The Gadget Gurus » 4g

LightSquared calls BS on GPS Interference testing

Donny Benfield — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:37:47 +0000

LightSquared recently got the news that their network would not be able to operate due to interference to the GPS signal. This is a huge blow to the progression that they were pushing towards and now LightSquared is saying that the results are inaccurate and rigged. In a recent press release they say they are using obsolete equipment to test interference. LightSquare also points out their is no way that can provide real life experiences with their testing procedures. LightSquared has big plans, including pushing Sprint’s LTE Network along with other carriers. We can’t see this not being worked out in the future but it sounds like both parties are not going to go down without a fight.

“Former FCC Chief Engineer and LightSquared Question Validity of Test Results Rigged by GPS Industry Insiders

After learning that some devices tested have been out of production for over a decade, the parties call on NTIA to objectively audit testing and apply proposed mitigation standards

RESTON, Va., January 18, 2012 – LightSquared said today that the process used to test GPS devices by Air Force Space Command on behalf of the Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Executive Committee (PNT EXCOM) was rigged by manufacturers of GPS receivers and government end users to produce bogus results, and revealed details of the testing to document its accusations.

PNT EXCOM advises and coordinates among U.S. government agencies on GPS matters and is comprised of representatives from those agencies with GPS expertise.

LightSquared has called on the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to objectively re-evaluate this initial round of testing and also to evaluate mitigation proposals the company has proposed.

Additionally, the company has called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the NTIA to conduct the second round of tests on high-precision devices at an independent laboratory to ensure objectivity and transparency.

In a call with reporters, Jeff Carlisle, LightSquared’s Executive Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Public Policy; and Geoff Stearn, LightSquared’s Vice President for Spectrum Development; outlined how GPS industry insiders and government end users manipulated the latest round of tests to generate biased results. Also on the call was Edmond Thomas, former chief engineer at the FCC who explained how fair and accurate testing should be conducted.

Testing was shrouded in secrecy, no transparency. The GPS manufacturers cherry-picked the devices in secret without any independent oversight authority in place or input from LightSquared. The GPS manufacturers and the government end users put non-disclosure agreements in place for the PNT EXCOM’s tests, preventing any input by an independent authority or from LightSquared before the tests began. This secrecy made it impossible for independent experts to properly oversee or challenge the process and results, thereby leaving taxpayers who paid for the testing no option but to take the PNT EXCOM’s word for it.
The testing protocol deliberately focused on obsolete and niche market devices that were least able to withstand potential interference. When LightSquared finally obtained a list of the devices tested, after all testing in this first phase of tests had been completed, it was able to determine that the testing included many discontinued or niche market devices with poor filters or no filters. The units tested represent less than one percent of the contemporary universe of GPS devices. In fact, the only mass market device alleged to “fail” during this round of testing performed flawlessly during the Technical Working Group testing, which used best practice protocols agreed to by all parties, thus raising doubts about the integrity of PNT EXCOM’s process.
The testing standard does not reflect reality. To guarantee favorable results, the PNT EXCOM selected an extremely conservative definition of failure – one dB of interference. Independent experts agree that a one dB threshold can only be detected in laboratory settings and has no impact on GPS positional accuracy or user experience. In fact, GPS devices are designed with the ability to withstand eight dB or more of loss of sensitivity due to man-caused and natural interference. By setting the definition of interference at one dB, the testing was rigged to ensure that most receivers would fail. It should be noted that PNT EXCOM and others have justified the one dB threshold by citing an International Telecommunication Union (ITU) standard. However, that standard explicitly states that it does not apply to general purpose GPS receivers.
GPS and government end users should have opened the process for transparent review, chosen a representative sample of devices that reflect the scope of general purpose GPS receivers in the marketplace today, applied best practice standards to the testing protocol, and – most importantly, the tests should have been conducted by an independent laboratory rather than by the GPS manufacturers themselves, since they had a large incentive to ensure that the tested receivers would not pass the testing.

