Samsung announced the Transform Ultra for Sprint on Monday, an Android 2.3-powered smartphone with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. The Transform Ultra is powered by a 1GHz processor and has a 3-megapixel camera, a secondary front-facing VGA camera for video chat, a 3.5-inch touchscreen display with an HVGA resolution, 512MB of RAM, 2GB of on-board storage, a 1,500 mAh battery and support for Sprint’s 3G network. Neither Sprint nor Samsung have announced pricing or a release date for the Transform Ultra, although we suspect it will hit the market in time for the holiday season at a budget-friendly price. Hit the break for Samsung’s fact sheet.

Samsung Transform™ Ultra

Highly-customizable Android experience

Samsung Transform Ultra is a premium android powered device that delivers a truly customizable experience even faster than before and at an affordable price. Samsung Transform Ultra, powered by Android 2.3 Gingerbread, features access to Google Mobile™ services and more than 250,000 applications through Android Market. It has a powerful 1GHz processor, a 3MP rear-facing camera and VGA front-facing camera for video chat while on the go. Equipped with Sprint ID users can also completely customize their experience based on their needs and interests. Users can automatically get ringers, wallpapers, apps and widgets downloaded to your phone in one click.

Productivity

• 3.5” HVGA touch screen with full QWERTY keyboard
• 1GHz processor
• Android 2.3 with Sprint ID customizable user interface
• Sprint 3G (EVDO Rev. A) network

Entertainment and Personalization

• Dual Cameras- 3 MP camera and VGA front facing camera
• Sprint ID, a user-friendly means of customizing Android content on mobile phones. Allows users to instantly download ID packs that deliver a predefined experience, including applications, widgets, ringtones and wallpapers, all at once.
• Android Market™ – browse and download thousands of free and paid apps from around the world
• WiFi and GPS capable
• MP3 Player with MicroSD card slot (supports up to 32GB)
• Stereo Bluetooth® Wireless technology

Specifications

• Processor: 1 GHz Qualcomm  MSM8655
• Dimensions: 4.57 x 2.40 x 0.55 inches; 4.9 ounces
• Display: HVGA 480 x 320 pixels
• RAM/ROM: 512MB/2GB
• 1500 mAh Li-ION inner cell battery with up to 7 hours¹ continuous talk time

ARM announced the Cortex-A7 MPCore processor on Wednesday, which it is touting as its most power efficient mobile processor yet. The Cortex-A7 is just one-fifth the size of the Cortex-A8 but provides 5x the energy efficiency and greater performance. The single-core chip was designed for use in budget-friendly smartphones that will be priced under $100. ARM explained that it can create a system on a chip (SoC) with better performance and longer battery life by taking advantage of “Big.LITTLE” processing, which combines a Cortex-A15 MPCore with a Cortex-A7 processor. The first smartphones to use the new chip are expected to hit the market in 2013. Read on for the full press release from ARM.

ARM Unveils its Most Energy Efficient Application Processor Ever; Redefines Traditional Power And Performance Relationship With big.LITTLE Processing

19 October 2011

Addresses one of today’s industry challenges: extending consumers’ always on, always connected mobile experience with both improved performance AND longer battery life

Cambridge, UK – 19th October 2011 – ARM today announced the ARM® Cortex™-A7 MPCore™ processor – the most energy-efficient application class processor ARM has ever developed, and big.LITTLE processing – a flexible approach that redefines the traditional power and performance relationship. The Cortex-A7 processor builds on the low-power leadership established by the Cortex-A8 processor that is at the heart of many of today’s most popular smartphones. A single Cortex-A7 processor delivers 5x the energy-efficiency and is one fifth the size of the Cortex-A8 processor, while providing significantly greater performance. The Cortex-A7 processor will enable a rich user experience in sub-$100 entry level smartphones and help connect the next billion people in developing markets.

One of today’s technology most significant challenges is how to create a System on Chip (SoC) that meets the conflicting consumer demand for devices with both higher-performance AND extended battery life. Big.LITTLE processing, enabled by Cortex-A7, achieves this by pairing the best of the high-performance Cortex-A15 MPCore and ultra-efficient Cortex-A7 processors. Big.LITTLE processing allows devices to seamlessly select the right processor for the right task, based on performance requirements. Importantly, this dynamic selection is transparent to the application software or middleware running on the processors.

