AT&T just announced a version of the Optimus LTE for their network.  Called the LG Nitro HD, it's the first smartphone in the carrier's roster to feature a screen capable of showing displays in full 720p.

Measuring 5.27 x 2.67 x 0.41 inches, it's long and slender, just like a lot of the bigger premium phones coming out these days.  It features a huge 4.5-inch IPS display with a 1280 x 720 pixel resolution and 500-nit luminance.   According to the press release, the screen offers "unrivaled color accuracy," " true-to-life color rendering" and "clear viewing in direct sunlight."

Details of the Nitro HD include an 8.0 megapixel camera module, a 1.3 megapixel front-facing webcam, aGPS, 4G LTE, HSPA+, WiFi, Bluetooth, DLNA, 4GB of onboard storage and microSD card expansion (up to 32GB).  No word on what version of Android runs, but we're assuming Gingerbread, instead of Ice Cream Sandwich.

Billed as "the ultimate high-performance super phone," the handset comes with more than just a high-res display and LTE broadband speeds.  It also runs a powerful dual-core 1.5GHz Qualcomm processor that allows it to run HD games and movies with relative ease.

The LG Nitro HD will hit AT&T retail stores December 4th, priced at $249.99 with a new two-year agreement.

[via Engadget]

A couple of leaked phones made the blogosphere rounds over the weekend.  The two latest to fall to the news hounds are the LG Nitro HD and the Orange San Francisco II.

LG Nitro HD

This appears to be the North American version of the LH Optimus LTE, which was officially announced by the Korean company last month.  From the looks of things, it's much like  the previously-announced smartphone, as you can see from AT&T version pictured above.  Details include a 4.5-inch 720p HD touchscreen, an 8.0 megapixel camera module, 4 GB of ROM, microSD card support, Bluetooth 3.0, 21 Mbps HSDPA, 4G LTE and a 1,830 mAh battery module.  Processing muscle is handled by a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, paired with 1GB of RAM.  Android 2.3 Gingerbread will run at the helm.

Unfortunately, there's no word yet on the LG Nitro HD's launch date and pricing.  It sounds like it could make for an attractive holiday offer, though.

[via PocketNow]

Orange San Francisco II

The successor to the UK carrier's popular San Francisco handset, this new entry-level phone will be known outside of the UK as the ZTE Crescent.  As with the previous model, the San Francisco II is aimed at the prepaid (pay as you go) audience, bring affable looks and decent specs with it.

Details include a 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen (480 x 800 resolution), a 5.0 megapixel camer amodule, HSPA, WiFi, Bluetooth, aGPS and a microSD card slot.  It runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread and will be powered by a modest 800MHz processor.  No pricing or release date were leaked, however.

[via SoMobile ]

Remember the Sharp FX feature phone?  Well, it's big brother has rolled up to AT&T.  Called the Sharp FX Plus, it's grown up to be a full-fledged Android smartphone aimed at first-time users.

Physically, it's actually prettier than the price tag will suggest.  It's a tad heavy (5.3 ounces), but we do appreciate the curvy shape, soft touch finish and matte black appearance.  Based on Sharp's old Sidekick phones, the screen can be slide up to expose the four-row QWERTY keyboard.  Keys feel a little flat, though, so expect some getting used to for typing.  Display is a 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen (480 x 320 resolution), which is bright and colorful enough to be plenty usable.  It's a little small, though, especially when you're used to today's larger mobile screen.

As a phone, the Sharp FX Plus delivered great calls, with strong volume and excellent quality on both ends of the line.  Occasionally, some slight muffling occurs, but it's insignificant enough to ignore.  The speakerphone worked well, although, voices sounded hollow on both ends.  Battery is disappointing, though, lasting for only around 3 hours of talk time.

Running Android 2.2 Froyo, you get all the usual smartphone amenities, including unlimited contacts, multiple inbox support, voice search and all that.  Wireless connectivity is amply serviced, too, with 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS all onboard.  There's no wireless hotspot, though, but it does tether over USB.

All the usual Google services are onboard, along with preloaded apps like Polaris Office, Facebook, Twitter and AT&T's various services.  Music player is stock, so better find a better one from the Market.  The 3.2 megapixel camera comes with no flash, so indoor shots aren't the most idea.  Outdoor ones are serviceable, although the shutter lag is quite pronounced.

Priced at only  $28.88 with a new two year AT&T contract, the Sharp FX Plus is quite a value.  The camera's poor performance was a bit expected, although the short battery life could be worrisome for the kinds of things smartphones get used for.  If you're fine with carrying a charger in your bag, it should be a good deal.

AT&T just announced three new 4G smartphones coming into their fold that make them the primary source for Windows Phone devices.  Comprised of the HTC Titan, the Samsung Focus S and the Samsung Focus Flash, the trio of handsets all run the latest Windows Phone 7.5 Mango.

