Price and availability are still unknowns at this time. Given the larger screen and faster network support, I would expect this will on the more expensive side compared to the current Lumia line of devices.

In today’s press release from AT&T regarding the 3 new Windows Phone devices, they also dropped another tiny piece of information. The press release mentions that AT&T will be among the first to offer the Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango) update to its leading portfolio of Windows Phone based devices.

AT&T held back on the pre-NoDo release and included it in their extremely late release of NoDo, and many AT&T Samsung customers are still waiting for the security release that was suppose to rollout to all devices months ago. So this is a bold statement for AT&T to make and many of us will be watching to see how things work out. We can only hope that AT&T and Microsoft have learned from past issues and are primed and ready to get it done in a timely fashion this go-around. I won’t be holding my breath, but I will be crossing my fingers.

The other 2 devices are not updates to existing devices – the first one is the HTC Titan that we reported about last week, and the other is the Samsung Focus Flash. The Flash name would indicate that this is either a super fast phone, or that it’s a top end camera phone. However, neither of those are the case for the Focus Flash. In this case, they are delivering a light weight, entry level phone. The Flash will have 3.7 inch Super AMOLED screen, a 1.4 GHz processor, 5 megapixel camera and a unmentioned resolution for the front facing camera. AT&T does mention that it will be light on the pocketbook but still have all the power of Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango).

The HTC Titan, as we’ve talked about before, will have a super large 4.7 inch screen, a 1.5 GHz processor, and a 8 megapixel rear camera with dual LED flash. While the press release stops here, a blog posting over on the Windows Phone team blog seems to indicate that there is some special and unique sauce coming on the AT&T version of the Titan. Brian Seitz writes “The AT&T version will be unique, but we’ll have to keep you in suspense for a while longer on what it looks like and final specs”. Speculation is that AT&T has increase the internal storage space to 32GB and/or included HTC’s new Dr Dre Beats offering with the device. Of course, it’s all speculation until we get word from HTC, AT&T, or Microsoft.

Let us know what you think of these new devices from AT&T. And what kind of special are you looing for on the HTC Titan device?

The Motorola Atrix 4G – Just another Android smartphone released at CES, or is it?  The Atrix is powered by Google’s Android 2.2 and sports a Dual-core processor where each core is running at 1GHz, 1GB of RAM, a qHD display offering high resolution 24-bit color, front and rear camera’s, biometric fingerprint reader, 16GB internal storage expandable using MicroSD cards, 2 microphones for noise reduction, 11mm thin, and a 1930mAh battery. It runs the full version of FireFox 3.6 and supports Adobe’s Flash. Sounds like a powerful smartphone, right? Well, it’s a lot more. Once you dock this device into the Motorola Laptop Dock, you get a larger screen and keyboard to work with. Your Android applications run within a window on the desktop while other applications are accessible through Motorola’s Webtop environment. The dock extends the power of the smartphone and provides a revolutionary interactive computing experience that empowers you in new ways for staying connected, informed and entertained.

The Atrix 4G will be coming exclusively to AT&T in Q1 of 2011. There’s no word on price, but I can’t see this priced at the low end of the scale. With specs like that, I imagine it will be around $700 or $800 for the device alone. Then you have to buy the laptop dock or the HD multimedia hub for connecting it to a larger screen. It’s hard to say if it will be worth the investment as a desktop replacement at this time. We should know a lot more as the product hits the streets in the next couple months. But it looks promising!

The full press release along with a couple more pictures are available after the break.

LAS VEGAS – CES – Jan. 5, 2011 — Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE: MMI), and AT&T today unveiled Motorola ATRIX^™ 4G, the only smartphone that allows you to carry the power of mobile computing inside your pocket. Motorola’s revolutionary webtop application changes mobile computing forever by unleashing the power of the smartphone like never before. Designed to bring unprecedented computing to your smartphone, Motorola’s webtop application runs a full Mozilla Firefox 3.6 browser and supports Adobe^® Flash^® Player to open up all the rich graphics, animations and video on the web. Motorola ATRIX 4G includes a dual core processor with each core running at 1 GHz, delivering up to two GHz of processing power. Put simply, Motorola ATRIX 4G is the world’s most powerful smartphone.

