Tag Archives: CTIA

Motorola Atrix 2 Now Available from AT&T

Posted by on October 17, 2011 1 comment

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When it comes to smartphone sequels, the freshly released Motorola Atrix 2 may be the quickest turn arounds to date. The followup to the AT&T handset released less than a year ago is now available for the carrier at an appealing $99.99 on a new two-year contract. The Atrix 2 features a 1GHz dual-core processor and key upgrades from its predecessor, including and 8MP camera with 1080p video support. If you are considering the handset but on the fence, check out our video hands-on from CTIA.

[via AT&T]

Hong Kong, Here I Come

Posted by on October 15, 2011 2 comments

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When Samsung announced an unveiling that overlapped with CTIA in San Diego, and involved Google, I was ecstatic. When Samsung canceled that same event once I was already in San Diego, I was disappointed. The good part? I was in San Diego. But when Samsung and Google rescheduled that event for one week later in Hong Kong, the frustration – and then stress – reached a boiling point.

Hong Kong? Really? I had a suitcase full of dirty clothes, a plane ticket to Baltimore, and a passport sitting in a safe on the other side of the country.

Meanwhile, one of the biggest tech announcements of the year is being prepared on the other side of the world, taunting me. Daring me to attend. It’s a 15+ hour flight. The timezone is 15+ in the future. That’s a 30-hour time travel of craziness to attend what’s likely to be a 1 hour event. Not only that… a one hour event  that’s being streamed live on YouTube.

I toyed with the idea of finding an Asian-based tech writer to cover the event on behalf of Phandroid, but the perfect freelancer is hard to find. Screw it. What a waste of time and money. Is it really worth the hassle? Pssh. No way.

Wait a minute: would ESPN miss the Superbowl because it’s too far away?

Tisk, tisk, Rob J. Suck it up. Actually… suck it up?

Worst case scenario: The event sucks, they don’t have hands-on the device, they offer an Amercian version of the event in NYC, and I’m “stuck” in a pretty awesome city on the other side of the world. Boo freaking hoo.

So I stopped being a cry baby. I had my passport overnighted to San Diego. I booked a flight from San Diego, to LA, to Hong Kong and back to Baltimore. I’ll be in Hong Kong for a week – so if anyone is around – let me know.

But most importantly… I’ll be live in Hong Kong watching Samsung and Google announce Android 4.0, aka Ice Cream Sandwich, presumably alongside the Samsung Galaxy Nexus (aka Nexus Prime . I’ll have more than enough coverage for all of our readers and I hope you all will enjoy the heck out of it. I know I will.

Hong Kong, here I come.

HTC Rezound Reziliently Rezurfaces In Verizon’s System

Posted by on October 14, 2011 No comments

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The HTC Rezound name has been softly tossed around for the last couple months, but with all this talk about the Samsung Nexus Prime and the Motorola Droid RAZR not too many people are paying attention. But they should: the device specs are pretty sweet and the latest leak points to the Rezound name sticking.

This will be one of HTC’s Beats phones- to see what we mean check out our hands-on with the HTC Sensation XL from CTIA. It’ll also come with dual-core processor, HD screen, and have 4G LTE connectivity.

With Samsung bringing the Nexus Prime to Verizon, Motorola bringing the Droid RAZR to Verizon, and HTC bringing the Rezound to Verizon, it sounds like three homerun phones for Big Red by the top Android manufacturers. The question is, Verizoners, which one will you snag?

[Via DroidLife]

TouchPal for Tablets Could be the Future of Input: Includes Predictive Text, Swiping and Thumb Keyboard (Video)

Posted by on October 12, 2011 No comments

These days it’s all about the CTIA event that Google and Samsung couldn’t use to announce the Ice Cream Sandwich and Nexus Prime, as they chose to pay tribute to the memory of Steve Jobs. However, CTIA took place and included some interesting pieces of innovation, like the TouchPal, an original combo of input methods for portable devices.

The guys of Cootek showed off this technology over at their booth, under the name TouchPal. The keyboard combines most of the features of the modern day input methods, including predictive text, swiping (Swype style) and the brand new thumb keyboard for tablets, that’s getting more and more traction. You probably know this option from the iPad, that allows to separate the keyboard into two sections for easier thumb typing.

The virtual keypad can also be shrunk and moved around the screen for easier swiping and other functions. Android Market now holds this app, in case you’re curios and hopefully this software will get a buyer and become a standard or maybe become a more famous app for now.


Hands-on with the HTC Sensation XL

Posted by on October 12, 2011 No comments

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When HTC decided to name their latest handset the Sensation XL, they weren’t kidding. This thing is an extra large monster in every sense. 4.7-inch screen, Beats audio, the works. It’s a powerhouse of the not-so-pocketable variety. Actually, HTC managed to avoid adding too much bulk around the mammoth display, creating a device that isn’t quite as big as you might initially imagine. But let’s not fool ourselves, check it out in comparison to our very own Chris Chavez’s HTC EVO 3D in the above hands-on footage from CTIA and the difference is apparent.

