Samsung's first Curved Smartphone hits South Korea

Samsung's first smartphone with a curved display screen has entered the South Korean market, as the electronics giant seeks to maintain its lead in the increasingly saturated market.

Galaxy Round -- a 5.7-inch handset with a display that is slightly rounded on both sides -- will hit stores in South Korea, said SK Telecom, the country's top wireless operator that carries the device.

Curved screens -- said to be lighter and thinner than current display panels -- are at a nascent stage in display technology, which is shifting towards flexible panels that are bendable or can even be rolled or folded.

The new phone is priced at about 1.08 million won ($1,000), said Samsung. 

It did not say when the new phone -- powered by Google's Android system and which offers a 2.3 GHz quad-core processor -- would be available globally. 

The latest device arrived as global smartphone makers vie for growth in the increasingly saturated market.

The displays are supposed to offer a more immersive viewing experience but are significantly more expensive than standard screens.

Nokia 808 PureView offers 41-Megapixel Camera

At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Nokia has announced the 808 Pureview, a flagship Symbian device with a 41-megapixel camera.

Yeah, you heard it right, 41 megapixels - Nokia has made this happen by combining Carl Zeiss optics and Nokia-developed pixel over-sampling technology. Although, high megapixel count does not equal quality photos, only time will say how PureView tech works in real life.

Of course, the PureView technology will be coming to upcoming Nokia phones as well, so get used to phones having crazy megapixel numbers in the near future.

The device will retail for 450 euros, hitting the market in May.

Samsung to debut Smartphone-turned-Projector, Galaxy Beam

Mobile World Congress will be host to the announcement of the Galaxy Beam, Samsung’s second iteration of the first Android phone that packs a projector.

“Galaxy Beam provides mobile freedom, enabling a unique shared experience around digital content for everyone - anywhere and instantly,” said JK Shin, President of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics.

The first Beam was released back in July 2010 to the Asian and European. As the first Android phone to sport a Droid 2.1 OS, packed with a pico-projector, the Beam finally made it to North America about a year and a half ago.

The new Galaxy Beam is a slightly upgraded version of its predecessor, with changes to its OS, screen size and exterior design. Its OS has been upgraded to Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), and its screen size has been expanded from 3.7-inches to a full 4 inches, though the resolution remains at 480×800 pixels. Despite the brick-like design of Samsung’s first iteration, the latest Beam sports a sleek, albeit thick, exterior at 12.5 mm - 2.4 mm thinner than the original Beam.

The device is fitted with a 15-Lumen LED-powered, nHD projector. Unfortunately, Samsung has surprisingly skimped out on the camera: the device comes with a 5MP rear-facing lens, a strange downgrade from the 8MP camera on the first Beam. Overall, the Galaxy Beam is fairly middle-of-the-road in today’s mobile phone market. From what we can discern, the incentive to purchase this phone lies solely in its projection capability for the purpose of entertaining guests ,or using it as a backup projector for meetings.

With the first Beam’s retail price at nearly $600, we’re expecting a similar price point for the Galaxy Beam. But for that price, you may as well invest in a hand-held projector, and save yourself $400. As far as straight phone specs go, the Beam’s 1.0GHz dual-core processor is greatly overshadowed by the debut of LG’s Optimus 4X HD, a powerhouse revealed at Mobile World Congress 2012, which boasts the first ever quad-core processor in a smartphone.

The Samsung Galaxy Beam’s price is has yet to be announced, and should begin selling first in the UK in April.

HTC launches HTC One X Smartphones

HTC has launched a new flagship Android smartphone, the HTC One X, at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

The majority of mobile giants had their announcements before the actual start of the MWC – including Samsung, LG and Sony. HTC had the last, and perhaps the most glamorous event of the day, held in a huge rounded dome at the top of the Cúpula las Arenas next to Fira de Barcelona, where the main conference is held.

The HTC One X (the first in a new line of devices called simply HTC One), unveiled by the company CEO Peter Chou, is a 4.7-inch, quad core Tegra 3-powered beast in a polycarbonate white shell.

