Might as well let other major mobile operating system manufacturers in on the location-tracking scandal fun, no? While Apple, and to a much lesser extent Google, have come under fire for their phone location storage practices, other major OS manufacturers have been silent. We’re not sure being the “squeaky wheel” would pay dividends in this instance. That hasn’t stopped the media from asking, however, and CNET posed the question to Microsoft: what do you track?

“Microsoft says its operating system transmits the MAC address of the Wi-Fi access point (but not the name), signal strength, a randomly generated unique device ID retained for an unspecified limited period of time, and, if GPS is turned on, the precise location and direction and speed of travel,” writes CNET. “That happens when the ‘application or user makes a request for location information,’ the company says.”

CNET has a laundry list of questions for Microsoft that remain unanswered. The current location brouhaha now has the attention of the courts and some distinguished members of the United States Congress — so we’re betting most major mobile operating system manufacturers will be answering questions in an official capacity in the near future.

[Via WPCentral]

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Via a press release today, AT&T announced that it will be offering two, Android-based LG handsets in both the prepaid and postpaid variety. The postpaid Phoenix and prepaid Thrive both sport a 600MHz processor, 3.2-inch touchscreen display, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, aGPS, 3.2 megapixel rear-facing camera, microSD card slot, and 7.2Mbps HSDPA radio. Both smartphones, which run Froyo (Android 2.2) will be available on April 17th with the Phoenix retailing for $49.99 with a signed two-year agreement and the Thrive retailing for $179.99 contract-free. Prepaid customs that purchase a Thrive must sign-up for one of three new, prepaid data-plan offerings also announced: $25 for 500MB, $15 for 100MB, or $5 for 10MB. The full press release is after the break.

AT&T and LG Launch First Smartphone for GoPhone

LG Thrive™ and its post-paid version, LG Phoenix™ available on April 17 from LG Mobile Phones. Both Android 2.2 Devices Available In AT&T Stores Nationwide

Dallas, Texas, April 12, 2011

Key Facts

• AT&T* will begin selling LG Thrive™ and LG Phoenix™ on April 17.
• LG Thrive™ is AT&T’s first prepaid smartphone. GoPhone customers can choose from new data packages with no long-term commitment required.
• Both smartphones will be available for purchase nationwide at AT&T company-owned retail stores and in select national retail locations.
• Both feature a 3.2 inch color full-touch display, Android™ 2.2 platform, Exchange email support, unlimited Wi-Fi usage on the entire national AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spot network and a 3.2-megapixel camera.

Android Portfolio

AT&T is a pioneer in smartphones and devices, and expects to widen its portfolio in 2011. In January, AT&T committed to a robust Android portfolio, including more than 12 new Android devices this year. Delivering users on-the-go access to the growing Android Market™, LG Thrive™ will be the first Android smartphone available for GoPhone customers.

LG Thrive™ Data Packages and Voice Plans

In addition to providing access to applications and contacts, AT&T is introducing a new prepaid data package with the LG Thrive, offering 500 MB of data for $25. Each of the following options are available to customers who choose the Smartphone $0.10/min Plan or Smartphone $2/day Unlimited Talk and Text Plan. Prepaid customers who choose a smartphone like the LG Thrive must choose a data package in order to use data services.

• NEW: $25 FOR 500MB
• $5 for 10MB (previously $4.99 for 1MB)
• $15 for 100MB (previously $19.99)

The above data packages include unlimited Wi-Fi usage at thousands of AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots from your smartphone.

AT&T is also adding value to data pay-per-use pricing for non-smartphone customers with five times the data for the same price. The new pricing is $0.01 per 5kb (previously $0.01 per kb).

LG Thrive ™ and LG Phoenix™

LG Thrive™ boasts the latest Android features, including robust HTML browsing, integrated synching of Google ™ account features, Facebook® and Twitter apps for social networking, flexible personalization with up to seven customizable home screens, and unlimited Wi-Fi usage at thousands of AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots nationwide, included as part of the smartphone data plan required with either device.** LG Phoenix™ offers similar features to its prepaid counterpart as well as Mobile Hotspot and data tethering support which allows the sharing of the phone’s mobile broadband connection with other devices.***

Key Specifications

• Android 2.2 platform
• HSDPA 7.2 3G data speeds
• 600MHz application processor
• 3.2” 320 x 480 262k color full-touch display
• Wi-Fi/aGPS capable
• 160MB User Memory w/ microSD storage (up to 32GB)
• 2GB microSD card installed
• 3.2MP Auto-focus camera
• Stereo Bluetooth
• Quad-band GSM / Tri-band 3G (world capable)
• 1500 mAh long-life battery
• Text/Picture and Video Messaging support
• POP3/IMAP/Gmail/EAS email support

On April 17, AT&T will begin selling LG Thrive™, in silver for $179.99. To use data services on the Thrive™, a GoPhone smartphone plan and data package are required.

