Today Google released Chrome For Android beta finally bringing their popular desktop browser to the mobile arena. Currently is only available for Android 4.0 ICS devices so not many will be able to run it now but that will change soon with more Android 4.0 devices coming out and older devices being updated. Google will also be separately developing Chrome For Android separate from the standard Android browser but I’m sure it won’t be too long before these two merge together into one.

Since it’s a beta we won’t give it a full official review but I’ll point out some of the key features from the beta that I like.

• Familiar Interface – If you have used Chrome before then Chrome For Android will look very familiar to you. The colors and the main page layout look very similar to what you see on the desktop version of Chrome.
• Fast Page Loading and Rendering – Pages load fast and accurately. I didn’t see many checkerboard waiting for the page to load up.
• Smooth scrolling and smooth pinch & zoom – Two key features of any mobile browser is how smooth is scrolling and pinch & zoom. This is best I’ve seen and android based browser do with both. I didn’t t see any lag or stuttering.
• Chrome Desktop & Mobile Syncing – This is great feature as you are able to sync all of your bookmarks between both your desktop and phone. there is also a separate section for mobile bookmarks as well. The best part of it is tab syncing which will let you see a list of tabs that are open on your desktop and let you access these tabs on the so you can take that cool webpage you just found with you on the go. Hopefully the syncing will include to extensions as well.
• Tabbed Browsing – While this is nothing new to mobile browsers I do like the way Chrome for Android does it. When you hit the tab icon you will see each open tab with an image of the contents within that tab. You can control how  far the tabs stack on top of each other and there is a really cool animation for when you close a tab fully.

There are many other features that we didn’t list here as I wanted to focus on the ones I felt were key.  For a beta this is solid and I would recommend every users with an Android 4.0 device to download and give it a try.  Google did very well with their first web browser so there isn’t any reason not to expect them to excel in the mobile web browser space too.

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The 4th installment in the DROID keyboard series is coming on February 10h for $199. The DROID 4 is touted as the thinnest QWERTY keyboard phone in the market and comes with a 4 inch qHD display, 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, 1 GB of RAM, 16 GB of storage, 8 megapixel rear facing camera with LED flash + 1080p HD video capture. The DROID 4 is touted as the “thinnest 4G LTE slider phone” with a 5 row backlit QWERTY keyboard. It’s going to ship with Android 2.3.5 gingerbread with Motorola’s user experiences on top of it and is upgradable to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Check out the hands on video from CES 2012.

Press Release:

DROID 4 By Motorola Ready To Work And Play On The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Network

Power, Speed and Reliability Get the Job Done

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — The award winning DROID 4 by Motorola will be available to handle even the most demanding lifestyles starting Feb. 10 in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com. Introduced at this year’s Consumer Electronic Show (CES), the DROID 4 is the thinnest and most powerful 4G QWERTY smartphone measuring at less than half an inch thin. DROID 4 not only features a dual-core 1.2 GHz processor, but also a five-row QWERTY keyboard with a PC-like layout and edge-lit keys for fast, precise typing, even in the dark. Powered by America’s fastest, most reliable 4G network, DROID 4 customers will have access to 4G LTE coverage in 195 markets covering more than 200 million people.

Additional features

• Verizon Wireless 4G LTE – Customers can expect fast download speeds of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of 2 to 5 Mbps in 4G LTE Mobile Broadband coverage areas
• Android™ 2.3.5 Gingerbread, to be upgraded to Android™ 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
• 4.0-inch qHD display with scratch and scrape resistant glass
• Government-grade encryption (FIPS 140-2) for email, calendar and contacts; preloaded with Citrix® Receiver™ for Android (available in webtop) for desktop virtualization and access
• 8-megapixel camera with 1080p HD video capture
• Front-facing camera for video chat
• 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot supporting up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices

Business Ready

DROID 4 is designed to help customers get more done. Business professionals can impress their audience by presenting to a conference room full of potential customers in a snap by plugging the DROID 4 into an HDTV and presenting directly from the phone. Professionals can also combine the DROID 4 with the Lapdock 500 and its 14-inch display to create a full-featured mobile office. They can download documents, make edits using Lapdock’s full keyboard and email the updated documents to colleagues or customers. The Lapdock even features a built-in webcam so customers can attend virtual meetings and manage their business face-to-face.

