11/20, 3:10pm
Proto FLO TV tuner gives iPhone live shows
Qualcomm has quietly shown an example receiver that would give the iPhone and iPod touch FLO TV reception. Despite assertions that the company would use iPhone OS 3.0 support for native hardware, the demonstrator mimics the strategy used for the Softbank 1Seg tuner in Japan and pipes video over Wi-Fi. The receiver itself is roughly as large as the iPhone, though it's unclear whether this is due to its prototype nature or to accommodate a larger battery.
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11/19, 5:35pm
Chip choice helps increase gross margin on iPhone
Apple has allegedly established a system to minimize licensing costs for 3G components patented by Qualcomm, according to Bernstein Research analyst Toni Sacconaghi. While most 3G OEMs are paying Qualcomm roughly 4 percent on the wholesale price of their phones, Apple reportedly dodges most of the fees and pays an estimated 1.6 percent of its iPhone revenue to the chip maker.
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11/19, 3:10pm
Qualcomm mirasol e-reader doubles as game console
The recently highlighted Qualcomm Mirasol e-reader prototype may be the first to offer the capability to play action games, thanks to a gaming controller accessory revealed on Thursday. The mirasol display technology is capable of reproducing colors and can play back video and the company behind it is seeing a potential as a gaming platform for its device. The plug-in controller has two control sticks, like many popular gaming consoles.
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11/18, 4:30pm
Qualcomm mirasol e-book reader coming
Qualcomm today showed off a new implementation of its mirasol technology that could lead to a major advancement in e-book readers. The semiconductor designer has developed an early mockup of an e-book reader that has a 5.7-inch, 1024x768 color e-paper display. While not fully functional, it represents a design that should not only be capable of supporting richer colors than any other reader but also playing video.
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11/18, 2:40pm
Qualcomm in regular talks with Apple
Qualcomm chief Paul Jacobs in an interview today said his company has been talking with Apple about providing chips for the iPhone. He didn't provide specifics but tried to downplay the significance for Bloomberg, explaining that Qualcomm's size means it talks to "everybody." He also pointed out that company "haven't made [a deal] yet" with Apple and didn't say what progress if any had been achieved.
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11/18, 9:15am
Google's own Android phone custom-made
Google's rumored self-developed Android phone is real but has been pushed back, a scoop claimed on late Tuesday. The handset would be built by a third party, most likely LG or Samsung rather than the previously preferred HTC, but would carry only Google's branding and is said by TechCrunch to be designed almost exclusively according to Google's design. It would launch in early 2010 after a delay but would receive heavy marketing as soon as January.
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11/17, 8:40pm
Qualcomm banned from using brand in Germany
German computer maker Smartbook AG has continued to threaten companies, including EE Times, that have been using the term "smartbook." The manufacturer recently sought a restraining order against the chip maker Qualcomm. Although Qualcommm and other companies, such as Freescale, use the term smartbook as a generic reference to portable Internet-ready devices that fall between the typical classifications for netbooks and smartphones, Smartbook AG has argued that it owns the sole rights to the trademark.
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11/17, 4:05pm
Acer Liquid A1 smartphone due in UK this month
Acer's first Android-powered smartphone, the Liquid A1, will be out in the UK in late November, according to UK electronics retailer Clove. The phone will, as previously reported, run on a detuned, 768MHz version of the Qualcomm Snapdragon instead of the full-blown 1GHz CPU.
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11/13, 11:10am
FLO TV Personal TV ships with 6-months of service
Qualcomm's FLO TV Personal Television is now available in stores and online. The device as expected provides subscription over-the-air TV from a 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen that the company now adds is oleophobic (oil-resistant). Programs are a mix of live and timeshifted shows from CBS Mobile, CNBC, Comedy Central, FOX News Channel, MSNBC, MTV, NBC 2Go and Nickelodeon. Some limited-time bonus channels will also be offered for special events, premium programs and original content.
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11/12, 3:50pm
New image supports Toshiba TG01 at Verizon
Another indication that the 1GHz Qualcomm CPU-powered Toshiba TG01 smartphone may be soon coming to Verizon surfaced on Thursday. This comes in the form of an image of a Cellebrite device screen showing a handset called TG01CV. The Cellebrite machine is used to transfer database content between handsets and implies Verizon is readying its system to accept the new phone in its system.
