CES starts up this week and we will be hold a live blog for Nokia’s press event starting at 3 PM PST. There is a tough road ahead for Nokia in the US and this years CES they have a chance to start off 2012 with a bang. We should hear more about the Nokia Ace rumored for AT&T and something for Verizon, Sprint and possible another Windows Phone device for T-Mobile to be that step above the Lumia 710.  We will get the news straight to you right here so be sure to bookmark this page.

The HTC Amaze 4G comes in a direct competition to the Samsung Galaxy S2 on T-Mobile. It’s bringing high speed data, fast dual-core processing and a high quality camera. Does it stack up to the competition?

Hardware & Design

The Amaze 4G comes with at 4.3 inch super LCD display with qHD resolution, 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, 1 GB of ram, 16 GB of build-in storage, HSPA+ 42Mbps data speeds, 2 megapixel front facing camera and a 8 megapixel rear facing camera with a backside illuminated sensor, f2.3 and 28mm wide-angle lens to take in more light for photos. Photos come out great with good lighting and color reproduction. The video comes in 1080p and while the quality of the video image is good the audio for it is terrible. With such a great camera and a flagship phone having poor audio quality when recording is inexcusable.  Check out our sample pictures and videos at the bottom of this review.

As we know most HTC devices tend to look-alike but the Amaze 4G has some unique design features being that it’s a unibody design and the back cover comes off where you will see the 1730 mAH battery, sim card and micro SD card slot. There is also a dedicated button for video recording right next to the camera button.  The overall feel of the phone is nice and solid and feels like a quality product that will last. The specs are where they should be for a high-end phone and the design is just different enough to tell it apart from other HTC phones.

Software & Usability

As you know with HTC you will get Sense UI on op of Android 2.3 Gingerbread. Sense UI stays the same for most HTC smartphones. You have 7 desktops and different HTC Scenes and Skins to customize the look and feel. For apps you have standard Google Android apps and HTC apps such as Peep, HTC Watch, Footprints, etc. The camera software is updated to give you more shooting options and works more like a standalone point and shoot camera. The software overall works smooth without hiccups and if you’re a fan of Sense UI you will like it.  Call quality is good but the battery life is very standard android. Power users will always need to look for a place to charge while intermediate users will get through the day on a single charge.

Overall

The Amaze 4G is a great phone. It’s build is great, the specs are solid in it and the camera will be a great point and shoot replacement. The battery life isn’t great and HSPA+ 42 Mbps is not available everywhere just yet but if your looking for an alternative to a Galaxy S2  and want a top Android phone on T-Mobile this is the one to get.

AT&T has officially pulled out of merger plans with T-Mobile. The deal which was worth $39 Billion was set to bring T-Mobile into the AT&T umbrella. This comes after the merge was blocked by the FCC and the DOJ because they felt it would hurt the wireless industry and consumers in the long run. AT&T will owe T-Mobile $4 Billion for the failed attempt.

I’m not surprised this deal didn’t go through once federal agencies stepped it. There wasn’t much that the two wireless companies could do to prove the merge would have positive effects on the industry or the economy. This isn’t to say that T-Mobile won’t be bought out at all, It just means that it won’t be AT&T that will do it. Check out the official press release below.

Press Release:

AT&T Ends Bid To Add Network Capacity Through T-Mobile USA Purchase

Company Reaffirms Its Commitment to Mobile Broadband Leadership

Dallas, Texas, December 19, 2011

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) said today that after a thorough review of options it has agreed with Deutsche Telekom AG to end its bid to acquire T-Mobile USA, which began in March of this year.

The actions by the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice to block this transaction do not change the realities of the U.S. wireless industry. It is one of the most fiercely competitive industries in the world, with a mounting need for more spectrum that has not diminished and must be addressed immediately. The AT&T and T-Mobile USA combination would have offered an interim solution to this spectrum shortage.  In the absence of such steps, customers will be harmed and needed investment will be stifled.