The Smart Actions app on the DROID 4 helps automate everyday tasks and optimizes battery efficiency by letting customers create rules, such as automatically setting the phone to vibrate during work hours or dimming the display at a specific battery level.

Business professionals can leave their laptops behind and use the MotoCast™ app to remotely stream documents, videos, music and pictures from their work or home computers to their handset. The remote access of MotoCast eliminates the need to store documents on the handset as everything is stored on their office laptop.

Pricing and availability

• DROID 4 by Motorola will be available on Feb. 10 in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online atwww.verizonwireless.com for $199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement.
• The Lapdock 500 is available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online for $299.97.
• Customers that purchase a DROID 4 will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan beginning at $39.99 monthly access and a smartphone data package starting at $30 monthly access for 2 GB of data.

The DROID RAZR MAXX didn’t take too long to come our after the original DROID RAZR after its début at CES 2012 and less than three months from the originals release. The missions the RAZR MAXX has is to give you a large battery but keep the same slim and thin design and close as possible. Do they succeed in this mission?

Hardware & Design

The design is nearly identical to the first DROID RAZR with a 4.3 inch Super AMOLED Advance display with qHD resolution that’s protected behind Gorilla Glass and a Kevlar backing to keep your device well protected from damage. They also put a water-resistant coating on the internal electrical components so that if they get wet the water beads off. Internally you have a 1.2 GHz TI OMAP 4430 dual-core processor, 1 GB or RAM, 16 GB of on-board storage (11.5 available to you)  with another 16 GB micro SD card included, 4G LTE data, 1.3 megapixel front facing camera and 8.0 megapixel rear facing camera with LED flash plus 1080p video capture. You can see our sample video and pictures below. The camera is good but you will get some grain in the pictures if you’re not in perfect lighting conditions.

The biggest difference in the hardware is the 3300mAH battery inside that Motorola claims that you get 21.5 hours of talk time and 380 of standby time.All this while keeping a slim 8.9mm frame. Does the RAZR MAXX live up to this claim?

Software & Usability

For software the device runs Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread with Motorola’s user interface on top. Much of the software is similar to many other Motorola devices so we will get into some of those apps later. The main feature here is the battery life. In our test we setup the device as a user would normally use it.

Battery Test Setup:

• 3 Email Accounts
• Facebook & 2 Twitter Accounts
• Google Music, Google Voice
• Netflix and YouTube streaming
• Bluetooth Streaming Audio
• 10 Phone calls (Avg 10 min/Call)
• All settings set as they were “out of the box”

The phone was unplugged and off the charger Sunday 9:30 am and after 12 hours the battery was at 50%. From there we continued the test until he battery died fully Monday 9:30pm which gives you a maximum battery life of 36 hours. This is tremendous results especially for a power user. I’m sure once you start to tweak the settings with brightness, data connections and Motorola’s Smart Actions software you can get even better results. It’s also upgradeable to Android 4.0 which will improved the battery life even more.

Also included with standard Verizon apps such as VCast, VZ Navigator, Mobile Hotspot and My Verizon there are Motorola specific  apps such as MOTOACTV for fitness, MOTOPRINT for wireless print sharing and MOTOCAST which lets you stream any content from your computer anywhere over a 4G LTE connection a file manager that lets you move and manage files between the internal storage, SD card storage shared folders and  MOTOCAST connection computers and mention earlier Smart Actions which the phone will automate certain tasks based on how you set them via date, time, location, app etc.  A solid package of apps that make the DROID RAZR MAXX a well-rounded experience.

Overall

The Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX makes you wish that this device came out at the same time or in place of the original one. The beefed up battery is much appreciated and while doesn’t solve all the issues with Android and battery life it does help the power user out there have confidence that they will get through a whole day and not have to worry about running for a charger or changing they way they use the smartphone around. This is a recommended buy for anyone looking to grab an android device on Verizon even over the original Motorola DROID RAZR.

