LG
Powermat and PowerKiss Unite and Back PMA Standard
Powermat today announced that it has merged with PowerKiss. Powermat, based in the U.S., makes and markets wireless charging accessories. It backs the standard supported by the Power Matters Alliance. Before today, PowerKiss, which is based in Finland, backed a competing standard. Now that the two companies are one, they are together throwing their weight behind the PMA wireless charging standard. The PMA is mounting a challenge to competing standards Qi and the Alliance for Wireless Power. Earlier this year, the PMA won support from AT&T, BlackBerry, Google, HTC, Huawei, Kyocera, LG, Samsung, Starbucks, and ZTE. Further, AT&T mandated that its handset partners incorporate the PMA wireless charging standard into their devices by 2014. Verizon Wireless supports the Qi standard. The consumer electronics industry has yet to settle on a single standard.
New Provider Zact Offers A La Carte Plans
A new service provider called Zact today announced its unique plan offerings. The company offers a large range of sizes for voice, text messaging, and data buckets that can be mixed and matched in any way. Any custom plan can be shared among any number of devices for $5 per device. Plans can be managed and changed at any time via an app on the Android phone. The company uses the Sprint 4G LTE network and offers two phones: the LG Viper for $399 and LG Optimus Elite for $199. A "Never Overpay Guarantee" automatically bills you only for the cheapest plan that fits your usage, even if you picked a more expensive plan for that month. Example rates include $24.22 for 1 GB of data, $64.31 for 3 GB of data, $5.28 for 1,000 text messages, and $9.43 for 500 voice minutes. The company also offers app-specific unlimited data, such as $5/month for Facebook, $1/month for Candy Crush Saga, or $5/month for maps and navigation. The company also offers parental controls that work directly via the Zact app. Parents can set limits and curfews, and even approve contacts. Phones will start shipping in June.
Consumer Cellular Lands the LG 930 and Samsung Exhilarate
Consumer Cellular today announced the addition of two Android smartphones to its roster of devices, the LG 930 and the Samsung Galaxy Exhilarate. The LG 930 (sold by AT&T as the Nitro HD), features a 4.5-inch HD display, 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 8-megapixel camera with HD video capture, front camera, DLNA wireless media streaming, and a memory card slot. The Galaxy Exhilarate includes a 4-inch screen, dual-core 1.2GHz processor, 5-megapixel camera with HD video capture, front camera, and a memory card slot. The LG 930 is being sold for $300 and the Galaxy Exhilarate is being sold for $150. Both are available, without contracts, from Consumer Cellular's web site beginning today.
AT&T to Sell LG Optimus G Pro for $199
AT&T today announced that it will offer the LG Optimus G Pro smartphone for $199.99 with a new two-year contract. The display is one of the key features of the Optimus G Pro. It measures 5.5-inches, includes 1920 x 1080 pixels, and runs edge-to-edge using curved glass. The G Pro is powered by a 1.7GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor, which is paired with 2GB of RAM. The main camera rates 13 megapixels and the user-facing camera rates 2.1 megapixels. The G Pro is powered by a removable 3,140mAh battery that supports wireless charging. It runs Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean and comes with LG's user interace customizations, including Dual Recording and Virtual Reality Panorama features for the camera. Preorders for the Optimus G Pro begin May 3 and it will reach stores on May 10.
ZTE to Pay Microsoft for Every Android Phone It Makes
Microsoft has struck another smartphone patent licensing agreement, this time with Chinese handset manufacturer ZTE. Microsoft has similar deals already in place with companies such as Samsung, HTC, LG, Hon Hai, and 20 other companies. Microsoft maintains that its patent portfolio covers certain core technologies that are built into the Android platform. Microsoft is still attempting to get Google's Motorola unit to sign a similar agreement, but has been forced to resort to litigation to do so. Terms of the deal with ZTE were not disclosed.
