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• Xperia Play final hardware hands-on!
• Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro first hands-on!
• Sony Ericsson touts Xperia Play multiplayer gaming, promises 50 titles at launch
• Sony Ericsson Xperia Play available in March, on Verizon in 'early spring'
• The Sony Ericsson Xperia Play (update: video and full spec sheet!)
• Nokia: 'Our first priority is beating Android'
• The Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro
• The Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo
• Live from Sony Ericsson's MWC 2011 press event!
• Nokia hints we'll see first Windows Phone 7 device this year
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 official: Tegra 2, Honeycomb, dual cameras (hands-on with video)
• Samsung Galaxy S II official: dual-core 1GHz CPU, 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus, coming this month (hands-on with video)
• Live from 'An Evening With Nokia' at MWC 2011!
• AT&T adding $35 3GB plan, cutting 5GB plan to $50 for LaptopConnect devices
• Boston planning to murder potholes with your phone's accelerometer
• Engadget Mobile turns 5 today -- help us celebrate with a Motorola Aura giveaway!
• Intel promises, teases MeeGo smartphone and tablet for MWC
• Samsung Nexus S revisits the FCC, this time with bands for AT&T
• Motorola Xoom up for pre-order at Best Buy this Thursday... for $1,199?
• Fujitsu unveils world's first MeeGo netbook, world barely notices
• I Can't Believe It's An HTC Tattoo In My Butter!
• Webby is the Android-powered Chumby thing that hasn't won any awards -- yet
• Motorola Atrix 4G pre-orders begin at AT&T
• Samsung Galaxy Tab II and Galaxy S II pics leak out ahead of Barcelona event (update: new pic!)
• Microsoft rolls out long, long-awaited Windows update to disable AutoRun for USB drives
• LG Optimus 3D has dual-core 1GHz OMAP 4 CPU, video codecs up the wazoo
• Greenpois0n RC6 breaks new Apple TV's bonds, performs untethered jailbreak and NitoTV install
• Eighth Circuit declares RAZR a computer under federal law
• Fisher Price releases iCan Play Case and Kid-Tough See Yourself Camera, you'll thank 'em
• Samsung Series 9 slides its rail-thin body through the FCC
• IBM and Samsung announce patent cross-license agreement, we pray for a z196-based Galaxy Tab
• HTC Thunderbolt exclusively hits Best Buy for $250 at launch, rooted prototype provides hope for easy unlock
• Nokia's marginalization of MeeGo came as a surprise to Intel
• Nokia USA president is out, replaced by Microsoft vet Chris Weber as Elopocalypse continues

Xperia Play final hardware hands-on! Posted: 13 Feb 2011 10:14 AM PST We've spent extensive time with our prototype Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, but how's it feel to use the real thing? Quite a bit better, actually. The phone looks identical, to be sure, but the hinge feels much sturdier. The speaker quality has gone up, too, although in the crowded room it was much too noisy to really make a solid judgment call. The UI was snappier and the customizations obviously a lot more complete, but really, our biggest concern was the games. We got to play two titles, Star Battalion and FIFA. We found both in the applications pane, as there was nary a sign of the PlayStation Suite or PS Store on this demo unit. All in all, the former title feels a bit like a StarFox ripoff, but importantly, the main control schemes (both gamepad and optional accelerometer) were supported and worked quite well. The trackpads didn't work in Star Battalion, but when we swapped over to FIFA, we found they performed there -- the left "pad" was used for moving the player, and though effective, it wasn't always smooth moving our thumbs about, and we very much doubt we'd be able to tell "how far" in any direction our thumbs were at any given time. We'll need more time (and a larger variety of games) to really get a feel for the trackpads. Both titles took quite a while to load, crashing a few times in the process, but were fine once we'd get to the main menus -- we're really hoping that's just non-final software, but we'll find out in about a month's time, eh? We'll have video in a sec; meanwhile, find hands-on pictures of the phone (and dock!) in the gallery below! Xperia Play final hardware hands-on!

Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro first hands-on! Posted: 13 Feb 2011 10:07 AM PST Amazing! Sony Ericsson actually managed to keep something secret from us. The Xperia Pro is the one handset from its MWC presser today that wasn't known about in advance, but we're damn happy to see it anyhow. It features a well-spaced QWERTY keyboard that slides out much in the same way as the gamepad would on the Xperia Play. We did notice there were some software issues on our demo devices -- the Sony Ericsson-customized Android 2.3 installation was nowhere near as smooth as what we've seen on the Xperia Arc previously, so maybe SE will need a bit more time to fashion out its software here. Physically, the Pro is compact and seems decently well built -- we did find the oddly placed power button and teeny tiny volume controls a bit of a bother to locate and operate, however. Obviously, this is a big step up in size from the Xperia X10 Mini Pro, but thickness is kept mercifully in check. It doesn't feel significantly thicker in the hand than phones that lack its hardware keyboard. We'll have video of the device for you very shortly, but for now, enjoy the hands-on shots below. Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro first hands-on!

Sony Ericsson touts Xperia Play multiplayer gaming, promises 50 titles at launch Posted: 13 Feb 2011 09:53 AM PST A gaming phone's not very special without some games to back it up, and Sony Ericsson has thankfully filled in at least a few new details about that part of the equation at its MWC press conference today. That includes a hint of some mobile hotspot-based multiplayer gaming, and a promise of "over 50 titles" that will be available at launch, including Guitar Hero, Assassin's Creed, Dead Space and Reckless Racing. Unfortunately, it's not clear how many of those will actually be exclusive to the Xperia Play as opposed to Android phones in general, and the fact that SE highlighted some extra levels for Reckless Racing as an example of an exclusive isn't exactly all that encouraging. We're guessing there's still plenty more details to come though, so stay tuned. Update: Head on past the break for a video that gives a glimpse of a few more games.

Sony Ericsson Xperia Play available in March, on Verizon in 'early spring' Posted: 13 Feb 2011 09:41 AM PST The phone itself was hardly a surprise, but one of the details we didn't know about the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play was release date. We still don't have a specific day, but we do at least have a month: March. The phone is said to be coming to the US first, and Verizon will be the exclusive carrier domestically. Things are even more vague about when it'll be coming to VZW, nothing beyond "early spring," but March certainly falls in that window. Lots more details in our Sony Ericsson MWC liveblog.