The LG Phoenix™ will be available on the same day in dark blue for $49.99 and requires a two-year agreement.

Both devices will be sold in company-owned retail stores and in select national retail locations.

Learn more about the LG Thrive™ and LG Phoenix™ at www.att.com/mobilephones-news.

Quotes

“We are excited to add LG Thrive™, the first smartphone for GoPhone, to AT&T’s growing Android portfolio,” said Judy Cavalieri, vice president, Voice and Prepaid Products, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “Thrive brings more choice and more value to our GoPhone customers by delivering the benefits of a smartphone, balanced with functionality and affordability.”

“The range of smartphones available at LG and AT&T is a tribute to our consumers,” said Tim O’Brien, vice president for marketing for LG Mobile Phones. “LG Thrive optimizes data capabilities and value with a fully customizable experience. We look to continue our history of AT&T firsts.”

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

** Restrictions apply. See www.attwifi.com for details and locations.

*** Mobile Hotspots and Tethering require a DataPro 4 GB Plan. Devices connected to your Mobile Hotspot or by tethering use data from your DataPro 4 GB Plan. An overage rate of $10 per each 1 GB provided, applies if you exceed the included monthly data allowance. Performance may vary depending on the number of devices connected and other factors. If you do not use a password, others will be able to use your Mobile Hotspot connection. For more details on Data Plans, go to att.com/dataplans.

**** Prices may vary at independent retailers.

LG Phoenix: Limited time only. Qualified customers only. Subscriber must live & have a mailing addr. within AT&T’s owned wireless network coverage area. Requires two year contract and new activation, and an eligible voice plan and eligible smartphone data plan starting at $15 a month. $36 activation fee. Early Termination Fee: Up to $325. Sales tax calculated based on price of unactivated equipment.

Mobile Broadband Coverage not available in all areas.

Price and Availability****

HTC has just officially taken the wraps off the Sensation 4G moments ago, the company’s latest Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) smartphone. The Sensation 4G has all of the trimmings of a high-end device, including a dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor clocked at 1.2GHz, a 4.3-inch “super” LCD display with a 960 x 540 resolution, an 8-megapixel camera with auto-focus and 1080p HD video recording, a forward-facing camera for video chats, 768MB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage, and an 8GB microSD card. It also packs some of HTC’s latest software developments, including a new version of HTC Sense with an active lock screen that allows you to launch your favorite applications while the phone is locked, and HTC Watch for streaming movies almost instantly.  As its name implies, it supports HSPA+ in the 1700MHz AWS frequency band, and wouldn’t you guess it? It’s hitting T-Mobile in the United States this summer. Hit the jump for the full release.

HTC unveils multimedia superphone, the HTC Sensation™ 4G

HTC brings one of its most advanced smartphones ever to the United States exclusively to T-Mobile customers

BELLEVUE, Wash. – April 12, 2011 – HTC Corporation, a global leader in mobile innovation and design, today introduced the HTC Sensation 4G, a smartphone that shines a spotlight on entertainment with HTC’s new HTC Watch™ video service. Crafted with premium design elements, the HTC Sensation 4G features the company’s latest customer-focused HTC Sense™ experience that puts people at the center by making their smartphones work in a more simple and natural way. The HTC Sensation 4G will be available in the US exclusively at T-Mobile USA beginning this summer.

“Consumers have quickly transformed smartphones into consumer lifestyle hubs that are pocket-sized entertainment centers that enable people to take their favorite multimedia content with them wherever they go. The new HTC Watch service makes it fun and easy for people to access premium movies and TV shows while on the go,” said Peter Chou, CEO of HTC Corporation. “The HTC Sensation 4G combines this great multimedia experience within the latest HTC Sense experience in a premium device that delivers a powerful and unprecedented smartphone to our customers.”

