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Feb

Confirmed: Netflix App Available Exclusively On Future Qualcomm-Based Smartphones, Starting With The LG Revolution

Posted by Jaroslav Stekl in Applications, LG, News, Revolution, Verizon Wireless

Last Updated: February 16th, 2011

Want Netflix on your current Android device? Too bad - as LG and Qualcomm told Engadget, the Netflix app will not be available on existing Android hardware (at least not officially).

Apparently, future Qualcomm CPUs will include additional DRM libraries that no current smartphone processor has, making the decision slightly more understandable (though still extremely disappointing). There's still no word on exactly what processors will support Netflix, but we do know that the LG Revolution will be compatible with it - meaning that the app works with single-core chips.

Disappointing news? Sure, but if it's any comfort, the app does look pretty sweet - check out Engadget's hands-on video:

Source: Engadget

Feb

Sony Ericsson Announces PlayStation Certified Xperia Play - Coming To Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile UK This Spring

Posted by Jaroslav Stekl in News, Sony Ericsson, Verizon Wireless, Xperia Play (Zeus, PlayStation Phone)

It's hardly a surprise, but it's welcome news nonetheless: Sony Ericsson just announced the Xperia Play, also known as the PlayStation Phone. We're still waiting for the full specs on this PlayStation certified device, so be sure to check back here soon for all the official details!

Update: The Play will run Android 2.3 Gingerbread at launch, and will be compatible with 50 games, including such titles as Assassin's Creed, Guitar Hero, Dead Space, and Reckless Racing. Compatibility with PSOne games - presumably via the PlayStation Suite - is also in the pipelines.

Update 2: It's official: This spring, Verizon will become the first US carrier to offer the Xperia Play!

Feb

Latest From The Stack Of HTC Thunderbolt Release Date Rumors: February 24th

Posted by Jaroslav Stekl in HTC, News, Thunderbolt (Mecha), Verizon Wireless

First it was a mystery. Then it was the 14th of February. After that, it was indeterminately postponed. And now, Android Central is reporting that the Thunderbolt will finally launch on February 24th.

This lines up perfectly with Droid Life's earlier speculations, though of course, it's always possible that Verizon will push the date back yet again. Because, you know, it's not like anyone is eagerly awaiting the carrier's first 4G phone or anything.

Update: Things are looking even more certain now: BGR has also been told that the Thunderbolt will be released on the 24th.

Feb

HTC Thunderbolt DELAYED By Verizon, New Launch Date To Be Decided

Posted by David Ruddock in News, Thunderbolt (Mecha), Verizon Wireless

Some internal document sent somewhere at some point today was captured by someone and then sent on to Droid-Life, and the news it contains isn't going to be making anyone particularly happy:

Here's the deal: the Thunderbolt won't be launching on the 14th (next week). Amazon and Best Buy apparently had it wrong, and Amazon has since updated its page to reflect that unknown launch date.

The Thunderbolt's Mobile Hotspot feature has also been pushed back, but I would assume this is merely to accommodate the device's new release date. The XOOM also got a mention - something about a delay with the "creative" for the device, I presume this is in reference to advertisements and kiosks and such (correct me if I'm wrong on this, commenters).

Jan

Verizon Comparison Charts Show Thunderbolt's LTE Speeds Crush WiMax, HSPA+

Posted by David Ruddock in News, Thunderbolt (Mecha), Verizon Wireless

A couple of leaked Verizon charts popped up on Droid Life this morning, their contents? HTC Thunderbolt propaganda - well, at least in one of them.

If Verizon's estimated LTE speeds aren't just hot air, then Sprint and T-Mobile (and AT&T) should probably be worried right now. Sprint's smartphone plan price hike probably isn't winning them any points, and T-Mobile's 4G handsets aren't exactly new and exciting (G2, myTouch, or a rehashed Vibrant - take your pick).

I don't know where Verizon gets their network speed estimates for T-Mo and Sprint, but they seem pretty forgiving - given the speed ranges shown.

Jan

HTC Thunderbolt, aka HTC Incredible HD, Shows Up In Early Unboxing Video With Some Interesting Details

Posted by Artem Russakovskii in HTC, News, Thunderbolt (Mecha), Verizon Wireless, Videos

Last Updated: April 5th, 2011

HTC Thunderbolt, announced at CES earlier this year, may only seem like it's underpowered compared to the dual-core offerings, but according to a very early unboxing by someone named Michael, it's quite a beast with some very admirable features. I don't know how Michael got his hands on this device so early - perhaps he's a tester, a ninja reviewer, or a VZW employee receiving Thunderbolt training (I'm most likely inclined to side with the latter), but he does spill some interesting details that I've summarized below, conveniently mixed in with some specs.