LightSquared recommends that reporters consider asking PNT EXCOM the following questions to ensure accountability:

Why did the government choose to ignore LightSquared’s proposed power levels?
Why did the government choose a power level 32 times greater than the level at which LightSquared will operate?
Why did the test protocol select the 1dB degradation to noise as the interference standard, since it does not apply to general purpose GPS receivers and GPS units are typically designed with an 8dB level of tolerance?
Who determined what acceptable interference is for the current round of testing? What is that standard?
Why was the testing conducted using outdated/discontinued devices rather than a representative sample of what is currently in the market?
Isn’t it a violation of conflict of interest laws for representatives of GPS manufacturers to sit on the PNT advisory board and play a central role in its consideration of LightSquared when those companies are actively lobbying on the same issue?
Is it fair that taxpayers funded a testing regime they cannot review?
LightSquared has agreed to meet every technical guideline requested by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), FCC and NTIA and will continue to work in collaboration with the federal government to resolve the GPS interference issues. The secretive behavior of the PNT EXCOM indicates a co-opted process. The inappropriate influence of the private sector on their decision-making has been brought to the attention of NASA’s Inspector General in a separate conflict of interest complaint filed by LightSquared.

LightSquared is asking for fair and transparent oversight of the testing process by the FCC and NTIA, much like the agencies provided in the first round of testing that was openly agreed to by all parties. Transparency is the only way taxpayers can be assured that the testing process is not manipulated to benefit one particular set of self interests. LightSquared is confident that a fair process will allow the company to move forward with its plan to deliver wireless broadband to hundreds of millions of consumers.

LightSquared’s mission is to revolutionize the U.S. wireless industry. With the creation of the first-ever, wholesale-only nationwide 4G-LTE network integrated with satellite coverage, LightSquared offers people the speed, value and reliability of universal connectivity, wherever they are in the United States. As a wholesale-only operator, LightSquared will deploy an open 4G wireless broadband network to be used by existing and new service providers to sell their own devices, applications and services – at a competitive cost and without retail competition from LightSquared. The deployment and operation of LightSquared’s network represent more than $14 billion of private investment over the next eight years. For more information about LightSquared, please go to www.LightSquared.com, www.facebook.com/LightSquared andwww.twitter.com/LightSquared.”

T-Mobile Announces The Galaxy S Blaze 4G And Continues To Improve Their 4G Network

Vic — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:08:21 +0000

T-Mobile is has announced the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G at CES. The Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G features a Super AMOLED display and 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S3 processor. The release date for the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze is currently unknown; however, you sign up to get notified about availability by visiting the official Blaze 4G sign up page.

T-Mobile has also announced the expansion of their HSPA+ 42Mbps to an additional 12 markets and the expansion of their HSPA+ 21Mbps nine additional markets. T-Mobile stated that their 4G network now covers 217 markets, reaching more than 200 million people across the country.

You can check out the press release after the break.

T-Mobile Expands America’s Largest 4G Network And Showcases 4G Experiences at 2012 CES

T-Mobile Unveils Samsung Galaxy S^® Blaze^™ 4G and Launches New Bobsled™ Messaging Application

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Jan. 10, 2012 — Today, at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), T-Mobile USA executives, including CEO and President Philipp Humm, outlined the company’s ongoing efforts to drive consumer adoption of mobile data through the continued expansion of America’s Largest 4G Network®, rate plans that make mobile data more affordable, and new devices and services that take advantage of the company’s faster 4G network.

“Last year, T-Mobile made solid progress during uncertain times, doubling our 4G network speeds and launching 25 new 4G devices,” said Philipp Humm, CEO and President, T-Mobile USA. “We are here, in fighting shape, and we will compete aggressively to win and retain customers by delivering compelling 4G services — all at a great value.”

The company also announced the expansion of its 4G network; unveiled its next 4G smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G; and demonstrated free, premium services built into smartphones and tablets that bring amazing 4G experiences to life for customers.

