BHT is primarily an outlet for my tech-nerdness. It will mostly be tech news regarding cellphones, games, all that kind of stuff. It will also be where I post any and everything else that randomly catches my attention, music, news, fashion, etc. hopefully you'll like it too. Follow me on Twitter @Brownhandstech
Verizon showed it off, made promises, but did not deliver Skype with video calling upon release of its first LTE 4G phone the HTC Thunderbolt. But the file has been leaked and is waiting for you to download and install! Reports so far state that it runs well on 4G/WiFi and decent on 3G. I just did a test call from my laptop to my friends Thunderbolt and it seemed to work pretty well. I was really impressed with the sound quality. Unfortunately the app only works for the Thunderbolt (tried on my Evo to no avail), but this is still a good thing for all of Android. Just like the original (video call-less) Skype app for Android started as a VZW exclusive and was later released to all Android handsets, the video enabled version will eventually be available to all as well. Hopefully some skilled developers and hackers will make that happen sooner than Skype or more accurately Verizon has planned. Download the app from one of the links below and give it a try!
HTC's Verizon flavored Evo 4G, the Thunderbolt will be released this Monday February 14th and will bring with it the lightning fast speeds of LTE 4G. It is rumored to get 5 to 12 Mbps download speeds! Adittionally, it'll be packaged with a 32GB microSD card, Skype video calling and DLNA!! Check out the video un-boxing.
This was some very shocking news for me but T-Mobile is looking to revive the Sidekick brand! They will be realsing the Sidekick 4G with Android in the place of the throwback Danger Hiptop OS. The phone will run on T-Mobile's 4G HSPA+ network and should be very interesting if nothing else. I can't wait to see how this one turns out. It'll be interesting to see the once king of mobile communication make its return to the world of smart phones. But is it still a Sidekick if it's running Android? How many of you are going to be copping one of these when they come out?!
In typical Samsung fashion a revised version of their T-Mobile flavored Galaxy S device the Samsung Vibrant will be released toting 4G HSPA+ functionality. The new Vibrant 4G appears to be very similar to the original Vibrant but adds a front facing camera, 4G, and possibly Android 2.3 Gingerbread. I for one wouldn't touch a Samsung device with a 10 foot pole, but for those of you in love with the vivid Super-Amoled display and already on T-Mobile this could be the phone for you. "Upgrades" like this are exactly why I don't like Samsung. Why didn't the original Vibrant have this functionality and why do customers have to buy a new phone to get the latest Android versions? Any way it should be a good device for those just entering the smartphone market on T-Mobile and a slap in the face to those who just purchased a Vibrant and locked themselves into a contract.
So when I got my Evo I was really pissed to see that it came with an additional $10/month "premium data" surcharge. I called Sprint I complained, I questioned and tried to reason with them, but no luck if I wanted a 4G capable phone I had to pay the fee. I tried to reason that I didn't have 4G coverage but Sprint insisted that it wasn't 4G that I was paying for; they said that it was to cover the increased data consumption that my super phone would pull down. Well it looks like they will be expanding this concept to ALL of their smart phone devices, starting January 30, 2011 all smartphones will require an additional $10/month data surcharge increasing all of their Everything Unlimited plans by 10 bucks. It should be noted however that even with this increase Sprint is still cheaper than its competitors, but I know that doesn't make this pill any easier to swallow. Existing customers will not be effected by the changes, at least not until you get a new phone, do an ESN swap, or make any changes to your plan. This definitely makes getting a 4G phone all the more enticing if you are going to be charged the $10 regardless. If you were considering getting a new 3G smart phone any time soon you better do it before January 30th or you'll be paying an extra 10!
Key quotes from the press release:
"The charge will assist Sprint in offering simple and affordable unlimited plans for its customers while maintaining a wireless network able to meet the growing appetite for a richer mobile experience."
"Sprint’s decision to apply the Premium Data add-on charge to activations of smartphones going forward recognizes the enhanced user experience that today’s smartphones deliver, which, in turn, drives substantially higher data usage and cost."