ARM Partners supporting these technologies include Broadcom, Compal, Freescale, HiSilicon, LG Electronics, Linaro, OK Labs, QNX, Redbend, Samsung, Sprint, ST-Ericsson and Texas Instruments. Quotes and video comments can be found below and at http://www.youtube.com/ARMflix

Mobile usage has changed significantly and today consumers are increasingly using their smartphone for the majority of their connected lives. This includes high-performance tasks, such as web browsing, navigation and gaming, and less demanding ‘always on, always connected’ background tasks, such as voice calls, social networking and email services. As a result, the mobile phone has become an indispensible compute device for many consumers. At the same time, new mobile form factors, such as tablets, are redefining computing platforms in response to consumer demand. This is creating new ways for consumers to interact with content and brings what was once only possible on a tethered device to the mobile world.

By developing big.LITTLE processing and the Cortex-A7 processor, ARM has addressed the challenge for technology that can deliver both high-performance, required for content creation and consumption, while also delivering extreme power efficiency for extended battery life. This is particularly pertinent as smartphones and tablets continue to evolve into the primary platforms that consumers use to interact with our increasingly connected world.

Cortex-A7 – extending ARM low-power leadership
The efficiency of the ARM architecture is the reason why ARM processors use less power and occupy a smaller footprint. The Cortex-A7 processor occupies less than 0.5mm2, using 28nm process technology, and provides compelling performance in both single and multicore configurations. Used as a stand-alone processor, the Cortex-A7 will deliver sub-$100 entry level smartphones in the 2013-2014 timeframe with an equivalent level of processing performance to today’s $500 high-end smartphones.

The ARM vision of the entry level smartphone market is to redefine usage in the developing world by helping connect the next billion people to Internet content and services over mobile devices.

Big.LITTLE processing – the right processor for the right job
Big.LITTLE processing combines two different, but compatible processors within the same SoC and allows the power management software to seamlessly select the right processor, or multiple processors, for the right task. The processors appear identical from an applications software perspective.

The ‘LITTLE’, lowest-power processor – in this case, the Cortex-A7 – runs the Operating System (OS) and applications for basic always-on, always connected tasks, such as social media and audio playback. The OS and apps can then be seamlessly migrated to the higher-performance processor as demands increase for high end tasks, such as navigation and gaming. The time for this migration is in the order of 20 microseconds.

This flexible approach of choosing the right processor for the right job enables highly optimized processing which results in significant energy savings for common workloads.

System IP and tools ensures coherency and optimization for multicore solutions
The efficient and seamless switching of workloads between the two processors is supported by advanced ARM system IP, such as AMBA® 4 ACE Coherency Extensions. This ensures full cache, I/O and processor-to-processor coherency between the Cortex-A15 and Cortex-A7, and across the complete system. Software and applications can therefore continue to run unhindered, and unnoticed by the user, as the tasks are rebalanced to provide the optimum big.LITTLE user experience.

Big.LITTLE power management software is developed by ARM ecosystem partners months ahead of silicon availability using ARM DS-5 tools and Fast Model virtual prototyping technology. The virtual platform, available now to lead partners, contains the Cortex-A15 and Cortex-A7 processors, as well as cache coherent interconnect System IP, allowing full system software development.

Android tablet vendors should follow Amazon’s lead and introduce lower-priced devices with Amazon content or exit the market altogether, one analyst recently suggested. Nomura International technology securities analyst Richard Windsor believes Amazon will dominate the cheap end of the tablet market with its new Kindle Fire, while Apple’s iPad will continue to own the high-end. Other tablet makers with iPad-like prices are still “living in denial,” Windsor said. “The main effect of the potential sea change triggered by Amazon could be a change in roadmap to cheaper products or possible tie-ups with Amazon,” Windsor argued in a recent research note. “With the advent of the Amazon Kindle Fire, many of the other tablet makers are in a bit of a quandary as they are left with expensive tablets without a comprehensive content offering.” Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) will be detailed on Tuesday, October 11th during a press conference in San Diego and Windsor also believes the new OS may help tablet makers compete better with the iPad. BGR will reporting live from the event.