Qi Rival Gains Strength with Handset Maker Support
The Power Matters Alliance, a group pitching a wireless charging standard that competes with the Qi and the Alliance for Wireless Power standards, has recently won new support from handset makers and carriers. The group announced this week that HTC, Huawei, LG, and Samsung have all joined the PMA, which already includes members such as AT&T, BlackBerry, Google, Kyocera, PowerMat, Starbucks, and ZTE. Further, existing PMA member AT&T is asking its handset partners to integrate PMA-compatible wireless charging technology into their handsets by 2014. According to the PMA, there are already some 1,500 PMA-certified wireless charging stations at Starbucks coffee shops, airports, and other locations around the country. The Power Matters Alliance uses a wireless charging technology that is slightly different from those offered by Qi and A4WP. Each of the three standards allows devices to charge wirelessly when placed on a compatible charging pad. Verizon's handsets have incorporated Qi for years, which already has wide support from other carriers and handset makers. The electronics industry as a whole has yet to settle on one of the standards for all devices moving forward.
LG Cosmos 3 and Revere 2 Reach Verizon's Lineup
Verizon Wireless recently added two LG feature phones to its device roster, the Cosmos 3 and Revere 2. Both phones are follow-ups to previous devices and stick to entry-level features. They are limited to Verizon's older 1XRTT 3G technology and each includes a 1.3-megapixel camera with video capture, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, and basic web and messaging applications.
- Cosmos 3: This sideways slider has a 2-inch 240 x 320 display, full QWERTY keyboard, social networking apps, and support for 32GB microSD cards.
- Revere 2: This flip phone has a 2-inch 176 x 220 main display, a 0.98-inch secondary display, and speakerphone.
Jelly Bean Hits AT&T's LG Optimus G
AT&T today announced that owners of the LG Optimus G can download and install the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean system update. Android 4.1 adds Google Now, Project Butter, and other enhancements. It can be installed over the air.
Verizon's LG Lucid Earns a Sequel
Verizon Wireless today announced the LG Lucid 2, a new Android device that Verizon is positioning as a good entry-level smartphone. The Lucid 2 features a 4.3-inch qHD display and runs Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean. It has Starter Mode and Standard Mode, which are two different user profiles. The Starter Mode is simpler to operate for beginners, while the Standard Mode is what experienced Android users might prefer. The Lucid 2 also includes some custom LG apps, such as Quick Memo, Video Editor, and Video Wiz. Other hardware features include a dual-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor with 1GB of RAM; support for microSD cards up to 64GB in addition to 8GB of built-in storage; 5-megapixel camera with 1080p HD video capture; Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth 4.0; support for wireless charging; and Mobile Hotspot for up to 10 other devices. The LG Lucid 2 will be available online beginning April 4 and in stores in the coming weeks. It is free with a new two-year contract.
LG to Give Optimus G Pro Eye-Controlled Video Feature
LG today announced that a forthcoming software update to the Optimus G Pro will let users control video playback with their eyes. The feature, called Smart Video, will use the camera to recognize when the device owner is looking at the phone's display during video playback. When the owner turns their eyes away from the display, the Smart Video software will automatically stop the video playback. Similarly, it will resume video playback when the owner's eyes return to the screen. The software update also adds a picture-in-picture feature, called Dual Camera, that lets users take still images with both the main camera and user-facing camera at the same time. This second feature builds on a capability already present in the Optimus G Pro, called Dual Recording, which does the same thing, but with video. The software update also adds a TV remote control, the ability to customize the color of the LED lights surrounding the home button, colored emoticons, and the ability to pause/resume video capture to create a single video file. The software is being rolled out to the Korean variant of the Optimus G Pro in April first, with other variants and premium devices to follow.
from LG
Hands-On: LG F7 and F5
The F Series represents LG's commitment to design and features such as 4G. Variants of these two phones may or may not come to the U.S., but we took a look anyway.
from LG
LG to Buy WebOS from HP for Its TVs, Not Phones
LG today revealed that it has agreed to acquire the webOS operating system from HP for an undisclosed sum. LG said it has no intension to use webOS in mobile phones, as it is happy to use Google's Android mobile operating system in its smartphones. Instead, LG plans to take advantage of webOS in its smart television and other consumer electronics products. WebOS began life in 2009 as then-Palm's new operating system. Palm and webOS were later acquired by HP, which eventually shuttered the operating system and made it open source. WebOS will continue to be developed by LG at its Sunnyvale, Calif., R&D facility. Details about employee transitions, financials, and how the deal affects the open source version of webOS were not immediately made available.
