During a press conference at the Taiwan Stock Exchange, HTC’s CFO, Winston Yung let it slip that his organization’s 10-inch Puccini tablet will be launching sometime in September or October. Yung also mentioned that HTC has been performing particularly well in Asian markets with sales in China to increase four-fold this year. The number of sales outlets for HTC smartphones in China is presently at 650, and due to the fact of the firm’s increased performance, will enhance to 2,000 by the finish of the year. The HTC Puccini could be officially unveiled at an event on September 1st so this new development surely falls into line with that time frame. Anybody else looking forward to HTC’s 1st dual-core powered Honeycomb tablet? Or will it be too small, to late for the Puccini?

[Via BGR and Digitimes]

Android Phone Fans

The Samsung Hercules and HTC Ruby could be some of the most anticipated handsets to release this year and we may possibly finally have the launch date for these devices. According to this leaked internal document TMoNews was able to get their hands on, The Hercules and Ruby will each see a simultaneous launch on October 26th. This may possibly be a small longer than some of you were hoping on waiting prior to you got your hands on T-Mobile&rsquos Galaxy S II variant or HTC&rsquos comparable model in the Ruby. But hey, at least now you have a date to mark on your calendars.

[Via TMoNews]

Android Phone Fans

Rumor: Samsung to Launch Faster Galaxy S II in September originally appeared on AndroidGuys.

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AndroidGuys

Rumor: Samsung to Launch Faster Galaxy S II in September originally appeared on AndroidGuys.

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AndroidGuys

We have heard rumors of a MeeGo device coming from Nokia for some time and late last night Nokia announced the Nokia N9 MeeGo device. As much as I like Nokia products, I don’t know why they want to again have four operating systems to support with Symbian, Series 40, Windows Phone, and MeeGo. I think MeeGo will just end up being another hobby device, like the N900, and according to FoneArena the US is not a launch country so we may not even see it here until 2012.

Their press release states it will ship later this year and honestly I would rather just see Nokia devote these resources to Windows Phone or even improving Symbian rather than spending time on a phone that will appeal only to the most die hard Nokia fan who doesn’t care about smartphones being part of a complete ecosystem.

The N9 specifications include the following:

• 1 GHz Arm Cortex A8 OMAP3630 processor
• MeeGo 1.2 Harmattan operating system
• Penta-band 3G radio (Yeah Nokia, why can’t anyone else do this?) at just 14.4 Mbps
• 8 megapixel Carl Zeiss camera with dual LED flash
• Front facing camera for video calls
• 3.9 inch AMOLED display at 854×480 pixel resolution
• NFC chip
• Bluetooth 2.1
• 802.11 b/g/n WiFi
• A-GPS
• 1450 mAh battery
• Dimenions of 116.45 x 61.2 x 7.6 mm and 135 grams

It looks to have specs matching current devices, except for the processor and slower wireless cellular radio and in six months won’t stand out in the crowd at all. There are no buttons on the front and everything is controlled by the touchscreen interface. The N9 will come in Magenta, Cyan, and Black and the design does look beautiful with the curved Gorilla glass.

Check out some Nokia N9 resource sites for more information:

• Nokia N9 main site
• Nokia N9 UX Guidelines
• Nokia N9 specs (PDF file)

Nokia Experts

HTC is launching HTCdev which is a program designed to support mobile developers. Along with that they have announced the HTC OpenSense SDK which will allow developers to create apps specifically for Sense 3.0. The framework will also provide APIs and sample code for 3D displays and the tablet pen.

HTCdev and HTC OpenSense SDK will launch together this summer.

Whether you are a fan or not of Sense, you have to give HTC credit for creating a very popular UI. In a world in which the manufacturers are fighting for differentiation, HTC clearly knows what they are doing. HTC feels very strongly about their creation and this is a good move that will make Sense even stronger in the Android world. The real question is if mainstream consumers are buying HTC phones because of Sense?

Full press release after the break:

Read More…

HTC opens Sense UI to developers with the launch of HTCdev and OpenSense SDK this summer

Android News, Rumours, and Updates

Sprint Expected to Launch NFC Payments in 5 Cities May 26th originally appeared on AndroidGuys.

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AndroidGuys

Looks as if T-Mobile will be quietly launching a new Unlimited Even More Plus Plan for their customers on April 13th. The plan will include unlimited Talk, Text and Data. Not too shabby if you’re one of those types who doesn’t mind paying full price for their handsets.

Of course, as is the case with T-Mobile, data is really only “unlimited” until you hit that 2 GB ceiling. From there you will be throttled into oblivion for the rest of your billing cycle.

