Kyocera Communications Inc., a San Diego-based provider of Kyocera-branded wireless phones in the Americas, today announced at the CTIA Wireless 2012 trade show two new Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) smartphones designed to meet the everyday needs of real life: the waterproof Kyocera Hydro and QWERTY-plus-touchscreen Kyocera Rise.
Leveraging technology from Kyocera’s ruggedized Dura Series and more than four years of experience building water-resistant mobile phones, Kyocera Hydro carries IPx5- and IPx7-level water resistance. Whether caught in a rainstorm or dropped in a sink, Hydro is certified as waterproof against sprayed water (e.g., rain) and immersion in water up to one meter deep for up to 30 minutes. It is Kyocera’s first mass-market water-resistant smartphone for the North American market. According to a January study by TNS Global Research, more than 82.5 million handsets in the U.S. have been destroyed by water or moisture.† Additionally, in a recent Wireless Lounge survey 70 percent of consumers indicated they consider water resistance an important feature in their next phones.*
“Kyocera has been making water-resistant devices globally since 2008, ranging from handsets for children to full Mil Spec, ultra-ruggedized devices, and Hydro is our seventeenth so far,” said Eric Anderson, senior vice president and general manager of global sales and marketing at Kyocera Communications. “Wireless devices have become so crucial to our everyday lives; their durability must support our lifestyles. Kyocera Hydro combines a sleek, touchscreen design with water resistance to ensure it can withstand the spills and drops of everyday life.” | |
Research In Motion announced a stylish new smartphone for socially-connected customers. The new BlackBerry Curve 9320 smartphone features all the core BlackBerry messaging and social-centric features that keep people connected, and it offers global 3G connectivity backed by long battery life to allow users to make the most of their day.
"The new BlackBerry Curve 9320 is designed to make it incredibly easy for users to stay socially-connected," said Carlo Chiarello, EVP, Smartphone Business at Research In Motion. "The new BlackBerry Curve 9320 will be especially popular with customers upgrading to a smartphone for the first time and existing Curve customers looking for a step up in speed and functionality."
The BlackBerry Curve 9320 has everything a customer needs to stay in touch with the people and things that matter most to them. It features a dedicated BBM key, bringing the power of RIM's popular mobile social network up in an instant, as well as the best keyboard in its class for quick and easy typing. It includes a built-in FM radio, allowing users to tune into their favorite local stations, and listening to the FM radio does not require a data plan or use data services. Designed to allow both 3G connectivity and long battery life, customers can get up to 7 hours of talk time or up to 30 hours of FM radio listening or music playback with headphones.
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Sony Mobile Communications today announced two new Xperia Android smartphones designed specifically for the Japanese market. Xperia GX and Xperia SX join the popular Xperia NX and Xperia acro HD, currently among the best selling smartphones in Japan. Both Xperia GX and Xperia SX enable easy connectivity with multiple screens to share and enjoy content on whichever screen best suits the situation, whether it’s TV, smartphone, laptop or tablet.
Xperia LTE smartphones for Japan
The first Sony branded smartphones to launch in Japan Xperia GX and Xperia SX are LTE enabled with download speeds of up to 75mbps. They come with 1.5GHz dual core processors for faster performance and Reality Display powered by the Mobile BRAVIA® Engine for razor sharp clarity, full HD video and Sony Exmor R for mobile, enabling the capture of high quality, bright pictures and HD videos even in low light. With HD sharing through DLNA, and HDMI, controlling the smartphone with the TV remote control when connected to the TV, Xperia GX also deliver a full HD experience on the big screen.
New media applications
Bringing the best of Sony technology and premium entertainment experiences, Xperia GX and Xperia SX also introduce three new media applications:
- The “WALKMAN” application integrates signature high quality audio technologies such as clear stereo, clear bass, VPT surround sound, manual equalizer and xLOUD with new innovative ways to play, discover and recommend music.