The device also brings a vastly improved camera experience, called Image Sense. The camera takes photos quickly - in 0.7 seconds. It has 8 megapixels and uses an f/2.0 lens, which captures more light than any other HTC smartphone camera. It also takes great photos in unfavorable light conditions, thanks to the device’s HDR algorithm.

An on-screen comparison with the photos taken with an HTC One X and an iPhone 4S portrays HTC’s device seems to be the winner.

HTC is bundling a bunch of extras with the device: 25 GB of free Dropbox-powered storage, Beats Audio sound (HTC acquired Beats Audio in August 2011) and a feature called Media Link, which takes your photos and videos from the smartphone to the TV (through a special gadget that connects to any TV) with a three-finger swipe on the smartphone’s screen.

The company also launched two other HTC One devices with slightly lower specs – the HTC One S and the HTC One V.

All three devices should be hitting the market in the next two months, likely in April.

Nokia unveils cheaper Windows smartphone Lumia 610

Nokia has unveiled a new, cheaper smartphone using Microsoft's Windows Phone software, in an attempt to reverse its declining market share.

Nokia last year dumped its own smartphone software in favor of Microsoft's Windows Phone to step up its fight against rivals such as Apple's iPhone, but the move has so far had limited impact due to the high prices of phones using it.

Nokia said its new Lumia 610 model would carry a price tag of $250, excluding subsidies and taxes, when it goes on sale next quarter.

"The 610 takes Nokia's Lumia portfolio to an encouraging new price point in its pursuit of cheaper Android rivals," said Ben Wood, head of research at CCS Insight.

Nokia also announced a global version of its high-end Lumia 900 phone at the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona.

It also unveiled a new top-of-the range cameraphone 808, which comes with a 41 megapixel camera sensor, and three more basic models.

Wall Street and industry analysts say that though the latest Windows phones could be worthy competitors to Apple's iPhone and top-of-the-range Android handsets, the devices lack unique qualities to make their sales take off.

Tegra 3-powered LG Optimus 4X HD coming soon

While 2011 was the year of mobile phones with big screens and dual-core processors, 2012 is expected to be all about the quad-core processor and despite devices using such a chip failing to appear during CES 2012, they’ll be making a big splash at Mobile World Congress.

The rumors have been spreading for months, beginning with last year’s announcement of the Tegra 3 and Qualcomm’s APG8064, then continuing with talk of various tablets and phones such as the HTC Edge/Endeavor, the Samsung Galaxy S III and the LG X3.

Being first out of the gate with a quad-core device is important for the marketeers, who just love the opportunity to liberally sprinkle press releases with the phrase “world’s first,” and once again it’s LG who gets that honor.

Seeing as the Korean company gave us the “world’s first” dual-core smartphone, the Optimus 2X, it seems fitting that this year we’ve got the Optimus 4X HD - the first official quad-core smartphone.

Tegra 3:
It’s not just any quad-core chip either, but Nvidia’s impressive Tegra 3, as seen in another “world’s first,” the Asus Eee Pad Transformer 2 tablet. Rated at 1.5Ghz, the 4X HD’s chip is slightly more powerful too, plus the phone has 1GB of RAM to keep things running smoothly.

Ever since the Tegra 3′s announcement, Nvidia has tried to explain its clever architecture, where the four cores are supported by a fifth core which will take care of the more mundane tasks, and therefore putting less strain on the battery.

It has now come up with a more “unique and descriptive” name to help customers understand why their new quad-core phone really has five cores. Nvidia’s calling the system 4-PLUS-1.

Optimus 4X HD:
While the Tegra 3 chip may be stealing the headlines, the rest of the Optimus 4X’s features are similarly high-end. As you may have guessed from the use of HD in its name, the phone’s 4.7-inch LCD screen has a resolution of 1280 x 720, so the sharpness should still be there despite its size.

Google Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich is the operating system of choice, to which LG has added its own user interface over the top. Other features include 16GB of internal memory, DLNA connectivity and a hefty 2150mAh battery, and yet LG has squeezed all this into a chassis which measures 8.9mm.

On the rear of the phone is an 8-megapixel camera with LED flash, while around the front is a 1.3-megapixel video call lens, however as yet there’s no mention of either an NFC chip or a 4G LTE variant.

