Well, it’s here. The boys in Cupertino released the highly-anticipated iPad 2 last Friday at 5:00pm. Like any Starbucks-drinking metrosexual urbanite worth his salt, I took a half day at work in order to play a few hours of Call of Duty get my ass to a Best Buy, hop in line, and ensure I copped the shiny, new piece of gadgetry. Two hours later, I had my hands on the next iteration of Apple’s tablet. So is it worth the hype? That, my friends, is up for you to decide.

Let’s get the specs out of the way. The iPad 2 features:

• dual-core, 1 GHz A5 processors
• 512 MB of RAM
• 2 cameras (“VGA quality” front-facing, 720p rear-facing)
• Gyroscope
• 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB storage configurations

To put this in perspective, the original iPad touted a single core, 1 Ghz A4 processor, half the amount of RAM, no cameras, no gyroscope, and same storage configuration. With these appreciable upgrades, Apple still managed to squeeze all those components into a 33% thinner, lighter, form factor than the original. In other words, it’s pretty much a Jessica Simpson vs. Megan Fox battle going on here; one’s a tad thicker and slower than the other, but you wouldn’t feel embarrassed holding either.

Perhaps the most impressive feat of all is retaining the same phenomenal battery life. While Apple claims 10 hours of battery life, most reviewers found that during normal usage, battery life exceeded expectations.

Still, spec whores will be spec whores. Detractors will groan about the lack of USB ports, SD card slot, and flash support. I don’t find these omissions too concerning, but your mileage may vary. The biggest complaint bouncing ’round the blogosphere, and one that I can empathize with, is the fairly poor quality of still shots taken with the built-in cameras. Unless you’re snapping photos in an obscenely well-lit area (like, say, the surface of the sun), you’re going to get grainy-ass photos. True, video quality is much better than the still shots on this thing, but I was hoping for something a little more substantial.  As it stands, the iPhone 4 holds the crown for the best photos on an iOS device.  That being said, I doubt any amateur or professional photographers were planning on replacing their DSLRs with an iPad anyway. It’s clear that the Apple’s primary reason for including these cameras is for usage in FaceTime video calls, and with those expectations, the cameras get the job done.  Those gripes aside, the iPad 2 is clearly a superior device to its predecessor.

But hardware means nothing without decent software to run on it. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is where this thing really shines. On the iPad 2, most apps feel snappier than on the 1st generation device. News apps, like CNN and The Daily, flood the senses with text, audio, video, and interactive content almost instantaneously. The excellent Reeder app makes keeping up with your favorite RSS feeds feel less like a chore and reminds you why you even signed up for them in the first place. I’m currently 75 pages into an e-book I purchased in iBooks and, contrary to my expectations, I’ve found reading for pleasure on the iPad actually enjoyable. (Just be sure to set the background color to sepia and adjust the brightness as desired to make things easier on the eyes for prolonged reading.)  I can only speak for the WiFi model, but web-browsing is quicker and thus more enjoyable, partly due to the Nitro JavaScript engine implemented in iOS 4.3, but also in part to the improved tech found within the tablet.  And let’s not forget the best part: developers will continue to enhance and create software to leverage the power of the iPad 2 as they’ve done for the iPhone.  With 9x the graphics capabilities of the 1st generation, I can only imagine how good some games are going to look on this thing.

To cut to the chase, this is a perfect example of a product whose whole is greater than the sum of its parts. On their own, the components found within this device may not be up to snuff with those found in dedicated devices, like e-readers, cameras, camcorders and so on. But the iPad is not supposed to be the best at any of those things.  It, like the iPhone, is  a solid, well-designed product that empowers consumers to get stay connected, have fun, and get things done without a lot of fuss or headache.  Skeptics have dismissed the iPad as an oversized iPod touch, and the iPad 2 is unlikely to make believers out of any of them.  But for those who’ve held out for the next generation and appreciate the Apple philosophy–the marriage of hardware and software to create a superior, enjoyable user experience–you won’t be disappointed.

Today AT&T announce two brand new high end android and windows phone coming to their lineup.  The LG Thrill 4G is better know by many as the Optimus 3D. The phone will be the first phone in the US to have glasses free 3D screen on a phone. The HD7S has the same specs as the HD7 on T-Mobile but has a Sony Super LCD screen on it.  The LG Thrill 4G will be available in the coming months and the HD7S in the coming weeks.