"Building, maintaining and expanding wireless data networks isn’t free – there are real costs involved. In effect, Sprint has chosen to increase the price of its unlimited Everything Data plans, which is still below that of its major competitors, for the segment of customers – smartphone users – who are using wireless data the most and are driving up cost."
Smartphones, as defined by Sprint, are handsets with "robust operating systems that deliver a rich wireless experience by bringing the full function of mobile applications and programs to life." This includes all Android, Palm/webOS, Windows Mobile/Windows Phone 7, and BlackBerry phones.
The keyboard equipped Evo that many have been waiting for has finally arrived and been out for a while now and I finally got my hands on one for a review! I really like this phone! As an Evo owner I immediately felt right at home. Albeit a home with less square footage, but bigger isn't always better. As the newest Evo the Shift holds its own. It's important to also understand where Sprint is going with the Evo as a product line. The Shift serves as the second phone in the new "Evo" line of phones, very similar to how Verizon has its Droid line of phones (Droid, Droid 2, Droid X, Droid Incredible). The idea is that a number of Evo phones may be introduced with varying form factors and hardware specs in the future.
I've discussed the raw specs before but in a nut shell the Shift takes the original Evo reduces the screen size from 4.3-inches to 3.6-inches, removes the front camera and HDMI port and reduces the rear camera from 8MP dual-flash to 5MP single flash, BUT adds a slide out physical keyboard and a snappier 2nd generation processor. Don't think of the two as one being better than the other but more of a trade off of features. Both phones are great and the newer processor should not only boost speed and graphics performance but should also reduce battery consumption. The differences between the 800MHz processor in the Shift and the 1GHz one in the OG Evo can be envisioned as water running through a pipe, where the water is data. The Evo has a more narrow pipe but pumps it through faster, whereas the Shift has a wider pipe and can pump the same quantity of water through slower or with less effort. These differences are somewhat noticeable side by side but not staggering.
The phone is a great alternative option to the Evo and if you really need a physical keyboard and or don't just have to have a front facing camera the Shift is a great choice; the keyboard slides out smoothly, has a great button layout and tactile feedback and the phone in general has excellent build quality. Check out the pics and my video review below.
Skype has already released their crippled Skype mobile Android app to all Android phones after a short exclusive term on Verizon Android devices. Unfortunately it came without video calling, you know, Skype's number one feature; but now they are ready to correct that problem and will be introducing a fully featured version of their app. There is likely to be a small catch however. If history tells us anything, it debuting on Verizon's upcoming 4G LTE, Tegra dual-core powered, 4.3-inch Droid Bionic, likely means that it will for at least a little while be a Verizon exclusive; and not because of any LTE related specifications, but because VZW has that kind of pull.
On the plus side I'm sure once the Droid Bionic is released hacking and porting that apps functionality over to other capable phones will be at the top of many developers to-do list and hopefully my Evo will be Skype video calling within days of its release! Either way video chat on any Android has to be good for all Androids eventually.... Now we wait....
Oh and I forgot to mention Skype's recent acquisition of Qik, the half baked video calling app thats installed on many video chat capable Androids, especially of the Sprint variety. This has to be a good thing for the spread of that new video calling functionality beyond the big red walls of Verizon. Lets hope that once that acquisition is completed all phones that come with a default install of Qik get the option to use Skype. I really wasn't feeling Qik at all... This is sure to take a chunk out of Fring's user base too I'm sure.
*UPDATE: It's looking like all of Verizon's 4G video chat capable phones will be running the new Skype! Hopefully this means hacking it will be even easier if it ends up being a Verizon exclusive.
AT&T seemed to kind of sit back and watch the high-end Android train leave the station in 2010, but it looks like they were just bidding their time for an amazing 2011 lineup. Going from relatively no high-end options (except the recent Samsung Captivate, AT&T is preparing to drop three new super-smartphones.
