Eldar Murtazin,  man who os reputed for leaking information about mobile phones has just posted up on Twitter a picture of a Samsung device that is said to be launching at this year’s Mobile World Congress. The name of the device is not yet confirmed but is rumored to be Galaxy S2 Plus. We can clearly see Android Ice Cream Sandwich with Samsung TouchWiz on its display. No additional details have been revealed but this device is supposed to be launched at MWC 2012 which is only a few weeks away.

When Motorola announced the successor of DROID RAZR  phone earlier this week in the CES, they were not sure about the release date of the phone and went on saying “coming weeks” when asked about its released date. Well finally Motorola has confirmed that the phones release date will be on January 26th. The phone will be available for $299 with a two-year contract.

Source: Motorola

Source: Droid-Life

A few hours ago, Lenovo revealed its first Intel powered smartphone with Android 2.3 at its booth. Surely Lenovo has been one of the main attractions at CES this week. The smartphone that the company was hands-on with was running on AT&T’s 3G network. For now there is no word official word if the phone will be fautured on some companies 4G LTE network.

Key Features and Specs:

• 4.5 inch TFT display with 720p
• 1.6GHz Intel Medfield  processer
• 8MP camera with ISO 3200 sensitivity
• Compatible on WCDMA HSPA+
• Bluetooth 3.0
• WiFi support and GPS connectivity

Source: Engadget

Well at least we have final confirmation that Motorola Droid 4 is the real deal. We know it can’t be that much longer since the press release just came out yesterday but you never know. There has still no mention of the Droid 4′s cost.

Key Features and Specs:

• Powered by Android^™ 2.3.5 Gingerbread, to be upgraded to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
• 4.0-inch qHD display with scratch and scrape resistant glass
• MotoCast for remote streaming of photos, videos, music, documents, presentations and more from home or office computers
• 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot supporting up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices
• Water-repellent nanocoating for splash resistance
• 16 GB on-board memory (actual formatted capacity is less); Support for up to 32 GB microSD^™ card
• Business Ready with government-grade encryption (FIPS 140-2) for email, calendar and contacts; preloaded with Citrix^® Receiver^™ for Android (available in webtop) for desktop virtualization and access

The full press release can be read below:

Verizon Wireless and Motorola Unveil Thinnest and Most Powerful 4G LTE Qwerty Smartphone:

Raw power and innovative design empower customers to take care of business like never before

Jan. 09, 2012LAS VEGAS and BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – Today at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE: MMI) and Verizon Wireless introduced the new DROID 4 by Motorola, the thinnest and most powerful 4G LTE QWERTY smartphone offering the power and capabilities to handle even the most demanding lifestyles. Verizon Wireless leads the way in 4G with the fastest and most reliable 4G network in the United States, covering more than 200 million people in 190 markets. The DROID 4 will be in the Verizon booth (Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall, Booth #30259) as well as in the Motorola booth (Las Vegas Convention Center, Central Hall, Booth #8644).

DROID 4 is deceivingly slim at half an inch thin – packing not only a dual-core 1.2 GHz processor and 1 GB of RAM, but also a five-row QWERTY keyboard with a PC-like layout and edge-lit keys for fast, precise typing, even in the dark. It’s Business Ready with government-grade encryption to keep data secure. It features software tools such as MotoCast^™ for remote access to music, pictures and videos on home or work computers, Smart Actions application to automate everyday tasks and the revolutionary webtop application for a multi-window environment with full Firefox^®browser on a larger screen to boost productivity while on the road. An 8-megapixel camera with 1080p HD video capture and Mirror Mode to display images and video on an HDTV, give DROID 4 users even more flexibility while at work or for play. DROID 4 delivers expected speeds of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of 2 to 5 Mbps within 4G LTE Mobile Broadband coverage areas for blazing fast Web browsing, video streaming and online collaboration.

A full suite of accessory options extends the power of DROID 4 and allows consumers to work however they work best. Accessories compatible with DROID 4 include the 10.1-inch Lapdock^™100, 14-inch Lapdock 500 Pro with built-in webcam and Ethernet connection, HD Dock, HD Station and vehicle navigation mount.

