data option won't be in the cards, as the One Touch Tab assortment is limited to WiFi and Bluetooth 2.0. But enough with the formalities... let's meet the group. At $149, the One Touch Tab 7 HD is priced in the middle of the lineup, but its higher pixel density suggests it might be the most desirable of the bunch. It features a 7-inch WXGA (1,280 x 800) IPS display, 1GB RAM and a dual-core 1.6GHz CPU. As a step up in size, you'll find the One Touch Tab 8 HD, which includes an 8-inch XGA (1,024 x 768) IPS display and retails for $179. Other than the difference in screen size and enclosure, the One Touch Tab 7 HD and Tab 8 HD are very similarly equipped. Both slates include 1GB RAM, 8GB built-in storage with microSD support, a 2-megapixel rear camera and a front-facing VGA counterpart. At $129, the One Touch Tab 7 stands apart as the least expensive member of the bunch, but it's also the least well-endowed. It features a 7-inch WSVGA (1,024 x 600) TFT display, 1GB RAM and a single-core 1GHz CPU. The tablet lacks a rear camera but retains the front-facing VGA setup for video chats. Storage capacity is also cut in half, down to just 4GB, but to its credit, the tablet retains a microSD slot. With only $20 separating this model from its HD sibling, however, the entry level tablet could be a very tough sell -- at least for those who care enough to compare the two. Hands-on video after the break, starting at 1:55. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Alcatel reveals 5-inch One Touch Scribe HD smartphone (hands-on video)
Alcatel wasn't shy about letting the world know that it had plans to debut a quad-core 5-inch smartphone here at CES, but now we have a better understanding of the company's lofty ambitions for the One Touch Scribe HD. The Android 4.1.2 handset features a 5-inch HD (1,280 x 720) IPS display, 1GB RAM and offers enhanced functionality with an optional capacitive stylus and specialized apps such as a notebook and movie editor -- this in addition to packing that previously announced 1.2GHz quad-core MT6589 SoC from MediaTek. With the One Touch Scribe HD, Alcatel is aiming to bring stylus functionality to those unable to afford Samsung's Galaxy Note II. The phone will sell in the ballpark of $400 and is set for US availability in Q3, complete with an optional flip cover. The Scribe HD sports an 8-megapixel rear shooter, a front-facing camera that captures 720p video, 4GB built-in storage, a microSD card slot and a 2,500mAh battery. In terms of connectivity, the handset supports quad-band GSM and offers HSPA+ in three different configurations: 900 / 2100MHz, 850 / 1900 / 2100MHz and 850 / 1700 (AWS) / 2100MHz. We spent a few minutes with the Scribe HD in Las Vegas and it felt well made. In terms of design the smartphone is somewhat reminiscent of both HTC's One X (the overall shape and unibody shell) and Samsung's Galaxy Note II (the camera pod and shiny finish). The screen looks decent enough, sort of middle of the pack for an HD IPS display. Performance was a bit more sluggish than during our Mediatek hands-on -- then again, the Scribe HD we handled was not running final software. We particularly enjoyed the flip cover, which latches on magnetically like Apple's Smart Cover and provides the same premium experience. Check out the gallery below and ht the break for our hands-on video and Alcatel's PR. %Gallery-174937% Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Alcatel intros the One Touch Idol Ultra, the 'world's slimmest phone' at 6.45mm (hands-on video)
Yes, there's a bit of a contest going on among smartphone manufacturers to determine which one has the thinnest device. As proof that Alcatel can play that game, too, the company has just jumped into the circle with its One Touch Idol Ultra, which measures 6.45mm at its thinnest point and ekes by the previous champ, the 6.55mm BBK Vivo X1. Alongside the One Touch Scribe HD, the device stands as Alcatel's flagship smartphone reveal at CES. Beyond thinness, the Idol Ultra boasts a 4.7-inch HD (1,280 x 720) Super AMOLED (read: PenTile) display, a 1.2GHz dual-core CPU, 1GB RAM and Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). Users will also find an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 1.3-megapixel front-facing counterpart, both of which record video at 720p. In its push to make the Idol Ultra as thin as possible, Alcatel omitted expandable storage from the unit, and with only 8GB built-in, media hungry individuals will need to rely on cloud services. In terms of connectivity, the phone supports quad-band GSM and offers dual-band HSPA (7.2Mbps) in two different configurations: 900MHz / 2100MHz or 850MHz / 2100MHz. The phone is scheduled for availability this month in China for 2,799 RMB ($449). Sadly, the phone isn't destined to hit the US anytime soon -- Alcatel told us that the device couldn't get approved by the FCC due to its thin profile. So what did we think about this record-breaking handset? Hands-on photos are below, and after the break you'll find our impressions, a video and a full press release. %Gallery-174934%
Alcatel details Evo 7 and Evo 7 HD tablets with removable cellular data modules
