AT&T has officially announced a white variant of their Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket slated for a December 4th release. The device is more than likely identical to the original black model which debuted on AT&T as one of their first true 4G LTE devices on November 6th.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Skyrocket, you can expect a 4.5-inch Super AMOLED display (800×480), 8-megapixel cam (2-megapixel front shooter), a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, and Android 2.3.5. That device is available for $250 on a two-year contract, and the white model will land for the same price at the end of the week. Expand Expanding Close
Last week (ending today), Amazon had a pretty incredible Penny Pincher sale where it offered just about every Android and otherwise phone (except Apple’s iPhone) for a penny with a two year plan. That’s what we call a game-changing, evening of the field. Sure, carriers and the plans matter, but if every phone is free, you can get a pretty good idea which are the most sought after phones in the “price not being an option” category.
From our Amazon Affiliate account we can see just how many of each phone our readers picked up, thereby getting a pretty good sample of what are the hot phones out there. Here are some stats:
– >90% of phones were Android (not surprising from a Google site)
– Motorola Droid RAZR and Sprint’s Galaxy SII were the big winners (well done readers!)
– Verizon was the dominant carrier with the top selling (RAZR), and 3 of the top 5 phones.
– Samsung Galaxy SII was 3 of the top 6 and the number one seller overall across all carriers
– We’re aren’t sure why*, but 9 of you bought Motorola Bionic’s giving Motorola the second place prize (*We love the RAZR and aren’t sure why one would pick a Bionic over a RAZR).
– HTC was #3 with the Rezound having an impressive showing and the Thunderbolt getting picked up 5 times (again, not sure why you’d pick a Thunderbolt over a Rezound at the same price). HTC on AT&T was a poor showing with none of the new Amaze 4Gs showing up. In fact, with the Titan, HTC sold more Windows phones on AT&T than it did Android. The EVO wasn’t as popular as you’d expect on Sprint with the Galaxy S II selling a whopping 9 times as many units on the carrier .
Overall, no huge surprises, especially at the top, though we’re somewhat surprised that Sprint’s Galaxy SII beat both of AT&T’s combined. Toward the bottom, we started seeing some unlocked Nokias (5 C6’s) Windows Phones (3 HTC Titans, 3 Samsung Focus Ss) and a few BlackBerry Bolds.
The big question is: How will the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon upset the line? Whatever the outcome, Verizon is already the clear winner with the RAZR and Rezound (and Bionic) already topping many granted holiday wish lists.
U.S. carrier AT&T today announced that it will be exclusively carrying the Nitro HD smartphone from LG beginning this coming Sunday, December 4. It files as their first Android device with a native 720p display and their third 4G LTE handset (the other two being the Vivid from HTC and the Galaxy S II Skyrocket from Samsung). LG scheduled an ‘exclusive launch event’ for this coming Thursday and the Nitro HD is expected to take center stage at the event.
The 4.5-inch Nitro HD packs in a dual-core 1.5GHz processor, supports GSM HSPA+ and 4G LTE radio technologies, and has an eight megapixel back camera, HD content streaming via DLNA and more. Senior vice president Jeff Bradley said Nitro HD “is the one that does [a true HD experience on Anroid phones] right”, boasting its True HD AH-IPS capabilities.
AH-IPS is an acronym for Advanced High-Performance In-Plane Switching, a proprietary LG technology for a 1280-by-720 pixel resolution phone display with 500 nit display luminance that allows for clear viewing in direct sunlight. Additionally, RGB stripe pixels “deliver incredibly accurate true-to-life color rendering”.
AT&T recently took its 4G LTE network to fifteen new markets and plans on reaching 70 million Americans with 4G LTE by the end of this year. The Nitro HD will be available from the carrier’s retail and online stores for $249.99 after a two-year service contract. Full release after the break.