I will definitely be letting my loved ones who are happy with T-Mobile know about this new offer.

[Via T-Mo News]

Android Phone Fans

When you find out the reason that Amazon was able to beat Google Music and a cloud-based iTunes to market, you might be a bit surprised. See, those other services have been talked about for months upon months, with the main reason we haven’t seen them launched stemming from licensing issues between the companies wishing to instate cloud-based music services and record labels still sour over the demise of physical music sales. Amazon’s cloud music locker seemed to spring up out of no where, so what’s the deal? Turns out Amazon didn’t even bother to get the proper licensing before launching their service, and record labels, as you could imagine, aren’t all that happy about it.

In fact, Amazon didn’t even bother to get in touch with record labels until last week and decided to go ahead and launch their new service while terms of licensing were still being negotiated. It’s a bold move, one that may end up costing the retailer in the long run. A Sony Music spokesperson said, “We hope that they’ll reach a new license deal, but we’re keeping all of our legal options open.”

Perhaps some heat from the music industry and potentially being sued by the RIAA or individual record labels is a small price to pay to leapfrog Google and Apple, the two companies expected to dominate these area of digital media distribution.

[via Reuters]

We reported to you yesterday that the Motorola Xoom wouldn’t have Flash capability at launch, and the disclaimer only said “Expected this Spring.” But earlier today via their blog Adobe publicly stated that they are working quickly to optimize Flash for the tablet experience and that they expect to release an OTA update “within a few weeks” of the first Honeycomb tablet (the Xoom) hitting the market. So those of you who were on the fence about your Xoom purchase, don’t let the lack of flash sway you away from it. It’ll just be a short wait.

Flash Will be Available on Honeycomb Tablets “Within a Few Weeks” of Xoom’s Launch

View full post on Android News, Rumours, and Updates

I was wondering what games we would see come preloaded on the BlackBerry PlayBook at launch. While I was sort of hoping for a souped up version of BrickBreaker, it looks like RIM is going a different route. They are really trying to put the play in PlayBook… coming preloaded on the BlackBerry PlayBook at launch is going to be EA’s Need for Speed Undercover and Tetris.  And based on the press release, we’re not talking demo versions of the games here, but the full thing (at least that better be the case!). Keep reading for the full press release. RIM will be demoing the games next week in Barcelona at MWC, so we’ll soon see the action for realz. Does this make you even more excited to get your PlayBook? Do you think we’ll still see BrickBreaker in some form (I sure hope so!). Sound off in the comments!

Press Release

EA’s Need for Speed Undercover and the Tetris Game Coming to the BlackBerry PlayBook at Launch 

WATERLOO, ONTARIO and REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA–(Marketwire – Feb. 10, 2011) – When users turn on their new BlackBerry(R) Playbook(TM) tablet for the first time, they had better be prepared for some fun and excitement with two iconic games from Electronic Arts preloaded(i) and available for hours of entertaining gameplay – Need for Speed(TM) Undercover, the high-octane action game, and Tetris(R), one of the world’s most popular video games of all time.

read more

CrackBerry.com‘s feed sponsored by ShopCrackBerry.com. Press Release: EA's Need for Speed and Tetris Coming to BlackBerry PlayBook at Launch

View full post on CrackBerry.com blogs

Well, I’m not sure how credible a source the Grand Rapids South Best Buy Facebook page, but they have it from the highest authority that the HTC Thunderbolt is dropping on Valentines Day with the Xoom following up on the 24th.

This is news that has been talked about for a little bit, but nevertheless I think by now we can fully expect to see both of these devices landing before the end of the month. Stay tuned.

Best Buy store confirms launch dates for Thunderbolt, Xoom?

View full post on Android News, Rumours, and Updates

Motorola plans on launching the Motorola Atrix without the full utilization of the NVIDIA Tegra2 dual-core processor with regards to its ability to shoot 1080p full HD video. As this has been as much a thorn in Motorola’s side as our own in anticipation of this awesome device we saw at CES, we have to wonder why Motorola would launch it, when the LG Optimus 2X is launching with full utilization of the Tegra2 with 1080p encoding as well as HDMI output in full HD as well.

Fear not though, Motorola has every intention of making sure everyone who gets an Atrix 4G will be able to shoot 1080p video, as they plan to launch an update shortly after the launch of the device in February. How long after, we don’t know, and it’s likely Motorola doesn’t know either. We’ll wait to hear though…biting our nails in suspense.

