CES 2012

CES
January 11, 2012
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Viewsonic announces ViewPad E70 tablet, delivers Android Ice Cream Sandwich for $170

By on January 11, 2012 at 3:17 AM.

Viewsonic announces ViewPad E70 tablet, delivers Android Ice Cream Sandwich for $170

Viewsonic announced another addition to the company’s ViewPad tablet line at the Consumer Electronics Show on Tuesday, the ViewPad E70. The 7-inch tablet runs Google’s latest operating system, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and features a 1GHz single-core processor, 4GB of storage, HDMI-out, and a front facing camera. While the specs may not outshine the competition, the $170 price tag absolutely has our attention. The ViewPad E70 is slated to be available late in the first quarter of this year. Full press release is after the break. More →

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CES
January 11, 2012
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Moneto makes any Android smartphone an NFC device

By on January 11, 2012 at 2:50 AM.

Moneto makes any Android smartphone an NFC device

This month, DeviceFidelity and Spring Card Systems announced moneto, a new independent NFC payment solution. The service delivers NFC capabilities to any Android device with a microSD card. The card contains an NFC radio and antenna that are encrypted together to deliver MasterCard PayPass technology to any Android smartphone. Additionally, moneto has created a unique iPhone case to deliver the service to iOS users as well. The moneto case is currently available for $80, which includes $10.00 of pre-loaded funds. The Android microSD card is expected to be available within two to three weeks, and will sell for $30. All you have to do to use it, is insert the card, attach a small NFC sticker to the inside of your battery case — it helps with the NFC signal — and you’re on your way to credit card-less mobile payments. Read on for the full press release. More →

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CES
January 11, 2012
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Polaroid announces the Android-powered SC1630 Smart Camera

By on January 11, 2012 at 1:02 AM.

Polaroid announces the Android-powered SC1630 Smart Camera

Polaroid shocked the Consumer Electronics Show on Tuesday when the company announced a new camera powered by Android. The Polaroid SC1630 Smart Camera is a 3.2-inch device, and it features a whopping 16-megapixel camera capable of 3x optical zoom on a 36-108mm lens. When connected to Wi-Fi, users can instantly upload their images to social networking sites and will also even have access to the Android Market. No specific release date or price has been announced, however Polaroid has said the SC1630 Smart Camera will land sometime this year. Read on for the company’s press release. More →

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CES
January 10, 2012
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Vizio announces two new Google TV set-top boxes, picks up where the Logitech Revue left off

By on January 10, 2012 at 11:23 PM.

Vizio announces two new Google TV set-top boxes, picks up where the Logitech Revue left off

Vizio announced the company’s support for Google TV with two new set-top boxes at the Consumer Electronics Show on Tuesday. The Vizio VAP430 Stream Player picks right up where the Logitech Revue left off, and will turn any TV into a smart TV. Vizio’s second set-top box adds a Blu-ray player to the mix and looks to compete with Sony’s new Blu-ray Google TV device. The Vizio VBR430 is labeled as “one of the most advanced 3D Blu-ray players on the market,” with access to the web, apps, and the ability to play the latest Blu-ray 3D movies. Both devices include a touchpad universal remote with a QWERTY keyboard, giving consumers an easy way to navigate everything Google TV has to offer. As with Vizio’s other CES products, shipping dates and pricing will be announced at a later date. More details are available after the break. More →

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CES
January 10, 2012
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T-Mobile announces the Galaxy S Blaze 4G and Bobsled message application

By on January 10, 2012 at 9:30 PM.

T-Mobile announces the Galaxy S Blaze 4G and Bobsled message application

T-Mobile just announced the expansion of the company’s 4G network and unveiled the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G. The device features a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S3 processor and will be the third smartphone to take advantage of the carrier’s 4G HSPA+ 42 network. The handset is expected to be available later this year, with additional details set to be revealed closer to its release. T-Mobile has doubled the speed of its 4G HSPA+ network in 12 additional markets, offering faster HSPA+ 42 to 184 million Americans in 175 total markets. Additionally, the company’s HSPA+ 21 network has been expanded to nine additional markets, now covering 217 markets across the country. Lastly, the carrier also announced the new IP-based Bobsled group messaging app, which allows users to communicate for free across various devices, countries, and mobile carriers. Read on for the list of new cities.

More →

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CES
January 10, 2012
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Motorola and Intel enter into a multi-year, multi-device agreement for Intel-based devices

By on January 10, 2012 at 8:17 PM.

Motorola and Intel enter into a multi-year, multi-device agreement for Intel-based devices

Motorola joined Intel on stage at the Consumer Electronics Show on Tuesday, with the two companies announcing a major agreement. Motorola and Intel have entered into a multi-year, multi-device strategic partnership to incorporate Intel chips into Motorola’s Android tablets and smartphones. The first Intel-based smartphones will go through carrier validation this summer, with launch shortly after that. Read on for the press release. More →

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CES
January 10, 2012
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Lenovo K800 is the world’s first Intel-based smartphone

By on January 10, 2012 at 7:59 PM.

Lenovo K800 is the world’s first Intel-based smartphone

Lenovo and Intel took the stage at the Consumer Electronics Show on Tuesday to announce the world’s first Intel-based smartphone, the Lenovo K800. The device features a 4.5-inch HD 720p display and is heading first to China’s Unicom network during the second quarter of this year. Additionally, the K800 sports a 1.6GHz Intel processor and an 8-megapixel rear camera. Lenovo hasn’t announced when or even if the device will be available stateside.

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CES
January 10, 2012
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Sony Xperia S hands-on

By on January 10, 2012 at 7:49 PM.