Launch date:
More information on the Optimus 4X HD will be provided during Mobile World Congress next week, and LG says the phone will be released in Europe between March and June, but it has yet to confirm an international or North American launch.

Sony to release 11 new smartphones for 2012

Information has come to light suggesting that electronics giant Sony will be releasing around 11 smartphones this year, all running Android.

The leaked information, obtained by GSM Arena, lists the names of 11 phones, together with the expected launch dates for each, and their prices in Indian rupees. Yes, GSM Arena reports the information as being “allegedly leaked through Sony’s sales report in India.”

Of course, even if all of the data is genuine, it doesn’t mean that things won’t change between now and the launch dates - indeed, even the launch dates themselves could be shifted. GSM Arena says the names of the phones, such as Nypon, Pepper and Tapioca, are merely code names and so will likely be changed by the time the devices hit the market.

Prices for the phones vary from 192 euros ($245) to 562 euros ($722), with the earliest release date being listed as April for three phones. There’s no information about the phones’ specifications, though Cnet reports that the Nypon (April release; 370 euros/$475) will come with a 4-inch display incorporating the company’s WhiteMagic technology, which boosts screen brightness without draining the battery. Meanwhile the Pepper (April release; 308 euros/$395) may come with a 3.7-inch Reality Display.

It’s not clear whether the phones will get a US launch, though a more aggressive move into the US market was hinted at in an interview last month with executive vice president of Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Kristian Tear when he said that in 2012 the company would “refocus and invest more in brand-building and select markets.” This more ambitious talk came soon after Sony announced it was buying Ericsson’s 50 percent stake of the Sony Ericsson mobile phone business for almost $1.5 billion.

With the Mobile World Congress taking place in Barcelona next month, some official announcements are expected regarding Sony’s new smartphones.

Samsung announces Galaxy Ace Plus

Not content with enraging Apple with their alleged iPhone 4-alike designs, Samsung has now taken a shine to the previous model. We’re talking about the distinct design similarity between Samsung’s new Galaxy Ace Plus and the Apple iPhone 3G/3GS.

Yes, the camera lens may be in a different spot, but the front and side views along with that grey surround make it uncannily reminiscent of the previous iPhone.

The original Galaxy Ace has been a big seller, thanks to a very reasonable price and the Android operating system. The new Galaxy Ace Plus improves in some areas, but decides to play it safe in others.

Samsung has ever-so slightly increased the screen size, from 3.5-inches to 3.65-inches, but has left the resolution the same at 320 x 480. Next is a slight boost in power, with the Ace Plus using a 1Ghz processor instead of the old 800Mhz chip.

Like its predecessor, it uses a 5-megapixel camera with an LED flash and Google Android 2.3 Gingerbread, but adds Bluetooth 3.0 and Samsung’s range of apps and services, such as the ChatON service.

Initially, the Ace Plus will launch in Russia later this month. Later on, it will spread to the rest of the world including Europe, Asia and Latin America.

Droid 4 and Galaxy Nexus to be released on December 8

The already crowded Verizon smartphone line up might be getting a few more phones in early December. According to Droid-Life, the elusive Galaxy Nexus and the almost unheard of Droid 4 will be released for Verizon on December 8. Both of the phones will join the Droid RAZR and iPhone 4S as top of the line devices for Verizon’s customers.

There has still been no official word out of Verizon or Motorola about the existence of the Droid 4, so it is surprising that a marque phone would be released without any marketing to date. The rumored specs for the Droid 4 match up very closely with the recently released Droid RAZR. The biggest differences would be that the Droid 4 will have a slide out keyboard and a smaller 4 inch Super AMOLED Advanced display instead of the RAZR’s 4.3 inch display.

We already know pretty much about the Galaxy Nexus device, expect the release date and the price. When it was first announced Google said it would be available in the United States sometime in November. Recently we heard that that date has been pushed back to December but no date was confirmed. The Galaxy Nexus is Google’s latest reference device that will be the first phone or tablet to be launched with the newest flavor of Android, Ice Cream Sandwich.

