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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.
Mobile Miscellany: week of May 14th, 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, Verizon Wireless brought its LTE service to 28 new markets and expanded its reach in 11 additional areas. We also saw Straight Talk introduce the Samsung Galaxy Proclaim, and it appears that Rogers will soon offer the HTC One S. 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 14th, 2012.
PSA: LG Optimus Elite available today on Virgin Mobile USA for $150
If you were one of those who jumped on last week's pre-order, chances are you're eagerly waiting for this Virgin-branded Optimus Elite to show up at your doorstep today. For those who decided to wait it out, however, you'll be happy to know LG's Gingerbread slab is now up for grabs at "major" retail shops in the States as well as Virgin Mobile USA's site. The contract-free flavor of the Optimus Elite carries a $149.99 price tag, which isn't a bad deal when you take into consideration its NFC and Google Wallet capabilities -- that said, its biggest trait's likely to be that lack of a two-year commitment. So, hit the source link below if you'd like one of these for yourself, or you could always take a quick road trip to one of your favorite stores.
LG Optimus Elite on pre-order at Virgin Mobile; carrier's first NFC phone in the US
Sprint may already count the LG Optimus Elite among its roster of smartphones, but today that handset is finding a second home at Virgin Mobile. The $150 Gingerbread-powered device is now up for pre-order, and Virgin says it will start shipping on May 15th. Though the 3.5-inch HVGA display, 800MHz CPU and 5-MP rear camera aren't exactly impressive specs, the Optimus Elite stands out as the carrier's first phone to include NFC and Google Wallet for mobile payments. Unlike Sprint, which offers a white version, Virgin Mobile will only sell the Optimus Elite in silver. And while the former carrier prices the phone at just $30 after a mail-in rebate, Virgin's cheaper monthly plans might convince customers that it's worth shelling out more up front.
MasterCard gives PayPass blessings to HTC One X, 16 other NFC phones
MasterCard is widening the universe of phones that officially support PayPass in a big way, with a new MasterCard PayPass Ready program certifying that devices with NFC will play nicely with its mobile payment system. A total of 17 phones are part of the first wave getting the official A-OK. Some of these are known quantities already using PayPass, like the LG Viper 4G LTE and the Samsung Galaxy Nexus HSPA+, but others are new to the PayPass ways. Among the picks are the HTC One X, Intel's smartphone reference device and the Nokia Lumia 610 NFC. A raft of BlackBerrys and lower-end Samsung Galaxy phones are likewise in the fray. While only a handful of these might ever work with Google Wallet or other US-focused NFC payment methods, you can check out the full roster in the release after the break.
Sprint and LG launch Optimus Elite: entry-level specifications, planet-saving hopes
The successor to 2010's Optimus S, LG's readied another low-middleweight smartphone. Main features on the Optimus Elite include Android 2,3, a 3.5-inch screen, an 800MHz processor, NFC and a five-megapixel camera. So there's nothing particularly thrilling, but 50GB of free storage from Box could sweeten the deal for some. Eco-friendly nods include sustainable build materials, with 50 percent made from recycled plastic, with the hazardous likes of mercury, PVC and halogens also nixed from the device. Like other Sprint-LG team-ups toting green credentials, the charger ekes out minimal power when not charging the phone. Planeteers can pick up the Optimus Elite online -- in "Titan" silver and white -- from April 22, priced at $30 on a two-year contract. Sprint will also hand over a $50 reward card for your troubles and LG says the Optimus Elite will eventually arrive, at least in silver, on Virgin Mobile too. For a few more details, you can catch LG and Sprint emoting over Mother Earth in the press release below.
