Softbank Announces Sharp Aquos, First Announced Ice Cream Sandwich Device due Next Year
Soon Google will be launching the first ever Ice Cream Sandwich powered device with Samsung and we can’t wait! But if you want to check out the first ever announced Ice Cream Sandwich device, then behold — the Sharp Aquos Phone 104SH. Obviously this one wouldn’t be the first ICS device to hit the market, but we can say that it’s the first one to be announced as an Ice Cream Sandwich device. No doubt the device is very sexy and good looking, not only from the outside, but it also has a lot of amazing goodies on the inside. It will be launched by Japanese network Softbank and they are planning to launch it somewhere in spring of 2012. Don’t know when or if it will be hitting other countries but I’m sure by then, we will have a huge number of ICS powered phones to choose from. Have a look at the spec sheet:
- Dual-core TI OMAP 44601.5-GHz processor
- 4.5-inch touchscreen (1280×720 resolution)
- 12.1-megapixel primary camera (capable of 1080p video capture)
- 2 GB storage
- microSDHC expansion slot
- dust-proof and water-proof build
- compatibility with WCDMA and GSM networks
- Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 3.0 support
- physical dimensions of 65 mm × 129 mm × 8.7 mm
HTC Explorer confirmed as entry-level Android handset
HTC has expanded its offering of entry level Android smartphones with the HTC Explorer being officially unveiled as a 3.2-inch device utilising the company’s hugely popular Sense UI.
Targeting the first-time smartphone adopter, the HTC Explorer is to be made available in a selection of colour schemes with the low-end specced handset bringing social networking and internet access to the fore in order to appeal to its target market.
“HTC Explorer is an easy-to-use smartphone that puts the customer in control, providing quick access to their most important content and information,” said Jason Mackenzie, president of global sales and marketing, HTC Corporation.
HTC Explorer Specs
Playing host to a 3.2-inch HVGA touchscreen display the HTC Explorer boasts a 3-megapixel rear-mounted camera and will hit retailers in Metallic Black, Active Black and Metallic Navy colourschemes.
Arcing back to the days of the Nokia faceplates and fascias Explorer users will also be able to customise their handsets with Metallic Blue, Metallic Orange, Metallic White and Metallic Purple transferable back covers.
HTC Explorer Release Date and Price
Whilst HTC has yet to officially announce the HTC Explorer release date and pricing information the Taiwanese handset manufacturer has confirmed the handset will touch down in the UK during Q4 of 2011. Networks and retailers are expected to announce prices and tariffs shortly. Stay tuned to T3.com for all the latest.
via HTC Explorer confirmed as entry-level Android handset | T3.
Hands-on with HTC’s Amaze 4G for T-Mobile
So how does HTC’s Amaze 4G stack up to its European counterpart, the Sensation XE? Pretty well actually. The 4.3-inch qHD smartphone also features Qualcomm’s 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon CPU, but bumps the RAM from 768MB to 1GB. It’s also HTC’s first NFC toting device and joins T-Mobile’s Galaxy S II as the other 42Mbps HSPA+ -capable handset on Magenta’s network. More noteworthy is its trick eight megapixel shooter, which features the same backside-illuminated sensor, f2.2 wide-angle optics and 1080p video recording capability as the myTouch 4G Slide. Similarly, the Amaze 4G hangs on to quite a bit of that phone’s camera software, including a new composite mode that automagically creates one stellar image out of five less than fabulous snapshots. We also liked the addition of two physical camera buttons, one for stills and the other for video. First impressions of the Sense-laden, Gingerbread smartphone? It’s very much like a Sensation on steroids, with a definite T-Mobile flavor. Take a look at our gallery and hit the break for our hands-on video from Mobilize 2011.
via Hands-on with HTC’s Amaze 4G for T-Mobile (video) — Engadget.