“Consumers are increasingly using smartphones as their primary digital screens,” said Bill Ogle, chief marketing officer, Motorola Mobility, Inc. “Motorola ATRIX 4G ushers in a new era of mobile computing. ATRIX comes loaded with the Motorola webtop application, and when used with one of our exclusive docks, enables consumers to extend the capabilities of their smartphones. Together, these provide a revolutionary interactive computing experience that empowers individuals in new ways for staying connected, informed and entertained at home, on the job and anywhere in between.”

“With ATRIX 4G, we are rethinking what a smartphone can be, and literally changing the game with a new device category that combines the power of a laptop with the latest smartphone features and 4G speeds,” said David Christopher, chief marketing officer, AT&T mobility and consumer markets. “With Motorola Mobility, we’re delivering on our commitment to provide customers with the best mobile broadband experience and best smartphones.”

Motorola ATRIX 4G is designed to essentially become a user’s primary digital hub to create, edit and interact with documents, media and content. This is facilitated by Motorola’s webtop application and incredible new accessory docks, such as the Laptop Dock, that provide users with a larger screen, keyboard and trackpad enabling them to have an enhanced and more interactive computer-like experience with their devices.

While in the webtop application users can run their Android applications in a window, browse their favorite websites with a full Firefox desktop browser, send instant messages and make phone calls, all at the same time. Calls continue uninterrupted if Motorola ATRIX 4G is removed from a dock. Users can take advantage of the ability to surf the web, view social networking, and use HTML5 web-based applications and supported cloud computing services. Plus, the new Entertainment Center feature lets you show all of the photos, music and videos you already enjoy on-the-go on a big screen in your living room. In the U.S., ATRIX 4G will feature the AT&T U-verse^® Mobile application, which allows users to schedule recordings, and for qualifying TV customers, download and watch hit TV shows on their smartphones.

Motorola ATRIX 4G provides consumers with instantaneous access to all their emails, files and media. While using the webtop application, business users with an existing Citrix account will benefit from the integrated Citrix Receiver application that provides secure, high performance access to virtual desktops as well as Windows^®, web and office applications hosted on Citrix XenDesktop. In addition to the full suite of office productivity applications and email applications, users can also access a great number of web applications such as Salesforce.com, Google Docs, and any HTML application or service from the full desktop browser.

Motorola ATRIX 4G runs Android^™ 2.2 with access to more than 100,000 apps and games in the Android Market^™.

Motorola is introducing two industry-leading companion docks for ATRIX 4G:

• The Motorola HD Multimedia Dock has three USB ports and an HDMI port enabling connections to a keyboard, mouse, speakers and HDMI-compatible monitor for working at your desk/office, or connecting to an HDMI-compatible television and home theater audio system for interacting with content and enjoying video, music, games and more in your living room.
• The Motorola Laptop Dock has an incredibly thin design with an 11.6-inch screen, full keyboard, stereo speakers, 36Wh three-cell battery that delivers up to eight hours of battery life and weighs just 2.4 pounds. Users simply dock their Motorola ATRIX 4G into the back of the Laptop Dock to turn it into an active, connected machine to experience true mobility at work, home and playing on-the-go in a form factor that’s lighter and smaller than most laptops on the market.

Key features and specifications:

• A dual-core processor capable of opening web pages twice as fast as most other smartphones, rendering games faster and displaying HD video on big-screen TVs
• A full 1 GB of RAM for twice the RAM of most smartphones to deliver effortless multi-tasking, such as watching a movie while receiving and responding to email
• The world’s first qHD display for a smartphone, offering high resolution and 24-bit color, making it easier to read indoors and outdoors
• Front- and rear-facing cameras and the ability to record in HD
• Convenient biometric fingerprint reader for easily unlocking your phone while providing extra security
• Up to 48GB of storage (16GB internal and optional 32GB MicroSD card) – enough to store thousands of songs, photos and movies
• 2.4GHz and 5GHz 802.11n support, enabling as much as 50 percent faster download and upload speeds in WiFi mode compared to most other smartphones
• Optional AT&T Mobile Hotspot service for connecting up to five additional Wi-Fi-enabled devices
• Under 11 mm thin with an extra large 1930 mAh battery for extended standby and talk time
• Two microphones for noise-reduction technology so your calls will be heard loud and clear in even the noisiest environments
• Supports HD video capture and replay for most multimedia standards