- The “Album” application brings new intuitive ways to sort and browse high quality photos and videos in blazing speed, as well as providing instant viewing, commenting and sharing of photos on Facebook and other online albums, leveraging the great camera capabilities of Xperia GX and Xperia SX.
- The “Movies” application streamlines the playback and viewing of movies in high quality audio and video with intelligent database search to discover more info about the movie for a rich and immersive experience.
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T-Mobile USA, Inc., today announced the upcoming availability of the T-Mobile Prism, the latest budget-friendly option for cost-conscious consumers looking for their first smartphone. The T-Mobile Prism will be available to T-Mobile customers through flexible pricing options, including no annual contract paired with a T-Mobile Monthly4G plan or paired with a two-year T-Mobile Classic or Value plan.
Powered by Android 2.3 Gingerbread and featuring a 3.5-inch HVGA touch screen, the new 3G smartphone enables T-Mobile customers to easily surf the Web, access their favorite social networking sites and choose from thousands of applications to download from Google Play. The T-Mobile Prism also makes it simple to capture and share photos and videos via its 3.2-megapixel camera with digital zoom and video recorder. With the T-Mobile Prism, customers can sync multiple email accounts, including Microsoft Exchange, Google calendar and contacts, T-Mobile contacts, and more.
The T-Mobile Prism is expected to be available at Best Buy starting May 6, at Walmart starting May 9 and available nationwide at T-Mobile retail stores, online via www.T-Mobile.com and at select dealers beginning May 23. The T-Mobile Prism is expected to cost $19.99 after a $50 mail-in-rebate card with a two-year service agreement and qualifying Classic voice and data plan or $149.99 via no annual contract. | |
Intel Corporation and Lava International Ltd., one of India's fastest-growing mobile handset companies, today announced the general availability of the XOLO X900, the first smartphone with Intel inside. The device will be available to customers for purchase beginning 23rd April at a best-buy street price of approximately INR 22000.
Lava also announced its long-term partnership with Croma, a national chain of mega stores of consumer electronics and durables, for promotion and sale of the XOLO X900.
The partnership between Intel and Lava was announced at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February. The XOLO X900 is based on Intel's smartphone reference design featuring the Intel Atom processor Z2460 with Intel Hyper Threading Technology and supporting HSPA+ 3G connectivity.
The high-performance 1.6 GHz Atom processor with Hyper Threading Technology brings speed and multi-tasking performance to consumers' fingertips. The leading-edge 400 MHz graphics clock and the full 1080p HD video encoding and playback make this phone a perfect entertainment device, providing users with an immersive gaming and video experience. It also features an 8-megapixel camera delivering advanced imaging capabilities including burst mode that allows 10 pictures to be captured in under a second.
The XOLO X900 is housed in a sleek design with a 4.03-inch high-resolution LCD touch screen for crisp text and vibrant images. At launch, the X900 will run on Android Gingerbread*, with a planned over-the-air software upgrade to Android's Ice Cream Sandwich* platform shortly thereafter. Intel's technology enables a high-performance user experience, all while maintaining great battery life -- up to 5 hours of 3G browsing, 45 hours of audio and 8 hours of talk time(1). | |
T-Mobile USA, Inc. and HTC Corp. announced the highly anticipated HTC One S will be available at T-Mobile stores nationwide on April 25. As HTC’s premier launch partner in the U.S., T-Mobile will be the first to offer the ultra-sleek HTC One S, which is the company’s first device to ship with Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and HTC Sense 4.
The latest smartphone from T-Mobile to take advantage of 4G (HSPA+ 42) technology on America’s Largest 4G Network, the HTC One S provides T-Mobile customers with an amazing camera and authentic sound technology, plus a diverse selection of apps and services that give customers amazing 4G experiences.
“The HTC One series is a revolutionary device portfolio and we’re proud to be the first carrier to introduce the HTC One S to the U.S. market,” said Andrew Sherrard, senior vice president of marketing, T-Mobile USA. “With a stunningly thin design that doesn’t compromise performance, the HTC One S is a sleek 4G smartphone with beauty and brains that our customers will be proud to show off.”