Key Specs:

LG Thrill

• Android 2.2
• 4.3 inch glasses free 3D touchscreen display
• 1 Ghz dual core processor
• 5 Megapixel 3D camera
• 16GB of storage
• 4G data speeds

HTC HD7S

• Windows Phone 7 OS
• 4.3 inch touch screen display with a Sony SuperLCD
• 5 Megapixel camera with Dual LED flash
• 16 GB of storage

Press Release:

AT&T Takes Smartphone Customers into a New Dimension

Pair of 4.3-inch Smartphones For Best-in-Class Portfolio Include the LG Thrill 4G With Glasses-free 3D Experience, in Addition to the HTC HD7S, an Exciting Addition to the Windows Phone Portfolio

Dallas, Texas, March 21, 2011

Key Facts

• AT&T* announced two new leading-edge smartphones, the LG Thrill 4G and the HTC HD7S, will be added to the industry’s best portfolio of mobile phones.
• The LG Thrill 4G is the first U.S. smartphone that will feature a ”glasses-free” 4.3-inch stereoscopic 3D display plus 4G speed capability on the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network.
• Beyond its 3D screen, the LG Thrill 4G features a dual-core, 1 GHz processor, and a 5-megapixel dual-camera that allows you to shoot and share high definition videos and images in 3D.
• The HTC HD7S adds to the best portfolio of Windows Phones with its 4.3-inch, WVGA, super LCD display, 1 GHz processor and 5-megapixel camera with dual-LED flash.

LG Thrill 4G

The LG Thrill 4G will be exclusive to AT&T customers and reach AT&T stores in the coming months.  Running the first dual-core, dual-channel 1 GHz processor in the U.S. and based on the Android 2.2 platform, LG Thrill 4G will be among the first to deliver a glasses-free 3D experience to U.S. customers and will allow users to shoot 3D video and 3D stills with the dual 5-megapixel stereoscopic camera.  In addition to apps and games from Android Market, LG Thrill 4G will offer 3D content via the “LG 3D Space,” which houses 3D games, video clips and images for quick, convenient access.

Preloaded with 16 GB of memory (8 GB onboard plus an 8 GB MicroSD card), the LG Thrill 4G will record 3D video at 720p resolution and 2D at 1080p quality.  The smartphone will be able to play video back in high definition through the HDMI-out port on the device or stream content wirelessly through DLNA technology.

HTC HD7S

The HTC HD7S will be the largest screen on a Windows Phone from AT&T and will include the latest version of Windows Phone software that offers many new benefits including the ability to copy and paste text.  A powerful 1 GHz processor will power the unique Windows Phone experience and any of the more than 10,000 applications available for download or purchase from Windows Marketplace. In addition, with the preloaded U-verse® Mobile application, qualifying AT&T U-verse customers can download and watch hit TV shows on their Windows Phone.  Non-U-verse customers can subscribe to U-verse Mobile for $9.99 a month and choose from a broad selection of programming to watch on their Windows Phone.  This new AT&T smartphone will be the first HD7 model from HTC in the U.S. with an improved super LCD high resolution display. The HTC HD7S will be available in company-owned AT&T retail locations and online at www.wireless.att.com in the coming weeks.

Quotes         

“AT&T customers know that we offer the best lineup of cutting-edge smartphones in the country.  Our first 3D phone plus a new, leading Windows Phone underscore our commitment to continue to offer the best,” said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president, Devices, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “2011 is going to be another landmark year for us with more best-in-class devices.”

AT&T Smartphone Portfolio         

AT&T is the leader in smartphones and expects to widen that lead in 2011. The LG Thrill 4G is the latest proof point in AT&T’s commitment to an industry-leading Android portfolio in the U.S., including 12 new Android smartphones in 2011.  For further details please visit www.att.com/thrill4g.  AT&T is the leader in Windows Phones, offering the only portfolio of Windows Phone 7 devices, now including the HTC HD7S with its 4.3-inch screen.   For further details visit www.att.com/htchd7s.

The LG Thrill 4G is one of more than 20 4G devices AT&T plans to deliver in 2011. AT&T has completed the deployment of HSPA+ to virtually 100 percent of its mobile broadband network, which enables 4G speeds when combined with Ethernet or fiber backhaul.

4G speeds delivered by HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul. Available in limited areas. Availability increasing with ongoing backhaul deployment. Requires 4G device. Learn more at att.com/network. Actual speeds experienced will vary and depend on several factors, including device, location, capacity, facilities, and other conditions.

