HTC Wildfire S revealed: HVGA screen and Gingerbread

The Wildfire may be younger than the Desire, but it’s still come in for a refresh at MWC 2011. The HTC Desire S tweaks the original’s styling, with some eye-catching piping running around the edge of the plastic shell, but more importantly upgrades the display to an HVGA panel that should ensure broader compatibility with titles from the Android Market.

There’s also Android 2.4 Gingerbread, though no front-facing camera, unlike the new HTC Desire S. That helps HTC keep the price down, since the Wildfire S is still expected to be the company’s entry-level device. It should arrive in late Q2 2011, pricing tba; Vodafone UK has already confirmed to us they will be offering the Wildfire S.
Press Release:

HTC LAUNCHES THREE NEW SMARTPHONES WITH HTC SENSE
HTC Desire S, HTC Wildfire S and HTC Incredible S deliver premium style, power and speed
BARCELONA, SPAIN – Mobile World Congress – February 15, 2011 – HTC Corporation, a global leader in mobile innovation and design, today unveiled three new versions of its most popular and advanced smartphones – HTC Desire S, HTC Wildfire S and HTC Incredible S. The new smartphones continue HTC’s commitment to expanding the market for advanced smartphones while providing distinct choices in design, power and value. Each phone also includes HTC Sense, HTC’s unique customer-focused user experience that puts people at the center by making phones work in a more simple and natural way.
“HTC developed the HTC Sense experience to bring cutting-edge innovation to our customers in simple and natural ways that just make sense – this is what HTC Desire S, HTC Wildfire S and HTC Incredible S represent best,” said Peter Chou, CEO of HTC Corporation. “These new phones offer an exhilarating mix of style, innovation and features that extend people’s mobile experience in ways that feel personal and completely original.”
HTC Desire S
As a successor to the popular and award-winning HTC Desire, the new HTC Desire S blends stunning design with power and speed. Inspired by the HTC Legend™ smartphone’s aluminium design, the HTC Desire S is sculpted out of a single block of aluminum making it feel solid and natural in your hand. With Qualcomm’s new 1GHz 8255 Snapdragon™ processor, the HTC Desire S offers snappy performance and power. It offers dual front and back cameras, High-Definition video recording and the 3.7-inch WVGA display presents multimedia content brilliantly.
HTC Wildfire S
Building on the popularity of the HTC Wildfire™ smartphone, the HTC Wildfire S smartphone is an affordable, compact and playful device that packs a powerful smartphone experience. It enables people to maintain and build connections and friendships through popular sites like Facebook®, as well as through voice and text messaging. You can instantly tag your friends in photos before posting them on Facebook, or share your latest discoveries from the Android™ Market at the touch of a button.
HTC Wildfire S is one of HTC’s smallest phones ever – measuring just 10.13cm long and 5.94cm wide – and boasts a distinctive 3.2 inch, HVGA display.
Celebrate your individuality and choose from a wide variety of colors including black, purple and white. The phone’s home screen is fully customizable with your favorite apps, widgets and content, while a 5-megapixel color camera with auto focus, expandable microSD™ memory and support for a variety of audio and video formats make a great all-around multimedia device that slips easily into any pocket.
HTC Incredible S
The alluring HTC Incredible S smartphone combines cutting-edge design with a premium mobile experience for those who dare to be different. Showing what can be achieved when engineers and designers work together to raise the bar for mobile phone design, the HTC Incredible S smartphone features a stunning, contoured body that highlights the internal hardware components of the device. Capturing and viewing video in crystal clear High-Definition has never been so easy and a bright 4-inch WVGA Super LCD display and stereo surround sound bring a vibrant cinematic experience to the palm of your hand.
HTC Incredible S also takes high quality pictures with its 8-megapixel camera with dual flash, and it easily enables videos, photos and music to be shared from the handset direct to a TV using DLNA® technology. Thanks to the HTC Incredible S’s front facing camera and video call functionality, users will constantly be able to chat with their friends face-to-face.
Availability
The HTC Desire S, HTC Wildfire S and HTC Incredible S smartphones, will be broadly available to customers across major European and Asian markets during Q2 2011.
About HTC
HTC Corporation (HTC) is one of the fastest growing companies in the mobile phone industry. By putting people at the center of everything it does, HTC creates innovative smartphones that better serve the lives and needs of individuals. The company is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange under ticker 2498. For more information about HTC, please visit www.htc.com.

