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Showing posts with label iphone. Show all posts

Eyeball-Scanning iPhone Used by Cops to ID Suspects

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ktaylorphotography/3344381643/

An iPhone-based device will soon let police forces identify within seconds a suspect based on facial features, fingerprints, or now the unique features of the human eye.

Google+ For #iPhone finally approved . Get it here #googleplus #google

Google+ for mobile makes sharing the right things with the right people a lot simpler. Huddle lets you send super-fast messages to the people you care about most. And no matter where you are, the stream lets you stay in the loop about what your friends are sharing and where they’re checking in.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google/id447119634?ls=1&mt=8

Download Plants vs. Zombies v1.6 + HD[iphone/ipod touch/ipad]

Plants vs. Zombies
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Apple releases iOS 4.3.4, sends you back to jail, does not offer $200

Apple has just pushed a new version of iOS, 4.3.4 (4.2.9 for the Verizon iPhone), and it looks to have "fixed" the PDF exploit that has been so notoriously exploited of late. In a summary of what's changed, Apple indicates that a fix has

Accelerate Android With Tips and Tricks

Mobile phones that run Google’s Android operating system come in various shapes, sizes and features, unlike Apple’s iPhones. And Android phones are available on a variety of carriers, including Boost Mobile, where a data plan can cost as little as $35 a month.

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But despite the variety of Android phones, and of carriers, there are a lot of useful features common to all. Here are some tips on finding them:

Read more »

Review � Apple suspected in the development of "smart TV"

According to Katie Hubert Morgan Stanley analyst, Asian sources suggest that Apple is developing a prototype "smart TV". It is not known what lies behind this title, but Hubert said that the new device may include: video player and TV content, games, digital video, FaceTime and other features.

The analyst believes that such a device - the next "big" product of Apple, will be able to bring an additional 4 billion dollars a year with each 1% of the television market, which they enter in 2013.

Rumors about the possible release of the TV Apple appeared repeatedly few past years. Nevertheless, one can assume that it still is not all about television in the usual sense. Apple has already demonstrated that all of its products are designed around iTunes as the main source of content (for example, the iPhone has no FM-tuner, and Mac does not support Blu-ray discs), so it will be hardly possible to use such a device as a "normal TV" and digital video recorder.

Hubert also suggests that the next model of the iPhone will support LTE by 2012 and establishes a target price of Apple shares at $ 410

Review � Elecom Introduces New External Batteries for iPhone 4, Galaxy Smartphones

Elecom has introduced new external batteries in the Japanese market for use with the Apple iPhone 4 and the Samsung Galaxy S smartphones. This just goes to show that there can never be enough power to go around while having smartphones. Having a handy piece of external battery to charge such devices on the go allows available emergency power when needed at all times.

The new Elecom DE-A01L and the DE-U01L Series of external batteries are lithium-ion rechargeable batteries for the iPhone 4 and the Galaxy S. They are high capacity external rechargeable batteries that will come in 3000mAh and 4700mAh versions. Both will come with an easy charge function and can also accommodate other portable USB enabled devices. The new Elecom external batteries is expected to be available by the end of this month in Japan. Prices are set at 7,000 Japanese Yen or around US$87 for the 3,000mAh version and 8,000 Japanese Yen or around US$100 for the 4,700mAh version.

Image Source: Elecom

Review � Judge Declines Samsung�s Request to Peek into iPhone 5 and iPad 3

Judge Lucy Koh has rejected Samsung�s request to inspect Apple�s iPhone 5 and iPad 3. In an 11-page document, she explained that while Samsung is entitled to �parity,� requesting for Apple to hand over unreleased and unrevealed products was a bit overreaching.

While the decision sounds good for Apple, the rejection of Samsung�s motion is not permanent because the court may have to wait until the iPhone 5 and iPad 3 become available for inspection before deciding whether or not �consumer confusion� will exist as claimed by Apple. This also means that Apple may not get the preliminary injunction that would have barred Samsung from selling certain products in the United States.

Although Apple may not get the injunction that it wants, it may focus its legal battles against Samsung�s unreleased and unnannounced products that could pose an infringement threat. And the cycle continues.

Source: Phonescoop, via MobileCrunch

REVIEW >> The Case-mate iPhone Case Costs $300; Why?

Is the recession not affecting you and have $300 to spend on an iPhone 4 case? Then Case-mate is for you! But wait, why does it cost that much?

Apparently, using titanium as the main material could be costly, even for an iPhone 4 case. That metal is known for its strength, light weight, and anti-corrosive features. I should know; I have a titanium frying pan that also doubles as a wok. That thing has been with us for almost 10 years now.

But then again, for an iPhone 4 case, I think you could be better off with the aircraft aluminum-made Vapor, which is way cheaper. Still absurdly priced at $80, but at least it ain�t $300.

But if you insist, the Case-mate will be up for sale beginning June 27.

Source: Mobile Crunch

REVIEW >> Native Union Bluetooth handset for iPhones

Own an iPhone of any kind? Well, if the answer is in the affirmative, you would definitely fall in love with the Native Union Bluetooth handset for iPhones that offers wireless goodness to your living room. Why should you need a wireless Bluetooth handset for an iPhone, you ask? Isn�t the iPhone by nature itself a smartphone that can be carried around sans cables and pesky wires, making you look cool like all get out (at least that happens whenever a new iPhone model is launched for a week or so)?