Important Information about 3D. Response to viewing 3D content varies by individual. Some viewers may experience discomfort (such as eye strain, eye fatigue, dizziness or nausea) while watching 3D content. If you experience any such symptoms, immediately discontinue use of the 3D function and do not resume until the symptoms have subsided. Viewing 3D content for an extended period of time may increase the likelihood of the above symptoms. Frequent breaks are recommended when using 3D functions. Parents should speak to a physician before allowing children under the age of 5 to view 3D content.

*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.

Geographic and service restrictions apply to AT&T U-verse services. Call or go to www.att.com/u-verse to see if you qualify. U-verse Mobile: Download and watch capability available for select content and requires select devices, Wi-Fi connection, and qualifying U-verse TV plan or monthly subscription fee. Standard data charges may apply.

About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse^® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT. Find us on Facebook atwww.Facebook.com/ATT to discover more about our consumer and wireless services or atwww.Facebook.com/ATTSmallBiz to discover more about our small business services.

^© 2011 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. Mobile broadband not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Information set forth in this press release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially. A discussion of factors that may affect future results is contained in AT&T’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AT&T disclaims any obligation to update and revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise.

Samsung announced this morning that starting this week Epic 4G and Galaxy Tab owners will receive an update to their devices. The Epic 4G update will include Android 2.2 (Froyo) finally and both the Epic 4G and the Galaxy Tab will include Sprint ID packs which were seen on the Samsung Transform which the Sprint ID packs we were not to fond of but hopefully they have gone back and improved on it since.

Full Press Release:

Samsung Epic 4G and Samsung Galaxy Tab Now Sprint ID-Enabled, Bringing Unique Mobile Experience to 4G and Tablets for First Time

Sprint ID quickly customizes device with apps, widgets, ringtones and more in a single download, based on customers’ interests or favorite brands; Most popular Sprint ID pack downloads include Yahoo!, MTV Music ID and ESPN ID

Software update delivering Sprint ID will also include Android 2.2 (Froyo)

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – March 21, 2011 – Sprint (NYSE: S) today announced that its award-winning Samsung Epic™ 4G* and Samsung Galaxy Tab™ will be Sprint ID-enabled, beginning March 21, allowing customers who own these devices to download a complete mobile experience, called an “ID pack” – including apps, widgets, ringtones, wallpapers, shortcuts and more – tailored to their specific interests, business needs or favorite brands in a single download.

All existing Samsung Epic 4G and Samsung Galaxy Tab owners will be prompted this week to accept the over-the-air software update in their device’s notification tab. Once the update is installed, the user can find the Sprint ID icon in their Applications Menu and begin experiencing Sprint ID. All users should have access to this new software update by March 24.

The software update for Samsung Epic 4G will also include the Android 2.2 (Froyo) operating system update.  This update will add numerous capabilities, including Adobe Flash Player 10.1, Bluetooth dialing and allows app installation to external storage.

Customers who purchase a new Samsung Epic 4G or Samsung Galaxy Tab can access Sprint ID from their Applications Menu when they turn it on for the first time. Customers can learn more about how to use Sprint ID on their device by visiting www.sprint.com/epicsupport or www.sprint.com/galaxytabsupport.

Sprint ID launched in October 2010 on three devices – LG Optimus S™, Sanyo Zio™ and Samsung Transform™ – with 16 consumer lifestyle ID packs targeting specific interests including Home Base, Health & Fitness, Fashion & Beauty, Socially Connected, Business Pro, Golf Enthusiast, Auto Enthusiast, The Big Apple and Entertainment, as well as branded ID packs from Yahoo!, WHERE and Lo2Yo by LatCel. Since launch, brands that have deployed Sprint ID packs include MTV, ESPN and HSN. Select ID packs will be available for download onto Samsung Galaxy Tab.

Customers with Sprint ID-capable devices can download up to five ID packs onto their phone and easily switch back and forth between them or swap them out for new ones. Sprint customers currently are downloading an average of two ID packs per device. Sprint ID packs are free to download with an Everything Data plan.

“We are very pleased with the success of Sprint ID and excited to expand this rich mobile experience to customers with these two popular devices – Samsung Epic 4G and Samsung Galaxy Tab,” said John Carney, senior vice president consumer marketing at Sprint. “Sprint ID handset sales have exceeded our expectations, which is proof that customers, especially those new to smartphones, want an easier way to get apps they’ll enjoy rather than searching through thousands of apps in Android Market™. As this data about ID pack downloads shows, customers are passionate about certain brands, such as MTV, Yahoo! and ESPN, and are eager to download a complete mobile experience developed by that brand. We expect to see the same excitement from our customers about recently launched ID packs as well as branded packs from other partners we have in the pipeline.”

