The Thrill 4G is the second Android smartphone in the United States capable of recording and displaying 3D video and photos without the need for special glasses. We first saw the phone during CTIA earlier this year and, after delays, it will launch soon on AT&T for $99.99. I spent the better part of the last three weeks carrying the LG Thrill 4G everywhere I went. Are the 3D effects useful and fun or are they just a lame gimmick? Does the “4G” in its name equate to faster data speeds or does it surf on a par with 3G phones? All of this and more is answered in my review, so hit the read link to get started.

Hardware

The LG Thrill 4G is identical to its European cousin, the LG Optimus 3D, in nearly every way. It’s equipped with a 4.3-inch 800 x 480-pixel screen that’s capable of displaying both 2D and 3D content on the fly. Measuring in at 5in x 2.7in x 0.47in and with a weight of 5.9oz, the Thrill 4G is a bit bulkier than other high-end smartphones on AT&T, such as the Infuse 4G, but it’s not terrible.

Despite its plastic back cover, the Thrill 4G feels very study just like its LTE counterpart, the LG Revolution. The front of the phone has black faux-brushed metal accents around the screen and AT&T ditched the matte gray back on the Optimus 3D for a more attractive matte black design with a faint cross-hatch etching. The back of the Thrill 4G is also home to two camera lenses capable of recording 3D content, and a single LED flash. There’s a 3.5mm headphone jack on the top of the Thrill 4G and microUSB and mini-HDMI hatches on the left side of the device. A single button on the right side of the phone can be pressed to quickly enter the phone’s “3D Space” application, and I wish it was a camera quick-launch button instead. AT&T also included an HDMI to mini-HDMI cable, which means you’ll be able to connect the phone up to your TV right out of the box.

The Thrill 4G is a nice package overall but I noticed two yellow splotches towards the bottom of the screen. The discoloration was most noticeable while accessing the web, since most websites have a white background. The defect is too subtle to see in the various images in this review, but it’s there. At first I assumed this was just a one-time flaw with my unit, but I noticed the same problem on my European Optimus 3D and confirmed the discoloration with another journalist, too. Perhaps the screen is responsible for AT&T’s delayed launch of the phone, although that is not confirmed. (Update: A second device from AT&T didn’t have this issue so it was clearly limited to my phone or at least an early batch.)

Software

The LG Thrill 4G runs Android 2.2 (Froyo) out of the box but AT&T has promised an Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) update is on the way. Android ran smoothly and I rarely saw any lag thanks to the phone’s dual-core 1GHz processor. LG overlays Android with its own lackluster and ugly user interface. There aren’t any worthwhile widgets aside from a decent third-party weather app, and the icons that infiltrate the status bar and the main menu are too colorful and toy-like for my tastes. The entire UI reminds me of LG’s experience on feature phones, which was never a good thing. Thankfully there are free applications such as LauncherPro that can rid your phone of the ugly icon and UI problem, but I wish LG had left this a “pure Google” experience as it did with the T-Mobile G2x. LG also added several 3D-specific applications and I’ll go over them in the following section.

3D

3D. Whenever I hear the term I immediately think I’m being sucked into a gimmick no better than a holographic trading card. I won’t even go to a 3D movie. You may remember my impressions on 3D when I reviewed the Nintendo 3DS; the display wasn’t impressive and it took away from the gaming experience in a number of titles.

The Optimus Thrill 4G definitely has a superior screen compared to the 3DS though, and since 3D is optional for the most part I, oddly enough, enjoy using it. LG included a full 3D menu that allows you to quickly browse 3D YouTube videos, 3D pictures and videos in your gallery, and fast access to 3D games.There are a couple of decent games that definitely suck you into the 3D experience. I liked playing Let’s Golf 2 in three dimensions and Fragging in Nova was also decent fun, but it wasn’t much better than playing in 2D. Additionally, there aren’t a lot of games pre-loaded, so you’ll need to buy more to keep the experience going. While there’s a YouTube application with dedicated access to 3D videos, I spent most of my time showing off the pre-loaded videos to friends and strangers in bars. The response was nearly always “that’s cool, but who cares?” And that’s the problem: who cares? 3D is somewhat exciting and it works, but at the end of the day it’s totally unnecessary.

Camera

The Thrill 4G’s camera is capable of shooting in both 2D and 3D modes. In 2D mode you can capture 5-megapixel photos and record video in 1080p HD. The stereoscopic 3D cameras are also capable of snapping 3-megapixel 3D images and recording 720p HD video in 3D. Videos came out well. In fact, here’s a video of a Jane’s Addiction concert on YouTube that was filmed entirely in 720p 3D video with a number of LG Thrill units, if you want a better sample of the camera’s quality.