Samsung Infuse 4G
First up is the Samsung Infuse 4G running on AT&T's HSPA+ "4G" network (not compatible with their LTE 4G network going active 2012-2013-ish) with a 4.5" Super AMOLED Plus display. It's said to be super thin (thinnest on AT&T) and running on a 1.2 Ghz (single core Hummingbird) processor, 8MP rear camera, 1.3 MP front facing camera.
HTC Inspire 4G
This appears to basically be an AT&T flavored Thunderbolt/ Desire HD/ Evo 4G which will be a very welcome offering on AT&T! Standard Android 2.2, 8MP shooter with 1.2 (I believe) front facing camera, and 4.3 inch display.
Motorola Atrix 4G
This in my opinion is the most exciting of all of AT&T's upcoming phones and honestly maybe even the most exciting phone period! The Atrix 4G has a Tegra dual-core processor, 1GB of Ram supports up to 48GB of memory, 4-inch QHD display, front facing vga camera and a 5MP rear shooter with LED flash, a 1930 mAh battery promising 9 hours of talk time, finger print login security and runs on Android 2.2. But what really makes this phone unique are its accessories. Motorola will be offering a special media dock and laptop dock that allows your phone to power a small laptop, or serve as a virtual computer and media center. This is the kind of all in one solution I have dreamed of. Imagine docking your phone at home and getting a computer like experience on your hdtv or computer monitor with full keyboard and mouse support, then popping it out and continuing your mobile computing via the smartphone itself, then whipping out the laptop dock and getting a large screen, keyboard and touch pad supported laptop experience all powered by your smart phone all done with a seamless experience. This is the future of computing my friends and its all due to the power of these new dual core tegra processors. I really hope other manufacturers take note of this set up and it becomes more common. No longer will we be burdened with a plethora of dedicated devices. I love it! Check out the video for a better idea of how this all works.
One thing is for sure these devices are sure to give the iPhone a run for it's money, so far it has been completely unchallenged on AT&T. It'll be intresting to see Apple's response to this Android offensive on it's home turf!
Not too long ago I posted about a leak regarding Sprint's next big phone headed out this month. Well the new HTC Evo Shift 4G will officially be available January 9th for $149.99. Though many are thinking of it as a sucussor to the Evo, I'd say it's more of a sibling; similiar to the Droid 2, Droid X, and Droid Incredible on Verizon. It shows Sprint's decision to launch an Evo line of phones; a smart move in my opinion. I'm loving HTC's phones right now and Sprint's line up was definitely in need of more variety and another NON-SAMSUNG full qwerty Android device. I am not really feeling Samsung right now for a number of reasons (possibly an entire separate post), so a qwerty device from HTC is definitely welcome.
Not quite the "Evo with a Keyboard" I hoped it to be, the Shift ( as I am dubbing it) is still a really good phone! It basically takes the Evo, adds a keyboard and a newer snappier processor but reduces the screen and rear camera and removes the front facing camera. It's actually a lot closer to the the T-Mobile G2 (also made by HTC).
Looking at the Specs might draw a better picture:
HTC Evo Shift 4G
HTC Evo 4G (OG Evo)
800MHz Scorpion (Qualcomm MSM 7230) Processor
1GHz Snapdragon (Qualcomm QSD8650) Processor
3.6 inch LCD screen
4.3 inch LCD screen
4G
4G
512MB RAM
512MB RAM
1GB internal memory
1GB internal memory
Android 2.2
Android 2.2
5MP rear camera
8MP rear camera
X
1.3MP front facing camera
Physical QWERTY keyboard
X
*Forgot to add OG Evo has HDMI out. I don't believe the Shift does
At the end of the day the new Evo Shift 4G will definietely be one of the best phones on Sprint and right at the top of the Android class across carriers. Priced well at $150 too. Given my preference for HTC mainly because of their far superior software support and modifications, I'd definitely say it's between the Evo's for Sprint's top smartphone spot. HTC provides a more reliable stock route to Gingerbread ( Android 2.3), and has proven to respond to software bugs and glitches much more reliably than the Samsung alternatives.
