ZTE Grand X hands-on

We're live in London, where ZTE has just announced its new mid to high-end smartphone for Europe, the Grand X. It's a 4.3-inch device with a qHD screen, and a design that will remind Android enthusiasts of the Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus phones. What's also familiar from the Nexus series is the software -- the Grand X runs a near-stock version of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (no word on any Jelly Bean update just yet, unfortunately.)

Inside there's a dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 CPU, coupled with 512MB. Internal storage is limited to 1.6GB, but there's also a microSD card slot around the back to enable expandable storage. ZTE is pitching this device as a multimedia smartphone for price-conscious buyers, and the specs and price point are well-aligned with this demographic. ZTE says it's looking at a £180-190 price point in the UK, when the Grand X launches on Virgin Media and Phones4U, and it's also loaded with TegraZone games to take advantage of the NVIDIA chip under the hood.

The ZTE Grand X is expected to launch in August in the UK, followed by a wider European launch in France and Germany. Check out our full hands-on demonstration of the Grand X above.

Once you begin to move beyond basic background information, you begin to realize that there’s more to ZTE Grand X than you may have first thought.

Orange San Diego hands-on and first impressions

Intel arrives to the party on a carrier branded, middle of the road Android smartphone. But is it any good?

Down in jolly old London Town this morning, Orange UK threw a little breakfast soiree in a venue 31 floors up. The purpose? To officially unveil their latest own-brand Android smartphone, until now known as the Santa Clara. Traditionally, Orange has piggy-backed onto a device from the likes of ZTE, offering a budget device geared towards the low end of the market. They're also not usually the sort of devices that warrant gathering members of the press in the center of London at breakfast time. With their latest offering -- launching as the San Diego, so keeping to the city name tradition -- the carrier is going about things a little different. There is something to shout about -- Intel Inside.

More: Orange San Diego hands-on video and photo gallery

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Kyocera Hyrdo Hands-on

Earlier this morning at CTIA we saw Kyocera announce two new devices, the Kyocera Hydro and the Kyocera Rise. The aim of these devices was pretty evident, featuring 3.2-inch displays it was rather obvious that they weren't debuting some flagship devices, but that also doesn't mean that we should write them off without a fair look at them. First up is the Kyocera Hydro, their submersible Android device that is geared towards rugged users.

While the display may only be 3.2 inches, it's tempered by the fact that Kyocera opted to include an IPS display on this device. Some may find it to be a bit small, but aside from the personal preference there, Kyocera has done a rather nice job with the display. Right off the bat the one thing you will notice is the choice they made in regards to the buttons under the display, and unfortunately they have decided to go with four of them instead of three. This style decision is one that many may not enjoy, but it is there and we can't change that now.

Touring the hardware there isn't much different from other devices except when you flip it over you will notice the rugged design on the back. At the bottom of the battery door is the lock that helps create the waterproof seal for the device, since it is able to be submerged for up to a meter for 30 minutes without causing any damage to the device. Up at the top you have the 3.2MP camera which by no means is the greatest on the market, but it will do the trick.

Overall they have left the software of the device pretty stock, minus the lock screen, which they have customized in a way that will please some and annoy others. The lock screen has a large unlock button in the center, and right below that is the shortcut to the camera. To unlock the device, or access the camera you will need to flick the icon, which I found to be pretty easy to do, not an excessive force or repeated attempts were required.

Inside you have a 1GHz processor to help the device move along fluidly, along with 2GB of internal storage space for your favorite apps and files. The device allows for added storage as well via micro-SD which is under the sealed battery door. While far from a flagship device, the Kyocera Hydro is definitely a powerful little device that is sure to please the crowd of Android users looking for something a little more rugged. Hit the break for a quick video tour and some more hands on shots.

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Kyocera Rise hands-on

Kyocera this morning announced two new devices, the Kyocera Hydro (which we took a look at earlier), and the Kyocera Rise. At first the two devices don't look extremely different, they have the same screen size, and many of the same specs, but a big difference with the Rise is the inclusion of the physical QWERTY keyboard. Just like the Hydro the Rise features a 3.2-inch IPS display, but this device is not rugged nor waterproof, which gears it towards a different crowd.