Well, reality check here. The answer is, you might have an iPhone of any generation, but why stop at looking cool when you can be cooler with the Native Union Bluetooth handset? It offers all the convenience of a standard phone handset, not to mention the benefits of your iPhone device, all in a single form factor that boasts of a sleek and curved wireless handset system that supports Bluetooth 2.1 multipoint technology, making sure your beloved iPhone is transformed into a cordless landline which allows you to pair and answer calls on a couple of different Bluetooth enabled devices.

It is a snap to connect to the Native Union Bluetooth Handset and to synchronize your iPhone and a smartphone for regular calls, or using any other Bluetooth-enabled device such as a notebook, as all of them will rely on VoIP Internet calling including Skype.

Not only does it look great, it sounds great to boot � with the added incentive of having it juice up your iPhone while it is docked. With a high-quality speaker and microphone to deliver optimum call sound quality, you can be sure that the message gets across crystal clear, leaving no room for confusion between you and the other person on the line. A silicone mat has been thrown into the mix to protect your phone from additional wear and tear, which is a good thing considering the money you paid for the recently unlocked iPhone.

Expect to fork out $149.99 for the Native Union Bluetooth handset for iPhones.

REVIEW >> T-Mobile to Provide Android App Rentals

With millions of apps available, just a few screenshots and a short description may not be enough to say that they are worth the purchase. This is not a n issue when it comes to free apps, but if an app requires you to shell out some money, then there lies the problem. Some app stores have managed to solve this by test-driving apps, but T-Mobile has decided to take a notch higher by allowing apps to be rented.

T-Mobile, in cooperation with gaming company WildTangent, will provide 25-cent game rentals to all subscribers with an Android tablet or smartphone. It is a cheap way of testing an app before deciding whether to download it. The service will deduct the rental cost from the price of the app should you choose to purchase it.

There is no word yet on when this service will be launched.

Source: Electronista

REVIEW >> Is Apple Slowly Becoming a Patent Troll?

Apple is not giving Samsung any break as Steve Jobs Co. accuses the latter of more patent infringements and adding more Samsung devices that Apple claims as copycats. As of today, the list now includes 12 different Samsung devices that allegedly infringe upon Apple�s five design patents.

Apple�s updated suit now includes the Droid Charge, Exhibit 4G, Galaxy Ace, Galaxy Prevail, Galaxy S, Gravity Smart, Infuse 4G, Nexus S 4G, Replenish, Sidekick 4G, Galaxy Tab 10.1, and the Galaxy S II.

�The suit may be a bit of a stretch,� says CrunchGear. �There are similarities, yes, but nothing to the point where I wouldn�t be able to tell the difference between an iPhone 4 and an Infuse 4G.�

Some claims of design infringements are out of this world, even, like the inclusion of the Sidekick, Replenish, and Gravity Smart. All of them have physical QWERTY keyboards, something obviously absent on any Apple device and we doubt it would appear on any future iDevice.

Apart from the two new design patents into the suit, Apple has also filed a complaint against Samsung for infringing up to eight utility patents.

Samsung has yet to submit their devices for Apple�s inspection, while we are also waiting for the judge�s decision on whether Apple would have to do the same and hand over the iPad 3 and iPhone 5 to Samsung.

Source: Mobileburn, via CrunchGear

REVIEW >> White iPhone 4

Yes, it�s finally here! Well, maybe. After many months of delays, the white iPhone 4 may finally make its retail debut tomorrow, according to the latest flurry of Apple rumors. So whether you�re holding your breath in anticipation�or perhaps holding your nose�here�s what you need to know about the alleged arrival of Apple�s much-discussed white handset.

Look, we all kinda, sorta know that Apple will finally admit it�s springtime tomorrow and let the white iPhone 4 fly the nest. But in order to sell white iPhone 4s, you�ve got to ship them first, and one small Belgian retailer has just received its first batch of the mythical pale device and lined them up for some loving photography. Not only that, but they�re even offering to sell you either the 16GB or 32GB over on their site (which, mind you, we can�t vouch for!), though they can only ship within the Benelux region. One more pic after the break.11x04261338 white iphone 4

The retailer, Van Roey Automation, is already offering 16GB and 32GB models of the white iPhone 4 in limited quantities, although the handset may be sold out by the time you read this.Back in the States, Best Buy is gearing up for the white iPhone�s Wednesday launch, reports 9to5 Mac. The inventory screen shot below, reportedly from a Best Buy source, shows April 27 as the in-stock date for the AT&T (GSM) version of the white iPhone 4. A Verizon model is reportedly coming too, but it�s unclear whether it�ll go on sale tomorrow.

Apple originally announced the white iPhone 4 in June 2010, but soon reported that manufacturing challenges would delay the handset. Ticonderoga Securities analyst Brian White expects the phone to sell particularly well in China, where white is a very popular color for consumer electronics, Computerworld reports.

REVIEW >> HTC Lead Dual-Core AT&T Phone Specifications

HTC Lead, that is, and it�ll be spurring your interest soon, probably inside 2011 if they�re smart since NVIDIA�ll be changing the entire game again with their KAL-EL quad-core processor by the end of the year. This phone looks to be basically identical to every other HTC phone that�s been released this year save for the speaker grill above, which instead of being a long silvery thing is now a short black thing.