It isn't the first time we've heard of Alcatel's One Touch Evo 7 tablet, but the company's using today as an opportunity to spill new details and announce a souped-up version of the slab. As a unique selling point, both of the tablets can be upgraded to support mobile data connections via add-on modules. You're looking at the most interesting of the pair up above, which is the Evo 7 HD. It includes a 7-inch WXGA (1,280 x 800) display, 1GB RAM, a dual-core 1.6GHz CPU and Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). The tablet features 4GB of built-in storage, which can be expanded with a microSD card. You'll also find a 3-megapixel rear camera and a front-facing VGA setup for video chats. The base configuration of the Evo 7 HD will hit the market in May for $179, which features 802.11 b/g/n (WiFi) and Bluetooth 4.0. As for mobile data, the tablet will also be sold with a removable 3G module ($249) or a 4G module ($349). Not to forget the Evo 7, this tablet features a 7-inch WSVGA (1,024 x 600) display, 1GB RAM, a single-core 1GHz CPU and Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). It includes a sole VGA camera on the front, 4GB of built-in storage and a microSD slot. Look closely and you'll also discover that the Evo 7 is less impressive in the communications department, which is limited to WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1 and an optional HSPA+ 21 module. Neither pricing nor a release date have been established for the One Touch Evo 7, but you can take a peek at it -- along with our hands-on video -- after the break. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Alcatel prepping One Touch Scribe HD phone with quad-core MediaTek chipset
If you remember the MediaTek MT6589 that we recently took for a spin, you might recall that it holds the curious designation as containing the world's first quad-core Cortex A7 1GHz+ CPU. Interestingly, we've just learned that this snappy, efficient chip will be included in Alcatel's upcoming One Touch Scribe HD smartphone. Alongside that announcement, the company has confirmed to us that it'll soon debut the One Touch Idol Ultra, which counts as its thinnest smartphone to date, along with a modular tablet that's dubbed the One Touch Evo7 HD. Not to stop there, Alcatel also promises that a mobile hotspot known as the One Touch Link W800. Other details remain elusive, but we're hopeful that we'll learn more in a few days time.
MediaTek launches world's first quad-core Cortex-A7 SoC, we go hands-on (video)
There's a new player in the quad-core SoC game and it's called the MT6589. MediaTek announced today that it's launching the world's first quad-core Cortex-A7 SoC and gave us the opportunity to take it for a spin -- in prototype form, of course. The MT6589, which includes the aforementioned quad-core Cortex A7 1GHz+ CPU, also features a PowerVR Series5XT GPU, high-performance multimedia support (13MP / 3D camera, 1080p video and display, Miracast) and a built-in 42Mbps HSPA+ / TD-SCDMA-capable dual-SIM dual-active radio. By combining competitive performance with high thermal efficiency and low power consumption in an affordable package, MediaTek's new chip is well suited for a wide-range of smartphones and tablets running Jelly Bean and beyond. The MT6589 will be available in devices starting Q1 2013. Check out the gallery below and hit the break for our impressions and benchmarks plus MediaTek's videos and PR.
Alcatel One Touch Shockwave reaches US Cellular, takes your bumps and scrapes for $50
Those of us picking budget smartphones in the US seldom have the choice of a toughened smartphone, and it's even more of a challenge when we're not signed on to one of the top four carriers. US Cellular is offering the cost-conscious a (hardened) olive branch by shipping the Alcatel One Touch Shockwave. Skip past the creaky Android 2.3, 800MHz processor, 3.2-megapixel camera and 3.5-inch, 480 x 320 display -- a shock- and water-resistant shell as well as Dragontrail-based glass should keep the smartphone working through most forms of casual abuse. We also don't mind having preloaded Amazon Appstore and media apps, although the frugal 2GB microSD card in the box won't leave much room for any downloading. We'd at least keep the Shockwave on the short list when the $50 price and long-lasting design will leave ample funds for just about everything else.
Mobile Miscellany: week of October 8th, 2012
If you didn't get enough in mobile news during the week, not to worry, because we've opened the firehose for the truly hardcore. This past week, Samsung confirmed its Canadian release date for the Galaxy Note II, Alcatel took the wraps off of its first Windows Phone and it was revealed that T-Mobile will no longer openly market the iPhone in conjunction with its BYOD value plans. 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 October 8th, 2012.
Alcatel announces One Touch Evo 7 ICS tablet in Europe, doesn't say when it's coming
Just as we had talked about Alcatel not necessarily being known for its hardware offerings, the company's now announcing its first "modular" tablet, the One Touch Evo 7. As the moniker adequately implies, the Ice Cream Sandwich slate boasts a 7-inch display (mum's the word on the resolution), which is paired alongside an unnamed processor that's clocked in at 1GHz, 1GB of RAM and a microSD slot is available to take care of up to 32GB of storage needs. While the One Touch Evo 7 is set come out of the box with WiFi capabilities only, Alcatel says a 3G option will be available as a separate bundle via a "removable 3G module." -- a fitting fact given some of the slate's additional characteristics, such as detachable colorful frames. Unfortunately, Alcatel made no mention of when it plans to release its One Touch device, but we'll let you interested Euro folk know as soon as those details come out.