Since Sprint ID launched, the most popular Sprint ID packs include:

· Entertainment: Features games, music, photo and celebrity news apps to keep users entertained no matter where they go. Apps include Shazam (identify any song), WikiMobile (mobile encyclopedia) and Poynt(local search app that lets users connect with businesses, restaurants and people near them).

· Yahoo!: Gives users access to their favorite Yahoo! services in one simple download including Yahoo! Finance, Mail, News, Sports, Messenger, Fantasy Football and Flickr.

· MTV Music ID: MTV Music ID allows fans to quickly download a package of apps, widgets and other content, including MTV News, MTV Photos, MTV Twitter and streaming music apps. 

· Socially Connected: Delivers a customized experience for keeping users connected with friends while on the go. Features Facebook, TweetCaster and more, creating the ultimate starting point for their own multi-tasking, socially connected mobile package.

· ESPN ID: Instant access to scores right on the device’s home screen, as well as one-tap access to sports news, fantasy teams and the user’s favorite ESPN programs, including more than 900 live events per year on ESPN Mobile TV.

· WHERE: Enables people to discover the world around them by recommending local information, places and events; also helps people save money by providing location based coupons and cheapest gas stations. Allows users to find everything from weather, news and restaurant reviews to the closest coffee shop, traffic updates, movie show times and offers from local merchants.

· Fashion & Beauty: Delivers a customized experience for keeping users connected and up-to-date on the latest fashion trends, celebrity gossip, beauty and style. Apps include TrendTracker (keep track of the latest runway looks, fashion news, trend ideas); TMZ & E! Online (breaking celeb news); and ShopSavvy (scan the barcode of any product and it will search for all the best prices from local and online retailers).

· Health & Fitness: Healthy eating on the go is made easier with the Health & Fitness ID Pack. Apps include Fast Food Calorie Counter; Cardio Trainer (training partner for running, cycling, hiking, and other fitness activities); Yoga Trainer Lite; and iTriage (find closest health care providers and more).

· Home Base: A great solution for those running a modern household. Apps include Big Oven (featuring 170,000+ recipes); E! Online (get celebrity gossip fix); Pandora (listen to your favorite tunes wherever you are);Grocery Smart (create shopping lists); and Springpad (save notes, tasks or lists).

· Lo2yo Latino:  Lo2Yo Latino ID brings users the best of their Latino world from news and entertainment to sports, soap operas and much more, all in Spanish.

For more information about Sprint ID and to see all Sprint ID packs, visit www.sprint.com/sprintid.

Samsung and Sprint have announced this morning that they will be brining the Nexus S line to Sprint with the new Nexus S 4G that will be the firs pure Google 4G device in the market.

The phone will come with the same specs as the original Nexus S but will take advantage of Sprints 4G WiMax network, mobile hot spot ready and will have tight Google Voice integrated service as you will be able to use your Sprint number as your Google Voice number without have to port the number over. Sweet stuff here and a great announce from Samsung and Sprint just before CTIA in Orlando. Read key features and press release below.

Additional key features include:

• 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot capability, supporting up to six Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously
• Android Market™ for access to more than 150,000 applications, widgets and games available for download to customize the experience
• Google mobile services such as Google Search™, Gmail™, Google Maps™ with Navigation, syncing with Google Calendar™, Voice Actions and YouTube™
• Corporate email (Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync^®), personal (POP & IMAP) email and instant messaging
• Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, which allows the device to read information from everyday objects, like stickers and posters embedded with NFC chips
• 16GB Internal Memory (ROM)/512MB (RAM)
• Wi-Fi^® – 802.11 b/g/n
• Bluetooth^® 2.1 + EDR
• Integrated GPS
• 1500 mAh Lithium-ion battery

Full Press Release:

First Pure Google 4G Device with Android 2.3 in the U.S., Nexus S 4G from Google and Samsung, Coming to Sprint this Spring


First 4G device powered by Android 2.3 boasts pure Google experience, Google Voice integration, Super AMOLED display and Mobile Hotspot capability is Sprint’s 20^th 4G device and fourth 4G phone announced to date

Visit www.sprint.com/nexus to register to receive more information


OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – March 21, 2011 – Sprint (NYSE: S) extends its 4G device innovation lead once again with the upcoming availability of the 20^th 4G device and fourth 4G phone, Nexus S™ 4G¹ from Google™.  Coming to Sprint this spring, it will also be able to take advantage of the unprecedented controls and services enabled by Google Voice™ integration built into the Sprint Network.