Motorola, Samsung and just about every Android vendor has held a recent event announcing their new product lineups, especially in anticipation of the holiday shopping season. Not to be left out, LG has sent out invites (via Engadget) announcing an ‘exclusive launch event’ for December 1st. While we don’t learn anything from looking at the invite, Engadget claims the image file is titled “LG Nitro”. There have been rumors of a “Nitro HD”, which is thought to be the Optimus LTE variant for AT&T. We’ll of course be bringing you updates as the announcements unfold next Thursday. Expand Expanding Close
Amazon has some truly remarkable phones for free with a plan in its current penny pincher sale.
For the first time ever, AmazonWireless is offering ALL AT&T, Sprint and Verizon phones for a penny. The promotion is live now and runs through 11:59 PM on Cyber Monday (Nov 28th) and only applies to new activations (with a two-year contract).
Additionally, AmazonWireless’ $100 Hotspot Holidays deal can be quite a savings incentive. If you activate the hotspot feature on your new phone at the time of purchase, you will receive a $100 Amazon.com credit. Not a bad way to make some extra spending money for apps…or holiday gifts.
Standouts on each carrier include:
Droid RAZR, Bionic, Incredible 2, X2 and others on Verizon: FREE
Samsung Galaxy SII, Skyrocket and Amaze 4G, Atrix 2 and others on AT&T: FREE
Starting at Midnight PT tonight, Amazon will give every new purchaser of a new Hotspot device some Amazon Credit – hopefully enticing them to pick up a Kindle Fire.
With a hotspot-ready smartphone, you can access the Internet on your Kindle Fire or other Wi-Fi devices anywhere.
Beginning at midnight PST tonight and for a limited time, customers who buy hotspot enabled smartphone will receive a $100 Amazon.com Gift Card. Also, those that purchase a mobile hotspot device will receive a $50 Amazon.com Gift Card (Note: for new lines of service and upgrade customers. Hotspot feature for smartphones must be activated at time of purchase to qualify.)
This promotion extends to some of the most desired phones out there, including the new Motorola Razr releasing tomorrow, Samsung Epic Touch 4G Android Phone (Sprint) , Samsung Galaxy S II 4G Android Phone (AT&T) and even the HTC DROID INCREDIBLE 2 Android Phone (Verizon Wireless) , which is available for only $0.01!
Additionally, we’ve heard that Amazon is having a special on the RAZR Launch for $111.11. If the above deal works on that, you are looking at $11 for one of the sickest phones on the market when bought with a tethering plan.
AT&T SVP Larry Solomon told the Mashable audience that NYC would be getting AT&T’s LTE “sometime soon” (at 3:30).
Even with the background being sketchy, the math is in your favor NYCers. AT&T says it will cover 70 million customers in LTE by the end of the year. It is going to be hard to get there with their 15 markets if NYC isn’t one of them.
For good measure, AT&T was in NYC last week handing out to reviewers their impressive LTE smartphones the 4.5 inch HTC Vivid and Samsung Galaxy II Skyrocket. We’ve got both phones in hand but won’t be able to offer up a comprehensive review until NYC LTE is lit up (or I visit Silicon Valley for the holidays – whichever comes first)
On the product page for the Galaxy Nexus that was released yesterday there is a signup form to get more information on the device before it is available in November. The signup form hints to seven new carriers that the Galaxy Nexus will be listed on.
We already know that Verizon will probably be the exclusive carrier of the Nexus, but also listed are AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, MetroPCS, Cellular South (C Spire), and U.S. Cellular. It is not clear which carriers will be available at first.
This is fantastic news, giving users more choice — especially with those pre-paid carriers. If you haven’t seen the Galaxy Nexus you’re sure to want to check it out.
AT&T has announced five new Android phones to add to their portfolio bringing their total Android count for the year to 19. This round includes the anticipated Atrix 2, Samsung Captivate Glide, Samsung Double Time, Pantech Pocket, and AT&T Avail. These five new devices exceed AT&T’s expectations of 12 new Android devices this year by a healthy margin.
