The Latest (and Rumored) Apple products.

So it's almost March, and this is that time where all the Apple product speculation reaches a high. We've heard plenty of rumors of a new iPad, a new iPhone, and starting today, you can buy that brand new MacBook. So here's what I have to say on the three:


MacBook Pro
The newest release of the MacBook Pro has a few changes, including Quad-Core i7 CPUs, HD Video Camera, ATI Radeon Graphics, and most notable, the new Thunderbolt I/O. It's not a complete makeover, and yeah, that's OS X 10.6, but still, if you've listened to any reliable source and waited out a few months to pick up a new MacBook Pro, this is worth a few extra bucks. The big thing here is that I'm curious to see how Apple will utilize Thunderbolt (a.k.a. Lightpeak). The technology, which can supposedly reach speeds of 10x higher, may also make its way to other devices soon.


iPad 2
The Xoom is considered a legitimate contender to the iPad mainly because it pushed the hardware so much on what the iPad had (think dual-core, higher res, but most importantly, camera), and reinvented the software. Apple's response? On March 2nd, Apple holds an "iPad-related Press Conference." As for what we expect from this new iPad, rumors have it that it will have a dual-core CPU (ARM-Based, possibly Samsung Exynos?) at 1.2 GHz, an improvement in RAM, and resolution bumped up (sorry, no Retina display. yet). On another note, it's supposed to have a dual CDMA/GSM chip that will allow it to use both Verizon and AT&T 3G Data Software-wise, there's rumored to be a launch of say, iOS 5, or at the least 4.3 (I could see that justifiable). All in all, it's a bump up from the original - think of it as the iPhone 3G except in iPad.


iPhone 5
The iPhone 5 is also a curiosity. Since the iPhone landed on Verizon, is it possible that it could possibly support LTE? With the onslaught of dual-core phones, could the next iPhone possibly have them too? Since NFCs are starting to be recognized, could the iPhone have them too? Right now, it is believed that the iPhone 5 will support NFC or some similar form of mobile payment (iCoin? lol) and that it will have a dual-core CPU similar to that of the one on the iPhone 5 (Exynos if anyone cares). It's also expected to have a dual CDMA/GSM Chip, Retina Display (possibly bumped up to 4.0"), and a few other minor improvements. Software-wise, iOS 5 is expected for this. What that means? We don't know quite yet.


iPhone Nano
This one's really new and curious. Bloomberg Businessweek reported Apple was working on a smaller, budget-friendly version of the iPhone. Since then, rumors have poured in, mockups have flown, and people expect it. As for this, it's expected to possibly have specs a step DOWN from the current iPhone 4, but still a 3"+ Retina display. Again, budget is the key here, so an iPhone 4 in a new shell is more than sufficient.

Why the Verizon iPhone Matters (And Why I Won't Buy It)

When I first heard the iPhone 4 was coming to Verizon, I was rather unimpressed. First of all, like anyone else who reads Gizmodo or engadget at least once a week knows, the Verizon iPhone was something that's been theorized about for like FOREVER, like an alien, and for the most part, it was as real as them too.


But on January 11th, Apple made the big announcement. The iPhone was coming to Verizon. Nerds shrieked in delight, and tons of people went to Twitter boasting "This is the end for AT&T" and all that junk. It suddenly became newer and hipper than the Thunderbolt, or Atrix, or pretty much CES 2011 itself. But really, the Verizon iPhone is almost identical to the AT&T iPhone. Same screen, same CPU, and perhaps even same deathgrip. The only big change was a CDMA Radio.


But really, it's more symbolic. And now, here's why I think its more important than we think:

1. Openness - Apple didn't need to stick the iPhone on Verizon. They've made quite a lot of money off of it on AT&T, and it has ultimately become one of the hottest phones. All time. But this move shows that Apple cares about consumers, and it is willing to adjust for more market space. It means Apple is ready to evolve and change strategies, something Palm has failed to do (and for that matter, Nokia). The big question this leaves me with is: Can we get it on T-Mobile too? (okay, maybe that was just pure wishful thinking)
2. Marketing - Apple's been known to be great for marketing. Sure, the advertisements are minimalistic and pale in terms of man-hours compared to the bulk of those Droid ads, but they get the message through. And Apple has used promotions carefully to get Mac users to use iOS products, vice versa. And that marketing applies here. Call it a scheme if you must, but this whole thing is designed so that Apple will make a whole bunch of sales, Verizon will also make a bunch of sales, and AT&T will get a lot of money from Early Termination fees. Everyone's happy (except Sprint).
3. Freedom - Of all these points, I think Freedom is the most relative. Some people think that AT&T has held back the full potential of the iPhone for the last 4 or 5 years, I for one think it's a bit more about free decision between carriers. So here's both arguments: Potential - The main thing that the iPhone on Verizon offers is tethering. It was rumored a while back that the iPhone 4 would support this, and it's evident that it has the capability, but yes, AT&T has held this back. Another point is that Verizon does have better coverage than AT&T. Choice - This is really basic. You get to choose between Verizon and AT&T. Do I need to say more?
4. Reception - This isn't a revolutionary change that reinvents the market. Think of it like the iPhone 3G or the myTouch, it's just kind of like the second iPhone 4. But it doesn't matter. The iPhone 4 came up just a LITTLE short, especially with antennagate, but in theory that's been fixed. And also, the little change from AT&T coverage to Verizon coverage is a big change. If you look at the reviews, its big enough to convince industry-leading experts that you should jump ship and pay the termination fee. Believe me, that means a lot.
5. Competition - Some argue that this is AT&T's last stand. Others say that T-Mobile and Sprint will get hurt, and some people just think that nothing will change. As for my opinion, I would definitely consider Verizon the biggest gainer here. I mean, regardless of how you look at it, getting the hottest device is something. And really, Verizon is the only one that gains ground. And as for who takes the bullet, I actually would say Sprint over AT&T. Sure, AT&T is going to lose customers, but think of three things that happen consequently: 1) Early Termination Money 2) Long-Needed Shift of Market Strategies 3) Bandwidth Frees Up - Faster Speeds. Sprint, on the other hand, has become that refuge for nerds-who-don't-want-an-AT&T-iPhone because of its cheap prices, decent coverage, and offering of devices like the EVO 4G and the Epic 4G that edge out the Droid line. But when the iPhone comes to Verizon, they're going to jump and run the fence. And Sprint won't get anything back.