Oh, and this is the same video that was used in this post to cross reference the UPC codes - ~~the problem was the original 720p video disappeared off the Interwebs only to resurface from ahart814's cache last night, except in a not-as-awesome 360p resolution~~ the original video is back online.

Jan

Verizon Drops To One 3G Data Plan, Premium 4G Pricing Imminent

Posted by David Ruddock in News, Verizon Wireless

Last Updated: December 30th, 2011

Well, we knew it was coming. Did you honestly think Big Red would bundle your 3G and 4G into one big, happy family? Neither did we. An anonymous Engadget tipster snapped a picture of Verizon's latest data plans - probably set to be released in time for the iPhone 4. Check it out:

Droid-Life posted a helpful companion image of the old pricing for comparison's sake:

Notice the 150MB smartphone plan has vanished, along with an increased base data cap for feature phones. This is likely meant to simplify things for upcoming 4G devices and new iPhone 4 adopters - Verizon doesn't want to have more than one 3G smartphone plan confusing customers, they'll leave that to the more profitable 4G tiers.

Jan

CES 2011: Quick Hands-On With Verizon's Dual-Core 4G LTE Motorola Droid Bionic [Video]

Posted by Artem Russakovskii in Bionic, News, Verizon Wireless, Videos

The 4th and final new device that I got to demo today at Verizon's 4G LTE event and the one I am personally most excited about was the Motorola Droid Bionic, announced yesterday. The reason I liked it so much was, of course, the fact that the other 3 phones that were introduced on Verizon - LG Revolution, Samsung i510, and HTC Thunderbolt - are all single core, while the Droid Bionic packs 2 cores in a really impressive package. Check it out:

Dual-core 1GHz processor
512MB RAM
4.3" qHD display (960x540 px)
8MP camera
1.3MP front-facing camera
4G LTE
Android 2.2 "Froyo" with the toned down version of Motoblur, similar to Droid X
1600 mAh battery
HDMI output capable of 1080P
Skype video calling
Google instead of Bing (finally)

The Droid Bionic should be arriving in Q2 of 2011.

Jan

CES 2011: Quick Hands-On With Verizon's LG Revolution: 4G LTE In A Semi-Stock 4.3" Package

Posted by Brian O'Toole in LG, News, Revolution, Verizon Wireless, Videos

At Verizon's 4G event today, we got some quick demo time with LG's initial LTE offering, the Revolution. Sporting a trendy 4.3" display, the device is obviously geared towards content creation and consumption. Not only does it include a 720P-capable 5 MP camera on the back, it also makes a mark with it a 1.3 MP front facing camera for video calls.

Unfortunately, it only has a single-core processor, clocking in at 1 GHz with 512 MB RAM alongside, but that shouldn't stop it from being a fairly decent performer all around. Best of all, the version of Froyo that LG has chosen to ship the Revolution with looks relatively uncontaminated, and with merely a tinted status bar here and altered icon there, the changes seem fairly forgivable in the near-mandatory custom UI sphere of Android lately.

Jan

CES 2011: Quick Hands-On With Verizon’s Samsung i510 – 4G LTE, 4.3″ Super AMOLED Plus Display, And More [Video]

Posted by Jaroslav Stekl in Charge (i510), News, Samsung, Verizon Wireless, Videos

Not impressed with the HTC Thunderbolt, the LG Revolution, or the Droid Bionic? Samsung might just have the perfect device for you.

Though we have yet to discover the device's name, we do have its model number - i510 - and (some of) its specs:

4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus display
Android 2.2 (Froyo) with Samsung's TouchWiz UI
1 GHz Hummingbird processor
8MP rear camera
1.3MP front-facing camera
2GB internal storage
32GB microSD card slot out of the box

Artem also managed to get hands-on with the device at CES - check it out in the video below:

Press release:

Verizon Wireless And Samsung Mobile Announce Samsung’s First 4G LTE-Enabled Smartphone

Features Android 2.2 platform, Super AMOLED™ Plus Display, 1GHz Application Processor and Rear and Front-Facing Cameras

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — From the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Verizon Wireless and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) today announced that the Samsung 4G LTE smartphone will be available on the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network.