T-Mobile also announced an extension of its Bobsled^™ by T-Mobile^® platform, which launches today. The new IP-based group messaging application, Bobsled Messaging, is another example of T-Mobile bringing simple, affordable branded communication solutions to other platforms, beyond traditional wireless services, and to consumers who aren’t currently T-Mobile subscribers.

Strengthening America’s Largest 4G Network:

T-Mobile announced the company has doubled the speed of its 4G network in 12 additional markets, offering faster 4G (HSPA+ 42) to 184 million Americans in 175 markets. In addition, T-Mobile expanded the reach of its nationwide 4G (HSPA+ 21) network to nine additional markets, now covering 217 markets across the country and reaching more than 200 million people.

The AT&T breakup concessions give T-Mobile valuable spectrum. T-Mobile will receive, pending regulatory approval, a large package of AWS mobile spectrum in 128 Cellular Market Areas (CMAs), including 12 of the top 20 markets.

“Our 4G network is better than ever heading into 2012,” said Neville Ray, chief technology officer, T-Mobile USA. “HSPA+ will continue to deliver a competitive mobile broadband experience for our customers in the coming years as we evaluate our options for continued investment and evolution of our 4G network.”

Expanding T-Mobile’s 4G Device Portfolio with Two New 4G Smartphones:

T-Mobile continues to expand its 4G product portfolio, today announcing the upcoming availability of the Samsung Galaxy S^® Blaze^™ 4G and celebrating the January 11^th retail availability of the 4G-capable Nokia Lumia 710.

The Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G will be the third smartphone to take advantage of 4G HSPA+ 42 technology running on America’s Largest 4G Network^™. Featuring a Qualcomm^® Snapdragon^™S3 processor with 1.5 GHz dual CPUs, a brilliant Super AMOLED^™ touch screen and a variety of pre-loaded entertainment, the Galaxy S Blaze 4G provides fast access to the things consumers want most. The Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G is expected to be available later this year. Additional details will be revealed closer to availability. For more information, visit http://www.t-mobile.com/GalaxySBLAZE4G.

While Android powers the majority of T-Mobile smartphones, the company expects Windows Phone to also play an important role in its 2012 portfolio, beginning with the Nokia Lumia 710. The first Windows Phone from Nokia in the U.S., the Lumia 710 will be available starting tomorrow, Jan. 11, at T-Mobile retail stores, select dealers and retailers nationwide, and online at http://www.t-mobile.com.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.

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus – Android Refined

Vic — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 01:54:18 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus continues the trend of the Nexus lineup by showing the best of what Android has to offer with each launch, each time corresponding to the launch of a new version of Android. The Galaxy Nexus is the flagship device of Google to demonstrate their most recent Android version yet, 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. While it might not be perfection, it shows that Android has the ability to go head on with the best in terms of a beautiful UI and consistency. I have been testing the Galaxy Nexus for Verizon for a few weeks now and will provide a quick review of the device.

Hardware

When you open the box, the first thing you’ll be greeted with is a pair of headphones, a wall charger, and a USB cable. The case design is simple and pleasing, and is complemented with a huge 4.65″ Super AMOLED 720p display on the front. The display is curved, which makes for a more comfortable calling experience when making calls. The phone features a button-less design lends to a very sophisticated look. The only buttons on the device are the volume rocker and the power button. There is also the standard 3.5mm headphone jack and micro USB for PC connection and charging.

While I’m not a big fan of huge displays, this device didn’t feel too big. I had no problem carrying it around in my pocket and had no issues with navigation and usage with one hand. The Verizon version features a 1850mAh battery, which is bigger than the GSM version, due to higher power demand from LTE.

There is a “Verizon” logo on the back of the device, which some worry that Verizon’s influence might take away from the Vanilla experience. The device is stock vanilla and the only Verizon influence outside of the logo is that it comes with the “My Verizon” app preinstalled to manage your Verizon wireless account and watch your data usage (which is a great tool for those not on unlimited data), which I don’t mind at all and actually like that it came that way.