So there you have it, why I think it matters. And yet, I'm going to pass on it. Here are the reasons why:

1. It IS the iPhone 4 - Whether it is more free or not, it's pretty much the same darn iPhone you could've bought last July. And besides, everyone knows that the iPhone 5 is only months away. And with rumored features like dual-core processor and some much needed improvements (*cough* antenna *cough*), I'd hate to be that idiot that has a shiny new iPhone 4 when I could've had an even shinier, newer, iPhone 5.
2. Freedom Wants to Break The Bank - Verizon is expensive. Okay, so maybe with all the deals and bargaining it can come down to about where AT&T is, even AT&T is a bit far up. While I've been considering switching to AT&T when my contract expires, that's a bit of a financial stretch from T-Mobile. And anyway, I'm not sure if I want to pay $200 for my next phone. After paying for the data plan and everything, I actually consider taking a look at those MOTOBLUR devices... I'm not kidding.
3. I Still Don't Care 100% - Okay, so maybe my attitude has changed to accept the Verizon iPhone 4 as significant rather than deceiving. But I still don't care. It's the iPhone, and it basically evens out with the AT&T one in terms of functionality. In the end, it comes down to whoever offers me the best offer.
4. Android, Phone 7, webOS - This is something probably completely unrelated to how the Verizon iPhone is good and bad, but it's still important when it comes down to the decision on my next phone. I've seen plenty of great Android devices in the last couple of months. There's the Atrix with the laptop stand, and even a few standouts for Verizon (Bionic, Thunderbolt). And in the end, these phones have better hardware (maybe not software, but def. hardware) than the iPhone, including 4G Data, camera, and even build. Most importantly, if I decide NOT to break the bank up front and go bankrupt while using my phone, Android devices can get more in the budget friendly. As for Phone 7, it's something that's light and simple, and it goes back to revolutionary and intuitive like iOS 1.0 was, not 4.2.whatever-it-is. And webOS? Well, the Pre 3 has a solid keyboard, and I like keyboards. My old phone had a vertical keyboard. Okay, maybe this is me being weird.
5. Talk and Surf - This isn't a deciding factor, but it's still a strike against. I'd hate to have to reload Google Maps because my mom accidentally called me instead of my brother. And this is also me being that guy who actually liked AT&T and sticking up for something that not to many people care about. Whatever. It's a feature.

Do the cons balance out the pros? For me, not really, because my wallet comes first, but for a user that has the money and is looking for a good new device, the Verizon iPhone 4 deserves a nod.

HP's Press Conference - Tomorrow February 9, 2011

Ever since HP purchased Palm last year, we've quite literally seen ONE webOS handset (That was the Pre 2). A lot of tech nerds expected HP's acquisition to equal more production, as HP's resources are quite considerably more diverse than Palm's. So far it hasn't amounted to that. So far.


February 9th is the day that may quite-literally make-or-break webOS. The ascetically-pleasing simple-to-use operating system was found to be appealing but a little late to save Palm from the huge pit it through itself into by not evolving Palm OS (not to mention the failed Access Linux platform, but that doesn't really count).


So really, this all comes down to what HP does with this new technology. What we're hoping for is several new devices, including a tablet and some touch-only phones. What will we get? Well, that's what we're waiting for.


As to what I'm betting (or eh... expecting) tomorrow, here's the list:

1. HP Topaz Tablet - We've seen the leaks on engadget that there will be a new HP tablet in both 9 and 7 inch editions (the 9 inch MAY be called the Opal) that will run on Sprint's WiMAX Network and AT&T 3G for now, and LTE in the future. As a bonus, HP didn't deny the leaks, saying "We Got More" (subliminal implication there is more)
2. A Palm Pixi/HP iPAQ-esque Phone - There's been rumors of a Palm Pixi 2 with webOS 2.0, front-facing Camera, and 2.8" touch screen, and while I'm not saying I don't believe them, I also want to take into account that HP's acquisition of Palm could mean Palm-esque software on HP-esque Hardware. The iPAQ line was highly succesful, even more than the Palm line (at EOL) so I wouldn't be surprised if there would be another one. Regardless of a Pixi or an iPAQ though, I believe there will be another candybar QWERTY from HP's camp.
3. Palm Castle/Mansion Touch-Only Phone - All touch phones are considerably lighter than their QWERTY counterparts, and seeing where Palm had intended to go with them, I wouldn't be surprised if HP does too. As for those rumors of a 5.0" Mansion last Summer, I think that's absurd. I draw the line for a phone, period, at 4.5, and that's luxury-esque. HP has been gearing at the average you and me, so while 5.0" sounds sweat (or eh... bulky), I would expect something aroudn 3.2 to 3.5 inches big, perhaps about the size of an iPhone, but even lighter, so it appeals to regular customers.
4. webOS Netbooks - Take a look at this screenshot of a training video. I think it's very self-explanatory.

I could be right (that'd be great) or wrong (oh well) but I'm pretty sure that SOMETHING is going to get announced tomorrow (more than one thing prob, because why hold a press conference when you could just showcase at MWC next week?), and that it'll have to do with webOS.

MWC 2011: What We Expect

So far in 2011, we've seen great things at CES, with the Motorola Atrix and the LG Optimus 2X, and other big side announcements like yesterday's Kyocera Echo, and more notably, the iPhone 4 on Verizon. And come MWC, we can expect quite more. MWC is where manufactures dump their latest models, and quite a few devices get announced between here and CTIA.


In other words, we're looking at stuff that's about as impressive as the headliners of CES without all the 300+ Tablet stuff. Yeah, there's going to be a few tablets, but MWC is more about the phones than other integrated devices. So here's what WE'RE looking for:


Samsung
Korea's #1 Device Manufacture has been indulging in success over the last year with their highly popular Galaxy S line. So what can we expect? Well, obviously another Galaxy S. And to be more specific, a complete sequel. Rumored specs include a 4.3-4.5" Super AMOLED Plus screen, 1.2 GHz Orion Dual-Core CPU, and an 8 MP Camera. It also comes with the standard goods: Bluetooth 3.0 and Android 2.2 (possibly Gingerbread).


