Verizon Wireless on Tuesday finally confirmed launch details for the latest addition to its popular DROID family of Android smartphones, the Motorola DROID 4. The sleek QWERTY slider will become available later this week on February 10th for $199.99 on contract, as BGR reported earlier on Tuesday. The DROID 4 features a dual-core 1.2GHz processor and is being billed as the “thinnest and most powerful 4G QWERTY smartphone.” Other highlights include Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread, an 8-megapixel camera, a 4-inch qHD display and the promise of an upgrade to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. The DROID 4 is essentially an updated version of the DROID RAZR, with its QWERTY keyboard seen as only notable difference between the two devices. This makes the DROID 4 the third iteration of the device in as many months, following the recent release of the DROID RAZR Maxx. Verizon Wireless’s press release follows below.

DROID 4 BY MOTOROLA READY TO WORK AND PLAY ON THE VERIZON WIRELESS 4G LTE NETWORK

Power, Speed and Reliability Get the Job Done

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – The award winning DROID 4 by Motorola will be available to handle even the most demanding lifestyles starting Feb. 10 in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com.  Introduced at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the DROID 4 is the thinnest and most powerful 4G QWERTY smartphone measuring at less than half an inch thin.   DROID 4 not only features a dual-core 1.2 GHz processor, but also a five-row QWERTY keyboard with a PC-like layout and edge-lit keys for fast, precise typing, even in the dark.  Powered by America’s fastest, most reliable 4G network, DROID 4 customers will have access to 4G LTE coverage in 195 markets covering more than 200 million people.

Additional features

• Verizon Wireless 4G LTE – Customers can expect fast download speeds of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of 2 to 5 Mbps in 4G LTE Mobile Broadband coverage areas
• Android^™ 2.3.5 Gingerbread, to be upgraded to Android^™ 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
• 4.0-inch qHD display with scratch and scrape resistant glass
• Government-grade encryption (FIPS 140-2) for email, calendar and contacts; preloaded with Citrix^® Receiver^™ for Android (available in webtop) for desktop virtualization and access
• 8-megapixel camera with 1080p HD video capture
• Front-facing camera for video chat
• 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot supporting up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices

Business Ready

DROID 4 is designed to help customers get more done.  Business professionals can impress their audience by presenting to a conference room full of potential customers in a snap by plugging the DROID 4 into an HDTV and presenting directly from the phone.  Professionals can also combine the DROID 4 with the Lapdock 500 and its 14-inch display to create a full-featured mobile office.  They can download documents, make edits using Lapdock’s full keyboard and email the updated documents to colleagues or customers.  The Lapdock even features a built-in webcam so customers can attend virtual meetings and manage their business face-to-face.

The Smart Actions app on the DROID 4 helps automate everyday tasks and optimizes battery efficiency by letting customers create rules, such as automatically setting the phone to vibrate during work hours or dimming the display at a specific battery level.

Business professionals can leave their laptops behind and use the MotoCast^™ app to remotely stream documents, videos, music and pictures from their work or home computers to their handset.  The remote access of MotoCast eliminates the need to store documents on the handset as everything is stored on their office laptop.

Pricing and availability

·         DROID 4 by Motorola will be available on Feb. 10 in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com for $199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement.

·         The Lapdock 500 is available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online for $299.97.

·         Customers that purchase a DROID 4 will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan beginning at $39.99 monthly access and a smartphone data package starting at $30 monthly access for 2 GB of data.

For more information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com. Follow @VZWnews on Twitter for the latest news on Verizon Wireless.

While AT&T’s Nokia Lumia 900 could be an excellent option for someone in the market for a 4G LTE Windows Phone, there’s also the HTC Titan II — which we exclusively revealed — that will soon be available as well. AT&T is currently planning to launch the HTC Titan II for $199.99 with a two-year agreement on March 18th. The carrier is also getting ready to launch a Sony tablet for $409.99 called the Crystal, though it will feature HSPA+ and not 4G LTE. Rounding things out for the latter part of the first quarter is the Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket HD, the Samsung Exhilarate and Sony Xperia ion, though pricing and availability are still unknown.