Motorola Atrix 4G will get 1080p video recording in software update after launch

View full post on Android News, Rumours, and Updates

And the tablets just keep coming in.  The latest company to enter the tablet wars, as expected, is none other than HTC.  Thanks to a source over at DigiTimes, HTC plans to launch a device that resembles a large version of the HTC Desire, it will be called the “Flyer”.  This is reported to be one of three different tablets to be released in the first half by HTC.  The device will be released with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and will be upgradeable to 3.0 (Honeycomb) when it becomes available. Read More…

HTC To Launch “Flyer” Tablet In March?

View full post on Android News, Rumours, and Updates

It looks like the timer has officially begun, unofficially,  for the release of T-Mobile’s new Samsung Vibrant 4G device.  Thanks to our friends over at TmoNews, one of their trusty ninjas slipped them a little release date for this bad boy.  If you ask me, I’d say there is some merit to it since we have already confirmed that the Cliq 2 was being released on Jan 19th as the doc shows. Read More…

Samsung Vibrant 4G Pics Surface. Also Gets A Launch Date, February 23rd?

View full post on Android News, Rumours, and Updates

For all of you who have been holding out on buying a Samsung Galaxy Tab due to the carrier contracts, the wait is finally ending. Samsung confirmed that they will be releasing a Wi-Fi only version of the Galaxy Tab in the US in Q1 of the new year.

As for date and price, those juicy details have yet to be released. But at least we know that the Wi-Fi only Galaxy Tab is indeed going to be a reality. Wi-Fi only Galaxy Tab units will have 16GB of internal storage along with a microSD slot capable of another 32GB, as usual.

Hit the break for the full presser from Samsung, delivered today at CES.

Read More…

Wi-Fi only Samsung Galaxy Tab confirmed for US launch for Q1 of 2011

View full post on Android News, Rumours, and Updates

At a press conference in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, HTC announced that they will launch the HTC Desire HD in Saudi Arabia.

The HTC Desire HD, which is an overseas version of the HTC EVO 4G, is packed with great specs:

• Android 2.2 (Froyo) with HTC Sense UI
• 1 GHz processor
• 8 megapixel camera
• 720p HD video recording
• 3G/WiFi connectivity

Mohamed Kais Zribi, Regional Manager of HTC Middle East and North Africa commented:

“Customers in Saudi Arabia have been eagerly awaiting the launch of these new models. As far as the HTC Desire HD is concerned, I am confident that they will fully appreciate the new features and applications that we have introduced, especially its more engaging, intuitive, user-friendly design. We have likewise retained the attention-grabbing features of the phone, taking advantage of the powerful Android platform and the latest version of HTC Sense2.0, which has become a major hit among smartphone users.”

HTC has been incredibly successful in the smartphone market in Saudi Arabia. The HTC Desire HD should be well received by Saudia Arabian smartphone users.

HTC set to launch HTC Desire HD in Saudi Arabia

View full post on Android News, Rumours, and Updates

Nvidia’s much-hyped Tegra 2 CPU has finally found a home in a smartphone, courtesy of LG’s new Optimus 2X, which will be launched in Korea next month.

View full post on Macworld

It seems that one cannot go anywhere online without hearing about some tablet action. The latest news in the world of tabs comes from Motorola. As you may know, Motorola has an Android tablet in the making, called the Motorola Everest (or Stingray). Yes, we are talking about the same device that was gracefully demoed by Google’s Andy Rubin at the D: Dive into Mobile conference a week ago. The tablet will be running Android 3.0 Honeycomb, and is reported to be extremely thin for a tablet. February 6th is the rumored launch date, but also the day of Super Bowl XLV in Dallas. One can only hope that either the device launches on the 6th, making for an epic Super Bowl party, or even better, it launches before then. Because after all, the sooner we get this beast of a tablet, the better.

source: DroidLife

Super Bowl Launch Possible for the Motorola Everest (Stingray) originally appeared on AndroidGuys.

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Looking to buy a Nexus S from Best Buy? They’ve updated everyone with everything you’ll need to know about the launch to make sure there are no surprises. Here’s a nice and concise list of everything you really need to know:

• Timing: Online sales of Nexus S begin at 8 a.m. Eastern time to coincide with the opening of Best Buy stores on the East Coast. As a reminder, all Best Buy stores have adjusted their holiday hours to open at 8 a.m.
• Availability: Nexus S is available in all Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile specialty stores. Exact inventory will vary by store. Nexus S will be sold out on a first-come, first-serve basis with a limit of 2 per phones customer.
• Demo phones: All Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile stores will have a Nexus S demo phone on-hand so customers can see and experience the phone.
• Pricing: The Nexus S is an unlocked phone and can be purchased without contract for $529. The Nexus S can also be purchased for $199 with a TMobile two-year service agreement and qualifying voice and data plan. Nexus S can also be purchased for $249.99 for add-a-line activations.
• Upgrade Checker:A quick and easy service that gives customers the ability to see when they are eligible for their next phone upgrade. When the upgrade time is nearing, customers receive a complimentary reminder call, e-mail or text message.
• Walk Out Working™: Free in-store smart phone setup by a Best Buy Mobile Phone Specialist who will sync personal email accounts, set up Bluetooth headsets, transfer contacts and activate other services to allow the customer to leave the store with a fully functional new smart phone.