Outside of the Galaxy S II, we also are looking at another Galaxy Tab. Specs here include a 7.0" Screen that is rumored to be either IPS or Super AMOLED, although take that with a grain of salt. Other than that, it will run on a dual-core Tegra2 CPU and have several improvements over its predecessor (whether Android 3.0 is part of that, we don't know yet)


Other than the big two, we're looking at another showing of the 4 Galaxy Budget models (Ace/Fit/Gio/Mini) and some new bada 2.0 Handsets. And potentially a few new WP7 devices, including a 4G LTE version of the Omnia 7.


LG
On the other hand, LG isn't one to be left out. While they may be only the #2 device maker in Korea, it wasn't until recently that they started to push the smartphone market. At CES we saw the Optimus 2X, the world's first dual core phone, and that's only one small step into LG's future.


So you already have Dual Core. Where do you go next? 3D. The next big member of the Optimus family is rumored to have a Glasses-Free 3D (Sharp-developed, possibly IPS), and a TI OMAP 4th Gen dual core CPU. Other specs include dual cameras, or in other words, 3D video capture.


There's also the Optimus Tab, or the T-Mobile G-Slate. This device runs on a Tegra2 CPU and Android 3.0 Honeycomb, and it's one of the big-name tablets in this sudden influenza. It also supports 3D.


Other than that, we may look at a few budget Optimus entries and perhaps an American edition of the Optimus 7.


HTC
HTC has yet to enter the dual-core or tablet markets, but the latest rumors suggest that MWC could change that. HTC is rumored to announce around a half-dozen devices, including a few budget models, a new flagship, a buttonless phone, and at least one tablet.


The next big flagship for HTC is likely to be the Desire 2 (a.k.a. Saga). Right now, specs are skimpy, but the screen is 4.0-4.3" and anywhere from standard TFT to Super AMOLED (although I doubt the latter), and it will have a new edition of HTC Sense. Another potential flagship model is the HTC Pyramid, a dual-core powered Gingerbread with support for T-Mobile 4G. 


One of the more interesting phones we're looking at right now is the buttonless phone, which some experts have tentatively named the Droid Incredible 2. As for this, we don't know anything other than the fact that there are absolutely no buttons on the front and that it's heading toward Verizon in the future.


Tablets. This should be the highlight of HTC's keynote. The rumor mill suggests a 7" 'HTC Flyer' which is basically on par with the Galaxy Tab, but has Android 2.3 with a new HTC interface, HTC Sensation that has been described as "desktop-like." Also rumored is a Honeycomb-powered HTC Verdi, which will have a 10" display.


Budget phones? Their latest YouTube video suggests a new phone that looks like the Wildfire, minus the trackpad. Also, leaks earlier this month said that there may be a new Brew MP handset, perhaps a sequel to the original Smart.


Sony Ericsson
After a year of putting out advanced hardware with outdated software (Android 1.6 to be precise), Sony Ericsson looks like it's on pace for once. They announced the Xperia Arc at CES, which has a 4.2" IPS 'BRAVIA' Display and Android 2.3 Gingerbread, and it's expected to make a cameo at MWC. Also in store is the Xperia Neo, which has a 3.7" display and is a smaller version of the Arc.


But the biggest announcement of the keynote and maybe even the conference? The Xperia Play. If you saw that creepy Super Bowl ad, you know that this is basically like a PSP and an Android phone combined. It's expected to have a 4.0" Display (BRAVIA), a 1 GHz Snapdragon 2nd-Gen CPU, and most notably, the full-out gaming controls. Rumors suggest this may land at T-Mobile.


Side-Note: It's rumored that there may be a Phone 7 (Xperia X7) device too...


Nokia
Nokia is continuing to fall, but their newest OS MeeGo will make its debut here at CES in the N9-01. Rumors speculate that there will be several new MeeGo devices, most mid-range. In addition, there is rumored to be the E6 and X7 Symbian-powered devices.


The N9-01 looks like it will be Nokia's newest flagship. Running on a 1.6 GHzz Intel Atom chip, it has a 480x854 ClearBlack AMOLED Display and 8 MP Camera. It will run MeeGo 1.2 and possibly land on T-Mobile.


Other
Aava Mobile also plains to announce a Medfield-based MeeGo phone, which may be able to dual boot between MeeGo and Android. Huge nerd factor. Other devices include the Huawei IDEOS X3 smartphone (a toned-down X5) and the S7 Slim Tablet, a new Asus WP7 device. Although we have no idea what, it's highly likely that Motorola will announce a phone of some kind - you don't want to be that guy that passes up on a conference. This last idea is wishful thinking on my part, but if I remember right, Pantech applied some Android device for FCC Approval last year, and it had support for AT&T bands. Again, wishful thinking.

Nintendo 3DS vs. Sony NGP

Okay, let's face it, these are two of the latest mobile gaming devices, and both of them pack a lot of punch. The 3DS has a Glasses-Free 3D Dsiplay while the NGP has a stunning 5.0" OLED Display, and a 1 GHzz Quad-Core CPU. So at the end of the day, these are both great devices, but which one is better?


Hardware
The Nintendo 3DS has two displays: a 3.53" WQVGA Display at 24-bit Color, and a 3.02" QVGA Display, also 24-bit Color. The actual displays aren't physically impressive, though 3D Hardware Rendering Technology gives it a big WOW factor. It has a front-facing 2D 0.3MP Camera and not one, but two cameras in the front, which could possibly mean 3D Video Capture (Glasses Free? I think not). Other than that it supports 802.11b/g WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1 and has a 1300 mAh Battery.


On the other hand, the NGP is just way out of left field. It's called the NGP because it's well, totally Next-Gen. It rocks out a Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A9 CPU and has a vivid 5.0" OLED Screen that gives even the Playstation Phone room to worry (Side-Note: Screen Res is 960x544, which is around the same as qHD). The screen is capacitive touch, which means that you don't need a stylus either. Other than that, it supports 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1 and even 3G. (Other: Cameras included)


Verdict: The 3DS has some interesting things like the 2 rear Cameras and 3D Display, but in the end, it's the NGP, no contest. A quad core processor and that huge 5.0" OLED Screen give it the power of a PS3, so this isn't really a fair contest.


