Sprint's Motorola Photon 4G

Sprint is coming hard with super Android 4G handsets! Following the upcoming Evo 3D, Sprint will be dropping the Motorola Photon 4G that comes with a few more industry firsts! It is the first US global phone with 4G connectivity, the first Moto 4G phone for Sprint and the first Motorola phone with a kick stand! The Photon will have a 4.3" qHD display, 1GHz dual-core NVIDIA TEgra 2 processor, 1GB RAM, 16GB internal storage and Gingerbread (Android 2.3) as well as the newest version of Motorola's GUI skin MOTO Blur (Which could be a good or bad thing depending on your preferences). It also has a dedicated camera button, and USB and HDMI ports which should work with upcoming Moto docks and it has "enterprise-friendly security" features. The kick-stand is a "smart" kick-stand that automatically puts it into landscape mode, and it has a 8MP shooter on back with a VGA cam in the front for video chat. The Photon 4G is set to drop this summer!

The Photon will also be capable of HDMI mirroring allowing you to connect to your TV for gaming, videos and photo sharing. Check out the vid of gaming via HDMI mirroring below.



Looks like Sprint customers will have some great options this summer!

  













Sources:
Engadget
Android Community

Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo's Next Console!

Nintendo's just showing off it's newest console the Nintendo Wii U and once again they are aiming to change the game by innovating how wii (couldn't resist) interact with the games.  First and foremost the console is completely compatible with all of the Wii's software and accessories!!! That's right so ALL of your games and wacky controllers, boards, nunchucks, etc will work with the new console! The system will FINALLY feature full 1080p HD graphics allowing the Wii U to compete with Xbox and PS3 with more hardcore games like Madden and shooters (which was a big downside to the original Wii in my opinion).

In addition to the enhanced graphical and computing power a lot of the new experience focuses around the new Wii U contoller.  The controller in addition to a pretty standard button layout (with dual analog) houses a 6.2" touch screen, stylus for writing and drawing, front facing camera (for chat) and motion sensing!  Check out the videos for a better idea of the innovative ways this can be used in gameplay.  It will really open up the door to limitless creative applications for game designers! We'll have to wait and see but this could really be a winner. Nintendo continually proves to be true innovators in the gaming industry!

I'm really feeling the idea of being able to continue my game without a TV allowing me to watch TV or let others around me watch TV while I continue gaming.  And the in game applications seem amazing too! I can't help but feel like this could be everything the Dreamcast controller dreamed of being and soo much more!

Still not sure but I may be grabbing one of these at launch if for nothing else than the Nintendo exclusives; Zelda, Mario and Mario Kart will be crazy on this!!! Hopefully they get the online gaming part right. And hopefully they release one in black.

Sources:
Engadget
IGN

  

Gtalk Getting Video and Voice Chat

Many of us have been waiting for an official Google video chat service and that time is finally (almost for all phones other than the Nexus S) here!!! The Nexus S will be receiving the Android 2.3.4 update which includes full video and voice chat for Gtalk, allowing you to chat with friends using their phones, tablets, or computers. Other devices will eventually get this feature as Gingerbread rolls out to older phones.  Hopfully they will skip the Android 2.3.3 updates that most had scheduled and go straight to 2.3.4. Ahhh the advantages of having a pure Android phone like the Nexus S.  The service will work on WiFi, 3G, and 4G.  Any Nexus S user want to share their initial impressions? Lets hope it doesn't take another 3+ Months to see this get pushed out to older phones.

Update: Don't feel like waiting for the update to be pushed to your phone? Download the manual update below.  Make sure that you are running 2.3.3 already and have the i9020T (AWS equipped model) since that is the model the update is intended for unless you know what you're doing and want to be adventurous. If this isn't making sense to you, just keep checking for you update in settings and play it safe, its on the way.

Manual 2.3.4 Update



  

White iPhone 4 Finally Arrived

Not too much to say here but the long awaited white iPhone 4 is now available while supplies last. Has this been the flavor iPhone you've been waiting on?

Source: Boy Genius Report
  

Skype Video Chat for HTC Thunderbolt

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!

Download:
Thunderbolt Skype App [mirror] [mirror2]

Source: Droid Life

  

Acer A500 Android 3.0 Honeycomb Tablet

This is why my Xoom was returned, well not exactly why but a big part of it. More Android 3.0 tablets are on the way and I'm going to wait until more manufacturers have shown their hands. Acer just officially announced their A500 Honeycomb tablet. The A500 have very similar specs to Motorola's Xoom but is $150 cheaper, thinner and has a standard USB port making it compatible with common USB mass storage drives (and in my opinion making it a more capable laptop replacement/sidekick). They also, very wisely, included a reset button; having no way to force reset my Xoom when it froze was very frustrating and I couldn't just pop out the battery like I do on my Evo. The tablet is available exclusively on pre-order from Best Buy for $450.