Software

Ice Cream Sandwich is a huge update for Android. The first thing noticed is the new UI and how it resembles Android 3.0. It utilizes a new font specifically designed for Android, called Roboto. The Roboto font was created for the HD displays that’ll soon become the norm. There is a new, slicker lock screen, app drawer has been refreshed and also houses resizable widgets as well. Google added the Honeycomb-style multitasking with a dedicated soft key and the ability to drag applications on top of one another to create folders similar to iOS, along with a some additional features like being able to individually clear notifications and improvements to Google services (Gmail, Calendar), Google+ integration, Contacts, etc. The web browser has been significantly improved, with very fast scrolling and zooming and a nice thumbnail view of tabs. Overall, ICS feels the most consistent and refined of any previous Android version. Also, for those who are “hardcore” and don’t want any carrier software on their device, ICS allows you to get the My Verizon app out of your app drawer.

The camera on the Galaxy Nexus is 5MP. The quality is subpar, compared to many other offerings on the market. The camera does have the ability to take pictures in a second or less, but the quality is even worse if you try to take pictures as fast you can. The camera software has been enhanced, giving users the ability change the lens effects, similar to Instagram (though not as many nice options) and also offers basic editing and a panorama mode.

Performance and Battery Life

The Verizon version is complimented with LTE 4G, which is amazingly fast. I was averaging around 13Mbps down and 6Mbps up off Verizon LTE in my area. The call quality off CDMA was clear and loud. People on the other side reported that I sounded clear to them as well. The speakerphone was powerful and loud, with virtually no audio distortion at the loudest setting. The battery life on 3G and WiFi was exceptional, getting me easily through the day with moderate usage; however, when on LTE, expect to get about 4-6 hours with moderate usage.

Conclusion

If you’re in the market for a new phone and are on Verizon, this should be at the top of your list. With the enhancements from Android 4.0, the vanilla experience of the Nexus device, a safe assumption that you’ll get OS updates in a timely manner, and complemented with the nation’s best 4G network, this is the best Android device you can get from Verizon Wireless, or from any carrier. It is currently available from Verizon Wireless for $299 with a two-year agreement with a data plan starting at $20/month for 300MB. Verizon Wireless has also extended their double data LTE promotion, so you can get the 4GB for $30/month, which will be the best deal for most.

Samsung Claims Galaxy S II Beats iPhone 4S

Mobile Mike — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 03:34:05 +0000

In a bold move from Samsung they’ve released this little info graphic showing just how much better the Galaxy S II is when compared to the iPhone 4S. Perhaps too much time was spent on lawsuits and not enough time in R&D. With more announcements coming from Samsung next week it could be time to crown a new king in of the smartphone hill? See the break downs after the break

After Party – Episode 34 – On Time

Nic Ball — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 18:55:57 +0000

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This week Nic and Liz dive into a ton of stuff. They finish it off with a long discussion about something or other…you’ll see! Show notes after the break.

Nintendo posts first quarterly operating loss; 3DS now just $169.99

Internet as hard to give up as cigarettes, liquor, study says

Remote unlock and start for cars hacked

China shuts down two fake Apple Stores

Spotify sued by PacketVideo for patent infringement

“Linking is not a crime”: Czech Pirate Party declares war on Big Content

Rogue academic downloader busted by MIT webcam stakeout

Google wants e-mail in Android suit redacted

Facebook to pay hackers for bugs

Petition to revive Oscar the Grouch trash-can utility in OS X Lion

AT&T to throttle smartphone data starting October 1st

Hulu sued for patent infringement

Italian cyber-crime police hacked in AntiSec attack

http://m.lifehacker.com/5825746/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-internet-snooping-bill-and-what-you-can-do-about-it

FBI working from list of top 1,000 protestors in Anonymous raids

Police arrest 19-year old LulzSec hacker ‘Topiary’

Ultimate hack: LulzSec may have duped British authorities into arresting innocent man

Verizon Wireless Launching LTE in 19 Additional Markets June 16th

Mobile Mike — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 14:15:39 +0000

Big Red is going hard with their LTE roll out and it seems every week there are new cities lit up. Today they announced that they are adding 19 markets to the lineup of areas with LTE 4G, and by June 16th they will cover 270 million people in 74 metro areas.