Software
The 3DS has the same UI that was featured on the DS-line with some 3D Optimization and Menu modification. It's very self-sufficient, but unfortunately, it doesn't have a really good Network system. However, there is backward compatibility for all DS packets, which is a big advantage.


The NGP uses a new LiveArea UI optimized for touch interface. It looks decent and well-placed, and has support for PlayStation Network features. Like the 3DS, it has backwards compatibility with its predecessors, and downloadable titles from previous PSP (and maybe even PSOne) games will be made available at launch.


Verdict: Again, the NGP. LiveArea is something new and fresh, not the regurgitated DSLinux we've seen on basically every DS (actually yeah, every one) with some 3D Support. This one's more tough though, because the DS has more backward compatibility and that 3D features.
Nerd Factor
The 3DS is really cool, yes. It's something new, and that Glasses Free 3D is going to pay back later. However, at the end of the day, it's really the same old DS that we've been seeing for years, and yes, it looks cooler, but it's the same thing in a new form.


On the other hand, the NGP is so much out of Left Field because it's so much unlike the PlayStation Portable. It's just really new, and there's quite a lot to wow about. Sure, it may not be 3D, but OLED screens are still fo'sho, and Quad-Core Computing is just well, you know, nerdy.


Verdict: The 3DS is really cool, and we want to give it to it for once, but once again, the NGP just has that more appeal.
Usability (Game Selection)
This is where the 3DS excells. A super-easy interface that just about any 6 year old could get, and it doesn't stray far from what former DS users are accustomed to. As we mentioned back in Software, there's a lot more game selection, and while the Inferface is not intuitive, it gets the job done.


The NGP is more curious. In the end, it could be wrong on our behalf to say that the 3DS is simpler, but the User Interface is still anonymous. And while 5.0" sounds cool, that's almost big enough to be a Tablet. Whatever it is, it's going to be huge, and Quad Core is a power killer. But once again, this is one that will have to be waited out.
Originality
Yeah the 3DS is something new, first of its kind, but then again, we all knew this was going to be happening for a while. We kind of expected a modified DS with a 3D Display, and well, that's what we got.


No one really expected the NGP to be what it was, it was suprisingly out of left field.
Bottom Line
The 3DS is very appealing and it's something new, but it can't hide the dysfunction in Nintendo's camp. The latest refreshment is just a modified version of the old one, wheras Sony brings something completely new to the game. The NGP is going to be big.

New Blackberries: What This Means

Lately, my viewpoint of Blackberries have slowly weaned from the Finese-Well-Built-Quality phone to an ancient, Dinosaur-age platform. And I almost didn't care to look at the three devices that leaked today. But glancing over, they caught my eye. Okay, so maybe this isn't QNX or 4G Speeds, but this looks to promise semi-evolution in one of Software's oldest camps.

Blackberry Curve "Apollo"

The next generation Blackberry Curve "Apollo" is a compelling upgrade for current Curve 8520 users. It has a Tavor MG-1 CPU clocked at 800 MHz (faster than the Torch) and can reach 3G download speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps. 512 MB of RAM and a 5 MP Camera are hefty upgrades from the previous Curve, and not to mention it's going to be launched with the latest BBOS (not 5, not 6, but 6.1). While overall, it's a great upgrade from the previous Curve, I may just want to point out the next device on this list, the Blackberry "Dakota"

Blackberry "Dakota"

The Dakota stays true to Blackberry's well-received Bold, but this one has a major feature that puts it over its predecessors (most recently the 9780). Namely, a touch screen. Admittedly, this isn't the finest of touch screens, it's nothing compared to current Samsung models, but the important thing here is that it's a new advantage the Dakota has going into the business playing field. Other cool features include 768 MB of RAM and 4 GB of ROM, support for NFC, and a 5 MP Camera. It also launches with Blackberry OS 6.1. All things considered, this is a milestone leap over the Bold 9780.

Blackberry Torch 2

This here is the Blackberry Torch 2. If you remember the Torch, it was basically something between the Storm and the Bold. While it wasn't a great success, the device did look interesting, and promising (to some degree). As for being the latest member of the family, the Torch 2 has several needed upgrades. It supports NFC technologies and has a CPU clocked at 1.2 GHz (by the way, that's twice as fast). It pulls down data at 14.4 Mbps, which is actually in the range of AT&T's "4G" HSPA+ Network, and a nice sized 1300 mAh battery. It's not the 4G you're looking for, it's an improvement. Other noteworthy factors include a VGA (640x480) display and Blackberry OS 6.1. While the original Torch gave me a bitter taste, I'm going to go out there and say that this device actually competes with SOME (dual core excluded) of today's top-line devices. Moderate pricing is going to play a big role in whether this device succeeds or not.

So no, this isn't the QNX Revolution, but it'll give us something to think about until then. Decent Blackberries with noteworthy specs that are on lieu with current Android devices. The key for RIM here, once again, is pricing. But otherwise, these are some decent devices, and throw in a Storm3 here, and we can expect some great things out of RIM.

[Images Courtesy of Boy Genius Report]

And The Rest

If CES wasn't the convention of tablets (which it really was, actually), then it was the conventention of Android. I know for a fact that over half of the devices showcased at CES must have had Android, and the rest practically had Windows 7 (though no Phone 7, so again, Android domination).

But with CES behind our backs, we head into MWC (February) and CTIA (March) and you know what that means. More Android, some Phone 7, the One-Year-We-Still-Have-Not-A-Single-Device Anniversary of MeeGo, perhaps a new BlackBerry Storm and that slick(hardware)-looking Nokia E7 on Symbian.

In between major showcasing, we have press conferences from showcase-avoiders that will probably announce a Verizon iPhone (tomorrow) and a slew of webOS devices (Feb. 9).