Sony Xperia S hands-on

Sony came to this year’s Consumer Electronics Show with a pair of new Xperia smartphones and while they definitely look and feel like older devices in the company’s Xperia lineup in terms of design identity, they were much smoother than older Xperia models. The dual-core 1.5GHz processor in the Xperia S clearly plays a big role in speeding up Sony’s UI, and the 4.3-inch 720p Reality Display produces deep blacks and vivid colors. The UI itself is still one of our least favorite Android interfaces though, and the handset itself feels a bit light. The Xperia S also packs dual HD video cameras — a 12-megapixel camera on the back records 1080p HD video and the front facing camera supports 720p video chats — and the handset is PlayStation certified, giving it solid gaming capabilities without the added bulk of a dedicated controller as was the case with the Xperia Play. Pricing could make or break the Xperia S, but Sony hasn’t yet announced availability details. Check out our hands-on images of the Xperia S in the gallery below.

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CES
January 10, 2012
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Live from Intel’s CES 2012 keynote

By on January 10, 2012 at 7:20 PM.

Live from Intel’s CES 2012 keynote

Day 1 of the Consumer Electronics Show is drawing to a close, and a keynote featuring Intel is the perfect way to end the day. Intel is the driving force behind a seemingly endless line of devices that have helped shape the industry as we know it today, and this evening we should get a look at how Intel intends to continue driving innovation moving forward. Smartphones and tablets powered by the company’s next-generation Medfield processors will definitely be on display, and the company invested $300 million in ultrabooks so we’ll undoubtedly see a parade of slim new laptops on stage during the event as well. Will Intel have a few surprises up its sleeve? The keynote is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. Eastern / 4:30 p.m. Pacific, so hit the jump and tune in for our live coverage. More →

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CES
January 10, 2012
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Nokia Lumia 900 hands-on

By on January 10, 2012 at 4:27 PM.

Nokia Lumia 900 hands-on

Leading up to the Consumer Electronics Show this year, Nokia’s first Windows Phone for AT&T was definitely one of the smartphone announcements we were anticipating most anxiously. We were fans of the Lumia 800 when we reviewed it, but when our sources let us know that a bigger handset that maintained the Lumia 800′s design aesthetic would launch soon after CES, the 800 lost its luster. In line with our exclusive report, Nokia’s brand new Lumia 900 features the same unique design and build as the Lumia 800 Nokia launched last year, but there are two key differences that make this smartphone our clear favorite. It includes compatibility with AT&T’s new 4G LTE network, and it packs a larger 4.3-inch ClearBlack AMOLED display. The larger form factor was designed with the U.S. market in mind according to Nokia, and the size of the device is ideal. The Lumia 900′s build is outstanding as well, and Windows Phone 7.5 is beyond smooth thanks to the phone’s 1.4GHz Snapdragon processor. Nokia and AT&T haven’t yet revealed pricing or a launch date, but Nokia did say it will become available in the coming months. We can’t wait to review this gorgeous smartphone but in the mean time, check out our hands-on Lumia 900 photo gallery below.

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CES
January 10, 2012
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LG Viper 4G LTE hands-on

By on January 10, 2012 at 3:10 PM.

LG Viper 4G LTE hands-on

Sprint’s version of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is certainly the star of Sprint’s upcoming LTE device lineup for now, but a second 4G LTE smartphone was announced this week at the Consumer Electronics show that will offer early LTE adopters on Sprint’s network as solid second choice. Featuring a 4-inch display, a dual-core 1.2GHz processor and  Google Wallet support thanks to an NFC chip, the LG Viper 4G LTE is a well-equipped Android smartphone that will launch later this half of the year. It will have Android 2.3 Gingerbread at launch, but Sprint has promised an upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich shortly after the device is released. The device has a solid build and a great look thanks to the brushed metal-look back, and at the right price it could end up being a terrific option for Sprint subscribers. We’re looking forward to getting our hands on a review unit, but in the meantime, check out a few hands-on images of the LG Viper 4G LTE in the gallery below.

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CES
January 10, 2012
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Samsung Galaxy Nexus for Sprint hands-on

By on January 10, 2012 at 2:07 PM.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus for Sprint hands-on

If there was one phone on the market that could be considered the perfect starting point for Sprint’s 4G LTE smartphone lineup, it would be the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. We reviewed the international version of Samsung’s Android 4.0 smartphone this past November, and it was easily our favorite Android phone at that time. Despite the fact that a number of great looking smartphones have been unveiled at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, the Galaxy Nexus likely still ranks at the top of our list. Sprint’s version of this handset is identical to the Verizon Wireless version of the phone in terms of hardware, but there is one distinction that will likely make a number of Sprint customers happy: Google Wallet support. Beyond that, you’re looking at the same great pure Google phone that has been wooing Android fans since its announcement. Pricing and availability details haven’t been made available beyond confirmation of a launch in the first half, but check out our hands-on photos in the gallery below while we all wait for more details.

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CES
January 10, 2012
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Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S4 processor coming to TVs, notebooks, and smartphones early this year

By on January 10, 2012 at 1:08 PM.

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S4 processor coming to TVs, notebooks, and smartphones early this year

Qualcomm took the stage at the Consumer Electronics Show on Tuesday to highlight the company’s Snapdragon processor line. “Our latest S4 series Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets will set the bar higher,” said Qualcomm CEO Paul Jacobs. The S4 processor will be coming to TVs, notebooks, and smartphones later this year. Over 20 manufacturers have teamed up with Qualcomm, with over 70 device designs already in the pipeline. Lastly, Windows 8 will support both ARM and Snapdragon chipsets, with Qaulcomm working with Microsoft to deliver S4 processors featuring LTE connectivity. Read on for Qualcomm’s press release. More →

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