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11/12, 2:10pm
Lenovo smartbook uses Snapdragon chip
Qualcomm at its investor conference today showed what should be one of the first production smartbooks. The Lenovo design (pictured) would sit in between netbooks and smartphones in size and will run one of Qualcomm's own Snapdragon processors. It's similarly expected to use AT&T-based 3G for Internet access beyond Wi-Fi.
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11/12, 12:25pm
Possible Verizon iPhone candidates?
Qualcomm today updated its MDM family of cellular chipsets with some of the first anywhere to support dual, advanced 3G and 4G formats. The MSM7630 supports GSM, HSPA and HSPA+ standards but will also work on CDMA phone networks and support up to EVDO Revision B for 3G on those services. The addition would let a phone work on a CDMA carrier like Sprint or Verizon but still work with AT&T or T-Mobile and roam at speeds of up to 21Mbps on networks from Rogers, other international carriers, and eventually T-Mobile USA.
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11/10, 12:20pm
Softbank announces new winter, spring handsets
Japanese telecoms provider Softbank on Tuesday announced an upcoming lineup of handsets, including revealing that it will launch an Android-powered smartphone by the spring of 2010. The device will use a 3.7-inch OLED and be powered by Qualcomm's 1GHz Snapdragon CPU but has received few other details. Otherwise, Snapdragon is already found or to be found in a number of other smartphones from various manufacturers.
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11/09, 4:00pm
Samsung, Qualcomm renew wireless license
Samsung last week said it has created a new 15-year contract with Qualcomm to use its 3G and 4G wireless technology. Under the terms of the agreement, Samsung will made a down payment of $1.3 billion to Qualcomm along with running royalties, though specifics on these were not disclosed. Samsung will also share its 57 patents for mobile technology with Qualcomm, though it will not be paid for this because Qualcomm's licenses are valued higher.
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11/06, 9:50pm
iPhone may have CDMA option next year
An analyst report sent today hints at Apple producing an iPhone that would work with both GSM and CDMA networks. The OTR Global note obtained by AppleInsider claims to know of an iPhone in development with a hybrid Qualcomm chipset that will support the two normally incompatible standards. It would support UMTS-based 3G on carriers like AT&T and would presumably support EVDO-based 3G on Verizon and similar CDMA carriers.
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11/04, 9:55am
HTC HD2 likely for T-Mobile USA
HTC today began shipping the HD2 to Europe and Taiwan but also confirmed plans to bring the phone to the US. The Windows Mobile 6.5 handset is due to ship to America through a "major carrier" in early 2010. While unnamed by HTC, it's expected the phone will be available through T-Mobile USA and will support the provider's 1,700MHz 3G network.
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11/02, 4:45pm
Acer's Liquid Android smartphone specs confirmed
The specifications for Acer's upcoming Liquid smarpthone have been revealed at a conference in France, Revioo reported on Monday. Despite an earlier report, the phone's Qualcomm SnapDragon processor will not be rated at its full, 1GHz clock speed but instead be limited to 768MHz.
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10/30, 8:40am
ASUS chief confirms sub-$200 Android PC
ASUS chief Jerry Shen at an investor conference late yesterday said his company should have an Android-based smartbook on shelves by early 2010. Reversing earlier doubts about a market for such a system, Shen says a portable based on Qualcomm's Snapdragon chip and the Google mobile OS should be the first "secret weapon" for the company and will likely cost just $185. The price is roughly half what most builders charge for an Atom-running netbook.
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10/29, 7:20pm
Company attempting to double US market share
Nokia is allegedly working on a Symbian-based handset aimed at the US market, an unnamed source has told VentureBeat. Interestingly enough, the device is expected to integrate a Qualcomm chip. If true, the component choice could indicate the companies are continuing to warm up to each other after a lengthy legal war over patent claims.
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10/27, 10:05am
Dell intros first multi-touch rugged tablet
After only a brief tease, Dell today formally unveiled the Latitude XT2 XFR. It's characterized as the first rugged convertible tablet to use capacitive multi-touch and is seen as ideal for use outdoors or at work where natural gestures, such as pinching to zoom into a map or flicking to scroll through a page, are more preferable to a pen. It nonetheless still works with a stylus and has a more outdoor-ready display that's more readily viewable in broad daylight.