So where do all these Operating Systems stand? Here's my take:

1. Apple iOS - From here on out, it's the war for #1 between Android and iOS. Android has a significant amount of more capable devices, but Apple has the iPhone, so it's a fair battle on both sides (okay, maybe it is a TAD lopsided, but Apple has held its own this far). Apple's next tool, aside from a new iPad and iPhone, would be a Verizon iPhone. A lot of hype here, a lot of potential users, and a new war between AT&T and Verizon is about to break out. Side-Note: It's pretty much the same iPhone. But anyway, a lot of battle, and it's time to see what that iPhone is made of.
2. Google Android - Okay, so maybe Android dominated CES, but we can expect a lot MORE out of them. At MWC we're looking at several new Sony Ericsson devices (Xperia X12, X12 Mini Pro, Xperia Play, Xperia Duo, Xperia Neo) and some promised Samsung Gingerbread-powered, Dual-Core Galaxy S duds (the i9100 anyone?). I also think you're going to get at least something new from HTC (T-Mobile got left out at CES), a few more MOTOBLUR duds from Motorola, possibly phones like the enV Pro from LG, actual smartphones from Casio and Pantech and a pile of new devices from companies I've never heard before (once again, I've never heard of them, so I can't name them). So all in all, plenty of Android devices of all size and shape, so there's no worry about their pitfall. However, it'll be interesting to see the war between Droid and a Verizon iPhone. Side-Note: Software-wise, we're looking at Android 2.4 Ice Cream and upgrades to Honeycomb.
3. HP webOS - Talking about battles, another big one is who gets to be #3. And one of the big contenders is Palm's webOS, a Linux-based operating system that offers a more full, enriched experience than Google's Android. The main question here is how will HP go about distributing this Operating System, if it will spend time beating around the bush like Palm (and currently HP) did, or will it jump into the mainlines and start pushing out new devices? As for what devices we're looking forward to in 2011, WSJ reported last year that there'd be 5 new ones (4 Phones + 1 Tablet), and we've seen the Pre 2 so far, expected to come to Verizon with CDMA (and possibly LTE) bands. Also rumored is the Palm Pixi 2, with a front-facing camera, the Castle, a "budget" (as if the Pre2 wasn't cheap enough) edition of the Pre 2, and the Mansion, with a 5.0" Screen. However, newer reads suggest that HP may be abandoning the usage of Palm in their phones and go for a new iPAQ device. In other non-phone news, expect a Tablet sometime.
4. Microsoft Phone 7 - Microsoft Phone 7 has a lot of potential simply because it has a slick, dynamic interface, but moreover because the live tile idea is revolutionary. Think of it as iOS 1, not 4. As a completely new operating system, not the Windows Mobile of old. It's fresh, new, and innovative, and it gears toward taking that #3 spot webOS covets. As for what's in store, the arrow points toward devices with CDMA Chipsets. We can expect the Samsung Omnia (potentially with 4G LTE) and HTC Trophy to Verizon and the HTC Pro to Sprint. And of course, more, new cool phones headed to your beloved T-Mobile and AT&T dealers. The big things to look toward are the upcoming NoDo and Mango updates, which will deal with major issues like Copy-And-Paste and data bugs.
5. Nokia MeeGo - With several ongoing technologies under its belt, I'm not quite sure what the whole roadmap for Nokia is, and I'm pretty sure no one, even Nokia knows that. They've promised new Symbian devices and new MeeGo devices, and somehow still continue using the Series 40 + Nokia OS. But as for MeeGo devices, there's a sick looking N9 down the road, and several other nice devices. Because of Intel's role in the development of MeeGo, we can also expect it to end up being MORE open source than Symbian. Other devices not by Nokia? There's an upcoming Acer tablet and the Aava Phone. I expect quite a lot from Nokia.
6. Nokia Symbian - Symbian was once the property of Symbian Inc, the brainchild, the future-moving OS that started UI customizations (UIQ v S60 anyone?), and the dominator of the mobile market. But the lack of progress and the rise of Google's Android and Apple's iOS is slowly destroying the Foundation. Talking about foundations, after the pitfall of Symbian Inc., the Symbian Foundation formed to take care of OS development, but it folded in December 2010 and handed all development to Nokia. During this period, it made three major revisions, and while it did evolve, so did everything else. With Nokia working on MeeGo, I think that Symbian may eventually be dropped (like maybe even this year) and set aside for Nokia OS improvements, MeeGo improvements, or just be thrown in the vault for eternity. As for devices, Nokia E7, X7, N87, and MAYBE one or two more.
7. Qualcomm BREW MP - Even if it don't go up, BREW ain't going anywhere. This dud of an OS pretty much powers the future phone market (along with Java ME and Nokia OS). But it's role in smartphones-too-dumb-for-even-Android hasn't just dissapeared, as CES showed us the new HTC Freestyle. Can we expect more smartphones running this platform? With most companies favoring Google's Android platform, the answer may be no. But don't be suprised if another HTC dud ends up sometime this year with BREW.
8. RIM Blackberry OS - End of the line. Seriously. Blackberry's were once these cool, well-built phones that kicked ass compared to everyone else's RAZR's, but now they're kind of old, archaic, and almost dinosaur-like to the majority of iPhone and Android users. But, then again, RIM promises a huge revamp (TAT UI, Dual-Core Support, QNX) so we can ultimately expect a lot more out of BBOS7/QNX than we got out of BBOS6. I'm partially anxious to see what the best shot is here but another part of me elsewhere says No, Give up already. As for phones, a Touch version of the Blackberry Bold, a budget version of the Blackberry Torch and a Storm are planned short term (BBOS6) and some rockin' Dual Core phones later on this year.
9. Samsung Bada - Samsung has this weird approach that's sometimes impecable at times. They've rooted themselves in the popular Android OS and yet hope to showcase "more" Phone 7 devices this year. Up until recently, they've used Symbian, and all this time, America hasn't seen one of Samsung's greatest creations: bada. Admittedly, in comparison to Android, it's nothing. It's like BREW MP vs HTC Sense on a REAL Android sucker. The TouchWiz 3.0 UI found on Bada phones is the same one that rocks the Galaxy S line. And while Samsung is favoring an even-lower in house remedy to power all their non-smartphones here in the U.S.A, I have absolutely no idea when or IF we will ever see the elusive Bada. But a new update promising things like NFC could mean a change in Samsung's business plan.

CES 2011 - What This Means For The Nexus S

I'm pretty sure that you've already got the gyst of CES 2011, and if you haven't, there was pretty much the complete coverage on engadget (side-note: Android Community archive of CES posts here). And if you're not going to check it, it was basically this: Tablets, tablets, and a few dual core/4G phones. And More Tablets. Did we mention Tablets?