In addition to news that AT&T is planning to launch the Nokia Lumia 900 at an earth-shattering sub-$100 price point, we have street dates for another highly anticipated smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Note, along with two unannounced Android devices AT&T is currently prepping. AT&T’s phablet is set to hit store shelves on February 18th for $299.99. The Samsung Rugby Smart, which appears to be a entry-level Android smartphone with HSPA+, and the AT&T Fusion will both launch on February 18th as well for  $99.99 and $124.99, respectively. The nation’s No.2 carrier has a big first quarter planned, and while Nokia’s Lumia 900 is shaping up to be the star of the show, Android fans will still have plenty of new options over the next few months.

We just received a portion of AT&T’s 2012 roadmap from a trusted source, and it looks like AT&T isn’t playing around this year. There are some heavy hitters lined up for the first quarter of 2012, and one of the biggest smartphone launches of the quarter is currently scheduled to take place in mid-March. According to our source, the Nokia Lumia 900 is set to launch on March 18th, which has been rumored before. The phone hasn’t yet received technical acceptance however, so that date could change. The bigger news is the phone’s price: AT&T and Nokia are planning to launch this flagship smartphone at just $99.99 on a two-year contract. That price point would make this sleek smartphone an absolute game-changer for Windows Phone, and it makes sense when you think about how much money Nokia and Microsoft are planning to spend promoting the launch. We took a hands-on look at the Lumia 900 during CES earlier this month and Nokia could easily have a hit on its hands when this handset launches later this quarter.

Thanks to one of our sources, we have information on what will be one of AT&T’s many announcements ahead of CES this year — a year that’s sure to be packed with 4G LTE devices. The Pantech Element is currently slated to hit AT&T on January 8th for $299.99 with a two-year agreement, or $449.99 off contract. It features an 8-inch display, a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, Android 3.2 Honeycomb, 16GB of internal storage, advanced “Piezo Motor” haptic feedback, a 5-megapixel rear camera with 1080p HD video capture support and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera for 720p video calling, and the entire package is “waterproof for real life” according to AT&T’s documentation. The actual waterproof rating is IP57, which basically means the tablet is splash resistant as long as all ports are closed. AT&T is being particularly clear during internal training in conveying that the tablet is not actually waterproof and it cannot be submerged. Let’s recap: Pantech, Android 3.2 Honeycomb, waterproof but not waterproof, 4G LTE, 8-inch display… $299.99. Any takers?

Apple’s iPhone 4S is set to launch in China and 21 more markets on January 13th. The popular smartphone was previously rumored to be scheduled for release in the region on January 23rd, but Apple announced on Tuesday that the launch of its latest smartphone will occur 10 days sooner. “Customer response to our products in China has been off the charts,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a statement. “With the launch in China next week, iPhone 4S will be available in over 90 countries making this our fastest iPhone rollout ever.” China is seen as a key growth market for Apple’s mobile devices as well as its MacBook line of notebook computers. Apple announced in October that it sold more than 4 million iPhone 4S handsets during the phone’s debut weekend alone, and the smartphone has launched in dozens of additional regions since that point in time. Apple’s full press release follows below.

iPhone 4S Arrives in China on January 13

CUPERTINO, California―January 4, 2012―Apple® today announced that iPhone® 4S, the most amazing iPhone yet, will be available in China and 21 additional countries on Friday, January 13. iPhone 4S is packed with incredible new features including Apple’s dual-core A5 chip for blazing fast performance and stunning graphics; an all new camera with advanced optics; full 1080p HD resolution video recording; and Siri™, an intelligent assistant that helps you get things done just by asking. iPhone 4S comes with iOS 5, the world’s most advanced mobile operating system with over 200 new features.

“Customer response to our products in China has been off the charts,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “With the launch in China next week, iPhone 4S will be available in over 90 countries making this our fastest iPhone rollout ever.”

Beginning Friday, January 13, iPhone 4S will be available in Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bolivia, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, China, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Grenada, Guam, Guinea Conakry, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Niger, Senegal, St. Vincent and The Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos and Uganda.

iPhone 4S comes in either black or white for a suggested retail price of $199 (US) for the 16GB model, $299 (US) for the 32GB model and $399 (US) for the new 64GB model.* iPhone 4S is sold through the Apple Online Store, Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. iPhone 4 is available for just $99 (US) and iPhone 3GS is available for free with a two year contract from participating carriers.

