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With three SIM slots, Acer's Liquid E700 is a phone for frequent travelers
Not that you'd know from its formulaic product name (seriously, Acer, you've gotta switch things up), but the 5-inch Liquid E700 Android smartphone has an interesting feature geared toward travelers: three SIM slots. Dual-SIM phones are one thing, but why would anyone need space for three? Acer envisions you having separate work and personal cards, with trips abroad requiring one more. And though it's mostly a matter of convenience -- you can keep your home SIM in the phone while also popping in one at your international destination -- the setup has the side benefit of preventing you from losing any cards as well.
Samsung SGH-i547 runs through certification gauntlets with quad-band LTE, shroud of mystery
Samsung is already cooking up a lot of mid-range phones for Sprint and Verizon in the near future. Why not throw an AT&T model on the stove? Based on a flood of certifications (and Samsung's own browser profile), the SGH-i547 will sit squarely in the mid-range of Big Blue's Android phones -- with one exception. Its 800 x 480 screen, 802.11n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0 and NFC won't rock most people's worlds, but the quad-band LTE still sticks out like a sore thumb despite other in-testing devices going the same route: the 700MHz, 850MHz, 1,700MHz and 1,900MHz bands may give the i547 more 4G support than AT&T-compatible 3G. We suspect the support is either an early sign of LTE futureproofing or for roaming on LTE networks as they go live around the world. Globetrotter or not, the i547 still has a lot left hidden under its kimono; we're expecting one or two more surprises before all is said and done.
Nova Media's iCON 461 USB modem is unlocked for globe-trotting commitmentphobes
Unlocked 3G modems aren't something you see everyday. Sure, Zoom has been hawking the dongles for some time, but they're primarily of the tri-band variety -- Nova Media's iCON 461 does those one better by going quad-band and throwing in GPS for good measure. The globe-trotting "3G surfstick" supports 7.2Mbps HSPA on the 850, 900,1900, and 2100 bands (that would include AT&T here in the ol' US of A) and can handle EDGE at 850, 900, 1800, and 1900MHz (hello, T-Mo). In addition to a slot for your GSM SIM there's also a place to stick a microSD card, in case you need someplace to store that leaked copy of David Comes to Life. The iCON 461 comes in two versions: Mac-compatible with launch2net Premium for €179 (about $248), and Windows-friendly with uCan Connect for €149 (roughly $215).
T-Mobile G2x getting Gingerbread 'sooner than you'd expect,' may not be a quad-band handset
We found the T-Mobile G2x to be a gem of a phone, blessed with both a speedy dual-core chip and a near-complete lack of bloatware to keep you from enjoying its raw muscle, but it's hard to deny it would be better still with some crumbly Gingerbread toppings. If you feel the same way, then join us in celebration of some joyous news -- T-Mobile tweets that Android 2.3 is coming to the G2x "soon." The carrier's official Twitter feed adds that Gingerbread was already being tested on the device even before launch, but unfortunately doesn't dish on a potentially more somber situation -- we're hearing (and have found in testing) that the G2x may not actually be a quad-band HSPA+ handset, and we're having trouble getting an unlocked version to connect to AT&T's 3G network. We're currently awaiting comment, and will let you know what we hear. Update: T-Mobile has confirmed that the G2x is not a quadband HSPA+ device as originally advertised, and that the hardware only supports 3G bands I and IV (2100 and 1700MHz).
iPad 2 gets same quad-band 3G as iPhone 4
Just like the iPhone 4 before it, the feature I wanted most from the iPad 2 was support for 900 MHz UMTS/HSDPA in its 3G chipset. And just like the iPhone 4, the UMTS/GSM version of the 3G-enabled iPad 2 delivers, with the same quad-band support as the iPhone 4. The original iPad (and the iPhone 3G and 3GS) supported three frequencies for high-speed 3G access: 850, 1900, and 2100 MHz. If a wireless provider's 3G network didn't operate at one of those frequencies, the iPad or iPhone would then fall back on EDGE, or worse yet, GPRS, at 850, 900, 1800, or 2100 MHz. In countries whose wireless providers chose to run wide swaths of their 3G networks at 900 MHz, this meant older iOS devices would have extremely slow connections anywhere outside areas running at 1900 or 2100 MHz. As an example, my old iPhone 3G would drop to GPRS anywhere outside the central areas of major cities here in New Zealand, because my wireless provider's "extended 3G" network operates at 900 MHz. The iPhone 4 supports 900 MHz, greatly expanding my local 3G coverage compared to older iPhones, and the same will be true of the iPad 2 compared to the original iPad. As a matter of fact, the original iPad's lack of support for 900 MHz UMTS/HSDPA was one of the main reasons I didn't buy it. Now that the iPad 2 has the same quad-band 3G capabilities as the iPhone 4, this is no longer an issue. Almost all wireless providers worldwide operate their 3G networks at a frequency now supported by the iPhone 4 and iPad 2, meaning US owners of the AT&T 3G iPad can travel internationally with few worries about network compatibility.