– Mobile, Ala.
– Montgomery, Ala.
– Phoenix, Ariz.
– Fresno, Calif.
– Los Angeles, Calif.
– Oakland, Calif.
– San Diego, Calif.
– San Francisco, Calif.
– San Jose, Calif.
– Sacramento, Calif.
– Denver, Colo.
– Greater Fairfield and New Haven, Conn.
– Hartford, Conn.
– Washington, D.C.
– Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
– Gainesville, Fla.
– Jacksonville, Fla.
– Miami, Fla.
– Orlando, Fla.
– Pensacola, Fla.
– Tallahassee, Fla.
– Tampa, Fla.
– West Palm Beach, Fla.
– Athens, Ga.
– Atlanta, Ga.
– Boise, Idaho
– Chicago, Ill.
– Fort Wayne, Ind.
– Indianapolis, Ind.
– West Lafayette, Ind.
– New Orleans, La.
– Baltimore, Md.
– Boston, Mass.
– Detroit, Mich.
– Flint, Mich.
– Grand Rapids, Mich.
– Lansing, Mich.
– Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.
– St. Louis, Mo.
– Las Vegas, Nev.
– New York, N.Y.
– Rochester, N.Y.
– Charlotte, N.C.
– Fayetteville-Lumberton, N.C.
– Wilmington, N.C.
– Akron, Ohio
– Cincinnati, Ohio
– Cleveland, Ohio
– Columbus, Ohio
– Dayton, Ohio
– Oklahoma City, Okla.
– Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton, Pa.
– Erie, Pa.
– Harrisburg, Pa.
– Philadelphia, Pa.
– Pittsburgh, Pa.
– State College, Pa.
– Columbia, S.C.
– Greenville-Spartanburg, S.C.
– Hilton Head, S.C.
– Sioux Falls, S.D.
– Clarksville, Tenn./Hopkinsville, Ky.
– Cleveland, Tenn.
– Nashville, Tenn.
– Bryan-College Station, Texas
– Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas
– Houston, Texas
– San Antonio, Texas
– Temple-Killeen, Texas
– Salt Lake City-Ogden, Utah
– Seattle, Wash.
– Spokane, Wash.
– Madison, Wis.
– Milwaukee, Wis.

“”On Thursday when we light up 19 additional 4G LTE markets, we will offer consumers and businesses in 74 metropolitan areas the most advanced 4G wireless network on the planet while continuing to offer the nation’s most reliable 3G network coast to coast,” said David Small, chief technical officer of Verizon Wireless. ”We are aggressively expanding our 4G LTE network: by the end of 2013 we plan to bring 4G LTE mobile broadband to our entire 3G coverage area.”

Visit www.verizonwireless.com/lte for more information about Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network.

Guru Inspection: HTC Thunderbolt Review

Mobile Mike — Wed, 18 May 2011 16:47:42 +0000

The HTC Thunderbolt is the first US phone to have real deal 4G by way of Verizon’s LTE network. Although it packs the latest network technolgy, the Thunderbolt has a steep moutain to climb. It is going up against phones with dual core processors, better screen technology, and of course Verizon’s own iPhone 4. Does the Thunderbolt have what it takes to make it rain in the club, or is it a mild drizzle? Find out in this Guru Inspection.