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ViewPad 4 Tablet/Smartphone Hybrid [Hands On]

Today ViewSonic revealed to us the ViewPad 4, a device which they’re adamant in not classifying as a tablet or a smartphone. Asking the small press conference we were a part of several times what we thought the difference between a tablet and a smartphone was, they’ve made it clear that they’d like to blur the line singlehandedly with this device. This device has a 4-inch screen, which ViewSonic says is the ideal place to blur the line between devices at, and it’ll be running whatever the newest version of Android Gingerbread is when it’s released.


The ViewPad 4 will be shown to carriers in late April 2011 and ready for release in early May. This device runs a Qualcomm 1 GHz processor of some sort (they weren’t clear at the meeting), runs a capacitive 4-inch touchscreen that they remind us is NOT AMOLED, and has a whole slew of connections you can make to other devices. It’s got Bluetooth 3.0, Wireless on b/g/n, HDMI out, and audio out, amongst others.

This device is lovely, fits in the hand, and although there’s not much to the design, it works well with the image ViewSonic has put forth for itself as a display-based company. Where there’s little but a few details, those details count for a lot. This phone/tablet device feels fabulous, and from what they’re saying, it’s got both a bigger screen and a smaller physical footprint than most of its competitors. Proof? Take a peek at this image photographed in the press room, the ViewPad 4 surrounded by popular phones laid down by the press people in the room. Look like a lot smaller item to you?

Any way you look at it, this is a solid device. If it ends up being a hit is entirely up to the hype people shooting it out to the average customer and the hackers to see what they can do with it. If you’d like all the rest of the details on this item head back to the original press release and have yourself a good time. Otherwise look above and below for some photos taken at Mobile World Congress 2011.

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LG Revolution to have inductive charging plate (optional)

LG is very busy at Mobile World Congress this year and it’s new LG Revolution is not only going to be running Android 2.2 (Froyo), but will also come with an optional inductive charging plate for wireless charging.  The plate takes advantage of Fulton Innovation’s “eCoupled inductive coupling technology.


Users will have to have a separate inductive charger, but the advantage is that it can wirelessly charge a wide array of devices at the same time.  No word on the how much the optional plate will be, but will be made available as an accessory after the Revolution launches in March.
In addition, it looks like the Revolution is powering the latest flavor of Froyo, Android 2.2.2.  That means major bug fixes before the handset is even launched.  A very good thing.READ MORE....

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Toshiba Regza: Waterproof Android with 12MP Camera, NFC and more

The United States might be the land of the free, but we’ve yet to earn freedom for many of the smartphones and Android phones in Asia and Europe that we would otherwise Desire (see what I did there?). It only takes a few specs to quickly put the Toshiba Regza near the top of that list:

The Regza only runs Android 2.1 but with a 12MP camera, NFC chip, and waterproof conditioning it immediately seems like a pretty sweet phone. In my limited time toying with the Regza I was pleasantly surprised. I’m still dying for the day that we get an Android phone with optical zoom, but the pictures on the Regza – at least in the viewfinder – looked quite gorgeous. I tried to share/E-mail them to myself but they have yet to come through… if they do, we’ll be sure to post them here.

A quick look at some of the specs:

• Android 2.1
• 12MP camera (plus a front facing camera)
• Waterproof
• 4-inch screen
• 854 x 480 pixel resolution
• 14.7mm thick
• 149 grams
• Near Field Communications equipped

Now Toshiba needs to bring their Android Phones to the American market (please). I’ve owned two Toshiba laptops and have loved them both. Actually, this very post is being written lovingly from a Toshiba laptop.
If the Toshiba Regza was available in your area, would it make your short list of Android Phones to consider buying?
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Slashgear gets a close look at the T-Mobile/LG G-Slate

T-Mobile is showcasing it’s LG designed G-Slate at MWC this week.  It’s a mid-range tablet with a nice 8.9 inch screen, fitting it nicely in between the 7 inch pocket and the beefier 10 inch category.  Specs include running a Tegra 2 processor for around 1Ghz in processing power and running Android 3.0 (honeycomb) which is as standard as iOS 4 is to the iPad now.   But it also has 3D which could make the viewing experience quite interesting.