Availability

Motorola ATRIX 4G will be available to AT&T customers in Q1 2011. For more ATRIX 4G information visit: www.motorola.com/atrix and www.att.com/ATRIX4G. Motorola ATRIX 4G will be available exclusively in the U.S. for AT&T customers.

About Motorola Mobility
Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE:MMI) fuses innovative technology with human insights to create experiences that simplify, connect and enrich people’s lives. Our portfolio includes converged mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets; wireless accessories; end-to-end video and data delivery; and management solutions, including set-tops and data-access devices. For more information, visit motorola.com/mobility.

The full press release is after the break. We’ll be sharing more pictures and details about the devices as they become available.

HTC EVO Shift™ 4G, HTC ThunderBolt™ and HTC Inspire™ 4G Bring the

Power and Speed of 4G to People Across the U.S.

LAS VEGAS, Consumer Electronics Show (CES), – Jan. 6, 2011 – HTC Corporation, a global leader in smartphone innovation and design, this week at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) unveiled three new 4G smartphones together with three U.S. wireless operators, further solidifying HTC’s position as the leader in 4G. HTC introduced the world’s first 4G smartphone in 2008, and the world’s first 4G Android™ smartphone in 2010. With these three new smartphones joining the HTC EVO™ 4G, HTC’s T-Mobile G2™ and HTC’s T-Mobile MyTouch™ 4G, HTC’s portfolio of 4G devices in the United States grows to six devices, demonstrating HTC’s ability to deliver advanced phones to support the launch of every major US carrier’s 4G network.

“HTC has always focused on delivering innovations that are inspired by our consumers to delight them in big and small ways. That pioneering spirit continues this week with the start of a new chapter through the introduction of three new 4G smartphones,” said Peter Chou, chief executive officer, HTC Corporation. “HTC offers a diverse portfolio of devices that are designed to not only perform at 4G wireless speeds, but to put each of our customers at the center with the HTC Sense™ experience, which truly brings the power of broadband wireless to life. Whether people are looking for large-screen multi-media, consumer social media, touch or QWERTY 4G devices, HTC has a device that fits their needs.”

HTC Brings 4G Speed to the People

Earlier this week, Sprint and HTC unveiled the new HTC EVO Shift 4G, a 4G phone with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard.  The smash-hit HTC EVO 4G introduced the world to the possibilities of 4G, and with the introduction of the HTC EVO Shift 4G, Sprint and HTC have created the first true portfolio of 4G smartphones in the industry. With a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, compact size, and a price point of $149.99, the HTC EVO Shift 4G is a strong choice for mass-market smartphone users looking to explore the speed of 4G.

Unveiled today, HTC ThunderBolt on Verizon is one of the world’s first LTE smartphones, spearheading Verizon Wireless’ push into the world of 4G. Embedded deeply within the HTC Sense experience is Skype connectivity, allowing people to connect to other Skype users from virtually anywhere, and between mobile devices and from mobile to PC. This connectivity makes HTC ThunderBolt the ultimate device to connect by both voice and video, enabling the more than 100 million active Skype users to connect across networks and devices. With a 4.3 inch screen, front and rear cameras, integrated DLNA support, Qualcomm’s 1GHz Snapdragon™ processor and the latest version of HTC Sense, the HTC ThunderBolt is a cutting edge multimedia powerhouse.