With the HTC One S, customers will find a fantastic music experience that works seamlessly on T-Mobile’s 4G network. Customers can listen to their music libraries — up to 20,000 songs — straight from the cloud and purchase new music on the go with Google Play. Virtually all audio experiences sound better on the HTC One S thanks to its built-in Beats Audio technology, which provides a richer and more authentic sound experience whether consumers are watching movies, listening to music or playing games. Customers will be able to enjoy hours of entertainment on the HTC One S due to software enhancements and a 1650 mAh battery that provide long-lasting performance. | |
All day, every day - that’s how much you use your smartphone. With its impossibly thin and lightweight design, Motorola RAZR MAXX boasts features with the wow factor and a battery that can handle even the most demanding lifestyle. Customers across Europe and the Middle East will be able to start talking, texting, typing, watching and more for even longer from May 2012.
RAZR MAXX delivers up to 17.6¹ hours of talk time so you won’t spend your day plugged into the wall. However its 1GB RAM combined with a dual-core 1.2GHz processor and Android operating system will ensure you are always entertained, delivering a lightning-fast user interface and the power to multi-task like never before. You can rock your playlists while checking email, breeze through photos – all day, every day, all at the same time.
Still seriously thin at just 8.99mm, RAZR MAXX is the exact opposite of frail. It’s made strong with KEVLAR fibre, while Corning Gorilla Glass defends the hyper-vibrant 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Advanced display from scratches and scrapes. And every part of the Motorola RAZR MAXX is protected by a splashguard coating, which even extends to the electrical boards inside, ensuring a go anywhere, do everything attitude.
Smart Actions, the remarkably intelligent application exclusive to Motorola Mobility, pushes the limits even further by automating everyday tasks based on triggers like time of day, location, battery levels and more. Never forget to put your phone on silent in meetings, turn up the volume when your boss calls and even maximize your last ounce of power by dimming the display and turning off power hungry services.
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Verizon Wireless and LG Mobile today announced Lucid by LG, exclusively for Verizon Wireless, will be available starting March 29 in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com.
Lucid by LG is designed to create an easy-to-learn, easy-to-use experience for first-time smartphone users. The slim and compact design features a stunning 4-inch touchscreen display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass that gives customers superb brightness, enhanced clarity and readability, even while outdoors. Powered by America’s fastest 4G network, Lucid by LG customers have access to 4G LTE coverage in over 200 markets covering more than 200 million people.
Lucid by LG is packed with features to make the smartphone experience easy, while also increasing productivity. Customers can use the lock screen shortcuts to instantly access the phone, messaging, voicemail and camera application from the lock screen. Customers also no longer have to stop what they’re doing to reply to texts by using the Quick Reply feature, as text message notifications pop up on the screen and allow customers to reply directly from the Quick Reply notification. The Quick Dialer widget lets customers make calls directly from a home screen panel without having to open the phone application. Additionally, Lucid by LG has Guided Tours right on the device, which provides step-by-step tutorials for customers who want to learn more about their new phone.
Business professionals can take advantage of the Polaris Office app on Lucid by LG which allows customers to easily open, create and edit Microsoft Office documents, including Word, PowerPoint and Excel. Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network takes Lucid by LG to the next level, loading websites 10 times faster than 3G, making it that much easier for a professional to stay up to speed on recent news and keep in touch with colleagues. The mobile hotspot feature lets professionals connect to up to 10 Wi-Fi-enabled devices to the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network, making it easy for teams to work from a remote location. | |
Virgin Mobile USA, recently ranked “Highest Ranked Customer Service Performance among Non-Contract Wireless Providers” by J.D. Power and Associates, bolstered its lineup of Android-powered smartphones today with the addition of the Venture from ALCATEL ONE TOUCH. Keeping with the promise of A Higher Calling, the Venture provides Virgin Mobile consumers with an affordable new smartphone available for $99.99 under the industry-leading plan of unlimited data for $35 a month.