Hardware

The Thunderbolt doesn’t stray from HTC’s recent design philosophy. It’s the large slab style we have all come to love or hate depending. Some say that HTC has gotten lazy with design since the Evo, while others say if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. While I agree there is nothing ground breaking about the Thunderbolt’s design, it looks great, feels good in the hand and is made of very high quality materials. The screen is a 4.3 WVGA LCD panel, which is bright and crisp. It’s not a Super AMOLED or Super LCD, but the Thunderbolt’s screen is still great even in direct light. The back of the device is covered by soft touch plastic and is slightly rounded on the sides to conform to your hand comfortably. The back is also home to a kickstand that springs out to prop up the Thunderolt in both portrait or landscape mode. The kickstand is great and a appreciated piece of hardware, but it also brings a couple annoyances. The first issue is the kickstand covers the speaker, which is no problem when it’s kicked out, but in normal use it muffles the sound slightly. The other issues is that you cannot easily charge the device and use the kickstand in landscape mode at the same time. So watching a movie, YouTube, or using it as a desktop clock can’t be done while charging. Not the end of the world, but I wish someone at HTC would have said “Hey, the charger port is going to get in the way, lets move it.”

Cameras

The HTC Thunderbolt strikes out photos (that’s just bad) with a 8 megapixel camera, dual LED flash and a front facing 1.3 megapixel camera. The 8 megapixel camera takes great shots and even in low light, the dual LED flash lights up the scene enough for a clear photo. Video on the other hand doesn’t have the same spark (again really?) as still shots. The quality is passable, but not what I would hope from a device of this tier level. The audio in the video is also very low quality and pretty much unusable at a concert or place with lots of background noise. The front facing camera gets the job done for what it is. Video calls look decent, but self portrait shots are a little grainy. The camera isn’t a make it or break feature on the Thunderbolt, it’s just a little icing on an already good cake.

Software

The Thunderbolt comes with HTC Sense 2.0 running on top of Android 2.2 (Froyo). As you know from my previous reviews, I really like Sense UI. It adds a layer of polish and function that other “skins” on Android do not. The notification windows can be dragged down to reavael your most recent apps and is an easy way to switch quickly between them. HTC also tosses in no less than 70 of their own widgets, not including the standard Android widgets, to customize you seven different home screens. Contacts, calendar, email, and social networking are some core apps that HTC put their own touch on, but the level of detail goes all the way down to the calculator, music player, and even the camera interface. New in 2.0 is custom skins that can completely change the look and feel of your device in a matter of seconds. For whatever reason HTC decided not to include the “HTC Hub” (hub to download skins right from HTC) like on the Inspire 4G, but there are plenty of places, like xda-developers, that have some really great custom skins. The Thunderbolt has some of the best software running on it which is fast, smooth, and looks great.

Verizon 4G LTE Thoughts

While I don’t have Verizon LTE in my area, I called upon the help of a true device connoisseur, Bill Stebbins of The Simulcast for his thoughts and experiences with the HTC Thunderbolt and LTE.

“While the carriers cannot seem to agree on the proper definition of 4G, Verizon Wireless has made it pretty clear. I’ve tried “4G” from each of the four carriers in the US, and only one actually delivers next-gen speeds. The Thunderbolt rides on VZW’s new LTE network, and what a ride it’s been for me. After suffering with AT&T for far too long, I made the switch to Verizon to pick up the Thunderbolt on launch day, and I’ve never looked back.

I was fortunate that my city was on the list of planned 4G coverage, and it was only about 2 months before 4G lit up our sky like a lightning bolt. As you can see, the speeds are pretty amazing, and much faster than most people’s home broadband. While the difference on paper is pretty amazing, how does that translate into a mobile device? Imagine if you’re on your home wifi everywhere you go. It’s really that simple. Low latency, quick responses, and high-quality content is at your fingertips without waiting. I’ve Slinged content from my home network, remote controlled my PCs, downloaded podcasts, streamed music, DropBoxed files, and pretty much used the network with all disregard for usage caps.

Ok, so I love 4G (Verizon’s 4G). What about downsides? First, 4G destroys battery life. Eats it like a fat kid eats a Twinkie. Second, handoffs are still flaky. I can actually watch my data connection drop as I move from cell tower to cell tower while traveling. Third, 4G is still in limited areas. They are still rolling it out in my city, so I have it at work, but not at home. Not really a big issue, but still one to keep in mind. Also, did I mention battery life?

