Android Atlas

Trio of new HTC phones uncovered ahead of MWC

The first images of HTC's next handsets have made their way online ahead of next month's Mobile World Congress. Various leaks obtained by PocketNow reveal slightly varied takes on current Android designs. One image, which could be of the flagship model, closely resembles the Desire HD unveiled last September. A front-facing camera sits above what appears to be a screen measuring 4 inches diagonally.

A second, more compact, device features a traditional trackball and a 3.2-inch screen. The top right corner has what could be construed as a front-facing camera or ambient light sensor. Bearing a striking … Read more

Flyer rumored to be first of three HTC Android tablets

DigiTimes is back again, adding fuel to a fire that doesn't want to die. According to the site's sources, HTC is said to be readying not one, but three Android tablets for the first part of the year.

The first device, the Flyer, may begin shipping in the United States in March, with the other two devices following in June. The Flyer should resemble a large HTC Desire and run a pre-Honeycomb version of Android. As for the other models, they will make their debut with Gingerbread (Android 3.0).

It's worth pointing out that the information … Read more

MetroPCS lining up another Samsung LTE phone (rumor)

As the race for carriers and phone manufacturers surges to push out LTE 4G-enabled phones of the likes that poured from CES last week, we've seen some rumors that Samsung is prepping to release a new LTE phone with MetroPCS.

The photos of the phone information clearly show that the phone is the Samsung SCH-R910 running LTE (look under Baseband version.) It also appears to run Android 2.2 (Froyo; look under Firmware version.)

If that's the case, the Samsung SCH-R910 would be MetroPCS' first LTE smartphone, after the regional, contract-free carrier released the Samsung Craft, a feature … Read more

T-Mobile primed to announce Motorola Cliq 2

Next week at CES T-Mobile and Motorola may unveil the successor to their 2009 handset, the Cliq.

A handful of images of the Cliq 2 made their way onto Cell Phone Signal's site yesterday. The photos show a device that looks nearly identical to its predecessor outside of a redesigned keyboard and a shinier bezel around the screen.

As you can see from the pictures, the phone will run Motorola's custom MotoBlur user interface, although the version of Android isn't certain. I would certainly hope for at least 2.2 Froyo, but wouldn't be surprised if … Read more

Verizon may call down HTC Thunderbolt at Jan. 6 event

When Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg take the stage January 6 for a CES keynote, it's expected that he'll show off a broad range of LTE products and services. Both the dual-core LG smarpthone and the Motorola Honeycomb tablet should make an appearance, and we also look for the 4G LTE-ready HTC Thunderbolt.

Previously known by other code names (Mecha and Droid Incredible HD), the Thunderbolt will be the third 4G "first" from the manufacturer, following the Evo 4G (Sprint's first 4G phone) and the G2 (T-Mobile's first 4G handset). The Thunderbolt moniker makes sense … Read more

PlayStation phone may carry Xperia branding

A handful of new PlayStation phone rumors surfaced this week, adding to a long list of unconfirmed reports surrounding the device.

The latest gossip concerns the smartphone's eventual name. According to information uncovered by Pocket-Now, Sony Ericsson has registered for trademarks on Xperia Play, Xperia Neo, Xperia Duo, and Xperia Arc. It's possible that the Xperia Play could refer to the device itself or an umbrella of services related to the phone.

The Unofficial Xperia X10 blog also discovered that a Sony Ericsson PR firm had registered the XperiaPlay.com, XperiaPlay.net, and XperiaPlay.org domain names. Again, … Read more

Android tablet preview

When my boss asks me what tablets I expect to see at CES, I have to laugh a little. It's a nervous laugh. Maybe I'm overreacting, but with the iPad's breakout success this year, I'm expecting a tidal wave of tablets at CES 2011.

There are the obvious elephants in the room. RIM will surely be making a fuss about its PlayBook. HP should have a WebOS tablet to show off (or risk humiliation, at this point). And as for Microsoft, if we don't see a branded tablet we should at least see a convincing … Read more

LG's super thin 'B' outted ahead of CES

A new Android-based handset from LG leaked to the blogosphere yesterday, introducing the world to the LG "B." We know very little about the device at this point, save for the fact that it is gunning for the world's thinnest smartphone, even slimmer than Apple's iPhone 4.

First found on Phandroid yesterday afternoon, the phone was later confirmed by the handset maker via Twitter. The tweet, which was later retracted, may have been posted in error or without proper clearance.

A theory suggests that the "B" might stand for bright, given the appearance of … Read more

Android Atlas Weekly 28: The first dual core Android phone (podcast)

The first dual core Android phone, a whole new Android Market. All that and more on this week's edition of Android Atlas Weekly for Thursday, December 16th, 2010. Join Justin Eckhouse along side guest host, Senior Associate Editor Jessica Dolcourt!

Subscribe:  iTunes (MP3) |  iTunes (320x180) |  iTunes (640x360) |  RSS (MP3) |  RSS (320x180) |  RSS (640x360) EPISODE 28

News Stories

LG’s Optimus 2X is first dual-core smartphone http://www.cnet.com/8301-19736_1-20025831-251.html

Rumor: Honeycomb will be released as Android 2.4 in February at MWC http://androidandme.com/2010/12/news/rumor-honeycomb-will-be-released-as-android-2-4-in-february-at-mwc/

Official Froyo … Read more