Touring the hardware you will notice the set up is nothing we haven't seen, but they have added some nice touches to the device style wise to make it appealing. At the top you have the power button and headphone jack, on the left you have a volume rocker and the micro-USB charging port. On the right there is a dedicated camera key, which is something that I enjoy greatly. The back of the device is where the style really shines, with the two tone colors, and the nice glossy back that was used.

With the same 1GHz processor, and 2GB of on board storage for the device, the device does not lack speed, but it also isn't the fastest we have seen. The custom lock screen and Eco-Mode is also found on the Rise, and while only small additions to ICS, it is nice that they went above and beyond to bring something unique. The keyboard is actually very easy to use, and the keys are well spaced so that typing on them is rather accurate.

The device is geared towards a more entry level crowd, the specs and overall product show that, but that doesn't mean that it should be shun. They have done a great job with the device, and if you are looking for something entry level, want your first Android device, or want to grab something nice for your parents, this is a great option. Hit the break for some more shots and a video tour of the device.

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HTC One S Otterbox Commuter hands-on

We just got a look at the Otterbox Commuter case for the HTC One X, but we didn't want you One S owners to feel left out, because sitting right next to it was the commuter series case for the One S. Much like the One X, the One S features those wonderful curves and no one wants to ruin that by adding some ugly or bulky case, even if they are adding protection. In the past Otterbox cases have been kind of bland in design, and very industrial looking, but it appears as though that is gone.

Following the curves of the device the Commuter series case offers great protection for users who wish to keep their device safe and sound, but does it in a very stylish way. The overall style and flow matches that of the device, which is a key factor because many people are enticed by the design and feel of the HTC One Series. Hit the break to check out some more images, and be sure to stay tuned for a full review.

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Huawei Ascend D Quad hands-on

Huawei had a sizeable presence at CTIA this year, much like it did back at CES and Mobile World Congress earlier this year. The Chinese company looks poised to enter the high-end smartphone market, marking a shift from the mid to low-range devices it has made a name for itself with. Huawei hopes to achieve its goal with the Ascend line, a group of phones that have the guts to stand up to the likes of Samsung, Motorola, and HTC. At the top of the heap sits the Ascend D Quad (the D, Huawei says, stands for Diamond), the gem of the line.

We first saw the D Quad in Barcelona, but things have changed a bit. In the past few months, Huawei seems to have added a custom skin to its Ascend line, a departure from the nearly-vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich experience we first saw. We won’t complain though: things don’t seem to have slowed down, and the skin is certainly not painful to look at.

Other than that, the phone remains largely unchanged. It’s still got a beautiful 4.5-inch 720p display with PPI approaching 330, a Huawei-made K3V2 processor clocked at 1.2 GHz, and a “best-in-class” 8MP camera. Everything adds up to a beautiful experience: the D Quad is thin, light, and really gorgeous. It might not have the name recognition of the One or Galaxy S lines, but I assure you, this is not a device to disregard.

The D line comes with a few variations: opt for the D1 and you’ll get a processor clocked at 1.5 GHz; opt for a Quad XL, and you’ll get a 2,500 mAh battery, up from the standard 1,800 variant. The model you’re looking at here is the standard D Quad.

The release date for the D Quad is a bit fuzzy: the model in my hands is HSPA+ only, though Huawei would like to launch the LTE-equipped version sometime this summer, though no US carriers have bit just yet. We’ll keep our fingers crossed that they do, though, as we feel that Huawei is in it to win it. Hit the break for another look.

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LG Optimus 3D MAX in white hands-on

Rounding out our coverage of LG’s presence here in New Orleans this year is the Optimus 3D MAX, a phone we first met back at Mobile World Congress in February. Sure, we got our hands on the device back then, but we figured another spin wouldn’t kill us. This time around, the MAX came dressed in white, an outfit we prefer to the black we saw in Barcelona.

Like we’ve said before, if you aren’t sold on 3D technology by now, this isn’t the device to change your mind. Spec-wise, the MAX isn’t that much different than the OG Optimus 3D. You’ve got the same 4.3-inch WVGA display (this time around, though, you’ve got a coating of Gorilla Glass 2), the same dual-lense 5 MP camera, and the same old Gingerbread OS. The processor has been tweaked just a tad, upping the clock speed of that dual-core OMAP 4430 to 1.2 GHz. But the lack of bigger and better specs isn’t really a not a knock against the MAX, though; in fact, the device is perfectly capable smartphone that comes with some pretty cool features for those 3D fans.

