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ZTE Peel for Sprint outed by FCC, another 3G-equipped iPod touch case
What is it about the word peel that screams "throw on the back of an iPod touch and grant it the power of mobile internet?" We spotted Yosion's Apple Peel 520 just this morning bound for Chinese markets, and now the FCC has unveiled ZTE's own Peel 3G router. Although the user manual and external photos don't explicitly state it, one look at the (slightly enhanced) image above removes all doubt that this is made to fit snugly around a certain finger-friendly iDevice with a headset jack on the bottom right. Additionally, the user manual's setup screens are all sketched out in what appears to be a more mobile Safari-friendly size. The Qualcomm-powered CDMA2000 case is brandishing Sprint logos on the front and back, which frankly wouldn't be the first (or even second) time the carrier's targeted the Apple faithful. Only this time, there's no WiMAX -- bummer. Crafty, wacky, zany? We're sure Mr. Hesse is chortling, but perhaps he can catch a breath or two and disseminate out some proper release details post-haste. %Gallery-98419% [Thanks, The Kaiser]
T-Mobile roadmap leaks out, plenty of Android in store
For starters, there's no actual way to confirm that the image you're peering at above is legitimate, but given that the listed Charm just went official, there's at least a sliver of believability here. So far as we can tell, this is T-Mobile USA's 2H 2010 handset roadmap, and as you'd expect, it's chock full of Android. Aside from news of impending Dell netbooks and 16 total phones, we're paying particular attention to the upcoming Samsung Vibrant (locked for July 21st), the HTC Vanguard (set for September 9th) and an HTC Schubert (pegged for November 17th). We're guessing that the latter is that 1.5GHz 'Scorpion' that we heard about back in June, and we'll obviously dispose of quite a few tears should that not be the case. In related news, it looks as if the myTouch 3G, Cliq and Cliq XT could be seeing their long-awaited updates to Android 2.1 this August, so there's that. Hit the links below for more, and feel free to let your imagination run wild in comments below. But not too wild.
iSuppli finds worldwide cellphone shipments are up 13.8 percent, Motorola's share slipping
We've already seen Motorola's market share slip a bit when it comes to US cellphone shipments, and it looks like the news is even worse for the company on a global scale. According to iSuppli's latest numbers -- which back up some earlier reports -- while worldwide cellphone shipments rose a healthy 13.8 percent in the first quarter of 2010, Motorola slipped from sixth to eighth spot in the global rankings, selling a total of 8.5 million phones compared to 14.7 million during the same period a year earlier. As you can see in the helpful chart above (with sales indicated in thousands), Motorola's loss came largely at the expense of considerable gains from market leaders Nokia and Samsung, with LG, RIM and Apple also seeing some smaller but significant gains. And, yes, this news also means that Motorola is also now in a neck and neck race with ZTE, for what it's worth. [Thanks, Katie]
ZTE packs 3G, Maemo into its V7 MID
Sure, Android has been getting plenty of attention from MID manufacturers as of late, but we all know that's not the only mobile OS worth a gander. Debuted by ZTE "at a ceremony dedicated to the 3G technology" at Shanghai's World Expo the V7 MID is roughly 4.7 x 3.3 x .5-inches and features the Maemo OS and -- for those of you who value function over form -- a physical QWERTY keyboard. Also on board are a 4.1 inch (800 x 480) display, a 3.2 megapixel webcam, and support for 3G CDMA1X, EV-DO, and HSDPA. But that ain't all! Rounded out by a Marvell PXA310 processor (806 MHz), GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, micro USB, and an SD card slot, we imagine that all you mobile Internet fans will be able to put this thing to good use. No price or release date yet, those are but two of many mysteries this device raises. Which leads us to our next question: What goes on at a "ceremony dedicated to the 3G," anyways?
Intel, Motorola, Samsung and more join forces to support WiMAX 2
You probably have yet to experience its original incarnation, but with mere months left before the IEEE finally decides on the standard for the improved 802.16m version of WiMAX, a group of companies has finally stepped forward to support the new protocol, and solidify that nice, marketable "WiMAX 2" name while they're at it. Dubbed the WiMAX 2 Collaboration Initiative (or WCI for short), Alvarion, Beceem, GCT Semiconductor, Intel, Motorola, Samsung, Sequans, XRONet, ZTE and ITRI intend to, well, collaborate to make sure the new protocol can compete with LTE, while our old friends Sprint and Clearwire -- who are keeping their options open in the 4G wars -- simply cheer them on. Hit the source link for invigorating quotes from each company involved.