Whats better than an Evo 4G? Why an Evo 4G with a keyboard of course.... Right? Well soon customers will be able to choose between the two! Sprint's long rumored Evo Shift 4G / HTC Knight / HTC Speedy recently leaked a few pics and a January 9th release date! The pic shows it sporting some sort of protective case, but essentially its looking like an Evo with a smaller screen and a slide out qwerty keyboard. Though HTC added a keyboard unfortunately rumors are saying the screen is 3.5", which is .5" too small in my opinion, and that the front facing 2nd camera may have been dropped.
I love my Evo, but I have to admit the idea of an optional physical keyboard is appealing. Just not at the cost of all that screen real estate and my front camera (even if I barely use it). I definitely have had some times I wouldn't mind a keyboard. The emulators I've blogged about before would be perfect with a physical keyboard controller. Plus back in the day on my PPC 6700, Mogul or Touch Pro I used to actually type papers and do work on my phone. I think I typed faster on there than on a real keyboard honestly lol. But I'll likely be riding my Evo out until the Evo 2 is dropped though. I would've gladly traded a 4.3" for a 4" screen and a keyboard. Four inch screens seem to have become the high end phone standard screen size especially for sliders. Any less won't really float for me not coming from an OG Evo; and the camera seems to quickly be turning into an essential spec for elite devices. And I mean, the Epic has one..... I'm just saying.
Oh yeah, and I'm feeling the touch pad on the keyboard. Just wish they would've put it on the left hand side for games smh.
Is it just me or new Android phones popping up like pimples on a teenagers face?! Seriously, though I feel like I can't even keep up with all the new devices. From T-Mobile's newest high end devices the G2 and the myTouch HD to Sprint's up-coming, low-end $50 Froyo toting LG Optimus S new Androids are dropping every day! I'm glad to see the new phones rolling out; the more options the better and the bigger the Android user base grows which is good for all.
Sprint is FINALLY expanding their Android options some more after being completely left in the dust by their fellow CDMA carrier Verizon, and offering 3 new mid to low-level Android devices, the previously mentioned LG Optimus S, Samsung Transform, and the Sanyo Zio. In my opinion Sprint has really been needing some more Android devices especially in the mid-tier realm and these look like they may fill out that space nicely. Even better the phones are priced at $150 (Samsung Transform), $100 (Sanyo Zio), $50 (LG Optimus S), putting them right in the impulse purchase range and making buying an old school feature phone even more pointless! The phones will also ship with a new Sprint software add-on called Sprint-ID; it allows user to select different thematic lay outs with pre-configured themes, settings, apps and widgets. For example a business theme that automatically downloads and installs business related apps, widgets and adjusts the settings. This approach seems better than the current method of loading the phone with a bunch of Sprint crap straight out of the gate. Check out the vid below for a walk-through of Sprint-ID.
The Samsung Transform is basically a "baby" 4G-less Epic. Running Android 2.1, with a 3.5" capacitive touchscreen, 800MHz processor, FRONT and rear cameras and a slide out qwerty keyboard. It has a similar design to the Epic 4G minus the Super AMOLED screen and $100 less. And despite the lack of 4G the Transform still supports video chat!!!
The Sanyo Zio intially had some poor reviews but it looks like the final edition has had some tweaks and is now rocking Android 2.1 (instead of 1.6) and has had some bug-fixes. 3.5" screen, 600MHz Qualcomm processor.
And then the LG Optimus S, which in my opinion may be the most interesting of the bunch. For $50 the phone has a 3.2" HVGA screen, mobile hotspot, WiFi, 3.2MP camera, and 600MHz processor; additionally Engadget describes it as having a Nexus One like feel. Best of all it is running Android 2.2! It is really looking like it could have the biggest "bang for your buck" in the Android world thus far!