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Sprint announced on Thursday that it will launch the Kyocera Milano next week for $49.99 with a new two-year contract. The Milano is a very basic Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) handset with a full slide-out QWERTY keyboard. It comes equipped with a 3.2-megapixel camera, 512MB of memory, a 2GB microSD card and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. It also has a 3-inch display with a relatively low 320 x 240-pixel resolution. The Milano will launch on September 9th in tandem with the Kyocera Brio, a basic feature phone that will be free with a new two-year contract. Read on for the full press release from Sprint.

Sprint and Kyocera Launch Two Family-Friendly Phones in Time for Back-to-School

Kyocera Milano brings QWERTY keypad and Sprint ID customization to heavy texters and first-time Android users; With a comfortable candy-bar form factor, Kyocera Brio offers Sprint customers a simple way to stay connected

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., and SAN DIEGO – Sept. 8, 2011 – Sprint (NYSE: S) and Kyocera Communications Inc. (KCI), provider of Kyocera and Sanyo-branded wireless phones in the Americas, today announced the launch of two devices in their lineup, Kyocera Milano and Kyocera Brio. Ideal for heavy texters and Android newbies, Kyocera Milano is an entry-level “QWERTY plus touchscreen” smartphone running Android™ 2.3, Gingerbread, and featuring Sprint ID. Kyocera Brio offers a simple way for users to stay connected with friends and family without all of the bells and whistles.

Both devices launch September 9 in all Sprint retail channels, including web (www.sprint.com) and Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1). Kyocera Milano will be priced at $49.99 (excluding taxes) and Kyocera Brio will be available for free (excluding taxes); both with a new two-year service agreement or eligible upgrade and after a $50 mail-in rebate via reward card1.

“At Sprint, we strive to offer an ideal wireless device for every customer’s needs, including those who prefer simplicity without sacrificing style or substance,” said David Owens, vice president-Product Development, Sprint. “The Kyocera Milano bridges the gap from feature phone to Android smartphone, making it ideal for those just starting to make the switch. Kyocera Brio focuses on a truly effortless wireless experience.”

With a distinctive rounded shape and soft-touch finish, Kyocera Milano has a low profile that makes it easy to hold and slide into a pocket. The phone’s slide-out QWERTY keyboard enables accurate tactile input for text messages and emails. Its touchscreen is augmented by Swype®, which provides a faster and easier way to enter text on any screen when used with the device’s virtual keyboard. One continuous finger or stylus motion across the screen keyboard is all it takes to enter words using Swype. The patented technology enables users to enter words faster and easier than other data input methods, at up to 40 words per minute.

“The touchscreen experience on smartphones is extremely popular, especially when optimized with an app like Swype, but many smartphone users are still looking for the familiar tactile experience of a full QWERTY keyboard,” said Eric Anderson, senior vice president and general manager of sales and marketing at KCI. “Kyocera Milano delivers an easy-to-use, customizable Android experience with multiple keyboard options in a compact package for less than $50. It’s ideal for those making the leap to Android but not wanting to give up their QWERTY keyboards.”

Kyocera Milano’s ‘Eco Mode’ is a proprietary preloaded power-management application from Kyocera that helps users manage battery life on their devices. User can pre-set a point (based on percentage of battery charge remaining) at which their phones will go into low-power-consumption mode by automatically adjusting various phone functions like screen timeout and brightness. Additional key features on Kyocera Milano include:
Sprint ID, which helps users cut through the clutter of Android Market’s 250,000 apps, allowing them to select from a variety of ID packs that feature apps, ringers, wallpapers, widgets and more downloaded onto their device with a couple simple clicks. Available ID packs include E!,  MTV Music ID, Green and NASCAR
3.2MP camera with camcorder
512MB onboard memory
2GB microSD™ memory card included (and supports up to 32GB)
Wi-Fi hotspot capability2, supporting up to five devices
Google™ Mobile Services
Full Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync® support
Sprint Zone™ for one-stop access to account information, phone tips, news and more

Kyocera Milano requires activation on one of the Sprint Everything Data plans plus a required $10 Premium Data add-on charge for smartphones. Sprint’s Everything Data plan with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM includes unlimited Web, texting and calling to and from any mobile in America while on the Sprint Network, starting at just $69.99 per month plus required $10 Premium Data add-on charge (pricing excludes taxes and surcharges) – a savings of $40 per month vs. Verizon’s comparable plan with unlimited talk, text and 2GB Web, or $10 per month vs. Verizon’s 450-minute plan with unlimited text and 2GB Web. The Mobile Hotspot option is available for an additional $29.99 per month and supports up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously (pricing excludes taxes and surcharges).