ZTE's Smooth Android slider is a not-so-smooth Pre knockoff
We hate to yell "Pre!" at the top of our lungs here, since we'd really like to see further exploration of the portrait QWERTY form factor for Android, but it's hard to avoid the form factor and stylistic comparisons. The new "Smooth" phone from ZTE is a low-end handset running Android 1.6, with a 2.8-inch QVGA screen, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and a love for Palm industrial design. The phone, which is being shown off at MWC, should retail under 1000 Yuan (about $146 US) and be released in August of this year as a low-end smartphone contender.
ZTE and OKWAP team with Intivation to deliver next generation solar devices
Let's be honest, we'd scorch the Earth to eke just one more hour of power from our superphones. Fortunately, as residents of the western world we've got plenty of juice to power all of our gadgets. Still, we can definitely see the attraction of a solar-powered cellphone meant for the peoples of developing nations living off the grid. Throw in a flashlight and you've just changed somebody's life. That's what we've got in the ZTE S316, a dead simple candybar with color display and torch. Also announced is the S101 charger with its own built-in flashlight that can be used to charge select, non-solar devices and costs just $12 to $13, maybe less on volume. The third solar device comes from China's OKWAP and is built by Inventec. The $40 GS109 (pictured above) feature phone is destined, believe it or not, to be an object of ultimate desire when slung from the neck on a lanyard as proof of ones prosperity. Spec-wise, this dual-SIM solar-powered phone packs a video camera, color display, microSD slot, MP3 player, and even Bluetooth 2.1 -- a lot of features for a solar phone. Linking the three devices is Intivations SunBoost solar conversion technology allowing the devices to charge in conditions less than ideal. The ZTE S316, for example, draws a max of about 113mA when on a call, while the solar cell pumps out about 50mA to 60mA of juice depending upon the natural lighting conditions (it even charges when cloudy). That's about two minutes of natural light exposure required for every minute of talk time to keep the device going. The solar cell on the GS109, meanwhile, produces about 70mA in direct sunlight to keep the device humming. Remember, the idea isn't to charge a phone from 0% to full but to keep a device continually charged at about 70% to 80%. Intivation is so confident in its tech that it claims to provide "a far better charging experience than anything else on the market today." Both the S316 and S101 charger will be available in April while the relatively swank GS109 will hit next month. See them all in the gallery below. %Gallery-85611%
ZTE's F350 has a Verizon logo on it, you do the math
The Bluetooth SIG's device database isn't typically the most helpful when it comes to tracking down specs and gorgeous, high-res photos -- but often, it's first way we hear of a new device, so we'll take what we can get. Take this F350 from ZTE for example; from the single picture the SIG's given us, we can't even make out whether it's a landscape or slider, a pivot, or a full touchscreen (doubtful) phone, but we can make out a shiny little Verizon swoosh three-quarters of the way down. It'll apparently have a camera, voice command capability, Bluetooth (of course), and a 1X radio, but we're not clear on whether that means it won't have EV-DO. Now that we know Verizon's working with ZTE, this makes quite a bit of sense, doesn't it?
Verizon announces AD3700 global modem from ZTE
So here's some interesting insight into the wild, rough-and-tumble world of wireless product launches: Verizon announced ZTE's AD3700 USB modem today, a product that gained FCC approval over five months ago, which means it's probably been getting a trial by fire on Verizon's test labs since then. You've gotta figure that ZTE was working on the prototype for many months before FCC approval, so all told, this launch is probably a culmination of a solid year of work, cash, blood, sweat, and tears. Don't you feel obligated to buy it now? Anyhow, the modem runs $79.99 after a $50 rebate when it launches on the 14th, which is actually a really solid deal considering that it'll do EV-DO in the States and HSPA around the world for 3G service no matter where your job or your whimsical vacation travel habits might take you.