All in all, it’s a fair trade-off. 4G is amazing technology, and it has finally provided me with a mobile broadband experience that is worth the additional “G”.”

Battery and Performance

The HTC Thunderbolt is kept alive by a 1400 mAh battery that will give you 10-12 hours of life on 3G with moderate to heavy use. As Bill stated in the above paragraph, 4G will eat your battery for breakfast, lunch and dinner leaving you empty after just 3-4 hours. That is the price you pay for “at home like” broadband speeds. I recommend either scooping up a second battery, or an extra charger if you are in a 4G area. Using the Thunderbolt as a mobile Hotpot will net you some great speeds, but not for very long if you don’t have a way to keep your device alive. As far as phone performance, the 1Ghz processor hums along great. I did not notice any lag or slow down even with 30-40 apps running and syncing in the background. Although the Thunderbolt isn’t equipped with a dual core processor like the Atrix or G2X, it still performs lighting (last one) fast!

Conclusion

The HTC Thunderbolt might not have a dual core processor, or some fancy new screen tech, but it does have blazing fast LTE, great software, and a proven solid hardware design. Aside from the battery issues, which may be a deal breaker for some, the Thunderbolt will not disappoint. Some may say that the HTC Thunderbolt is last year’s standard, and they are right, but that doesn’t stop the Thunderbolt form being one of this year’s best devices on the market.

Guru Inspection: PASSED

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After Party – Ep17 – Banned in India

Nic Ball — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 02:14:40 +0000

This week Nic and Liz talk about all 4 US mobile carriers. Amazon, RIAA, FDA, CEOs, NPR, LTE, MTV, AOL, WiMAX, QR Codes and much much more! It’s alphabet soup and it’s all .XXX!!! Episode 17 – Banned in India starts now!

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Show Notes After the break…

Sprint Introduces Glasses Free HTC Evo 3D

Mobile Mike — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 14:49:24 +0000

We have seen leaks of this bad boy for the last month, today Sprint and HTC made the Evo 3D official. If you’re into boasting about specs, this phones will not disappoint. The Evo 3D packs 4G (WiMax), two 5.0 megapixel cameras for 3D image and video capture, 1.3 megapixel front facing camera, 1.2 ghz dual core processor, 4.3″ QHD display, all baked with Android 2.3 Gingerbread. We have yet to see if 3D will be relevant on a phone, or if it just a gimmick. Either way the Evo 3D will be available this summer at an undisclosed price. Hit the jump for the full presser:

Additional key features of HTC EVO 3D include:

1.3 megapixel front-facing camera for video chat
3G/4G Mobile Hotspot capability, supporting up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously
Android Market™ for access to more than 150,000 useful applications, widgets and games available for download to customize the experience
Google mobile services such as Google Search™, Gmail™, Google Maps™ with Navigation, Google Calendar, Voice Actions, and YouTube™
Sprint’s unique implementation of Google Voice, allowing customers to keep their Sprint number and seamlessly move to Google Voice
Corporate e-mail (Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync®), personal (POP and IMAP) e-mail and instant messaging
4GB Internal memory/1GB RAM
microSD slot (supports up to 32GB memory card)
Wi-Fi – 802.11 b/g/n
Stereo Bluetooth®
Integrated GPS
1730 mAh Lithium-ion battery

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ORLANDO, Fla., March 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — (CTIA) — As the first national wireless carrier to launch the groundbreaking data speeds of 4G, Sprint (NYSE: S) today announced the upcoming availability of its 21st and 22nd 4G-capable devices – HTC EVO™ 3D and HTC EVO View 4G™ on America’s Favorite 4G Network.(1) HTC EVO 3D takes the mobile multimedia experience to a new level, providing the ability to capture and view in 3D and share at 4G speeds, offering consumers the ultimate glasses-free 3D experience. Sprint also announced HTC EVO View 4G, introducing a tablet to the award-winning EVO family.