A perfect starter device, the Venture –brought to market by Personal Communications Devices (PCD) – is ideal for consumers who want the newest Android technology with a QWERTY keyboard, an entry level price, unlimited data and messaging plans, and all without a contract. It will be available for purchase at www.virginmobileusa.com as of March 15 and at retail following that; visitors to the website can pre-order the phone as of today as well.
As Sir Richard Branson states in his video manifesto for A Higher Calling, “Why pay for minutes when it’s unlimited data you really want?” Operating on the Sprint Nationwide Network, Virgin Mobile USA offers tremendous value for those customers who text, IM, post, email, friend, like and tweet more than they talk. Virgin Mobile Beyond Talk plans start at just $35 a month for 300 minutes of voice and include unlimited messaging and data. For those looking for a bit more talk time, the $45 plan offers 1,200 minutes of voice, and the $55 plan offers unlimited voice minutes each month. All plans include unlimited messaging and data.
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Recognizing the importance of providing a wide variety of devices to fit the needs of families with children, Sprint, and ZTE Corporation (“ZTE”) today announced the upcoming availability of ZTE FuryTM, a family-friendly Android-powered device that doesn’t skimp on features and comes matched with the only truly unlimited data pricing plans on all phones from a national wireless carrier. Beginning March 11, the full-featured Android-based ZTE Fury will be available for just $19.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate via reward card1 and a new two-year service agreement (excludes taxes and surcharges) in all Sprint retail channels including www.sprint.com and 1-800-Sprint1.
The value-priced ZTE Fury comes equipped with all the apps and functionality busy parents and their children want, including a 3.5-inch capacitive display, 5 MP camera with LED flash and 3G hotspot capabilities. The device is also compatible with Sprint’s family services that give parents the tools to encourage good habits and responsible phone use. Family-ready devices like ZTE Fury give parents piece of mind with easy-to-load apps, such as:
- Sprint Family Locator: Allows parents to quickly and easily locate their family members on an interactive map and to set up “safety checks” to ensure their children make it to school safely and on time. Sprint Family Locator costs $5 per month to locate up to four phones. Additional information can be found at www.sprint.com/familylocator.
- Sprint Mobile Controls: Gives parents the opportunity to clearly understand their child’s talk, text and app use habits. The app gives parents the ability to lock their child’s phone on-demand or to schedule locks – like during dinner, during school or late at night, and to browse their child’s contacts and apps downloaded to the phone. Sprint Mobile Controls is available on all Sprint CDMA Android-powered smartphones for $4.99 per month, per line. Parents can sign up and learn more about Sprint Mobile Controls by visiting www.sprint.com/mobilecontrols.
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ZTE Corporation (“ZTE”), a publicly-listed global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions, has expanded on its commitment to the Windows Phone platform and introduced the new ZTE Orbit smartphone.
The ZTE Orbit joins the ZTE Tania smartphone in the company’s portfolio of Windows Phone-based devices. The ZTE Tania is commercially available in the UK and Sweden and other countries around the world.
“Microsoft is excited to continue partnering with ZTE to bring new Windows Phones to market. We look forward to the availability of ZTE Orbit in major markets around the world in the second quarter of 2012,” said Mark Linton, Senior Director of the OEM Division, Microsoft.
“The Windows Phone platform is as powerful as it is intuitive, enabling us to create and deliver exciting new devices that meet real consumer demand,” said Mr. He Shiyou, Executive Vice President and Head of the Terminal Division of ZTE. “Our partnership with Microsoft is a key component of our strategy to grow our share of the smartphone market. ZTE is proud to be at the forefront of device manufacturers who are using the Windows Phone platform.”
The ZTE Orbit is based on the latest version of Windows Phone and comes with 4GB of memory, HD Voice, and a 5Mpx autofocus camera with LED flash. The ZTE Orbit will be available in the second quarter of this year. | |
Nokia today ushered in a new era in high-end smartphone imaging with the Nokia 808 PureView. This is the first smartphone to feature Nokia PureView imaging technologies, bringing together high resolution sensors, exclusive Carl Zeiss optics and Nokia developed algorithms, which will support new high-end imaging experiences for future Nokia products.