ZTE shows off recent smartphones at Wireless Japan
China's ZTE is still sticking to the low end in North America, but in its home country, the manufacturer is a huge player. Evidence of that lies strewn about ZTE's booth at Wireless Japan this week, where it's showing a pair of WinMo devices plus a Linux-based model that look ripe to compete with some of the best in the world. First up, the RAISE and XIANG do WinMo and HSPA for China Unicom's Wo network, rocking 5 and 3.2 megapixel cameras, respectively. The D820 reps the open-source world (though we're not sure what kind of Linux distro is running on it -- it's not Android, if we had to guess) and runs CDMA with WiFi, GPS, and a 2 megapixel camera. We're not sure if ZTE is using phones like these as warmups for more global launches, but given what we're seeing here -- and the low price points they're likely looking to hit -- we're all for it.[Via Pocket PC Thoughts]
ZTE C90, FCC, AWS CDMA, QWERTY, LOL, OMG
We normally associate AWS spectrum with T-Mobile's 3G efforts, but let's not forget that it also plays a big role in recent buildouts of the CDMA regionals; MetroPCS and Leap Wireless' Cricket brand both use 1700MHz bandwidth in a number of markets, and you'll find plenty of AWS support across their lineups to prove it. An interesting new QWERTY slider from ZTE bearing triband CDMA support (AWS included) just passed FCC testing, and if we had to guess, MetroPCS is the likely candidate to get it; the companies have been in bed for quite some time now, and it's no secret that they're collaborating on LTE gear going forward. It's not the best looking phone we've ever seen -- nor the best looking QWERTY slider -- but hey, we'll bet it's cheaper than the $249 Motorola Hint, especially since it steps down from a 2 megapixel cam to 1.3. No word on when we might see an announcement. [Via Phone Scoop]
T-Mobile's HTC Touch wannabe, the Vairy Touch, gets handled
Yeah, it may be a dead ringer for the original HTC Touch, but the ZTE-sourced Orange Vegas / T-Mobile Vairy Touch has at least one thing going for it: it's dirt cheap. Mobil.vz's quick take of the full touchscreen handset points out that it runs just 1,500 koruny (about $75) and slaps a totally original user interface on a totally familiar body. Touchscreen accuracy is apparently quite good, though it takes quite a bit of pressure to activate -- an all-too-common problem with low-end resistive displays -- and the stylus sucks, but the browser's surprisingly good and the whole package is tiny and light. The reviewer ends up seeming almost bummed that the phone isn't offered by any Czech carriers, so we suppose it could be a decent choice for what it is -- just don't expect to see a WinMo startup screen when you flip the switch.
MetroPCS working with ZTE on LTE-based smartphone
It's still pretty wild to think that scrappy lil' MetroPCS -- a carrier known better for ultra-cheap phones, regional coverage, and no contracts than it is for high-speed data -- intends to roll out its first LTE markets in the same year as Verizon, but hey, we definitely like their moxie. Of course, live LTE networks require LTE hardware, and it turns out that the company is hooking up with ZTE to make that happen. MetroPCS already enjoys a healthy relationship with the Chinese manufacturer, but the LTE tie-up should serve to strengthen the bond -- not to mention the fact that they're looking to move upmarket by introducing a smartphone with "a large screen and an HTML-compatible browser" according to Forbes. Sure, on paper, you might say that you'd rather have an HTC device, a Pre, or an iPhone -- but how's your willpower going to be treating you when MetroPCS is offering 50Mbps tethering?
ZTE assembling new business unit for "high-end telecom markets"
ZTE is mirroring fellow Chinese manufacturer Huawei's surprising success in the face a crappy economy, posting an impressive 35 percent growth in revenue for the last quarter over the same period a year prior -- and profit wasn't far behind at 29 percent growth. Much of that success can be credited to major wins in the company's 3G infrastructure business, but that may not be the most interesting story to come out of the quarterly report; instead, we're curious to find out more about a new business unit ZTE's throwing together to cater specifically to the needs of "high-end" markets like the US and Europe. Historically, ZTE's bread and butter has been in the low end, but this could mean that the company's looking to move beyond its dwellings on the basic side of regional carriers' lineups -- and seeing how competition is always good, we say bring it on.