The Droid line up has been an anchor in Verizon’s Android line up, and the Galaxy Nexus might be the most anticipated Android phone release in over a year.

HTC Rezound Price, Release Date, Specs Compared

Taiwanese manufacturer HTC's answer to the iPhone 4S and Galaxy Nexus has finally been unveiled, in the form of the HTC Rezound. Powered by Google's open-source Android operating system, it sports top-tier specs and a distinctive textured case.

Price, release date, and carrier:
The HTC Rezound will be available from Verizon, starting on November 14. The $299 price tag (on a 2-year contract) will include a pair of Beats Audio earbuds, which are designed for deep bass and exceptional sound quality.

The Galaxy Nexus will release soon on Verizon, for the same price tag. Apple's iPhone 4S is already available on Sprint, Verizon, and AT&T for $199 on a 2-year contract.

Hardware and display:
The HTC Rezound has a thick chassis, with a bright red textured back. It has a full 720p HD display, comparable to the one on the Galaxy Nexus, but its screen is a bit smaller than the Nexus' at 4.3 inches across.

The iPhone 4S has a smaller, aluminum chassis, and its 3.5 inch Retina Display has a slightly lower resolution, but displays pixels so fine that they cannot be seen by the unaided eye.

Android operating system:
The HTC Rezound will be running last year's Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system on its November 14 launch. HTC has announced that the Rezound will be "Ice Cream Sandwich ready," but it will probably be upgraded to the Ice Cream Sandwich version of the Android operating system in early 2012. It uses the latest version of the HTC Sense customizations, which feature large full-screen widgets and sleek black styling.

As Google and Samsung's flagship phone, the Galaxy Nexus will ship with Ice Cream Sandwich already installed, and feature limited carrier and manufacturer customization. Upgrade dates for other Android smartphones vary, and many low- to medium-range smartphones will not receive an upgrade at all.

The iPhone 4S features Apple's proprietary iOS 5 operating system, and most existing iPhones of earlier models have already received a free upgrade to the latest version.

Under the hood:
The Rezound is equipped with a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, 1 GB of RAM, 16 GBs of internal storage plus a 16 GB microSD card, and an 8 megapixel camera with the ability to record 1080p HD video. This places it in the top tier of smartphones, along with the Galaxy Nexus, and may allow it to post benchmark scores similar to the iPhone 4S'.

As a 4G LTE device with a large screen, though, it will probably have several hours' less battery life than the iPhone 4S does.

Microsoft soon to launch Mango smartphones

Microsoft Corp, which has been trailing Apple Inc and Google Inc in the fast-growing smartphone market, said it will launch Mango-powered handsets from top makers including Nokia Oyj, Samsung Electronics Co Ltd and HTC Corp in coming weeks.

The smartphone sector is currently dominated by Apple and Android phones, which together make up about half of the market, with Microsoft seen as slow to react to the rapidly rising popularity of mobile devices.

But some analysts say Microsoft still has time to catch up, especially given uncertainties among handset makers after Google's planned purchase of Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc sparked worries that Google may one day produce its own handsets.

"We've seen hardware manufacturers very nervous about what Google is doing. I think anyone who turns around and competes with you is a cause for concern," said Andrew Lees, president of Microsoft's Windows phone division.

Blackberry maker Research In Motion Ltd's recent outage problems might also ultimately help competitors such as Microsoft, analysts said.

Mango vs Apple, Ice Cream Sandwich:
Microsoft sees the United States, Europe and China as its top markets for handsets based on its new Mango operating system.

"As the price comes down, emerging markets do become a huge opportunity, but also the existing markets in western Europe and the U.S., because as the price point comes down, more people will get into the smartphone market," Lees said.

Lees said there were currently more than 30,000 applications for Windows smartphones, compared with about 500,000 applications in Apple's App Store.

Microsoft would introduce its Mango handsets in China for the first time next year. China is the world's biggest mobile phone market, with more than 900 million subscribers, although only a fraction are smartphone users, many of whom use Apple's iPhone and Samsung's Galaxy.

Microsoft would launch Samsung and HTC Mango smartphones in the United States and Europe over the next week or so, with Nokia following in various markets, Lees said.