Game The Smurfs’ Village Now Available On The Android Market Video
Long live the Smurfs! The popular childrens cartoon is anything but gone and it’s cult-like following keeps them popular as ever. Having graduated from TV stardom these little blue dudes had no other option than to star in their own smartphone game in order to keep their fans happy. Today, Beeline Interactive announced that they will be bringing the popular iOS game, Smurfs’ Village, to the Android Market on September 28th. The game will be free to download and play, but will have in-app content available for purchase. Having Sims-like game-play, players will start from the ground up, building and improving on the Smurf Village. Each Smurf character will bring different personalities and game-play, allowing you to take advantage of specific talents and traits. If you need to build a bridge, hit up Handy Smurf. A cake is needed? Smurfette to the rescue! You get the idea. Facebook integration will also allow players to link game progress to share the experience with friends.
via Game The Smurfs’ Village Now Available On The Android Market Video.
HTC Sensation XL: Launch name for the HTC Runnymede?
The HTC Runnymede will hit the shops as the HTC Sensation XL and not the HTC Bass, as had been rumoured, according to reports.
The name would make sense as, like the recently announced HTC Sensation XE, the Runnymede will be packing integrated Beats Audio. There will be two options on offer apparently: one an in-ear buds bundle and one an over the ear job.
The Android 2.3.4 phone is said to have a 1.5GHz processor, 768MB of RAM, an 8-megapixel camera on the back and a 1.3-megapixel one on the front. Its big talking point, literally, is the display at a mammoth 4.7 inches and a 960×540 qHD resolution. Storage is said to be 16GB or 32GB.
The HTC Sensation XL/Bass/Runnymede has also been caught in action. A YouTube video is doing the rounds, although the footage is continually being pulled. It shows an almost-ghost like phone running on the Vodafone network in the UK.
There’s no official word from HTC or any carriers yet though – chances are this could just be an unlocked tester model.
via HTC Sensation XL: Launch name for the HTC Runnymede? – Pocket-lint.
Motorola Xoom 2 coming with 8.2-inch Media Edition
The Motorola Xoom 2 has been spotted out and about and, whats more, is that it seems to have a little friend in tow – the 8.9-inch Motorola Xoom 2 Media Edition.Both tablets have been leaking like an Android filled tap all over the web this past weekend, ramping up excitement levels of fandroids everywhere.Starting with the biggie, and guestimates suggest that were again looking at a 10.1-inch model but with a meatier engine room running the Android 3.2 and Flash 11 action. The RAM is said to be the same as the original at 1GB, but it will be powered by a dual core 1.2GHz chip, possibly of the TI OMAP 4 variety.1080p video recording is said to be on board the 5-megapixel camera, which is why theres a HD logo on the camera which now finds itself in the centre of the Xoom sequels back. Also on the back are the physical buttons or, at least, theyre pointing backwards due to the 2s sharp angled design which measures 9mm thick.The Motorola Xoom 2 Media Editions 8.9-inch display is apparently a HD IPS one that is made of Gorilla glass and is splashproof. Its packing an integrated IR remote and a subwoofer on the chassis.Codenamed Fleming, it is also said to be running Android 3.2 and has reported thickness of 9.3mm and a weight of 430g. Theres LTE on board and, like its big bro, theres also backwards facing buttons and a 5-megapixel camera – this time positioned front and centre in a portrait setup.No official word as of yet, but hit up the original sources for plenty of leaky image action.
via Motorola Xoom 2 coming with 8.2-inch Media Edition – Pocket-lint.
HTC Flyer Honeycomb Screenshots Leaked
Back at MWC, HTC officially announced the HTC Flyer, their first Android tablet. The Flyer launched with Gingerbread, despite the fact that most people were expecting Honeycomb. It’s still running on Gingerbread as of right now, but HTC made an announcement a few months ago that the Flyer will be getting a Honeycomb update, with Sense UI incorporated. Now the developer test version of the update is out, and as you can see from the screenshot, Honeycomb looks quite nice on the Flyer. It’s Android 3.2 with HTC Sense UX on top, just like its elder brother, the JetStream, which was launched by HTC and AT&T few days ago. XDA forum member globatron successfully ported the ROM to his HTC Flyer and posted the screenshots. The Sense UX version number is also 1.1, just like the JetStream.
No word on when HTC will officially launch the update, but you can port it to your Flyer if you’re feeling adventurous. It does take some skill, and it’s definitelly not for the faint of heart. After looking at the instructions, all I can say is “mod at your own risk.”