Manufactured by Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), a leading global mobile phone provider and the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the United States², Nexus S 4G comes packed with a pure Google experience using Android™ 2.3, Gingerbread, the fastest version of Android available for smartphones.  It is powered by a 1GHz Samsung application processor that produces rich 3D-like graphics, faster upload and download times and supports HD-like multimedia content along with a dedicated Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) to make playing mobile games, browsing the Web and watching videos a fast, fluid and smooth experience.

“Nexus S 4G shows the strong commitment Sprint has to Android, and when combined with our 4G network capabilities, it gives customers the option of a pure Google experience,” said Fared Adib, vice president – Product Development, Sprint.  “As the first 4G smartphone with Android 2.3, Nexus S 4G delivers on the promise of the advanced data capabilities of 4G to deliver an incredible Web browsing experience, offers quick and easy access to future Android updates and access to the services built into Google Voice.”

It is designed with Samsung’s brilliant Super AMOLED™ touchscreen technology providing a premium viewing experience.  The 4-inch Contour Display features a curved design for a more comfortable look and feel in the user’s hand or along the side of the face.  It also offers a screen that is bright with higher color contrast, meaning colors are incredibly vibrant and text is crisp at any size and produces less glare than on other smartphone displays when outdoors, so videos, pictures and games look their best and the sun won’t wash them out.

Sprint Nexus S 4G customers will be among the first to receive Android software upgrades and new Google mobile apps.  In many cases, the device will get the updates and new apps as soon as they are available.

"We’re excited to partner with Sprint on Nexus S 4G, which brings innovative hardware by Samsung and innovations on the Android platform, to create a powerful smartphone experience,” said Andy Rubin, vice president of Engineering at Google.

Nexus S 4G features a 5 megapixel rear-facing camera and camcorder and front-facing VGA camera.  In addition, Nexus S 4G features a gyroscope sensor to provide a smooth, fluid gaming experience when the user tilts the device up or down or pans the phone to the left or right.

Additional key features include:

• 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot capability, supporting up to six Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously
• Android Market™ for access to more than 150,000 applications, widgets and games available for download to customize the experience
• Google mobile services such as Google Search™, Gmail™, Google Maps™ with Navigation, syncing with Google Calendar™, Voice Actions and YouTube™
• Corporate email (Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync^®), personal (POP & IMAP) email and instant messaging
• Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, which allows the device to read information from everyday objects, like stickers and posters embedded with NFC chips
• 16GB Internal Memory (ROM)/512MB (RAM)
• Wi-Fi^® – 802.11 b/g/n
• Bluetooth^® 2.1 + EDR
• Integrated GPS
• 1500 mAh Lithium-ion battery

“Samsung is thrilled to work with Google and Sprint to create the next generation Nexus S. Adding 4G capabilities takes this iconic device to the next level,” said Dale Sohn, president of Samsung Mobile.  “Nexus S 4G integrates Samsung’s best-in-class hardware and the exciting features of the Android 2.3 platform with the impressive speed and connectivity of Sprint’s 4G network.”

Nexus S 4G from Google will be available exclusively from Sprint this spring for $199.99 with a new two-year service agreement or eligible upgrade (taxes not included) in all Sprint retail channels, including the Web (www.sprint.com) and Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1), as well as select national retailers.

Sprint Nexus S customers also will be able to easily use their current Sprint wireless phone number as their Google Voice number without having to port their number, avoiding porting charges and potential service disruptions.  Google Voice makes it easy for people to manage and access most of their voice-based communication. It lets users manage up to six different phones through one number with intelligent call routing and advanced features like call screening, blocking and recording.

Now Sprint subscribers can use their Sprint number across their office, home and wireless phones, and personalize settings so calls from friends ring their wireless device and home phone, while calls from the boss only ring at the office.  Google Voice users can receive transcribed voicemails and read or listen to them online.  They can also read, send and search text messages and call logs online at www.google.com/voice.

Nexus S 4G requires activation on one of Sprint’s Everything Data plans, plus a required $10 Premium Data add-on charge for smartphones. Sprint’s Everything Data plan with Any Mobile, Anytime^SM includes unlimited Web, texting and calling to and from any mobile in America while on the Sprint Network, starting at just $69.99 per month plus required $10 Premium Data add-on charge – a savings of $39.99 per month versus Verizon’s comparable plan with unlimited talk, text and Web (excluding Verizon’s Southern California plan; pricing excludes surcharges and taxes).

Sprint customers get more with unlimited data plans on the Sprint Network. Sprint offers real simplicity, value and savings versus competitors, making it easy for customers to get the most out of their phones without using a calculator to tally up costs or worrying about how much data they’ve used.