“AT&T will continue to be aggressive in leading the mobile Internet revolution,” said Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and CEO.  “Over the past four years we have invested more in our networks than any other U.S. company. As a result, today we deliver best-in-class mobile broadband speeds – connecting smartphones, tablets and emerging devices at a record pace – and we are well under way with our nationwide 4G LTE deployment.

“To meet the needs of our customers, we will continue to invest,” Stephenson said. “However, adding capacity to meet these needs will require policymakers to do two things. First, in the near term, they should allow the free markets to work so that additional spectrum is available to meet the immediate needs of the U.S. wireless industry, including expeditiously approving our acquisition of unused Qualcomm spectrum currently pending before the FCC.  Second, policymakers should enact legislation to meet our nation’s longer-term spectrum needs.

“The mobile Internet is a dynamic industry that can be a critical driver in restoring American economic growth and job creation, but only if companies are allowed to react quickly to customer needs and market forces,” Stephenson said.

To reflect the break-up considerations due Deutsche Telekom, AT&T will recognize a pretax accounting charge of $4 billion in the 4th quarter of 2011.  Additionally, AT&T will enter a mutually beneficial roaming agreement with Deutsche Telekom.

*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 Nokia Lumia 710 is the first Nokia Windows Phone devices launched in the US. We came to Nokia’s NYC launch event to get some hands on time with it. It comes with 3.7- inch display, with 800 x 480 ClearBlack LCD display, 1.4GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 512MB RAM, 8GB of storage, 5 megapixel rear camera with single LED flash, WiFi and Bluetooth on board. Plus you do have HSPA+ 14.4Mbps. The specs pretty much remain unchanged from the original Lumia 710 we say a few months back for the international market. Launching on January 12, 2012 at a $49.99 price after a $50 mail in rebate card it’s a great price for the value.

Press Release:

T-Mobile Brings Nokia Lumia 710 to the U.S.

Nokia and T-Mobile deliver a leading entry-level Windows Phone experience to the nearly 150 million Americans still to make the transition to smartphones.

BELLEVUE, Wash., and SUNNYVALE, Calif. – Dec. 14, 2011 – T-Mobile USA, Inc. and Nokia today announced the upcoming availability of the Nokia Lumia 710, the first Windows Phone from Nokia in the United States. Targeted at the nearly 150 million Americans who haven’t purchased their first smartphones, the 4G-capable Nokia Lumia 710 delivers high-performance hardware, Nokia’s best social and Internet experience, and access to popular smartphone applications and services from Windows Phone Marketplace.

Running on America’s Largest 4G Network™, the Nokia Lumia 710 benefits from the unique people-first approach of Windows Phone, bringing together all interactions with family and friends in People Hub. The Nokia Lumia 710 also provides one-click access to popular services, such as Netflix, T-Mobile TV with mobile HD1 and a leading mobile Web experience with Internet Explorer® Mobile, Bing™ Search with voice activation and Local Scout for locally relevant search results. The smartphone also brings access to signature Nokia experiences, such as Nokia Drive for voice-guided, turn-by-turn navigation and ESPN for exclusive sports content.

“We’re excited to team with Nokia in bringing its first Windows Phone to the U.S. with the elegantly designed Nokia Lumia 710,” said Cole Brodman, chief marketing officer, T-Mobile USA. “Windows Phone offers a compelling mobile OS choice for people who want a smartphone built around them, their family and friends. We expect it to play a more prominent role in our lineup and marketing efforts in 2012.”

Today, people are increasingly upgrading to smartphones, and many are doing so for the first time. According to the NPD Group, U.S. smartphone sales reached 59 percent in the third quarter 2011, an increase of 13 percent since third quarter 2010. With an increasing demand for smartphones, the Nokia Lumia 710 offers a compelling experience aimed at addressing the needs of the nearly 150 million people in the U.S. who have yet to upgrade to their first smartphones.