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Play (update: video and full spec sheet!) Posted: 13 Feb 2011 09:15 AM PST We'll forgive you if you thought the Xperia Play was eons before. Let's quickly run through its short-yet-illustrious history: we published first details in August last year, followed by the very first pictures in late October. More and more details emerged throughout the remainder of the year. By the time 2011 hit, a prototype was making the Chinese media rounds (teardown included), and then we managed to get our own Xperia Play prototype for preview. It's at this point that Sony Ericsson joins in on the fun with its creepy Super Bowl ad reveal. But after months of detailed leaks, early hands-on previews, and numerous executive non-denials, the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play is finally 100% official. As we've heard for ages now, it'll run Android 2.3 Gingerbread on a 1GHz Snapdragon processor with Qualcomm Adreno 205 graphics and display those games on a sizable 4-inch, 854 x 480 LCD, the combination of which Sony says will provide 60 frames per second playback and manage up to 5 hours, 35 minutes of battery life in a single gaming session. Gaming credentials aside, you're looking at a Android smartphone with a 5-megapixel autofocus camera, LED flash, stereo speakers, Bluetooth and WiFi functionality baked in. The phone comes preloaded with a "legendary" PSone game of the undisclosed variety, as well as a bevy of popular Android games including Asphalt 6, The Sims 3 and Tetris, and Sony Ericsson promises a library of 50 additional titles available at launch from 20 publishing partners. Some games ported from existing smartphone platforms (like Reckless Racing) will have bonus content on Xperia Play, too. Local area multiplayer gaming is a go, as you'll be able to host a WiFi hotspot on one device and join the game with another. It's launching in March, and will be available on Verizon in "early spring," suggesting that we'll see a European launch before it hits the States. Update: Press release, full, gigantic spec sheet and loads of video after the break! Sony Ericsson Xperia Play official pics Show full PR text February 13, 2011, Barcelona, Spain – Sony Ericsson today announced the game changing XperiaTM PLAY, the latest phone in its XperiaTM range of Android based smartphones. XperiaTM PLAY delivers the smartphone functionality that the most serious power users could need, teamed with the immersive gaming experience that any gamer would want. In portrait mode, the Android smartphone offers all the benefits that users have come to expect from Sony Ericsson's existing range of XperiaTM smartphones with best-in-class entertainment experiences, a great 5 megapixel camera, a brilliant 4" multi-touch screen and great social networking features. However, slide out the gaming control and users enter a new world of immersive mobile gaming. The slide out game pad reveals a digital D pad, two analogue touch pads, two shoulder buttons and the four PlayStation icons: circle, cross, square and triangle. Qualcomm's optimized Snapdragon processor with a 1Ghz CPU and embedded Adreno GPU graphics processor deliver silky smooth 60fps play-back 3D mobile gaming and Web browsing with minimal power consumption so Xperia PLAY users can enjoy long hours of battery life and game time. Rikko Sakaguchi, Executive Vice President and Chief Creation Officer at Sony Ericsson commented: "Today is a very proud moment for Sony Ericsson as we bring something truly revolutionary to the market. Living up to our vision of Communication Entertainment, Xperia PLAY will forever change the way people think about smartphones and mobile gaming. XperiaTM PLAY will run on Gingerbread (version 2.3), the latest version of Google's AndroidTM platform. The XperiaTM PLAY will also be the first PlayStation Certified device. This means it will have access to PlayStation® game content provided through the PlayStation® Suite initiative, currently under development by Sony Computer Entertainment and due to launch later this calendar year. Kazuo Hirai, President of Networked Products and Services Group at Sony Corporation said: "I am delighted to see Xperia PLAY as the first PlayStation Certified smartphone to hit the market. Xperia PLAY provides a unique consumer offering and is yet another example of great products and services coming to market that leverage Sony's strong assets." Sony Ericsson has partnered with key publishers in the gaming industry to deliver a rich, vibrant ecosystem at launch and post launch with many leading new titles available via the AndroidTM Marketplace. Leading franchises coming to Xperia™ PLAY includes EA's Need For Speed, Sims 3 and a world-first multiplayer version of FIFA 10 for mobile. GLU Mobile/Activision will be bringing Guitar Hero while Gameloft's titles include Assassin's Creed and Splinter Cell. Sony Ericsson is also partnering with Unity Technologies, using its award-winning development platform, to ensure a continuous flow of high quality 3D game titles. Mr Sakaguchi continued: "The launch of Xperia PLAY could not have been possible without the close collaboration of both Google and Sony Computer Entertainment. The commitment of so many industry leading game publishers further demonstrates that Xperia PLAY will deliver on the long-held expectations from consumers the world over." XperiaTM PLAY and PlayStation Certified gaming are great examples of the kind of innovation that's possible in the open Android ecosystem," said Andy Rubin, Vice President of Engineering at Google. A pre-loaded application will enable users to easily discover and download titles that have been optimised for game play on Xperia PLAY, access recently played games and see information about the games they have downloaded. Sony Ericsson Xperia™ PLAY will be available globally in selected markets from March 2011 What do our content partners say? Electronic Arts, Travis Boatman, VP of Worldwide Studios for EA Mobile: "EA collaborated closely with Sony Ericsson to bring exciting versions our best-selling consumer favourites such as The Sims™ 3 and EA SPORTS™ FIFA 10 to the Xperia PLAY. The device's dedicated gaming keypad gives FIFA players what matters most in a footy game - ultimate ball control, quick player selection on the pitch, effortless passes and more. The Xperia PLAYS's unique gamepad also delivers robust control in The Sims 3 bringing a whole new life simulation experience to fans of the franchise. We look forward to watching consumers interact with our great games in new ways through the Xperia PLAY." Gameloft, Michel Guillemot, President: "We are pleased to partner with Sony Ericsson to offer a catalogue of 10 of our best-selling games at launch of the Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY," said Michel Guillemot, President of Gameloft. "My vision since the creation of Gameloft was to turn video games into a true mass market form of entertainment. This vision is realized with the launch of Xperia PLAY, which combines a perfect smartphone for daily use as well as a real game controller to provide the best gaming experience ever seen on a mobile phone. Gameloft will support the launch with more than 20 titles over the next 6 months that will take full advantage of the power of this device." Glu Mobile, Niccolo de Masi, CEO: "Glu's strategic relationship with Sony Ericsson aligns us with a leading innovator in mobile and gaming. We look forward to accelerating our momentum in social mobile gaming with compelling offerings on Sony Ericsson's newest mobile devices." Content partners at launch include: Sony Computer Entertainment Digital Chocolate Digital Legends Electronic Arts Fishlabs Gamehouse Gameloft Glu Mobile Handy Games Namco Bandai Networks Polarbit PopCap Trendy Entertainment Unity Tecnologies For further information, images and videos visit www.sonyericsson.com/mwcnews Xperia™ PLAY at a glance: Sony Ericsson Xperia™ PLAY Camera 5.1 megapixel camera Auto focus Flash / Photo light Geo tagging Image stabiliser Send to web Touch focus Video light Video recording Video blogging Music Album art Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP) Google™ Music Player Music tones (MP3/AAC) PlayNow™ service* Sony Ericsson Music player Stereo speakers TrackID™ music recognition application Internet Android Market™* Bookmarks Google™ search* Google™ Voice Search* Pan & zoom Web browser (Webkit) Communication Call list Conference calls Facebook™ application (from Android Market™) Google™ Talk* Noise Shield Polyphonic ringtones Speakerphone Sony Ericsson Timescape™*** Twitter™ application (from Android Market™) Vibrating alert Messaging Android Cloud to Device messaging (C2DM) Conversations Email Google Mail™* Instant messaging Picture messaging (MMS) Predictive text input Sound recorder Text messaging (SMS) Design Auto rotate Keyboard (onscreen, 12 key) Keyboard (onscreen, QWERTY) Picture wallpaper Touchscreen Wallpaper animation Entertainment 3D games Dedicated gaming keys Flash Lite™ Gesture gaming Motion gaming Video streaming YouTube™ Organiser Alarm clock Calculator Calendar Document editors Document readers E-Manual Flight mode Google Calendar™ Google Gallery 3D™ Infinite button Phone book Set-up Wizard Widget manager Connectivity 3.5 mm audio jack aGPS Bluetooth™ technology DLNA Certified Google Latitude™ Google Location Service Google Maps™ with Street View Media Transfer Protocol support Micro USB Connector Modem Synchronisation via Facebook™** Synchronisation via Google Sync™ Synchronisation via Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync® Synchronisation via Sony Ericsson Sync USB 2.0 high speed support Wi-Fi™ Wi-Fi™ Hotspot functionality * The service is not available in all markets. ** Requires Facebook™ application installed on the device. Google™ services* * These services may not be available in every market Android Market™ Client Gmail™ Google Calendar™ Google Gallery 3D™ Google Latitude™ Google Maps™ with Street View Google Media Uploader Google Music Player™ Google Phone-top Search Google Search widget Google Sync™ Google Talk™ Google Voice Search Set-up Wizard YouTube™ Screen 16,777,216 colour TFT Capacitive multi-touch 4 inches 480 x 854 pixels (FWVGA) In-Box: Xperia™ PLAY Battery Stereo portable handsfree 8GB microSD™ memory card Charger Micro USB cable for charging, synchronisation and file transfer User documentation Facts Size: 119 x 62 x 16 mm Weight: 175 grams Phone memory: 400 MB Memory card support: microSD™, up to 32 GB Memory card included: 8GB microSD™ Operating system: Google™ Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) Processor: 1 GHz Scorpion ARMv7 Talk time and networks Networks Talk time GSM/GPRS: Up to 8 hrs 25 min* Standby time GSM/GPRS: Up to 425 hrs* Talk time UMTS: Up to 6 hrs 25 min* Standby time UMTS: Up to 413 hrs* Talk time CDMA2000®: Up to 7 hrs 40 min* Standby time CDMA2000®: Up to 405 hrs* Game play time: Up to 5 hrs 35 min* MP3 playback: Up to 30 hrs 35 min* Networks UMTS HSPA 800, 850, 1900, 2100 GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900 UMTS HSPA 900, 2100 GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900 CDMA2000®, cdmaOne, EVDO Colour Black White ******************************************** ATLANTA, Feb. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - Are Americans ready to play? Sony Ericsson and Verizon Wireless think so. Sony Ericsson today announced that its new Xperia™ PLAY, the world's first PlayStation Certified smartphone, will be available on the Verizon Wireless Network in the Spring 2011. "This Spring, expect to see a lot of people with their heads down and thumbs up," said Peter Farmer, Head of Marketing for North America, Sony Ericsson. "Xperia™ PLAY combined with the power of the Verizon Wireless network gives you everything you need in a smartphone and the one thing you want – the ultimate gaming experience." Xperia™ PLAY is powered by the latest version of the Android platform (Gingerbread version 2.3) – and is PlayStation certified, which ensures an optimized gaming experience featuring content from the PlayStation Suite. Xperia™ PLAY will provide a best-in-class gaming experience right out of the box with many of the most popular games pre-loaded, including Asphalt Adrenaline 6, Bruce Lee, Star Battalion, The Sims 3, and Tetris. More than 50 additional titles from top franchises at leading game publishers will be available for purchase at launch. "Working with Sony Ericsson to bring the world's first PlayStation Certified smartphone to the nation's most reliable network builds on our commitment to deliver the best mobile gaming and entertainment experience to our customers," said Jeff Dietel, vice president-marketing for Verizon Wireless. According to the Entertainment Software Association's 2010 consumer survey, in the United States: 67 percent of households play computer or video games 42 percent of heads of households report they play games on wireless devices, up from 20 percent in 2002 The average game player age is 34 and 40 percent of game players are women Facebook users can enter the First2Play contest and could be one of the first 10 people to get the Xperia™ PLAY by visiting www.facebook.com/SEUSA. Sony Ericsson Xperia™ PLAY Key Features: PlayStation Certified gaming experience Latest version of the Android platform (Gingerbread version 2.3) 60fps play-back enabled through the Snapdragon 1Ghz processor, optimized with enhanced graphical processor unit the Adreno 205 Dedicated gaming controls for real console quality game play, including four-way directional keys, recognizable ABCD keys with PlayStation iconography, left/right shoulder keys and two analog touch inputs for joystick action 4-inch brilliant multi-touch display 5.0 megapixel camera Sean Hollister contributed to this report.

Nokia: 'Our first priority is beating Android' Posted: 13 Feb 2011 09:13 AM PST Nokia CEO Stephen Elop is currently on stage at MWC in Barcelona, and he's had a few choice things to say about the recent announcement that Nokia will partner with Microsoft to create devices which run Windows Phone software. Elop told the crowd assembled there that Nokia's "first priority is beating Android," and he also took a moment to let everyone know that Nokia is not interested in being the only company producing Windows Phones -- countering some recent exclusivity chatter. The presentation is still going on, so we'll keep you updated. Be sure to check out our full liveblog right here.

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro Posted: 13 Feb 2011 09:10 AM PST Sony Ericsson has just announced the mammoth Xperia Pro Android phone -- a slider device with a full QWERTY keyboard. The device sports a 3.7-inch, 854 x 480 display (which uses uses the company's Bravia graphics engine technology), runs atop a 1GHz Snapdragon CPU, and is sporting SE's customized build of Gingerbread (Android 2.3). The phone has an 8 megapixel camera with LED flash, 2 megapixel front facing camera, and will be available in silver, red, and black. We're working on getting more info as we type, so stay tuned! Sony Ericsson Pro and Neo official pics Developing... Check out our Sony Ericsson liveblog and read the full press release after the break! Show full PR text February 13, 2011, Barcelona, Spain – Sony Ericsson today unveils the Xperia™ neo and Xperia™ pro, the newest additions to the new generation of Xperia™ smartphones. Closely following the launch of the Xperia™ arc smartphone earlier this year, these latest smartphones also feature cutting edge technology from Sony and an exceptional multimedia experience on the latest version of the Android™ platform – Gingerbread. As well as best-in-class imaging and display technology from Sony, the Xperia™ pro combines an optimized slide-out keyboard with smart functions to create a fast messaging experience. Featuring an ergonomically crafted keyboard, Sony Ericsson has focused on integrating the hardware with clever messaging functions for a perfect user experience. Xperia™ pro introduces the subtle but fast Type & Send functionality eliminating the need to open a dedicated app for each type of message, and Smart Keyboard that triggers predictive messaging actions automatically when the user slides out the keyboard. Xperia™ pro is also the ideal business phone for Android fans coming complete with a set of professional functions such as syncing your email, calendar and contacts in a secure way and the pre-loaded Office Suite Pro lets consumers view and edit office documents directly on the phone. Steve Walker, Head of Marketing, Sony Ericsson said, "We want to be a leader in Android and with Xperia™ neo and Xperia™ pro, we are now are offering excellent, innovative Android choices for consumers. These latest devices combine stunning design with state-of-the-art Sony technology and a new faster messaging experience on the Xperia™ pro, creating an entertaining smartphone experience." The best of Sony technology once again features in both Xperia™ pro and Xperia™ neo. The Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine delivers exceptional visual brilliance and a crystal clear image which enhances the overall entertainment experience. Sony's award-winning Exmor R™ for mobile sensor enables the capture of high quality, bright pictures and HD videos even in low light. All pictures and videos can be shared on an HD TV in your living room via the built in HDMI-connector. Xperia™ neo builds on the stunning design language that Sony Ericsson has become known with a unique shape that not only looks good, but is ergonomically designed to fit perfectly in the user's hand, especially when taking pictures. Both smartphones will launch on the latest version of the Android™ platform providing access to Google Mobile Services and the myriad of applications available via the Android market. Xperia™ smartphones add best in class entertainment on top of smartphone fundamentals such as apps, maps, email and fast uncompromised access to the Web with Adobe® Flash® Player to create the most entertaining smartphone experience. Sony Ericsson Xperia™ neo – Key features • Exmor R™. Great stills and videos even in low light • Reality display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine • Built-in HDMI. Your stills and videos on HD TV • More than 100,000 apps on Android Market • Google™ services. At your service The Sony Ericsson Xperia™ neo will be available in the following colours: Blue Gradient, Red and Silver. Sony Ericsson Xperia™ pro – Key features • Touch phone with perfect slide-out keyboard and smart functions for fast messaging • Synch your email and edit office documents on the go • Sony Mobile BRAVIA® Engine and Exmor R™ for mobile • HDMI. Connect to an HD TV or a projector • Google™ services and more than 100,000 apps on Android Market™ The Sony Ericsson Xperia™ pro will be available in the following colours: Black, Red, Silver Sony Ericsson Xperia™ neo will be available globally in selected markets from end Q1 and Sony Ericsson Xperia™ pro from end Q2. For further information, images and videos visit www.sonyericsson.com/mwcnews

