Cell Phones

When Samsung’s 7-inch tablet finally sees the states, it might indeed be more than a giant Galaxy S — for one thing, it may have Froyo, but for another, it could have faster, more building-penetrating WiFi than most comparable devices on the market. That’s because when the Galaxy Tab hit the FCC by the name “SHW-M180S,” it came loaded with dual-band 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi capable of speeds up to 150Mbps. It also intriguingly sports the GSM 1900 radio frequency, meaning an AT&T launch might be in the cards alongside the CDMA one rumored for Verizon. Browsing through the WiFi Alliance databases in an attempt to track the tablet down, we spotted both a “GT-P1000T” and a “GT-P1000L,” each with dual-band WiFi, suggesting that there are multiple versions in the works… and the Global Certification Forum shows one of them actually has quad-band GSM and HSDPA connectivity. Not bad, Samsung. Now, let’s hear about battery life.
VIA:Wireless Goodness
SOURCE:FCC, Global Certification Forum

Motorola’s venerable MING handset revisions were just made official in three Android-toting varieties for China Unicom (model MT810, pictured center), and China Telecom (XT806, on the right). The TD-SCDMA riding MT810 ships with the Android derived OPhone 2.0 operating system and two touchscreen displays: a 3.2-inch stylus-friendly resistive touchscreen and a second transparent capacitive cover that provides a finger-friendly experience when closed. Other specs include 720 x 480 video capture, 720p video playback, and support for China’s CMMB mobile television spec. China Telecom’s XT806 is built on Android 2.1 with GPS, 720p video capture, and support for both CDMA EVDO and GSM for global wanderings. Finally, China Unicom’s A1680 packs a 3.1-inch AMOLED touchscreen, Chinese WAPI WiFi, 5 megapixel camera, GPS, and Motorola’s sixth-generation SoftStylus handwriting system.

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Motorola Mobility Brings Android™ to its Iconic MING™ Line with Three New Smartphones for China

Android™ power and China-specific features create intuitive, intelligent phones to help you succeed in work and life
August 30, 2010

Beijing, August 30, 2010 – Motorola, Inc., (NYSE: MOT) today launched three new Android™ smartphones in its successful and iconic MING™ series designed especially for China. The phones combine a superior Android touchscreen experience with updated MING styling and features, and include the MT810 for China Mobile’s TD-SCDMA network, the XT806 for China Telecom’s CDMA-2000 network, and the A1680 for China Unicom’s WCDMA network. Today’s launch extends Motorola’s leading portfolio of Android devices in the world’s largest mobile telecommunications market and reflects the Company’s commitment to designing phones especially to meet the needs of Chinese users.

“The new MING smartphones reflect our focus on intuitive intelligence, and are designed to adapt themselves to you and your life,” said Mr. Frank Meng, Corporate Vice President and President, Greater China, Motorola Mobility. “With MING we’ve combined our engineering expertise with a deep understanding of how people in China use their devices to create powerful, user-friendly smartphones that ‘feel just right’ and will bring great mobile experiences to our customers here.”

The three new MING smartphones bring Motorola’s portfolio of Android™ devices in China to a market-leading eleven, all released in less than a year. More than half the Android smartphones sold in China in the first half of 2010 were Motorola devices.

Designed in China for Chinese people and first launched in 2006, the MING rapidly established itself as a hit with its distinctive design and special features such as superb Chinese handwriting support, developed by Motorola and now in its sixth generation, and PDA functions that were useful and intuitive long before smartphones were a household word. Since the launch of the series more than five million Ming devices have sold in China.

“With MING and Android we’re bringing together two great Motorola success stories in China,” said Mr. Bin SHEN, Vice President and General Manager, Asia Product Management, Motorola Mobility. “MING has been a hit in China because it was designed especially for the way Chinese people live, work, and play with their handsets. Android™ has been a hit globally and in China thanks to its power and ease of use. By combining MING and Android, we’ve given Chinese professionals three great, new mobile devices for building their success designed exclusively for them.”

All three of the new MING devices offer a full touchscreen experience and sport an updated version of the MING flip design, including the signature transparent flip cover.

MT810: Social Meets Business for China Mobile

MT810 is being jointly launched with China Mobile, the world’s largest mobile telephone operator by subscribers, and uses China Mobile’s OPhone OS 2.0™ implementation of Android. The MT810 has a unique dual-touch system in which the 3.2-inch display is a resistive touchscreen perfect for stylus or finger input and the transparent cover is a second capacitive touchscreen that offers full finger touch functionality even when the phone is closed. A suite of pre-loaded intelligent business applications enables you to stay successful on the go while D1 (720 x 480) video capture, 720p HD video playback and powerful audio-video functionality, including support for China’s CMMB mobile television format, offer an unparalleled mobile entertainment experience. Access China Mobile’s Mobile Market with more than 7000 applications and tens of thousands of themes.