Specs and box contents below:

What's Included

• Acer Iconia Tablet / 10.1" Display / 16GB Storage Memory / NVIDIA Tegra Processor
• Lithium-ion polymer battery
• AC power adapter
• USB cable, charger and plug
• Dust-resistant bag
• Owner's manual

Product Features

• NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual-core processor
  Features a 1.0GHz processing speed.
• 1GB DDR2 memory
  For multitasking power.
• 10.1" WXGA high-definition touch-screen display
  With a wide viewing angle, 16:10 aspect ratio and 1280 x 800 resolution to showcase movies and games in stunning clarity.
• 16GB eMMC on-board memory
  Offers spacious storage.
• NVIDIA GeForce graphics
  For lush images. Micro-HDMI output for connection to an HDTV.
• Built-in 2.0MP webcam
  Makes it easy to video chat with family and friends. The rear-facing 5.0MP camera with autofocus and single LED flash allows you to capture and playback video.
• Digital media card reader
  Supports microSD up to 32GB and Secure Digital High Capacity formats for storing or transferring media.
• High-speed USB 2.0 port
  For fast digital video, audio and data transfer.
• Built-in 802.11b/g/n wireless LAN
  Connect to the Internet without wires.
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
  Easily link with other Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as a mobile phone or MP3 player.
• Weighs only 1.7 lbs. and measures just 0.5" thin
  For lightweight portability. Sensors include G-sensor, E-compass, L sensor and gyrometer.
• Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system
  Provides a stable platform.

Source: Best Buy

  

Xoom or Wait?

So after a long tablet-deprived wait I finally got my hands on a WiFi-Only Motorola Xoom.  In exchange for $600 bucks the Wifi Xoom is basically identical to its Verizon 3G/4G enabled counterpart. The Xoom has a  1Ghz dual core Tegra 2 processor, front and back cameras (5MP shooter on back with a front facing cam for video chat), Android 3.0 Honeycomb (Google's newest version of Android optimized for tablets) and a 10.1" Display.

I immediately fell in love with the Xoom, but after a few days that all changed because of glitches and bugs.  I really liked having an Android tablet and would strongly recommended checking out the Xoom, but I returned mine.  There are just too many other Android Tablets on the horizon.  HTC, LG, Samsung, Asus, and Acer all have some pretty competitive tablets coming in the next few months; not to mention tablets from HP (Palm) and Blackberry.  The Xoom's quirks and bugs will be resolved in the coming weeks undoubtedly, but the Xoom is only the tip of the Tablet-iceberg.  Many more options are coming and I will be holding out to explore them.  More competition means more variety in features and hopefully more competitive pricing. So the big question for those looking for and Android tablet is Xoom or Wait?

Check out my video review of the Xoom below. Let me know what you think

Motorola XOOM Tablet Specs
OS	Android 3.0 (Honeycomb)
Differentiation	Larger and higher-resolution display in smaller form-factor, first tablet with Honeycomb software, dual-core 1GHz processor, and a wide range of docking options
Dimensions	249.1mm (h) x 167.8mm (w) x 12.9mm (d)
Display	10.1” 1280x800 resolution
Weight	~25 ounces
Processor	1GHz dual-core processor
Battery	Up to 10 hours video playback
Connectivity	3.5mm, micro USB 2.0 HS, Corporate Sync, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR + HID
Network	802.11n b/g/n
Messaging/Web/Apps	Email (Corporate Sync, Google Mail, POP3/IMAP embedded) , WebKit w/ Flash
Audio	AAC, AAC+, AMR NB, AMR WB, MP3, XMF
Video	HD capture/playback/streaming, H.263, H.264, MPEG4
Camera	5 MP rear-facing camera with dual LED flash/2MP front-facing webcam
Memory	32GB on board user memory, microSD card support after future software update, 1GB DDR2 RAM

Some of the upcoming Tablets that I am waiting to see:

HTC Evo View 4G/HTC Flyer


Asus Eee Pad Transformer


Asus Eee Pad Slider

WiFi Only Motorola Xoom

The WiFi only version of the Motorola Xoom, which is currently only available only in 3G/4G form with form Verizon is headed to retailers finally! Sources are saying the tablet may launch as soon as March 27th and I for one can't wait.  I will likely be picking one of these up launch day! Hopefully other manufacturers will get their WiFi only options to market soon. The WiFi only flavored versions of these tablets will be critical if manufacturers want to move units and gain market share.  There is a large segment of customers who want tablets but have no need for an additional data plan and contract with ANY carrier who will be glad to snatch these tablets up.  I really don't know what they were thinking launching the VZW only model first. Staples and Best Buy have both had ads leaked listing the WiFi Xoom at $599.99 while Sam's Club has had ads leaked listing it at $549.99.... good thing I have a Sam's Club card

  

iPad 2 Sold Out.... Weeks Until Next Batch

I know I just posted about the iPad 2 and it's tablet-goodness but it looks like it won't be an available option for those in search of a tablet for a few more weeks either; that is assuming you didn't wait in line and get one launch day.... Online orders are saying it may take as much as 3 to 4 weeks before the devices ship, though some have received reports saying their devices will ship sooner. Either way I'm sure the wait is unbearable for early adopters. I'm sure competitors appreciate the chance to readjust their launch strategies over the next few weeks before the iPad 2 flood gates reopen.

  

Year Of The Tablet

This past Friday the iPad2 dropped upping the ante once again in the tablet game. Just as Google's tablet version of Android, Honeycomb (Android 3.0) gets out the door with its first tablet the Motorola Xoom Apple unleashes the iPad that is everything the original should have been.

  The iPad 2 has cranked up the specs in almost every area over the original.  It has an A5 dual-core 1Ghz processor, front and back cameras is 33% thinner (and thinner than the iPhone 4!) while maintaining the same (industry leading) 10hr battery life and all of this at the same price as the original iPad! It's not the complete overhaul I'd have like to have seen in a second generation iPad, more like an iPad 1.5, but thats standard Apple procedure.  Complaints aside it is an undeniable beast of a tablet! Reviews state that it is blazing fast and super smooth just like most other Apple products.  There's nothing exceptionally new or exclusive here but it does say a lot for the tablet market as a  whole.  I played with the iPad 2 and I was very impressed, it has great build quality and instantly grabs you with it's Apple ascetic perfection. This is definitely a quality tablet and it puts more pressure on the competition to catch up.... Again!




This is sure to be a huge year for tablets. Last year saw the launch of the first tablet with mass commercial success (iPad) and this year we will see an onslaught of many more tablets.  With Apple raising the bar and at very least matching most of the perceived technical advantages that other tablets where boasting and doing so at a very competitive price it will force other manufactures to price their tablets more competitively. So despite the fact that I don't feel the iPad (1 or 2) is for me I am glad that Apple is applying the heat.  I'm sure that after watching how quickly Android closed the gap in the smart phone market Apple wasn't going to sit back and let the same happen with Tablets.  Samsung has already announced that due to the competitive pricing of the iPad 2, they will be reconsidering their own pricing strategy.

 I'm sure other manufactures are feeling that same heat, and will be adjusting pricing where possible as well as their release schedules... at least they better be if they are smart. Otherwise they may stand to lose many customers, who like me, are waiting to purchase a quality tablet at a competitive price. Tablets running Android from Mototola, LG, Samsung, HTC, Asus and many more, as well as Tablets from Blackberry, and HP/Palm are all on the way, but can they hit the market soon enough an priced competitively enough to survive in a world where iPad is becoming synonymous with tablet?

At the end of the day I really hope that other manufacturers get it together and get their tablets on the market. I really like the iPad 2, but want to stay in the Android family since I've already invested in their app system and personally prefer Android so I am waiting on a competitively spec'd and priced Android 3.0 Honeycomb (WIFI ONLY!!!!!!!) tablet. I'm also looking forward to the offerings from Blackberry and HP/Palm.  I hope they understand that now that we want tablets it'd be wise to get their devices out before Apple snatches up the entire market.  I WILL be getting a tablet soon; don't lose just because you delay or price yourself out of consideration....... WiFi-only Xoom - cough - cough.....

More on Tablets:















More in depth iPad 2 review via Mashable
More detailed review of Motorola Xoom via BGR
More on Blackberry Playbook via Crackberry
More on LG's 3D Tablet the G-Slate via Android Tapp
More on Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 via Android Tapp
More on HP TouchPad via Cnet Reviews
More on HTC Flyer (may be branded as an  Evo Tablet) via Mobile World Congress