What would convince you to buy iPad 2?
It hardly seems like it, but it's been nearly a year since the announcement of the iPad. Soon, we'll no longer be able to call the device that's selling today by the simple name "iPad" -- instead, it will become "the original iPad," "iPad 1," "iPad 1G" or "first-generation iPad." If history (and leaks from Foxconn) are anything to go by, we may see an announcement of the iPad 2 in a little over a month, with devices hitting store shelves a couple months after that. Undoubtedly we'll be hearing a lot about the forthcoming iPad 2 over the coming weeks (we've heard several iPad 2 rumors already). Maybe you have an iPad already and are looking to upgrade, or maybe, like me, you didn't find the current iPad compelling enough to purchase until the second generation. In either case, it's worth asking the question: what would convince you, savvy TUAW reader, to buy an iPad 2? Personally, I've got a laundry list of features I'd like to see in the next iPad, but even if only one or two of them make it into the iPad 2, I'll be getting one. I originally thought there wasn't a wide enough gap between the iPhone and my MacBook Pro to justify an iPad, but with the advent of multitasking in iOS 4.0 and the iPhone 4's vastly improved CPU and Retina Display, I've not only found my iPhone taking over a lot of the functions I used to use my Mac for, I've also found myself thinking, "Gee, if only this thing's screen were bigger ... if only Apple made something that was basically just a big iPod touch." (That sound you just heard was a hundred iPad-hating pundits crashing to the floor simultaneously, crippled by cognitive dissonance.) I've got my own thoughts on what I'd like to see in the next-gen iPad, which you can see by clicking "Read More." We also have a poll where we've asked you what you want to see most in the iPad 2.
Droid 2 Global (and specs) make brief cameo on Motorola's website
There and gone again: a Droid's tale. Looks like Motorola's website had a temporary hiccup on the site, and out its proverbial mouth came a listing and some specs for the Droid 2 Global -- which, as you might gather from a name like that, appears to be a Droid 2 with Quad Band antenna for world use (sound familiar?). The site also lists a 1.2GHz processor a redesigned QWERTY keyboard, and a host of key words for the business demographic. Or rather, it listed such things, past tense, as the information has now been pulled. No pictures were ever posted, but if we were betting folk, we'd wager a name like that and a call-out to "redesigned keyboard" means everything else is just as you'd expect.
iPhone 4's multiband antenna makes it a true 'world phone'
This morning, I read liveblogs about the WWDC keynote with growing irritation. I'd been hoping for a 64 GB capacity bump for iPhone 4, even though I knew in the back of my mind that engineering practicalities made it unlikely. The news that FaceTime will not only be WiFi only, but will also work only from one iPhone 4 to another, was also extremely disappointing. And the fact that the iPhone won't be getting down here to New Zealand until July, as opposed to June for the States, UK, and a few other countries, was probably the most annoying of all. Then I went to the tech specs page for the iPhone 4, and like rolling fog after the sunrise, all of my irritation evaporated. Back in March, I wrote this: "Apple can put a better camera in it, add more capacity, a better processor, a front-facing camera for videoconferencing, and a dozen other things -- but quite honestly, I'd be perfectly happy if none of that made it into the next-gen iPhone so long as one feature does find its way in: support for 900 MHz UMTS/HSDPA." According to Apple's tech specs for iPhone 4 & the FCC filing, I got my wish. Read on to find out why this unsung feature is actually a really big deal -- not just to me, but to millions of potential iPhone 4 customers.