Kyocera Brio, a simple handset whose candy-bar form factor includes a curved QWERTY keyboard and contoured keys, is ideal for the budget-conscious user who wants convenient messaging and a 1.3MP camera. With school just starting, teens and tweens will enjoy staying in touch with friends while mom and dad get peace of mind with Kyocera Brio’s low-cost, parental controls and Sprint Family Locator. Pricing plans available for Kyocera Brio include Talk plans starting at $39.99 per month (excluding taxes) and Everything Messaging plans that include voice services and unlimited messaging starting at $49.99 per month (excluding taxes). Additional features on Kyocera Brio include:
Email, text messaging and Web browsing
Ergonomically designed QWERTY keyboard for quick, easy typing
Sprint Mobile Email (SME) and Sprint Mobile Email Work (SMEW)
MicroSD card slot (supports up to 32GB)
Bluetooth® 2.0

In addition to tying for first place among wireless carriers, Sprint is the most improved company in customer satisfaction, across all industries, over the last three years based on the results from the 2011 American Customer Satisfaction Index.

Nokia’s head of North American sales Chris Weber sat down in an interview Business Insider recently and explained how the Finnish company will regain its market share in the United States by writing “one of the greatest turnaround stories in history.” Weber said that Nokia will release a number of new smartphone models running Microsoft’s Windows Phone Mango operating system and will compete with Android by pricing several of them lower than the cheapest Android models. Weber reconfirmed that Nokia is still on track to release its first Windows Phone handset this year, likely the SeaRay device we’ve seen leaked, but said the majority of its phones will begin to land next year. Business Insider also said that Nokia is deeply integrated with Microsoft’s plans for a complete tablet, PC and mobile phone ecosystem, which loosely suggests Nokia may have a tablet in the works, too.

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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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Images of what is claimed to be an entry-level iPhone 4 prototype have surfaced online courtesy of a site called Tinthe. The same site in the past published photos of an engineering sample white iPhone that featured what is said to have been a very early test build of iOS 4, in addition to having the white plastic MacBook before announcement and release. The iPhone this time around appears to be an iPhone 4-like device, except the user that uploaded the photos claims it’s more of an “iPhone 4 lite” with plastic casing on the front and rear opposed to the glass exterior the current model features. From the photos however, this to me looks like a pre-production white iPhone 4 at best, and at the very worst, an aftermarket conversion kit commonly found on the streets of China and online. Additionally, the phone looks like it’s jailbroken which wouldn’t make much sense. Lastly, we exclusively reported that Apple would be selling its least expensive iPhone product, the iPhone 3GS, alongside the iPhone 4 and soon-to-be introduced iPhone 5. Why would Apple want to have a lower-cost iPhone 4 that looked like the company’s now high-end — and soon to be mid-end — iPhone 4? If you’re still not convinced that this product is either not ever being released, or is an aftermarket creation, there are a few more photos after the break for you.

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Apple has inked deals with numerous additional parts suppliers for its upcoming iPad refresh according to a new report from DigiTimes, further supporting the notion that the tech giant plans to unveil a new version of its market-leading tablet later this year. Citing industry sources, the report claims Taiwan-based component manufacturers including Novatek Microelectronics, Richtek Technology, Capella Microsystems and Integrated Memory Logic have been awarded contracts to supply integrated circuits for the iPad 3. Contrary to previous speculation that Apple’s next iPad would be a high-end “Pro” model, DigiTimes states that Apple is seeking to utilize lower cost parts from Taiwanese suppliers in order to “compete with an array of tablet PCs to be launched by rivals in the second half of 2011.” A more likely scenario, however, is that Apple may simply be looking to offset the added expense of the upcoming iPad’s Retina Display with cheaper circuits. Such a move could allow the Cupertino-based company to launch its next-generation iPad at the iPad 2′s current price points. Apple is expected to unveil its new iPad this fall alongside the iPhone 5.