The tricky part with the camera is that if you aren’t in the right light or aren’t careful enough when snapping a photo, there’s actually an overlap of two images and it looks like a blurry 3D mess. When I was careful to steady the phone and snap a photo of an object in a well lit area, the photos came out pretty well. If I held the phone in a darker area, to avoid any glare, the images didn’t appear to pop off of the screen. A shot of chips, salsa, and plates on a coffee table came out really well, as did a picture of a coffee mug on a bookshelf. Other shots, such as those taken down my street, weren’t as impressive. You’ll need to really get up close to your subject in order for it to appear to pop off of the screen. Otherwise the image looks like it has a lot of depth but it doesn’t pop off of the screen.

Another cool feature: you can take shots in 2D and then view them in 3D, although the effects are much better if you take the pictures in 3D originally. Worse, 2D pictures were often on the blurry and washed-out side (see above). Overall, I liked snapping photos better than recording video; the results came out better. Unfortunately, I didn’t have access to a 3D TV to see my home videos blown up.

Call Quality and Data

Call quality on the Thrill 4G was good during my tests. I used the phone daily for a solid two weeks to place a number of phone calls and didn’t have any complaints. I was able to hear the callers on the other end loud and clear and they said I sounded “crisp.” I dropped a couple of conversations but that’s par for the course on AT&T in New York City. One issue I did notice: the signal strength indicator would frequently jump around between two and four bars. The icon doesn’t always reflect the actual signal strength, but there could be issues with the phone’s ability to maintain a solid signal.

As its name implies, the LG Thrill 4G runs on AT&T’s HSPA+ “4G” network. I ran a number of tests with the Speedtest.net application in my apartment, where I usually run my tests, and rarely saw the phone peak over 1Mbps while running a download test. Instead, I averaged about 750Kbps, which is slower than I’ve seen with a number of 3G phones. The phone’s upload speeds were solid, however: I averaged 1.6Mbps in my upload throughput tests.

Battery

I was able to get through a full day with the Thrill 4G without a problem using the phone moderately. Obviously your mileage will vary if you’re spending more time using the 3D display or streaming video, but generally the battery was on a par with the Infuse 4G on AT&T, which is one of the longer lasting Android devices out there.

Conclusion

I like the Thrill 4G because LG tried to differentiate itself with a device that could display and record 3D content. It’s a fun concept and works in practice, but it’s hard to recommend a phone simply because it offers 3D as an option. The third dimension, as it stands in mobile, is purely for entertainment purposes, and the problem is the phone has so many other faults.

The Thrill 4G has a solid build, despite its plastic accents, but it’s far bulkier and heavier than many of its competitors. Call quality was satisfactory, but I had issues with its download speeds in New York City.

Overall, the LG Thrill 4G is just a mediocre device. You might be better served picking up a Motorola ATRIX 4G for the same $99.99 price, as it still packs a mean hardware punch. If it’s power your after though, my advice is to stick around and see how Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S II handset for AT&T turns out.

It has been more than six months since HP officially took the wraps off of the Pre3 and it looks like the company is finally getting ready to bring the phone to market. Pre-orders for an unlocked model of the Pre3 have started on HP’s official German website, but don’t get too excited: the German variant has a QWERTZ keyboard instead of the QWERTY layout we’re accustomed to. Other specs include a 1.4GHz Qualcomm processor, a 3.6-inch 800 x 480-pixel resolution display and a 5-megapixel camera capable of recording HD video. The German Pre3 is priced at €349 ($500) and HP expects the phone to ship within one to two weeks. We expect to hear more about U.S. availability shortly now that the device is launching in other parts of the world.

[Via Engadget]

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Google’s proposed acquisition of Motorola on Monday nearly overshadowed Motorola’s latest Android smartphone, the DEFY+. Like the original DEFY, the DEFY+ is water resistant, scratch resistant and dust proof. It is equipped with a 1GHz processor, Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) with MOTOBLUR, a 3.7-inch screen, a 5-megapixel camera, 2GB of internal storage and a 1,700 mAh battery. Motorola says the DEFY+ will be available in Asia, Europe and Latin America beginning in early fall, but we also suspect we’ll see a variant land on T-Mobile to replace the DEFY. Read on for the full press release.

Motorola Mobility Reveals Motorola DEFY™+

It’s faster, smarter and richer – Motorola DEFY+ is now equipped with faster Web-browsing and the social networking tools you crave to stay connected wherever you go

Aug. 15, 2011

LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – Aug. 15, 2011 – Live life to the fullest with the latest life proof smartphone from Motorola Mobility, Inc., Motorola DEFY^™+. Building on the Motorola DEFY’s life proof heritage, Motorola DEFY+ offers exceptional protection from whatever life throws your way with its water resistant, scratch resistant and dust proof design (IP67). In addition, Motorola DEFY+ has a 1GHz processor that runs 25 percent faster and is more fun with the latest version of Android^™ 2.3 (Gingerbread) delivering a smarter operating system and better battery life to fully enjoy your experiences. Motorola DEFY+ will be available in Asia, Europe and Latin America starting in early fall.