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo Posted: 13 Feb 2011 09:05 AM PST Sony just broke out it's latest and greatest Android device, the Neo. The device is able to plug into your HDTV via HDMI and can be controlled with a standard remote. The 3.7-inch screen on the device sports a healthy resolution of 854 x 480 and uses Sony's Bravia graphics engine. The phone has a 1GHz Snapdragon CPU, an 8 megapixel camera with LED flash (and a 2 megapixel front-facing camera), and will be available in an array of colors (silver, red, and blue). We're getting more info right now, so stay tuned! Sony Ericsson Pro and Neo official pics Developing... Check out our Sony Ericsson liveblog and read the full press release after the break! Show full PR text February 13, 2011, Barcelona, Spain – Sony Ericsson today unveils the Xperia™ neo and Xperia™ pro, the newest additions to the new generation of Xperia™ smartphones. Closely following the launch of the Xperia™ arc smartphone earlier this year, these latest smartphones also feature cutting edge technology from Sony and an exceptional multimedia experience on the latest version of the Android™ platform – Gingerbread. As well as best-in-class imaging and display technology from Sony, the Xperia™ pro combines an optimized slide-out keyboard with smart functions to create a fast messaging experience. Featuring an ergonomically crafted keyboard, Sony Ericsson has focused on integrating the hardware with clever messaging functions for a perfect user experience. Xperia™ pro introduces the subtle but fast Type & Send functionality eliminating the need to open a dedicated app for each type of message, and Smart Keyboard that triggers predictive messaging actions automatically when the user slides out the keyboard. Xperia™ pro is also the ideal business phone for Android fans coming complete with a set of professional functions such as syncing your email, calendar and contacts in a secure way and the pre-loaded Office Suite Pro lets consumers view and edit office documents directly on the phone. Steve Walker, Head of Marketing, Sony Ericsson said, "We want to be a leader in Android and with Xperia™ neo and Xperia™ pro, we are now are offering excellent, innovative Android choices for consumers. These latest devices combine stunning design with state-of-the-art Sony technology and a new faster messaging experience on the Xperia™ pro, creating an entertaining smartphone experience." The best of Sony technology once again features in both Xperia™ pro and Xperia™ neo. The Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine delivers exceptional visual brilliance and a crystal clear image which enhances the overall entertainment experience. Sony's award-winning Exmor R™ for mobile sensor enables the capture of high quality, bright pictures and HD videos even in low light. All pictures and videos can be shared on an HD TV in your living room via the built in HDMI-connector. Xperia™ neo builds on the stunning design language that Sony Ericsson has become known with a unique shape that not only looks good, but is ergonomically designed to fit perfectly in the user's hand, especially when taking pictures. Both smartphones will launch on the latest version of the Android™ platform providing access to Google Mobile Services and the myriad of applications available via the Android market. Xperia™ smartphones add best in class entertainment on top of smartphone fundamentals such as apps, maps, email and fast uncompromised access to the Web with Adobe® Flash® Player to create the most entertaining smartphone experience. Sony Ericsson Xperia™ neo – Key features • Exmor R™. Great stills and videos even in low light • Reality display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine • Built-in HDMI. Your stills and videos on HD TV • More than 100,000 apps on Android Market • Google™ services. At your service The Sony Ericsson Xperia™ neo will be available in the following colours: Blue Gradient, Red and Silver. Sony Ericsson Xperia™ pro – Key features • Touch phone with perfect slide-out keyboard and smart functions for fast messaging • Synch your email and edit office documents on the go • Sony Mobile BRAVIA® Engine and Exmor R™ for mobile • HDMI. Connect to an HD TV or a projector • Google™ services and more than 100,000 apps on Android Market™ The Sony Ericsson Xperia™ pro will be available in the following colours: Black, Red, Silver Sony Ericsson Xperia™ neo will be available globally in selected markets from end Q1 and Sony Ericsson Xperia™ pro from end Q2. For further information, images and videos visit www.sonyericsson.com/mwcnews

Live from Sony Ericsson's MWC 2011 press event! Posted: 13 Feb 2011 08:54 AM PST 1:39PM Okay, and now... that's it! 1:38PM Award winning games "enhanced for play" on the Xperia Play. Exclusive pre-loaded titles. 1:38PM Time for one final trailer about the Xperia Play. 1:36PM "That brings us to the end of the announcements this evening." We're getting a quick recap, then we're running to get hands on. 1:36PM Verizon in early Spring, the first US carrier to have the phone. Wow. 1:35PM US will be one of the first to enjoy. New partnership with SE and Verizon. 1:35PM Walker is up. "You've seen the product, you've seen the content." One more thing. Starts shipping from March! 1:34PM "Boom! It's a killer new form of entertainment." Please stop. 1:34PM It's a smartphone on the open system of Android. "Great franchises, new immersive games. Multiplayer, anytime, anywhere, with your friends." 1:33PM Unity technologies thanked. "They'll be ensuring a steady flow of premium content." 1:32PM PlayStation One games also coming via Sony. 1:31PM Reckless Racing will have more levels on Xperia Play. 1:31PM Guitar Hero, Dead Space, Assassin's Creed confirmed. 1:31PM EA, Gameloft, and Glue / Activision folks are being thanked in the audience. We also saw someone in a Fish Labs shirt show up earlier, so they're there, too. 1:30PM Glu, Gameloft, EA, Digital Chocolate, Trendy, Digital Legends, and Fish Labs are all highlighted on the slide. 1:30PM Around 50 titles available for launch. 1:29PM "I know you want to start a hotspot and kick my ass right now." Aaron, we get it, multiplayer gaming, but think of the children! Kiss your mother with that mouth? 1:28PM They're playing Dungeon Defenders with the track pads. 1:27PM The gamepad is out and proud. We're looking at the Xperia Play launcher. Cover Flow-like browsing through local titles. 1:26PM Don: "I don't know, Aaron, but what else does this best in class smartphone do?" Cringe... 1:26PM Aaron Duke, the bespectacled presenter. "We built our own media player right in." Two cameras. 1:25PM Okay, time to actually see the product in action. Also time for cheesy skits. "Boom! Boom! Sorry, forgot it was a smartphone." Hyuck. Hyuck. 1:25PM Nordberg, Sakaguchi, and Walker all join Kaz, smile big, and then leave Walker to the crowds. 1:24PM PlayStation Store launching later this year. Xperia Play will come pre-loaded with a legendary PlayStation One title. Which? Don't know yet. 1:23PM Xperia Play is the first PlayStation-certified product to hit the market. And when might that be? We still don't know yet. 1:23PM "As part of this initative, we also launched the PS Certified License program." 1:22PM "Since I was appointed President of Networked Products and Services Group our network has been clear." That'd be a unified experience across all devices. "On January 27th, we took one of the biggest steps." He's talking about the PlayStation Suite announcement. 1:22PM Sakaguchi is still going on about the partners, the content, and nothing about what's under the hood. Time for Kaz Hirai to take the stage. 1:21PM Thanks Google for Gingerbread. Worth noting that the device he's holding has a white background. Can't help but be jealous. 1:20PM "During this time, we have now learned to not only build a product but to learn to work with our partners." 1:20PM So far... nope, no specs. 1:19PM "We define Xperia as the most entertaining smartphones." That's all devices tonight, not just the Play. 1:19PM Been trying to build up Xperia brand ever since X1. Started working on Android in 2008. 1:18PM First decision in 2005, about as long as the rumor mill has been drooling at the thought of the a PlayStation phone. 1:18PM "Technology convergence are also essential to support this. It has taken effort form a wide range of customers, consumers.. and our own capabilities. It's been quite a journey." 1:17PM "It's the proudest moment of my ten years with Sony Ericsson." Today feels pretty great standing here experiencing Play. 1:16PM Android Gingerbread. "World's first-ever PlayStation certified device... the perfect combination of communication and entertainment." Chief creation officer Sakaguchi takes the stage. 1:15PM Trailer time. The phone is PlayStation certified, just so you know. 1:15PM "Ladies and gentlemen, gamers aroudn the world, we give you the Xpeia Play." He's playing a Star Fox lookalike, oddly enough. 1:14PM Bert is on stage, Xperia Play in hand and slide out. Wanna guess what he's playing right now? 1:14PM We're watching the Super Bowl trailer again. Still just as disturbing as the first time. 1:13PM "Something else we're going to announce tonight." "The most anticipated announcement" from Sony Ericsson. It's certainly the most leaked. 1:13PM Xperia Arc, Neo, and Pro all offer Android Gingerbread (skinned, of course). All business ready. Steve think it's great... of course. 1:12PM Opens the keyboard, automatically pops up Reply (all) and Forward commands. 1:12PM We're now going through the "familiar" email UI. And how has SE improve dit you, ask? Split UI. Drag the vertical bar on the right to see a preview pane of each message on the right, with the inbox listed still on the left. Adjustable width. 1:11PM HD video, HDMI, Bravia Engine, Exmor R for mobile -- notice the trend. Slide-out QWERTY keyboard inspired by X10 Mini Pro. 1:10PM The Xperia Pro landscape slider. 1:10PM Next device is for those who love to email AND chat -- what are the odds? 1:09PM We're watching a quick video. We'd love to tell you what, but it was only a few seconds long. Looked like a Final Fantasy CG trailer. Hands-on will be available later. Our elbows are ready to rush through the crowd. 1:09PM Chief demo guru, Tony McNulty, is browsing through the image collection with a separate remote. 1:08PM Now we're watching his Barcelona slide show. Obviously he's going to much prettier venues than we have time for. 1:07PM Folders, too, which we saw in our Xperia Play prototype preview. Drag apps onto one another to create. 1:07PM Pinch to see all your widgets on one view. Tap to view. Looks pretty smooth. 1:06PM Demo time. In-built HDMI connector is plugged into the on-screen Bravia. Livestream is on the home page. 1:05PM HD video, HDMI, Bravia Engine, EXmor R for mobile, 8 megapixel camera. 1:05PM Time to watch the teaser video for its next latest and greatest. Xperia Neo. 1:04PM Back to Xperia Arc. 4.2-inch reality display, a sinister Gingerbread Android watching over the audience. Will start shipping around the world in March. 1:04PM Walker's back on stage. "Only Sony Ericsson can give you all this." Best in class smartphone, entertainment, and design / integration. And now he's leaving the stage again. Quite a workout. 1:03PM Sony Ericsson wants to be the leader in entertainment devices. "Let's get this party started." 1:02PM "Last month at CES, we announced Xperia Arc." Mobile BRAVIA Engine, Exmor R, HDMI. But you know that already. Time for the new. 1:02PM "The year we went back to black" for the company bottom line. Hooray profitability! 1.1 billion Euro to be exact. 1:01PM Xperia X10 less than a year ago. 10 million Xperia phones. 1:01PM President and CEO Bert Nordberg has rushed the stage! No, really, he was invited. "A lot has happened since we were together last year. 2010 was a massive turnaround year." 1:00PM "Good evening ladies and Gentlemen. Welcome to Barcelona and the Sony Ericsson press conference." Host Steve Walker kicking it live. 1:00PM Here we go! 12:58PM "Ladies and gentlemen, the presentation will begin in three minutes. THREE minutes." A bit specific, don't ya think? From our ears and fingers to your eyes. 6:54PM Less than ten minutes to go, Kaz and Nordberg are mic'd up and ready to go. Anyone wanna take a guess what phones they're pocketing? 12:36PM There's a handful of square podiums lined up (or queued up, rather) next to the stage, and a number of rapscallion folks who will no doubt rip off the white cloths after the event as we run kicking and screaming over there to get our hands on whatever's hidden underneath. 12:26PM The lights are in "3AM at a dance club" mode with an orange tint that wouldn't make anyone look pretty without a few adult beverages -- perfectly fitting for the overhead music. Sony Ericsson President is chatting up a collection of suits. 12:22PM We've just taken our seats under Opium Mar BCN. The stage is tiny, the talent (i.e. speakers and executives) are roped off to the side, and the room is absolutely packed. We're pretty sure we saw Kaz Hirai wandering somewhere. Game time (sorry, couldn't resist) is 1pm ET / 7pm local. It's really no secret what Sony Ericsson plans to show off at its MWC 2011 press conference -- leaks notwithstanding, the Xperia Play (aka PlayStation Phone) was unveiled and made quite official in a Super Bowl commercial. We're about to see it presented all over again, but we'll also get a chance to see what else the company has up its sleeve... and under its thumbs, of course. The event kicks off 6PM local time (that's noon ET), so join us promptly, won't ya?