Unfortunately, users will have to wear those geeky red/blue 3D glasses to get the 3D vibe, but LG has made switching between 3D and 2D pretty seamless in the interface and it will enable 3DTV fans to use their G-Slate as a media portal to boot.  All the usual connections including HDMI, microUSB, as well as T-Mobile’s HSPA+ network for high speed connectivity. And there’s an optional docking port stand for easy charging and connectivity.






No word on price just yet, but it’s due out later this year. So stay tuned!

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Motorla buys 3LM, stakes claim in Android Security market

Hackers have one simple rule: the larger the footprint a platform has online, the easier it is for hackers to go after. PCs learned that the hard way while others enjoyed relative anonymity by flying under the radar.  And since it wasn’t long ago that Android devices began to outsell the other handsets, a big target has been placed on their collective backs in terms of wireless security. So Motorola is being proactive by buying 3LM, a security company that develops online shields for Android devices.

The new venture, dubbed “Motorola Mobility” promises to give enterprise developers and IT managers the tools needed to guard their mobile online platforms.  Following the “three laws of mobility:” protect the user from malicious code or content, protect the device itself by securing data and communications, and obey the uers unless it causes a security breach, Motorola Mobility has plans to not only make Android the central hub of their security service, but also to allow other devices to use that technology as the need arises.
Thing is though, that Android has come late to the game as both Apple and Blackberry have worked hard over the last few years to make their mobile platforms securely attractive for enterprise solutions.  But then again, when you’re the 800 lb. gorilla in the room, as Android is in the mobile market now, it’s hard to not consider it as a viable option, so better late than never.
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Acer Iconia Tab A100 announced

Acer announced the Iconia Tab A100 at Mobile World Congress this week in Barcelona.  The  7″ tablet will run Android 3 (Honeycomb), the OS built from the ground up to make tablet’s really cook.  Additionally, the Iconia Tab is powered with Acer’s “clear.fi” multi media sharing system which allows for integration with other clear.fi supported devices in the home.


Consumers will also love the powerful dual core Tegra 2 processor, which makes browsing and playing games a faster experience, and it’s NVidia GeForce GPU supporting flash for games and multimedia playback.   And with Full 1080p HD video playback, the Iconia becomes a media streaming device for home theater as well thanks to it’s built in HDMI port.  Other devices can connect via the miniUSB port and the A100 sports all the connection standards including WiFi, 3G and Bluetooth 2.1.
The Acer Iconia A100 will be available in the UK at the end of April, price TBA.