*Qualified customers only. Requires a new two year rate plan, sold separately.

BGR has learned from a trusted source that HTC is preparing to switch up the company’s strategy a bit in 2012. In order to focus getting quality products to market, we have heard that HTC’s release schedule is going to be shockingly quiet for most of the first quarter next year. HTC will also release fewer phones overall in 2012 compared to 2011, we’re told. We’ve also been given exclusive details surrounding several upcoming phones from the Taiwan-based vendor, including HTC’s first 4G Windows Phone for AT&T and its flagship Android handset for the first half of the year. Hit the break for more.

HTC is currently set to deliver an HTC Titan-like smartphone with a 4.7-inch display and 4G LTE to AT&T — the first LTE Windows Phone we know of — and the release date is currently slated for February 5th, so we should expect a CES announcement. Additionally, we got word that HTC’s flagship handset for the first half of 2012 will be called the HTC Elite. Joining the HTC Ville and HTC Edge, the Elite will obviously run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and it will also have Beats Audio as well. AT&T is going to carry the handset according to our source, and it may launch as the “HTC Congressional,” sad though it may be. The phone is currently scheduled to launch during the first or second week of April. That’s all we have for you for the time being, but stay tuned as we’re working on getting our hands on photos of both phones.

Verizon Wireless on Wednesday finally announced the upcoming launch of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. The world’s first Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich phone with 4G LTE support will become available beginning tomorrow for $299.99 with a new two-year service agreement. BGR reviewed the international version of the Galaxy Nexus last month and called it the best Android device in the world, offering a more cohesive user experience than previous Android builds as well as solid hardware and an amazing screen. The smartphone features a 4.65-inch 720p HD Super AMOLED display, a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 32GB of storage, 1GB of RAM, a 5-megapixel camera with 1080p HD video recording support and an 1,850 mAh battery. Verizon’s version of the handset ads CDMA and 4G LTE connectivity along with a slightly thicker case, though subscribers will certainly be happy to handle a thicker version of the phone in exchange for blazing fast 4G LTE data speeds. Verizon’s full press release follows below, and check out all of the official photos in the gallery.

GALAXY^™ NEXUS^™ BY SAMSUNG NOW AVAILABLE ON THE VERIZON WIRELESS 4G LTE NETWORK

First Smartphone to Combine Android^™ 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and the Power of America’s Fastest, Most Reliable 4G Network

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – Verizon Wireless, Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) and Google^™ announced Galaxy^™ Nexus^™ is available starting today in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com for $299.99 with a new two-year customer agreement.

Customers can browse the Web, stream music and more at blazing speeds using the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network. Galaxy Nexus customers can enjoy access to the 4G LTE network in 190 markets covering over 200 million people across the United States, and fly through the Web with fast download speeds of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of 2 to 5 Mbps within the 4G LTE Mobile Broadband coverage area.

Galaxy Nexus runs Android^™ 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, which brings an entirely new look and feel to Android. Galaxy Nexus offers customers a redesigned user experience with improved multi-tasking, notifications, Near Field Communications (NFC) sharing with Android Beam^™ and a full Web-browsing experience. The lock screen, home screen, phone app and everything in between have been rethought and redesigned to make Android simple, beautiful and useful. Galaxy Nexus also features an ultra-thin 9.47mm design with a 4.65-inch HD Super AMOLED^™ Contour Display to watch movies, view pictures and play games that come to life in 720p (1280×720) resolution.

Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) features:

• Redesigned user interface – software navigation buttons, a first for Android smartphones, and a dedicated recent apps button to make multi-tasking easy
• Face Unlock – use state-of-the-art facial recognition to unlock Galaxy Nexus
• Android Beam^™ – quickly share Web pages, apps, contacts and YouTube^™ videos with friends by simply tapping two compatible phones together
• Redesigned Camera – introduces panorama mode, 1080p video capture, zero-shutter lag for instant photo capturing, and effects such as silly faces and background replacement
• People Application – browse friends, family and coworkers, see their photos in high-resolution and check their latest status updates from Google+ and other social networks
• Cloud Services – keep email, contacts, photos, music, browser bookmarks and other data synced to the cloud, available across multiple devices so customers never lose important data
• Google Music – upload up to 20,000 songs to the cloud, discover and buy new music from Android Market^™, and stream it instantly on Galaxy Nexus and from the Web for free
• Google+ – Create a Google+ account right from the phone and check status updates, manage circles, quickly share updates and photos, video chat with up to ten friends with Mobile Hangouts, and chat with groups of friends with Google+ Messenger
• Support for Google Mobile^™ Services – Gmail^™, Google Maps^™ with 3D maps and free turn-by-turn navigation, Google Earth^™, Movie Studio, YouTube, syncing with Google Calendar^™, a redesigned Google+ app and access to more than 300,000 apps, millions of eBooks, thousands of movies to rent, and millions of songs available to download from Android Market

Additional features:

• Dual-core 1.2 GHz application processor and HTML5 Web browser – optimized dual-core processing with Android 4.0 combined with lightning fast 4G LTE connectivity for fast downloading of graphics, applications processing and Web browsing
• Mobile Hotspot capability – share 4G LTE or 3G connection with up to 10 Wi-Fi-enabled devices
• 5-megapixel rear-facing camera with zero-shutter lag for instant photo capturing, autofocus and LED flash with full 1080p recording
• Front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera for video chat
• Textured soft-touch back cover – enhances the ergonomic feel and makes the phone slip-resistant
• Bluetooth^® 3.0 technology – support for headset, hands-free, stereo, phonebook access, human interface device (HID) and object push for vCard and vCalendar
• 1 GB RAM and 32 GB on-board memory (actual formatted capacity will be less)
• Pricing and data packages:
• Galaxy Nexus is available now in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com for $299.99 with a new two-year customer agreement.
• Customers that purchase a Galaxy Nexus by Samsung will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan beginning at $39.99 monthly access and a smartphone data package starting at $30 monthly access for 2 GB of data.

Customers can visit www.verizonwireless.com/galaxynexus for more information on the Galaxy Nexus. For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

 

Nokia on Wednesday announced its debut Windows Phone for the U.S. market: the Lumia 710. First unveiled in October, the Lumia 710 features impressive specs in a solid package that will be very affordable when it launches next month as a T-Mobile exclusive in the United States. The inclusion of HSPA 14.4 also means T-Mobile will bill the Lumia 710 as one of the first 4G Windows Phones, and we’re told that the smartphone will be prominently featured in T-Mobile stores as Nokia prepares to re-enter the U.S. market. Read on for more.

While the Lumia 710 is Nokia’s first Windows Phone announced for the U.S., Nokia assured us that this handset is one piece of the Finnish vendor’s strategy. Company representatives wouldn’t elaborate for the time being, but we certainly expect to see more from Nokia next month at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Nokia did say that it is making a significant investment in marketing and advertising in the U.S., and early campaigns will include TV, print and digital advertising as well as cooperative efforts with carriers.

T-Mobile’s Lumia 710 is nothing to scoff at, and the carrier is setting its sights on first-time smartphone buyers with this Nokia smartphone. Like the Lumia 800 we reviewed last month, the Lumia 710 user experience is extremely fluid and simplistic, making it a terrific option for users upgrading from a feature phone. Specs include a 1.4GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, a 3.7-inch ClearBlack display, a 5-megapixel camera capable of recording 720p HD video at 30 frames per second, 512MB of RAM, 8GB of storage and a 1,300 mAh battery.

We took a hands-on look at the Lumia 710 in October and thought it was a great value, offering impressive specs and a wonderfully smooth UI in an affordable package. At $50 with a T-Mobile value plan, this phone will likely attract more than just first-time smartphone buyers.

T-Mobile will launch the Nokia Lumia 710 on January 11th in both white and black for $49.99 on a two-year contract after a $50 mail-in rebate. Nokia and T-Mobile’s full press release follows below.

T-Mobile Brings Nokia Lumia 710 to the U.S.  

Nokia and T-Mobile deliver a leading entry-level Windows Phone experience to the nearly 150 million Americans still to make the transition to smartphones. 