Water resistant, dust proof, and featuring scratch resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass, Motorola DEFY+ can survive a sudden rain shower, a day on the beach, an all-night party – or even a tough workout with the pre-loaded CardioTrainer application, which transforms the device into the perfect running mate. Its brilliant 3.7-inch high-resolution touch-screen display enables you to easily view and track your workout progress. Wherever your days – or nights – take you, Motorola DEFY+ is the life proof device that can keep up with your toughest demands and wildest adventures.

Motorola DEFY+ is faster than ever, keeping up with your on-the-go lifestyles so you can effortlessly browse the Web, stay updated with social networking sites on your homes screens and stream and download rich media content more quickly than before. Motorola DEFY+ offers an Adobe^® Flash^® 10-enabled browser for a rich web experience that allows users to watch their favorite movies or view videos on the Web.

Powered by Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), Motorola DEFY+ is smarter than ever. This new version of Android boasts a better battery life, a more intuitive user interface and improvements on the features you use most – including enhanced calendar and email features and home screen options. Users can make Motorola DEFY+ their own by organizing and personalizing their Application trays for easy and quick access to their most used tools, games and content.

Boredom proof your life; the richest experiences in entertainment and social media are always within reach with Motorola DEFY+. The Music Player lets you access and share your favorite music. You can also stream your favorite music straight from your desktops at home or work, with Motorola Media Link. Motorola DEFY+ also features Google Talk^™ to keep you connected with friends and colleagues, while built in apps like the *Zinio™ e-magazine service allow you to keep up with favourite publications on-the-go. Entertainment doesn’t stop there: Motorola DEFY+ also features a 5MP camera with flash, digital zoom and auto focus, letting users capture the best of their social life and create their very own entertainment whatever the conditions.

“Motorola DEFY+, our latest life proof smartphone, delivers the endurance and design strength to keep up with even the most demanding lifestyles, along with the social and entertainment capabilities that put friends and fun in easy reach,” said Alain Mutricy, senior vice president, portfolio and device product management, Motorola Mobility. “We designed Motorola DEFY+ with all the smartphone features you need for a demanding lifestyle.”

Smart Accessories

A suite of smart accessories ensures users get the most from the Motorola DEFY+. Available accessories include Vehicle Dock, Bluetooth Headset, Bluetooth Car Kit, Portable Power, and Car Charger.

Key Features and Specifications:

• Powered by Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and features more than 250,000 apps from Android Market™
• 1GHz processor that runs 25 percent faster for efficient Web browsing and multitasking
• Water resistant, scratch resistant and dust proof to withstand all that life throws your way
• Features scratch resistant Corning Gorilla Glass
• 3.7-inch high-resolution touch screen display
• Music Player connects you to all your favorite artists
• MOTOBLUR lets users stay in touch with friends, providing quick access to social media accounts and live widgets directly from the home screen
• Motorola Media Link allows users to sync their media content from their desktops at home or work
• Loaded with the ability to create group emails and communication to stay in touch with friends
• Adobe Flash Player 10 for uncompromised viewing of applications, content and videos
• 5MP camera with auto focus, flash and digital zoom
• 2GB internal; *2GB microSD card in box, expandable up to 32GB
• Access to Google™ Apps (Google Maps™ 5.0 with Navigation, Google Talk™, Browsing)
• 1700mAH battery for 7.1 hours of talk time and 16 days in standby

Availability

Motorola DEFY+ will be available in Asia, Europe and Latin America starting in early fall.

Research In Motion announced via its official Twitter account on Monday that AT&T will launch the BlackBerry Torch 9810 on August 21st. We recently had hands-on time with the Torch 9810, which is nearly identical to the Torch handset that came before it, but appreciated the first-class keyboard and updated BlackBerry OS 7 operating system. The Torch 9810 is also equipped with support for AT&T’s HSPA+ network and has a 640 x 480-pixel display, 8GB of storage, a 5-megapixel camera capable of recording 720p HD video, and a 1.2GHz processor. AT&T confirmed on its Facebook page that the Torch 9810 will cost $49.99 with a new two-year contract.

[Via MyDaily-Gadget]

Read [AT&T] Read [RIM]

While the Daytona 500 kicks off a race to the top each year in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, the Nokia 500 is a race to the bottom. Nokia on Monday announced a new Symbian-powered smartphone that will aggressively attack emerging markets and smartphone users on a budget. The €150 ($217) Nokia 500 costs about what most popular smartphones do after subsidies, and it features specs we’re not used to seeing on entry-level devices. Highlights include a 1GHz processor, a 3.2-inch 640 x 360-pixel touchscreen display, a 5-megapixel camera, 2GB of storage and HSPA data. It also weighs just 93 grams, making it the lightest Symbian smartphone to date. As attractive as this handset could be in the low-end market, it begs the question: how long will it be until Nokia can attack young demographics and emerging markets this aggressively with entry-level smartphones powered by Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS? Nokia CEO Stephen Elop has said on numerous occasions that Nokia will be able to push affordable Windows Phones out to market very quickly, but €150 before subsidies is not an easy price point to hit. Nokia did not specify a launch date for the Nokia 500, saying only that it will be available before the end of the year. A pair of videos showcasing the new Nokia 500 follow below.