Nokia hints we'll see first Windows Phone 7 device this year Posted: 13 Feb 2011 08:51 AM PST Nokia may still sticking to the official line that it will begin shipping Windows Phone 7 devices in "significant volume" in 2012, but it just dropped a big hint at its Mobile World Congress press conference that we could be seeing the first device even sooner -- like this year. That word came from Nokia's Jo Harlow, who said that her boss would be "much happier" if the timing of the initial launch was in 2011. As you can see above, Nokia's also kindly confirmed that leaked Windows Phone 7 concept that we just got our hands on Friday, and it's shed yet more light on the behind the scenes intrigue that led up to the switch to Windows Phone 7. According to CEO Stephen Elop, the "final decision" to go with Windows Phone "just happened on Thursday night of last week." Elop then later then expanded -- in response to a question shouted from the audience about whether he was a trojan horse -- that the "entire management team" was involved in the process, and that "of course the board of directors of Nokia are the only ones that can make this significant of a decision about Nokia," which they made on Thursday night.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 official: Tegra 2, Honeycomb, dual cameras (hands-on with video) Posted: 13 Feb 2011 08:31 AM PST Geez, it's been a long weekend of almost incessant Galaxy Tab II teasing, but the time has come: Samsung's finally releasing the official details of its 10.1-inch, Android Honeycomb tablet to the world. Contrary to the leaks, the tablet is called the Galaxy Tab 10.1 -- grabbing its moniker from the screen size, obviously -- and like the rest of the upcoming Android 3.0 tablets it's powered by a dual-core Tegra 2 processor, will be available with 16GB or 32GB of storage, and has a front-facing 2 megapixel camera as well as a 8 megapixel imager around back. That's just the tip of the iceberg, but we've got the nitty-gritty too -- find specs, full impressions and even some video of the slate in action after the break! Oh, and don't forget to stop by the galleries below to see the new Tab 10.1 up close and then face off with Sammy's original Tab, not to mention the Apple iPad. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 hands-on Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy Tab uno, and iPad compared Specs and launch details We may have all the spec answers, but on the launch front we're still left in the dark on quite a bit. Samsung says the 10.1 will be launching in March in both Asia and Europe -- Vodafone will be the first carrier to nab the Tab -- but it had absolutely no timing details for the US market. Price? We've got no idea, though we're told it will be "competitive." Hardware impressions As we say in the video, the first thing we noticed about the Tab 10.1 was how light it felt in hand. Tipping the scales to just 1.23 pounds (or 599 grams), the 0.4-inch thick tablet felt noticeably trimmer than the 1.5-pound iPad and even the 1.6-pound Motorola Xoom. Sure, the Tab 10.1 is primarily made out of plastic rather than some sort of metal, but it still felt rather rigid. We're happy to report that Samsung also did away with the very smooth glossy back of the 7-inch Tab -- the 10.1's cover has a grippy, patterned surface, which actually reminds us a bit of the Streak 7's rear. Still, we'd say it's getting quite hard to tell these tablets apart from one another, on the front there's no buttons or anything indicating the slab is made by Samsung, though the chrome circular logo on the back does add a little character. Obviously, the heart and soul of the tablet is its 1280 x 800-resolution 10.1-inch TFT display, and while it's not Super AMOLED or Super AMOLED Plus quality, it looked quite bright at a variety of angles. We'd venture to say that Samsung's using a similar panel as in the original Tab here, which is certainly a good thing. Surrounding the tablet you'll find a SIM slot, 3.5mm jack, and Samsung's proprietary charging cable. Sadly, there's no USB or HDMI ports. The rear 8 megapixel cam has a LED flash and can capture 1080p video, while the 2 megapixel lens centered on the top bezel should suffice for those Google Talk Video calls. Software and performance impressions The Tab 10.1 runs stock Android 3.0 or Honeycomb. Nope, no TouchWiz or custom Samsung tablet apps here, and according to Samsung it will stay that way -- it is, in their words, a "Google Experience" device. We've obviously had a few solid looks at Honeycomb in the past few months and we're excited about the improved user experience, but also the apps, which take advantage of the extra screen real estate. As for performance, the 10.1 seemed pretty snappy in our short time with it. Obviously, Tegra promises full 1080p playback, and the preloaded HD clips on the unit we saw played quite smoothly on the screen. The tablet also has a both a gyroscope and accelerometer so we're expecting a pretty decent motion gaming experience. Outlook We're starting to notice a pattern with these Honeycomb tablets, and our guess is you are too. Most of them (Moto's Xoom and the Toshiba's Tablet) have 10.1-inch displays, Tegra 2 processors, dual-cameras, and run an untarnished version of Google's Honeycomb OS. Obviously, the cookie cutter specs are no coincidence -- Google's calling a lot of the shots here -- but it's making it incredibly hard for these companies to differentiate their wares. We won't really know how Samsung's Tab 10.1 stands up to the rest until we get to take a closer look at it, but there's no doubt that its lightweight design is what really sets it apart, and hey, if Samsung can undercut the rest in price (eh hem, Motorola!), we'd say it stands a real fighting chance in the very soon-to-be-crowded tablet market. Note: Excuse where we say in the video that other Honeycomb tablets don't have USB ports -- that's not true, the Xoom has one. We were high on jet leg. Show full PR text Samsung expands the Samsung GALAXY Tab range with a 10.1" Entertainment Powerhouse Global launch of Samsung's first Honeycomb-based, Dual Core smart media device BARCELONA, February 13, 2011 – Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a provider of smart media devices and the global leader in Android™ tablets, in partnership with Vodafone Group, today announced the Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1 (Model: P7100), a powerful Dual-Core Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) Smart Media Device, designed to deliver the ultimate mobile entertainment experience. "As a leader in the Android-powered tablet market, Samsung is committed to providing a variety of feature-rich, always-on devices" said DJ Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Sales & Marketing. He continued, "The Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1 is a valuable addition to our expanding portfolio of smart media devices. Sporting a large 10.1 screen and dual surround-sound speakers, it enables users to enjoy multimedia to the maximum extent without having to compromise mobility. Patrick Chomet, Vodafone's Group Director of Terminals, said: "Vodafone customers in over 20 markets around the world will be the first to get the GALAXY Tab 10.1 when it goes on sale this spring. Samsung have produced a stylish, market-leading implementation of the new Android 3.0 platform which will be the first Honeycomb device to arrive in many of those markets. Vodafone's competitive data tariffs and reliable, high-speed networks make using the GALAXY Tab 10.1 a great experience." "Samsung continues to develop innovative products that contribute to the continued growth of the Android ecosystem," said Andy Rubin, Vice President of Engineering at Google. As the tablet market experiences unprecedented interest, Samsung and Vodafone have partnered to cater to customer demand and offer them the perfect way to enjoy the huge variety of opportunities the Android platform provides. Whether playing games, reading eBooks or updating your Facebook status, the lightweight, ultra-slim Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1 is the ultimate entertainer and builds on the industry-wide success of the two million-selling Samsung GALAXY Tab. The Ultimate Entertainment Experience A 10.1" (WXGA TFT LCD) display with crystal clear resolution (1280 x 800) makes the Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1 an unrivalled device for experiencing the hundreds of thousands of games and applications available from Android Market™. To compliment the amazing visual quality of the device, the GALAXY Tab 10.1 includes dual surround-sound speakers to immerse you even more fully. The device also includes an 8 megapixel rear-facing camera with Auto Focus and a 2 megapixel front-facing camera which lets users capture experiences with the best-in-market full HD record and play as well as easily share them. With the Android browser and Flash 10.1, the Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1 is the perfect tool for consuming the world of the internet content wherever you are. Performance and Speed Combined with the latest version of Android's tablet-optimized operating system, Honeycomb, Samsung has created a device that is powerful and lightning fast. The Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1 includes a 1GHz Dual Core application processor, giving you the kind of fast and powerful multimedia and web browsing experience. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1's Dual Core processor, low power DDR2 memory and 6860mAh battery, make it perfect for task management in an energy efficient way. Maximized Portability At just 599g in weight and mere 10.9mm- slimness, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 is lighter, slimmer and more portable, meaning users are free to enjoy its many features while on the move. With the need to remain constantly connected, Samsung has also included super-fast HSPA+ 21Mbps, Bluetooth® 2.1+EDR and Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n connectivity to support rapid mobile download speeds and reduce data transfer times. The Samsung GALAXY Tab 10.1 will be exhibited at Mobile World Congress 2011 at Hall #8. For multimedia content and more detailed information, please visit www.samsungunpacked.com/press.