BELLEVUE, Wash., and SUNNYVALE, Calif. — Dec. 14, 2011 — T-Mobile USA, Inc. and Nokia today announced the upcoming availability of the Nokia Lumia 710, the first Windows Phone from Nokia in the United States. Targeted at the nearly 150 million Americans who haven’t purchased their first smartphones, the 4G-capable Nokia Lumia 710 delivers high-performance hardware, Nokia’s best social and Internet experience, and access to popular smartphone applications and services from Windows Phone Marketplace.

Running on America’s Largest 4G Network^™, the Nokia Lumia 710 benefits from the unique people-first approach of Windows Phone, bringing together all interactions with family and friends in People Hub. The Nokia Lumia 710 also provides one-click access to popular services, such as Netflix, T-Mobile TV with mobile HD¹ and a leading mobile Web experience with Internet Explorer® Mobile, Bing™ Search with voice activation and Local Scout for locally relevant search results. The smartphone also brings access to signature Nokia experiences, such as Nokia Drive for voice-guided, turn-by-turn navigation and ESPN for exclusive sports content.

“We’re excited to team with Nokia in bringing its first Windows Phone to the U.S. with the elegantly designed Nokia Lumia 710,” said Cole Brodman, chief marketing officer, T-Mobile USA. “Windows Phone offers a compelling mobile OS choice for people who want a smartphone built around them, their family and friends.  We expect it to play a more prominent role in our lineup and marketing efforts in 2012.”

Today, people are increasingly upgrading to smartphones, and many are doing so for the first time. According to the NPD Group, U.S. smartphone sales reached 59 percent in the third quarter 2011, an increase of 13 percent since third quarter 2010. With an increasing demand for smartphones, the Nokia Lumia 710 offers a compelling experience aimed at addressing the needs of the nearly 150 million people in the U.S. who have yet to upgrade to their first smartphones.

“Our research shows nearly everybody in the U.S. wants a smartphone, but many believe they can’t afford it,” Brodman said. “That’s where T-Mobile shines. Our Unlimited Value and Monthly4G plans make it more affordable than ever to step up to mobile data on our 4G network.”

”The Nokia Lumia 710 is the perfect first-time smartphone: a well-designed product that delivers the most compelling Windows Phone experience in its price range and with access to great content and thousands of applications,” said Chris Weber, president, Nokia Americas. “This is the perfect first Nokia Lumia experience and the start of our re-entry into the U.S. smartphone market.”

Available in a black or white finish, the Nokia Lumia 710 features a 3.7-inch ClearBlack WVGA scratch-resistant display for outstanding outdoor viewing and a Qualcomm 1.4 GHz Snapdragon™ processor providing speedy access to entertainment and information on-the-go. It also features a 5-megapixel camera with Nokia’s leading camera technology, enabling people to take pictures in almost any light condition and share on social networks in seconds. With the most integrated work-life solution of any mobile platform via the Windows Phone Office Hub and an interactive mobile gaming experience via Xbox LIVE®, the Nokia Lumia 710 is the complete all-round first-time smartphone experience.

Availability

The Nokia Lumia 710 is expected to be available at T-Mobile retail stores, select dealers and retailers nationwide, and online at http://www.t-mobile.com starting Jan. 11. The Nokia Lumia 710 is expected to cost $49.99 after a $50 mail-in-rebate card, with a two-year service agreement and qualifying Classic voice and data plan. For more information, visit http://www.t-mobile.com/lumia.

Apple’s next-generation iPad tablet will reportedly launch between mid-March and mid-April next year according to a new report. Citing anonymous sources in Apple’s component supply chain, DigiTimes reports that Apple’s iPad 3 will launch in the next three to four months. The sources claim iPad 2 production remains high, likely in the 14 to 15-million unit-range during the fourth quarter this year, but Apple will decrease iPad 2 orders to between 4 and 5 million units in the first quarter of 2012. Foxconn will build between 9.5 and 9.7 million third-generation iPad units in the first quarter according to the report, with production ramping up in February. Read on for more.

Apple’s iPad 3 is expected to be slightly thicker than the second-generation model, seemingly to make room for a high-resolution Retina Display. Earlier reports from an analyst suggested that the iPad 3 would launch in February, but this new report better-aligns with BGR’s exclusive report last week stating that Samsung will unveil a new tablet with a Retina-topping display resolution at Mobile World Congress in February. Samsung is expected to beat Apple’s iPad 3 to market with a launch soon after the new tablet’s unveiling.