The HTC ThunderBolt delivers the speed of 4G LTE by combining HTC innovation with the power of a Qualcomm LTE chipset solution. “Qualcomm is providing chipsets that can switch seamlessly between 3G and the next generation LTE networks that are coming on line,” said Steve Mollenkopf, executive vice president and group president, Qualcomm. “These multi-mode solutions are catalyzing the creation of advanced new devices – ones that truly unleash the power of mobile broadband and provide consumers a differentiated and unique experience.  Our chipset roadmap enables innovative companies such as HTC to lead the charge, and we are very pleased to work with them.”

Additionally, HTC is joining forces with AT&T to launch one of the first 4G smartphones on AT&T’s HSPA+ network, the HTC Inspire 4G. The HTC Inspire 4G is the first device in the US to enhance the HTC Sense experience with htcsense.com, an online service that extends the HTC Sense experience beyond the handset. This allows people to find a lost phone on a map, send a command to make the phone sound an alert – even while on “silent” mode, and if needed, remotely wipe all of the phone’s data with a single command. Along with 4G HSPA+ connectivity, the HTC Inspire 4G boasts an impressive list of features, including an 8 megapixel camera, Dolby and SRS surround sound, active noise cancellation and a sleek unibody design machined from a single block of aluminum.

The HTC EVO Shift 4G, HTC ThunderBolt and HTC Inspire 4G join the most diverse and exciting lineup of 4G devices on the market, while also strengthening HTC’s leadership in 4G device development and deployment.

Continuing to Build the HTC Brand

HTC is continuing to build awareness by kicking off the next phase of its brand building growth with a campaign evolution, which was unveiled for the first time at CES. This campaign focuses on how HTC puts people at the center of everything it does, and the HTC innovations that have been inspired by listening to consumers, and responding to their needs.

“At HTC, our long-standing focus has been to find new ways to make the mobile experience simpler for customers. We don’t believe in innovating for innovation’s sake, but rather to first gain a deep understanding of our customers to ensure that every HTC innovation creates a real customer benefit,” said John Wang, chief marketing officer for HTC Corporation. “This way of thinking about innovation is the inspiration behind the latest evolution of our brand advertising campaign.”

HTC launched its first global brand campaign at the end of 2009, with global brand awareness around 16 percent. Today, in the wake of HTC’s market success and brand campaign, HTC’s brand awareness is reaching 60 percent.

For additional information about HTC and these devices, please visithttp://www.htc.com. You can also follow HTC on Twitter (@HTC) or on Facebook.

About HTC

HTC Corporation (HTC) is one of the fastest growing companies in the mobile phone industry and continues to pioneer industry-leading mobile experiences through design, usability and innovation that are sparked by how the mobile phone can improve how people live and communicate. The company is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange under ticker 2498. For more information about HTC, please visitwww.htc.com.

AT&T is selling the Focus for $499 without a contract, or $199 with a 2 year contract. On the other end, Rogers is selling the phone for $599 without a contract, $499 for a 2 year contract, or $149 with a 3 year contract! Now, I’m sure the conversion rate between the US and Canadian dollar plays a part in this pricing. So, let’s take the average conversion rate from October – $1.00 USD = $1.017975 CDN – and now our numbers are… pretty much unchanged. So why the big difference in price? If someone from Rogers is willing to answer this, please use our contact form to get in touch with me. To me, this just looks like more greed from the Canadian carriers.

If you are looking for a Samsung Focus, and you’re not willing to sign a 3 year contract with Rogers, I would recommend picking up a Focus from AT&T and using that with your carrier here in Canada. Of course, there is an extra hidden cost associated with this solution. First, you need to get to and from the US or pay to have the phone shipped here if you bought it off eBay. Or, stop in at an AT&T store on your next visit across the boarder. Second, you will need to unlock the device as it will be locked to the AT&T network. This shouldn’t cost you more than $20 or $30.

All things considered, you’re better off picking up a Focus from AT&T and unlocking it, versus paying an extra premium to Rogers.