“The HTC Sensation 4G delivers the ultimate in speed and entertainment on America’s Largest 4G network,” said Andrew Sherrard, senior vice president of marketing for T-Mobile USA. “With a lightning-fast dual core processor and 4G speeds, customers will feel the difference when accessing rich media and content on the HTC Sensation 4G’s beautiful qHD display. We look forward to adding the HTC Sensation 4G to our industry-leading lineup of 4G smartphones.”

Premium Design and Materials

Tapping into HTC’s trademark design language, the HTC Sensation’s premium look and feel is enhanced by its rounded edges, aluminum unibody construction and the touch screen surface is protected by a contoured screen that feels more natural as a finger is glided across it. The 4.3-inch qHD display delivers high-resolution widescreen viewing and gives the HTC Sensation slender proportions that feel natural in a person’s hand. At the heart of the HTC Sensation beats a powerful, 1.2-gigahertz dual-core Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ processor, which enables gorgeous graphics and all-around fast performance.

HTC Sense

Complementing the HTC Sensation’s premium design is the latest HTC Sense experience that boasts a host of new features and enhancements, helping people to have more fun and get more done. For instance, HTC Sense introduces a customizable active lockscreen experience that transforms the lockscreen into a real-time window to the most important information and content, such as social updates, photos, weather or stock updates that are viewed by simply turning on the display. In addition, the new active lockscreen becomes a customizable gateway that lets people quickly jump to the most used features, like making a phone call, sending an email, taking a picture or anything else with the same quick gesture usually used to unlock the phone. For instance, the camera can be launched right from the lock screen with a single motion, saving precious seconds when you’re trying to capture the action. Sharper graphics, vibrant animations and new widgets make HTC Sense look better than ever and, by continuing to focus on all of the aspects, both large and small, that make HTC Sense special, HTC introduces a more cinematic and immersive weather experience with stunning imagery and audible weather effects.

HTC Sense also makes it easy to have fun by enabling people to capture and share special moments. The HTC Sensation’s 8-megapixel camera doesn’t just shoot gorgeous photos but, with the new instant capture feature, lets people capture the moments they want without worrying about missing or keeping up with the action. The HTC Sensation also shoots full HD video in 1080p resolution, with full stereo sound, at up to 30 frames a second, giving you smooth video that is better than many other phones. With the new Video Trimmer tool, people can crop their clips to the perfect size for easy sharing with friends and family.

HTC Watch

The HTC Sensation is a smartphone that is built from the ground up for a sophisticated, evolved multimedia experience. The 4.3” widescreen display means that users can watch movies like they were meant to be seen – in their full cinematic glory, with no cropping or letterboxing. The HTC Sensation is also the first smartphone to feature HTC Watch – an application and service that puts an entire library of the latest, premium movies and TV shows right at your fingertips, letting people discover the latest video content in an easy and visually engaging way. HTC Watch uses progressive download technology that makes it possible to watch videos without waiting for a huge file to finish downloading. HTC Watch offers the choice of renting or buying videos, and if purchased, lets you watch them on up to five different HTC devices.

If you’re a keyboard lover and can’t kick that feature-phone addiction, there is a new handset on the block as of today. Samsung’s A927 Flight II sports a 3″ touch screen, sliding keyboard, and HTML browser. It is also full compatible with AT&T’s mobile TV service, featured a 2 megapxel camera, Bluetooth, aGPS, and support for up to 16GB of microSD storage. It’s available today from RadioShack stores, and most likely will be hitting AT&T store shelves in the coming week or so.

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Anyone who owns a Palm Pre Plus on Verizon Wireless is painfully aware of the poor GPS performance. It especially hits you when trying to get a GPS fix in any location-based application. VZ Navigator works flawlessly and many people launch VZ Navigator to the splash screen in order to activate the aGPS on the phone and then use this data in a third party application like Google Maps. Though it works, this technique needs to be repeated each time you need an instant GPS fix. Thanks to James Harris and his GPS Fix application, those days of constantly launching VZ Nav may be over. This new application activates the GPS and keeps its alive in the background by pinging the GPS for location data at user-determined intervals. It is a crude workaround that may drain your battery but it works in a pinch and is a better alternative than hacking your phone with QPST and modifying the settings for the GPSOne chipset, a technical procedure that could brick you phone. Yeah, we went there. For those that are interested, the GPSFix application is available from the Palm Beta Feed