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T-Mobile on Thursday announced the imminent launch of its latest Android smartphone, the HTC Wildfire S. While the Wildfire brand is much better known outside the U.S., this tiny smartphone definitely packs a punch compared to other affordable Android options. Specifications include a 3.2-inch touchscreen display, a 5-megapixel camera, a 600MHz Qualcomm processor, Android 2.3 Gingerbread and HTC’s Sense UI — all in a 3.99 x 2.34 x 0.49-inch package that weighs just 3.7 ounces. T-Mobile’s HTC Wildfire S will launch on August 3rd for $79.99 with a new two-year contract. The phone will be available in white from T-Mobile’s nationwide retail stores and also in black from T-Mobile’s online shop as well as Walmart and Sam’s Club.

Samsung on Thursday announced that an AT&T-ready version of its Nexus S smartphone will be available from Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile Stores beginning on July 24th for $99.99 on contract. The Nexus S offers a “pure Google” experience and is the first device to get new Android updates. It runs Android 2.3.x (Gingerbread), is powered by a 1GHz processor and is equipped with a 4-inch Super AMOLED Contour display, a 5-megapixel camera, a forward-facing VGA camera for video chat, and a 1,500 mAh battery good for up to 6.5 hours of talk time. Pre-orders for the Nexus S for AT&T begin today. Read on for the full press release.

SAMSUNG MOBILE ANNOUNCES AVAILABILTY OF NEXUS S ON AT&T

Nexus S hits Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile specialty stores, as well as online on July 24; pre-sale begins July 21

DALLAS – July 21, 2011 – Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S.1, today announced the upcoming availability of Nexus™ S from Google™ through Best Buy, Best Buy Mobile specialty stores and www.BestBuy.com/Mobile.

Optimized for AT&T’s network, and powered by Android™ 2.3, Nexus S offers an experience with uniquely powerful technology. Nexus S is designed with Samsung’s special Super AMOLED™ touch screen technology providing a premium viewing experience.  Nexus S runs off of a 1 GHz Samsung application processor, producing rich 3D graphics, as well as faster download and upload times. With Nexus S AT&T customers will now have access to the latest and greatest Google applications and Android updates first.

Nexus S will be available at Best Buy in stores on July 24 for $99.99 with a new, two-year activation. In addition, the phone is available for pre-sale in Best Buy, Best Buy Mobile specialty stores and online at www.BestBuy.com/Mobile beginning July 21.

A Samsung QWERTY slider with Verizon Wireless branding was recently leaked by Android Central. The phone’s slide-out QWERTY keyboard and overall design make it look stunningly similar to the Epic 4G on Sprint, but it’s supposed to offer beefier hardware. Rumor has it the device will run on Verizon’s 4G LTE network and is powered by Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread). It’s equipped with a 1GHz processor, 512MB of RAM, possibly a Super AMOLED Plus display, an 1,800mAh battery, a 5-megapixel camera as well as a forward-facing 1.3-megapixel camera for video chats. If it does indeed pack a single-core processor, you can be rest assured this probably won’t launch as a modified Galaxy S II. Depending on the price and release date it looks like the phone could serve as a good option for those who want an alternative to the Motorola DROID 3. Read on for a two more images.

[Via Android and Me]

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AT&T on Monday announced pre-order availability of its first “Facebook Phone,” the HTC Status. Social butterflies on the nation’s No. 2 wireless carrier can pre-order the sleek smartphone for $49.99 on contract beginning immediately, and the phone will arrive in stores this Sunday, July 17th. Aimed squarely at young Facebook fanatics, the HTC Status features Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread, a QWERTY keypad, a 5-megapixel camera and a dedicated Facebook sharing button. “We can’t wait to put the HTC Status in the hands of our young customers who will waste no time tapping into Facebook to update their friends,” said AT&T Senior VP of Devices, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets Jeff Bradley in a statement.  “We’re also really pleased to offer the hottest new smartphone at an affordable price to this important, socially savvy youth market.” Also of note, Best Buy will be the exclusive purveyor of the HTC Status in a special limited edition mauve color when the phone launches next week. AT&T’s full press release follows below.

HTC Status Offers One-Touch Facebook Sharing For Just $49.99

First Mobile Phone with Dedicated Facebook Share Button Available for Preorder on ATT.com Arrives in AT&T Stores on July 17

Dallas, Texas, July 11, 2011

Key Facts

• AT&T begins presales of the HTC Status today on http://www.att.com/.
• The first phone with a dedicated Facebook share button, the HTC Status is exclusive to AT&T customers for $49.99 with a two-year contract.
• Best Buy stores to offer exclusive color.
• HTC Status available in time for back-to-school shopping season.