That third item is especially important: you’ll be paying $50 more for the phone if you’re adding a line opposed to upgrading or opening a new account. You’ll also want to discern that online sales of the Nexus S begin at 8am Eastern, but your local brick and mortar location will be open at 8am no matter what timezone you live in as it’s their standard holiday season opening time. I’m still see-sawing about the decision to buy one personally, but if I do decide to by the time December 16th hits, I’ll be well  prepared. [Best Buy via AC]

View full post on Android Phone Fans

The buzz-worthy European music service remains stuck in negotiations with record labels for the right to enter the U.S. market.

View full post on Macworld

Reports are coming in that Google is planning to launch its anticipated E-book service called Google Editions. The idea behind the service is a bit different from the major competitors in that the books can be purchased through a variety of online retailers and can be accessed anywhere through a Google account.

It’s unclear at this point whether or not Google is planning a dedicated hardware reader like the Kindle, but given the emerging popularity of smartphones and tablet computers (including the upcoming Chrome tablet?), chances are they will just release a series of apps for multiple platforms and devices.

While no specific date has been set, Google Editions is slated to launch in the US by the end of the year, and internationally sometime in Q1 of 2011.

Google gearing up to launch E-book service called Google Editions

View full post on Android News, Rumours, and Updates

There was a bit of interesting activity on the AT&T Share Facebook page earlier today, where an administrator answered a question about when the Motorola Olympus will be available. The admin stated that the phone would be launching in December or January, although later on the post was deleted and a statement was issued that the post was made in error.

If I had to put my money on a date, I would choose January over December at this point. However, with no official word from Motorola or AT&T, your guess is as good as mine.

Motorola Olympus set to launch in December/January?

View full post on Android News, Rumours, and Updates

O3b, a Google-backed satellite venture that aims to provide Internet services to a population of over 3 billion people, has raised US$1.2 billion from a group of investors and banks, reports the WSJ, enough to see it through to launch in 2013.

O3b is now “fully funded,” Chief Executive Officer Mark Rigolle said, adding that the company may “plan incremental capex in coming years depending on the speed of growth of the business.”

O3b, which stands for the “Other 3 billion”, aims to deliver emerging markets in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. “Fiber is not an option in the Amazon, or in Indonesia with thousands of islands,” said Chief Executive Mark Rigolle.

The satellites have a unique middle earth orbit, around the equatorial arc, four times closer than regular geostationary satellites. Each 700kg satellite will operate in the Ka-band (20/30 GHz), with 12 steerable antennas. Ten steerable beams, with 1.2Gbps per beam, connect to its seven operational regions. Two steerable beams link to O3b’s ground stations that are linked to fiber networks.

O3B will provide cellular carriers with backhaul and providing access to approximately 70 percent of the world’s population. Internet service from O3B should cost about $500 per megabyte per month, down from about $3,000 per MB per month now via existing satellites. O3b system will provide Telcos and ISPs with low-cost backhaul to connect their 3G, WiMAX and fixed-line networks to the rest of the world.

Headquartered in Jersey, the Channel Islands, SES will remain O3b’s largest shareholder following the equity fundraising. New shareholders include Satya Capital, a private equity firm backed by Mo Ibrahim, a Sudanese telecoms tycoon, and the Development Bank of Southern Africa. O3b has finalised a $510m senior debt facility with HSBC, ING, Crédit Agricole and Dexia.

O3b plans to begin commercial service during the first half of 2013 following the launch of the first eight satellites by Arianespace with a Soyuz launcher from French Guiana. O3b was founded by Greg Wyler, a technology entrepreneur. Thales Alenia Space is currently building O3b’s first eight Ka-band satellites. O3b is fully funded for the launch of these, and will generate enough cash to expand its fleet once the service begins, Mr. Rigolle said.

The FT claims O3b has already signed deals worth between US$500 million and US$600 million with customers that want to use the company’s satellite infrastructure. The project needs a minimum of six satellites in orbit, but the intention is to put up perhaps as many as 20 eventually.

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View full post on dailywireless.org