Samsung Galaxy S II official: dual-core 1GHz CPU, 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus, coming this month (hands-on with video) Posted: 13 Feb 2011 08:29 AM PST One of the worst-kept secrets of MWC this year -- the Galaxy S II -- is finally official, and we'd say it definitely lives up to its name as a proper successor to the original Galaxy S that lit the Android marketplace on fire last year. Major (and largely expected) features include a 4.27-inch 800 x 480 Super AMOLED Plus display, an 8 megapixel primary camera with 1080p video capture accompanied by a 2 megapixel cam up front, Gingerbread with TouchWiz 4.0, integrated NFC support (on some versions), and a shell measuring just 8.49mm thick, making it likely the thinnest smartphone ever to roll off an assembly line -- in fact, it's over 0.2mm slimmer than the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc's thinnest point. The biggest news here, though, might be that Sammy's going with an NVIDIA Tegra 2 core -- the same as the LG Optimus 2X, Motorola Atrix 4G, and Droid Bionic -- despite the fact that its own Exynos 4210 was just announced for March production. Update: We were originally told that the Galaxy S II would be using an NVIDIA Tegra 2 SOC, but have been informed that was incorrect -- the phone will indeed have a Samsung chip, and quite possibly the Exynos. We were able to spend a little bit of time with the Galaxy S II today, and we can conclusively say that this is one gorgeous device. It shares the Infuse 4G's aspirations as an ultra-thin Android device and arguably shares most of its industrial design elements, but interestingly, the Infuse steps down from 4.5 to 4.3 inches -- either a nod to the fact that 4.5 is too big for a mainstream smartphone, or a sign that the 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus component simply isn't ready yet. You totally notice how ridiculously thin the phone is as it rests in your hand, and the effect is amplified by the fact that it's got so much surface area -- the screen-to-edge ratio is off the charts. Though we still prefer the stock Android experience, TouchWiz 4.0 (as it's being called) on top of Gingerbread is clearly Samsung's most refined custom Android skin to date; a new Game Hub in ROM has potential to do battle with Sony's PlayStation Suite and allows developers to bypass the download size limits of the Android Market, but we weren't able to test it on the preproduction unit we were given. Owing to a lack of time and connectivity, we weren't able to put the phone through a suite of speed tests, but the entire UI felt perfect fast and smooth, a testament to the processor's chops. As at CES, we were blown away by the clarity and brightness of the Super AMOLED Plus display -- picture the already-excellent Super AMOLED technology amped up on steroids, and you'll have a good sense of what we're talking about here. All told, this seems like a great upgrade to the Galaxy S; if anything, we're a little concerned that it's going to be a smidge too big for people that were perfectly happy at the 4-inch tier, but odds are good Samsung will continue to crank out smaller devices for those folks. It'll be on the market in parts of Europe and Asia as soon as this month; no word on North America, but as always, there's little doubt Samsung has some plans in the works. Follow the break for our quick video and the full press release. Samsung Galaxy S II first hands-on! Show full PR text Samsung announces the GALAXY S II, World's thinnest Smartphone that Will Let You Experience More with Less Global launch of Samsung's most powerful smartphone delivers unmatched performance with a Dual-Core application processor and best-in-class viewing experience by Super AMOLED Plus display in sleek and lightweight design BARCELONA, February 13, 2011 – Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a leading mobile phone provider, today announced the Samsung GALAXY S II (Model: GT-I9100), a beautifully thin (8.49mm) and lightweight, dual-core smartphone that combines an unmatched viewing experience with incredible performance. The Samsung GALAXY S II uses Android™ 2.3 Gingerbread, the latest version of the world's fastest-growing mobile operating system. The next generation smartphone includes access to Samsung's four new content and entertainment hubs, seamlessly integrated to provide instant access to music, games, e-reading and social networking services. "In 2011, we will take Samsung's leadership in Speed, Screen and Content to a whole new level," said JK Shin, President and Head of Samsung's Mobile Communications Business. "With the GALAXY S II, Samsung wants to set the new standard of quality viewing on mobile, powerful performance, and slim and modern design." "GALAXY S II is a natural and powerful evolution of GALAXY S. Building on the phenomenal success of the original Samsung GALAXY S, we are proud to unveil the ultimate smartphone. Consumers no longer have to contain themselves – the Samsung GALAXY S II allows them to design their own smart lives." "We're pleased to see Samsung bring another Android-powered device to market to help grow the Android ecosystem," said Andy Rubin, Vice President of Engineering at Google. Powerful Performance Incorporating a dual-core application processor and advanced wireless network (HSPA+ 21) connectivity, the Samsung GALAXY S II has the speed and power to provide an unrivalled mobile performance. Dual-core application processor delivers compelling features such as fast web browsing, multi-tasking comparable to a PC-like environment, supreme graphics quality and instantly responsive 3D user interface on the large screen. The GALAXY S II also delivers seamless multitasking, switching between applications instantly. Superior 3D hardware performance makes games and video incredibly fast and smooth. With super-fast HSPA+ connectivity, the GALAXY S II offers rapid mobile download speeds while BlueTooth® 3.0+HS considerably reduces data transfer times. The Samsung GALAXY S II has been equipped with an 8MP, high-profile camera and camcorder with 1080p full HD recording and playback. With Samsung's patented AllShare technology, customers can capture, create and then share their experiences hassle-free. A Next Level of Viewing Experience The Samsung GALAXY S II has been equipped with Samsung's new crystal-clear Super AMOLED Plus screen, the most advanced mobile visual display ever created. Setting the standard of quality viewing on mobile, Super AMOLED Plus introduces the best in quality in color gamut, contrast ratio and edge sharpness. Using RealStripe screen technology and a greatly increased sub-pixel count, Super AMOLED Plus complements the mechanics of the human eye to recognize images look clearer and more detailed than ever before. With a wider viewing angle and increased visibility in outdoor, the Samsung GALAXY S II provides a more vibrant viewing experience than any other mobile devices. Even with its unrivaled performance, the innovative Super AMOLED Plus display does not compromise battery performance. A significant reduction in power consumption from Super AMOLED display means it is also more energy-efficient than other comparably-sized devices, allowing Samsung to minimize device weight. Samsung GALAXY S II Goes to Work Samsung has introduced a new range of enterprise mobility solutions, expanding the business capabilities of the Samsung GALAXY S II and helping enterprise customers empower a flexible and connected mobile workforce. Samsung has partnered with IT industry leaders to offer the most relevant enterprise solutions to the Samsung GALAXY S II, working seamlessly on the Android Gingerbread platform and paying special attention to securing data and network. These solutions include enhanced conferencing and connectivity services from Cisco, the most comprehensive mobile implementation of Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync and secure remote device management from Sybase. A New World of Entertainment and Smarter Interaction Samsung has selected the Samsung GALAXY S II as its premium mobile product with which to launch Samsung Hubs – integrated mobile applications designed to fit every element of your life. With Samsung Hubs, the Samsung GALAXY S II delivers rich catalogues of books and magazines, music, advanced mobile games and control of your online social life, all from a single device. • Social Hub Premium: The future of communication – talk to whoever you want, however you want, all from one place – your contact's list. Communication history, IM status, and updates from social networking sites are all readily available. From here, users can access all types of messages (push e-mail, text, VM and SNS) and respond directly without resorting to individual applications. It truly acts as a hub for entire social life. • Readers Hub: Carry an enormous library of books, magazines and newspapers on-the-go. Through strategic partnerships, Samsung Readers Hub provides over 2.2 million books and novels, 2,000 global and local newspapers in 49 languages and 2,300 popular magazines in 22 languages. • Game Hub: The easiest way to download and play best-in-class mobile games. Featuring a 3-axis gyroscopic sensor, the Samsung GALAXY S II unleashes a world of gaming possibilities. Try for free and download premium titles from partners like Gameloft, or 'enjoy Social Network Games (SNG) powered by mobage including ngmoco's We Rule and We City'. • Music Hub: Make Samsung GALAXY S II a personal music manager and access over 12 million tracks from 7digital. Discover what's hot from top charts, search for favorite music, get recommendations on albums, enjoy previews and download them directly to Samsung GALAXY S II. The Samsung GALAXY S II gives customers more choice in personalizing their smartphone experience. New for the Samsung GALAXY S II, Samsung has introduced Live Panel, a service that aggregates live web and application contents to a single customizable home-screen. Customers can design the lay-out of their own Live Panel, online services and mobile apps to appear on-screen. SNS feeds, information and many more applications can all be embedded and accessed instantly through the magazine-like layout. With the enhanced voice technology on the Samsung GALAXY S II, customers will be able to do more with less. From opening the app to controlling the messaging, social media, email and calling, Samsung Voice Solution will recognizes voice and convert it to text and vice versa. Customized Voice Translation application makes the Samsung GALAXY S II the perfect travel companion, translating voice or text into - and from - a range of languages: simply speak a word or phrase into the handset and it will instantly translate it, with audio and text output. For swift and simple device management, Samsung has introduced Kies Air. With Kies air, consumers can manage their smartphone contents from their PC, via local WiFi connections. download photos taken on the built-in camera, listen to music, check missed calls and send messages in the web browser on their PC. For added connectivity, WiFi Direct allows consumers to connect to wireless-enabled PCs and printers without the need for wireless access points. According to market requirement, the GALAXY S II is able to incorporate Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to support emerging mobile payment service and other services with mobile operators. The GALAXY S II is exhibited at Hall #8, Mobile World Congress 2011. For multimedia content and more detailed information, please visit www.samsungunpacked.com/press.

