Latest Mobile Phone News

Another addition to Motorola‘s more affordable Android lineup, the Motorola FIRE XT (SPICE XT in South America and XT531 in Asia) certainly isn’t the most powerful Motorola you can buy, but overall the specifications are likely to suit a large number of consumers looking for a first Android phone. The FIRE XT is an Android 2.3 smartphone with a 3.5″ 480 x 320 pixel display, with a 5 megapixel camera on the back plus a VGA resolution camera on the front for video calling. Inside is an 800 MHz processor with 512MB of RAM which isn’t particularly fast but it should cope with most things you might want to run. The FIRE XT has a multimedia player, FM radio and a 3.5mm audio socket. All the standard Android features are here, including GPS and Google Maps Navigation, WiFi, 3.5G support, Bluetooth and access to the Android Market plus Motorola’s SHOP4APPS store. The handset measures 114 x 62 x 12mm and weighs 114 grams. There is 512MB of internal flash memory expandable to 32GB with a microSD card. Physically, it’s not a bad looking device with curved edges and a two-tone finish. In its Asian XT531 version, there will be a dual-SIM variant available in certain markets in, as well as the standard single-SIM model.

Popularity: 7%

Huawei, the manufacturer who brought us the S7 Slim tablet, is getting ready to launch the Huawei Vision in “select markets” this September. Huawei is boasting that their new mobile phone features a 3D UI, but its not the same glasses-free eye popping 3D technology offered by the LG Thrill or EVO 3D. The tweaked 2D display offers a slightly different version of SPB’s Shell 3D software that creates a 3D-like carousel interface. Besides the sneaky 3D UI, the Huawei Vision sounds like your typical Android phone. It packs a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 1,400 mAh battery and Android 2.3 (Gingerbread). Other features include an aluminum alloy uni-body (in rose gold, silver or charcoal), 5-megapixel camera with auto focus and LED flash, 720P video recording support, Bluetooth 2.1 and 802.11b/g/n WI-FI.

Popularity: 5%

The iPhone5 would be sold from September 5, but only in the U.S. However, countries outside the U.S. have to wait one more month. It is said that iPhone5 will carry A5 processor, frameless design, higher pixel and larger memory. Subsidy policy remains to be the urgent problem for China Telecom. The company will reduce its terminal subsidy in the forth quarter. It is learned that its talk with Apple Inc. (AAPL) has made some progress but yet to reach agreements in key issues, including profit sharing and buying out iPhone at a high price. Analysts believe that China Telecom’s final subsidy margin is possibly similar to that of China Unicom, because high terminal subsidy may lead to loss risks while low subsidy does not attract consumers.

Popularity: 10%

The Motorola Photon 4G is an absolute powerhouse of a phone. It ships with Android 2.3 Gingerbread, a dual-core 1GHz Nvidia Tegra 2 processor, 4G WiMax speeds, a 4.3-inch qHD display, and a dual-mode GSM/CDMA chipset. Features include HDMI-out, DLNA support, Wi-Fi, Mobile Hotspot for up to eight devices, 720p HD video capture, 1080p HD video playback, and secure data encryption. We also like the kickstand. Call quality and overall performance were great. The Motorola Photon 4G has a large and bulky design, which might not be to everybody’s taste. The Motoblur interface isn’t for everyone, and we found Sprint ID to be an unnecessary add-on. The Webtop dock functionality is pretty cool, but it requires a $129 accessory. We expected better photo quality out of the 8-megapixel camera.

Popularity: 6%

To update the Xperia X10, which was formerly running Android 2.1 Eclair, users need to connect the device to their computers and employ the company’s PC Companion software. Over-the-air updates are so far not available. According to Sony Ericsson, the availability of Gingerbread for user devices “is dependent on operator and/or country,” so it cannot provide an “exact date for when the update will be available for you.” Sony Ericsson released the Xperia X10 last year. The device comes with a 4-inch display and 1GHz processor.

It has an 8.1-megapixel camera and the ability to record 720p HD video. Last May, Sony Ericsson announced plans to offer Eclair on the device, but that update didn’t start rolling out to handsets until October. At the time, Sony Ericsson didn’t plan on bringing Gingerbread to the X10. However, the company said in March that it had “listened to our consumers,” and would be bringing the update to the handset, after all. With the addition of Gingerbread, Xperia X10 owners get Facebook integration across the platform’s applications, the ability to use the device as a Wi-Fi hot spot, and tethering.

