U.S. Cellular adds ZTE Imperial II to portfolio
ZTE has announced their ZTE Imperial II smartphone will be coming to U.S. Cellular. The Imperial II is aimed at budget-focused buyers and will be available for $0 down with a two-year contract. However, avoiding being locked in to a two-year contract is not an expensive proposition as the Imperial II will only run $100 off contract.
The Imperial II is the successor to ZTE’s Imperial, but with a larger 5-inch screen. The device comes equipped with a Snapdragon quad-core processor running at 1.2 GHz, 1 GB of RAM, 8 GB of internal memory, a 5 MP rear-facing camera, a 2,300 mAh battery, support for 4G LTE and runs Android 4.4.2 KitKat.
You can read the full press release after the break.
ZTE Responds to Consumer Demand for More Smartphone Screen for the Money with Imperial II now at U.S. Cellular
ZTE survey finds consumers want more phone screen for their money and delivers the 5-inch 4G LTE Imperial II for $0 down with a two year contract at U.S. Cellular
RICHARDSON, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–ZTE USA, the fourth largest smartphone manufacturer in the U.S. and second largest in the off-contract market*, today announced the Imperial II will be available with U.S. Cellular at $0 down with a two year contract or at the off-contract price of $100. The Imperial II is the successor to the Imperial, which was one of U.S. Cellular’s most sold phones. The next generation Imperial II was updated with a bigger screen falling in line with a recent ZTE survey where 83% of respondents said they are interested in having a bigger screen phone but only 22% were willing to pay a higher price.
“The Imperial II is a result of listening to what customers want and applying our expertise to produce an affordable premium device. Not only does the phone have one of the biggest and brightest screens in its price class, it also has a better user experience with features such as LTE and a quad-core processor you won’t find in similar devices,” said Lixin Cheng, chairman and CEO of ZTE USA. “Our affordable premium device strategy is shifting the U.S. smartphone landscape*, especially in prepaid. We’re extremely confident that the Imperial II will further propel our growth and the growth of such a great partner like U.S. Cellular.”
The budget-friendly Android smartphone was updated with a stunning 5-inch qHD capacitive multi-touch screen, improved camera sensors, SRS TruMedia, quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, Android KitKat 4.4.2 and 8 GB of internal memory, while sporting microSDHC™ for expanding device storage memory up to 32 GB.
The Imperial II is the latest in a line of no-contract devices launched by ZTE in 2014, following on the heels of the very successful sales of the Grand XMAX and Warp Sync. The Imperial II allows ZTE to continue its leadership in the no-contract market and pioneering the standards of feature-rich smartphones that are affordably priced.
ZTE Imperial II Specs:
- Android 4.4.2 (KitKat)
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 1.2 GHz Quad-Core
- 5-inch qHD capacitive 5-point multi-tough screen
- Internal: 8 GB eMMC and 1 GB DDR3 RAM
- 4G LTE: B2/B4/B5/B12/B17
- Bluetooth® 4.0
- 2,300 mAh Battery
- 5 MP rear-facing camera
The Imperial II allows users to stay remarkably connected and entertained, whether the consumer is downloading one of the million apps on Google PlayTM or simply calling a friend. Coupled with U.S. Cellular’s advanced wireless network, the Imperial II puts users in the driver’s seat of their wireless life.
About ZTE USA
ZTE USA (http://www.zteusa.com/), a subsidiary of ZTE Corporation is a leading global provider of mobile handsets, telecommunications equipment and network solutions. Operating since 1998, ZTE USA is dedicated to making cost-efficient, quality communications technology accessible to all. The company provides a magnitude of devices to every major US-based carrier, generates over $17.4 billion dollars’ worth of business for US-based companies and devotes more than 10 percent of its revenue to R&D. ZTE USA is headquartered in Richardson, Texas and operates 17 sales offices, customer service centers, R&D and distribution facilities across the US. ZTE is ranked as the country’s fourth-largest supplier of mobile devices overall, and second-largest supplier of prepaid devices, by independent analysts. ZTE is the Official Smartphone of the New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, and Houston Rockets.
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Weekly poll results: New Year’s resolutions
We resolve… to not do anything.
Earlier this week, we asked if you had any Android-related resolutions — or any resolutions at all, for that matter. And while over a thousand of you participated, the results weren’t as determined as we’d expect. Maybe you’ve been jaded by the years of people buying gym memberships in January and refunding them by Valentine’s Day, or you simply know that all the toys at CES this week are going to smash that iron grip you’re keeping on your wallet, but c’mon, guys, even a little resolution is better than none.
Acer announces 15 inch Chromebook, touchscreen coming to 13-inch model
As attendees start to roll into Las Vegas for CES 2015, Acer decided to get an early start with announcements by revealing today that they are bringing a 15.6-inch Chromebook to market. The new Chromebook 15 will be the industry’s first device with a screen in the 15-inch range. That is not the only first for Acer though as they are also including 5th generation Intel Core i3 and Intel Celeron processors in the new Chromebook 15.