Alcatel intros One Touch T10 tablet with 7-inch display and Ice Cream Sandwich
Even though Alcatel does have devices out in the market like that Venture or OT986, the company still isn't exactly known for its hardware offerings. With the 7-inch (800 x 480) One Touch T10, Alcatel's entering the overcrowded Android tablet space, and doing so without much flare -- especially when compared side-by-side with, say, Google's flagship, the Nexus 7. Something also tells us the One Touch T10 might just be one of those reincarnated slates, but that's not to say some won't appreciate the inclusion of Ice Cream Sandwich alongside a 1GHz, single-core Rockchip CPU, 1GB RAM and 4GB of internal storage (expandable up to 32GB via microSD). Details on pricing and availability are still a tad bit scarce, though word on the web is it'll be priced at €130 (around $170) once it's up for grabs in the US and Europe.
Hands-on with ZTE Engage and Alcatel Authority for Cricket
With September's spate of big smartphone reveals now safely out of the way, it's time for the smaller carriers to trot out their new mobile wares. And here at Pepcom's event in New York City, Cricket's showing off two newly announced phones -- both from OEMs that haven't quite achieved household name recognition. The powerfully named devices -- ZTE Engage and Alcatel Authority -- are actually rather modest in the spec department. ZTE's handset sport a 4-inch WVGA display, an 8-megapixel rear camera and runs a vanilla version of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich atop a single-core CPU clocked at 1.4GHz. As you might imagine, there's a definite lag when navigating through the homescreens and even when accessing the app drawer, but that's simply par for the course with a phone of this low-end caliber. Alcatel's 4.3-incher is actually the nicer looking of the duo, oufitted with the same 800 x 480 resolution and processor, but that's where the similarities stop. Like that other ZTE phone we just spent time with, this handset ships with Gingerbread onboard, so it's certainly no screamer. We're still waiting on official pricing and release dates for both devices, but you can likely count on an October retail bow. In the meantime, check out the gallery below for some extra shots.%Gallery-166210% %Gallery-166211%
Mobile Miscellany: week of September 3rd, 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, AT&T revealed grand plans for LTE expansion that'll continue through the end of the year and the Galaxy Reverb for Virgin Mobile officially went up for preorder. 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 September 3rd, 2012.
RadioShack Mobile leak suggests Cricket Wireless-based MVNO on the way
Tired, perhaps, of juggling mainstream cellular carriers, RadioShack may be launching its own wireless branding. According to a tip we've received, the Shack is gearing up to launch RadioShack Mobile, a no-contract MVNO based on Cricket Wireless. A pair of leaked screenshots (above and after the break) seem to show a RadioShack Mobile-ready HTC One V listing and a snippet of an accompanying product page that promises low monthly rates without the shackles of a 2-year agreement. The Cricket connection? That can be found under the page's "getting started" section, which lists an activation number that pipes into Cricket's customer service line. Details on pricing and plans are scarce, but we're being told that RadioShack Mobile is expected to mirror Cricket's existing offerings, and may also offer the Huawei Mercury, the Huawei Pillar and a 4.3-inch Android device from Alcatel. We contacted RadioShack for a statement and were told that it couldn't comment on rumors or speculation. [Thanks, Anonymous]
Vodafone UK launches Smart II: Android Gingerbread for £70 (hands-on)
UK carriers often like to elbow their way into the limelight when a rival's getting some attention. This time, Vodafone's cutting into Orange's Intel excitement with the Smart II; an update to its wallet-happy Android device from 2011. The UK carrier even let us get some hands-on time with the pebble-sized phone. While the specifications (800MHz processor, 3.2-inch screen) aren't going to wow, at £70 (around $109) it could reel in plenty of feature phone graduates. Check out a brief hands-on video and our own impressions right after the break. %Gallery-156540%
Alcatel outs 4.5-inch, 720p OT986 smartphone with Ice Cream Sandwich in China
Alcatel is relatively a newcomer to the world of smartphone manufacturing, but the company's latest handset is certainly bound to turn some heads. Dubbed "OT986," this 4.5-inch device packs a hefty amount of all-around power (unlike that Venture), starting with its 1280 x 720 HD, IPS display, which is paired nicely alongside a dual-core 1.5GHz CPU (TI OMAP 4460), one gig of RAM and 8GB of internal storage -- and, there's also a lower-end model sporting a 1.2GHz processor and a mere 4GB of built-in storage. Furthermore, Alcatel's new Ice Cream Sandwich slab is said to hit the Chinese market under the TCL S900 moniker for 1,999 yuan (about $314), but deets are still cloudy on whether it'll be stuffed with the same juicy specs as the aforementioned OT986. While we wait to hear which other countries the device will make its way into, though, you can hit the source link below to gander at some extra eye candy.