Live from 'An Evening With Nokia' at MWC 2011! Posted: 13 Feb 2011 08:28 AM PST 7:26PM And that's it -- Elop's off the stage! We have to say, the guy was super respectful of the audience and of everyone that asked a question, saying "thanks for that question" with almost every one. 7:25PM He can't share financial details about Nokia's discussions with Google. Bummer! 7:24PM Some dude in the audience just yelled, "are you a trojan horse?" "I'll take that question. The obvious answer is no. We made sure that the entire management team was involved in the process, and of course the board of directors of Nokia are the only ones that can make this significant of a decision about Nokia. They made that final decision on Thursday night." 7:23PM Now we've got a question about the Microsoft shares that Elop allegedly holds. "About me being the 7th largest shareholder in Microsoft: that is not true. That would be a substantial amount of money that I don't have... when I moved from Microsoft from Nokia, I was legally prohibited from selling my shares. As soon as that lifted, I began selling. But when our discussions began, I had to stop selling again -- the laws are very clear. As soon as the legal restrictions lift, of course I'll sell those shares. I have been given an equity position in Nokia" but that won't be disclosed until later in the year for some financial and legal reasons. 7:17PM Oooh, a question about Friday's walkout! "The announcement around Windows Phone -- and the whole strategy that we laid out -- I would say was very broadly received well within Nokia. But it was kept very confidential for a variety of reasons. So what we're doing now is going through a journey with employees to help them understand why we made these decisions and what they mean. The way I would characterize this is that there are two journeys through which everyone needs to go. There's an intellectual journey; that's easier because you understand the logic. But what also began for many employees on Friday was the emotional journey -- what does this mean? How does this effect my job? They look at this and say, boy, this could be bad... Stephen said on stage that there will be significant reductions in headcount. This creates uncertainty. We're trying to handle this as best we can. But there are some very positive signs within our employee base, for example in our sales department. In markets like the United States -- both sales and development -- are excited because they see the way back into that market. But at the same time, there are people in our engineering and development departments that are hurting right now. There's a great deal of pain and a great deal of excitement. Thank you for that question." Whew! 7:13PM "Part of what I want to do at Nokia is make sure that when we announce a date, we're absolutely sure about that date." He's also saying -- and this is something we've heard before from VP Savander -- that he's trying to reduce the time between announcement and launch. 7:11PM Elop says that it makes sense for a "single infrastructure" to exist for selling apps, which would be why the Nokia content environment will live within the Windows Phone Marketplace. He says that Nokia's contributing its strong carrier billing relationships around the world to that. 7:09PM Jo and Stephen are both making it clear that we won't see any new hardware today (in case it wasn't obvious). 7:07PM "Do you not feel threatened at all by BlackBerry?" Elop: "We believe that with the work we've done already with our lower-priced devices, combined with the business capabilities of Microsoft, we have a very strong competitive position relative to everyone in the environment." 7:06PM Elop won't talk euro values for how much it's dumping into MeeGo, but "as you think about it strategically, we have to place a significant investment in the next disruption." He keeps putting "MeeGo" and "disruption" in the same sentence, but in its multi-year history, neither Maemo nor MeeGo have disrupted anything so far. Not a thing. 7:04PM Elop: "It has been discussed that Nokia plus Microsoft together have an extraordinarily strong intellectual property portfolio." He specifically says that he doesn't want that comment interpreted or extrapolated... so yeah, don't go thinking that these two companies are about to get married, alright? 7:02PM "It has been the case that within Nokia, our development environments have been somewhat scattered within four areas." 7:01PM Though Microsoft is the primary supplier of dev tools for Windows Phone, Elop says that Nokia will be making a significant investment in providing its own value-add to that developer environment. 6:59PM "That being said, as we achieve our first priority of beating Android, we'll be competing within the Windows Phone ecosystem, and that's fair." 6:59PM Question is whether Nokia would prefer to be the sole supplier of Windows Phone devices. Elop: "Great question. What's best for Nokia is an environment with multiple competitors creating an ecosystem." Pretty straightforward -- he doesn't want to be the only maker of Windows Phone 7 devices. 6:58PM "We have fresh new products [on the low end] that we're introducing into the Indian market that have features like dual-SIM." 6:57PM "The question is, what do we introduce into the Symbian environment to ease the transition to Windows Phone. So that's part of the mission that we're taking on now." 6:56PM Q&A time. Harlow and Elop are both on stage. 6:56PM "We'll spin around in circles on stage as we take questions." Now this we'd like to see! 6:55PM "The question is, how do you feel about the existing team members? The answer is that I have absolute confidence. I've seen their contribution. So I've respected that. But the context in which our team members are operating has changed." 6:54PM "It is the case that as I entered Nokia, and worked literally every single day with the senior leaders of Nokia, I had to go through this assessment." 6:52PM "We have been in consulation with Intel -- including immediately after we made our final decision to go Windows Phone -- as that just happened on Thursday night of last week." 6:52PM "It is the case, as we've said, that we'd ship our first MeeGo device this year, then shift our attention to the next generation of disruption. MeeGo will be part of our consideration and exploration as we go forward." 6:51PM Now he's talking the future of MeeGo. 6:51PM "At the same time, there's been a lot of speculation in the blogosphere about whether Qt will be part of our 'next billion' strategy. We have not made any decisions." 6:51PM "The first MeeGo device that will ship this year will take advantage of the Qt framework. Question is, will Nokia put Qt on Windows Phone? Our initial response is no, that's not the plan. The reason is that if we encourage a fork in Windows Phone's development platform, we could create a situation where we confuse developers and consumers." 6:49PM Elop's back on stage. 6:49PM "We will be able to ship volumes of Symbian devices in the coming months and years. We'll be able to carefully manage the transition from Symbian to Windows Phone." 6:48PM Jo's saying we'll see "significant improvements" both in hardware and software for upcoming Symbian products. 6:48PM "We will be making significant short-term investments in the Symbian platform so that our partners can see the value that that platform offers." 6:47PM They just flashed our leaked device on the screen! 6:46PM Strong suggestion there that we'll see WP7 gear from Nokia this year. Interesting. 6:46PM "My boss has told me he would be much happier if that time was in 2011." 6:46PM "We are the partner who will bring innovation in design and hardware to make great mobile products with Windows Phone -- and we've already started. We've had teams working together in interesting places such as Reykjavik, for example, and they're meeting to decide the timing of the first Windows Phone product." 6:45PM Jo: "Before I talk about the transition from Symbian to Windows Phone, I want to talk a little about the strategy that we've chosen." 6:45PM Here comes Jo Harlow! 6:45PM "Nokia has placed a very important strategic bet on Microsoft, and Microsoft has placed a very important strategic bet on Nokia. And that is why we will succeed together." 6:44PM "When you look at all of the value that we're contributing, the value transferred to Nokia is measured in the Bs, not the Ms." That's billions, not millions, folks. 6:43PM "But there's one more that's worth noting. For all of the unique elements that Nokia's contributing, Microsoft is contributing to Nokia substantial monetary value towards Nokia because we're contributing all of these things." 6:42PM "The question is, what's the contribution from Microsoft. They, too are contributing services like Bing and Xbox. They also -- this is a very important thing to recognize in the balance of the transaction -- they are contributing a dependency. They are placing a very significant bet on Nokia for the delivery of the location-based services. But there's another element that comes out of this: we are also receiving a new source of revenue through advertising." 6:41PM "But there's also something else that we're contributing: we're contributing the swing factor. We're contributing the fact that we're making Windows Phone a challenger." 6:41PM "We are also contributing to this partnership the specific technical and hardware differentiating capabilities that will ensure that Nokia Windows Phone products are great products." 6:40PM "We are contributing a variety of services to Windows Phone that will be available to OEMs including Nokia." 6:40PM "The Microsoft-Nokia partnership around Windows Phone goes far deeper than that." 6:39PM "We pay Microsoft royalties for the use of their software. And, of course, the balance to that transaction is that we are able to reduce our operating expenses. We pay them, but we are not also internally developing the software ourselves." 6:38PM "We obviously made the decision to go Windows Phone. We made the decision for a whole variety of reasons, but to understand it more, you need to understand how Microsoft viewed this opportunity to make sure there were more than two ecosystems." 6:37PM "A decision to go with Windows Phone creates a very different dynamic [as opposed to Android]. Windows Phone is a challenger. It becomes a three-horse race." 6:35PM "Clearly, we were assessing three different paths forward. First, there was the largely internal option. The second option -- clearly -- was to make a decision to pursue Android and make a significant bet on the Android ecosystem. Our third option was to join Microsoft and build an ecosystem around Windows Phone." 6:34PM "We're going to cover five broad topics here. First, I'll talk a little about the dynamics and the nature of the relationship between Microsoft and Nokia." 6:34PM Elop's on stage! He says Jo Harlow will be joining him on stage to clarify some things and answer questions. 6:29PM We're seeing some empty seats in a corner, but this looks like a mostly full house. Lots of interest in hearing Elop clarify what's going on here, we're sure. We've been gathered at the same cozy venue as two years ago (for the introduction of the E52, if memory serves correctly) for Nokia's event at MWC 2011 this evening... and frankly, in light of what's happened the past few days, we're not quite sure what to expect. CEO Stephen Elop should be on stage to take some questions -- but in terms of product or strategy announcements, it's anyone's guess. Follow the break for all the fun!

AT&T adding $35 3GB plan, cutting 5GB plan to $50 for LaptopConnect devices Posted: 13 Feb 2011 08:27 AM PST We're still mourning the untimely death of unlimited data, but the good news is that carriers are still playing with plan pricing to figure out what the market will bear -- and in at least some cases, it's for the cheaper. AT&T's on the verge of revising its 5GB LaptopConnect plan (the type of plan you use on USB modems and MiFis) down from $60 to $50 per month with overage now $10 per 1GB rather than $0.05 per MB previously -- $50 per GB. Additionally, the old 200MB plan for $35 is being replaced with a "promotional" 3GB plan at the same price (also with $10 per 1GB overage), though no expiration date has been put in place just yet. The changes dovetail conveniently with the recent tethering / mobile hotspot boost to 4GB, and might even suggest a boost in AT&T's confidence over its network as it starts upgrading to HSPA+ nationwide. [Thanks, Amg]

Boston planning to murder potholes with your phone's accelerometer Posted: 13 Feb 2011 07:17 AM PST Accelerometers in consumer electronics have already shown value far beyond their manufacturers ever intended -- but did you ever think your car's beleaguered suspension system would be the benefactor? Officials in Boston are toying around with an experimental smartphone app called Street Bump that's tuned to keep an eye out for potholes as you drive; when it detects a disturbance in the force, it makes note of the location. No word on when Bostonians will benefit from the fruits of Street Bump's labor, but the developers will be using this spring and summer's post-freeze pothole season to fine-tune the algorithm so that it can differentiate between, say, a gaping crater in the road and your poor driving skills (just kidding, we're sure you're a fine driver). [Image via Wikimedia Commons]

Engadget Mobile turns 5 today -- help us celebrate with a Motorola Aura giveaway! Posted: 13 Feb 2011 06:00 AM PST On this fateful day in 2006, Engadget Mobile was born -- and the world has never been the same. Of course, we never would've made it this far without you, our dear readers, so we wanted to give something back... and we think you'll like what we've come up with. The Motorola Aura is one of the most unique handsets ever to come out of Schaumburg, featuring a circular display covered with a 62-carat sapphire crystal along with a rear window that lets you marvel at the action of the watch movement-like swivel mechanism. At its launch in late 2008, it retailed for some $2,000 in limited quantities -- and it remains a collector's item today. It won't out-game your iPhone or out-email your BlackBerry, of course... but as an evening or weekend phone, there's probably not a better conversation piece out there. Want it? Read the rules and regs below! Thanks to Motorola for providing us with the Aura! The rules: Leave a comment below. Any comment will do. You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you'll be fine. Contest is open to all residents of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Canada (excluding Quebec), 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad. Winners will be chosen randomly. One winner will receive one Motorola Aura. If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen. Entries can be submitted until Sunday, February 20, 2010, at 11:59PM ET. Good luck! Full rules can be found here.

Intel promises, teases MeeGo smartphone and tablet for MWC Posted: 13 Feb 2011 05:17 AM PST Lookie here. Intel may have been the jilted bride left at the altar by Nokia, but it's not giving up on MeeGo just yet. The above poster has been hung up here in Barcelona, in the area us humble journalists still aren't in allowed yet, and shows a smartphone and tablet running Intel's Linux variant as their OS. There are plenty of details to pore over, such as the multiplicity of home screen items on the tablet that includes Big Buck Bunny -- a favorite for testing HD video playback -- in its top right corner; the handset, meanwhile, could very well be that Aava Mobile device we've been hearing about lately. MWC is opening its doors tomorrow, so even if Intel doesn't announce these devices in full, we'll snoop its booth out and find out for ourselves.

Samsung Nexus S revisits the FCC, this time with bands for AT&T Posted: 13 Feb 2011 04:49 AM PST You may not be able to read the model number on that miniscule label, but you're looking at a cross section of the Samsung GT-I9020A -- colloquially known as the Nexus S for AT&T -- which just made its debut at that Ellis Island of wireless devices, the FCC authorization database. Sure enough, it's sporting the requisite 850 / 1900MHz WCDMA bands for the American carrier (though it could just as easily appear at Canada's big three) as well as Bluetooth, single-band 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, and 13.56MHz for RFID. In case you're curious, the latter indicates that the curvy handset will almost certainly keep its NFC capabilities. So, Samsung... are you about ready to tell us about that GT-i9023?

Motorola Xoom up for pre-order at Best Buy this Thursday... for $1,199? Posted: 13 Feb 2011 02:58 AM PST What the what?! Best Buy has just put up word on when you can pre-order the Motorola Xoom -- this coming Thursday, February 17th -- and a price, $1,199. There are "great" financing offers available, but we can't get over this price we're seeing. Our only hope is that this may be a placeholder number, which will get revised soon, though it's live on Best Buy's site and there's nothing to really indicate it's a mistake. Moreover, that 1-month data activation requirement we noted recently is indeed real, meaning you'll need to pay a levy to Verizon as well before you get your Android 3.0 groove on. [Thanks, Joe and Magid] Update: We've heard rumblings that this is indeed just a place holder -- much like the way other companies price products they don't want to sell at ridiculous levels -- and the final price will indeed be the $800 we've heard most consistently to this point.