This device will be rolling out with a 4.3-inch display blasting through your eyeballs with WVGA, will be toting no less than Qualcomm�s MSM8660 1.2 GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor, and will be rocking with 768MB of RAM.

Also check out that gigantic honking volume dongle there on the left. Lookin great for audio adjustment in 2011! On the back there�ll be a 5-megapixel camera, on the front there�ll be NO camera, and there�s no word on a released date, version of Android, or version of Sense.

A mid-range HTC phone with a dual-core processor? Furthermore, who releases a phone at only WVGA in these days of Super AMOLED Plus colorblasters? This is quite the mystery wethinks and one to keep pondering until it turns to metal or it turns to fluff.

Both smartphones are high-end android smartphones with the Snapdragon MSM8660 chipset 1.2GHz dual-core processor beating inside, Adreno 220 graphics, LTE and HSPA + support HSDPA (21Mbps) and HSUPA (5.76Mbps).

The HTC Holiday should equip a qHD display screen measured at 4.5 inch, 1GB RAM, 8 mega pixel snapper with Full HD 1080p camcorder, 1.3 mega pixel front-facing camera to assist video-calls, and Bluetooth 4.0 unblemished between the standard connectivity options.

While the HTC Lead sports a little cut-downed display of 4.3-inch (WVGA), 768MB RAM, 5 mega pixel camera (uncertain video-capturing), and Bluetooth 3.0 besides to all the classic connectivity options.

HTC Lead specifications more details you can see below :

General	2G Network	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
	3G Network	HSDPA
		LTE
	Announced	Not officially announced yet
	Status	Rumored

Size	Dimensions	-
Size	Weight	-

Display	Type	Capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
	Size	480 x 800 pixels, 4.3 inches
		- Accelerometer sensor for UI auto-rotate - Multi-touch input method - Proximity sensor for auto turn-off - HTC Sense UI

Sound	Alert types	Vibration, MP3, WAV ringtones
	Loudspeaker	Yes
	3.5mm jack	Yes

REVIEW >> HP Touchscreen Nokia N9 Lankku New

HP Touchscreen Nokia N9 Lankku New with Design Section Appears His photographs.

If you�re among those waiting for Nokia to lay down a proper MeeGo powered phone, take a good long look at the two images above. On the right, Engadget�s leak of the Nokia Lankku. A nice pair, no?

The Lankku (possibly the N9-01, depending on Nokia�s whim) will apparently run Harmattan, which comes as little surprise: Nokia�s been talking about the Maemo-infused MeeGo variant as recently as May�s MeeGo Conference in San Francisco � and if it wasn�t in this device, we�re not sure where else it�d go.

The hardware here is rumored to be just a little thicker than an iPhone 4 and feature 960�540 resolution plus an 8-megapixel shooter with autofocus. The rumored landing date is sometime in Q3 for European customers.

We are hoping to hear more details from CEO Stephen Elop tomorrow at Nokia Connection 2011 in Singapore, which Nokia hints will be �the launchpad for a global launch.� Nokiablog.ch also spotted the �Nokia N9 � Lannku� in the source code for Nokia�s Vietnam site, so an announcement looks pretty likely. Hopefully said announcements will include a solid ship date and a little more clarity on Nokia�s plans for Harmattan and MeeGo.

Meanwhile, we�ll do our best to avoid imagining this hardware running Windows Phone � some things are just too distracting

Not only is this thing running the mouthful (read Harmattan) version of MeeGo, it also comes equipped with an 8 MP camera and a qHD display. I personally don�t see this N9-01 becoming a best-selling device overnight for a variety of reasons. Like I said, Nokia was never committed to MeeGo, or else we would have had a few MeeGo phones in the wild by now.

Windows Phone 7 is what Stephen Elop and Co. are interested in so MeeGo may not have a real future with the company. Then there�s MeeGo itself, an OS that has not grown into an iOS or Android rival. Last but not least there�s the iPhone, Android, WP7 and BlackBerry devices, or, in other words, plenty of reasons for Lankku to be ignored by shoppers.

Full REVIEW >> Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY

Sony Ericsson�s Xperia PLAY is the company�s first smartphone focused on bringing serious gaming and a powerful handset to the masses. The slide-out PlayStation-style game controller is innovative and it enables you to interact with games on your smartphone in ways that just aren�t possible on a touchscreen-only device. With that said, there are some obstacles in the way � PlayStation Suite offers limited games, and there are some pretty big bugs even on the stock Android handset. Do the positives outweigh the negatives, though? Jump past the break to find out.

Hardware / Display

The Xperia PLAY�s hardware is, for lack of a better word, interesting. Closed, the device feels like a reasonably thick Android handset. With glossy black plastic and glossy chrome finish, the PLAY doesn�t exude high-end fit and finish, but it doesn�t feel cheap either. It�s deceptively well-weighted, even when opened, and the only complaint I have about the hardware when holding and using the phone is that the left and right triggers on the top of the handset can get in the way when the device is being held one-handed.