Okay so maybe it's unnecesary for me to repeat tablets over and over, and that about two or three of 'em are on par with the iPad. But anyway, that's not related to this. What I'm talking about here are those few dual core phones, or to be more specific, the LG Optimus 2X, Motorola Droid Bionic, and Motorola Atriv 4G (side-note: The Droid Bionic does support Verizon 4G).

If you didn't get bought by the rumor mills, then you weren't suprised when it turned out that the Nexus S didn't have dual-core CPUs, and it was bound to be another forgotten phone. Here in January of 2011, we can hardly remember the Nexus S due to the amount of just simply more interesting phones that we've seen at CES, and will see at MWC (oh and the Verizon iPhone)

There were several shortcommings of the Nexus S, but first of all, it wasn't the technology setter like its older brother was. If you remember the Nexus One, you'll remember it wasn't that succesful because of the product availability, but that aside, it did set some major milestones. Right before it, we had the Motorola Droid with a 528 MHz, then the Nexus One had a 1 GHz CPU, but the next big thing after it was the HTC Desire (actually a modified Nexus One) with, you guessed it, a 1 GHz CPU. And since then, the 1 GHz CPU has become comanplace, and standard, in fact so standard, it's on the Nexus S, 11 and a half months later.

Initial dissapointment aside, it still is a fun phone to play with. Android 2.3 had some cool features, and the lack of availability for it is the only thing keeping the Nexus S alive today. But it missed out on other key marks, the 1 GHz CPU came only weeks before Dual-Core Nvidia Tegra2 chips, and the Nexus S also lacks support for T-Mobile's 4G Network, which actually makes it on the same level as the G2. Nothing personal.

Now on to what CES means. At CES, we say a barrage of unnecesary devices, most with claims of 4G, better displays, and Dual-Core CPUs. While in the case of the Nexus One (ironically at CES 2010), you could say all the MWC gadgets took from it, but the same doesn't apply here. These devices take advantage of what the Nexus S LACKS. It doesn't lead the way, but rather is a unnecesary hindrance.

So what do these new phones mean? They mean we'll forget about the Nexus S, if we haven't already. The fact you only get it at Best Buy STILL makes me feel like Google hasn't learned from their lesson, and my ability to walk into an AT&T store two months now and check out the Atrix will ultimately have influence over my decision to buy it or not.

We saw a couple of Galaxy S devices at CES. Now if you remember, the Nexus S (i9020) was meant to be the succesor of the Galaxy S (i9000). But the latest devices on the Galaxy S line are actually better. Super AMOLED Plus displays, better cameras, 4G (HSPA+ for Infuse, LTE for LTE Phone), and regrettably, still no dual core and no Android 2.3. But still, these devices will be much more accesbile, and somehow much more rememberable.

As much as the Nexus One failed, it is a device to remember. It's up there with the G1 in the Android Vault. It simply changed the way we saw our Android phones almost as much as the G1 did by being the first. But the Nexus S? It failed to take that one step ahead of its games, and I'm not so sure it will be remembered so well.

Verizon iPhone... Seriously?

If you're like me, or even just keep up with the basics of technology (or in other words, read Gizmodo and Engadget once a week) you know that the Verizon iPhone is the biggest, most-wanted not-real phone on the entire market. Up until now. Or at least that's what latest news reports claim.

Now I mean, sure, Verizon is cool and all, and the coverage is more saturated than AT&T (better bars in the same places, as far as I've seen), but look, for someone that's been stuck his whole life on the OLD Cingular (the crappy one) and then T-Mobile, AT&T has pretty darn good coverage. More than enough to get the average person through the day anyway.

As any of you that have tried to run your iPhone on a different network know, it's different. You can't get the little AT&T devices to run on Verizon. But it's really just a tiny chip that has a different radio/receiver (CDMA vs. GSM) and maybe fine tuned for certain bandwiths. But it's just a small chip change, and it doesn't affect the performance of the iPhone. Plus some international iPhone's (correct me if I'm wrong, but I think India) already use CMDA Radios, which means a new iPhone on a different carrier is more of a marketing change than a physical one.

Or as far as we know of. While I'm assuming it won't happen because of how inconsiderate and unnecesary it would be, yes, Apple could make a few minor tweaks to the iPhone 4 before repackaging it. There have been leaks that say that Apple has adjusted the frame to prevent death grip issues, and a slightly different chip would be needed to run on Verizon. But all the same, I'm not ruling out the possibility of a higher clocked A4 CPU, just that if it doesn't come to AT&T, there are going to be a LOT of dissatisfied users (well, all the current ones too, but that's another story).

Regarding the rumors, I'm not going to say that Unlimited Data Plans are out of the picture, but I have a feeling this device is going to run on regular CDMA data, and not LTE. Which means, sure, chew up all the data you want, because the cool (or eh... nerdy?) guys are getting the maximum LTE Network speeds with their Thunderbolt's, etc etc. While it could be a marketing diversion to keep the 4G Networks at near-4G speeds, I think it's simpler than that: Verizon needs to convince regular users that the credibility AT&T has built up with the iPhone isn't worth a damn and that you, as an iPhone user, need to switch to them.

Will a Verizon iPhone be succesful? Assuming that everyone didn't already buy an iPhone in the last two years, possibly. While only time can tell about questions like these, I do have to ask: What becomes of the Droid line now?

The Future Of Galaxy S

No, this is not a post in which I, behind some random leaks and illogical logic, claim that Samsung's Galaxy S series should or will be pronounced dead, and that its future is no more. No, I want to talk about the general direction the Galaxy S is headed IN the future, including the recently announced Infuse 4G and Verizon 4G LTE Phone.

Contrary to what you might have thought I meant (or at least according to the beginning of this article), I think that the Galaxy S line has a lot of potential, possibly as much potential as Verizon's Droid line. My whole argument here is about HOW that Samsung can make this possible.

The biggest question being placed on phone companies right now is to either go dual core (Motorola) or stay with already functional single-core technologies (RIM). It's a matter of time before the Android experience gets enriched enough to optimize both of those cores, so as for companies that don't like getting stuck in the dark, the move to dual core is a necessity.