Fujitsu Ltd has already rolled out a Mango smartphone in Japan.

Microsoft's comments come a day after Samsung and Google held the Hong Kong launch of the first smartphone powered by the new Ice Cream Sandwich operating system.

Motorola Droid RAZR : Thinnest Smartphone

Motorola's Droid RAZR is the thinnest smartphone on the planet.

Mobile phones have come a long way in the last decade, moving from a mix of modest clamshell and candy-bar designs to widescreen smartphone powerhouses. And while huge lists of advanced features are all the rage these days, many still look back on the phones of yore with fond eyes. One of the most popular handsets of yesteryear was the Motorola RAZR, and now, 5 years since the company ceased production of the iconic flip phone, they are reviving the name. The new Android-powered device is called the Droid RAZR, and while it's nearly unrecognizable compared to its older brother, it just may be what smartphone fans are looking for.

The svelte new smartphone sports a dual-core processor, an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera capable of 1080p video recording, and 4G LTE support. The RAZR's massive 4.3" Super AMOLED touchscreen looks dazzling, and is encased in Gorilla Glass for added protection. The device is splash resistant, with Motorola promising that even the phone's internals are meant to survive a bit of water.

One of the biggest selling points of the original RAZR was its thin form factor. The Droid RAZR continues that trend, measuring a laughably-narrow 7.1mm - making it the world's thinnest smartphone. By comparison, the recently-released Droid Bionic measures 10.9mm, and the iPhone 4S checks in at 9.3mm. The back of the new phone is made of woven Kevlar, in case it ever gets caught in a Hollywood-style shootout. It will run Android version 2.3 Gingerbread out of the box.

The original Motorola RAZR:
The original Motorola RAZR debuted in 2003 and in just three short years it racked up over 50 million units sold, largely due to its super-thin profile and flashy appearance. But as smartphones began to grow in popularity, the modest features of the RAZR sent it straight to the bargain bin. But with that kind of name recognition, the new RAZR - which boasts a much more powerful OS and huge list of features - may be able to capture some of the old phone's magic, which is something many Android devices seem to be lacking as of late.

The Droid RAZR will be released in November as a Verizon exclusive and will cost $299 with a new 2-year contract. A suite of accessories will also be poised for a launch-day release, including keyboard and laptop docks that will expand the phone's capabilities to a larger screen. If you want to experience the rebirth of the RAZR line, you can pre-order the device starting on October 27.

Google unveils Ice Cream Sandwich phone: Samsung Galaxy Nexus

South Korea's Samsung Electronics has unveiled its new smartphone that runs on Google's latest Android operating system, the latest weapon in its battle to topple Apple's iPhone.

The launch of the "Galaxy Nexus", which comes almost a week after the new iPhone 4S went on sale, was initially scheduled for October 11 but was delayed following the death of Apple chief Steve Jobs as a gesture of respect.

Samsung - the world's number two mobile phone maker - and Apple are also engaged in a series of patent lawsuits over the technology and design of smartphones and tablet computers.

"We are very proud of this milestone," Samsung's Mobile Communications Business president JK Shin said as the new phone was unveiled in Hong Kong.

The Galaxy Nexus is the first device to use the new Android "Ice Cream Sandwich" - a title that continues Google's tradition of naming its operating systems after desserts in alphabetical order.

The firms said the new handset offers easier and quicker Internet browsing, an improved camera and enhanced security using face recognition technology.

It also features "Android Beam", a function that allows content to be shared between two devices by simply touching them together.

The smartphone will be available in the United States, Europe and Asia from November, before being gradually rolled out to other markets.

The launch of the Galaxy Nexus come as Apple's iPhone 4S has already notched up sales of more than four million units since launching in seven countries on Friday.

The Apple handset will be available in 22 other countries, including much of Europe, by the end of October, and more than 70 countries by the end of 2011.

However, Samsung is seeking a ban of sales of the new iPhone in Japan, Australia, France and Italy, citing what it called patent infringements regarding mobile technology, part of an escalating legal saga between the two.