Popularity: 59%

The Droid 3 is a perfectly respectable handset. It’s fast, solid and well made, with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard that’s one of the very best out there, and a good (if slow) camera. The 4-inch screen is large and colourful but do sample it alongside the Nexus S, say, before committing yourself to emailing and surfing on it for a full 2-year contract.The bulky design also smacks of complacency. Where HTC and Samsung are trying to broaden Android’s appeal, the macho Droid 3 is aimed directly at its core constituency of IT professionals and iPhone haters. The risk is that many of those will be happy to wait for the Droid Bionic, unveiled at CES and due to arrive imminently with a larger 4.3-inch screen and that all-important 4G LTE link.It’s far too early yet to write off the Droid range, and the Droid 3 would certainly make a safe choice for anyone who absolutely demands a physical keyboard. But Motorola should take care. One good idea and reliable build quality will only get you so far – today’s handsets need to be genuine all-rounders. Unless keyboards are your thing, this probably isn’t the Droid you’re looking for.

Popularity: 7%

Apple is gearing up its production of iPhone 5 for a possible September launch. Added to this, Apple’s projection of selling 25 million iPhones by the end of 2011 coincides with the expectation that the release is round the corner. What are the features of the next iPhone is a question that has given rise to a vast range of speculations. Over the last few months, several iPhone successor features were discussed by tech websites and in the blogosphere. Some rumors were supported by image leaks, sources from manufacturing partners while other features were thought based on what competitors offer. However, it is more or less confirmed that iPhone 5 will run on Apple’s latest mobile operating system iOS 5 and will have a superior ecosystem comprising of iCloud. Meanwhile, Apple has a complete ecosystem as its app store has 425,000 apps. Recently, Apple announced that its App Store has topped the 15 billion download mark. As a result, if Apple adds the following features then it may effectively outclass a flurry of competing Android devices that is expected near-term.

Popularity: 5%

A teardown of the HTC Thunderbolt Treveals one of the highest bill of materials (BOM) ever seen on a cell phone. Components for the popular 4G LTE smartphone cost $262. It is significantly higher than the $171.35 cost of Verizon iPhone elements and comparable to media tablets. The most expensive element of the Thunderbolt was its 4G LTE wireless standard, which made up $39.75 of the tab. Most of this expense come from a first-generation LTE baseband chip, Qualcomm MDM9600. Because of the high cost of a 4G LTE standard next iPhone, rumored to support 4G LTE, will cost Apple 23 percent more – $211.10 – to make if Apple decides to use the same first-generation LTE chipsets as the Thunderbolt does.

It remains to be seen whether the next Apple iPhone set for introduction in September will support 4G LTE. However, if it does, two things are clear. First, the iPhone’s minuscule printed circuit board (PCB) will have to grow in size in order to support the first-generation LTE baseband processor as well as all the supporting chipset. Second, the next iPhone’s BOM value certainly will increase substantially compared to the iPhone 4 if LTE is implemented in the same manner as in the HTC Thunderbolt.

Popularity: 5%

The Droid Bionic, successor to the Droid and the Droid X, looks to be locked for launch.  The good folks over at This Is My Next have published a Best Buy promo advertisement featuring the Bionic. The ad seems real enough, although the poster is missing the precise launch dates and a spec lists. What we can tell from the advert is that the Bionic is aesthetic: a face-lift, some nipping and tucking, and some rounding around the corners. In fact, if you just glance at the Bionic, you could be forgiven for confusing the thing for an iPhone 4. It seems identical, except the Apple home button has been swapped with the familiar Droid button array.

Popularity: 6%

Apparently, curiosity is one of the reasons why folks even posted the video in YouTube, showing a teardown of Sprint Wireless phone, the HTC Evo 3D. The phone is worth $199 with a 2 year contract, so semi-destroying the phone to reveal its components inside is a heartbreaking scenery especially if you’re not rich. According to Youtube’s video stat, the HTC Evo 3D teardown already attracted 18,000 viewers, majority are male viewers living in United States. HTC Evo 3D is the first 3D Android smartphone launched in United States. According to specs sheet, the HTC Evo 3D is a screamer with 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, two 5 MP rear shooter for shooting HD 3D or 2D videos and photos, and the phone is also capable of initiating or receiving video calls courtesy of recently hacked Skype app for Android. HTC Evo 3D is also expected to arrive in United Kingdom courtesy of Vodafone that recently dumped LG’s Optimus 3D in favor of the Taiwan based company. However, the LG Optimus 3D will arrive in UK first courtesy of Carphone Warehouse. In United States, LG is also expected to release the phone courtesy of AT&T, with a new brand name, LG Thrill 4G. Apparently, the phone will join the carrier’s HSPA+ phone lineup.