HTC Status

The ultimate phone for customers who love posting on Facebook what they’re doing, seeing or listening to, the HTC Status is the first phone to feature a dedicated Facebook share button.  Not just a link to a mobile Facebook application, the button lets you quickly share what you are doing on Facebook with a simple press.  It is also context aware and lights up when there is an activity to share, such as a song you are listening to, a website you are viewing or a photo you have taken.

The Facebook share button allows people to:

• Post instantly on your wall or a friend’s wall by pressing the Facebook share button from your home screen.
• Take a picture or shoot a video and share it instantly with a press of the Facebook share button. You can also post multiple pictures at one time and label and tag them before posting.  Or even post photos automatically as you’re taking them.
• Check in to Facebook Places by pressing and holding the Facebook share button from the home screen.
• Share something cool on the Web with a quick press of the Facebook share button and be the first with the news.
• Let your friends in on the music you love with the push of a button by pressing the Facebook share button to post the song title and other details.

The HTC Status runs on the Android 2.3.3 (Gingerbread) platform, AT&T’s first smartphone to do so. It is also the first phone in the US with an enhanced version of HTC Sense™ that integrates Facebook into more places than ever before. Facebook content and information is integrated in the clock, dialer, calendar, address book and photo gallery. The HTC Status also features a Facebook chat application that lets you maintain your chat conversations, even when you navigate away to take a call, browse the Web or play a game.  And the Facebook chat widget shows who is available to chat and allows you to initiate a conversation with just a tap.

The HTC Status, with its uni-body design with sleek metal accents, is easy to customize to reflect your style with widgets, shortcuts and wallpapers, and its customizable lock screen lets you open your favorite application quickly when you unlock the screen.

The HTC Status also sports a 5-megapixel camera with auto-focus and LED flash on the back and a front facing camera to easily capture and share self portraits. Above the dedicated physical keyboard, HTC Status has a 2.6-inch touch screen with 480 x 320 resolution and capacitive navigation buttons.

Exclusive custom cases and a screen protector will also be available for sale with the HTC Status at AT&T company-owned retail stores.  Customers can choose from hard- and soft-shell case options from Speck and AGF. The HTC Status will be compatible with a number of universal micro-USB charging options, Bluetooth headsets and corded stereo headsets such as the IFrogz Luxe corded headsets with integrated microphone, which will be available in four colors, black, silver, pink and blue.  Accessories will also be available for sale in AT&T’s online store.

Pricing and Availability

Arriving in stores as the lead device in AT&T’s back to school promotions starting July 17, the HTC Status will be available in AT&T stores and online for $49.99 after a two-year contract. (Minimum $15 data plan required.) Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile standalone stores will feature an exclusive mauve edition.

A leak document picked up by SprintFeed suggests that Sprint will launch the Motorola Titanium, an Android smartphone with a full QWERTY keyboard, on July 24th for $149.99. The Titanium is no secret as Motorola officially announced it in May, but the company didn’t provide pricing or launch details at that time. The phone supports push-to-talk and offers a military-grade ruggedized design that’s resistant to dust, shock, vibration, low pressure, solar radiation, high temperatures, and low temperatures. It’s equipped with a 3.1-inch touchscreen display and a 5-megapixel camera, but sadly only runs Android 2.1 (Eclair). The price and date aren’t official just yet, but $149.99 sounds about right to us.

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AT&T on Wednesday announced a smartphone BGR readers knew was coming — the HTC Status. AT&T’s version of the HTC ChaCha is now official, and it features Facebook integration deeper than any other phone on the market, barring the HTC Salsa, of course. We’ve already seen it live and in person, and we’ve handled the international version personally so we can say that the build is surprisingly solid for a mid-tier phone. Spec highlights include a 2.6-inch touchscreen display above a full QWERTY keypad, Android 2.3 Gingerbread, HTC’s Sense UI, an 800MHz processor, a 5-megapixel camera, a secondary front-facing VGA camera for video chat and a 1,250 mAh battery. Pricing and availability have not yet been announced.

Today, HTC launched a new page on Facebook, all about the HTC Status, coming exclusively to AT&T this summer. You know those priceless moments with your friends on Facebook—that quick pic, inside joke, or perfectly timed post? The first device with a Facebook share button, the HTC Status ensures those moments happen more often, keeping you at the center of your social circle. The HTC Status lets you share just about anything with just one touch, including music, photos, location and status updates. HTC Status also features a chat widget that allows you to, at a glance, see when your friends are online. You can start a live instant chat and juggle between as many private conversations as you want, all straight from the device.

“HTC Status brings a Facebook experience to people who want to share their experiences with their friends faster and easier than ever before,” said Jason Mackenzie, President, HTC Americas. “With a dedicated Facebook share button combined with the hallmark HTC Sense experience, HTC Status makes it easy for people to stay connected to the things that are important to them.”