There are two dual core chips that Samsung could utilize right now. The first is the In-House Samsung Orion CPUs, which would be the preffered choice in circumstance like these. However, Orion isn't as high on Samsung's list of things to produce (it's slated after Super AMOLED Plus, Flexible AMOLED, and all sorts of other technologies), and it's not quite ready yet.

The next option is the only one left, really. The new Nvidia Tegra2 chips have made their way into new Motorola and LG Dual-Core phones, and in practically every new Honeycomb (3.0) Android tablet. Samsung has placed orders for these tasty little treats, and so we can expect them in a new Galaxy Tab, Windows 7 tablets, and other goodies. Namely, a new Galaxy S phone.

What more can we expect out of the Galaxy S line? Well, first of all, Near Field Communication (NFCs) were one of the new features Gingerbread (2.3) brought into Android, and we should expect these chips in Samsung devices sometime soon.

As for displays, Samsung is the only producer of the coveted Super AMOLED display, and while that's already a big gap ahead of rival technologies (Apple Retina, Sony Ericsson Reality, LG Nova, Nokia ClearBlack), Samsung has made improvements in subpixels and contrast levels, and created its new Super AMOLED Plus displays. They can be seen on the brand new Infuse 4G and upcoming 4G LTE Smartphone (Verizon). One thing we notice right off the bat is that they can get to sizes bigger than the 4.0" Super AMOLED, namely, a 4.5" device. While I don't know if 4.5" will appeal to the market (I see the Infuse as more of an experiment), I'm pretty sure that we've come to accept 4.3" displays by now, especially if you're on Verizon or Sprint.

Software-wise, Android FroYo and Gingerbread are the key. The last line of Galaxy S devices all ran Eclair (2.1) and yes, there's a lot of upset Galaxy S phone owners who STILL haven't got that darned FroYo update yet. But as the two newest devices run FroYo, we can expect that as a minimum, and perhaps even Gingerbread in new Samsung devices starting after the FroYo update finishes rolling out.

As for the TouchWiz 3.0, we can probably expect some upgrades in the UI overlay. I point to the upcoming Bada update simply because it promises "Better UX and UI framework" which implies modifications to TouchWiz 3.0 (does that mean it's still 3.0 or 3.1?) and again, some minor changes there, most of the juice lies inside of the device.

So there you have several major aspects to future Galaxy S devices. Granted, it's just an outline, as there's a couple of points I skimmed over in forming my article, namely battery. As for speeds, I would say that's a matter of carrier (HSPA+ for T-Mobile/AT&T, WiMAX for Sprint, LTE for Verizon), and again, that's not really part of the bigger picture.

Now, devices, I know you're thinking devices. First of all, Galaxy S branding has made its way onto a lot of new Samsung high-end phones, or might I dare elaborate, every single one I've seen. The Continuum, the Infuse, the new Verizon one... all have Galaxy S branding. While Galaxy S may have started off as part of the Galaxy line, it's something new (now a Galaxy A/Q would be welcome as a different branding, simply because it's budget).

When we look at the major carriers, AT&T got their Galaxy S refresh, and so did Verizon (two actually). So what can we look forward to?

AT&T - The Infuse 4G, what more do you want? 4.5" of awesomeness? Oh I get it, it's too big (big TWSS there). In terms of other devices, I wouldn't be surprised if there was a budget Galaxy model.
Sprint - Since Sprint has the Epic, another keyboard-device is probably out of the question. What is probably in store is something that competes with the EVO, like perhaps a WiMAX version of that new Verizon phone. With a Sprint sticker of course.
T-Mobile - The Vibrant has hit its nitch market, and it's not the kind of people that buy sequels a month after they got the alst one (in other words, Joe Smoe not Mr. Cybernerd). So I'd expect perhaps a ticker-display (Continuum-esque) device, perhaps with more processing power and an improved Super AMOLED Plus display.
Verizon - A lot more LTE phones, more stuff like the new one, and possibly a dual core phone. Budget model of the Fascinate and something like the Epic aren't quite out of the question
Everyone Else - Heresay about Samsung getting a 4G LTE device on Cellular South's upcomign 4G network, and yeah, that Showcase finally being on sale. I don't know much about if there's anything left in U.S. Cellular because as far as what I've heard, the Mesmerize was not the hot thing there. The only other opportunity I think is MetroPCS, because their expansion into 4G LTE Smartphone space will encompass several high end phones. eventually.

Best Phones of CES 2011

CES 2011 is one of the biggest technology unveilings of the year, and we've seen several mind-bending devices so far. Here's a list of 12 mobile phones that were recently announced (and one that launches during the CES period).

1. Motorola ATRIX 4G AT&T, Android 2.2 with Motorola MOTOBLUR

The Atrix is all about speed. From the dual-core Nvidia Tegra2 CPUs to the blazing fast AT&T 4G Speeds, this phone screams power. The 1930 mAh battery keeps this powerhouse alive and running, and the huge battery means great life (it can even function as a laptop). A decent-sized 4.0" screen with qHD (960x540). Among the lines of a laptop, 48 GB of Hard Drive and 1 GB of RAM is hard to argue with, especially in a phone. All in all, Tegra2/HSPA+ screams speed, 48 GB of Hard Drive says business, and Android 2.2 with MOTOBLUR says Social. On a carrier known for the iPhone, a true rival has grown from the dust.

2. Motorola Droid Bionic Verizon, Android 2.2
Dual-Core CPUs and 4G Speeds are king of CES. The Droid Bionic is fairly similar to the Atrix 4G, with the main difference being a stock Android experience over the Motorola-customized MOTOBlur. It comes with that same big battery but 512 MB of RAM and 16 GB of storage. However, that camera is significantly bigger. The screen is also a tad bigger, but as pixel density is a tad lower, we think it's safe to say that this the choice between this device and an Atrix really depends on personal tastes.

3. LG Optimus 2X T-Mobile (Rumored), Android 2.2 with LG Optimus 2.0 UI

While we've crowned the Atrix as the finest device heading into 2011, the LG Optimus 2X deserves a nod too. At launch, it is expected to run on T-Mobile's 4G network, which has speeds of around AT&T's. It also runs that sleek Tegra2 CPU, and a 4.0" screen. There are some differences hardware-wise from the Atrix, some better than others. The camera, capturing 1080p is a noteworthy nod, but a weaker battery and smaller screen resolution are a few minor drawbacks. Software-wise, this thing also runs Android 2.2, but uses LG's new Optimus 2.0 UI, which has been described as a mix of HTC Sense and Samsung Touchwiz.