Sprint Everything Data plans qualify for automatic enrollment in the Sprint Premier^SM loyalty program³.  Existing Sprint customers can switch to an Everything Data plan without extending their service agreement. New lines of service require a two-year service agreement.

As the first national wireless carrier to test, launch and market 4G technology, Sprint made history by launching 4G in Baltimore in September 2008. As the first national wireless carrier to test, launch and market 4G technology, Sprint is America’s Favorite 4G Network⁴.  Sprint currently offers 4G service in 71 markets in 28 states.  For more information, visit www.sprint.com/4G.

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 49.9 million customers at the end of 2010 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. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 6 in its 2010 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 orwww.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.

About Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC

Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsungwireless.com.

About Samsung Electronics

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2008 consolidated sales of US$96 billion. Employing approximately 164,600 people in 179 offices across 61 countries, the company is recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands. Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

Apple iOS 4.3 for the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad iis now available a couple of days earlier that the original announced date of March 11th which is the same day as the iPad 2 release.  All you need to do is plug in your iPod and iTunes should automatically check. If it doesn’t you can go into the iPod section of iTunes and click on update.  The download is about 653 MB in size and may take a bit of time to download for Apple’s services. Give yourself about an hour or so for the update. New updates is person a hotspot for iPhone 4 (AT&T as Verizon already had this), Faster Safari performance, new iPad side switch settings, New Airplay features and more. See the full list below.

iOS 4.3 Software Update:

This update contains new features and improvements, including the following:

• Personal Hotspot*
  – Share iPhone 4 cellular data connection with up to 5
     devices (combination of up to 3 Wi-Fi, 3 Bluetooth,
     and 1 USB)
• iTunes Home Sharing
  – Play music, movies and TV shows from a shared iTunes
     library on a Mac or PC (requires iTunes 10.2)
• New AirPlay features**
  – Play videos from the Photos app including the Camera
     Roll album, iTunes previews, enabled third-party apps
     and websites on Apple TV
  – Play slideshows from Photos on Apple TV using
     transitions available on Apple TV
• Faster Safari performance with Apple Nitro JavaScript
   engine
• HD video out using the Apple Digital AV Adapter***
  – View 720p HD videos from Videos app, iPod app,
     Photos, YouTube, Safari, Keynote, and enabled
     third-party apps on an HDMI display
• Ping features
  – Push notifications for comments and follow requests
  – Post and Like songs directly from the Now Playing
     screen
  – Parental controls
• New Settings
  – Messages setting for number of times to repeat an
     alert
  – iPad side switch setting to lock screen rotation or mute
     audio notifications and sound effects
• Single tap conference call dialing with a pause to send
   a passcode
• Bug fixes

Products compatible with this software update:
• iPhone 4 (GSM model)
• iPhone 3GS
• iPad
• iPod touch (4th generation)
• iPod touch (3rd generation)

*Requires iPhone 4 with tethering data plan
**Requires Apple TV (2nd generation) running software
   version 4.2 or later
***iPhone 4, iPad, iPod touch (4th generation)

Sony officially announces a new cloud storage option for PSN Plus subscribers.  The storage will will be available starting March 10th with firmware version 3.60. You will get up to a 150 MB of storage space for games saves which hopefully you’ll be able to just login to any PS3 and play your game as if you were home and save it back for later. Check the press release for full details.

Press Release:

PLAYSTATION®NETWORK BRINGS ONLINE STORAGE FOR GAME SAVES EXCLUSIVELY TO PLAYSTATION®PLUS SUBSCRIBERS
March 9, 2011 – Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC (SCEA) today announced that online storage for game saves will be available exclusively to PlayStation®Plus subscribers, allowing gamers to back up their save data to the cloud. Online storage for game saves will be available with system software update (v3.60) for the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) system, coming on March 10, 2011 and will be automatically enabled for PlayStation Plus subscribers once users install the update.
With the new feature, PlayStation Plus subscribers can store up to 150MB of PS3 game save data and a maximum of 1000 data files per PlayStation®Network account. "Copy-prohibited save data" is also supported, and all previously backed-up save data may be restored once per 24-hour period. When the new feature launches, most PS3 titles will be compatible with online storage for game saves, and moving forward new titles will have the capability to offer the storage option.
Online storage for game saves ensures that data stored by PlayStation Plus subscribers is more secure than ever and is an integral feature for gamers who wish to access their data on other PS3 systems. Users can check their available/total space at any time via the XMB™ (XrossMediaBar). Users who wish to utilize the feature immediately following the system software update (v3.60), can do so with these instructions:
To back-up:
1. Select [Game] > [Save Data Utility].
2. Focus on the save data you wish to back up.
3. Open up the option menu using "triangle" and select [Copy].
4. Select [Online Storage] as the destination of back up.
To copy:
1. Select [Game] > [Save Data Utility] > [Online Storage].
2. Focus on the save data you wish to copy.
3. Open up an option menu using "triangle" and select [Copy].
PlayStation Plus is available for a yearly fee of $49.99, and for a limited time, gamers will also receive 3 free bonus months when signing up for a one-year subscription. Gamers can also subscribe to the 3-month option for $17.99.