“Our research shows nearly everybody in the U.S. wants a smartphone, but many believe they can’t afford it,” Brodman said. “That’s where T-Mobile shines. Our Unlimited Value and Monthly4G plans make it more affordable than ever to step up to mobile data on our 4Gnetwork.”
“The Nokia Lumia 710 is the perfect first-time smartphone: a well-designed product that delivers the most compelling Windows Phone experience in its price range and with access to great content and thousands of applications,” said Chris Weber, president, Nokia Americas. “This is the perfect first Nokia Lumia experience and the start of our re-entry into the U.S. smartphone market.”

Available in a black or white finish, the Nokia Lumia 710 features a 3.7-inch ClearBlack WVGA scratch-resistant display for outstanding outdoor viewing and a Qualcomm 1.4 GHz Snapdragon™ processor providing speedy access to entertainment and information on-the-go. It also features a 5-megapixel camera with Nokia’s leading camera technology, enabling people to take pictures in almost any light condition and share on social networks in seconds. With the most integrated work-life solution of any mobile platform via the Windows Phone Office Hub and an interactive mobile gaming experience via Xbox LIVE®, the Nokia Lumia 710 is the complete all-round first-time smartphone experience.

Availability
The Nokia Lumia 710 is expected to be available at T-Mobile retail stores, select dealers and retailers nationwide, and online at http://www.t-mobile.com starting Jan. 11. The Nokia Lumia 710 is expected to cost $49.99 after a $50 mail-in-rebate card, with a two-year service agreement and qualifying Classic voice and data plan. For more information, visit http://www.t-mobile.com/lumia.
For more information on T-Mobile’s Unlimited Value and Monthly4G plans, see: http://family.t-mobile.com/phone-plans.
1 Mobile HD TV can deliver a bit rate of 800kbps and 16:9 resolution; the bit rate and resolution you experience will vary based on many factors, e.g., programming, network connection and device.

Camera phones are quickly becoming the replacement for your point and shoot digital camera. The Samsung Galaxy S2’s 8 Megapixel camera with LED Flash and 1080p HD video capture makes a great case for your go-to digital camera if you own one. I have a lot of friend recently who have purchased either the Epic 4G Touch, or the Galaxy S2 for T-Mobile or AT&T and also the Galaxy S II Skyrocket and they all come with this great camera but many of them didn’t know some of the ways to take advantage of the quality to take some great pics. I  still had a review unit lying around so I figure I’d  do a quick post on some tips to get the most of the camera.

• Hit that settings icon on the bottom left. It has a ton of setting and features that you wouldn’t normally think to look at. It comes with many of the same features that you would find on a point and shoot digital camera. You can control exposure, white balance, anti-shake, timer, scene modes etc.
• Fit more into your shots! Get everyone in that group photo! Go to setting then resolutions and choose the widescreen resolution shot to fit more people in. It will downgrade the resolution to 6.5 megapixels but that’s good enough and the lens is the most important part of the camera regardless of the resolution. Save those 8 MP shots for pictures focused on something specific and use the widescreen 6.5 MP shots for everyday pics.
• The camera actually has a two-step button for taking pictures. While you can tap on the screen to focus you can also just as easily and more accurately hold down the virtual camera button on-screen, wait for the focus arrows to turn green and release your figure off the button and the picture will snap immediately in full focus. This will increase the number of clear and accurate shots you take.
• You can edit the shortcuts on the left side of the camera app. You can have up to 4 shortcuts available all you need to do is hit the settings icon and at the very top of the list choose edit shortcuts and add/remove what you want. The same is available in the video recording section as well.

Now you know some cool ways to get the best out of your camera. These are just a few tips that I know and I want to hear from you if you have any others to share as well. Just post them below! Check below to seem some of these tips in action.
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Samsung Mobile and T-Mobile will launch a new white color for the Samsung Galaxy S2 which is the best android phone available on T-Mobile as you would know from our full review of it.  There is no date yet on when it will be available or is there are any minor spec changes or extras added besides the new white color. Incase you don’t remember Galaxy S2 comes with it has a 1.5 Ghz dual-core processor, HSPA+ 42 Mbps data, 4.5 inch Super AMOLED Plus display, 2 Megapixel front facing camera, 8 megapixel rear facing camera with LED plus 1080p HD video capture and runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread with Touch Wiz UI. Check out the pics and our review video of the original one below.