Samsung and AT&T announced today that you will be able to get your hands on (for some maybe two-hands) the Samsung Galaxy Note starting February 19th. The smartphone tablet hybrid is noted for its large 5.3 inch  HD Super AMOLED display with at 1280 x 800 resolution and comes with a S-Pen for stylus input. Other noted features is a 1.4 GHz dual-core processor, 1 GB or RAM, 16 GB or 32 GB storage options, 8 megapixel rear-facing camera with 1080p HD video capture, 2 megapixel front-facing camera for video chat and will ship with Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread with Touch Wiz UI on top and include apps such as S-Memo which will let you capture pictures, voice recordings, typed text, handwritten notes or drawings into a memo to share or edit the way you want.  Check out our hands on video of the Samsung Galaxy Note at CES 2012.  Pre-orders start February 5th

Press Release:

create, capture and share in new ways with the samsung galaxy note, available from at&t feb. 19

AT&T’s Latest 4G LTE Device Offers Customers a New Way to

Communicate and Collaborate

 

DALLAS, Jan. 30, 2012 –

 

Key Facts

· Previously announced at AT&T’s Developer Summit leading up to the International Consumer Electronics Show earlier this month, the Samsung Galaxy Note™ arrives in carbon blue and ceramic white at AT&T* stores beginning Feb. 19 for $299.99 with a two-year agreement.

· Customers excited to get their hands on this dream device even earlier can pre-order at http://www.att.com/galaxynote or any AT&T company-owned retail store beginning Sunday, Feb. 5 for delivery by Feb. 17.

· The Galaxy Note combines the best features of a smartphone with the larger viewing screen of a tablet and advanced technology in the S Pen™ — delivering an all-in-one device that allows users to work more efficiently and maintain productivity, while communicating in a unique, personal way.

· Galaxy Note boasts the world’s first 5.3-inch HD Super AMOLED™ screen (1280×800), one of the largest screens on a smartphone, for sharp, clear colors and readability – both indoors and out.  With the expansive high-resolution screen that provides an immersive viewing experience, customers can take full advantage of the large display, to create and consume more.

·The Galaxy Note includes a highly advanced tool called the S Pen, which delivers fast, responsive and precise control to create fine lines and detail on the device display, much like an ink pen and pad of paper.  With the S Pen, users can easily sketch drawings, jot down notes, or write emails and texts quickly and easily in free-form handwriting.

· S Memo™, a multimedia application designed to capture all forms of user-created content captured by the S Pen, allows for pictures, voice recordings, typed text, handwritten notes or drawings to be combined via a single application, converted to a ‘memo’, and shared as desired.

·It also includes a smart professional planning tool that makes full use of the device’s large screen. The calendar integrates the phone’s to-do list and schedule; control and navigation is intuitive, helping customers comprehensively organize their lives.

·An easy screen-capture function also allows users to instantly save any screen, which can also be annotated with the S Pen before being saved or shared.

·Users can communicate in personal, creative ways expanding beyond traditional sharing methods with the Galaxy Note.

 

Accessories

The Galaxy Note features a unique portfolio of custom designed optional accessories including:

·Desktop Dock to get the most out of your Galaxy Note at home

·Spare Battery Charging System that allows for a convenient backup charging solution

·Protective Flip Cover Case, available in multiple colors including tan, black, pink, red, white, blue.

·Galaxy Note S Pen Holder Kit which offers a solution for users in need of a more traditional writing instrument. With a spare S Pen included, the S Pen Holder secures the navigation tool inside and offers a comfortable grip and allows for more detailed use.

 

The Galaxy Note is also compatible with the following universal accessories:  Micro USB Adapter, HDTV Smart Adapter, Car Power Charger with Detachable Data Cable (Micro USB), Micro USB Data Cable, Travel Charger (Detachable with USB to Micro USB Cable), and the premium Refined Sound wired headset.

 

Pre-Orders

Beginning Sunday, Feb. 5 customers will have the option to pre-order the Note at http://www.att.comgalaxynote or by visiting an AT&T company-owned retail store.  Pre-orders processed by Feb. 15 will arrive by Feb. 17 at customers’ homes.