Hands-On: LG Optimus G Pro
LG had its massive phablet on display at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Here's a quick look at LG's Galaxy Note II killer.
from LG
G, Vu, F, and LII Define LG's Smartphone Naming System
LG today provided some clarification on the naming convention it will use for its smartphones moving forward. LG's Android devices will fall into one of four categories: G, Vu, F, and LII. The G Series includes phones such as the Optimus G and Optimus G Pro, which are the Korean firm's flagship models. G Series devices will include the best features and most cutting-edge specs, such as HD displays, fast processors, excellent cameras, and 4G. Next down the line is the Vu Series, including the Vu and Vu II. The Vu Series' defining characteristic will always be the phablet form factor with large displays, though they will share other features with the G Series. The F Series are what LG considers to be everyday 4G LTE devices, such as the recently announced F5 and F7. They will offer mid-range specs at affordable prices. The new LII Series devices, including the L3, L5, and L7, are 3G phones that offer good design and entry-level specs at a low price point. All phones in the G, Vu, F, and LII Series will continue to include LG's user interface customizations and features.
Alcatel, LG, ZTE To Launch Firefox OS Phones
Mozilla today announced the main launch partners for the first Firefox OS phones. The company also provided some details of the OS' app marketplace. Alcatel (TCL,) LG and ZTE will all make Firefox OS phones, all of which will use Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. The ZTE phone will either be called the Open (according to the press release) or Fire (according to reps at the press conference.) Telefonica will launch phones from all three manufacturers in Brazil, Colombia, Spain and Venezuela in mid-2013. Deutsche Telekom will launch the Alcatel One Touch Fire in Poland this summer, followed by additional countries. Huawei has also committed to make phones for the OS, although no carriers have committed to their efforts yet. Telnor will bring unspecified Firefox OS phones to Serbia, Montenegro and Hungary. America Movil will also bring Firefox OS phones to all of its Latin American markets. No U.S. carriers have committed to Firefox OS, although Mozilla expects the OS to reach U.S. shores in 2014. The Firefox Marketplace will support both downloadable and "one-time use" apps. The OS will also feature universal search, showing unified results from within apps and from the web.
LG Debuts Optimus F Series
LG today announced a new pair of mid-range 4G LTE Android smartphones. The Optimus F Series includes the F7 and F5, devices that run Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean and come with an assortment of LG custom software, such as QuickMemo and Q Slide, which were previously only available on premium smartphones.
- F7: The larger of the two phones sports a 4.7-inch IPS display; 1.5GHz dual-core processor with 2GB of RAM and 8GB of buit-in storage; an 8-megapixel main camera and 1.3-megapixel user--facing camera; and a 2,540mAh battery.
- F5: The lesser of the two F Series devices has a 4.3-inch IPS display; 1.2GHz dual-core processor with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of built-in storage; a 5-megapixel main camera and 1.3-megapixel user-facing camera; and a 2,150mAh battery.
LG Provides More Details About the Optimus G Pro
LG today offered more information about the Optimus G Pro, a device it first revealed in part last week. Some of the stand-out features of the G Pro include Dual Recording and Virtual Reality Panorama. According to LG, Dual Recording lets users record video with the rear and front cameras at the same time, creating a picture-in-picture video. The VR Panorama mode is similar to the Photo Sphere feature available on the Nexus 4, as it allows users to create 360-degree views of their surroundings. As noted already, the Optimus G Pro has a 5.5-inch full HD display with 1920 x 1080 pixels. The display runs edge-to-edge, and uses curved glass. The G Pro is powered by a 1.7GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor, which is paired with 2GB of RAM. The main camera rates 13 megapixels and the user-facing camera rates 2.1 megapixels. The G Pro is powered by a removable 3,140mAh battery that supports wireless charging. It runs Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean and comes with LG's user interace customizations. The G Pro is launching in Korea first, followed by Japan later this year. LG said the G Pro will be made available in other markets, including the U.S., during the second quarter.