First Look: Motorola Atrix 2 at CTIA

Posted by on October 12, 2011 No comments

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Though the Motorola Atrix is less than a year old, Motorola and AT&T are poised to drop an updated sequel to the handset in the coming weeks. What you can expect is a refined experience, with superfluous features such as the fingerprint scanner trimmed away to bring the handset to retail for the low price of $99. Key upgrades include an 8MP camera and the doing away with of PenTile Matrix screen technology. Is it enough to warrant an upgrade so soon? Decide for yourself after watching our video hands-on captured on the show floor at CTIA.

Hands On: Philips Fidelio Speakers Designed Specifically for Android Devices [Video]

Posted by on October 12, 2011 No comments

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We told you guys about Philips’ new line of Fidelio speakers when they debuted back at IFA in September and we finally got some hands-on time with them during Pepcom at CTIA. Where most companies are quick to add an “iPod/iPhone” dock to their speaker offerings, Philips has tailored made their speakers specifically for our beloved Android smartphones. The speakers come in a variety of sizes ranging from the compact bedside clock/dock AS111, the medium sized AS351 (10W RMS) and for those of you who like your beats fast and your bass down low — the AS851, featuring 30W RMS of total output power.

All the speakers come equipped with micro USB docks that slide to a variety of positions and connect to your device via Bluetooth. Philips even offers a free Fidelio app found in the Android Market that gives users access to a variety of alarm clock waking options like waking up to music and/or weather information. We’ll be featuring these items in a Phandroid giveaway very soon so keep your eyes locked to the site and we’ll keep you updated.

Sprint ReCharge Lounge @ CTIA 2011 [VIDEO]

Posted by on October 11, 2011 No comments

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It’s safe to say that Sprint’s ReCharge Lounge is ridiculously better than the ACTUAL press lounge put on by CTIA. Not only is it directly connected to the show floor (the real press room is upstairs and down a few halls), but they’ve got a pretty surreal, soothing, forresty jungle theme going on.

Food. Phones. Drinks. Tablets. Cucumber water. Jungle swing chairs. Massages. Relaxing but upbeat music. Waterfalls. Spring rolls. FAST Wi-Fi. And as Chris would like to reiterate: Cucumber water. This is definitely the place to be.

Sprint doesn’t have anything brand new on display which makes me wonder why AT&T (5 new Android phones just announced) or T-Mobile/Huawei (SpringBoard) or Verizon/Samsung (Stratosphere) didn’t hook up the media masses with something similar. Nevertheless, we’re grateful Sprint put together this tranquil environment for us to churn out content for you. It’s awesome.

Alright folks, back to capturing content and blogging!

Sprint ReCharge Lounge @ CTIA 2011 [VIDEO]

Posted by on October 11, 2011 No comments

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It’s safe to say that Sprint’s ReCharge Lounge is ridiculously better than the ACTUAL press lounge put on by CTIA. Not only is it directly connected to the show floor (the real press room is upstairs and down a few halls), but they’ve got a pretty surreal, soothing, forresty jungle theme going on.

Food. Phones. Drinks. Tablets. Cucumber water. Jungle swing chairs. Massages. Relaxing but upbeat music. Waterfalls. Spring rolls. FAST Wi-Fi. And as Chris would like to reiterate: Cucumber water. This is definitely the place to be.

Sprint doesn’t have anything brand new on display which makes me wonder why AT&T (5 new Android phones just announced) or T-Mobile/Huawei (SpringBoard) or Verizon/Samsung (Stratosphere) didn’t hook up the media masses with something similar. Nevertheless, we’re grateful Sprint put together this tranquil environment for us to churn out content for you. It’s awesome.

Alright folks, back to capturing content and blogging!

Hands On: TouchPal for Tablets – Combines Predictive Text, Swiping and Thumb Keyboard All-In-One

Posted by on October 11, 2011 No comments

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While cruising around the showroom floor at CTIA, Rob and I came across the guys from Cootek who were showing off the upcoming release of their popular TouchPal keyboard — this time for tablets. I’ll be honest with you, I am a keyboard whore. I use about 5 different keyboard apps and switch between them every few days.

The coolest part about TouchPal for tablets, is that it combines some of the key features found in other keyboard apps but in one single package. Everything from predictive text that allows you to blind-type, swiping (with predictive text) ala Swype and new for tablets is the new “thumb keyboard” option for separating the keyboard allowing easier thumb accessibility. It doesn’t stop there, you can even shrink the keyboard and move it around for better placement or easier swiping.

You guys can check out the current version for smartphone in the Android Market right now. The Cootek devs hope to release the tablet version in the very near future. We’ll keep you posted.