The big boy of these five devices is the Motorola Atrix 2, the successor to the Atrix announced at CES this year. The Atrix 2 features a pretty nice spec list: 4.3-inch qHD screen (960 x 540), 1 GHz dual-core processor, 4G, 8-megapixel rear-shooter (1080P HD), unspecified front-facing camera, and Android 2.3. The Atrix 2 features the same connectivity as the original Atrix: Motorola’s webtop application, HD station, and the Lapdock 100.
Also having a nice set of specs, AT&T has announced the Samsung Captivate Glide. Specs for the Glide include: 4-inch 480×800 display, 1GHz Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core processor, Android 2.3, 4G, HDMI playback, 8-megapixel rear-shooter (1080p HD), and 1.3 mega-pixel front-facing camera. Yeah, it is another Samsung Epic 4G type of device (not that there is anything wrong with that).
BGR has discovered a pretty big security flaw in AT&T’s version of the Galaxy S II, which hits shelves tomorrow. For users who have a unlock pattern or pin set, they can simply bypass it by waking up their screen to unlock and then let the screen timeout to go black. Then simply, the user can wake up the phone once again and they’ll no longer have to use a pattern or pin to access the phone. BGR shows how simple it is in the video above.
Samsung offers a temporary work around, while they work on a permanent solution, after the break:
A Localytics study issued today helps understand why Verizon Wireless recently sided with Samsung in the ongoing Apple vs. Samsung legal saga. Per Localytics’ data, 4G is one of Android’s key differentiators: More than one in three Android phones in the United States take advantage of fourth-generation cellular networks. In the third quarter of this year, some 36.6 percent of Android handsets in the United States were 4G-ready, a notable increase over the 22.6 percent in the first quarter of 2011.
This number is increasing rapidly – since the beginning of the year, the percentage of Android devices that are 4G-capable has grown by over 50 percent, culminating at a full third of the Android ecosystem. It will be interesting to see whether the iPhone 5 supports any type of 4G network. The drawbacks – bulkier antenna and a much shorter battery life – may outweigh the benefits in speed. Regardless, with the growth in 4G-capable handsets Android has seen, it appears that smartphone users are buying into the value of speed. We’ll see how this continues.
The nation’s most popular 4G handsets in the third quarter were the HTC Thunderbolt (Verizon), the HTC Evo 4G (Sprint), the Samsung Epic 4G (Sprint), the Samsung Droid Charge (Verizon), the myTouch 4G (T-Mobile USA) and the Motorola Atrix (AT&T). A few caveats and the full list of most popular 4G devices in the country right below the fold…
T-Mobile’s network is 75% smartphones and 90% of those are Android. That means more than 2/3rds of the devices sold by T-Mobile are Android. That is a big number. Remember T-Mobile has a million iPhones on its network but those weren’t sold by T-Mobile.
Trying to get in before the October 4th flood perhaps, today AT&T announced their Galaxy S II varient would hit shelves on October 2nd. We’ve talked extensively about the Galaxy SII here (read). As a refresher, AT&T’s is closest to the international version with the same 4.3 inch display – contrasted with the 4.5 variety that T-Mobile and Sprint are carrying. Interestingly, it will also have NFC, which Sprint’s surprisingly doesn’t. Sprint is a partner in Google’s NFC-based Wallet initiative.
This is an amazing phone but it is interesting that AT&T is squeaking it in before the iPhone announcement. On the other hand, it says something that AT&T is going with the Galaxy SII moniker rather than something like “Captivate 2”. It seems like Samsung’s Galalxy S line can stand on its own. T-Mobile called its 4G Vibrant model the Galaxy S earlier this year so it appears to be a trend. Expand Expanding Close
UPDATE 1 [Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at 12:17pm EST]:AT&T has provided us with the official line regarding this development, found at the bottom of this article.
Bloomberg reports that the U.S. government has made a move to block the proposed merger of AT&T and T-Mobile USA valued at $39 billion:
The U.S. government sued to block AT&T Inc.’s proposed $39 billion acquisition of T-Mobile USA Inc., saying the deal would “substantially lessen competition” in the wireless market.