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Samsung’s newest budget Android phone is now available in the U.S. from T-Mobile. The Samsung Dart is a Froyo phone that sports a 3.14-inch QVGA display, a 3-megapixel camera with video capture support, 512MB of internal memory, microSDHC support up to 32GB and a 1,200 mAh battery. The specs clearly seem a bit dated, but for the low price of free on contract, this is a great budget Android phone for teens and first-time smartphone buyers.

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On Thursday T-Mobile introduced two new Android phones that will be priced under $100 after rebates: the Samsung Gravity SMART and the Samsung Exhibit 4G. The Exhibit 4G runs the latest Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) operating system, has a 1GHz processor, a 3-megapixel camera, and offers support for T-Mobile’s 21Mbps HSPA+ 4G network. The Gravity SMART runs Android 2.2 (Froyo), has 3.2-inch touchscreen display, a 3-megapixel camera with LED flash, and also offers a full four-row slide-out QWERTY keyboard. T-Mobile says both phones should be available this month, although pricing was not announced. Hit the jump for the full press release.

T-Mobile USA and Samsung Mobile Introduce Two New Feature-Rich and Budget-Friendly Android™-Powered Handsets

Expected to become available this month, the Samsung Exhibit™ 4G and Samsung Gravity™ SMART will each deliver on-the-go entertainment and connectivity for less than $100

T-Mobile USA, Inc. and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S. ¹, today announced the upcoming availability of two new feature-rich Android^™-powered handsets, the Samsung Exhibit^™ 4G and Samsung Gravity^™ SMART, each less than $100 after a $50 mail-in rebate and with a qualifying rate plan on a two-year agreement.

“The Samsung Exhibit 4G and Samsung Gravity SMART will expand T-Mobile’s product portfolio to include two affordable options for customers who crave rich connectivity and unique entertainment experiences,” said Andrew Sherrard, senior vice president, product management, T-Mobile USA. “T-Mobile is continuing to help families easily make the move to smartphones with these new Android-powered handsets, together with data plans as low as $10 per month, all running on America’s largest 4G network^™.”

“The Samsung Exhibit 4G and Samsung Gravity SMART are two examples of Samsung’s commitment to delivering quality smartphones at a variety of price points,” said Dale Sohn, president, Samsung Mobile. “The Samsung Exhibit 4G shows Samsung’s dedication to delivering premium entertainment content, while the Samsung Gravity SMART builds on the success of our Gravity line of phones with premium messaging options, both at an exceptional value.”

Samsung Exhibit 4G

One of the fastest smartphones running on America’s Largest 4G Network™², the Samsung Exhibit 4G is a full-featured, touch-screen device that does not compromise on rich entertainment capabilities. Powered by Android 2.3 Gingerbread and equipped with a speedy 1GHz processor, the Exhibit 4G delivers a full entertainment package to the palm of your hand at blazing fast speeds.

Through the delivery of faster speeds comes an enhanced viewing experience when enjoying live and on-demand channels from preloaded T-Mobile® TV, including free programming from select stations like ABC News Now, FOX Sports, PBS Kids and Azteca America. Customers also have the option to rent or purchase their favorite movies and TV programs directly from the Samsung Media Hub, which features a robust collection of new releases and TV shows. In addition, the Exhibit 4G offers hours of amusement with preloaded family favorites such as Bejeweled^® 2, Hasbro’s SCRABBLE (in U.S. and Canada only) and Doodle Jump.

Becoming available in two color finishes — violet and black — the Exhibit 4G is the perfect companion for someone looking for their first, or next, Android smartphone. With theoretical peak download speeds of 21Mbps, capturing and sharing memories via email, social networks or video is quick and easy. The Exhibit 4G comes equipped with a 3-megapixel camera with flash and a camcorder, as well as a front-facing camera with video chat pre-installed, enabling customers to virtually connect with friends and family via T-Mobile’s network or Wi-Fi.