Additional features

• Powered by Android^™ 2.3.5 Gingerbread, to be upgraded to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
• 4.0-inch qHD display with scratch and scrape resistant glass
• MotoCast for remote streaming of photos, videos, music, documents, presentations and more from home or office computers
• 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot supporting up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices
• Water-repellent nanocoating for splash resistance
• 16 GB on-board memory (actual formatted capacity is less); Support for up to 32 GB microSD^™ card
• Business Ready with government-grade encryption (FIPS 140-2) for email, calendar and contacts; preloaded with Citrix^® Receiver^™ for Android (available in webtop) for desktop virtualization and access

The DROID 4 by Motorola will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com in the coming weeks.

Source: Android Central

This has definitely been a huge and very busy week for Lenovo. First came the companies S2 smartphone and now here comes the IdeaPad S2. The IdeaPad S2 seems to be packing some pretty impressive specs and a keyboard dock to boot which could bring some competition to the Transformer Prime!

Lenovo has not announced pricing or availability for either of the two devices outside of China. We’ll be sure to keep you posted as the information comes in.

Key Features and Specifications:

• a 10.1-inch 1280×800 IPS screen
• 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm processor
• 1GB RAM
• 16GB, 32GB and 64GB variants
• 5-megapixel camera with LED flash
• 1.3-megapixel front-facing shooter
• microSD card slot and a micro-HDMI port
• n a
• body that measures 0.34 inches thick and weighs in at 1.27 pounds
• 4.0 ISC beneath Lenovo’s own Mondrian UI
• and a keyboard packs in an additional pair of USB ports, SD card slot, and a battery to provide additional juice

Source: Mobile Burn

What do we have here? After several leaks of the LG Spectrum over the past month, Verizon and LG have made it official! The LG Spectrum will finally be releasing. Verizon expects the the 4G device to be landing in stores on January 19th for $199.99 with a two-year contract.

Key Features and Specifications:

• a 2.5 inch 1280×720 True HD IPS display with a pixel denstiy of 329ppi
• 1.5 dual-core Qualcomm processor
• 8- megapixal camera 1080p video capture
• 1.3 megapixel front facing camera
• 4G LTE connectivity
• 16GB microSD card pre-instaled
• a 1830mAh battery
• and gingerbread 2.3

With those specs its hard to say that the LG Spectrum doesn’t sound like a worthy successor of the LG Revolution. Most folks are a little bummed out with Gingerbread however LG has said that ISC will be ready before the end of the years first half!

Anyone thinking about picking up a LG Spectrum? Or are you saving for another 4G device? Let us know what you think.

The full press release can be read below:

Verizon Wireless And LG Mobile Continue Legacy Of Innovation By Offering A True HD Mobile Experience With Spectrum™ By LG

Latest LG Smartphone Boasts True HD IPS Display, Verizon Wireless 4G LTE, Dual-Core Processor and ESPN ScoreCenter App with Exclusive HD Feed

LAS VEGAS, NV, and BASKING RIDGE, NJ — From the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Verizon Wireless and LG Mobile today announced Spectrum™ by LG smartphone, exclusively for Verizon Wireless. Spectrum is the first smartphone for Verizon Wireless to feature a 4.5-inch True HD In-Plane Switching (IPS) display, the same display technology used in premium LG HD televisions. Intensifying its HD capabilities, Spectrum by LG will give customers exclusive HD access to the ESPN™ ScoreCenter application. Spectrum will be in the Verizon booth (Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall, Booth #30259) and LG booth (Las Vegas Convention Center, Central Hall, Booth #8204).

ESPN’s ScoreCenter app is supported by an exclusive HD video feed, giving customers the exclusive access to ScoreCenter stats, images and videos in 720p HD. Scoreboards and live game details include in-game stats, news and video. Personalization features allow fans to customize their ScoreCenter experience by highlighting their favorite teams and leagues from around the world, all in crystal clear high-definition.