 

Quote

“The Galaxy Note brings a new level of efficiency to busy customers who would normally rely on multiple devices,” said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president, Devices, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets.  “This new breed of smartphone helps consumers accomplish more with a single device than ever before.  The unique all-in-one experience can simplify daily life while tapping into AT&T’s4G LTE network to let customers work even faster.”

 

Limited 4G LTE availability in select markets.  4G speeds delivered by LTE, or HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul, where available.  Deployment ongoing.  Compatible device and data plan required. LTE is a trademark of ETSI.  Learn more at att.com/network.

 

Limited-time offer. Samsung Galaxy Note requires a new 2-yr wireless agreement with voice (min $39.99/mo) and min monthly data plan ($20/mo). Subject to Wireless Customer Agrmt. Credit approval req’d. Activ fee $36/line. Geographic, usage and other terms, conditions and restrictions apply, and may result in svc termination. Coverage and svcs not avail everywhere. Taxes and other charges apply. Data (att.com/dataplans): If usage exceeds your monthly data allowance, you will automatically be charged overage for additional data provided. Early Termination Fee(att.com/equipmentETF): After 30 days, ETF up to $325. Restocking fee up to $35. Other Monthly Charges/line may include a Regulatory Cost Recovery Charge (up to $1.25), a gross receipts surcharge, federal and state universal svc charges, fees and charges for other gov’t assessments. These are not taxes or gov’t req’d charges. Visit a store or att.com/wireless to learn more about wireless devices and services from AT&T.

 

*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.

The Spectrum by LG is a follow-up to the LG Revolution. It comes with improves specs with a 1.5 GHz Snapdragon processor, 1 GB of RAM, 4.5 inch AH-IPS HD display with 1280×720 resolution, 4 GB of built-in storage plus a 16 GB micro SD card pre-installed, 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, 8.0 megapixel rear-facing camera with LED flash plus 1080p HD video capture and 4G LTE data speeds. It’s available January 19th and will ship with Android 2.3 Gingerbread but the specs are good enough to run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich so we hope to see an update to that in the future. It will retail for $199.99 on a two-year agreement.

The DROID RAZR MAXX is an update to the original DROID and aimed for the mobile professionally on the go. Much of the specs are the same as the DROID RAZR with a 4.3 inch Super AMOLED Advanced display with qHD resolution, 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, 1 GB of dual-channel RAM, 8 megapixel rear facing camera with 1080p HD video capture, front-facing 1.3 megapixel camera that has 720p HD video capture, 4G LTE and Android 2.3.5 but is upgradable to Android 4.0 ICS.  The biggest change is the battery as it sports a 3300 MAh battery to give you an estimated talk time of 21.5 hours and standby time of 380 hours.

The LG Viper is equipped with a 4 inch LG NOVA display, 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, 5.0 megapixel camera with HD video capture, VGA front-facing camera,  4GB of storage with a micro SD card slot that supports up to 32 GB of storage.  it will be running Android 2.3.7 and looks to be a stock user experience. See our hands-on video.

Press Release:

Sprint Continues the Momentum for LTE Launch by Unveiling Three Initial 4G LTE Devices – Galaxy Nexus, LG Viper and Sierra Wireless Tri-Network Hotspot

Customers in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio are expected to enjoy ultra-fast 4G LTE service and an improved 3G wireless experience before middle of year

LAS VEGAS (BUSINESS WIRE), January 09, 2012 – Sprint (NYSE:S) today announced the initial group of devices that will operate on its 4G LTE network – Galaxy Nexus™, boasting a pure Google™ experience, LG Viper™ 4G LTE with eco-friendly features and Sierra Wireless™ Tri-Network Hotspot, 3G, 4G and 4G LTE mobile hotspot. Full product specifications, pricing and availability will be shared closer to each device’s launch date.

The debut of these devices is a key element of Network Vision, Sprint’s plan to consolidate multiple network technologies into one seamless solution. With Network Vision, Sprint customers can expect to enjoy ultra-fast data speeds, improved 3G voice and data quality, and stronger in-building signal penetration providing a more valuable wireless experience and enhancing the value of current unlimited plans.

