Samsung, NTT DoCoMo, et al. cancel plans for LTE chip joint venture

Looks like the decision to not make a decision has... well, created a decision. Back in December of 2011, NTT DoCoMo, Panasonic, Samsung and a smattering of other Japanese firms put their heads together in order to launch a joint venture to manufacture and sell ICs for mobile devices. Communication Platform Planning Co. was actually established with the goal to hawk these LTE semiconductors, but now that a consensus on how it'd all play out wasn't reached by the March 2012 deadline, it'll be liquidated in June. Reportedly, DoCoMo even set aside some $5.4 million to set up the now-defunct subsidiary, but now it's all for naught.

Source: engadget

HTC Inspire 4G Hardware Review (Video)

If you're considering the HTC Inspire 4G, which goes on sale February 13 for $99 on AT&T, you know what you're getting into in terms of the device size. Like an EVO or HD2, the HTC Inspire is a commanding device with plenty of weight (at 164 grams) and size. That said, while it's not thin, it's not thick either. Overall, it's pleasing in-hand and in the pocket. Inside it's packing a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU with 768MB of RAM, 1GB of ROM, and 8GB of added storage. The screen is a Super LCD panel and is 4.3" at WVGA resolution. While the Super LCD doesn't have the ultra-high contrast of a Super AMOLED display found on many of Samsung's Android phones, it does a great job with color reproduction. The rear-facing camera does 720p videos and 8MP photos. Powering the Inspire 4G is a 1230mAh battery.


Source:(pocketnow)

HTC Thunderbolt Might Arrive Sooner Than Expected

Are you as excited about Verizon's first LTE 4G smartphone as we are? If so, this news might get further stir the geek within. Previously thought to have a release date of mid February, the Thunderbolt might be available sooner than that, according to a Tweet from Verizon:

Many have waited for the Verizon #iPhone. Some looking for the #4G #LTE HTC #Thunderbolt. May be sooner than we expected!

We'll keep an eye out for more about the Thunderbolt. Until then, enjoy some hands-on of the device that we filmed out at CES.

Source:(pocketnow)

T-Mobile Galaxy S 4G is the first HSPA+ phone capable of 21Mbps downloads, coming February

4G announcements are raining left and right from the carriers, since the marketing departments are working overtime to counter the Verizon iPhone introduction. T-Mobile just lifted the veil over the 4G version of its Samsung Vibrant - the Galaxy S 4G - which will be available for purchase some time this month.

The phone has similar specs with the Vibrant, save for a few very important aspects. It has an HSPA+ radio inside, made by ST-Ericsson, which can theoretically take full advantage of the current 21Mbps HSPA+ network of T-Mobile. The rest of the 4G gang on T-Mo now goes up to "only" 14.4Mbps - in theory, that is.

The other major differences are that this one is running Android 2.2 Froyo out of the box, has 16GB of memory and, last but not least, it has a bigger 1650mAh battery to compensate for the additional battery drain that 4G brings along. Oh, and why no camera flash for the 5MP shooter again, is beyond us.

The carrier has included T-Mobile TV for watching free content over 4G, like ABC News, Fox Sport or PBX Kids on-the-go. Samsung Media Hub is also present for buying or renting movies, music and TV shows. The Galaxy 4G will come with "Inception" preinstalled, to try and lure you in using the Media Hub more often. Other multimedia goodies include Slacker Radio, as well as the doubleTwist with AirSync apps for wirelessly syncing media with your home computer. Qik is the video chat program of choice on the T-Mobile Galaxy S 4G.

We can't wait to test the download speeds on this one, and compare them to the slower HSPA+ radios on the T-mobile myTouch 4G, or the T-Mobile G2. Something tells us that until Big Magenta rolls out its 42Mbps upgrade of the network by the end of the year, the speed differences in real life won't be very significant.

Source:(phoneArena)

T-Mobile Announces Samsung Galaxy S 4G For This Month

We told you last week that the Samsung Galaxy S 4G is coming to T-Mobile on February 23 and it looks like there was more to the story than the rumor, as Magenta just announced officially that the smartphone will be available this month.

The handset advertised to be "the fastest smartphone running on America’s Largest 4G Network" is basically your classic T-Mobile Vibrant with an added front facing camera, larger -- 1650mAh -- battery and Google's Android 2.2 Froyo platform on it -- plus a copy of the movie Inception. Theoretical peak downloads of up to 21 Mbps are referred to in the Press Release but those speeds might depend from region to region as well as your signal quality and strength.

DoubleTwist with AirSync will be also bundled on the phone providing an easy way to back up and sync pictures, videos and music to and from the computer. Additionally, Kindle will also be preloaded for all your eBook reader needs. No exact date was made public, except the February availability, so the previously rumored February 23 still has a solid chance to stand.

Source:(pocketnow)