AT&T Sees Minor Court Victory Against LCD Makers
A U.S. appeals court today sided with AT&T in its lawsuit against LCD panel display makers. AT&T originally sued LG Display, Samsung, Sharp, Chunghwa and AU Optronics in 2009 over an alleged scheme to raise and fix the prices of LCD displays. A U.S. court eventually dismissed portions of AT&T's case. Today's decision overturns the partial dismissal. AT&T claims to have purchased some 300 million mobile phones from the companies involved at inflated prices due to the scheme. Both Florida and New York have filed lawsuits against the companies, as has the federal government and the European Union. A U.S. court found AU Optronics guilty of colluding with the other LCD panel in March of last year. The price fixing scheme operated between 1999 and 2006. The companies met more than 60 times, often at luxury hotels, and U.S. prosecutors claim the scheme cost U.S. consumers and businesses billions of dollars. Other LCD panel makers, including Samsung and LG Display, pleaded guilty and paid fines. AT&T's case against AU Optronics may now move forward.
Qualcomm Reveals Quick Charge Tech for Snapdragon
Qualcomm today announced that more than 70 Snapdragon-based smartphones and tablets come with a technology called Quick Charge. Quick Charge 1.0 is a rapid-charging technology that Qualcomm acquired when it bought Summit Microelectronics. According to Qualcomm, devices with Quick Charge can reach a full charge up to 40% faster than devices that don't have Quick Charge. The technology is offered by Qualcomm to its hardware partners as an integrated solution with Qualcomm's power management circuits or a stand-alone USB interface controller. Some of the devices that have Quick Charge 1.0 already built in include the HTC Droid DNA and 8X, the LG Nexus 4 and Optimus G, the Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX HD, the Nokia Lumia 920, and the Samsung Galaxy S III among many others. Qualcomm said that it will reveal more details about its fast-charging technology in the coming weeks.
from Qualcomm
LG Reveals Optimus G Pro With 5.5-Inch Display
LG today took the wraps off a new flagship phone called the Optimus G Pro. The stand-out feature of the Optimus G Pro is its edge-to-edge, 5.5-inch full HD display. LG said using curved surfaces and pushing the display all the way to the side edges helped it create a narrower device that can better fit in and be used by a single hand. Other details shared by LG about the Optimus G Pro were slim. It runs Google's Android operating system with LG's new 3D user interface, has a quad-core processor, and includes two cameras. LG will provide more information about the Optimus G Pro at Mobile World Congress later this month.
LG's Optimus L Series Earns a Set of Sequels
LG today announced a second-generation of its L Series Android smartphones, the L3II, the L5II, and the L7II. As with last year's models, they three new devices range from entry-level to mid-range. The L Series II devices share a number of features, including LG's QuickMemo app, as well as Quick Button, a personalized hot key, and Safety Care, a preprogrammed emergency option. They also encompass new design elements that LG calls Seamless Layout, Laser Cut Contour, and Smart LED Lighting for the home button. All three use in-plane switching LCD panels and will be available in dual-SIM and single SIM variants.
- L7II: The largest of the three L Series II smartphones has a 4.3-inch WVGA display, 8-megapixel main camera with LED flash, dual-core 1GHz Qualcomm processor with 768MB of RAM, and a 2,460mAh battery. It also uses LG's QSlide and QuickTranslator user interface features. The L7II will ship in Russia this week with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.
- L5II: This middle model of this trio features a 4.0-inch WVGA display and 1,700mAh battery. More details were not made available by LG.