The Venue Pro from Dell has certainly been one of the most controversial Windows Phone 7 devices since the platform launched. If it isn’t problems with the WiFi radio, it’s availability issues. But the unique slider aspect of the phone keeps capturing people’s imagination and draws them in with it’s clean and classy look. The problem for most people is not that the Venue Pro is so hard to get your hands on, it’s that you can only use the Venue Pro on the T-Mobile network due to the radio bands that Dell picked for the device. Thankfully, this doesn’t appear to be a problem that will be around for much longer. Keen eyes have caught a different Venue Pro seeking approval from the FCC. This model supports the more popular 3G frequencies used in North America by AT&T, Rogers, Bell, Telus, and Fido.

The selection of keyboard-enabled Windows Phone 7 devices is fairly limited. If Dell manages to get this available across all 3G networks, they could really have a winning device on their hands. Of course, they also need to address the other issues with the device – like WiFi and availability. I know that this would move the device up my own personal want list really quickly.

(Source = Engadget)

Microsoft, along with their partners, are revealing 9 new Windows Phone 7 devices! Microsoft had publicly announced it’s new re-built mobile platform earlier this year at Mobile World Congress and have spent the rest of the year putting the finishing touches on it. Today’s announcement marks the start of public availability. The different launch partners will being to sell devices shortly.

Windows Phone 7 was designed to deliver a mobile experience that has the phone working better for people, bringing together the things they care about most and helping them to get things done faster. The leaked AT&T commercials from a couple weeks ago show this new approach.

This different kind of phone will be available in various form factors from numerous manufacturers including Dell, HTC, LG and Samsung. And will be sold from various operators around the world including AT&T and T-Mobile in the United States, and Telus in Canada.

AT&T will have 3 devices at launch including the HTC Surround, Samsung Focus, and the LG Quantum. T-Mobile will be launching the HTC HD7 and the Dell Venue Pro. Telus will be launching with the HTC 7 Surround and the LG Optimus 7.

Ralph de la Vega, President and CEO for AT&T announced that devices will start to be available on November 8th from Samsung, with others from LG and HTC will follow shortly after. The LG Quantum will be sold for $199.99. HTC Surround will have 16GB of storage and Dolby Surround sound and sell for $199.99. The Samsung Focus has a beautiful 4 inch AMOLED screen with a 5 megapixel camera and is just 9mm thick, it’s price is just $199.99 With these prices, Microsoft, AT&T, and their manufacturers are going aggressive against the competition!

We’ll be posting more information as the day and week unfolds!

The HTC Aria is a recent addition to the AT&T line-up of devices, and while it’s not one of the larger screen devices that we are starting to see so much of, it still packs a pretty good punch. Our friends over at GearDiary.com have posted a great review of the device. There’s lots of pictures and information about the Aria.  Personally, I like the bright colors that HTC is doing under the battery door. The EVO has a nice red, the Incredible and the Aria have a nice yellow color. It’s a small touch, but it really adds character to the device.

Being the MacGyver of mobile computing that I am, here’s what I did to test it out. I took my Google Nexus One running Android 2.2 FroYo on the AT&T network and enabled the WiFi HotSpot feature as seen below:

Next up on the agenda was to configure the iPhone 4 to connect to the new WiFi network called “NexusOne” as seen below:

My next decision was who do I call on FaceTime to test this out? I know, why don’t a call Apple themselves? As of today, Apple has released a phone number for anyone with an iPhone 4 who wants to test out this feature. You first place a voice phone call to 1-888-FaceTime from your iPhone 4. An Apple representative will answer the line. They run you through a couple of checks to make sure that you have FaceTime enabled on your phone and that you are connected to a WiFi network. Once you’ve passed all of their tests, the Apple rep then places a FaceTime call to your iPhone 4. Seamlessly, the conversation switches from voice only to video and voice over FaceTime. Hello friendly Apple Rep.

I must say that the gentleman who assisted me was quite helpful. He managed to show me a few tips and tricks I would have eventually found myself. He was very polished in his delivery and seemed like he was well-prepped for any questions even the most tech savvy consumers could throw his way. One thing that he emphasized during the call was that I could multitask (another new iOS 4 feature) during a FaceTime call. Since he brought it up, I had to test it out by browsing to MobileJaw.

I guess the main question to ask now is who is to blame for this new feature being crippled to WiFi only at the moment. Apple or AT&T?