Dedicated Facebook share button

• One touch to share- Press the Facebook share button from your home screen to instantly post on your wall.
• Snap, shoot, share- Take a picture or shoot a video and share it instantly with a press of the Facebook share button. You can even post pictures automatically as you’re taking them..
• Quick-on-the-draw check-in- Just long press the Facebook share button to check in your location with Facebook Places.
• Be first with the news- See something cool on the web? Share your latest find with a quick press of the Facebook share button.
• Post to your wall – or a friend’s wall – From the home screen, a quick tap of the Facebook HTC share button makes sharing anything on your mind quick and easy.
• Share what you’re listening to- The Facebook share button glows when you’re listening to music, to let you know you can share. Let your friends in on the music you love with the push of a button.

Lock screen shortcuts

Instead of a barrier, the HTC shortcut lock screen just became a launch pad to what you want to do now! Open your favorite apps by just dragging their shortcut icons into the lock screen ring.

See what’s happening before you pick up

Every time you get or make a call, you see your friend’s profile picture and latest status update right on the call screen. If it’s their birthday that week, you’ll see that, too.

Special effects for photos and videos

Anyone can be an artist. Use camera effects to make your photos and videos look like they’ve been taken through special lenses and filters—like Sepia for an old-fashioned look, or Aqua for a touch of cool. Apply effects right in the viewfinder, or apply them afterwards in the Gallery.

Front and back cameras

Take a spontaneous self-portrait or a quick cheek-to-cheek pic with your best pal on the VGA front-facing camera—or just double-check your hair with the Mirror app. With the 5.0 MP main camera with LED flash, you can capture every moment, with pictures or high-quality video.

A smarter ringer

The “Quiet ring on pickup” setting reduces the ring volume when you pick the phone up. The “Pocket mode” setting increases ring volume when your phone is in a pocket or bag, and then returns the volume to a reasonable level when you take it out.

Tech Specs

• Platform: Android™ 2.3 + HTC Sense
• Display: 2.6-inch touch screen with 480 x 320 resolution
• Network: Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 UMTS/HSDPA 850/1900
• Memory: 512 MB RAM, 512 MB ROM
• Processor: MSM7227, 800 MHz
• Battery: Rechargeable lithium-ion battery, 1250 mAh
• Camera resolution: 5 MP main camera with autofocus, VGA  front-facing camera

Please check out the HTC Status Facebook page and the AT&T Facebook page for more information on the device as we get closer to retail availability.

The HTC EVO 4G is definitely one of Sprint’s most popular smartphones. In fact, even almost a year after its release, it’s still selling like hotcakes. Sprint faced serious demand issues with the EVO 4G well after the launch, and the nation’s first 4G smartphone is still one of the best. Let’s talk about the HTC EVO 3D, though. The follow up to the original HTC EVO 4G is packed to the brim with features, and will be the first 3D-capable device on the market when it launches. Is the HTC EVO 3D a better phone than the original EVO 4G? Does the addition of a 3D display add real value to the phone or is it just a headache-inducing novelty, as it is on other portable devices? Hit the break to find out.

Hardware / Display

The HTC EVO 3D builds on the original EVO 4G in every way possible. It’s thinner, it feels better in the hand, and it’s way more powerful. While the first EVO featured a 1GHz processor, the EVO 3D runs a smoking 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm CPU with a 4.3-inch 960 x 540 qHD display, dual 5-megapixel cameras around back for 3D photo and HD video capture, 1080p HD video playback, a front-facing camera, and a whopping 1,730 mAh battery.

The device stays true to some of the first EVO’s styling cues while introducing a much more refined, almost retro look if you will — at least from the back. The front of the device sports an anodized black aluminum frame and the Android menu buttons below the screen look almost identical to the original 4G device. An addition this time around is a dedicated two-step camera shutter button on the right side complete with 2D / 3D switch to toggle 3D capture for photos and video. While a dedicated camera shutter button is great, I’d actually have preferred one a little smaller, as I hold the device in my right hand mainly when I’m using it and the shutter button can get in the way sometimes.

You’ll also find a volume up/down key on the right side. On the left side you’ll see a lone microUSB port, and toward the top of the EVO 3D there’s a 3.5mm headset jack and a power button. Unfortunately, the power button has little to no tactile feedback, and it makes locking and unlocking the EVO 3D somewhat tedious. The EVO 3D feels incredibly solid and well-built though, and while the diagonal grooved pattern on the rear battery cover could be considered distracting at times, it feels worlds better than the EVO 4G.

The display on the HTC EVO 3D is an interesting subject. On one hand the display is pretty sharp, colors look great, and it’s decently bright. On the other, because of the 3D stereoscopic screen overlay, it’s not as sharp as other HTC devices like the Sensation 4G. More on that shortly.