The display on the Xperia PLAY is great. It�s crisp, it�s clear, and the colors seem to accurately display anything I can load up on it. It�s one of my favorite displays, to be honest. Sony Ericsson has a beautiful screen with a touch sensitivity that can almost rival Apple�s perfected digitizer and screen. I really can�t say enough about this touch display, it�s probably my favorite of any Android handset, even more so than any qHD displays I�ve seen and used. It�s something Sony Ericsson has just got right, and it�s really refreshing to see.

The Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY doesn�t fall short in the button department, either. On the front of the device you�ll find the four traditional Android menu keys, and while these are meant to serve as the primary navigation keys for the device, I can�t help but think Sony Ericsson could have implemented something better. Besides being difficult to press in some scenarios, they are ridiculously close to the display itself, and I�ve found myself accidentally tapping the display when I�ve been trying to hit the back button, for example. The layout isn�t ideal, but that�s more of a personal preference.

On the left side of the handset, there�s a 3.5mm headset jack and a microUSB port for syncing and charging. On the top of the device there�s a power on / off button, but the button isn�t on the display part of the sliding mechanism, it�s on the main middle frame. It�s a little niggle, but it would have been great if the power button was on the display piece as it would make it much easier to press when using the device one-handed. A nice touch is that there�s a notification light built into the power button that will let you know of any unread message or alerts, however. On the right side of the PLAY you�ll find left and right trigger buttons with a volume up and down rocker placed in between them.

Something that�s been truly irritating is the lack of an ambient light sensor on the Xperia PLAY. It�s one of the only smartphones in the last few years I have ever seen that lacks this feature, and while it�s not a show stopper, it�s inconvenient to have to go into the device�s setting to manually change the brightness level of the display in different lighting environments.

UPDATE: The Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY does in fact have an ambient light sensor, it�s just not user-controllable in the settings, and it doesn�t perform too, too well, thus the reason for mistaking it�s existence.

PlayStation Controls

There isn�t a bunch to say here� the Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY is the first smartphone to feature an actual gaming-grade gamepad, and it�s pretty close to being amazing. There�s enough tactile feedback on every button to make it feel fantastic while playing games, and the button layout is perfect. Compared to add-on third-party attachments for the iPhone or Android devices, the Xperia PLAY really sets the mobile smartphone gaming bar. One of the best parts is the ability to take a third-party app and assign the gamepad buttons to the game or emulator.

Phone / Battery

I have had serious connectivity issues with the Xperia PLAY on Verizon Wireless. I�m not sure if it�s just this review unit in particular, but in places that normally have 3G reception, I was stuck on 1X, and the phone kept on holding a 1X signal instead of switching back to a 3G one. Additionally, the signal level reported by the PLAY was much lower than other Verizon Wireless devices in the same room on the same desk. While this isn�t a scientific method by any means, it�s a little frustrating to see just one or two bars on a Verizon handset in and around New York City � especially when other Verizon phones were getting full signal just a few inches away.

Battery life is pretty decent despite the reception issues, and were completely acceptable for a CDMA smartphone. The Xperia PLAY powered through a day of moderate usage including emailing, web browsing, light calls, and hours of game playing. Your mileage will obviously vary, but all in all the battery on the Xperia PLAY should suit most people�s usage just fine.

Conclusion

The Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY is one of the most enjoyable game-focused smartphones I�ve ever used. With a solid slide-out hardware gamepad, a fast processor, and stock Android 2.3 Gingerbread, the PLAY is truly in a league of its own. That�s not to say I haven�t had my share of frustrations with the handset. The power button seem glitchy as far as the software is concerned � the phone just won�t turn back on sometimes after the screen is locked, and it�s incredibly frustrating. Verizon�s solid voice and data network didn�t agree with my particular unit, and while I�m not positive this is an across-the-board issue, signal reception and connectivity were probably the worst of any Verizon handset I�ve used in recent memory.

I like the overall concept of the Xperia PLAY � one of the only companies in the world that could pull off a pure gaming handset is Sony Ericsson � and this is a valiant first effort in the space. But in the end, the Xperia PLAY is a little chunky and it feels like it needed a little more time in the oven. If Sony Ericsson decides to introduce a follow up handset, I have no doubt it will be a formidable mobile gaming smartphone that few if any devices could rival. The current iteration is more a concept than a full-fledged gaming device and platform, though if you�re a hardcore gamer, you probably won�t be disappointed with the Xperia PLAY. For general consumers, I�d probably recommend waiting for the follow-up version, however.

Full REVIEW >> HTC DROID Incredible 2

The DROID Incredible 2 recently landed on Verizon Wireless, and it has some tough shoes to fill. When the original launched, it was BGR�s favorite Android phone to date despite stiff competition from the Motorola DROID, which launched at the same time. The DROID Incredible 2 packs some decent hardware, like a 1GHz processor, an 8-megapixel camera capable of recording 720p video, and more, but its specs � and data speeds � don�t match those of phones at the higher end of Verizon�s portfolio. Is the DROID Incredible 2 a worthy successor to the original or does it fall short? Read on to find out!

Hardware / Display

I remember reviewing the original Incredible and feeling a sense of loss the day I had to send it back. It had a unique race-car inspired design and HTC even had interchangeable red and white covers for the back panel that you could buy separately. The whole idea was that HTC was totally tweaking the industrial design of the phone to really get consumers turned on to the sexy designs possible with a mobile device. There�s less shock value with the Incredible 2. The red battery compartment is gone, the contours aren�t unique anymore, and the whole device feels too similar to the original to be exciting.