“The first three products that will run on the Sprint 4G LTE network exemplify the cutting-edge technology our customers can expect from Sprint as we progress with our 4G LTE rollout,” said Steve Elfman, president of Network, Wholesale and Product Development for Sprint. “Galaxy Nexus packs industry-leading features and the best of Google into a beautiful design while LG Viper 4G LTE continues Sprint’s commitment to green devices that don’t sacrifice speed or technology. These products combine with our unlimited data pricing plans to give Sprint customers a powerful wireless experience.”

On Jan. 5, Sprint CEO Dan Hesse announced that customers in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio are expected to be among the first to benefit from 4G LTE and improved 3G coverage in the first half of 2012. Additional areas that will receive 3G enhancements and 4G LTE expansion in 2012 will be announced later in the year.

Approximately 15 4G LTE devices are currently on track to be launched in 2012 including handsets, tablets and data cards. Additionally, 4G devices, including HTC EVO™ Design 4G, Samsung Epic™ 4G Touch and Nexus S™ 4G, will continue to be sold in 2012.

The new 4G LTE smartphones will benefit from Sprint Everything plans including the Everything Data Plan with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM offering unlimited data, texting and calling to and from any mobile phone in America while on the Sprint Network. With Sprint’s unlimited data plans, customers don’t have to worry about throttling or surprises on their monthly bill from data overage charges like they might with tiered data plans from other carriers.

Sprint’s unlimited data plans also benefit NBA fans. As the Official Wireless Service Partner of the NBA, Sprint exclusively offers Sprint NBA Mobile on Android phones, including the upcoming 4G LTE LG Viper. This new custom app provides in-game and post-game video highlights, news, scores, stats and live home and away radio broadcasts to NBA fans.

Robust Features at 4G LTE Speeds

Pairing the beauty of Samsung hardware with a pure Google experience, Galaxy Nexus on Sprint is built on Android™ 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich. Ice Cream Sandwich brings an entirely new look and feel to Android. It has a redesigned user interface with improved multi-tasking, notifications, Wi-Fi hotspot, NFC support and a full web browsing experience. Galaxy Nexus features software navigation buttons, a first for Android smartphones. The lock screen, home screen, phone app and everything in between has been rethought and redesigned to make Android simple, beautiful and useful.

Ice Cream Sandwich introduces innovations such as Face Unlock, which uses facial recognition to unlock your phone. Using NFC (Near Field Communications) technology, Android Beam allows users to quickly share web pages, apps and YouTube™ videos with friends by simply tapping phones together. Users can even video chat with up to 10 friends with Google+ Hangouts for mobile. Galaxy Nexus will also be Sprint’s second smartphone enabled with NFC supporting Google Wallet, enabling the phone to be used like a wallet to make safe, secure purchases at hundreds of thousands of participating retailers.

Green without Compromising Speed

LG Viper 4G LTE brings customers the benefit of eco-friendly features without missing out on speed or the latest technology. Initial eco-friendly features include a charger with a no-load consumption rating of .03W, which exceeds the EC Code of Conduct on energy efficiency and the casing is made of 35 percent recycled plastics. Additional details will be provided closer to availability.

Powered by Android 2.3, Gingerbread, LG Viper 4G LTE is equipped with a 1.2GHz dual core processor and two cameras – a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera and a VGA front-facing camera that makes face-to-face video calls a fun and easy experience. It offers a 4-inch WVGA NOVA display, hotspot capability and a microSD™ slot supporting up to 32GB. It is also compatible with DLNA-capable devices.

As a Sprint ID smartphone, LG Viper 4G LTE allows users to cut through the clutter of more than 400,000 apps in Android Market™ by selecting from a variety of mobile ID packs featuring apps, ringers, wallpapers, widgets and more. Currently available Sprint ID packs include Green, Fashion and Beauty, E!™, MTV™ Music, CMT and NASCAR Sprint Cup. In addition, LG Viper 4G LTE is NFC-enabled and capable of providing Google Wallet.