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The HTC Radar 4G is a new Windows Phone 7 handset for T-Mobile. It comes in as a mid-range phone in terms of specs with a 3.8 inch LCD touchscreen display, 1.0 GHz single-core processor, 512 MB of Ram, 8 GB of on-board storage, 5 megapixel camera with LED flash plus 720p HD video capture. It has a front facing camera for video chat using the Tango application and 4G HSPA+ data speeds at 14.4 Mbps.

The first thing I noticed when picking up the phone its very solid build and feels great in the hand. Something that you wouldn’t expect with a phone priced at $49.99. It ships with Windows Phone 7.5 Mango so you’ll be getting the latest and greatest from Windows Phone.  Check out our unboxing, hands-on and first impressions video below and stay tuned for our review coming soon.
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The HTC Radar 4G is the latest Windows Phone 7.5 Mango handset on T-Mobile. It’s suppose to be in the mid-range level but packs some pretty nice specs. It comes with a 3.8 inch touch screen display, 1 GHz single-core processor, 512 MB of RAm, 8 GB of on-board storage, 5 Megapixel camera with LED flash, 720p HD video capture and a f2.2 lends, There is also a front facing camera for video chat (using the tango app) and comes with HSPA+ at 14.4 Mbps data speeds. Check out our hands-on demo for more.
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The HTC Radar 4G is a Windows Phone 7.5 Mango powered phone with a mix of mid-range and high-end specs. It comes with a 3.8 Super LCD display, 1 GHZ single-core processor, 512MB of Ram, 4G HSPA+ 14.4 Mbps, 5 megapixel rear facing camera, 720p HD video capture and VGA front facing camera. It’s on sale November 2nd for $99.

Press Release:

T-Mobile Announces Upcoming Availability of the HTC Radar 4G

Bellevue, Wash. — Sep. 27, 2011

2011-10-24 13:38:33

Today, T-Mobile announced the upcoming availability of the HTC Radar™ 4G, our first Windows® Phone capable of 4G speeds on America’s Largest 4G Network®. The completely customizable smartphone pairs rich mobile entertainment features with the top-notch communications experience delivered by the latest version of Windows Phone, code-named Mango. This intuitive new operating system update will keep HTC Radar 4G customers connected and entertained just about wherever life takes them with its new and innovative communication features centered on people, along with preloaded entertainment applications and the ability to multitask between apps.

The HTC Radar 4G is elegantly crafted with an aluminum unibody design for a sleek and stylish appearance. Sporting a large 3.8-inch LCD touch screen display with a virtual QWERTY keyboard and powered by a 1GHz Snapdragon™ processor, the HTC Radar 4G delivers an efficient mobile communications experience at 4G speeds. The smartphone provides a comprehensive productivity experience with fully integrated Microsoft® Exchange and calendar as well as Microsoft Office Hub and Internet Explorer® 9 for a fast, beautiful Web experience.  Additionally, the new smartphone is equipped with dedicated camera button for easy access to the 5-megapixel camera with LED flash so you never miss a photo opportunity, even if the phone is locked.

The HTC Radar 4G is expected to be available at T-Mobile in the U.S. on November 2. More information will be available at http://www.t-mobile.com/.

The LG DoublePlay is a dual screen smartphone with a split QWERTY keyboard with the second screen in the middle of the middle of the keyboard split. The main screen is 3.5 inches while the bottom screen is 2 inches. It runs android 2.3 ginergbread with LG UX on top and has a 1.0 Ghz Single core snapdragon processor, 5 megapixel camera nd 720p HD video capture. No word on pricing just yet but the phone will be coming out October 26 during the World Texting Championships.