Software & Usability

Android 3.0 is all about tablets and you definitely see they put some work in this OS to make sure it works well on tablets and it really does.The OS feels smooth to navigate thought and didn’t notice any slow downs and there are some great improvements to key features in android.

Customization is one of the biggest selling point for Android and they have kept that top notch in Android 3.0. Holding down on the desktop opens up the new shortcut and widget manager that has plenty of widget and enhanced shortcuts to greatly enhance your experience.

The bottom bar is where your navigation is. Instead of hardware or touch sensitive buttons your back, home and new app manager button are all on screen which is a bit different since when using android I’m used a touch sensitive button. On the right side of that bar is where your clock and notifications are. The notifications will line up side to side like on Android 2.x device but you can click on each icon to read each notification or you can hit the clock will will line up all the notifications on the side and you can go through each of them. This will also open up the settings for screen brightness, volume and clock. The bottom bar is very functional for the tablet. I do wish there was an option to put notifications on the top because for me it would be a bit more noticeable.

The Music app has drastically been changed for the better and honestly is now actually useful. Navigating through your music is now much easier and on par with other players and is much more visually appealing. It would be nice to have a store or desktop app linked directly to this for syncing your content and also wish they would make the same update to the video player and possible combine the music and video player into one improved and usable app.

Gaming is also had a huge overall and games with 3D graphics run smoother and look sharper. 2D games look about the same as before just a bit sharper and seem to run a bit faster. Android 3.0 makes the Android platform finally be on part with iOS when it comes to gaming and you can check out our post that has a more extensive look at Gaming on the Motorola XOOM and Android 3.0.

The Camera has also taken a huge step for the better and actually a decent camera app.  You have all the controls on the right that surrounds the snap button and its easy to navigate. You have several options of filters and effects which will work in both video and still modes. I do wish you were able to take widescreen still but hopefully they will update it so you can. Check out the same pictures below and sample video.

Speaking of the camera Google Talk was another app updated to include video chat and when I look at that earlier I found it to be easy to connect and quality was decent but there were some blurriness from the camera on the XOOM to the other caller on the other end.

Movie Studio which is the video editing app is another new addition to Android 3.0 and we took at deep look at it earlier  and for now its a usable app but still has a few bugs in it and a bit slow that prevent it from being a top notch application. If it expect to compete with iMovie they will need step there game up on this one .Web browsing is fast as expected with the browser. Pages that don’t have flash rendered properly and you now have tabs that work like the desktop version of chrome and there is private browsing. You can also sync your browser with the desktop version of chrome. No flash support at launch but it suppose to come in the next few weeks.With all the multimedia features you can easily forget that you can read books which look great on the device. You get 3 free books to start off including Alice In Wonderland.  I like the page turn animation which is cool and you have the option to choose to read in text or in scan mode which will make the pages look like the actual book.

While you have a improved Gmail experience which looks great you don’t have much in the way of productivity apps outside of your standard calendar and contacts. There is no Google Docs app and a dedicated app would have been great to see and introduce more people to Google Docs even though you can still do it through the browser. These days app push services and this is a big miss and can be combined into the lack of many tablet apps at launch. You can install mobile apps as well but they won’t look as good and some will not work as well because its not tablet optimized.  We all know the Android Market will get more tablet optimized apps but with only 16 app to start off with its highly disappointing.

Overall

The Motorola XOOM and Android 3.0 provides the best Android tablet experience out there.  The hardware is solid and the software is the best for any Android tablet. You will have a blast using this on a vacation where you can take pictures and video and edit and share it on the go and and use Google Maps to find your way around and discover new things.. Taking with you on a day trip to the city would be great as you can read your favorite books in a coffee shop while browsing the web listing to your favorite music.  If you are market for a tablet this which seems to be more and more people the Motorola XOOM is definitely one to consider.