HTC Titan

First announced last week, the Titan is one premium-looking smartphone, with its brushed aluminum shell, clean slim lines and  large frame (5.18 x 2.78 x 0.39 inches).  Specs include a 4.7-inch capacitive touchscreen display (480 x 800 resolution), an 8.0 megapixel camera with dual LED flash, a 1.3 megapixel webcam in front, aGPS, 3G with HSPA, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, 16GB of built-in storage and a 1,600 mAh battery module. Processing is handled by a single-core 1.5Ghz CPU, paired with 512MB of RAM.

Samsung Focus S

No pictures were released for this one, but it should be on the large-sized end of the scale, too, with a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus touchscreen (480 x 800 resolution) out front.  Details include an 8.0 megapixel camera module, a 1.3 megapixel front-facing webcam, a 1.4GHz processor and a slim frame measuring 8.5mm in thickness.

Samsung Focus Flash

Like the Focus S, no press images were released for the Samsung Focus Flash.  It's the smallest of the trio, with a 3.7-inch Super AMOLED touchscreen out in front.  Details include a5.0 megapixel camera, a front-facing webcam and a 1.4Ghz processor.

Release Details

All three Windows Phone Mango devices will join AT&T's range of 4G offerings in the fourth quarter.  No exact dates or pricing details, though.

[AT&T]

BGR's got details and photos on an upcoming Android QWERTY slider from AT&T.  According to the report, this is the carrier's version of the Samsung Galaxy S II.

Given how unappetizing AT&T's lineup of Android smartphones with landscape QWERTY keyboards are, this should be a welcome option for the network's customers.    I mean, neither the HTC Status nor the Pantech Crossover (which are the carrier's best offerings in the category) are really bound to pique a more discerning user's interest.

Do note that the Galaxy S II bit may be completely off, since the front layout doesn't really match that on the global version of the phone (Samsung Attain).  Anyway, this just leads me to be a little miffed at how homogenous Samsung's designs have really been -- they all look so similar!

No specs were leaked, other than what you can plainly see from the photos.  Just in case you need a rundown of what's visible, it comes with a four-row QWERTY keyboard, an 8.0 megapixel camera with LED flash, WiFi, Bluetooth and aGPS.  Oh yeah, it runs Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread, likely with that ubiquitous TouchWiz UI on top.

Earlier this month, a Samsung exec mentioned that the Galaxy S II will be available in the US beginning August.  If this is indeed AT&T's version, you can probably expect it to become official within the next week or so.

[BGR]



Designed in collaboration with Facebook, the HTC Status is as close as we're going to get to the once-rumored "Facebook Phone."  While it's probably not as Facebook-obsessed as a real "Facebook Phone" would have been, it does bring some novel features that makes it a far more convenient device for frequent users of the popular social network.

Physically, the handset takes on a QWERTY slate form factor that's been a standard of messaging phones since the first Blackberry rolled into town.  While aimed at the younger crowd, the various design elements look sleek, especially the matte-white unibody plastic, the silver accents and the slight bend in the middle.

The display is small at only 2.6 inches, making it a tad difficult to handle with touch controls.  If you can live with that, they more than make up for it with the wide and spacious QWERTY keyboard.  The keys are raised and large, with a sharp clicking sensation when you press on them, making it easy to use even for fat, tubby fingers.

As a phone, the HTC Status makes for clear and natural-sounding calls on both ends of the line.  Speakerphone was good, too, although we did have to speak up (those on the other end reported we sounded a little too soft).  Battery is rated at up to 6.5 hours of talk time.

The most notable differentiating feature, of course, is the Facebook button at the bottom of the front panel.  A short press of the dedicated button brings up a screen where you can post quick status updates or leave a message on friend's wall, while a long press on the same button can have you check into a location.  The button is also context-aware, glowing gently when you're in a screen (e.g. the camera app) that can interface with Facebook.  Overall, it's a nice addition -- one that Facebook diehards will definitely find useful.

Because of the display's size,  HTC has modified both Sense UI and Android menus on the Status.   While those are definitely welcome, you still suffer through the limitations of the small display when doing everything else (expect to do plenty of scrolling).  One odd thing: the screen is more wide than vertical, so HTC opted to have landscape displays by default.  It's odd, to say the least -- especially once you get around to running different apps.

All the usual modern smartphone features are on board: voice features, basic and advanced messaging, wireless connectivity (GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, 3G with mobile hotspot), a front-facing webcam, and a selection of preinstalled apps.  It runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread, although Flash has been disabled (yep, sucks on that end) due to limitations of what the 800Mhz processor can do.  The 5.0 megapixel camera is quite impressive, managing sharp and vibrant snaps even in low-light situations.

The HTC Status brings a good balance of solid features and great usability, although the experience is slightly hampered by the smaller display.  If you can look past that, it's a great purchase for the $49.99 retail price on a two-year agreement with AT&T.

For the most part, Palm's phone designs have hovered around cute.  That gets even more pronounced with their latest release, the tiny HP Veer 4G.  Don't be fooled, though -- this is quite a capable device.