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10/16, 5:55pm
Photo, detailed specs show for Sony Ericsson X3
Sony Ericsson's first known Android phone, the XPERIA X3, has finally been spotted and been given more detail. The phone is now thought to have a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon inside and would tie the Acer Liquid for the title of fastest Android phone. It should also have a slightly sharper than expected 4-inch, 852x480 touchscreen, GSMArena says.
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10/16, 4:05pm
Acer Liquid caught on video, new specs revealed
Specs and a video of the recently introduced Acer Liquid smartphone have been leaked, thanks to GPSandCo. The Android-powered device will be Acer's first with the Google-developed OS, and also its most powerful application, as the handset sports Qualcomm's 1GHz Snapdragon CPU. The video reveals the Liquid will be available in black, red or white and that it sports a 5-megapixel camera.
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10/16, 10:00am
ATSC Mobile DTV gets matching chip
The TV standards group ATSC today said its members have approved Mobile DTV, its over-the-air format made just for portable devices in North America. The gesture should let notebooks, smartphones and in-car units tune into free, live broadcasts of H.264 video even while moving at high speed. Although not HD, the format can run on existing digital TV networks without significant complications and is built to consume little power on the viewer's end.
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10/14, 8:50am
Acer Liquid carries Android 1.6
Acer on Wednesday made a new claim to the fastest smartphone available with the Liquid. The company's first Android phone, it's one of the first to ship with Android 1.6 but is also the first Android phone to ship with a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. Using the 1GHz chip makes it faster than the 800MHz Samsung Moment and helps drive the 800x480 touchscreen as well as speed up 3D and Android's already accurate web browser.
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10/07, 10:55am
Qualcomm intros FLO TV Personal TV
Qualcomm this morning made official its attempt to produce its own hardware with the FLO TV Personal Television. The handheld revolves around the company's own FLO TV digital broadcast TV standard and depends on a subscription that provides multiple channels of both live and delayed content, such as Comedy Central, NBC and Nickelodeon. The interface takes its cue from modern media players like the iPod touch and Zune HD by using a 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen, although it uses a TV-like programming guide to pick channels.
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10/02, 4:55pm
Acer changes names of WM smartphones
A leak indicates that Acer will rename its F1, C1, E1 and L1 smartphones when they reach production status, as these names were simply internal codenames. The F1 will now be called neoTouch, the C1 will be known as the beTouch E100, the E1 beTouch E101 and the L1 will be called beTouch E200. The neoTouch will have a 3.8-inch touchscreen with 800x480 resolution, carry a 1GHz Qualcomm CPU and run on Windows Mobile 6.5.
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09/30, 4:25pm
HTC Leo spotted in O2 catalog, has WM 6.5
The HTC Leo has shown up in UK wireless provider's upcoming catalogue, revealing it will be officially called HD2, at least in Europe. The phone is the first Windows Mobile device to use a capacitive touchscreen and multi-touch input, and is due for a release at O2 sometime in mid or late October. The catalog photo shows a standard Windows Mobile 6.5 interface as opposed to the expected TouchFLO 3D from HTC, though it's unclear if this is just O2's particular choice of image or an indication that its HD2 will go without TouchFLO.
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09/29, 4:10pm
C-motech shows Snapdragon-powered, WM 6.5 MID
Korea-based C-motech has shown off a new mobile Internet device (MID), the Mangrove. Unlike conventional MIDs, the 7-inch device uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and Windows Mobile 6.5. The Mangrove should be quick as it centers on Qualcomm's Snapdragon CPU, which also powers smartphones like Toshiba's TG01. In this case it builds both 3G and CDMA into the chipset to give the MID data without needing a separate chipset.
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09/29, 2:30pm
HTC Imagio for Verizon spotted, dated
The HTC Imagio XV6975 smartphone that will soon arrive at wireless provider Verizon has been spotted again, showing more details and the required Verizon branding. The phone will run on Windows Mobile 6.5, but lacks a hardware QWERTY keyboard. It will also be the first full smartphone offering in Verizon's lineup to support FLO TV broadcasts.