4. Samsung Infuse 4G AT&T, Android 2.2 with Samsung TouchWiz 3.0 UI
Last year, Sprint Galaxy S owners had something to brag about, namely, the fact that their Epic supported Sprint's WiMAX 4G. Well, here's a 4G device for loyal AT&T customers, and if you don't need a keyboard, it has several significant improvements. Right of the bat, it has a 4.5" Super AMOLED+ screen. Not only is it .5" bigger (which is quite a lot actually), but the viewing angles will somehow manage to blow your mind in a way Super AMOLED didn't (and it blew my mind pretty good). The phone is super slim, and the new Hummingbird CPU runs about 20% faster. It also runs Android 2.2, which is a big bonus for the... um... dissatisfied Galaxy S owners who want FroYo.

5. HTC Thunderbolt 4G Verizon, Android 2.2 with HTC Sense UI
HTC may not be looking into using dual-core technologies, but they're trying to nail just about everything else. In the Thunderbolt, we find all that juicy goodness we found in the Evo and some more new stuff. It supports Verizon's LTE Network, and packs an improved 8 MP camera, and a standard .3 MP front one. Running on a Qualcomm 2nd-Generation Snapdragon (Scorpion) CPU, the graphic rendering abilities on this phone are huge, along with decent speed levels. It also launches with Android 2.2 and the newest iteration of Sense.

6. HTC Inspire 4G Verizon, Android 2.2 with HTC Sense UI
The Inspire carries similar specs to its American brothers, the Evo and Thunderbolt, but what sets this device apart is its GSM radio, or in other words, AT&T. It also runs on AT&T's brand new 4G Network, but of the three new phones, it's kind of the middle guy, without the big processor of the Atrix or the big screen of the Infuse. However again, the rationally-big 4.3" S-LCD screen and that Desire HD feel make this device a great option to look into. (Notice: It also claims to be the first American phone to run the latest edition of Sense on top of Android 2.2, with a Gingerbread update available "sometime")

7. LG Optimus Black TBD, Android 2.2 with LG Optimus 2.0 UI
The Optimus Black, also known as the LG B, has an IPS LCD screen that is "better" than Samsung's Super AMOLED (not +) and Apple's Retina Display. Apart from that, it packs similar specs to the Optimus 2X, minus the dual-core CPU. It's still fast,
has a nice camera, and uses LG's impressive new Optimus 2.0 UI. And did we mention that thescreen looks/seems amazing?

8. Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc TBD, Android 2.3 with Sony Ericsson UX
Okay maybe it's not fair that the Xperia Arc is down this far on the list. It didn't do anything wrong; it has a solid 4.2" screen and 8 MP camera. But it simply doesn't have that display push found on the Infuse/Optimus Black, the 4G speeds found on 6 of the last 7 phones, or the dual-core CPU that the Droid Bionic, Atrix, and Optimus 2X possess. Still, it's a great
device for media lovers, as Sony Ericsson's UX has proven itself to be a thing of beauty. It runs on a Qualcomm 1 GHz processor, but notably, the star of the show is the first phone here that comes with Gingerbread (Android 2.3) at launch.

9. LG Rebellion Verizon, Android 2.2 with LG Optimus 2.0 UI
We all expected a lot of Verizon devices to be unveiled during CES, and we've seen quite a few. The Rebellion here, though not officially announced quite yet (LG Keynote tomorrow), has been confirmed to be that Verizon LG Phone engadget saw a peep of earlier. It runs on Verizon's LTE Network, packs that sleek Optimus 2.0 UI, and is one of three phones that will compose LG's High-End Debut.

10. Vizio VIA Phone TBD, Android 2.2/2.3 with Vizio UI
LG is not the only one that is attempted to break it's way into the high end market this week at CES. In fact, Vizio also intends to do so with their brand new VIA Phone and Tablet (as seen on the Rose Bowl). What gives Vizio a chance here? America's largest LCD TV provider promises the ability to use your new phones as TV controllers, and that could mean quite a
lot with a Google TV in the works. (Side Note: Great UI)

11. HTC Evo Shift 4G Sprint, Android 2.2 with HTC Sense
AT CES, we've seen a decent amount of Verizon, like we expected to, and a (pleasantly) suprising amount of AT&T devices, and even some potential T-Mobile in that mix too. But who's really been biting the bullet today is Sprint. Not a peep of them at CES. We've thrown this potential-filled device in out of pitty, pitty for Sprint's lack of presence at CES, pitty it's overshadowed by the original Evo, and most of all, pity for it's quit launch. It is a great phone though, and Sprint's 4G network, don't get me wrong, is seriously fast. Also, if you were thinking about an Evo but like the Droid's keyboard, this device is perfect for you.

12. Motorola Cliq 2 T-Mobile, Android 2.2 with Motorola MOTOBLUR
The Motorola Cliq 2 is a mid/high-range device running on T-Mobile's 4G Network. It doesn't pack a qHD resolution like the other new Motorola devices, but the 854x480px Resolution is still very high, even on this list. Other than looks, this device falls somewhere between the Droid and the Droid 2. It has that 3.7" touchscreen and is suprisingly lightweight (at 75g). It also packs Android 2.2 and the full Motorola MOTOBLUR social experience. (Full QWERTY Keyboard = Bonus)

13. HTC Freestyle AT&T, Brew MP with HTC Sense
I know that since you've read all the way to the bottom of this list, you're expecting a great clincher phone that will make you rethink about the rest of the list. And so here is the HTC Freestyle. Interesting? Yes, although it doesn't have anything on the other phones I've listed here. It's really a standard low-end smartphone, with specs quite similar to the Android-powered Aria. However, the interesting thing about it is the elusive Brew MP (did you notice this is the only non-Android on the list?). Brew has been used for quite a while in your average joe-smith-kinda budget phone, but this Mobile Platform pushes the arch up a tad. With HTC Sense being put on the top, this could possibly be the best low-end smartphone/high-end dumbphone you can get your hands on this year. Expect AT&T.

By the way, Happy 2011! And I hope to be able to post more often.