Verizon Wireless will finally launch the Samsung Galaxy Nexus on December 9th according to a new report from Engadget. A leaked internal screenshot suggests that materials supporting the launch will arrive in Verizon stores on the 8th, and the hotly anticipated smartphone will then launch the following day according to the site’s unnamed source. The Motorola DROID 4 will launch one day earlier on December 8th according to the report, and retail locations will supposedly be receiving new white DROID RAZR showcase devices beginning today. Earlier rumors suggested that the Galaxy Nexus and DROID 4 would both launch on December 8th, and Verizon Wireless has yet to make any announcements regarding pricing or a firm launch date.

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Android fans could have a big day coming up next week as three sought-after devices are rumored to be launching on December 8th. According to a recent report accompanied by what was claimed to be a screenshot of an internal memo, Verizon Wireless plans to launch both the Samsung Galaxy Nexus and the Motorola DROID 4 next Thursday. Now, according to online retailer Newegg, ASUS plans to launch its Eee Pad Transformer Prime convertible tablet on the same day. Currently available for pre-order, the Transformer Prime is set to be the first tablet to tout a quad-core Tegra 3 processor when it launches next month. Other spec highlights include a removable QWERTY keypad, Android 3.2 Honeycomb, a 10.1-inch display, 1GB of RAM, an 8-megapixel rear camera, a 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera, a microHDMI-out port and SD card support. The tablet retails for $499.99 (32GB) or $599.99 (64GB) and it is available in gray or champagne.

[Via Engadget]

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While Verizon Wireless has yet to announce any release details surrounding the latest Nexus smartphone, a series of leaks seemingly paint a complete picture of the carrier’s launch plans. A purported internal document revealed on Wednesday points to a December 8th release for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, and now a leaked Verizon Wireless advertisement lists the handset’s on-contract price as $199.99. The Galaxy Nexus had previously been rumored to launch with a price tag closer to $300, so it is unclear if the pricing in the Verizon ad is standard or part of a holiday promotion. Verizon is expected to announce release details for the Galaxy Nexus some time next week.

[Via Engadget]

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Verizon Wireless may be planning to launch two new high-end Android smartphones early next month, leaving current flagship models like the DROID RAZR and iPhone 4S to lead its lineup during the biggest shopping weekend of the year. Droid Life on Wednesday published what appears to be a screenshot of an internal Verizon Wireless memo. The document indicates that Verizon will launch the Samsung Galaxy Nexus and the Motorola DROID 4, which appears to resemble a DROID RAZR with a slide-out QWERTY keypad, on December 8th just ahead of the holidays. The release date is unconfirmed for the time being, though Verizon is expected to make an official announcement early next week. The Samsung Galaxy Nexus will launch as a Verizon Wireless exclusive in the United States, but it is expected to become available from additional carriers in the near future. A purported screenshot of the internal memo follows below.

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AT&T’s first two 4G LTE-enabled smartphones are now available for purchase, and subscribers looking to be among the first to own these powerful new Android devices are in for a pleasant surprise. Announced just last week, the Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket and HTC Vivid feature Google’s Android Gingerbread OS and specs that place them on par with most modern high-end handsets. They were also announced with high-end price points; the Vivid was unveiled at $199.99 and the Skyrocket was given a $249.99 price tag. Both phones are now on sale as promised — they became available a day early on Saturday, in fact — but each smartphone is priced $100 lower than expected on AT&T’s website. Read on for more.

The Vivid is being offered for just $99.99 on contract in black or white, and the Skyrocket costs $149.99 on AT&T’s website, $50 less than the standard version of the Galaxy S II that lacks LTE. It is unclear how long the $100 online discounts will last for these sleek new smartphones, but buyers who were on the fence may have just gotten the push they needed.

BGR went hands-on with both the Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket and the HTC Vivid last week, and we found the devices to be excellent jumping-off points for AT&T’s 4G LTE smartphone portfolio.

UPDATE: The plot thickens — apparently, pricing varies by region. Many report seeing the phones listed at their announced prices, while others are still seeing the $100 online discount. The screenshots below were taken at 12:30 p.m. EST using our zip code in New York.