One of those features is the built-in 3D converter, which is a new addition to the Optimus 3D line. With it, you can convert any old app to full 3D glory. Videos and pictures don’t do it justice, so this one you’ll have to check out for yourself.

Now I’m not a huge fan of 3D technology, but I have to give credit where credit is due. It’s nice to see that LG has committed itself to the technology, and I’m looking forward to seeing what it comes up with as the line evolves.

The MAX is available now in Europe, with hush-hush rumors pegging it for an AT&T release sometime this summer. Until then, enjoy some hands-on photos and video after the break. 

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Nyx Mobile Lyuba Fun and Lyuba Max hands-on

Walking around CTIA, it's always fun to find new things at random booths, and after stopping by Nyx Mobile I was met with a pleasant surprise from one of their reps. He starts the conversation with "you want to see something cool?" Of course, the geek in me wanted to scream yes, and I told him that I did. That's when he proceeded to pull out prototypes of their upcoming devices, which feature edge to edge displays. That's right, only the tiniest slither of a bezel separates the screen from the edge of the device.

The first handset that came out, the Lyuba Max, featured a 5-inch display and by doing the edge to edge display and eliminating the frame around it they were able to bring a larger screen in a smaller package. They also had a 4-inch model -- the Lyuba Fun -- and they will be finalizing a build of a 3.5-inch display as well. When the devices do launch, they'll run Ice Cream Sandwich, and feature specs comparable to other high-end devices. Hit the break to check out a couple other pictures, and stay tuned for updates from Nyx Mobile on availability of these devices.

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LG Optimus 4X HD hands-on

Greetings from CTIA 2012 here in New Orleans, where today we got our paws on the latest and greatest hardware from LG. First up is the company's latest flagship device, the Optimus 4X HD. We first got a look at this beauty back at Mobile World Congress, but like true techies, we just needed another round with it. The Optimus 4X HD has got the guts to go up against the heavy hitters on the market today: underneath the hood we've got a Tegra 3 processor clocked at 1.5 Ghz, 1 GB RAM, and Ice Cream Sandwich. LG has done a bit of tweaking to its Tegra 3, optimizing a fifth core for light, non-intensive usage that's designed to save precious battery life.

Speaking of battery life, LG is really focusing on improving it. In addition to packing 2,150 mAh battery, LG is making the most out of Android 4.0's battery optimizations, in addition to its own software tweaks. We're glad to see it, as that 4.7-inch "True HD" IPS display is certainly not a battery sipper. Hopefully, with what LG has done, we'll see some solid and respectable talk and standby time here.

LG is hush-hush on release dates and US carrier information, though after talking with representatives, I certainly got the feeling it's coming sooner rather than later. We'll keep our eyes peeled, of course, and until then, enjoy another round of hands-on after the break.

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Samsung Galaxy S III software hands-on

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AppId is over the quota

As you may have heard, Samsung’s just taken the wraps off the new Galaxy S III, a 4.8-inch quad-core beast powered by Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and a brand new version of TouchWiz. Samsung’s UX has been given a minor facelift on the Galaxy S III, bringing in visual and audio elements from the device’s new “inspired by nature” design choices. And there are a few exciting new features to boot, incorporating NFC, face recognition and Wifi Direct.

Join us after the break for our full walkthrough of the Samsung Galaxy S III's software, along with more videos!

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Hands-on the Samsung Galaxy S III video roundup

Can’t get enough of the Samsung Galaxy S III? The device was just unveiled in London and now the hands-on videos are coming online. We scoured the web to gather up the best videos so you can see what the media is saying about Samsung’s flagship device. Check out the growing list after the break and let us know what you think.

Find any more interesting videos of the Galaxy S III? Share the links in the comments below and we will ad them to our list.

Flipboard for Android - we go hands-on!

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AppId is over the quota

Flipboard is finally coming to Android. Well, sort of. Flipboard is coming to Android on the Galaxy S III. Exclusively on the Galaxy S III, we're told, at least for some amount of time, though Flipboard's website today informs that it'll be available on "Select Android phones" at first, so that could mean more than just the SGSIII.