Software

The EVO 3D runs HTC’s latest Sense 3.0 user interface, which is identical to the HTC Sensation 4G I recently reviewed. As such, there’s not much need to go over everything again. In the case of Sprint’s new EVO, Sense blends its nifty 3D effect with an actual 3D-capable display making for a much more cohesive experience for consumers. I was actually a tad bit disappointed that more of the device wasn’t “3D” at first, as I figured HTC and Sprint would extend the 3D capabilities beyond just photo / video capture, and video playback. Instead, I haven’t noticed much if any difference between the Sensation 4G and the EVO 3D as far as HTC’s UI is concerned. Regardless, the 3D effects on HTC Sense 3.0 are decent enough.

3D

While 3D televisions are still lackluster, glasses-free 3D works much better on a mobile device in my opinion. One of the great things about the EVO 3D is that the screen doesn’t require you to wear glasses to view 3D content (can you imagine having to wear a pair of 3D glasses when looking at your smartphone?). The stereoscopic screen is decent. It’s two panels that make one, in straight up terms, and you have to have a perfect viewing angle in the middle of the device for it to work, otherwise you’ll see two images overlaid on each other and won’t get the actual 3D effect.

After using the device for around 10 minutes on and off, I finally got the hang of the perfect positioning, and 3D content looks good, not great. The effect seems pretty natural, though the screen itself has what looks like ridged scan lines running through the display. It’s not always overly noticeable, but I’m someone who notices something if it’s off by a pixel, and this screen sort of looks like those old hologram baseball cards that you’d turn left to right to see an animated scene.

As far as the 3D content, you have the ability to capture 5-megapixel images in 3D or 720p HD video in 3D. With an HDMI-out port that also doubles as a microUSB port, throwing your 3D content onto a 3D-capable TV or display couldn’t be easier: just connect that micro-HDMI cable and you’re good to go. I like the ability to sort of future-proof your content by taking 3D stills and videos.

The EVO 3D also comes preloaded with The Green Hornet movie in HTC’s Watch movie service for free, though I couldn’t get it to load no matter how hard I tried. I kept getting a “downloading license” message and no movie, but hopefully this issue is ironed out ahead of launch. There’s also a 3D Spiderman game that looks pretty decent, though it’s more of an arcade-style ordeal. Besides other 3D games available to purchase from Gameloft, YouTube now supports 3D content on the EVO 3D, and there is a little icon next to the video letting you know it’s available in 3D.

Phone / Speakerphone

Using the phone on the EVO 3D hasn’t been the best experience. Phone calls sounded distorted most of the time with the earpiece speaker, callers sounded hollow and thin, and volume wasn’t too great either. Signal reception is a different story, as the EVO 3D performs great in this department. Sprint service typically isn’t incredible, but the way the EVO 3D latches onto signals make it that much better.

The rear speaker on the EVO 3D performs pretty well. It’s pretty loud, though it lacks some low and mid-range oomph and it lacks projection as well. The speakerphone fares about the same — it’s loud, but not that loud, and it’s a little flat.

Battery

The EVO 3D packs a huge 1,730 mAh battery, and while you’d think that was enough, you kind of have to think again with a 4G-capable device. In 3G mode the EVO lasts for up to a day with moderately-heavy usage. With 4G WiMAX on and connected, however, that quickly drops to around 4-5 hours of on and off usage. It’s better than the first EVO, but it’s definitely not ideal. If you don’t live in a 4G service area, the EVO 3D should be able to get your through a day under normal circumstances. Light up 4G, and you’ll probably have to recharge some time in the early afternoon unless your phone just sits idle on your desk all day.

Conclusion

HTC’s EVO 3D is the first device to hit the market in the U.S. with a stereoscopic 3D display, but that’s just an added feature. At the end of the day, the EVO 3D is a better, faster, thinner, lighter, and more capable EVO 4G. The battery life is slightly better, the screen has been improved, there’s a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, 1080p HD video capture, and plenty more. The 3D part is just a nice add-on.

I actually liked being able to take photos and videos in 3D and play them back right on the device. I also enjoyed hooking the phone up to my 3D television and playing back the content in 3D. Like I said earlier, I like future-proofing content, and I’d rather have 3D content that 2D content if I can.

It took a couple days for the HTC EVO 3D to grow on me — from the build and design, to the user interface, to the 3D aspect — but after spending a week with it, I can confidently say this is my favorite Sprint phone, hands down. The Motorola Photon 4G is interesting, and from what I saw I liked it a lot. The EVO 3D, however, offers a complete end-to-end Android experience with HTC’s Sense 3.0 UI, and coupled with improvements in every area over the original EVO 4G, plus the ability to capture and view 3D content, it makes for one hell of a compelling package.

The HTC EVO 3D will be available from Sprint for $199 with two-year agreement starting June 24th.