Showcasing LG’s True HD technology, Spectrum by LG supports 1280 x 720 resolution and offers one of the brightest and sharpest displays available on a mobile device. Spectrum’s 500-nit display luminance and Real-Stripe RGB pixels offer users clear viewing in direct sunlight and accurate true-to-life color rendering.

Spectrum also features a Qualcomm® 1.5 GHz dual-core processor combined with 4G LTE connectivity for robust power, multitasking and download speeds. Verizon Wireless leads the way in 4G with the fastest and most reliable 4G network in the United States, covering more than 200 million people in 190 markets.

Key features:

4.5-inch True HD IPS display provides natural colors and brilliant, undistorted HD images in 16:9 aspect ratio. Pictures and texts are incredibly sharp with 329 pixels per inch (PPI) screen density.

Protected by Corning® Gorilla® Glass, the True HD IPS display uses Real Stripe subpixel arrangement so images never get blurred.

Android™ 2.3 Gingerbread (Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade available the first half of 2012); support for Google™ Mobile Services including Gmail™, YouTube™, Google Talk™, Google Search™, Google Maps™ and access to more than 300,000 apps available to download from Android Market™.

Preloaded Netflix app allows Netflix subscribers to stream the latest movies in high-definition quality.

Qualcomm 1.5 GHz dual-core processor makes multitasking seamless. Customers can surf the Web, check email and update social networks effortlessly.

ESPN’s ScoreCenter app offers the most comprehensive sports coverage available on an Android device whether you follow the NFL or Premier League, ICC Champions League or MLB™, NASCAR or Formula One™. Customers can follow teams from more than 500 leagues around the world with an exclusive 720p high-definition feed for Spectrum by LG while connected to the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network or Wi-Fi.

Spectrum supports Dolby® Digital Plus, which allows users to maximize their HD multimedia experience. Dolby Digital Plus can stream up to 7.1 channels of surround sound through home entertainment systems.

Additional features:

8-megapixel rear-facing autofocus camera with LED flash to snap beautiful pictures and 1080p video capture

Front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera for video chat

SmartMovie HD app—create and edit HD videos right on the Spectrum by LG

Mobile Hotspot capability—share 4G LTE connection with up to 10 Wi-Fi-enabled devices

Bluetooth® Version 3.0

16 GB microSD™ card pre-installed with support for up to 32 GB microSD card

SmartShare—share media wirelessly to DLNA®-enabled devices

HDMI mirroring capable via MHL

Pricing and availability:

Spectrum by LG will be available on Jan. 19 in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com for $199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement.

Customers who purchase a Spectrum by LG will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan beginning at $39.99 monthly access and a smartphone data package starting at $30 monthly access for 2 GB of data.

Customers Can Score the Game Winner

LG and ESPN are teaming up to give fans the chance to score an unbelievable sports weekend, including two tickets to ESPN The Magazine’s NEXT Party and a trip to the big game in Indianapolis on Sunday, Feb. 5. Customers can visit www.SpectrumbyLg.com or www.verizonwireless.com/spectrum for official rules, details and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a part of sports history.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Media can access high-resolution images of Spectrum™ by LG in the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia. For additional information about Spectrum by LG, please visit and www.SpectrumbyLG.com and www.lgmobilephones.com.)

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 107.7 million total wireless connections, including 90.7 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with nearly 83,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About LG Electronics, Inc.  

LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances, employing more than 93,000 people working in over 120 operations around the world. With 2010 global sales of 55.8 trillion Korean won (USD 48.2 billion), LG comprises four business units: Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, and Air Conditioning & Energy Solutions. LG is one of the world’s leading producers of flat panel TVs, mobile devices, air conditioners, washing machines, and refrigerators. LG has signed a long-term agreement to become both a Global Partner and a Technology Partner of Formula 1™. As part of this top-level association, LG acquires exclusive designations and marketing rights as the official consumer electronics, mobile phone and data processor of this global sporting event. For more information, please visit www.lg.com.

About LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company 

The LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company is a leading global mobile communications and information company. With its cutting-edge technology and innovative design capabilities, LG creates handsets that provide an optimized mobile experience to customers around the world. LG is pursuing convergence technology and mobile computing products, while continuing its leadership role in mobile communication with stylish designs and smart technology. For more information, please visit www.lgmobilephones.com.

Source

Sony Ericsson announced its Android based phone: The Xperia S (also known as Nozomi LT26i). Its still not official, but the word is that it will be released in the second quarter of this year running Andorid 2.3 and not IceCream Sandwich. It is said that it will be upgradable to IceCream Sandwich within two months after its release, but we caution you not to hold your breathe.

Specifications And Features:

• 1280 ×720 4.3 inch display
• 1.5GHz dual core processor
• It would weight 144 gms and size 128 × 64 × 10.6 mm
• Colors available : Black and Silver
• 12 megapixel camera with 1080p video recording

Lenovo has announced its first Android 2.3 based smartphone S2 at the CES 2012. It comes with many intresting features like the cloud syncing for photos, music and other information. This smartphone runs on Lenovo’s own Lenovo Magic 3.0 UI.

According to PC World, “the S2 has a unique kernel-level security system that protects your data, prevents phishing, and traffics SMS messages.” This Lenovo’s first smartphone is available immediately in China and will be available worldwide soon.

Key Features and Specifications:

• 3.8 inch (800×480 pixels) TFT display
• 512MB RAM (8 GB version) / 1GB RAM (16GB variant)
• 3G HSPA+ connectivity
• 1.4GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8255 dual-core processor
• 8MP camera with a secondary VGA. Video calling camera

Source: PC World

Key Features and Specifications:

• 1.5GHz dual-core processor
• 1830 mAh battery
• 8-megapixel rear camera with LED flash
• 1.3MP shooter up front
• 1GB of RAM
• 4GB of internal storage
• 16GB microSD card
• “True HD IPS” display

Source: Android Central

Today Motorola announced the Motorola DROID RAZR for Verizon Wireless. With a thickness of 7.1 mm, it is the thinnest smartphone to date.

The new RAZR is built with KEVLAR fiber and Gorilla Glass. It also features a nano particle coating that protects the phone from water damage, including the internal boards. The RAZR also has MotoCast, which allows media streaming from a home computer directly to the phone. As with newer Motorola phones, the RAZR can also fit into a lapdock to function as a laptop.

Key Features and Specifications:

• 4.3 inch Super AMOLED screen
• 1.2 GHz dual core processor
• 1 GB RAM
• 16 GB ROM + 16 GB microSD
• Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread
• 8 MP camera, capable of 1080p video capture
• 4G LTE
• WiFi hotspot that can support up to eight devices.

The RAZR will also be the first smartphone to stream movies from Netflix in HD. The RAZR will cost $299.99 on two year contract and will be available for pre-order on October 27.

Source: Motorola Press Release

For anyone following this story, the saga continues. Samsung has sent out invitations for an event in Hong Kong on Oct 19 at 10:00 AM local time (Oct 18, 10:00 PM ET). According to This is my Next, the Ice Cream Sandwich logo was displayed on the invitations and Andy Rubin is scheduled to present at AllThingsD’s AsiaD event. With all the information that has been gathered so far, they are sure that the Nexus Prime is set to premiere at this event. Let’s all hope this phone was worth the wait.

Source: This is my Next

“We decided it was not the right time to announce a new product while the world was expressing tribute to Steve Jobs’s passing.”

This also comes at a crucial time in a patent battle between Apple and Samsung over their smartphones and tablets. This week will see court hearings in the United States, the Netherlands, Australia, South Korea and Japan in the patent suits.

Samsung has not released a new launch date for the phone.

On October 5th, Samsung released a teaser video claiming that “Something BIG is coming” showing an image of a curved smartphone with a 3-pin connector and camera protruding out the back. The theme of the video is that some things go better together. At the end of the video, the Google and Samsung logos are shown side by side. This means it could be Google’s next Nexus phone, the Nexus Prime. If it is the Prime, then it is to be the first phone with version of Android dubbed Ice Cream Sandwich, which blends the phone and tablet interfaces into one.