21Mbps Next G mobile broadband comes to Hong Kong's CSL Limited
21Mbps down seems a bit sluggish compared to Ericsson's 56Mbps HSPA+ demonstration, but it's still pretty speedy compared to what's offered in most corners of the globe. As of this week, CSL Limited customers in Hong Kong have access to the same Next G network that Aussies have been enjoying for months on end through Telstra. The launch marks the world's first SDR-based HSPA+ All IP network in Hong Kong, and if you're looking for new devices to take advantage, the operator's currently offering the HP Mini 1110TU (Mobile Broadband Edition), as well as the Express 21 USB modem. Oh, and we totally can't close this post without quoting the new service's motto: "Next G: Time is the Enemy, Fight Back."
Venezuela shows off locally-produced El Vergatario phone
There are already cheap phones in the world, yes -- but very few can claim to run under $14, and even fewer can claim to be made in Venezuela. In fact, the C366 "El Vergatario" -- introduced by none other than Hugo Chavez himself -- will be the very first phone ever produced on Venezuelan soil, a partnership between the government and minority outside investors including Chinese manufacturer ZTE. It'll cost 30,000 bolivar when it goes on sale, and plans are already in place to offer it throughout Latin America and the Caribbean (to anyone not expecting fanciness like cameras or media players, anyhow).
Verizon's global 3G modem from ZTE spotted in FCC
We've known for some time that Verizon is fixated on dominating the global roaming market in the US -- or, at the very least, catching up to AT&T -- and to do that, they're going to need hardware capable of taking advantage of the very best speeds that those wild and majestic foreign lands have to offer. In other words, no EV-DO-only modem is going to cut it, and an EV-DO modem with a sprinkling of EDGE on the side is a consolation prize that's going to get frequent world travelers irked after a little while. To that end, we just witnessed this brick of a USB modem pass through the FCC bearing Verizon branding, the A3700 from ZTE. Name a frequency or wireless technology, the A3700 probably has it; in addition to EV-DO, it's got GSM / EDGE and HSPA, so your bases are pretty well covered wherever you happen to be (hell, it even has North America-friendly HSPA 850 / 1900 in there, though Verizon wouldn't dream of letting you stray from its own airwaves when you're stateside). Enticing, yes -- but considering that this is one of the ugliest modems we've seen in recent memory, you'd better really need that roaming capability when it gets around to launching.
ZTE completes EV-DO Rev. B VoIP call on CDMA2000 system
It seems like just yesterday that Big Red was firing up its EV-DO Rev. A network in America, and already we're seeing signs of life with Rev. B. In all honesty, though, we've known about the next iteration of EV-DO (and the next-next, for that matter) for years now, but said Chinese carrier has just completed what it calls the world's first EV-DO Rev. B VoIP call on its CDMA2000 system. In other words, this is the first time a CDMA carrier has achieved a 9.3Mbps download rate and 5.4Mbps upload rate. The lovely part of this is that ZTE can upgrade from Rev. A to Rev. B without any additional hardware, thus paving the way for a quick commercialization in Q3 2009. Huzzah!
ZTE's fancy concepts at MWC 2009
None of these look particularly easy to use, but ZTE showed off some wild concept devices at Mobile World Congress this year. There were a couple of wristwatches in the mix that unbuckled to become USB modems, but our favorite has to be the "Xer," a handheld "inspired by family theater." It's not clear how you'd hold it effectively if you wanted to type on the QWERTY keyboard, but we suppose that's what makes it a concept instead of a production device. Also shown was the "Pure," featuring a "globoid keypad design" that looks only marginally more usable than the Xer -- or, as ZTE puts it, a "novel key-pressing experience." Click on for the full gallery.%Gallery-45641%
Digicel launching ZTE's Coral-200-Solar phone in emerging markets
It may not have the glam or the flash of the Samsung Blue Earth, but ZTE's Coral-200-Solar takes solar power to a side of the market that needs it far, far more urgently -- the side without power outlets. The Chinese manufacturer is teaming up with Jamaica's Digicel Group to roll out one of the world's first mass-market solar cellphones to folks with "limited or no access to the power grid," which represents some 2 billion people around the globe. The phone gets its juice via an integrated solar charger -- that is, there's still a battery lurking in there, you just don't need an outlet to charge it -- and should be available by June of this year. Pretty amazing world we live in where people have mobiles before they have power, isn't it?