According to Jerry Kao, president of the Acer Notebook Business Group,
“The Acer Chromebook 15 is a true powerhouse – it provides fast mobile performance and a large display to help customers accomplish more every day. Acer has been a leader in the Chromebook market, from providing the latest in technology and trailblazing battery life to designing new form factors. We’re driving the category forward again with the world’s first 15.6-inch display Chromebook, the Acer Chromebook 15.”
Acer will offer a couple display options for the new Chromebook 15, including a full HD version running at 1920 x 1080 resolution and another one running at 1366 x 768 resolution. Buyers will also have a choice of either a 16GB or 32GB SSD drive included in the Chromebook and a choice or RAM, either 2GB or 4GB. Prices will start at $249.99 and go up from there depending on the options selected.
Acer also announced they are expanding their Chromebook 13 line with the addition of a model that has a touchscreen. Acer says the new touchscreen equipped models are available now and will be coming to EMEA countries for €329 ($395 USD).
The new Chromebook 15 and other Acer devices will be on display at CES 2015. Be sure to check back for our coverage from CES 2015.
source: Acer
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Flipboard for Windows Phone gets another small update
Flipboard is a popular app that grabs content from several sources and presents them in a magazine format. The Windows Phone version has just received a small update today, following a similar tiny update that was issued a few days ago. Today’s update brings the version number up to 2.5.2, but we don’t have a new changelog to go along with the download.
Intel is betting $25 million on smart eyewear-maker Vuzix
Intel clearly sees big potential in the smart eyewear market. In addition to putting its processors in Google Glass and teaming up with Luxottica to create high-tech glasses, it has now invested major cash in internet-connected eyewear-maker Vuzix. According to Vuzix, Intel has just bought $24.8 million of its stocks making up 30 percent of the company. The chipmaker hasn’t replied to our request for a statement yet, but the companies’ press release says Intel will have “the right to vote with the holders of Common Stock on an as-converted basis, and has the right to appoint two members to Vuzix’ Board of Directors, in addition to the Company’s current five members. “
If you recall, Vuzix is the creator of the M100 smart glass showcased at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show. Since that time, the device has gone through a number of upgrades, including the addition of offline support for its Nuance voice control feature and the ability to use the Android-powered gear with iOS devices. In January 2013, the company announced that it’s developing smart sunglasses you’d actually want to wear — a project that could benefit greatly from Intel’s investment.
Polar’s new fitness watch is a step up from a regular activity tracker
Can it really be a year since Polar rocked up at CES promising to change the world with its all-powerful V800? Yes, yes it can. This time ’round, however, the company is aiming its sights not at hardcore runners, but at people looking for a cheaper, yet more sophisticated activity tracker. Similar to the company’s other budget fitness watches like the MT60, Polar’s A300 ditches the GPS in favor of Loop-style 24/7 activity and sleep tracking.
Polar’s A300 can do the normal raft of fitness tracking tricks, like calculate calories burned, provide inactivity alerts and track your sleep. But, in addition, the watch is also able to provide smart coaching features thanks to the company’s training programs, and if you splash out an extra $40 for a chest-worn heart-rate sensor, it’ll do that, too. The device is waterproof and comes in three colors: black, white and pink, and if you fancy a change, you can pick up a replacement band for $25. Polar’s A300 will launch at some point in February of this year, priced at $139.95 for the base unit and $179.95 with the chest strap included.
Filed under: Wearables
Acer adds Real Sense 3D camera to its Windows 8.1 Aspire V 17 Nitro laptop
Acer will release a new version of its previously launched Windows 8.1 Aspire V 17 Nitro gaming laptop with a built-in Real Sense 3D camera from Intel. The company announced the new model as part of its CES 2015 product reveals.
Carrefour and Axiom Telecom now stocking the BlackBerry Classic in UAE
While the initial launch of the BlackBerry Classic in UAE was limited to the BlackBerry Store at the Dubai Mall, the device has now filtered through to several other retail outlets in UAE and KSA. Both Axiom Telecom and Carrefour are now offering the device across retail locations.
Acer has a new 15.6-inch Chromebook for CES 2015
Acer has revealed its newest Chromebook, with a big 15.6-inch display, as part of its CES 2015 announcements. Prices for the new Chromebook will start at $249.99 in the US.
Samsung promotion to extend 1-year Netflix subscription to buyers of some devices
If you are considering buying one of Samsung’s top devices for the new year and you enjoy Netflix, you may want to check out this new promotion that is getting ready to start up according to some leaked information. The tip indicates that buyers of the Samsung Galaxy S 5, Galaxy Note 4, or the Galaxy Tab S will get one free year of Netflix, an offer that is supposed to be good for both new and existing Netflix subscribers.
Sources indicate the promotion will run from January 4th through January 17th, although only the first 115,000 customers to take advantage of the offer will get the Netflix credit. Consumers who get one of the qualifying Samsung devices can head to SamsungPromotions.com to stake their claim.
source: AndroidCentral
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