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As of March 7th, AT&T is officially in the Android game, as Ma’ Bell made the Motorola Backflip official today in a press release. A quick recap of the Backflip: 7.2 HSPA 3G, 3.1″ touch-screen display, Android OS 1.5 (upgradeable to 2.1), 5 megapixel camera, Wi-Fi b/g, Bluetooth 2.0, aGPS, 3.5 mm headphone jack, microSD slot (support for up to 32GB), fully QWERTY “back flipping” keyboard, and Motorola’s MOTOBLUR UI. The Backflip will retail for $99.99 after $100 mail-in rebate and a 2-year contract. The Backflip definitely isn’t the most high-powered Android handset on the market, and not one that is likely to make DROID or Nexus One owners jealous. However, the Backflip is the first of four Android handsets AT&T committed to deliver in 2010, and to that we say keep em’ coming! We’ve got the official press release queued up for you.

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It looks as if Dell’s Android handset is getting ready for prime time with AT&T as a new filing found on the FCC’s website has revealed the Mini 3iX. With both 850/1900 MHz bands of UMTS as well as Wi-Fi on board, the 3iX is likely to be identical to the Mini 3i which was unveiled in mid-August by China Mobile, the only difference being the aforementioned. If this is indeed the case then we’re looking at a 3.5″ 360×640 touchscreen display, 3 megapixel camera, A-GPS and support for Microsoft Exchange. The question is, will anybody even care?

[Via Unwired View]

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It’s always a lot of fun for us — and hopefully for you, the readers — any time we can run wild with pictures, news, and even reviews of an unannounced handset. Today, however, RIM spoiled our fun and formally announced the BlackBerry Bold 9700. Things like carriers, release dates and pricing have been withheld for the time being, but RIM has made a statement saying that we should all expect to see the BlackBerry 9700 go on sale “around the world beginning in November.” Spec wise, nothing has changed since our pre-release review, but just in case some of you forgot or weren’t paying a whole lot of attention, here’s a quick refresher on the critical specs:

• BlackBerry OS 5.0
• 624MHz CPU
• 256MB flash memory and support for microSD cards up to 32GB
• Quad-band UMTS/HSDPA (800/850/1900/2100 MHz) or tri-band UMTS/HSDPA (900/1700/2100 MHz)
• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE
• Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g with UMA support (carrier dependent)
• A-GPS
• 2.44″ HVGA+ display
• 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus and LED flash
• Optical trackpad
• Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP/AVCRP
• 1500 mAh battery
• 6 hours of talk time and 17 days of standby (3G)
• 109mm x 60mm x 14.1mm, 122g

In short, this is the BlackBerry device of your dreams. We’re expecting pretty much every single major GSM carrier on the planet to pick up the 9700 sooner or later, so we’ll be sure to keep the updates coming. As always, high res pics and a few other odds and ends are available after the jump.

UPDATE: AT&T, Rogers and T-Mobile have announced they will be carrying the Bold 9700 in the weeks ahead. AT&T and T-Mobile’s 9700 will go for $199.99 after a $100 MIR on 2-year deals while Rogers will be asking for $299.99 on a 3-year contract with a monthly minimum voice and data plan of $45. Bell and TELUS have yet to come forward with pricing but have confirmed they will be carrying the device.

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Fantastic news boys and girls — Motorola is holding an Android event on September 10th where it will unveil the Sholes along with a bunch of other Google OS-related goodies! Oh wait, we covered that already? Sorry, it’s just hard to even think about anything else Moto-related at this point, even if it is a noteworthy full touchscreen WinMo phone that will reportedly bring Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity to China Mobile. We first told you about the handset earlier this month and now Chinese paper Sina is reporting that an announcement is imminent. Purported specs include a 3.2-inch WVGA touchscreen display, touch-sensitive buttons beneath the display, 5 megapixel camera with an LED flash, accelerometer, GPS/aGPS navigation and of course handwriting recognition. It’s not every day we see a China-bound handset sport Wi-Fi and 3G (that’s pretty darn sleek no less) so kudos to Moto and we look forward to an official announcement. In the meantime, hit the jump for more shots.

Thanks, J-Glow!

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As Nokia World draws closer, our favorite Finnish phone maker has just taken the wraps off one of several new handsets set to drop in the near future. Yet another full touchscreen device that looks exactly like the 5800, the 5230′s features include a 3.2-inch 360×640 display, 2 megapixel camera, aGPS, 70MB of internal memory and feature three flavors of dual-band 3.6Mbps UMTS/HSDPA (850/1900, 850/2100 and 900/2100). So what could possibly be interesting about this handset, you’re wondering? The price: the 5230 is set to ship in Q4 for €149 ($213 USD) and will be available in red, pink, blue, yellow, silver and dark silver. Hit the jump for a video featuring some of the best music we’ve ever heard.