The phone feels excellent in the hand, though, and the soft-touch black finish provides good grip. The volume keys are in easy reach on the top left hand side, there�s a 3.5mm headphone jack on the top across from a power button, and the back is home to an 8-megapixel camera and a dual-LED flash. I love that the menu, home, search, and return buttons automatically rotate so that they�re displayed correctly in both landscape and portrait view. HTC should definitely carry that feature into other phones.

The most noticeable difference on the Incredible 2 is its larger 4-inch 800 x 480 resolution display. I like that it�s bigger than the original 3.7-inch screen on the first Incredible, which was a hair too small, but I�m disappointed that HTC ditched the AMOLED display panel. Text looks decent on the screen, but the colors don�t pop in the way they did on the original Incredible. The trade off is that the current display is much easier to view under direct sunlight, however.

I�ll discuss the rest of the hardware in various parts of this review, but here�s a quick rundown of the raw specs: the DROID Incredible is powered by a 1GHz processor � that�s the same clock speed as the original � and it has an 8-megapixel with a dual-LED flash, a 1,450 mAh battery, a 1.3-megapixel forward-facing camera for video chat, and a 16GB microSD card pre-installed.

Software

The Incredible 2 is powered by Android 2.2.1 (Froyo) with HTC�s custom Sense user interface running on top, and its 1GHz powered through it all just fine. Unfortunately, the phone is not loaded with HTC�s new revamped version of Sense, which will make its debut on the T-Mobile HTC Sensation 4G any week now. I�ve always been a big fan of Sense. It�s one of my favorite Android user interfaces, but it�s hard to recommend software that�s already being replaced. The DROID Incredible 2 also runs Android 2.2 (Froyo), too, instead of the newer Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) OS.

Thankfully, there�s relatively little bloatware installed, save for V Cast Apps, V CAST Media, V CAST Music, V CAST Tones, and V CAST Videos. Verizon has pre-installed some other software, including 3G Mobile Hotspot, Blockbuster, Amazon Kindle, Lets Golf 2, NFS Shift, Skype Mobile, NFL Mobile, Slacker, and more, but those applications are often very popular Android apps, too, and I�m a big fan of many of them. The 3G Hotpsot application will allow you to share your 3G connection with other Wi-Fi enabled devices, and I used the Incredible 2 hotspot during an entire workday without any connection drops.

Calling / Data

Calls on the DROID Incredible 2 were solid, as is typically the case on Verizon�s phones in New York City. During a test call, the other party said I sounded �clear� while walking on the streets of New York City, and she said she couldn�t make out the background traffic. The speakerphone was a bit watery but the volume was sufficient. As far as data, the Incredible 2's data speeds were just OK. I averaged 1.2Mbps on the downlink and 1Mbps up, which is good enough for a 3G phone but a far cry from Verizon�s brand new 4G LTE network which offers download speeds that are nearly 20 times that.

Camera

The Incredible 2 packs an 8-megapixel camera, just like the original, and can shoot 720p HD video. I was satisfied with the images I snapped � they look great on the phone itself and just as solid blown up on a computer screen. Unlike some newer phones, the Incredible 2 isn�t capable of auto-focusing while shooting video, though, which was a bit of a disappointment. Similarly, it lacks an HDMI-out port, so you won�t be able to show videos or photos on your bigscreen TV, another feature that�s supported by many other high-end devices.

Battery Life

During my few days of testing I didn�t have any problem getting through a full day of moderate use before the 1,450mAh battery ran out on the Incredible 2. Verizon rates it for 6.5 hours of usage, though, so you�ll want to bring a charger along if you�re planning to watch movies during a long plane ride or car trip.

Wrap-up

The DROID Incredible 2 is a good phone � there�s nothing inherently wrong with it � but I don�t think it brings the Incredible brand forward at all. In fact, there really isn�t anything �incredible� about it. The phone is very similar to the original, save for a larger screen and some small tweaks like a forward-facing camera, but at $199.99 it costs just as much as dual-core smartphones like the DROID X2, and it�s $50 shy of Verizon�s 4G LTE smartphones that offer much, much, faster data speeds. Is it a solid follow-up to the original? No. In fact, I like the original better.

Full REVIEW >> LG Revolution

�4G� can mean a lot of things these days. For some carriers, it started out as marketing speak that did little beyond confusing customers. For others, 4G represents a next-generation network that might help ease the strain of a new breed of data-hungry smartphone users that have brought a nationwide 3G network to its knees. But while certain carriers were busy lobbying the International Telecommunications Union or launching crafty marketing campaigns, Verizon Wireless launched the fastest cellular network U.S. consumers have ever seen. On May 26th, Verizon released the LG Revolution and gave its subscribers their third 4G smartphone option. Does LG�s first 4G LTE phone address the shortcomings of Verizon Wireless� earlier offerings? Read on for the full review.

The Inside

Reviewing Froyo phones isn�t getting any easier thanks to the countless offerings that have launched over the past year. While Google has since released two new versions of Android, Gingerbread and Honeycomb, new Froyo devices are still being pushed out to market more than one year following the build�s unveiling at Google I/O in May 2010. There is a reason for this, of course: building phone software is expensive.