The Nokia 808 PureView features a large, high-resolution 41 megapixel sensor with high-performance Carl Zeiss optics and new pixel oversampling technology. At standard resolutions (2/3, 5 and 8 megapixels) this means the ability to zoom without loss of clarity and capture seven pixels of information, condensing into one pixel for the sharpest images imaginable. At high-resolution (38 megapixel maximum) it means the ability to capture an image, then zoom, reframe, crop and resize afterwards to expose previously unseen levels of details. With superior low-light performance and the ability to save in compact file sizes for sharing in email, MMS, and on social networks, the Nokia 808 PureView makes it possible for anyone to capture professional looking images in any conditions.
In addition to superior still imaging technology, the Nokia 808 PureView, also includes full HD 1080p video recording and playback with 4X lossless zoom and the world's first use of Nokia Rich Recording. Rich Recording enables audio recording at CD-like levels of quality, previously only possible with external microphones. | |
Sony Mobile Communications recently unveiled the latest additions to its Xperia NXT series – next generation smartphones from Sony, the new Xperia P and Xperia U. In addition, Xperia S, the ultimate HD smartphone, is now shipping to markets across the globe, with first sales in the Sony Style store in Barcelona during Mobile World Congress. Xperia P and Xperia U will be available to consumers globally in the second quarter of this year.
Xperia NXT series – a connected entertainment experience
Incorporating the best of Sony technology and premium entertainment, the Xperia NXT series is a cornerstone of Sony’s connected experience. With easy connectivity, consumers can enjoy and share content on whichever screen best suits them, whether it’s their smartphone, TV, laptop or tablet.
With the next generation of smartphone design from Sony, the Xperia NXT series has a look that is instantly recognisable. These smartphones have intriguing design features including the “transparent element”, a band that encircles the base of the phone and also integrates invisible antenna components. The transparent element illuminates when receiving calls, texts and notifications.
The new User Interface (UI) follows the same design principles and enhances the Android experience – offering rich applications and content with a simple and clean look. A new album, video player and music player will deliver compelling entertainment experiences and the new UI design also allows consumers to access their favourite application direct from the lock-screen. | |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today announced a collaboration with Toyota Motor Corporation, to create Samsung Car Mode Application an in-car solution that seamlessly connects Samsung smartphones to Toyota’s In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) system.
The collaboration will see the integration of a wide array of Samsung’s smartphone and mobile communication technologies with Toyota’s cutting-edge IVI to add enhanced connectivity, multimedia capabilities and internet services.
The Samsung Car Mode Application will leverage safety in-car UX, a state of the art voice command technology embedded within smartphones, to provide advanced functionality, navigation and location-based services. Samsung, in partnership with Toyota, is creating innovative solutions to satisfy the needs of shared customers, driving the development of new integrated functions and experiences.
Plans have been drawn up to commence commercialization in the second quarter of this year with the solution being unveiled at the Mobile World Congress 2012 in Barcelona.
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Intel Corporation President and CEO Paul Otellini today detailed a number of announcements and plans aimed at expanding the company’s smartphone product portfolio and customer ecosystem, including strategic new engagements with Orange*, Lava International Ltd., ZTE, and Visa.
“We are very pleased to add new, important customers and capabilities to our phone offerings today. We remain focused on delivering exciting new features and outstanding performance to smartphone customers around the world,” said Otellini.
Otellini made the announcements during an Intel news conference at Mobile World Congress. He also highlighted the company’s plans to expand its smartphone SoC and communications product roadmaps for the performance and value smartphone market segments.
New Smartphone Customer Engagements
Building on strategic engagements with Motorola Mobility Inc. and Lenovo, Intel detailed new device relationships with Orange, Lava International Ltd. and ZTE.
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