And potentially following in the Samsung Galaxy S family's foot steps the LG Optimus One will apparently be the family name and it will be offered on other carriers as well; so far T-Mobile is the only other US carrier to announce a device. The T-Mobile LG Optimus T will be dropping soon as well. Specs appear to all be the same but T-Mo was sure to point out that its Optimus comes with Swype preloaded and the button layout is slightly different.
Not to be left out Verizon will be adding another member to it's Droid family, with the Motorola Droid Pro. This phone should be a nice device for Team Blackberry members looking to jump ship to Android with its BlackBerry-like portrait qwerty design. The keyboard looks like a BlackBerry keyboard and has been describe to feel like one too! The Droid Pro has some impressive specs, with a 1Ghz processor, Android 2.2, 8GB of internal storage, WiFi, Bluetooth, a dual LED flash-equipped camera, 3G mobile hotspot and an optional 1860mAh extended battery. The Pro will come ready to handle the busy business-person's daily tasks and will also have a desk mount like some of its other Droid relatives available for purchase! VZW customers your choices just keep getting better and better. The VZW Droid lineup has got to be the best selection of Android devices offered by any carrier. VZW customers biggest issue is likely which Droid to take home, but thats got to be a good problem to have.... right?
VZW will also be launching the MotoBlur and Microsoft Bing corrupted Motorola Citrus. Nothing too fancy here Android 2.1 and a 3" touch screen the phone sports Moto's oddly unique "BackTrack" track pad on the back of the device and like the other non-Droid branded phones comes loaded with Microsoft's Bing crap in the place of the normal Google goodness on other Android devices. Hey but at least it is Eco-friendly, the Moto Citrus "has a housing made from 25 percent post-consumer recycled plastic, is certified CarbonFree® through an alliance with Carbonfund.org, and is PVC and BFR free. The packaging is made from 80 percent post-consumer recycled paper, and the user manual is made using 100 percent recycled paper and soy-based ink". I doubt any of that really matters to most, but that wont stop marketers from trying to use it as a selling point.
Ok so this wont really matter to many outside of Ohio but I am GEEKED!!!! Sprint's 4G coverage has finally started to roll out in small pockets around the state. If you're like me you were pissed to have to pay the $10/month up-charge for 4G with the Evo and Epic, especially considering that many states have/had ZERO 4G coverage. Sprint has promised to aggressively roll out 4G coverage and had Cleveland and Cincinnati slated for September as the first cities in Ohio with Columbus rumored to fall somewhere around that time frame. Well I'm not sure when coverage started rolling out but I was hearing rumors that we had spotty coverage areas in downtown Columbus and on the north-side of town near the Polaris shopping area. So of course I fired up my Evo's 4G on OSU's campus and..... nothing; but later when I got home (North-side off of Schrock not too far from Polaris) I happily found I get 1-2 bars of 4G goodness depending on which room I stand in.
This couldn't have come at a better time for me since I recently moved and will be without the web for about a week. Fortunately, my rooted Evo has the Wifi-Tether app which turns my Evo into a Wifi-hotspot just like Sprint's default app, but for free! Couple that with the blazing speed of 4G and I'm back in business!
The one huge downside of 4G for the moment however is its RIDICULOUS drain on the battery. Its so bad that it pretty much renders 4G as a plugin-only feature. But rest assured that this issue should be gradually addressed with software updates and better coverage. I've noticed significant 4G performance variances in different cities; for example 4G in ATL seemed to be slower, spottier and consumed WAAAAY more battery than in Chicago. A Clearwire (Sprint's 4G partner) rep in Chicago explained that this is due to the superior coverage that Chicagoans enjoy. So as markets mature and coverage improves we should hopefully see faster speeds and less battery drain.
Evo and Epic users in Ohio (and other states) I'd love to hear what areas of the state you have found 4G coverage in, and I'll be sure to update my findings as I will be making a trip home to Cleveland this weekend. Don't hesitate to drop a few lines below!
Update: I am seeing reports of 4G up and running in other areas in Columbus:
German Village Kroger area, King and Olentangy, Main and Grant, and Parsons and Livingston