Android might be free and open source, but R&D, engineering and testing are most certainly not free. Manufacturers like LG, HTC and others used Froyo as a base when building their custom UIs and making other tweaks to the Android OS. To carry these designs forward to new builds of the Android OS is a very costly and time-consuming process. After the major investment made in Froyo, it seems as though cell phone makers have slowed down the development cycle with Gingerbread, especially with Google�s next major version of Android � Ice Cream Sandwich � looming on the horizon. This will be the build that unifies tablets and smartphones, merging the best of Honeycomb and Gingerbread into a single universal OS. Manufacturers have likely already begun porting their respective UIs to Ice Cream Sandwich, so devoting time and resources to Gingerbread is a double-edged sword.

LG�s Optimus UI on top of Froyo is tricky business. On one hand, it does its job fairly well and provides several nifty widgets that can be placed on any of the phone�s seven home screens. On the other hand, it often reads like a cheap, cartoony Sense UI knock-off. The app icons within the Optimus UI in particular are a bit too bright and cheery for me, and the stylized widgets are also not to my taste. To be clear, this is a cosmetic qualm and the issue certainly doesn�t impact function.

LG has included widgets that will take care of just about any need the typical smartphone user might have � from checking the time and weather to controlling music playback or viewing live stock quotes � and there are plenty of third-party widget options to fill in the blanks. The utility is definitely there, but styling is still an important factor that should be considered; this is a gadget you�ll potentially be looking at day in and day out for years to come. As far as my taste goes, I would place LG�s Optimus UI in between Samsung�s TouchWiz and HTC�s Sense, which still wears the crown by a long shot.

Where function is concerned, the LG Revolution can definitely keep up with the bulk of modern Android smartphones currently on the market. It doesn�t have a dual-core Tegra 2 processor, but its 1GHz Snapdragon CPU has yet to give me any real problems during typical usage. I did find that it slowed a bit under extremely heavy strain, but this is expected of any Android device at this point due to the free rein developers have with background processes. Again, however, bogging is most definitely the exception to the rule with LG�s Revolution, and most functions free of any real stuttering. There is some UI slowness at times, but this is an issue with Android and it can be seen even on the fastest dual-core smartphones on the market today.

Verizon Wireless users will be excited by the fact that data continues to come and go during voice calls, though the calls themselves will not be overly exciting. Call quality is mediocre at best, though the ear speaker volume is more than sufficient. I found the audio quality with speakerphone enabled to be sub par, and the distortion was simply unbearable with the volume turned up above approximately 60%. Callers on the other end of the phone weren�t impressed with call quality either, so I would definitely recommend investing in a decent Bluetooth headset if you intend to pick up a Revolution.

The Outside

When it comes to build quality, LG is hit or miss. Some of its devices feel like cheap toys that climbed out of the bottom of a cereal box, while others � like the G-Slate tablet, for example � feature top-notch materials and a solid build that can rival any device on the market. Thankfully, the Revolution falls into the latter of those two categories. The phone is a bit hefty at 6.06 ounces, but I like a phone that has a substantial feel. The front of the device is smooth glass that is noticeably devoid of an oleophobic coating, the bezel is a hard black plastic that feels very solid, and the back sports a smooth, slightly rubbery feel that greets the hand perfectly.

The top of the Revolution is home to a power/lock button and a 3.5-millimeter audio jack, and the bottom of the phone sports only a microphone. The left side features a covered microUSB port for charging and connectivity to a PC, while the right side is home to a volume rocker and an HDMI-out port.

The back of the phone features a second microphone for noise cancellation, which is accompanied by a black chrome strip down the center of the device. This strip holds LG, Verizon and �4G LTE� logos along with a 5-megapixel camera and an LED flash. A second camera is located on the face of the phone to facilitate video chats, and the four standard capacitive Android buttons are located beneath the display.

LG�s Revolution sports a 5-megapixel camera while the HTC ThunderBolt and Samsung DROID Charge feature 8-megapixel shooters. Anyone who owns a camera phone can tell you megapixels mean precious little in terms of the quality of the resulting images � I would take the 5-megapixel camera from Apple�s iPhone 4 or even 2-year-old Nokia smartphones like the N82 or N95 ahead of any currently available 8-megapixel cell phone camera. In the case of the Revolution, the images captured by its camera are at least on par with the ThunderBolt and DROID Charge, if not marginally more clear. Low light images are pretty bad, as they are with 99% of camera phones, but the Revolution�s camera performed quite well in daylight and in well lit rooms.

The Upside

Speed, speed, speed. The biggest benefit of the LG Revolution over the majority of smartphones on the market is undoubtedly the 4G LTE network behind it. I regularly saw data speeds between 10 and 13Mbps down and 5Mbps or more up. Latency generally fell between 65 and 80 milliseconds, which is also quite impressive for a mobile network, especially considering latency was very consistent. This performance is far better than land-based broadband service from many ISPs. In fact, it�s even better than services offered by some of the country�s top Internet providers. I use Time Warner Cable, for example, and while my download speeds of up to 30Mbps far exceed Verizon Wireless� LTE, my real-world tests of Verizon�s 4G upload speeds were over 10 times faster than by cable Internet, which is capped at a laughable 500Kbps.