Samsung Gravity SMART

As the first Android-powered handset in the successful Gravity product lineup, running on Android 2.2 Froyo, the Samsung Gravity SMART is perfect for T-Mobile customers who are looking for an affordable, yet functional messaging device. Built to deliver a premium messaging experience, the Gravity SMART comes equipped with Group Text^™ and combines a spacious, horizontal, four-row, slide-out, QWERTY keyboard with a 3.2-inch touch-screen display featuring Swype^™ for easy text input, even with the keyboard closed. In addition, pin it notes enables customers to pin important messages to Gravity SMART’s home screen for quick reference.

Keeping in touch with friends and family is easy and fun with the Gravity SMART, which features integration with popular social networking sites and a full HTML Web browser for posting and viewing status updates. The Gravity SMART also includes a 3-megapixel camera with LED flash, digital zoom and a camcorder for capturing photos and videos.

The Samsung Exhibit 4G and the Gravity SMART offer access to more than 200,000 applications available on Android Market^™ and full integration with Google Mobile^™ services.

Availability

The Samsung Exhibit 4G and the Samsung Gravity SMART, both exclusively from        T-Mobile, are expected to be available to T-Mobile customers in June. Customers can visit http://samsung.t-mobile.com/exhibit-4g for more information on the Samsung Exhibit 4G or http://www.t-mobile.com or http://www.samsung.com/newsroom for more information on the Samsung Gravity SMART.

AT&T officially announced the Pantech Crossover on Tuesday, Pantech’s first Android smartphone. The Crossover is powered by a 600MHz processor, runs Android 2.2 (Froyo), sports a full slide-out QWERTY keyboard, a 3.1-inch touchscreen display, support for 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi networks, a 2GB microSD card, a 3-megapixel camera, and a 1,500 mAh battery good for up to five hours of use. It may not offer the best specs, but it does come with an affordable price tag. You’ll be able to pick up the Pantech Crossover on June 5th for just $69.99 with a new two-year A&T contract. Hit the jump for the full release.

AT&T to Offer the Sporty Pantech Crossover

New Android 2.2 Smartphone Available to AT&T Customers June 5

AT&T Inc.

DALLAS, May 31, 2011 — /PRNewswire/ –

Key Facts

• Perfect for first-time smartphone users, the Pantech Crossover™ is the first Android™ smartphone from Pantech in the U.S.
• Crossover boasts a slide out full keyboard, a 3.1-inch touchscreen display, 600 MHz processor, 3-megapixel digital camera with camcorder, the popular AllSport GPS™ app and Mobile Hotspot support.
• Pantech Crossover will be available from AT&T* at company-owned stores and online at www.att.com on June 5 for $69.99 with a two-year contract and minimum monthly data plan.
• Pantech Crossover will be one of the premier phones promoted this summer on the Dew Tour, a major coast to coast action sports tour, of which Pantech is the official handset sponsor.

Customer Benefits

The Pantech Crossover™ makes it seamless for active people to stay connected through messaging and social media. Ideal for customers looking for additional features, personalization and convenience in their next phone, Crossover runs the Android 2.2 platform, has a side-sliding, full QWERTY keyboard, a five screen customizable interface, and an easy-to-use 3.1″ touch screen to access apps, widgets and more. For users ready to make the switch from a messaging phone to smartphone, Crossover is a simple take on the popular Android operating system.

Crossover’s durable design means it can go wherever you go. With a textured back cover and rubberized corners, it’s not afraid of a little action and is packed with features customers use most. The full QWERTY keyboard makes it a breeze to text, email and surf the web, and from the touchscreen, AT&T customers can use Android Market™ to grab the latest apps for social networking, games and more. Crossover is preloaded with AllSport GPS™, an application that offers workout tracking, maps, a calorie counter and more features for your active lifestyle. Sporty good looks and durable design come together to make Crossover a perfect fit for any active lifestyle.

In addition, Crossover also offers AT&T Mobile Hotspot to connect up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices for customers who choose a tethering plan. Customers can also enjoy unlimited Wi-Fi usage on the entire national AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spot network with qualifying data plans.