Google is two devices deep in a quest to deliver its vision of what a mobile device should be, while pushing the envelope forward as far as specifications and collaboration is concerned. BGR has exclusively learned that Google’s next Nexus device, possibly called the Nexus 4G, is going to be an absolute beast. We have been told that the Google Nexus 4G will feature a next-generation dual-core 1.2GHz or 1.5GHz CPU, and contrary to reports about it featuring an NVIDIA Kal-El processor, our source indicates it’s most likely an OMAP 4460 or a, ultra low-power 28nm Krait-based Snapdragon. The display is said to be a 720p HD “monster-sized” screen, and it won’t feature physical Android menu buttons below the screen anymore — everything will be software-based. More after the break.

Additionally, we can expect a 4G LTE radio, 1GB of RAM, 1080p HD video capture and playback, a 1-megapixel front-facing camera, and a 5-megapixel rear camera. The 5-megapixel camera, however, is said to be an advanced 5-megapixel sensor delivering class-leading image quality in addition to superior low-light performance. The Google Nexus 4G will run Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and hold everything together in an ultra-thin package. We were told that Google is aiming to make the phone available around Thanksgiving, and our source couldn’t confirm a carrier, leading us to believe this might be one of the first AT&T 4G LTE smartphones. It’s also possible that this device will just be the flagship/reference Ice Cream Sandwich device — just like the Motorola DROID and Motorola XOOM were for Android 2.0 and Android 3.0, respectively — and not a Google Nexus-branded product, so we’ll have to wait and see. In either case, this sounds like an incredible phone regardless of what label is under the dress.

We had heard early rumors, but now it’s official — the 16GB Wi-Fi edition of RIM’s BlackBerry PlayBook is now available from Sprint for $499.99. If you’re unfamiliar with the specs, here’s a quick rundown of what the tablet has to offer: the PlayBook sports a 7-inch 1024 x 600 WSVGA display, a 1GHz dual-core processor, support for 1080p HDMI-out, a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera, a 3-megapixel front-facing camera for video chat, 1GB of RAM, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR support. If you’re looking for 4G speeds on the go, Sprint has also said that it expects to launch a WiMAX version of the tablet sometime this summer. Hit the jump for the full press release.

BlackBerry PlayBook with Wi-Fi Available from Sprint on June 5

The much anticipated BlackBerry® PlayBook™ tablet with Wi-Fi® connectivity and 16 GB of storage will go on sale in all Sprint direct ship sales channels, including Sprint Stores, Business Sales, www.sprint.com and Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1) on Sunday, June 5, for $499.99 (plus tax).

BlackBerry PlayBook delivers a professional-grade, consumer-friendly experience that redefines the possibilities of mobile computing. This ultra-portable tablet, measuring less than half an inch thick and weighing less than a pound, looks and feels great. It features a vivid 7-inch high-resolution display that is highly-responsive with a fluid touch screen experience. It also offers industry-leading performance, uncompromised web browsing with full Adobe Flash support, true multitasking, HD multimedia, advanced security features and out-of-the-box enterprise support.

Customers that have a BlackBerry smartphone can also benefit from BlackBerry® Bridge™, a unique feature that allows the user to wirelessly and securely connect their BlackBerry smartphone, running OS 5.0 or higher, to the BlackBerry PlayBook over Bluetooth®. The secure connection allows the user to access their BlackBerry smartphone’s email, address book, calendar, memo pad, task list, BBM™ (BlackBerry® Messenger™) and browsing functionality using the large display on the tablet.

BlackBerry Bridge is available as a free download on BlackBerry App World™ and will be supported on BlackBerry smartphone data plans from Sprint for no additional charge.

BlackBerry PlayBook features include:

7-inch 1024×600 WSVGA capacitive LCD touch screen
Ultra-portable at less than a pound and less than one-half inch thick: 0.9 lbs (425g) and 5.1″ x 7.6″ x 0.4″ (130mm x 194mm x 10mm)
1GHz dual-core processor
BlackBerry® Tablet OS with support for symmetric multiprocessing
MP3, AAC and WMA audio playback
Support for high resolution video playback (H.264, MPEG4, WMV)
1080p HDMI output
Two 1080p HD cameras for video conferencing and video capture – 3 megapixel front-facing and 5 megapixel rear-facing
1 GB RAM memory
16 GB internal storage
GPS, Orientation Sensor (Accelerometer), 6-Axis Motion Sensor (Gyroscope), Digital Compass (Magnetometer)
Stereo speakers and stereo microphones
Wi-Fi® (802.11 a/b/g/n) connectivity
Bluetooth 2.1+EDR support
In addition to the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet with Wi-Fi, Sprint and RIM are working together on the BlackBerry 4G PlayBook tablet.

The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited.

AT&T announced that the HTC HD7S — its fourth Windows Phone device — is now available for $199.99 with a new two-year contract. The HTC HD7S was originally announced in March during CTIA, and it offers a 4.3-inch Super LCD display, a 5-megapixel camera with dual-LED flash, a 1GHz processor, and more. The phone will not launch with Microsoft’s new Windows Phone Mango update, but it should be getting that update when Mango is released in the fall.

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