- L3II: The smallest of the bunch has a 3.2-inch QVGA display and a 1,540mAh battery. Pricing and availability will be announced at a later date.
from LG
Updates Headed to LG Viper, Motorola Electrify M
Operating system updates have become available to a number of Android smartphones in recent days. First, Sprint is delivering a small maintenance update to the LG Viper 4G. Though the update does not boost the version of Android running on the Viper, it does fix problems the Viper has connecting to Sprint's LTE 4G network. The update can be downloaded over the air. Second, U.S. Cellular is delivering the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update to the Motorola Electrify M. The update, which is being pushed in phases, adds Google Now, voice search, and improves notifications, among other new features. This update can also be downloaded over the air.
LG Licenses More Immersion Haptic Tech
Immersion today announced that LG has agreed to license more of its haptic feedback patents, expanding upon an existing partnership. The license covers simple forms of feedback, called Basic Haptics, which LG will use in its smartphones and other mobile devices. LG already licenses Immersion's TouchSense technology for its phones. Haptic feedback is the micro-vibration technology used by devices to let users know when they've activated certain buttons or features.
MetroPCS Launches LG Spirit 4G
MetroPCS today announced the LG Spirit 4G, a new Android smartphone that has a 4.5-inch display protected by Gorilla Glass. The Spirit runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and is powered by a dual-core 1.2GHz processor. The Spirit has a 5-megapixel main camera that can take 1080p HD video, and a 1.3-megapixel user-facing camera for video chats. The Spirit features LG's QuickMemo application, which lets users take screen shots and compose memos on the. The Spirit supports MetroPCS' joyn messaging service, which can be used for instant messaging and calling via Wi-Fi. The LG Spirit 4G is available beginning today for $199 after a $70 mail-in rebate.
NTT DoCoMo Outs the LG Optimus G Pro with HD Display
NTT DoCoMo today revealed the LG Optimus G Pro, a new smartphone that has a 5-inch 1080p full HD display. The Optimus G Pro runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and is powered by a quad-core 1.7GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro processor with 2GB of RAM. It also includes a 13-megapixel camera with 1080p HD video capture, 32GB of built-in storage, support for microSDXC cards, and a 3,000mAh battery. According to NTT DoCoMo, the LG Optimus G Pro features new software from LG called Slide Apps, which are small widgets that can run on top of other apps, and Dual Video, a feature that lets users record a picture-in-picture video from both cameras at the same time. The LG Optimus G Pro will be available from NTT DoCoMo in Japan beginning in April. LG has not independently confirmed this phone, nor announced availability outside of Japan.
T-Mobile Says Nexus 4 Now In Stock
T-Mobile USA today said that the LG Nexus 4 smartphone is now more widely available in its larger retail stores, and will reach all its retail stores nationwide in the coming weeks. The Nexus 4 will one agin be available from T-Mobile's web site starting on January 23. Additionally, T-Mobile is now offering SIM cards for the HSPA+ version of the Nexus 7 tablet. The Nexus 7 can be purchased directly from the Google Play Store.
Hands On: LG Vu ii
The Vu ii is a follow up to last year's Vu / Intuition from LG. It is still a bit awkward to hold, but less so than before thanks to significant changes to the hardware. Here are our first impressions.
Sprint Confirms Prepaid Service to Launch January 25
Sprint confirmed today that it plans to launch Sprint-branded prepaid cellular service, called Sprint As You Go, later this month. The service will offer several phones for full retail price along with altered versions of Sprint's service plans. Sprint will sell four phones, two smartphones (LG Optimus Elite for $150, Samsung Victory for $250) and two feature phones. The prepaid smartphone plans include unlimited talk, text, and data for $70 per month, and the prepaid feature phone plans include unlimited talk, text, and data for $50 per month. They will be available for purchase from Sprint's existing retail stores. "This is essentially a retail initiative for Sprint-branded stores only, created for customers who have an affinity for the Sprint brand and have indicated they want a no-contract option," said Sprint spokeswoman Jayne Wallace to Fierce Wireless. "As for our prepaid brands, this actually allows us to strengthen the focus on our primary prepaid sales channels." Sprint will not throttle or limit the amount of data consumed by customers who choose these plans. The customers will not, however, be able to roam onto other carriers' EVDO 3G networks, nor will Sprint-branded services, such as Navigation, work. Sprint As You Go launches January 25.