What am I supposed to do with all that speed? Good question. Having access to this kind of speed on a mobile phone has limited utility in the real world for the time being. It can still definitely come in handy, however. The LG Revolution ships with a Netflix app that I�ve not yet been able to trip up a single time. I have started to stream movies while downloading giant email attachments, for example, and I couldn�t even get the Netflix app to choke for a fraction of a second. There is also a YouTube app, a link to download Bitbop, Slacker Radio, a link to download Blockbuster�s app, a link to download Rhapsody and several V Cast media apps on the device, just begging users to stream as much media as possible.

Then there�s the mobile hotspot function, of course, which supports up to eight concurrent connections while covered by 4G. Here is a test I performed yesterday evening with a MacBook Air tethered to the LG Revolution via the integrated mobile hotspot feature:

�Faster than 88% of US.� Enough said.

Of course don�t expect the mobile hotspot feature to take you very far unless you have a charger and an outlet near by. Also, I found that it sometimes took me quite some a while before I was able to move data once connected to the Revolution via Wi-Fi. Even while I could send and receive data on the phone itself, connected devices such as my laptop, a Galaxy Tab 10.1 and a BlackBerry PlayBook were unable to send or receive data until they were connected for about 90 seconds. Then, other times, I was able to connect to the Internet just fine within a few seconds of negotiating an IP address.

The Downside

Just as I would place the Optimus UI between HTC and Samsung�s competitive offerings, battery size is another area where the LG falls squarely in between HTC and Samsung � the revolution�s 1,500 mAh battery sits directly between the ThunderBolt�s 1,400 mAh battery and the DROID Charge�s 1,600 mAh offering. To the end user, this hardly matters. What does matter, however, is a smartphone�s ability to manage battery life and perform its various functions without leaving the user worried about having his or her phone die. In this regard, the LG Revolution fails miserably.

With 4G enabled, I could barely get the Revolution to idle for a full day without running out of juice. With regular usage, the phone would cough and sputter by the early afternoon and with heavy usage, I was lucky to get a few hours out of the Revolution. In a day and age where people rely on their smartphones more than ever, this is simply unacceptable.

For reasons unknown, Verizon and LG have chosen not to give users a simple way to enable and disable 4G LTE. I can understand that 4G is novel for Verizon and it wants users to bask in the glow of its blistering data speeds, but when that glow only lasts a few short hours per charge, common sense needs to be exercised. I use a third-party app called �LTE Switch� to enable and disable LTE on my Revolution review unit, and it works like a charm. The device needs to reboot every time you switch LTE on or off, but I was able to get just about a full day of usage out of the phone when I disabled LTE often. I shed a tear when subsequent speed tests rang up at below 1Mbps down, but whenever I needed a boost I just fired up LTE and let the Revolution soar.

My only other major issue with this smartphone is the display. The giant 4.3-inch display consumers can�t seem to get enough of on Android phones just so happens to be my least favorite thing about the Revolution�s hardware. It�s bad. The size is great, the backlighting is sufficiently bright, the resolution is decent at a now-baseline 480 x 800 pixels� but the panel itself just doesn�t do it for me. The viewing angle is terrible, colors are very washed out and graphics just don�t pop compared to more modern displays.

Also � and this may be an issue with the UI as much as it is with the screen � color gradients are particularly terrible on the Revolution�s display. On a better screen like one of Samsung�s offerings or Apple�s Retina Display, colors fade very smoothly from one to the next on UI elements, and this really enhances the look of the graphics. On the Revolution, this effect cannot be pulled off. Gradients that fade from black to dark gray, for example, render as horizontal or vertical bars that are aligned in progressively lighter colors. The transition is not smooth and seamless, as it should be on a modern smartphone display.

The Bottom Line

Every time we mention Verizon Wireless� 4G LTE network here on BGR, we write about how ridiculously fast it is compared to the competition. At this point in time, it really has no rival. Those looking for a new smartphone who value blazing fast data speeds above all else really have three choices, and they�re all Verizon phones. LG�s Revolution is the newest of the three, and while it can�t match the gorgeous Super AMOLED Plus display on the DROID Charge or the sleek and stylish Sense UI on the ThunderBolt, it easily features my favorite design and build of the three devices. The Revolution also features the same Android 2.2 OS as the Charge and the ThunderBolt, so it is essentially just as capable.

The trade off with an LTE phone, of course, is battery life. There�s just no way to sugar coat it� battery life on the LG Revolution is abysmal, just like it is on the ThunderBolt and the DROID Charge. Those seriously considering any of these smartphones should be prepared to purchase several additional wall chargers and a car charger in order to have access to power as often as possible.

Full REVIEW >> HTC Sensation 4G

The HTC Sensation 4G for T-Mobile is arguably one of the carrier�s best smartphones ever. It�s packed to the brim with features and impressive specs, it�s lightning quick, incredibly well-built, and it runs HTC�s latest and greatest Sense user interface. Can it compete with other Android devices like the T-Mobile G2x, though? How does a dual-core Snapdragon CPU compare to a dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 in real world usage? Is this the best smartphone to ever hit T-Mobile? Answers to those questions and more can be found after the break!