Hotspot Combines 4G LTE, 4G WiMAX and 3G

Sprint expands its mobile broadband portfolio with its first 4G LTE mobile broadband device, Sierra Wireless™ Tri-Network Hotspot. It will be the first tri-network (3G, 4G and 4G LTE) mobile hotspot and will easily allow families, small businesses and traveling co-workers to share their high-speed connection.

With Sierra Wireless™ Tri-Network Hotspot, customers can extend their Sprint 3G/4G experience beyond just their laptops to up to eight Wi-Fi® enabled devices, such as cameras, music players, personal media players and portable game consoles. In addition, its microSD™ slot allows teams to share files and presentations with network storage. It is simple to set up with no software required.

For the most up-to-date details on Sprint’s 4G LTE rollout, please visit www.sprint.com/4GLTE.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served more than 53 million customers at the end of 3Q 2011 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. The 2011 American Customer Satisfaction Index showed Sprint is the #1 most improved company in customer satisfaction, across all industries, over the last three years. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 3 in its 2011 Green Rankings, listing it as one of the nation’s greenest companies, the highest of any telecommunications company. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.

Samsung continues to push the boundaries for tablets and mobile devices. They believe that there is a size for everyone and the Galaxy Tab 7.7 LTE may be just for you. It comes with a 7.7 inch Super AMOLED HD display, 3.0 megapixel rear facing camera with LED flash and 720p HD video capture, front facing 2.0 megapixel camera for video chat. The software will be android 3.2 Gingerbread with Samsun’s Touch Wiz UI on top of it. Check out the video for more info.

Press Release:

SAMSUNG MOBILE AND VERIZON WIRELESS

UNVEIL 4G LTE-ENABLED SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB^™ 7.7 AT 2012 CES

 

World’s Thinnest 4G LTE Tablet and First Tablet in the United States to Feature Super AMOLED^™ Plus Display

 

LAS VEGAS and BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – From the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), today announced that the SamsungGalaxy Tab^™ 7.7 will be available on the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network in the coming weeks.  Verizon Wireless leads the way in 4G with the fastest and most reliable 4G network in the United States, covering more than 200 million people in 190 markets.  The Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 will be on display at CES 2012 in Verizon Wireless’ booth (Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall, Booth #30259) and in the Samsung booth (Las Vegas Convention Center, Central Hall, Booth #12004).

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 boasts a brilliant Super AMOLED^™ Plus touchscreen display, allowing customers to watch movies, view pictures and play games that come to life in high-definition 720p (1280×800) resolution.  The Galaxy Tab 7.7  features a 1.4 GHz dual-core processor and HTML 5 Web browser to quickly access the Web, stream music and more at blazing speeds using the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network.  The Galaxy Tab 7.7 measures just 7.9 millimeters thin (less than half an inch) and weighs only 340 grams (roughly 12 oz), making this tablet one of the most portable premium and stylish tablets available.

The Galaxy Tab 7.7 features Peel Smart Remote that allows customers to find and watch their favorite TV shows and discover new shows based on their preferences through built-in infrared blaster.  Customers can also control their home entertainment system using Peel Smart Remote regardless of manufacturer with the Tab 7.7, all with the tap of a finger.  Additionally, the Galaxy Tab 7.7 will launch as a SAFE^™ certified device.  The SAFE certification signifies that the Tab 7.7 is equipped with an exclusive suite of security features that deliver enterprise-friendly capabilities to help safeguard sensitive data and communications, including Mobile Device Management (MDM), on-device Encryption, Virtual Private Network (VPN) and corporate email, calendar and contacts.

Additional features:

· Samsung TouchWiz^™ – Designed with Live Panels for customizing the home screen with digital pictures, favorite Web sites and social network feeds.  In addition, the TouchWiz UX includes a Mini Apps tray of commonly used features, such as task manager, calendar and music player which can be launched while other apps are already in use.  The clipboard feature allows customers to copy and paste texts and images.