Samsung will unveil the phone at it’s Unpacked event, Oct 11, in San Diego.

Source: This is My Next

What might this new update hold for your HTC device? Well all the new benefits and features are listed below.

Enhancements:

• Download Manager App: New App to manage all of your downloads from web browsing, email attachments and other apps.
• App and Power Management Details: Under Manage Applications, a new “Running” tab displays a list of active applications and the storage and memory being used by each. Power efficiency mode option has also been added under Settings > Power.
• New Desktop User Interface: New widgets, icons and screens with refreshed colors.
• Dock Icons: Static Phone, App Launcher and Contacts icons are replaced within a customizable dock. Three swappable icons and the App Launcher icon are fixed to the Dock at the bottom of all home screen panels for easy and instant access.

Additional device features:

• Alarm notifications will no longer appear while in Emergency Mode.
• Improved data connectivity.
• Improved audio quality while using Bluetooth®.
• Decreased wait time when saving audio attachments.
• V CAST Tones now comes preloaded.
• New Google Books app.
• Enhanced UI for data roaming.
• SMS messages send to correct recipient.
• Reduced Force Close errors while using TuneWiki.
• Reduced Force Close errors when using the front camera.
• Audio on BT Car Kit no longer reroutes to phone when receiving a SMS message.

Have any Thunderbolt users got a taste of Gingerbread yet? Did it fix the bugs or did it make them worst?

Yesterday T-Mobile and HTC came together to announce the new and fascinating HTC Amaze 4G. If you don’t remember about the HTC Amaze, feel free to look back at our previous post. The phone will be available in a black or white colorway. The Amaze 4G will be hitting shelves with $259.99 pricetag after a $50 mail-in-rebate and a 2-year agreement.

Key Features and Specifications:

• 4.3 inch qHD super LCD display
• Qualcomm® Snapdragon 1.5 GHz dual-core processor
• 8 megapixel with flash back camera with 1080p HD video capture
• 2 megapixel front facing camera
• 4G: Theoretical peak download speeds up to 42 Mbps
• Android 2.3.4 running under sense 3.0

Any T-Mobile customers liking the sound of the upcoming Amaze 4G? Is anyone mad that their HTC Sensation 4G will soon be out dated?

Source: T-Mobile

• 4.3″ 720p HD screen 1280×720 resolution
• 1.5GHz dual-core processor
• 8MP rear-facing camera and 2MP front-facing camera
• 1GB RAM
• 16GB internal storage
• Android 2.3.4
• HTC Sense 3.5
• 4G LTE

Key Features and Specifications:

• Android 2.3 gingerbread
• 4.3-inch Super LCD display
• 1.5GHz dual-core processor
• 768MB of RAM
• 4GB internal storage
• microSD expansion up to 32GB
• 8-megapixel rear-facing camera
• VGA front-facing camera
• 1,730 mAh battery

Is anyone else jumping up and down praying that this will come to the states?

Previous rumors had pointed towards an October release, and Schmidt said that update would arrive in “October or November.” He states this at 30:25 in the clip below.

Source: Gizmodo

According to a Motorola press release the Bionic will be the first phone on Verizon to offer both 4G LTE and a dual-core 1GHz processor. In addition, it will also be Verizon’s thinnest 4G smatphone available. The Bionic is capable of streaming content to an HDTV or monitor via an HDMI cable or HD dock sold separately. There is also a lapdock available similar to the Motorola Atrix.

Here is a quick rundown of the rest of the specs:

• Android Gingerbread 2.3.4
• Dual-core 1GHz processor
• 1 GB or RAM
• 8 megapixel camera capable of 1080 HD video
• Front facing camera for video chat
• 32 GB of memory (16 GB built in and 16 GB microSD, support for 32 GB microSD)
• Pre-loaded with Adobe Flash and HTML 5 capable

Source: Motorola Mobility