The publication writes that the Justice Department filed a complaint Wednesday in federal court in Washington. The government is arguing that the proposed transaction would effectively legitimize duopoly in the country, adding in its filing that “AT&T’s elimination of T-Mobile as an independent, low- priced rival would remove a significant competitive force from the market”.
The government’s reasoning resonates with Sprint, the nation’s third-largest wireless operator, which asked Uncle Sam to intervene on the grounds that the resulting super carrier would prevent any meaningful competition on the market. AT&T denied Sprint’s accusations and said the merger would lead to fewer dropped calls and cheaper data plans for customers.
This is my nexthas a statement from FCC chairman Julius Genachowski who expressed “serious concerns” about competition:
By filing suit today, the Department of Justice has concluded that AT&T’s acquisition of T-Mobile would substantially lessen competition in violation of the antitrust laws. Competition is an essential component of the FCC’s statutory public interest analysis, and although our process is not complete, the record before this agency also raises serious concerns about the impact of the proposed transaction on competition. Vibrant competition in wireless services is vital to innovation, investment, economic growth and job creation, and to drive our global leadership in mobile. Competition fosters consumer benefits, including more choices, better service and lower prices.
If the transaction does indeed get rejected, T-Mobile USA will walk out with…
AT&T’s first 4G LTE/HSPA+ tablet isn’t going to be cheap. In fact, the company just announced the Honeycomb-powered HTC Jetstream will run you $699.99 with a new two-year commitment when it becomes available September 4th. We think the price tag is going to make this one a hard sell, especially if its competition releases a new iteration anytime before the Jetstream sees a significant price cut.
We told you about the Jetstream’s rumored specs a few weeks back, which for the most part seem to jive with the official specs from AT&T’s press release (below): Expand Expanding Close
According to a report from Bloomberg, three of the largest mobile carriers in the US are getting ready to make a $100 million investment in NFC enabled payment system ‘Isis’. This is seen as a move to take some of the $240 billion a year (according to Juniper Research) mobile payment market from Google and, specifically, Google Wallet.
While Isis won’t begin testing the technology until next year, they have already signed up Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. Google Wallet has been up and running on Android devices since May but is only available through MasterCard and Citibank with MasterCard Paypass. Having support from Visa, the “world’s largest credit card network”, will certainly give Isis an advantage in the U.S. market. Expand Expanding Close
Due to weather conditions, Samsung is pushing back their Galaxy S II event from Monday, to Tuesday. Currently, Hurricane Irene is barreling its way to New York, where the event is going to take place. Thanks Samsung for making a good decision, to keep all of us bloggers safe. You bet we’ll have full coverage Tuesday, but in the mean time stay dry — will ya?
Engadget has leaked exclusive images of the HTC Holiday, a device reportedly heading to AT&T this fall with 4G bands. The device looks to pack a beautiful 4.5-inch qHD display, 1.2 GHz processor, 8-megapixel shooter, 1.3-megapixel front facing camera, and yes, 4G LTE.
DroidLife has also leaked the first pictures of the HTC Vigor, a device that packs a 1.5 GHz processor heading to Verizon this fall with 4G bands. Overall specs for the device are impressive: a front facing camera, shooter on the back, 4.3-inch HD screen, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal space.
These devices paired with the Galaxy S II and Droid Bionic, and what ever else carriers have down their sleeve, will make Android to have a sure shot against the iPhone 5 — which is slated for a mid-October launch. Expand Expanding Close
Pocketnow has leaked an exclusive shot of all of Samsung’s Galaxy S II variants on Sprint, AT&T, and T-Mobile. You’ll notice both the T-mobile and Sprint versions are rounded, while the AT&T version is square. Besides the shape we don’t see any noticeable differences between the devices (besides the branding of course). You might be thinking, where’s the Verizon version? This week we reported that Verizon wouldn’t be carrying a Galaxy S II variant for the time being, and it was later confirmed by the WSJ.
The Galaxy S II is going to be announced next Monday, maybe along with a few more devices. At any rate you bet we’ll be there to cover the event.. if the weather doesn’t stop us.