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Damn are our ninjas good. Dell’s Android-based China Mobile-bound Mini 3i, a smartphone that we first caught a glimpse of in mid-June, is now official. Unveiled today in Beijing, the Mini 3i (also apparently MINI3i) is an Android-based smartphone that runs on the Open Mobile System. Spec wise, the Mini 3i is not particularly impressive especially considering that it is EDGE-only and lacks Wi-Fi. Regardless, the handset is definitely a contender in the Chinese market where not even the carrier-pwner that is Apple can manage to release a Wi-Fi-enabled handset. Here’s the low-down on the specs:

• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE class 12
• Size: 68.6cc
• 103g grams weight
• Dimensions: 58 x 122 x 11.7mm
• Display: 3.5″ nHD 640×360 LCD, 18-bit, 262K colors
• OTA capable
• Microsoft Exchange support
• Google, AIM, Yahoo and MSN IM support
• 3 megapixel auto-focus, flash, 8x digital zoom camera with 30fps video shooting mode, built in photo editor
• USB 2.0, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR
• A-GPS
• On-screen QWERTY keyboard, hardwriting recognition, multi touch UI
• MicroSD slot

Hit the jump for a few more shots.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

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By meticulously sifting through all of the information available on the Bluetooth SIG website, it’s possible to learn about handsets before their existence has been announced by manufacturers. Once in a while however, the grunt work is done for us and someone will jump the gun by publishing some information before it’s ready to go. This is exactly what Bluetooth SIG did on its Twitter account when it linked to information about the upcoming Samsung B7620 which, according to Samsung Hub, will be Sammy’s second Giorgio Armani-branded handset. Just like the suits made by its namesake, the Armani 2 looks as if it is shaping up to be a great little handset with specs that include a 800MHz processor, Wi-Fi, aGPS, FM radio with RDS, business card scanner, “Work & Life” mode, Office Mobile and support for just about every audio and video codec under the sun. In other words, apparently it will make the first Armani phone look like A|X.

[Via Samsung Hub]

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It looks as if we no longer have to wait on LG to complete a slow and painful unveiling of its brand new Black Label series phone — if this is the real deal, of course. A very convincing promotional video popped up on YouTube that, if genuine, not only gives us our first shots of the device but also details the majority of its specs. As expected, the BL40 appears to be a very formidable phone with features that include a 4-inch 345×800 capacitive touchscreen display (note the very unusual 21:9 aspect ratio) under scratch resistant glass, 5 megapixel camera with Schneider-Kreuznach lens, 7.2Mbps UMTS/HSDPA connectivity, Wi-Fi, aGPS and the what appears to be a suped up S Class UI. While we feel it necessary to again stress that this video is in no way official yet and could certainly be a farce, we would love nothing more than to see this puppy materialize. Hit the jump to check out the video.

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For the past two weeks, the Android scene has been all Hero this, Sense that but apparently there are a few other players in the Google game trying to make a name for themselves. Enter Vobis Computer’s HIGHSCREEN PP5420, the newest Android handset to hit the street complete with an IRS tax form sounding name. In terms of specs, the PP5420 is not exactly cutting edge but it’s still sharp enough to go toe to toe with the majority of its competition: Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE and dual-band 7.2Mbps HSPA connectivity, a 528MHz processor, 256MB ROM / 128MB RAM, 3-inch WQVGA touchscreen display, 3 megapixel auto-focus camera, Wi-Fi, aGPS, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR and a 1080 mAh battery. The cost? $500ish unlocked.

[Via Unwired View]

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Life’s a bitch and so is karma, but AT&T is hoping to change that with the Motorola Karma QA1. A goofy looking dumb phone that bears an uncanny resemblance to the Somerset, the Karma is a media-centric device that has home screen access to both Facebook and MySpace as well as support for email, IM, MMS and threaded SMS. In terms of hardware, the quad-band EDGE/dual-band HSDPA Karma packs a sliding QWERTY keypad, 2.5-inch QVGA display, 2 megapixel camera, aGPS, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP, 3.5mm headphone jack and 100MB of internal memory with microSDHC support (up to 16GB). The Karma will be available online and in AT&T stores on the 28th of this month for $79.99 on a 2-year deal after a $50 mail-in rebate. Any takers?

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