The legal battle over the $100 billion smartphone and tablet computer market began in April in the US when Apple accused Samsung of "slavishly" copying its market-leading iPhone and iPad.
Apple has since sought a ban on sales of Samsung's Galaxy S smartphones and Galaxy Tab in Germany, Australia and other countries, prompting Samsung to file counter-suits.

The Korean firm Samsung is pressing Apple hard in the lucrative smartphone business.

Samsung Galaxy Player 4 and 5 available in US

Samsung's two-fold answer to the iPod touch, the Galaxy Player 4 and the Galaxy Player 5, is now available in the U.S.

These Android Gingerbread-based devices both closely resemble an Android smartphone, but they lack the phone component, just like the iPod touch. They're a good choice for someone who already has a phone but wants all the perks of Android as well as access to the apps in Android Market without having to sign a two-year contract.

Both devices sport a 1 GHz CPU, 512 MB of RAM, 8 GB of storage memory, expandable with microSD memory cards (up to 32 GB) and dual cameras. The Galaxy Player 4 has a 4-inch touchscreen and costs $230. The Galaxy Player 5 has a much more video-friendly 5-inch display, comes with a bigger battery and costs $270.

For comparison, Apple's iPod touch with 16 GB of storage memory costs $199, while the most expensive version with 64 GB of memory costs $399.

One can pick up the Samsung Galaxy Player 4 and 5 at Amazon and other retail stores.

SK Telecom to launch Seven 4G Smartphones

South Korea's top mobile carrier SK Telecom has announced it would this year offer seven smartphone models and one tablet device running on ultra high-speed network technology.

SK launched its super-fast 4G wireless services, based on Long-Term Evolution (LTE) technology, in Seoul in June and plans to secure national coverage by 2013.

LTE promises fast data traffic and quicker access to applications such as television programmes, movies and video conferencing.

The company said it would this month launch two phones, from Samsung Electronics and Taiwan's HTC Corp, for its LTE service.

Samsung will offer two additional LTE smartphones through SK Telecom in October and November. Its tablet PC, the Galaxy Tab 8.9, will hit the local market before December with LTE technology.

LG Electronics will release its first LTE smartphone next month, while Pantech will provide two LTE smartphones in October and December.

The carrier said it aims to lure 500,000 LTE subscribers by December, five million next year and 15 million by 2014.

With global technology giant Apple expected to unveil its upgraded version of the iPhone next week, others are in a rush to attract users by pushing out new smartphones armed with faster network technology.

Official data showed gadget-mad South Korea had 15 million smartphones at the end of July. The figure is expected to hit 20 million by the end of this year, about 40 percent of the country's overall wireless market.

According to a study released this month by Pando Networks, South Korea already has the world's top Internet download speeds.

HTC unveils new SmartPhone, Rhyme

Taiwan's HTC has unveiled another smartphone called the Rhyme which features a blinking "charm" that attaches to a bag to let a user know if they have received a call or a message.

The Android-powered Rhyme will go on sale in the United States on September 29. It will cost $199 and will be available through Verizon Wireless.

The device has a 3.7-inch screen, a single-core 1 GHz CPU, a 5-megapixel camera, 768 MB of RAM and 4 GB of storage space.

It runs Android 2.3 with Sense 3.5 and comes with the usual extras, including WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and a microSD slot for memory expansion. What makes it a bit different from all the Androids on the market is its tiny case and purple color.

Also, the device is coming with a host of accessories, including the HTC Rhyme Charm, a gizmo that attaches to the phone and glows when you receive a call or text message.

The Rhyme, which runs the latest version of Google's Android software known as Gingerbread, will go on sale in Europe and Asia in October.

Taiwan's leading smartphone maker stressed the "style" and accessories for the plum-colored device at a launch event in Manhattan.

"Like your glasses, your wallet, your belt or that special bag, the smartphone or the phone expresses who you are as an individual," said HTC's vice president of design, Scott Croyle.

"You want a phone that's handcrafted with style, you want it to be intuitive, you want it to be less than a device and more of a companion," Croyle said.

The Rhyme comes with a tethered accessory called a "charm" that blinks when a user receives a message or a call. "It's more respectful than a ring and more noticeable than vibrate," HTC said.