Earlier this week we reported the beloved Galaxy S II wouldn’t be launching on Verizon, after it is announced next Monday. A new report from the Wall Street Journal backs up or claim stating the Galaxy S II will launch on Sprint, T-Mobile, and AT&T — but not Verizon. Verizon confirmedWSJ’s report to TechCrunch, saying the Galaxy S II won’t be available for the time being.
At an event Monday at New York’s Time Warner Center, Samsung will announce it is selling the device starting in September on AT&T Inc., Sprint Nextel Corp. and T-Mobile USA’s networks, according to people familiar with the plans, but Verizon Wireless said it won’t offer the device.
The Galaxy S II has seen much success in Europe, and it should certainly do well in the U.S. Do well enough in fact that it might be the best contendor to the rumored launch of Apple’s iPhone 5 this October. We look forward to covering the event Monday, so check back to hear more.
There are less than a ton of details surrounding this latest round of images, which, according to BGR, show AT&T’s Samsung Impulse 4G. Apparently this will be the carriers first LTE smartphone, and it also appears to be a lower-end, entry-level model, although we have no details on potential specs, pricing, or release date. Either way, this could very well be your first look at AT&T’s forthcoming 4G-enabled smartphone. We’re not sure if the Impulse’s specs perhaps popped up in that huge leak of Samsung devices we told you about last week. The image below shows a case that will give you an idea of the Impulse’s backside. Expand Expanding Close
It’s official, we’re running out of names for mobile devices…We told you back in July that HTC was planning on dropping a shiny new tablet dubbed “Puccini” in report accompanied by what we believed to be a couple high quality images (viaBGR) of the device. Now, a new report from BGR claims AT&T and HTC are preparing to launch the 10.1-inch Honeycomb-powered tablet as the “HTC Jetstream”.
Some of the rumoured specs for the Jetstream include an eight-megapixel camera with dual-LED flash, microphone and stereo speakers, 1.5GHz processor, and a reported 4G LTE modem. Oh, and a stylus…which is definitely one feature its competition lacks…
HTC’s Winston Yung pretty much confirmed the device was slated for a late third or early fourth quarter release, which translates to September or October. However, that timeframe seems a little unrealistic to us if the Jetstream is in fact a 4G LTE device and still expected to run on AT&T. This is considering AT&T’s 4G LTE network is just being rolled out this summer with plans to roll out to just 15 markets by the end of the year, as pointed out by BGR. This makes it highly unlikely that their 4G network will be ready to support the launch of a new tablet by October. Either way, we’re hoping to get a better look at the Jetstream at HTC’s “see what’s next” event in September. Expand Expanding Close
Debating which carrier to sign up with for that new Android-powered handset you’re thinking about? Virgin Mobile is about to launch a new advertising campaign directly taking on T-Mobile and detailing exactly why it’s the better choice for Android smartphone users.
Virgin Mobile USA’s president of Marketing Bob Stohrer explains:
“T-Mobile has anointed itself as the value leader in wireless, yet they’ve conveniently left Virgin Mobile out of their comparison set, so we’re crashing their party. No matter how you dress their plans up, they’re no match for Virgin Mobile’s no-contract, Unlimited Data offering at $35/month coupled with Android-powered phones like the new Motorola Triumph.”
The commercials set to launch today and run through September feature a faux hollywood couple known as Sparah, a fake T-Mobile spokesperson, and portray a party-like atmosphere and lifestyle in contrast to their competitors’s run-of-the-mill offerings. In the spot, the fake T-Mobile spokesperson also takes a stab at AT&T by noting, “imagine us being taken over by AT&T, who’s last in customer satisfaction.” Expand Expanding Close
This feels more like the Google Phone that was promised a year and a half ago – which was supposed to hit all carriers. The carriers would then have to fight on prices and quality of service.
As of today, the Samsung Nexus S is now at Best Buy free with a two year plan on 3 of the 4 big US Networks. Get your Sprint, T-Mobile or AT&T Nexus S here.
Now, it almost feels like a new superphone running Ice Cream Sandwich is in the works. Expand Expanding Close