Buy Motorola XOOM From:

Amazon.com

Now that the iPad 2 has been announced we can now do a comparison between the two as they will go head to head in the heated tablet market.

Lets take a look at the “Tale of the Tape” of these to tablet “fighters” the iPad that we are using for this comparison is the 32GB Wi-Fi + 3G model.

iPad 2	Motorola  XOOM
iOS 4.3 Dual Core 1 Ghz  Processor A5 Processor 32 GB of Storage 9.7 inch 1024 x 768 resolution display Front + Rear Cameras with 720p HD Rec Wi-Fi + 3G AT&T  or Verizon $729.99 iTunes Media Store	Android 3.0 1.0 Ghz Dual Core Nvidia Tegra 2 Processor 32 GB of Storage 10.1 inch1200 x 800 resolution display Front 2.0 MP camera & 5.0 MP Rear camera + 720p HD Recording Wi-Fi + 3G with 4G support in the future Verizon only $600 on contract or $800 no contract Android Market (Apps, Games, Books)

As you can see side to side that both offer very similar specs and hardware features. The difference seems to be all in the software side of things.  The iTunes Media store has many more apps and games and books that are tablet optimized already and also you can grab music, movies and TV shows from there as well. The Android Market has some work to do to catch up to the number of tablet optimized apps and books available and there is currently no solution for music, movies or TV shows in the android market. 

It looks like for the “preview” of this fight that the battle is going to come down to software and will Android catch up soon enough?

Today Apple announced the iPad 2. A step up in power and a slim down in size with a few new tricks.

The iPad 2 will come with a  new Dual core 1 GHz A5 Processor  which promises 2X faster speeds and 9X faster graphics,  It will get rear and front facing cameras. The rear camera will be able to record 720p HD video up to 30 FPS and a 5X digital zoom for still pictures no word on what still pictures will be but I assume it should be around 5 megapixels. The front camera is a VGA camera with 30 FPS video recording. Both will work with Facetime  and  Photobooth which is now on the iPad as well.

The device will come 33% thinner and a bit lower in weight at 1.3 lbs.  There is also HDMI out with an optional cable for $39 and supports mirrored mode and apps will show and work on your TV screen as well and can output up to 1080p.  The is also a new Smackover accessory that will cover the top of your screen and will turn the device on and off when you open it.  There is a polyurethane version for $39 and a leather version for $69.

It will ship with iOS 4.3 and will have support for the new iMovie and Garage Band apps which will be $4.99 a piece. No changes to the display and same 10 hour battery life. A gyroscope has been added and it will ship in two colors at launch white and black. there will also be an AT&T and Verizon version which both be 3G models only so no 4G.  And pricing is exactly the same as before see below.

Wi-Fi only

• 16 GB $499
• 32 GB $599
• 64 GB $599

Wi-Fi + 3G (AT&T or Verizon)
• 16 GB $629
• 32 GB $729
• 64 GB $829

So still pretty pricey and I was hoping for the prices to start coming down on these. Software still seems to be the same as before but with additions of a couple of applications and a iTunes Airplay feature. Overall Apple still comes with very solid hardware here but it seems that it’s a bit of a catch up to the other manufactures out there.

March 11 is launch day for the US and  March 25 internationally

Live Pics courtesy of Engadget.com

In my testing of the Motorola XOOM I do a video chat call with Thunder E from Booredatwork.com

Connecting was very simple and fast using Google Talk with Video Chat which is a feature of Android 3.0′s Google Talk client. When using the client you are presented with a full screen of the person you are talking to and a small screen of yourself in the right hand corner. You get some simple controls for mute, messaging and swap cameras between front and rear.  Above the small video box of you there is a slider for zoom. Its a pretty simple and basic interface. The Video from our end look pretty good on the XOOM screen and audio quality was excellent. 

Thunder E commented that while it look good on the small window on his computer when he expanded it the video looked a bit blurry. This could be due to the cameras on the XOOM not as high quality as an external web cam or could be the video quality from Google which they may need to work on some more. 

Unfortunately you can’t multi-task while in a video chat. Since Android promotes multitasking so much its a shame that you can’t while on a video chat. If you open up another application it will pause the video on the other end and pretty much make it a voice only chat until you come back to the application.  Hopefully this is something they can work to add in the future.  Also when Thunder E called from a laptop in the video and audio became choppy on both ends. We’re not sure if this is because of the laptop or software.

Overall it was a very good experience using the video chat. Simple and smooth for the most part. It can only improve from where its currently at. We hope to see more features and options in the next versions.