HTC Mega materializes again, brings along spec list
HTC's Mega certainly isn't the most exciting of the company's upcoming products to leak lately, but it's looking likely that it'll have one of the nicer price tags on it for a Window Mobile 6.5 device. Another screenshot has surfaced that matches up with one we saw earlier and shows off more of the sides and back. Along with it comes a new list of specs -- not too shabby, but nothing too exciting, either. According to ai.rs blog, it has WCDMA/HSPA and quad-band GSM support, a 3.2 megapixel camera, microSD slot, 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 2.0, AGPS, and still the 2.8-inch QVGA screen and 528MHz Qualcomm processor we heard about previously. If you're already playing with the Mega's TouchFLO 2D-infused ROM, consider this supplementary material for getting a more thorough idea of what the actual phone will look like when it does come out -- whenever that is.
HTC Hero approved by Global Certification Forum, rocking GSM and HSPA
We're unfortunately light on details here, but The Unwired is reporting that HTC's Hero has been approved by the Global Certification Forum, listed here as "HERO100," with support for quadband GSM/GPRS/EDGE and dualband UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA at 1800/2100 MHz. With the company's touted London event just around the corner -- this Wednesday, to be exact -- we wouldn't be surprised to see the phone and its oft-rumored "Rosie" Android UI take center stage, in possibly two variations. Other than frequency bands and the associative name, the GCF isn't giving us anything else to work with, so for now just sit back and hope this uncertainty is cleared up sooner rather than later.
Samsung B7610 Louvre rematerializes, spec'd and caught on camera
It's been some time since we've heard a word about Samsung's enigmatic QWERTY slider, the B7610 Louvre. Now it looks like we've got on our hands a new, decidedly more clear pic of the phone care of GPSAndCo, along with a list of technical details. According to the site, we're looking at a quad-band Windows Mobile 6.1 device (upgradable to 6.5) with 7.2Mbps HSDPA, 3.5-inch WVGA AMOLED touchscreen, 5 megapixel camera, 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 2.0, FM radio, miniUSB, 1GB built-in memory, and a microSDHC slot. Still not official, but should this pan out, Orange and SFR business customers can look to it sometime in July with the price lining up somewhere between €250 and €500. [Via WMPoweruser]
Specification sheet reveals quad-band 3G BlackBerry Bold for Japan
Here's one that's guaranteed to rub loyal T-Mobile subscribers the wrong way. Based on a specifications sheet on the Japanese BlackBerry site, the forthcoming Bold -- which is destined for NTT DoCoMo -- has a fourth 3G band in addition to the 850/1900/2100MHz bands found on the US model. The addition of 800MHz 3G covers the operator's FOMA Plus Area network, which is used in less populated areas throughout Japan. Needless to say, T-Mob users are probably wondering why they can't get a version with AWS 3G baked in, but we get the feeling they'll be wondering for eons.[Via Boy Genius Report]
Samsung's T*Omnia: all that and double the i900 Omnia's resolution
Like the i900 Omnia, eh? We sure did. Well here's its prettier, smarter cousin tagged the T*Omnia. For the most part, it's the same quad-band, WinMo 6.1 candybar with 7.2Mbps HSDPA data, WiFi, GPS, 5 megapixel cam, and nifty TouchWiz UI we've seen for months. But this hometown Korean version bumps the display to a WVGA, 800 x 480 pixels (up from 400 x 240) while slapping in a DMB digital television tuner to ensure its non-Stateside status for eternity... at least with this specific configuration. Perhaps Verizon would be so kind as to make use of that display?
LG's KC910 takes over where Viewty left off, packs 8MP camera
Nah, it ain't the Prada II or anything, but who's to argue with an 8-megapixel camera? You heard right -- LG's followup to the Viewty is the KC910, a touchscreen-based handset that checks in at 14-millimeters thick and supports quad-band GSM / 7.2Mbps HSDPA. Furthermore, you'll find Bluetooth 2.0, WiFi, a 3-inch 400 x 240 resolution display, a microSD expansion slot, Xenon flash (alongside a Schneider-Kreuznach lens), video recording, TV output, a multimedia player (with DivX and XviD support, we're told) and built-in GPS. This feature-packed device is bruited to be on track for an October launch, though we've no idea how costly it'll be (nor what regions it will invade).