·Mobile Hotspot capability – Share your 4G LTE connection with up to 10 Wi-Fi enabled devices or 3G connection with up to 5 Wi-Fi enabled devices

· Android^™ 3.2, Honeycomb – Supports Google™ Mobile Services including Gmail^™, YouTube^™, Google Talk^™, Google Search^™, Google Maps^™, and access to Google Books™, movie rentals, and more than 400,000 apps on Android Market™

· Samsung Apps – Samsung Apps is a recommendation engine that aggregates over 50,000 apps from the Android Market that are optimized for Honeycomb. Samsung Apps also adds a social element by allowing consumers to share the apps they like with friends on Facebook^®.

·Samsung Media Hub – Offering a vast lineup of critically acclaimed films and TV programs for rent or purchase (TV content can only be purchased)

· Samsung Social Hub – Built around messaging, which allows customers to send and receive information, whether it is email (Exchange, POP3/IMAP), social network updates (Twitter^™, Facebook and LinkedIn^®)

·3-megapixel rear-facing camera with LED flash and full 720p recording and 1080p playback (1080p playback through HDMI dock or adapter)

·Front-facing 2-megapixel camera for video chat

· QuickOffice^® Pro HD – Get the most powerful office productivity suite for Android Honeycomb tablets with advanced Microsoft^® Office editing, SmartTouch^™technology and Connected File Manager with integrated remote storage access

·Wi-Fi Direct – Customers can connect to their Wi-Fi-enabled portable devices and seamlessly transfer music, videos and other data over an adhoc Wi-Fi connection

· AllShare^™ App – Enables inter-device connectivity through Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), so customers can send multimedia content wirelessly to other DLNA-enabled devices such as TVs and laptops

·Wi-Fi Connectivity (802.11 a/b/g/n)

·16 GB on board storage (actual formatted capacity is less)

· Support for up to 32 GB  microSD^™ card

Accessories:

·Keyboard Dock – Full-size dock with tablet hotkeys that activate key features of the Galaxy Tab 7.7 including Internet, email and music/video controls; charging and data sync capabilities (cables not included); 3.5mm stereo audio output for connection to external speakers (cable not included)

·Multimedia Dock – Portrait viewing format for desktop display; fitted cradle and weighted base to keep your Galaxy Tab in place; built-in HDMI out port; 3.5mm stereo audio output for connection to external speakers (cable not included) and charging capabilities

·USB/SD Adapter Connection Kit – 30-pin to SD adapter for sharing multimedia files with your Tab via an SD or microSD device.  USB adapter allows customers to connect an array of USB capable devices such as a mouse, keyboard, thumb drive, camera, Samsung printers, and more

·HDTV Adapter – Powered HDMI cable for video and audio streaming from your Tab to a compatible HDTV; support for HD video up to 1080p; simultaneous charging while streaming

·Book Cover Case – Ultra-slim fit with full access to all buttons and ports. Stands the tablet in landscape for optimal media viewing or as a keyboard stand for typing

 

For more information about Verizon at CES, visit www.verizonwireless.com/ces or follow Verizon Wireless news on Twitter at @VZWnews.

Originally not to come to the US the Samsung Galaxy Note is a unique hybrid of smartphone and a tablet. It  comes with a 5.3 inch 1280×800 HD Super AMOLED display, 1.4 GHz dual-core processor, 1 GB or RAM, 16 GB or 32 GB storage options, 8 megapixel rear-facing camera with 1080p HD video capture. I will use S-Pen technology for the stylus input and will run Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread.  It will be interesting how the market reacts when this device is launched. Is it going to be too big for a phone, too small for a tablet or just the right size to solve both answers. Check out our hands-on demo.

The Xperia ION is a new flagship phone for Sony who purchased their cell phone division fully from Ericsson last year. It’s Sony’s first 4G LTE phone and is exclusive to AT&T. It packs a massive 4.6 inch 1280×720 HD display, 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, 1 GB or RAM, 16 GB of build-in storage, a powerful 12 Megapixel camera with LED flash plus 1080p HD video capture. It will run Android 2.3 Gingerbread with Sony’s UI customizations but will be upgradable to Android 4.0 ICS in the future. This phone I really like here from Sony. Pushing power and high camera specs with LTE data speeds should equal success here. Check out our hands-on demo.