YouTube Expands Android-to-TV Playback Directly to TVs
Google today announced that Android smartphone owners will be able to push YouTube content directly to more TVs beginning this year. In November, Google enabled Android smartphones and tablets to connect to Google TV boxes (via Wi-Fi) and push YouTube videos directly to the Google TV box (and ultimately the attached TV). Moving forward, Android YouTube fans will be able to do the same thing, but without the Google TV box. New television sets from Bang & Olufsen, LG, Panasonic, and Sony, to be announced at the Consumer Electronics Show next week, will ship with support for this YouTube feature built in. Google expects more TVs from Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Toshiba, Vizio, and Western Digital to arrive with the same feature later in the year. Android phones and tablets can also act as a remote control for the YouTube video, and control play, pause, fast-forward, and other functions.
Jury Exonerates Apple and LG in Alcatel Patent Case
Apple and LG were today found not to infringe on Alcatel-Lucent patents. The jury's finding concludes a week-long trial that took place in San Diego federal court. Alcatel-Lucent claimed Apple and LG were violating its video compression patents in phones such as the Apple iPhone and the LG Chocolate Touch, Bliss, Mystique, and others. Alcatel-Lucent was looking to score $173 million in damages from Apple and LG. Apple's lawyers were pleased with the outcome. Neither LG nor Alcatel-Lucent offered comment. Earlier today, however, Apple was found guilty of infringing three MobileMedia patents in a separate trial. Damages in that case have yet to be assessed
MetroPCS Expands Joyn Availability to More Android Phones
MetroPCS today indicated that its joyn service can now be used on a wider range of its Android handsets. The service initially launched on the Samsung Galaxy Attain 4G. It now also works on the Samsung Galaxy S III and S Lightray 4G; the LG Connect 4G and Motion 4G; the ZTE Anthem 4G; and the Coolpad Quattro 4G. Joyn is a standards-based Android application that collects and merges messaging services, such as IM and SMS. The app lets users conduct threaded text conversations and supports presence, which lets users know when their friends are available. It also makes it easier to share photo and video content when the user is on an active phone call (this is traditionally not possible on CDMA-based devices). Last, it lets MetroPCS customers make voice and video calls to other joyn users via Wi-Fi.
LG Says LTE on Nexus 4 Due to Combo-Chip from Qualcomm
LG recently offered an explanation behind the Nexus 4's supposed support for LTE 4G networks. As it is marketed by Google, the LG-made Nexus 4 supports HSPA+ at 42Mbps, but not LTE 4G. However, the Nexus 4 is a variant of the Optimus G, which is sold by both AT&T and Sprint in the U.S. Both these carrier variants include support for LTE. Since the Nexus 4's release, some owners have discovered limited LTE support on some networks with their Nexus 4. LG explains that the reason behind the LTE capability found in the non-LTE device is simple: LTE is included on the chip from Qualcomm. "In order to provide the best possible specification for Nexus 4, LG utilised the same powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset as can be found in its 4G LTE product, namely LG Optimus G," an LG spokesperson told TechRadar. "This powerful chipset is only available with a combined processor and modem and cannot be implemented separately. The modem contains 4G LTE capabilities but is only effective when combined with other essential hardware parts such as a signal amplifier and filter in order for it to work. It therefore cannot be upgraded to 4G LTE capability through software." In the U.S., the Nexus 4 works on the HSPA+ networks of both AT&T and T-Mobile USA. It does not support U.S. LTE 4G networks.
Republic Wireless Exits Beta, Available to All
Republic Wireless today announced the formal launch and availability of its low-cost service and first device. The service had previously been in beta since late 2011. Republic is an MVNO that uses Sprint's network and offers unlimited everything for $19 per month. Republic Wireless uses a combination of cellular data and Wi-Fi to pass VoIP-based calls through the internet rather than through traditional voice networks. It named the technology Hybrid Calling. Anyone interested in using Republic's service can preorder the Motorola Defy XT, which supports its Hybrid Calling technology, beginning today. It costs $249 and requires a $10 start-up fee and first-month's service. Republic didn't say when the device would ship. The company will eventually offer a variant of the LG Optimus, as well.
