HTC Smartphone and Tablet roundup

Co-authoured by Ollie Ford and Patrick Beavis

HTC recently announced a mountain of new devices, including five smartphones that are subject of this article.

They've updated the Desire range with an extra model, refreshed the Wildfire and announced some Facebook dedicated phones - which can only loosely be called "smartphones" - and refreshed the Incredible too.

There's a bunch of fantastic new devices, really exciting stuff, so head past the break for a comprehensive list of the latest devices, pictures, and links to our posts with more information on each individual mobile.

HTC Pyramid and EVO 3D

HTC Pyramid

HTC EVO 3D

These two flagship "superphones" (I'm gonna go ahead and stick with smartphone) are very similar; the reason for their dual existence is pretty much just down to the USs carrier model. Sprint will get the EVO 3D as you'd expect, with T-Mobile bagging the HTC Pyramid (AT&T too, depending when you upgrade, thanks to the recent buy-out).

Both smartphones pack 4.3" qHD (960x540) capacitive touch displays, dual core 1.2GHz processors, and 5MP cameras on the back, with 1080p video playback.

Then, however, they start to differ. The EVO 3D has two 5MP cameras on the back, for some nifty 3D snaps/recording. It also plays back 3D on it's glasses-free 3D display (at 720p, 1080p is 2D only).

4G support is also on offer, which does make it tricky to predict whether or not we'll see these devices n the UK - our 4G spectrum isn't even being auctioned off to the mobile networks until after the Olympics, since it's being used for low latency raw footage transmissions.

We can always hope though! Keep your eyes peeled, and browsers firmly pointed toward our site for more info soon on pricing, release date, and UK availability.

Motorola Xoom WiFi model up for grabs

The WiFi only Xoom is for sale at last - as part of a questionable strategy, Motorola first launched the 3G + WiFi (4G as a later software update) variant of their Android 3.0  (Honeycomb) tablet.

Just as the 3G version, the newly launched WiFi model packs a 10.1" WXGA (1280x800) display, supporting 1080p playback. The rear-facing camera captures 720p video, to be played back on the devices own screen, or your TV via the HDMI out.

Inside, it's housing a dual core Tegra 2 processor, clocked at 1GHz, along with up to 32GB flash storage.

For more information, find the Amazon store link below:

Motorola Atrix pictured and videoed

You remember the Motorola Atrix, right? My favourite thing to come out of CES?

Of course you do, well, today Motorola has launched it, in the consumer orientated sense. Nerds are all for CES releases, but the consumer at large tends to be unaware until the more public launches.

However, these consumer launches are good for us too, because we generally get some prettier pictures, and some really feature descriptive videos.

Catch said video after the read more link.

O2 launching nation-wide WiFi hotspot

Not so much a 'hotspot', as a blanket of general heat, O2 is intending to provide a technology and service to "enable a seamless customer experience", which will "at least double the number of premium hotspots currently offered by BT Openzone and The Cloud combined by 2013".


Bold claims, and to make such a service "free to customers" too, just why are they doing it?


Well, they worded it well, the service may be free "to customers", but you can rest assured they will be getting their pay cheques from the ad companies. The other benefit will be ease on existing 3G, and future 4G networks.

Motorola Atrix - The Beast Phone

I thought the Asus Transformer tablet was my favourite CES announcement. I also thought that I would buy one. All has changed.

Introducing:

The aesthetic of Motorola phones isn't for everyone - and the Atrix certainly isn't one of their best.

However, that should be quickly gotten past, because this phone, really is a beast. There will no doubt be more and more talk as it approaches launch, and when it does, it may well be bigger than the Evo.

And for good reason, this phone is packing so much more in "tech specs" than a mobile device, let alone a phone, has any right to pack.

With functionality rare in desktops, laptops and certainly other mobiles, this phone looks set to bridge the smartphone and secondary device - tablet, netbook, or even laptop replacing.

What makes this phone truly netbook/laptop replacing, is the "Atrix Laptop Dock". A thin and lightweight 'laptop', essentially an aluminium chasis with display and chiclet keyboard, docks the Atrix, which then switches to WebTop - more on that and HD Multimedia Dock, as well as the Vehicle Dock, past the Read More link.

Head past the "Read More" for the full specification break down, along with the accessories which make this new Android smartphone pretty damn innovative.

iPhone 4 - I'm a mac and it was my idea!

Ok, so first off - I called it. Everyone moaning about 'iPhone HD' or '4G' - HA!


Anyway - It's beautiful, but we knew that anyway, right?

• Video calling is through "FaceTime" app
• Rear cam records 720p @ 30fps
• LED flash
• Quadruple current resolution, with Anti-Aliasing (AA)
• 78% of the iPad's pixels, on a 3.5" screen
• IPS display!!! (That's good! Better than OLED. The tech in good desktop monitors even.)
• Gyroscope added!
• 6 axis control when all sensors are linked up
• iMovie for editing those HD recordings
• iBooks
• iOS 4 (Yep, it's been renamed!)
• White or Black - Colours add an extra $29
• $199 16GB, $299 32GB
• As usual, no Sterling (£) prices yet.

Pics after the break (Kudos to engadget for taking those, unfortunately we couldn't be at WWDC.)

Apple WWDC event 18:00 GMT - expecting iPhone 4 confirmation.

It's all kicking off nice and soon.

 

Hang tight folks, Steve Jobs is about to grace our screens in a black turtleneck sweater, jeans and "sneakers".

In just 11 minutes I'll be proved either a psychic, or wrong.

What're we expecting?

- iPhone confirmation (including name - I'm calling iPhone 4)

- Multitouch wireless track pad (Magic Pad?)

- Apple TV talk too presumably.

Update: I was right!! iPhone 4!

Evo 4G hacked to run Android v2.2 "Froyo"

Yes, that is an HTC Evo 4G - all 4.3" of the beaut.


No, it's still not released - and no, neithers Froyo, Android version 2.2.










Yes, this is an unreleased beastphone running an unreleased version of Android. Suck it up, I'm still sour the UK has no 4G network, read: no Evo 4G.

Video after the break...

iPhone 4G does run off Apple's A4 - like the iPad

It's been confirmed (via Tinh té) that the new, much leaked, iPhone 4G/HD will sport Apple's Samsung manufactured, in-house designed A4 SoC  (System on Chip) - microprocessor. 


I expect, however, that they have underclocked it, in order to gain better battery life, in line with what Steve Jobs was saying at the OS 4 event back in April.


Video + Pics on the full post.

Latest iPhone update leaked - iPhone 4G? HD?

Ok, so I should have posted on this sooner, after all, it has been a couple of weeks. I'm sorry. But I wanted to let the madness die down a little, and see what more came out.


In the early twitter hours of the devices leakage it was crazy, so much speculation.


- I recommend you follow @engadget @joshuatopolsky @reckless @bxchen and of course myself, @94fordy and @Enigma_Tech -


I can't express quite how good-looking a device it is, you really need to visit Giz's gallery for the best possible impression. (Although all credit to Engadget for the picture used in this post).


Hit up the "Read on" link for the full break down of how this story came about, Gizmodo's acquisition and of course most importantly what we know about the phone.