Samsung Pure Breeze Launcher Available In The Android Market
The vast number of possible Android launchers has increased by yet another as Samsung has released their own UI rendition called Pure Breeze from Samsung San Jose Mobile Lab. The launcher replaces the standard Android Home layout (for any Android device 2.1 or greater) in the hopes of giving users custom options, better organization and simplified navigation to apps and files. The twist? It works around a unique grouping system with a floating “Kite” that holds those groups and acts as your home screen. Whether or not this is a recipe for success remains questionable however.
Here’s what they say:
Pure Breeze is a customizable user interface that lets you easily organize your apps, groups, and tasks, and create shortcuts. Pure Breeze replaces your default home screen and allows you to enhance navigation by organizing your applications into groups. The “Kite”, a customizable floating window is always available with one touch to access your phone’s widgets and shortcuts. The “Kite” becomes your new launcher and home screen.
via Samsung Pure Breeze Launcher Available In The Android Market.
Pocketbook A10 hands-on
PocketBook, primarily known for its e-readers, introduced the A 10 this week at IFA — that’s “A” for Android and “10” for 10-inches (well, 10.1 inches). The Android in this case is Gingerbread, nothing particularly exciting on that front, in a world that has largely moved on to Honeycomb in all its iterations, but at the very least, the company is doing some cool stuff on the design front in a world of infringingly lookalike devices. The body was reportedly inspired by an airplane wing, encased in white plastic that forms a wedge on the rear. The tablet’s a bit on the chunky side, with a row of actual physical buttons located on the bottom of the bezel. On the rear is a white plastic around a soft, rubbery back.
The tablet is a bit less exciting on the inside, with 4GB of storage, a 1GHz TI OMAP 3621 processor, WiFi and optional 3G. Not surprisingly, given the company’s history, the device is reading-minded, with proprietary software built around the e-book experience and page buttons built in. The company is also looking to possibly position the device for the educational sector.
Samsung Galaxy Note announced: 5.3-inch display, built-in-stylus, custom ‘S Pen’ apps
Until a few days ago we’d heard surprisingly little about the Galaxy Note, a handset rumored to be launching alongside the Galaxy Tab 7.7 and Wave 3 at IFA. It’s ironic, really, because of all the phones to have kept a low profile, this is a memorable one. Behold, a 5.3-inch handset with a stowaway pen for note-taking, drawing and grabbing screen captures. In other words, a Dell Streak-esque hunk of a device that blurs the lines between phone and tablet. You’re looking at a Gingerbread-running HSPA+ handset with a 1280 x 800 Super AMOLED display, dual 8MP and 2MP cameras, a removable 2,500mAh battery and the same Samsung-made dual-core 1.4GHz processor you’ll find in the just-announced Galaxy Tab 7.7. For a phone this gargantuan, it’s actually quite thin at light, at 9.65mm (0.38 inches) thick and a reasonable 178 grams (6.3 ounces). We had a few minutes to handle the phone in advance of today’s press conference, and found it surprisingly easy to grip, even in our small hands. As with the Infuse 4G –whose own 4.5-inch screen once seemed impossibly sprawling — the thin shape makes it tenable, as does the lightweight, textured plastic lining the back.
As you’d expect, Android 2.3 comes layered with TouchWiz on top and, in this case, seven home screens and a touch-optimized interface dubbed “S Pen” designed to take advantage of that pen. These include S Planner, a native calendar and to-do list app, from which you can drag and drop appointments, changing time slots without having to open an entry. S Memo for note-taking, meanwhile, accepts voice, photo, text and handwritten input. We also got a quick glimpse of Virtual Whiteboard, a more collaborative form of note-taking. On top of that, Samsung says it’s releasing the S Pen SDK to third-party developers, and the company’s banking on more apps for organizing photos and drawing, among other things. For now, this is merely a global launch: Samsung says it’s still in discussions with carriers worldwide, so depending on your neck of the woods it might be awhile before you hear anything definitive about pricing or availabilit
via Samsung Galaxy Note announced: 5.3-inch display, built-in-stylus, custom ‘S Pen’ apps — Engadget.
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