Fujitsu unveils world's first MeeGo netbook, world barely notices Posted: 13 Feb 2011 02:51 AM PST It hasn't been a terribly good week for MeeGo, but there's a scant silver lining in the cloud -- the first MeeGo netbook has arrived in Singapore, courtesy of Fujitsu. Actually, to be precise, it's the first netbook to ship with MeeGo preinstalled, as Fujitsu's simply shoehorned the lightweight operating system onto its existing LifeBook MH330 machine. Sadly, the MH330's about as boring as they come -- it's a plain vanilla 1.66GHz Intel Atom N455 ultraportable with 1GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive and a 10.1-inch 1024 x 600 LED-backlit screen. The company says it's customized MeeGo to take advantage of hardware buttons, but other than that there's nothing noteworthy here, just a (roughly $400) netbook that managed to find a place in the annals of history for being the first to preinstall an operating system that's already on the outs -- albeit a very pleasant, quickly-booting one. PR after the break. [Thanks, Edwin C.] Show full PR text Fujitsu PC Asia Pacific today announced the 1st MeeGo netbook based on the Intel Atom processor – LIFEBOOK MH330. Malaysia, February 11, 2011 – Fujitsu PC Asia Pacific today announced the debut of Fujitsu's first MeeGo™ netbook based on the Intel® Atom™ processor, the LIFEBOOK MH330, opening up infinite social capabilities for tomorrow's computing experience. "For our valued users, the MeeGo-based netbook's human-centric nature not only transcends the boundaries of netbooks but also serves as the new standard for tomorrow's computing experience. The netbook crystallizes these two best-of-breed products and MeeGo is part of Fujitsu and Intel's combined efforts to take the industry a big step forward," said Mr. Lim Teck Sin Vice President, Engineering and Product Marketing, Fujitsu PC Asia Pacific. "For multimedia natives who long for enhanced interactivity and immediate multimedia access, the refreshed LIFEBOOK MH330 will definitely surpass their expectations." "The MeeGo open source software platform with Intel® Atom™ processors give mobile device manufacturers both the freedom and the powerful capabilities to suit a consumer's mobile lifestyle," said Ram Peddibhotla, System Software Marketing Director, Intel Corporation. "Intel welcomes Fujitsu and other manufacturers to the MeeGo ecosystem to give consumers a personalized netbook experience with the benefits of an optimized battery life, rich multimedia support and fast boot time." ENHANCED USER EXPERIENCE Fujitsu's latest LIFEBOOK MH330 features MeeGo's rich interface that allows users to have seamless access to a full suite of usable applications that include social networking tools and multimedia capabilities. Users can get automatic updates and transit easily between applications, browsers and various social networking sites on MeeGo's powerful user interface which is also flexible and easy to use. EASY SYSTEM MANAGEMENT Enjoy lesser waiting time and faster web-browsing experience with the significant reduction in system reboot time. Also, users can easily manage system devices, networks, time and date, and emails, through the simple and straightforward navigation panels. MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT Specially designed for multimedia natives, the media panel provides an organized view of the videos and music files stored in the media library and offers immediate access and play. The panel also has a built-in control for playback. . SOCIAL NETWORKING ON-THE-GO The Myzone panel offers a quick snapshot of the user's personal activity and shows instant updates about the happenings in their social media sphere. Get connected easily with popular social network tools, such as twitter and Facebook, or be in touch with friends via chat.

I Can't Believe It's An HTC Tattoo In My Butter! Posted: 13 Feb 2011 01:09 AM PST So the story goes that some store-bought Norwegian butter was eaten away to reveal a very special Android-powered surprise at the bottom. It looks to us like the butter could have possibly been packed back in after the fact to create the effect, but even so: if you're willing to sacrifice a Tattoo in such spectacular fashion, you deserve a little recognition. [Thanks, Arif]

Webby is the Android-powered Chumby thing that hasn't won any awards -- yet Posted: 12 Feb 2011 11:33 PM PST What is a Webby? It is, according to its manufacturer Avantis, "a revolutionary new gadget which is like nothing your customers have seen before." That, of course, assumes they've never seen a Chumby, because that's basically what this is -- running Android, though. It features a suite of widgets and little apps that will let you stream internet radio, check your e-mails, cruise RSS feeds, and even wake up to an alarm. Yeah, familiar stuff, but the apparent lack of social networkability is a bit of a bummer. (There doesn't even seem to be a Twitter client!) It's powered by a 600MHz ARM CPU with 256MB of RAM, 2GB of internal flash paired with SD and USB expansion. The 3.5-inch touchscreen has a resolution of 320 x 240 and it'll connect over 802.11b/g/n WiFi. It even has a DMB tuner if you happen to be living in a land that's similarly equipped. All that controlled by the wonder that is Android 2.1, but for an undisclosed price. [Thanks, TIll]

Motorola Atrix 4G pre-orders begin at AT&T Posted: 12 Feb 2011 08:25 PM PST March 6th is the official street date, but you can lay down your money for Motorola's modular smartphone right now, as the Atrix 4G and its suite of incredible Webtop docks are now available for pre-order. $200 buys you the biometric HSPA+ smartphone on a two-year contract, and it'll cost you an additional $300 to turn it into a portable netbook of sorts -- though as we feared, you'll need to pay $45 a month for the DataPro 4GB + Tethering data plan (on top of your phone bill) to actually use it on the go. Another bummer is that the HD Multimedia Dock (enabling desktop-like functionality) will run $130, a good bit more than we thought we'd see it for. All in all, the Atrix is looking like quite an investment, so perhaps you'd be best served waiting for our full review. But don't let us tell you what to do with your hard-earned dough! [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Samsung Galaxy Tab II and Galaxy S II pics leak out ahead of Barcelona event (update: new pic!) Posted: 12 Feb 2011 07:55 PM PST There are still twelve hours to go before Samsung unveils its new products at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, but somehow there are already a series of pictures allegedly "from the event." We're not complaining, though, because four of them show off the new 10.1-inch Galaxy Tab II. We discovered yesterday that Sammy's slate will run Android 3.0 Honeycomb at 1280 x 800 resolution and on a 1GHz processor, and heard rumors it'd have an 8 megapixel camera with HD video recording as well, but this is the first time we've laid eyes on a decent image of the tablet, and we imagine you're in the same boat. Join us on a journey over to Samsung Hub to see the full set (and more shots of the Samsung Galaxy S II), or if you're too busy priming your touchscreen-smudging thumbs, simply hit the break to see a render of what the unit's back might look like. [Thanks, Dell P.] Update: We've gotten another apparent shot of the Galaxy S II in all its glossy, rendered, press-shot-quality glory -- and you can see it after the break.

Microsoft rolls out long, long-awaited Windows update to disable AutoRun for USB drives Posted: 12 Feb 2011 07:44 PM PST It's already changed the behavior in Windows 7, and Microsoft has now finally rolled out an update for earlier versions of Windows that prevents a program from executing automatically when a USB drive is plugged into a PC. That behavior has been blamed for the spread of malware in recent years -- including the infamous Conficker worm -- and Microsoft had actually already made it possible to disable the functionality back in November of 2009, albeit only through an update available from its Download Center website. It's now finally pushed the update out through the Windows Update channel, though, which should cause it to be much more broadly deployed (particularly in large organizations). As explained in a rather lengthy blog post, however, Microsoft has decided to simply make it an "important, non-security update" rather than a mandatory update, as it doesn't technically see AutoRun as a "vulnerability" -- it was by design, after all. That means you'll have to look for the option in Windows Update and check it off to install it -- if you choose, you can also re-enable it at anytime with a patch.

LG Optimus 3D has dual-core 1GHz OMAP 4 CPU, video codecs up the wazoo Posted: 12 Feb 2011 06:46 PM PST LG's been mighty stingy with details about its 3D smartphone, but some very promising ones have just trickled out of Barcelona ahead of Mobile World Congress -- in keeping with the company's theme of doubling everything, the LG Optimus 3D will ship with a dual-core 1GHz TI OMAP 4 chip. Considering that we've seen that particular SOC drive three screens, we're guessing that a single 4.3-inch stereo display (yes, 4.3-inch is confirmed) will be old hat, and we've certainly seen the included PowerVR SGX540 graphics throw around some weight in many a Galaxy S. Raw specs aside, though, the Optimus 3D has a feature that we've been waiting on in Android for a while: LG says it will have "four times more video decoders than competing designs." Admittedly, that probably means it will still only recognize about eight video formats in total, but as long as we can play the vast majority of our anime music video library without re-encoding the lot, we'll promise to only grumble occasionally. Deal? PR after the break. LG Optimus 3D has dual-core 1GHz OMAP 4 CPU, video codecs up the wazoo Show full PR text LG UNVEILS PREMIUM LINE-UP AT MWC 2011 SEOUL--(Korea Newswire) February 13, 2011 -- LG Electronics (LG) returns to Barcelona this year to introduce two new flagship devices at Mobile World Congress: the LG Optimus 3D, a stunning super-smartphone with unparalleled 3D performance, and the LG Optimus Pad, a true Android tablet optimized with Honeycomb OS designed to offer the full viewing experience of a tablet while still being easy to hold with one hand. "I`m confident that this year, LG will emerge as a leader in the next generation of smartphone and tablet devices," said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. "What you see here today is just the beginning -- we will continue to innovate with products that address consumer needs and deliver benefits that live up to our `Life`s Good` commitment." Aiming to aggressively take a leadership position in the smartphone market in 2011, LG has been earnestly bolstering its premium smartphone line-up, evident by its strong showing at CES last month. There, the company introduced the world`s first dual-core smartphone (LG Optimus 2X), one of the world`s slimmest and brightest smartphones (LG Optimus Black) and the company`s first phone compatible with 4G LTE networks (LG Revolution(TM)). LG products debuting at MWC 2011 build upon this spirit of innovation. Key devices include: LG Optimus 3D The LG Optimus 3D packs exceptional features with performance in mind, including an advanced dual-core, dual-channel and dual-memory architecture. Equipped with a 1GHz OMAP4 dual-core processor and four times more video decoders than competing designs, the LG Optimus 3D doubles the graphics performance of its nearest competitor allowing users to enjoy superb performance while web surfing, running applications and enjoying multimedia content. In addition, the LG Optimus 3D provides the world`s first full 3D experience covering the full spectrum from recording to viewing and sharing 3D content. It features a dual-lens camera that enables users to capture any moment in true 3D which can then be viewed immediately on the 4.3-inch WVGA glasses-free display. Multiple connectivity options including HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) and DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) also make it easy for users to transfer their recorded content to other devices. LG Optimus Pad The LG Optimus Pad sets a new standard for tablets by utilizing an 8.9-inch display in a form factor that`s comfortable to use one-handed. With a 15:9 aspect ratio and Full HD 1080p decoding, the LG Optimus Pad offers users an immersive multimedia environment on a 1280 x 768 WXGA resolution widescreen display. The new device sports Honeycomb, Google`s latest platform optimized for tablet devices with an optimized and intuitive PC-like interface for running tablet software. LG`s tablet runs on a 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual-core processor for unmatched performance and power management. In addition, the LG Optimus Pad is the world`s first tablet with a built-in 3D camera, enabling users to capture vivid image and video content to be viewed on a high definition 3D TV or shared on the web via YouTube 3D. LG Optimus 2X The world`s first smartphone with a dual-core processor, the LG Optimus 2X was developed in partnership with graphics processor powerhouse, NVIDIA. The dual-core Tegra 2 system-on-a-chip found in the LG Optimus 2X runs at a clock speed of 1GHz and boasts low power consumption and high performance for playing video and audio. Not only does the LG Optimus 2X mean more powerful multimedia features, the Tegra 2 processor makes for faster, smoother web browsing and multitasks with virtually no screen lag. The LG Optimus 2X offers 1080p HD video playback and recording with HDMI mirroring that expands content on external displays to Full HD quality. The LG Optimus 2X can connect wirelessly to any DLNA-compatible digital device such as HD TVs for a console-like gaming experience, taking full advantage of the phone‟s HDMI mirroring, accelerometer and gyro sensor. LG Optimus Black One of the world`s slimmest and lightest Android smartphones, LG Optimus Black is already a hit, having recorded more than two million pre-orders in 20 countries since its introduction at CES. At MWC, a range of special-edition LG Optimus Black handsets will be unveiled featuring designs courtesy of the Keith Haring Foundation. Besides its incredibly slim body, the LG Optimus Black features a 4-inch NOVA display for optimal brightness and readability under any lighting conditions. The crystal-clear display also provides a more natural web browsing experience by displaying truer whites while simultaneously cutting energy consumption by 50 percent compared to conventional LCDs. In addition, the LG Optimus Black includes a collection of smart features designed to improve the user experience, such as Gesture UI, Wi-Fi Direct and a 2MP front-facing camera. For more information, visit the LG stand at 8B178 in Hall 8, Fira de Barcelona or go to the online newsroom at www.lgnewsroom.com/MWC2011.