Popularity: 5%

Sony Ericsson has preclaimed the release of two new smart phones and a new feature phone on Asia-Pacific markets in a bid to support its business position as a communication entertainment brand and to make itself the markets’ leading supplier of mobile phones based on the Android. The new phones – the Xperia ray, the Xperia Active and the Sony Ericsson txt – will be available by the end of this year. Sony Ericsson’s corporate vice president and head of Asia-Pacific region Matthew Lang said that the firm wanted to become the No 1 supplier of Android-based mobile phones and it saw the opportunity for growth in Asia Pacific. “We see great opportunities in the market for our new products. We have great expectations for active markets such as Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and India. We need to be No 1 in Android-based mobile phones to be the market leader,” he said. Moreover, Lang said Sony Ericsson would introduce a new tablet PC to the market when it was able to develop something unique and different. At present, it is waiting to see how the market segment emerges.

Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications International’s corporate vice president and head of marketing Steve Walker said that the growth of the Asia-Pacific mobile-phone market had led his company to unveil the Sony Ericsson Xperia ray and Xperia active, to give consumers access to the world of Sony Ericsson and Android. The Xperia ray and Xperia active smart phones both run the latest version of the Android platform (Gingerbread 2.3) and deliver rich consumer experiences. “As the Android platform gains market share in Asia Pacific, the Xperia portfolio is positioned to deliver consumers a unique and differentiated experience. We continue to deliver a portfolio to make the Sony Ericsson experience available to a broad range of consumers,” he said.

Popularity: 59%

The heat is building between Apple and Samsung as issues over patent infringement filed lawsuits and accusations have sparked media attention between the two tech giant’s escalating rivalry.  Official injunctions were filed by Apple to try and block four of Samsung’s mobile devices from hitting the U.S. market.  The four Samsung devices listed were Galaxy S 4G smartphone, Infuse 4G smartphone, Droid Charge smartphone, and the Galaxy Tab 10.1.  Apple’s devices included iPhones and iPads.Outside of the courtroom, another clash is brewing as the iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S2 approach their rumored launch dates.The iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S2 models have been key devices in the patent filing cases.  Accusations from Apple included Samsung’s “slavishly copying” iPhone and iPad designs.  The two companies have attempted to demand seeing each other’s prototypes for upcoming mobile products, but those requests have not yet fallen through.  Samsung filed suit to see Apple’s iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPad 3 designs after Apple’s initial request.

Popularity: 5%

The T-Mobile myTouch 4G was one of the prettiest Android devices I have seen over the past year and now we see that T-Mobile is bringing that device with a slider QWERTY keyboard in the myTouch 4G Slide. The myTouch 4G Slide may also have the best camera from HTC, which is an area they have traditionally been quite weak in compared to other smartphone manufacturers. I don’t think it can match what Nokia is doing with their cameras and the claim on the T-Mobile site that it is the “most advanced camera of any smartphone” may be a bit of a marketing phrase. Then again, I will have to give the 8 megapixel shooter a try and see for myself since I do own the Nokia N8.

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Popularity: 9%

Android phones just keep getting better. They still have some of the same problems, but the phones are increasingly becoming more powerful and user-friendly. One of the most recent to hit the market is the Nexus S 4G from Samsung. It’s available from Sprint for $149.99 with a two-year contract. The Nexus S 4G is a beautiful gadget with a sleek black casing that frames a 4-inch Super AMOLED screen. The smartphone has two cameras: one is a 5 mega-pixel camera on the back and the other is a VGA camera facing from the front of the phone. The Nexus S 4G doesn’t have a slot.This phon e handles Sprint’s 4G network, which is the next generation of connection speeds.

The Nexus S 4G runs the Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS. My favorite is the improved keyboard. It feels faster, more responsive, and makes coping and pasting a little easier. I actually had to search the internet to find other changes Gingerbread brought to the Android platform. The Nexus S 4G is among the best Android phones I’ve tested ever. It looks great and features an improved version of the Android platform. Aspiring photographers will find it can take some really great HD videos. I wish it had a memory card slot and that the camera did better with bad lighting. But its ability to handle 3G and 4G gives it a longer life and gets you ready for when Phoenix makes the Sprint 4G.

Popularity: 39%

Sprint launched its first Android tablet yesterday compatible with the new 4G “Wi-Max” network. The gadget is also the first Android tablet out there capable of running Netflix. Unfortunately, despite being first in line for 4G and Netflix, Sprint’s HTC Evo View tablet ships with the older version of Android: 2.3 (Gingerbread), not version 3.0 (Honeycomb). A future software update will bring Honeycomb, the version of Android made specifically for tablets, to the device.

That speaks to a larger problem of “fragmentation” on Android devices: the inability to implement the platform consistently across multiple types of hardware made by different manufacturers. Fragmentation is also the key reason why Android tablets have been slow getting popular video-streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu onto its devices. It presents a problem for making sure that Digital Rights Management technologies — or applications that make sure you aren’t ripping and recording any of the streaming content you’re watching — function across all devices.

Popularity: 5%