HTC Sensation XE comes with Beats Audio

HTC's recent partnership with Beats Audio has produced its first result: a revamped version of HTC Sensation called HTC Sensation XE.

The device is aimed at music lovers, and comes with several software and hardware enhancements to provide a better audio experience. Besides shipping with Beats by Dr. Dre in-ear headphones, the Sensation XE also features a special audio profile that automatically turns on when you use the headphones, as well as a remote control which allows you to pause, play or skip through tracks as well as answer and end calls without touching the phone.

Some of the other specs have been bumped too, so the new Sensation now comes with a 1.5GHz dual-core processor as well as an extended battery pack which will come handy for those long music listening sessions.

The device will be available in EMEA and Asia Pacific from late September.

HTC unveils 4G tablet, Jetstream

Taiwan's leading smartphone maker HTC has unveiled its first tablet device with 4G telecommunications technology.

Fourth generation - 4G - technology provides high-speed broadband wireless services and higher quality image and data services.

The HTC Jetstream is due to hit the US market on coming Sunday, offered by telecom giant AT&T for $699.99 with a two-year contract.

The tablet will be equipped with a 10.1-inch (26 centimetre) screen and use Google's Android 3.1 platform.

Analysts are not expecting big sales as the next generation telecommunication technology, Long Term Evolution (LTE), has yet to penetrate the market significantly.

Samsung unveils 3 smartphones Wave 3, Wave M & Wave Y

Samsung Electronics unveiled three smartphone models that run on its own operating system, as it seeks to expand market share in the low-end segment and diversify its lineups heavily focused on Google's Android software.

The Wave series models backed by Samsung's proprietary system "bada" reflects the South Korean firm's shift in strategy from being a pure hardware manufacturer to become more software-focused.

It is also aimed at pulling together Samsung's different products of smartphones, televisions, printers and computers under its own software platform and online application store Samsung Apps.

Samsung unveiled Wave 3 with a 4-inch AMOLED screen and a 5 megapixel camera, as well as cheaper Wave M and Wave Y. The Wave M will have Samsung's first instant messaging tool ChatON installed and entry-level Wave Y with 3.2-inch display will go on sale in October.

The three models add to 7 Wave series lineups Samsung introduced since first bada-based product went on sale in May 2010.

Samsung, whose flagship Android-based Galaxy S models helped it become the world's No.2 smartphone maker in the second quarter, is now focusing on emerging markets with cheaper phones costing $200 or below.

Last week Samsung unveiled four new mid-to-low end models running on Android to defend its market share, as Apple, which has long stuck to the higher end of a booming mobile device arena, is set to launch a lower-cost version of the iPhone 4 soon.

The Wave series will allow access to Samsung Apps, which has around 13,000 applications.

The number is dwarfed by more than 100,000 applications available in Android market and over 300,000 apps from Apple's App Store.

RIM launches new BlackBerry Torch smart phones

Research In Motion has unveiled two new and powerful versions of its touchscreen BlackBerry Torch, including an all-touch model, as it seeks to regain ground lost to Apple and Google.

The new phones, along with an upgrade to its Bold model shown earlier, are part of what the Canadian company called the biggest global launch in its history as it seeks to claw back North American market share from Apple's iPhone and a slew of devices running on Google's Android software.

The refreshed lineup is designed to buy RIM time until it introduces a radically new software package for its smartphones next year.

RIM is slashing 2,000 jobs from its global workforce to reduce costs and streamline operations after posting a fall in profit and a dismal earnings outlook in its last quarterly report.

The three touchscreen phones, running on the new BlackBerry OS 7, boast improved screen displays and pack a 1.2 GHz processor from Qualcomm, the most powerful ever for a BlackBerry phone. They also have a dedicated graphics processor that should make video and gaming sharper and more responsive.

The browser is 40 percent faster than the original Torch, RIM's last major phone launch, which hit shelves almost a year ago.

All three devices will be launched by carriers around the world by the end of August, RIM said. The slider Torch will be exclusive to AT&T in the United States, the carrier said.

The all-touch Torch is RIM's first attempt at the popular style since two versions of its Storm model failed to excite.