Leap Wireless Shuffles Executives
Leap Wireless, the parent company of Cricket Wireless, made some changes to its executive ranks today. According to Leap, it is making the changes to ensure that the company has the right leadership to help it execute its long-term business plans. Jerry Elliott, who has been with the company less than a year, has been promoted to president and chief operating officer. Perley McBride has been promoted to executive vice president and chief financial officer, a position vacated by Elliott. Anne Liu has been appointed senior vice president and chief accounting officer. Elliott and Liu assume their new roles immediately, while McBride is expected to assume his in December. Cricket Wireless recently announced its first LTE smartphone, the LG Optimus Regard, and expanded the reach of its LTE 4G network to eight new markets, covering a total of 21 million POPs.
Cricket Reveals New LTE Markets, Smartphones, Data Plans
Cricket Wireless today announced a significant expansion of its nascent LTE 4G network. Its 4G service is already available in Las Vegas and Tucson. Those markets are joined today by Philadelphia, Phoenix, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Laredo, Corpus Christi, and the Brownsville-McAllen-Harlingen area of Texas. Cricket says this expansion ups its LTE coverage to 21 million POPs. The company also launched two new LTE smartphones, the LG Optimus Regard and the Samsung Galaxy S III. The Regard is available starting today for $249.99. The GSIII will launch in several weeks, and will cost $549.99. Cricket's new LTE plans start at $50 per month and include unlimited talk and text, and 2GB of 3G and/or 4G data.
Cricket Launches LG Optimus Regard, Its First LTE Smartphone
Cricket today announced the addition of two Android smartphones to its lineup. The LG Optimus Regard is a rebadged version of the LG Motion 4G, which is sold by MetroPCS. The Regard features a 3.5-inch display with 480 x 320 pixels, a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 5-megapixel main camera, and VGA user-facing camera. It ships with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and is the first smartphone to support Cricket's LTE 4G network. It is available starting today online and in stores for $249.99. Cricket also said the Samsung Galaxy S III will be available in the coming weeks. It will cost $549.99.
T-Mobile Offering Nexus 4 Today, But Google Sells Out
The Google Nexus 4 Android smartphone will be available in select T-Mobile USA retail stores beginning today. T-Mobile is selling the 16GB model for $199.99 with a new contract or $499 off contract. The unlocked version of the Nexus 4 went on sale Tuesday through the Google Play Store in several countries. High demand crashed Google's servers. In response, Google said, "There's been so much interest for the Nexus lineup that we've sold out of some of our initial stock in a few countries! We are working hard to add more Nexus devices to Google Play in the coming weeks to keep up with the high demand." Google is selling the 8GB Nexus 4 for $299 and the 16GB nexus 4 for $349. T-Mobile USA is charging a $150 premium for the off-contract model. The Nexus 4 is made by LG.
Hands-On: Google Nexus 4
Google's Nexus 4 goes on sale November 13 and Phone Scoop was able to take a brief look at the next-gen Nexus device. It's svelte, it's slim, and it runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.
No Wi-Fi Calling in T-Mobile's Nexus 4
T-Mobile has confirmed that its Wi-Fi calling feature will not be supported on the LG Nexus 4, which goes on sale later this month. T-Mobile explained that the feature will be absent because the Nexus 4 is a pure Google device, and does not include carrier or manufacturer software. The Wi-Fi calling feature was developed by T-Mobile to allow customers who may not have a strong T-Mobile signal in their homes make phone calls through their home broadband network. The Nexus 4 is a variant of the LG Optimus G and will cost $199.99 when purchased with a contract through T-Mobile. It can also be purchased unlocked directly from Google for $299 (8GB) and $349 (16GB).