XT806: An Internet Powerhouse for China Telecom

XT806 is an Internet-connected powerhouse built on Android 2.1 and offered by Motorola and China Telecom. Easy connectivity and dual-mode/dual-standby support for CDMA EVDO and GSM enable seamless roaming so you can receive information around the world. XT806 also provides integrated mobile business application tools such as Quicknotes™, and innovative application that allows you to easily work on text, voice recording, videos, pictures, sketches and screen snapshots. With these features, the XT806 becomes a multimedia notebook that can help you search and work at any critical moment. It also has a transparent flip design and a 3.2-inch screen with a super-sharp 300dpi display, powerful GPS navigation services and 720p HD video capture and playback. Access Motorola’s SHOP4APPS, with over 800 specially selected applications.

A1680: Iconic MING Redefined for China Unicom

A1680 brings Android together with a design that reflects the classic and elegant MING heritage. A 3.1-inch AMOLED touchscreen offers a crystal clear display and excellent touch capabilities. A1680 supports China Unicom’s WCDMA network, as well as WAPI and WIFI1 high-speed connectivity for easy access to the mobile Internet. Motorola’s acclaimed intelligent handwriting recognition software has been perfected for the A1680 while a sixth-generation SoftStylus™ handwriting system easily captures your personal penmanship style. The A1680 also has a 5MP camera and GPS navigation services. Access Motorola’s SHOP4APPS, with over 800 specially selected applications

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If ever there were a place for using the phrase “it’s about time,” this would be it. If you’ll recall, we heard rumors that Sony Ericsson’s Xperia X10 would be headed to AT&T as far back as November of last year, possibly proving just how grueling the certification process is for getting a handset onto Ma Bell’s network. Those whispers tease seem to be confirmed today. The Android-powered X10 (v1.6 so far as we can tell, but the PR carefully dodges the issue) will be available for consumers starting on August 15th, with the handset boasting a 4-inch touchpanel, 1GHz Snapdragon processor, inbuilt GPS, 8.1 megapixel camera (with LED flash), 8GB of onboard memory, a 2GB flash card and a couple of SE’s own apps atop the stock Android build (Mediascape and Timescape). AT&T’s claiming that this bad boy will set you back $149.99 on a 2-year service plan, but Sony’s saying that it can be picked up in a local Sony Style store for $20 less. Oh, and if you wait a week, it’ll be $49.99 on contract over at Amazon. Decisions, decisions.

Update: Yep, it’s Android 1.6. Commence weeping.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
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AT&T and Sony Ericsson Announce the Xperia™ X10

Smart meets entertaining – Sony Ericsson’s flagship Android smartphone offers an open and integrated world of communication, entertainment and social media

DALLAS and ATLANTA, Aug. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — AT&T* and Sony Ericsson today announced a dynamic multimedia experience with the Android™ based Xperia™ X10, available August 15. The Xperia™ X10 introduces Sony Ericsson’s unique and entertainment-driven Xperia™ platform to U.S. customers in a cutting-edge, beautiful and fun package.

The Xperia™ X10 comes fully loaded with a 4-inch crystal clear touch display, superfast 1GHz Snapdragon processor and a GPS. The smartphone also features an 8.1 megapixel camera with smile detection, face recognition, autofocus and LED flash. The device comes with 8 GB of on-board memory and a 2 GB in-box memory card, with expandable memory up to 32 GB.

Sony Ericsson’s custom user experience is great for the intersection of communications and entertainment. Two signature applications, Mediascape and Timescape™, build on the Android platform to enhance the experience for users.

* Mediascape on the Xperia ™ X10 gathers music, photos, videos and content from your phone’s memory card and online, letting you browse, search, listen and share your media from one unified view. For example, view photos taken on the device as well as your Facebook® and Picasa™ web albums. Or, when listening to a favorite song on your phone, press Sony Ericsson’s infinite button to access related content about the artist pulled from the phone’s memory as well as albums, songs and video content from YouTube™ and search results from Google.
* Timescape™ is a unique communication application that automatically organizes social interactions in chronological order, leaving users free to concentrate on keeping in touch on-the-go. From Facebook® and Twitter® updates to photos, emails and text messages, a scrolling menu offers easy viewing and organization of all communications. Additionally, tap the Timescape™ infinite button to bring up and view all communications from a single person in a single place.

“Sony Ericsson has created a unique choice for our smartphone customers looking for a fun and smart device,” said Michael Woodward, vice president, Mobile Phone Portfolio, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets.

“Sony Ericsson is raising the bar for entertainment-rich phones with the launch of the Xperia ™ X10,” said Paul Hamnett, senior vice president, Sony Ericsson North America. “With the convergence of our user experience platform and the Android OS, we are bringing consumers a smartphone experience that is not only exciting, but also very refined. Following the successful global launch of the Xperia™ X10, we are pleased to partner with AT&T to launch this phone in the U.S. market.”

Pricing and Availability

The Sony Ericsson Xperia™ X10 smartphone will be available in black at AT&T stores, authorized retailers and www.wireless.att.com on August 15 for $149.99 after a two-year service agreement and minimum smartphone data plan.

For the complete lineup of AT&T offerings, visit www.att.com.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

Viewable screen display area is measured diagonally.

A portion of memory is used for data management purposes.

Data charges apply for content and updates transferred through the mobile Web.