Press Release:

New LG DoublePlay, Exclusively Offered By T-Mobile, Raises The Stakes At The 2011 LG U.S. National Texting Championship

LG and T-Mobile USA Announce LG DoublePlay™, with Unique Dual Touch Screens, Delivering Twice the Texting and Social Networking Capabilities
Thirteen Contestants Compete for Chance to Become Part of Texting History, a $50,000 Grand Prize and Named the Fastest Texter in the U.S.
SAN DIEGO and BELLEVUE, Wash., Oct. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ – LG Mobile is once again challenging the fastest thumbs in the nation to the ultimate text messaging challenge – the fifth annual LG U.S. National Texting Championship, featuring the new LG DoublePlay™. Announced today, LG DoublePlay is the ultimate multitasking handset, featuring a splitQWERTY keyboard and dual capacitive touch screens, making simultaneous mobile activities easier than ever. During this year’s competition, 13 contestants will use LG DoublePlay, which is powered by a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon® processor, to compete in the ultimate texting showdown for the chance to win a $50,000 cash prize and a once-in-a-lifetime spot in texting history.
Equipped with dual customizable touch screens – a 3.5-inch main display and 2.0-inch sub display – that operate independently or in tandem, as well as a full slide-out QWERTY keyboard and Swype® for easy text input, LG DoublePlay allows users to perform multiple tasks at once such as updating their Facebook pages while simultaneously surfing the Web, texting or checking email.

The evolving nature of texting trends and mobile technology has brought LG and T-Mobile together to create a device that celebrates multi-tasking beyond a powerful processor,” said Carl Brown, director of trade marketing for LG Mobile. “With its split keyboard and dual screens, LG DoublePlay’s impressive hardware made it the obvious choice for the official mobile phone of the 2011 National Texting Championship. LG is proud to be leading the charge in the next generation of mobile messaging devices while continuing its legacy as a leading manufacturer in QWERTY keyboard devices.”
“Whether sending texts or emails, checking in on social media sites, or browsing the Web, consumers are looking for fun and easy ways to stay connected to the people and things that matter most to them,” said Kim Swanson, director, product management, T-Mobile USA. “With the introduction of LG DoublePlay and its unique dual-screen design, we are bringing the ultimate multitasking tool to our customers.”

LG DoublePlay comes with a 5-megapixel camera with LED flash and 720p HD video recorder, allowing users to capture and share pictures and videos via messaging, email or Facebook. The device also offers multiple messaging options, including Cloud Text™ and Group Text™, giving users the ability to send and receive texts from a PC or tablet or create group chats on-the-go for faster, more efficient content sharing. LG DoublePlay features Android™ 2.3 (Gingerbread) with access to Android Market™ and delivers complete user customization with seven home screens and up to nine touchscreen shortcuts for one-touch navigation.

2011 LG U.S. National Texting Championship
The fifth annual LG U.S. National Texting Championship will bring the fastest, most talented thumbs in America to the historic Altman Building in New York City to face-off for the chance to be named the winner of the 2011 LG U.S. National Texting Championship. Reigning champion Brianna Hendrickson, who took home the 2010 title at just 13 years-old, is the contestant to beat. This year’s competition will push contestants to dig deep and flex their texting muscles as they race through challenges designed to test texting speed, accuracy and dexterity. Competitors will need to type phrases on their LG DoublePlay exactly as they appear on LG plasma screens, while distracted by blind folds, complex phrases and marathon game play.

LG first set out to crown the fastest thumbs in America in 2007 when more than 500 contestants battled it out for the U.S. texting title. Now a national phenomenon, last year’s Championship featured a record 500,000 competition entries and became the subject of a MTV documentary called “Thumbs” by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Bill Couturie. Providing an exclusive look at the growing phenomenon of texting among today’s youth, the film provided a first-hand look at player preparations during the marathon race to the 2010 LG National Texting Championship. Moreover, “Thumbs” underscored the increasing importance of texting as one of today’s preferred methods of mainstream communication. For more information on the LG U.S. National Texting Championship, please visit www.facebook.com/lgtexterus.