HTC Touch Diamond surfaces at CompUSA
Oh, snap. Just the other day we were bemoaning the fact that the Touch Diamond sent to us courtesy of HTC lacked both HSDPA 850 / 1900 and GSM 850, but according to the product page at CompUSA, the version it's selling has all of those. Yep, a purported quad-band Touch Diamond is seemingly in stock right now for Americans willing to part with $779.99, but remember, all those bills nets you a 2.8-inch VGA display, HSDPA 7.2, Windows Mobile 6.1 and oodles of sexy. Go on, help HTC get one closer to two million this year.[Thanks, Tom] Update: Hey look, UKers can get in too. Just £463.99 including VAT. Thanks Leigh! Update 2: For shame! HTC just pinged us and said this thing is the same as every other Touch Diamond, meaning that North American 3G is not supported.
Mobiado Professional 105 EM / GCB handsets: too luxurious for our fingers
Heads up, affluent sect. The immensely pricey Professional 105 line is expanding, as two new members slip in to tempt your stuffed wallet. Mobiado's Professional 105 EM is available in Cocobolo and Ebony, and the frame is even constructed from anodized aluminum; you'll also notice sapphire crystal buttons and a black finish. As for the Professional 105 GCB, it's layered with a 5-micron thick 24-karat gold plating and jazzed up with a fancy logo 'round back. Both candybars feature quad-band GSM support, a measly 1GB of internal storage space and a ho hum 2-megapixel camera, but fret not, as it'll (very likely) be the most expensive lackluster cellphone you'll ever pay for.[Via UnwiredView]
D-Link launches Quadband DIR-855 Wireless N Router
Perpetual HD media streaming and online deathmatches got your current router in a bind? D-Link's looking to solve said quandary by introducing the Quadband DIR-855 Wireless N Router, which quite simply "supports true concurrent 802.11n transmission over both 2.4GHz and 5GHz channels at the same time." Granted, you'll need a wireless chipset capable of detecting both 2.4GHz and 5GHz channels or either the company's own DWA-160 USB adapter to take advantage, but we suppose that's the price you pay for being able to "segregate your network by application." You'll also find 5 gigabit Ethernet ports for those times when only wires will suffice, and the OLED display up top keeps things flashy, too. Expect this one to land in May for a stiff £169.99 ($337).[Via TrustedReviews]
Samsung's 3G SGH-T639 being sold by T-Mobile
This summer, we all got our hopes up when Samsung's (apparently 3G-enabled) SGH-T639 found its way into the FCC, and now that the handset is reportedly on sale in New York City, it'd be a great time to work yourself into a tizzy once more. According to PhoneScoop, the 3G-capable T369 is indeed "the first phone to be compatible with T-Mobile's 3G network, even though the network is not yet up and running." Oddly enough, Samsung managed to conceal this dirty little secret just yesterday, but now that the truth is out there, all that's left to do is hope that this release means that T-Mobile's 3G launch is coming sooner rather than later.
Australia gets HTC P3600i, complete with Windows Mobile 6
Looks like those that call Down Under home have been blessed with yet another option in the smartphone department, as HTC has apparently launched the P3600i in your neck of the woods. Deemed an "HTC P3600 with a faster CPU and more ROM," this Windows Mobile 6 device looks to be an Asia-Pacific exclusive for now, and touts quad-band GSM, 802.11g, a two-megapixel camera, Bluetooth 2.0, 160MB of internal memory, a miniSD expansion slot, and UMTS / HSDPA to boot. Best of all, it's available right now on 3.[Via UnwiredView]
AT&T launching LG CU575 "Trax" HSDPA musicphone later today
With those last minute bugs now apparently eradicated, LG has officially announced plans to deliver their 3G CU575 "Trax" clamshell to AT&T. Touting 850/1900MHz HSDPA 3.6Mbps-capable downloads and quad-band GSM, this flip fancies itself a part-time media player with the inclusion of a Touch Pad bar and up to 4GB of microSD expansion for your AAC, MP3, and WMA music files. Still no word from AT&T but we expect the announcement later today with all the pricing detail you crave. Update: The joint press release is finally out: available August 14th for $130 after mail-in rebate and two-year contract.Read -- launch announcementRead -- CU575 specifications