Physically, it mirrors the same pebble-like shape of the original Pre in an even more streamlined package.  The size and weight makes sure it slips in comfortably in your pocket, although usability is somewhat hampered by the petite styling. Put simply, the 2.6-inch capacitive touchscreen (320 x 400 resolution) is way too small by today's standards.  While it's sufficiently bright , sharp and shows off nice colors, web browsing is a chore and the finger really gets in the way.  Fortunately, you don't have to type onscreen -- there's a slide-up portrait QWERTY keyboard.  While cramped, it does make for some good typing after you get used to it.

As a phone, the HP Veer 4G makes for good calls with no background noise and very little interference.  Those on the other end noticed some echoes on occasion, although they were infrequent.  Speakerphone is just usable enough -- tinny, but perfectly serviceable even outdoors.   Battery is rated at 5 hours of talk time.

Despite the size, this quad-band world phone packs a full set of features.   You get a helping of voice and calling options, full connectivity support (WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, 3G and HSPA+) and a robust set of messaging capabilities.  Do note that the handset seems to choke a bit on its data connection, so the same AT&T HSPA+ on  a different phone will seem faster (especially with WiFi hotspot involved).  Regardless, internet access is plenty fast, although you'll probably be disappointed if you've used a different "4G" phone before.

The Veer 4G runs WebOS 2.1.2, which comes with the excellent Synergy system for managing contacts, emails and calendars.  Since the last version of the platform, this service has expanded its reach, now syncing with even more types of accounts (seriously, you won't feel shortchanged a bit).   Notable additions include Stacks (a new visual take on multitasking that does simplify things) and Just Type (a universal search that you can use from any screen).

A bunch of apps are included that run the gamut, from entertainment to productivity tools.  The 5.0 megapixel camera takes decent pictures, although the lack of editing options is frustrating.   On the downside, it only comes with around 6GB of usable storage and no microSD expansion.

Overall, the HP Veer 4G packs in a good amount of features in a small and attractive frame.  The diminutive size brings its own set of problems, though.  If you don't mind the negatives, it's a pretty good buy for the $99.99 price on a two-year agreement with AT&T.

AT&T has officially announced one of the cutest smartphones we've seen in a while.  That's the HP Veer 4G, which packages webOS in a frame with the width and length of a regular credit card.

It's the smallest webOS phone to date, although it does gain some beefiness in the thickness department due, largely, to the slide-up portrait QWERTY panel.  While it boasts support for HSPA+ (this part, by the way, was confirmed by both HP and the carrier, so forget the previous rumors), AT&T appears to be recommending it as a starter smartphone for users coming from a feature or quick messaging background.

Details of the HP Veer 4G include a 2.6-inch capacitive touchscreen display (320 x 400 resolution), a 5.0 megapixel camera module, aGPS, WiFi, hi-speed data access (3G and HSPA+), Bluetooth 2.1, 8GB of internal storage and a 910 mAh battery (good for 5 hours of talk time).  Muscle is provided by a modest 800 Mhz processor, which is apparently good enough to run Flash websites on the webOS WebKit browser (the small screen could make this painful, though).  The latest webOS 2.1 runs at the helm, bringing its vaunted messaging and social networking talents to the fore.

Remember when parents bought their kids those cute messaging phones because they texted so much?  Well, that category has mutated into full-fledged smartphones now, with some impressive offerings to boot.  The HP Veer 4G sits squarely among that pile.  You can get it starting May 15th, priced at $99.99 on a two-year agreement.

[Palm]

AT&T has announced two new phones for inclusion in its roster, both of which are rebadged models of previously-released handsets.  These are the LG Thrill 4G and the HTC HD7S, the carrier's version of the Optimus 3D and the WP7-powered HD7.

As with the original, the LG Thrill 4G features a 4.3-inch glasses-free 3D display, dual 5.0 megapixel optics, 8GB of onboard storage, HDMI, DLNA and microSD card expansion.  It packs a dual-core 1GHz processor, with the complete range of wireless connectivity (aGPS, WiFi, 3G with HSPA, Bluetooth).  In case you don't remember, this phone can both play and record 3D content, making it an entirely unique device in the current smartphone space.   It will also get access to LG 3D Space, a central download hub for 3D games, video and images.

The HD7S, as the name makes obvious, is a renamed version of the HD7 on T-Mobile.  Specs are the same -- 1GHz Qualcomm processor, a 4.3-inch Super LCD (800 x 480 resolution), a 5.0 megapixel camera module with dual LED flash, aGPS, Bluetooth 2.1, WiFi, 3G with HSPA, a choice of internal storage (8GB or 16GB) and a 1,230 mAh battery.

Neither phones' availability date nor pricing were announced.  Expect them sooner, rather than later, though.

[via Engadget]

A $100 credit would have been even better but AT&T wants to thanks its customers (Hmmm...I wonder f it has anything to do with Verizon getting the iPhone also) by offering no strings attached 1000 roll over minutes. Apparently this should would work not just on iPhone but other phones also.

Just text the word "Yes" to 11113020 and you should receive a reply like above within a few minutes. Let us know your experience.