Acer’s ICONIA TAB A100
Mobility at its best
Barcelona, February 14th, 2011 – Whether you are into gaming, social network or enjoying your multimedia on the go, the new Acer ICONIA TAB A100 is your dream come true. Stylish and compact, this 7” tablet offers unrivalled portability and matches it with the ultimate high performance, taking your mobile experience to the next level.
The Acer ICONIA TAB A100 primary focus is on providing a truly rich user experience. This is why it will be equipped with Android 3.0 “Honeycomb”, the new Android operating system specifically optimized for tablets. On the home page, resources are grouped into four main content usages, within easy reach of your fingertips:
-       Games Zone: here you can find a variety of compelling preloaded games – online 3D, console and casual – that you’ll certainly enjoy.
-       eReading, where you can find the tools you need to download or read magazines and books. Magazines with Zinio, books with Nook and LumiRead.
-       Multimedia groups all the apps you need to enjoy music, videos and photos.
-       SNS brings your social life together. Not only you can find the links to Facebook, Twitter, but also Acer SocialJogger that lets you check, post and update all of your accounts at a glance.
Also pre-loaded on the Acer ICONIA TAB is clear.fi, the Acer media sharing system that enables the seamless integration of the device in the home clear.fi environment to easily access, play and share multimedia across the home network and to instantly publish updates to social media networks.
To provide a truly outstanding user experience, a device must have a powerful engine. The Acer ICONIA TAB A100 will be powered the dual-core NVIDIA® Tegra™ 2, the first mobile dual core CPU, that delivers up to two time faster browsing, for the best web experience ever. Plus, the ultra-low power (ULP) NVIDIA® GeForce® GPU with Flash 10.1 support, ensures amazing graphics for optimized HD viewing, 3D and console-quality gaming, and multimedia playback anywhere. What’s more you can relish movies, photos and more on your big screen TV in full HD glory thanks to 1080p HD video playback.
Don’t be fooled by size of the screen. On this 7” (1024×600) full touch screen tablet with a 16:9 aspect ratio, you can enjoy photos, videos and movies as well as read books and magazines, and most impressively you’ll be able to run and play premium HD arcade games and complex online 3D games, thanks to the multi-touch screen and gyro meter control, for a gaming experience on par with the best consoles.
The Acer ICONIA TAB A100 is also a joy for the ears. Complete with Dolby Mobile technology providing rich vibrant audio with extended bass performance and added depth, this tablet takes the entertainment experience to a new level. To top off the rich entertainment experience, the ICONIA TAB A100 comes with a 5MP auto-focus rear camera, to capture you’re life best moments and quickly upload them to your social networks, and a 2MP front-facing camera to engage in live chat with your friends.
Multiple connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, 3G or Bluetooth® 2.1, maximise your mobile experience and keep you in touch with all you care about. Complete with a built-in HDMI port and 1080p output, it may also be used to enjoy HD content in full HD on a big screen TV or monitor, while a full-size and a mini USB help connecting the ICONIA TAB A100 to other devices.
Compact and stylish, is easy to handle and flaunts a trendy back cover embellished by an eye-catching pattern.
Discover a new world of interaction with the Acer ICONIA TAB A100!
The Acer ICONIA TAB A100 will be available in the UK towards the end of April 2011, pricing TBA.
***
For further information, please contact: -
Paul Kinsler
PK Media Solutions
paul@pkmedia.co.uk
Tel:  +44 20 8449 1636
About Acer
Since its founding in 1976, Acer has achieved the goal of breaking the barriers between people and technology. Globally, Acer ranks No. 2 for total PCs and notebooks. A profitable and sustainable Channel Business Model is instrumental to the company’s continuing growth, while its multi-brand approach effectively integrates Acer, Gateway, Packard Bell, and eMachines brands in worldwide markets. Acer strives to design environmentally friendly products and establish a green supply chain through collaboration with suppliers. Acer is proud to be a Worldwide Partner of the Olympic Movement, including the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter and London 2012 Olympic Games. The Acer Group employs 8,000 people worldwide. Estimated revenues for 2010 reached US$19.9 billion. See www.acer-group.com for more information.
© 2010 Acer Inc. All rights reserved. Acer and the Acer logo are registered trademarks of Acer Inc. Other trademarks, registered trademarks, and/or service marks, indicated or otherwise, are the property of their respective owners.

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Acer Iconia Smart – 4.8inch smartphone or tablet?

Here is the new Acer Iconia Smart running Android 2.3, and looking long and slender. The look of the device is pretty nice, the fact its running Gingerbread is pretty sweet too. I’m just not sold on the size of this device. I’ll get to that in a second.
The Acer Iconia Smart has an 8 megapixel rear end with a 2 megapixel front, 1GHz Snapdragon processor, and 1024×480 resolution at 21:9 ratio, 720p video playback and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Pretty good specs right? I know. It’ll cost you about $499 and should be in Europe first around April, then the US by June/July.
Now, back to the sizing. It’s a long 4.8 inches…I mean, I have a 4 inch screen with 800×480 resolution and that feels big enough in my jean pocket. The press release says its “100% Smartphone, 100% tablet”…umm, no, I don’t think so. Remember Dell tried that with the Streak at 5inches, and it really didn’t fair well for them, they decided to go to the 7 inch and 10 inch models instead. I’m really not buying the 1024×480 resolution, great for internet usage, and reading ebooks, but terrible for games and watching videos cause you’ll have these blank areas of screen on either side. The UI is much nicer than the Dell UI however with some changes to the notification bar being on the bottom and what not, but the size man! I can’t get over how awkward it’ll feel in my pocket, unless MC Hammer pants come back, then fine.
What do you think?

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Androidify App Lets You Create Your Own Android, With Your Own Style

Ever wonder what you might look like if you were converted into Android format? Or have you ever just really wanted to be able to play dress-up with your favorite little green robot? Well Google Creative Labs and Larva Labs have teamed up to make a cute lil app that allows you to do exactly that. The interface is remarkably intuitive, and within minutes you can have the Android avatar of your dreams whipped up, to be saved to the SD card or shared via any of the methods you’re used to using to share pictures.
Grab the app for free from Appbrain or the Android Market, or by scanning the QR code below.

 

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