What's all the fuss about? If you're a fan of Google Currents -- and judging by the more than 321,000 subscribers to Android Central on Google Currents, a few of you are -- you'll also be a fan of Flipboard. The idea is that you take a traditional news feed and turn it into a more visually appealing medium. "Magazine-style" is the phrase we use a lot, and it's a great way to read traditional online stories, online or offline. And Flipboard was one of the first apps to do it really well, and until now it's only been available on iOS devices.

But no more. Flipboard is coming to Android. We don't know exactly when (well, May 29 for those of you in Europe, we suppose), and we don't know how long it'll be SGSIII-only. But if you've been waiting for Flipboard on Android, it's coming. Probably. 

We've got a brief hands-on look after the break that'll give you the idea of what's in store.

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Hands-on with 'S Beam' on the Samsung Galaxy S III

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AppId is over the quota

Samsung announced a slew of new features on the Galaxy S III at yesterday's Unpacked event in London, and one of the most interesting was "S Beam", a new file transfer capability based around NFC and Wifi Direct. Similar to ICS's Android Beam feature, you start by finding a file, photo or video in one of the built-in applications, then tap the screen to start the transfer. The phones are then instantly paired, and a Wifi Direct connection is established between them to handle all the heavy lifting. Because the Galaxy S III supports Wifi channel bonding, files can be transferred at up to 300Mbps, though that's dependent on how much interference there is in the area.

As you'll see in our video demo, it seems to work pretty well. See for yourself after the break.

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Samsung Galaxy S III hardware hands-on

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AppId is over the quota

It’s impossible to talk about the next Samsung flagship without first reflecting on the string of rumors, leaks and hype, both official and unofficial, that’s paved the way for what’s become the most anticipated Android phone of the year. The secrecy surrounding the device has been unprecedented, and the lack of verifiable information, combined with a tantalizing pool of rumors, has had the Android community buzzing for months. But today all the waiting, rumors and speculation can finally came to an end, as Samsung officially unveils the Galaxy S III -- a curvaceous 4.8-inch phone sporting a quad-core CPU, a 720p HD SuperAMOLED display and a new version of TouchWiz.

Join us after the break for the start of our full coverage of the Galaxy S III, including our complete hands-on video.

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Samsung Galaxy S III camera app hands-on

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AppId is over the quota

Samsung has had some pretty good cameras in its phones for some time now, and the Galaxy S III is no exception. The SGSIII finds itself with an 8-megapixel rear shooter, and a 1.9-megapixel camera round front. Sammy's mantra as far as the camera goes is that it wants you to "never miss a picture-perfect moment."

The camera app remains impressive. The shutter snaps as soon as you touch the screen (some people prefer that, others prefer it to trigger on release), and there's virtually no lag between touch and picture. You've got some pretty standard options -- panorama mode, macro, etc. -- and HDR imaging (that's the one where pictures of differing resolutions are combined for a more dynamic look) is now built in as well.

A feature Samsung's particularly proud of is burst mode, which will capture up to 20 images in a single take by holding down the shutter button. (You do have to first enable burst mode in the settings.)

Facial recognition is another high point, as Samsung's making a big deal out of being able to identify your friends faces, tag photos, group them, and share them. In demos it's seemed to work well enough. We'll reserve ful judgment for when we get to use it in the real world.

Shooting video works as expected, and Samsung's also got the ability to snap still images while recording motion at 1080p. (Unlike HTC's video playback, however, you can't take still images while reviewing a video.)

All in all, though, a pretty solid performance by the Samsung Galaxy S III in the optical department.

Hands-on with the HTC One X case

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AppId is over the quota

We've just gotten a good look at the HTC One X case that's been floating around here at the Frequencies event. The bottom line (according to HTC) is that it's meant to really not meant to break up the lines of the One X. And while its design is pretty much unlike any case you've used before, it actually feels pretty good in the hand, is easy enough to take on and off, and it should protect the phone. The screen is left unprotected, and note that it works around the charging contacts and speaker, as well as the camera.

Note that this is the second version of the case that we've seen -- the first is a series of holes. HTC doesn't yet know when the cases will be available, or where they'll be sold. In fact, the cases don't even really have a name.

We've got more pics after the break.

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