Greenpois0n RC6 breaks new Apple TV's bonds, performs untethered jailbreak and NitoTV install Posted: 12 Feb 2011 06:20 PM PST Installing nitoTV on your Apple TV used to involve a mildly difficult SSH process, and for those folks who are turned off by running Terminal and punching in lines of code, the newest version of greenpois0n (RC6) might pique your jailbreak interests. It'll perform an untethered jailbreak (meaning, you can reboot your iProduct without the need to re-JB), freeing your device (iPhone, iPad, etc.) running 4.2.1 and allow you to fulfill all of your out-of-jail needs. Bundled in this new release is a loader that'll inject nitoTV right onto your little black Apple box. This new greenpois0n is said to fix emulation problems (zodttd's emulators were having issues) and can be applied right over your device that's been freed with RC5. But proceed with caution -- we're seeing a bunch of jailbreakers on Twitter claiming have ran into issues (WiFi, booting) with RC6. Hit the source link to grab either the Mac or Windows version. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Eighth Circuit declares RAZR a computer under federal law Posted: 12 Feb 2011 05:14 PM PST There's little doubt that today's smartphones are pocketable computers -- they're equally or more powerful than the desktop PCs of yesteryear -- but what about dumbphones? Well, in US v. Kramer, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals just held that a Motorola Motorazr V3 fits the federal statutory definition for a computer -- and quoted Woz in the opinion: "Everything has a computer in it nowadays." Seems a bit silly to call a RAZR a computer, but courts can only interpret existing laws, not make new ones -- and US law says a computer is "an electronic, magnetic, optical, electrochemical, or other high speed data processing device performing logical, arithmetic, or storage functions." Because this was the first time a federal appeals court had ruled on the issue, the Eighth Circuit set a precedent that other courts are likely to follow. And yes, the court is aware such a definition may include microwaves and coffee makers, and informed Congress that it should change the law if it doesn't like it. Regardless of whether you agree, this interpretation added some jail time for a guy who pled guilty to trying to engage in sexual activity with a minor, so the mild absurdity of it all is fine by us. Somewhere Chris Hansen is smiling.

Fisher Price releases iCan Play Case and Kid-Tough See Yourself Camera, you'll thank 'em Posted: 12 Feb 2011 03:43 PM PST You know who you can count on to protect your technology? Fisher Price, that's who. We know, it sounds a bit crazy, but what other company out there is thinking about safeguarding your gadgets from those adorable yet greasy-handed kids? The company is kicking off Toy Fair with a few new gadgets that do just that, and first up, is that cute little Laugh & Learn iCan Play iPhone case up there. The $20 plastic enclosure stores any generation iPhone or iPod Touch and has a screen cover to protect your precious capacitive LCD from "dribbles and drool." Seriously, OtterBox has its work cut out -- the toy even has rattles and handles to entertain when mommy or daddy have to yank the phone out to make a call. And because looking at e-mails, texts, or apps could get bit boring for those three to 36-month-olds after awhile, Fisher is adding a few new Laugh & Learn apps to the App Store later this month. What about the older kids, you ask? Well, they won't be interested in your brand new point-and-shoot when they've got a Kid-Tough See Yourself Camera of their own. Or at least that's what the company's hoping -- the plastic camera has a rotating 1.2 megapixel lens with a 4x zoom so kids can take pictures of themselves and then check it out on the 1.8-inch LCD screen. The shooter houses a SD card slot and is powered by four AA batteries. Sure, it doesn't have the latest and greatest specs, but what $70 camera do you know that can customize shots with "fun digital stamps"? We told you your gadgets would stay safe and sound. The iCan Play Case and Kid-Tough camera won't be available until this summer, but we've got the gallery of hands-on shots below so you can check 'em out earlier. Fisher Price iCan Play Case and Kid-Tough See Yourself Camera hands-on

Samsung Series 9 slides its rail-thin body through the FCC Posted: 12 Feb 2011 02:37 PM PST Remember the Samsung 9 Series laptop from CES? Of course you do, it was the seriously thin, duralumin 13-inch laptop with a new Sandy Bridge Core i5 processor and 128GB SSD. Well, as you can see from the label shot above, the .68-inch system just passed through the FCC, which means the skinny sucker should be on track to hit its February release. (Our Samsung contact told us we should be expecting a unit later in the month so we're assuming it will hit retailers around then.) The FCC filing doesn't reveal much -- it was actually submitted by Broadcom -- but the label clearly shows its 900X3A model number and the drop-down port latches on the edges. We'll be keeping our eyes peeled for more on this beauty, but it can never hurt to watch our hands-on video from CES to remember just what we're lusting after here. Video after the break!

IBM and Samsung announce patent cross-license agreement, we pray for a z196-based Galaxy Tab Posted: 12 Feb 2011 01:33 PM PST The dirty details are few and far betwixt, but IBM and Samsung have just joined up to announce a patent cross-license agreement that could have significant impact in the world we obsess with. According the (admittedly brief) release embedded after the break, the two will license their respective patent portfolios to each other, but considering that specific terms and conditions are being kept under wraps for now, it's on us to imagine what kind of magic will result from the agreement. Of course, the patent portfolios for each of these companies is staggeringly vast -- covering everything from mobile technologies to semiconductors, and just about everything in between. We're told that the deal will allow each company to "innovate and operate freely," and to use each other's patents to keep pace with the rapid expansion of technology. Is a 5.2GHz z196-based Galaxy S just months away? A boy can dream, can't he? [Thanks, Peter] Show full PR text Samsung Electronics and IBM Announce Patent Cross-License Agreement SEOUL, South Korea and ARMONK, N.Y., - 08 Feb 2011: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced a patent cross-license agreement, under which the companies will license their respective patent portfolios to each other. Specific terms and conditions of the agreement were not disclosed. Over the past several decades, IBM and Samsung have built strong patent portfolios covering a wide range of technologies including semiconductors, telecommunications, visual and mobile communications, software and technology-based services. This cross-licensing agreement enables the two companies to innovate and operate freely while using each other's patented inventions to help keep pace with sophisticated technology and business demands. The companies said the cooperation fostered by cross-licensing reinforces their ability to provide better products and services, while maintaining their competitiveness. "This licensing agreement will help both companies expedite innovation and achieve business growth by providing each company access to the other's patents for basic technologies," said Dr. Seungho Ahn, Executive Vice President and Head of the IP Center, Samsung Electronics. "We also hope the agreement will open new opportunities for wider collaboration between two of the leading innovators in the technology industry." "Patents and innovation are a critical component of IBM's high-value business strategy," said Ken King, vice president, Patents, Software & Services IP Licensing for IBM. "In addition to protecting the huge investment we make in R&D, patents also allow us establish cross-licenses, which provide IBM and partners like Samsung with significant freedom of action, which is essential in the competitive global business environment." IBM and Samsung topped the list of the world's most inventive companies in 2010 as the first and second recipients of U.S. patents, respectively. IBM has been the leading recipient of U.S. patents for 18 consecutive years. About IBM Please visit www.ibm.com

HTC Thunderbolt exclusively hits Best Buy for $250 at launch, rooted prototype provides hope for easy unlock Posted: 12 Feb 2011 12:46 PM PST Though hard facts on the HTC Thunderbolt's availability were hard to come by, conflicting rumors were flying fast and strong -- now, a Best Buy ad seems to clear most everything up. Like we'd originally heard, the 4.3-inch LTE smartphone will launch for $250 on a two-year contract -- or a wallet-crushing $750 without -- but the key ingredients here are three words at the very top. The Thunderbolt is apparently a "national retail exclusive" for Best Buy, which explains how the device could simultaneously face Verizon delays and yet come in for a Valentine's Day landing at the big box store. You'll also note that the ad mentions Skype video and 4G mobile hotspot functionality, so we'd be surprised if the phone came without, though it's also possible that the whole kit and kaboodle has been delayed to match -- Droid-Life says this ad comes from a February 20th circular, so we might not see anything until then. In case you needed an additional reason to be excited about the Thunderbolt, the developers at AndIRC have some related news -- they've already rooted a prototype version (which just so happens to have the familiar codename Mecha) and believe the same technique will work on retail devices. Wouldn't it be nice to have root on day one... whenever that is? [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Nokia's marginalization of MeeGo came as a surprise to Intel Posted: 12 Feb 2011 11:37 AM PST Yesterday's announcement by Nokia that it's switching to Windows Phone 7 as its primary smartphone platform has already had, and will continue to have, great repercussions for plenty of parties besides the Finnish company and its new best bud Microsoft. One of the biggest effects of that deal was that Nokia now no longer considers MeeGo -- the open-source OS it was co-developing with Intel -- an item of priority, classifying it as a "learning project." No prizes for guessing Intel's nowhere near happy about that, but would you have also guessed Nokia kept Chipzilla in the dark about its new direction until the day it announced it to the world? Such is the word from TechCrunch's well placed sources, who also say that Nokia dedicated only a three-man external team to the development of UI customizations for MeeGo. Not exactly the hugest investment in the world, we'd say, and when you consider Nokia and Microsoft already have concept devices drawn up, you've got to think plans to abandon MeeGo as a sincere flagship strategy were materializing in Espoo a long time before this event. It would probably have been nice to tell Intel, though, just to be classy. Hit the source link for more detail, including confirmation that Nokia's N9-00, its first planned MeeGo device, was canned -- apparently due to complaints from operators about its hinge.

Nokia USA president is out, replaced by Microsoft vet Chris Weber as Elopocalypse continues Posted: 12 Feb 2011 10:22 AM PST Conspiracy theorists unite: Nokia's replaced another prominent executive with a former Microsoft employee. In this case, it's the head of Nokia's entire US division that's being oustered, as 15-year Microsoft sales and marketing veteran Chris Weber replaces Nokia Inc. president Mark Louison effective immediately. Mark will "pursue new career opportunities" while Weber takes the reins, as well as the somewhat unenviable role of rejuvenating Nokia's smartphone brand in the United States. Still, we imagine he'll have plenty of help, as he'll be working very, very closely with his alma mater in the months to come -- and the designs practically sell themselves. PR after the break. Show full PR text Nokia Appoints Chris Weber to President of Nokia Inc. (US) and Head of Markets, North America ESPOO, Finland, Feb. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Nokia has today announced the appointment of Chris Weber as President of Nokia Inc. (US), and head of Markets, North America as of February 11, 2011. Chris Weber comes to Nokia from his own consulting business focused on helping companies develop world class sales cultures. He is a Microsoft veteran, who during his 16 years with the company held several senior executive positions in sales, marketing and professional services. Among his key roles were Corporate Vice President leading Microsoft's US Enterprise and Partner Group as well as heading the US EPG National Sales Excellence and Industry Organization. "Today Nokia CEO Stephen Elop outlined the new strategic direction for Nokia, including plans for a broad strategic partnership with Microsoft to build a new global mobile ecosystem, and reiterated his commitment to improving Nokia's position in North America. "With the new strategy in place, I believe Chris brings to the team a great combination of well-developed leadership skills, broad sales and marketing experience and solid consumer insight. Chris's experience will be invaluable in helping us to establish our new ecosystem strategy in the market," said Colin Giles, Executive Vice President, Sales, Nokia. Chris Weber commented on his new Nokia position: "I am very excited to be part of the Nokia team at this time of change and incredible opportunity. Nokia's new strategy will open up new possibilities, and we look forward to meeting and exceeding our customers' expectations in this market. We will work relentlessly on winning the trust of our customers and the hearts of consumers." Mark Louison, the current President of Nokia Inc, has decided to leave Nokia and pursue new career opportunities. Colin Giles remarked on this change earlier today saying, "I thank Mark for his dedication and passion throughout the years and wish him every success in his future pursuits." This change is effective today, February 11, 2011.

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