Key Specifications

• Android™ 2.2 (Froyo)
• 3.1″ Full Touchscreen Display with Full Keyboard Slider
• HSPA Tri-Band 850/1900/2100 MHz; Quad-Band GSM850/900/1800/1900 MHz
• Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n
• 2GB card preinstalled
• microSD™ Memory Card Supports up to 32GB
• 4.45″ (L) x 2.28″ (W) x 0.56″ (D), Weight: 5.15 oz
• 3-megapixel camera with camcorder, fixed focus, 4x zoom
• 600 MHz processor
• Micro USB and 3.5mm headset jack
• 1500 mAh Lithium-ion battery; Up to 5 Hours, Standby Time: Up to 360 Hours
• Voice Recognition
• Accelerometer

To learn more about the Pantech Crossover, visit www.att.com/mobilephones-news.

“Our Android portfolio continues to grow with unique options for customers of all types,” said Michael Woodward, vice president, Mobile Device Portfolio, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “The Pantech Crossover with its unique finish and full keyboard will introduce new and existing customers to smarthphone features for the first time.”

“Crossover is the latest addition to our popular lineup of AT&T mobile phones,” said Wyatt Whaley, vice president of product planning for Pantech Wireless. “As our first Android™ smartphone for AT&T customers, we’ve made sure that Crossover has all of the features our users consider indispensible and more – a full keyboard for messaging, a touchscreen for apps and games, easy access to favorite social media pages and many others. Crossover is a simple, sporty Android device for people on the move and it will be a central part of this year’s exciting Dew Tour.”

Trying to save a few bucks for your summer vacation? Today, Verizon Wireless officially launched “Unleashed,” the carrier’s own unlimited prepaid service. A spokesperson told Fierce Wireless that the service is available in parts of Florida and Southern California, to start. Customers can choose between four different plans — including daily and by-the-minute — but the most attractive offering is a $50 monthly option that provides unlimited calling, texting, and web browsing. There are only three feature phones available from Unleashed right now, including the LG Accolade ($39.99), the LG Cosmos ($99.99), and the Pantech Caper ($79.99). By contrast, Boost Mobile, which offers a similar $50 monthly unlimited plan, has 18 different phones including a few that are powered by Android. If you’re looking to save some cold hard cash without sacrificing cell phone minutes or text messages — or Verizon’s coverage — then Unleashed should do the trick.

[Via CNET]

Read [Verizon Wireless] Read [Fierce Wireless]

Images of what appears to be the unannounced Nokia C2-06 have been leaked by Hackintosh India. Judging from the photos, the C2-06 will be a new S40 device with a slider form factor that’s capable of accepting two SIM cards at the same time. A dual-SIM phone is a good option for frequent travelers, or for two people that want to share a single device with two phone numbers. The device appears to have a low resolution touchscreen as well as a slide-out full alphanumeric keypad. Given the lack of amenities like Wi-Fi or 3G, we suspect this Touch and Type phone will likely be launched in emerging markets. Hit the jump for two more images.

[Via Unwired View]

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Ahead of any official announcement, Samsung has published images and information surrounding its upcoming Android-powered Gem smartphone. The Samsung Gem is thought to be launching soon with regional carrier Cellular South, which currently has six Android phones in its portfolio ranging from the $49.99 HTC Hero 6250 to the $199.99 Samsung Galaxy S Showcase. While pricing for the Samsung Gem has not yet been revealed, it is expected to land among the mid-range Android phones in the carrier’s catalog. The Gem features a 3.2-inch WQVGA touchscreen display, an 800MHz processor, a 3.2-megapixel camera, GPS, Wi-Fi, microSDHC support and the Android 2.1 Eclair operating system.

[Via Phone Scoop, pocketnow.com]

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As Verizon Wireless continues to expand its Android lineup beyond DROID-branded devices, we’re seeing some nice inexpensive options from Big Red… and it doesn’t get any less expensive than free. We’ve known for some time that the LG Vortex — a CDMA version of the T-Mobile Optimus T — was on its way to to Verizon. Now, we have official confirmation of the Vortex’s imminent launch thanks to an appearance on the Verizon website above a “coming soon” label. What’s more, Engadget Mobile reports that the upcoming smartphone will be available for free on contract. It’s not clear if this is just promotional pricing for the holidays or if the Vortex will be free for good, but it’s definitely a solid deal on a perfectly capable Android Phone. The LG Vortex is an entry-level Android 2.2 device with a 600MHz processor, a 3.2-megapixel camera and a 320 x 480-pixel touchscreen display.

[Via Engadget Mobile]

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