Hardware / Display

If you�re going to use the word �superphone� to describe any smartphone, there�s a good chance you�re going to use it to describe the HTC Sensation 4G. Powered by a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, the HTC Sensation 4G is one of the fastest phones on the market. It runs Android 2.3, features a sharp and vivid 4.3 inch qHD display, an 8-megapixel camera with two LED flashes and 1080p full HD video capture and a front-facing camera, and it is all packed within a unique unibody construction.

The front of the phone features slightly curved glass that is overlaid on the display, sort of like the Google Nexus S, though it is more subtle. Surrounding the display is an aluminum case split up by soft touch rubberized plastic on the top and bottom. On the left side, you will find a volume up and down rocker, and a micro-USB port. On the top, you �ll see a 3.5 mm headset jack, power on and off button, and switching to the back, you�ll see the 8-megapixel camera with dual flashes, a speaker, and an extra mic for noise cancellation. There�s also an LED built in under the earpiece speaker for notifications.

Interestingly enough, when you take the battery cover off the back of the phone, you are not taking the battery cover off so much as you are taking the entire case off the back of the device. The phone fits perfectly in my hand and even though it�s a 4.3 inch display, the fact that it is a qHD display means that it isn�t as wide as other 4.3 inch devices. Plus, the feel of the phone in your hand really exudes quality � it is solid, a little heavy, but it feels like you are holding and using a quality product.

The screen on the HTC Sensation 4G is one of the best I have seen on any Android device. It is crystal clear, bright, vivid, colors pop, and the concave glass on the device really kicks it up a notch because not only does it protect the display if you put it on a flat surface face down, but it contours very nicely to your face when you talk on the phone (it sort of hugs your cheek).

Software

The HTC Sensation 4G runs HTC�s brand new Sense 3.0 user interface on top of Android. It is incredibly familiar, yet HTC has made some unique and interesting changes. For starters, there is this carousel effect on the home screen that appears when you swipe quickly through your different home screens. When you look closely or slowly turn them, you see this great 3D effect. For instance, on the clock, which looks like an analog alarm clock, when you turn it slowly you can see parts of the wallpaper that sit behind the clock�s display. The same applies to the address folder, mailbox, and calendar icons.

HTC has also made some changes to the applications drawer. It scrolls by pages now when you swipe up and down, there is a frequents tab, a downloaded tab, you can choose how you want to sort your apps, and more. As far as notifications go, when you pull down the notification drawer, you will see the last five apps that were used, notifications, and you will also see a tab at the bottom called quick settings that will give you access to disable/enable Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Hotspot, cellular network, Bluetooth and GPS. You can also quickly jump into your settings from there, and view your device�s used and free memory.

HTC has also updated the email app, which I really like. It is cleaner, it shows more information, you can quickly flag and un-flag messages, and you can also get more contextual items when you tap and hold on an individual message. The calendar app looks refreshed as well. The agenda view is very useful and clean, and I love how on day views, HTC includes the weather forecast on top of the calendar. While I am not a huge fan of HTC�s skinned browser, the new updates � such as the ability to view/open windows and carousel/thumbnail view, the improved text selection, and other enhancements � make the browser faster and easier to use.

Unfortunately, HTC�s phone app doesn�t appear to have been updated. I haven�t ever liked the way HTC�s phone app looks or works, and I prefer something a little more straightforward. I don�t like how the keypad overlays onto your list of recently called people and your address book.

Phone / Speakerphone

Using the phone for voice calling was a relatively good experience. When talking on the HTC Sensation 4G, calls sounded reasonably loud and clear, though the ear speaker lacked a little low-end and calls did sound a tiny bit tinny at times. The speakerphone isn�t great, but it is certainly better than most phones I have used recently. In terms of reception, the Sensation performed incredibly well in this department and latched on to more T-Mobile bars than I have typically seen in the same locations from competitive offerings.

Music playback on the HTC Sensation, just like the earpiece speaker, lacked a lot of low-end and while decently loud, the high and mid-range frequencies overpowered any music I played on the device. It was to the point of distorting. Music sounded hollow, dry and dull.

Battery

I have used the HTC Sensation on and off for a week and I can confidently say that the battery life is very good. It�s powered by a 1,520 mAh battery and it performs better than most other current HTC smartphones. With heavy usage you can probably power through an entire day without needing a charge, and moderate users should be able to make it until the next morning before needing a recharge. I didn�t do much talking on the phone, but after hours of heavy emailing, web browsing, downloading apps, and playing back streaming music from Google Music, the phone was only at about 50% battery life.

Conclusion

The HTC Sensation 4G for T-Mobile is an incredible Android device. It features some of the latest specs coupled with HTC�s latest and best Sense user interface, all in a solid unibody construction complete with a super sharp qHD display and more. It fits perfectly in your hand, and it really feels like the ultimate quality product. It�s fast, it�s quick, it�s powerful, and it really shows off some of the best from HTC. Hands down, this is my absolute favorite Android device on T-Mobile.

There are a couple hiccups � the Qualcomm Snapdragon processor is fast, but it�s not as fast as a 1GHz dual-core Tegra 2, and I would have loved it if the phone was a bit lighter. All in all, however, this is the phone to beat on T-Mobile. It offers fast data speeds on T-Mobile�s 4G network, and it really pushes the boundary of engineering in my opinion. The HTC Sensation 4G is available for $199.99 with a two-year agreement starting on June 15th.

Pooja Jaitly contributed to this review.

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