Both devices will be available for Sprint customers this summer. Pricing will be shared closer to launch. Pre-registration for both devices begins today at www.sprint.com/evo3d and www.sprint.com/evoview.

Built with the Gingerbread (2.3) version of Android™, HTC EVO 3D features America’s first QHD 3D 4.3-inch display and a powerful 1.2 GHz Qualcomm® Snapdragon® dual-core processor. HTC EVO 3D also features dual 5 megapixel cameras, which can be used to capture both high-quality conventional and stunning 3D images and videos, opening up new frontiers for user-generated content, social networking and streaming video.

“Sprint is taking wireless innovation to the next level once again as we bring our customers the ability to experience 3D on their phone without glasses,” said Steve Elfman, president – Network Operations, Product and Wholesale, Sprint. “HTC EVO 3D makes it easy to take pictures or movies in 3D when you are on vacation, and then feel like you are there again when you view it months later. This device takes full advantage of Sprint’s powerful 4G network and offers the innovation one would expect as the next benchmark device in the prestigious EVO product line.”

As 3D has become more sought-after in both movie theaters and family rooms, the ability to enjoy 3D on a wireless phone – 3D glasses-free – will change the way customers interact with their devices. According to The NPD Group’s 3D 360 degree Monitor (September 2010), consumers show a high degree of interest in working with personal media in 3D (with one-third saying they would like to take photos in 3D). For details, visit http://www.3dmarkettrends.com.

The countless ways customers benefit from HTC EVO 3D’s dynamic ability to capture and playback video in 3D include:

Real estate agents can create and share 3D virtual tours of homes that let out-of-town buyers “walk through” the house and truly experience the listings before they can see them live;
Dad can feel like he is in the bleachers watching the ball leave the park for a homerun even if he’s forced skip a Little League game because he is stuck at the office;
3D mapping of terrain will help build new and exciting features for navigation, and hikers will be able to get aerial views of the topography of rivers and mountains while in the backcountry; and
Families can “relive” the excitement of their vacation and feel like they are there again.

“At HTC, we believe in offering a wide portfolio of beautifully designed, powerful and highly customizable devices for our customers, and the HTC EVO portfolio at Sprint does just that,” said Jason Mackenzie, president – HTC Americas. “As HTC continues to push the limits of innovation, we are looking forward to delivering the HTC EVO 3D and our first 4G tablet, the HTC EVO View 4G, to Sprint customers this summer.”

According to ABI Research (Dec. 20, 2010) mobile 3D devices will be driven by three key applications: creation of user-generated 3D content by integrated video and still cameras, playback of 3D content and 3D gaming. It also anticipates that mobile devices may turn out to be the most successful form factor towards bringing 3D technology into mainstream markets.

With integrated 3D HD (720p) video capture, 4G speeds, and the latest version of the acclaimed HTC Sense experience, HTC EVO 3D makes it possible to become part of the action and then easily and seamlessly post high-quality video to YouTube™ or Facebook, or share moments in real time over the Internet live, via Qik. Its integrated DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) capability makes it fast and easy to share stored music, pictures and user-generated HD video wirelessly with other DLNA-certified® home electronics, including HDTVs, monitors, digital cameras, printers and more. Using an HDMI cable (sold separately) makes it possible to also share user-created 3D video content via a 3D TV.

Guru Inspection: Motorola Xoom Video Review

Vic — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 04:26:39 +0000

We have waited a while for this day, but it’s finally upon us! The Xoom Review is here! I’ve been playing with this device since launch and put it through it’s paces. You heard my mini-review on the Gadget Gurus Podcast, but you have to see everything in action to understand the ups and downs of the Xoom and Android 3.0/Honeycomb! Instead of reading anymore of my ramblings, why not hear and watch them instead? Here is the Motorola Xoom Video Review!