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09/29, 7:30am
Ten Apple tablet details
Apple's heavily rumored media tablet has received added details today through a leak from a historically accurate source. The device is now thought to have a 10.7-inch screen -- up from the 9.7 most often suggested -- and to have versions both with a 3G modem as well as without. Resolution would logically increase, but it's now said the display may reach near 720p (1280x720) and would be large enough for comfortably reading books and magazines as well as larger websites and videos.
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09/28, 4:55pm
Acer Android-based A1 priced for Europe
Acer's Android-based A1 handset will soon be available for sale in at least France and Germany according to a listing at electronics retailer Expansys. Though the listing has since been pulled, it allowed a look at the device's specs. Previously rumored to arrive in September, the device will get Android 2.0 (with "Donut" features like device-wide search) and will be powered by Qualcomm's relatively speedy 768MHz 8250 CPU. A 3.5-inch touchscreen with an 800x480 resolution will serve as the core interface.
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09/28, 4:15pm
Verizon to offer subsidized Gateway netbook soon
According to a leaked document, wireless provider Verizon will soon begin offering its second subsidized netbook with the upcoming addition of the Gateway LT2016u, Engadget reported on Monday. The computer will be sold on a two-year data contract, and like the first Verizon-subsidized netbook, the HP Mini 1151NR, will use Qualcomm's Gobi data modem to access Verizon's 3G data network. Otherwise, the netbook packs a 10.1-inch display with a 1024x600-pixel resolution, a 1.6GHz Atom CPU, 1GB of RAM and a 160GB hard drive.
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09/23, 12:35pm
Qualcomm PTV caught in photo
Qualcomm's PTV media player gained substance today through a leak that appears to show a real prototype of the device. Although less elaborate than the concept drawing, it reflects the basic all-touchscreen design and the existence of a stand to keep the player upright for watching the player's signature FLO TV digital over-the-air video. A 3.5mm headphone jack and speakers are also visible in the BGR shot.
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09/23, 12:00pm
iRex DR 300SG reader official
iRex today branched out to the US for the first time with its first e-book device intended specifically for the US. The DR 300SG has an 8.1-inch touchscreen e-paper display but centers first on its 3G access for accessing stores. It should support the Barnes & Noble bookstore out of the box for downloads but also recognize several other store format,s including Fictionwise, LibreDigital and Newspaper Direct as well as the universal EPUB format.
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09/18, 2:55pm
HTC Leo capacitive touch evident
A new demo on Friday supported notions that the HTC Leo will have the first-ever capacitive touchscreen and multi-touch input on a Windows Mobile device. The leak from ai.rs proves this by showing the phone responding to gestures that would either require active pressure on a normal Windows Mobile phone or wouldn't have worked at all, such as quickly flicking through HTC's TouchFLO interface or pinching to zoom into and out of photos.
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09/18, 8:40am
HTC Imagio and Predator due in October
HTC is rumored to be stepping up its smartphone presence with two rare smartphones meant primarily for Verizon as well as a possible significant processor boost. The Imagio is believed by BGR to be the final version of the Whitestone and, unlike with past claims, should be a more original design that may launch first on Verizon's network. It should have a 3.6-inch 800x480 touchscreen and usual features like 3G, GPS and Wi-Fi, but it should come preloaded with Windows Mobile 6.5 and support GSM for world roaming.
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09/16, 4:25pm
HTC Leo to support multi-touch despite WM 6.5?
A leaked video reveals that the upcoming HTC Leo handset may sport a 4.3-inch multi-touch capacitive touchscreen. The news would theoretically make it the first Windows Mobile device to support multi-touch as all Windows Mobile releases to date, including the upcoming 6.5, only officially support resistive (pressure-based) touchscreens that aren't capable of the feature. A few glimpses of the interface in the video reveal that the Leo does indeed have Windows Mobile 6.5 with HTC's TouchFLO interface on top.
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09/15, 7:50am
Apple tablet part details appear
Apple's frequently rumored tablet received more details on Tuesday with an apparent leak of production plans. Taiwan's Economic News claims the touchscreen hardware is now slated for February and that companies will start shipping parts in December. The publication reiterates the presence of a near 10-inch touch display but now insists the tablet will be based on a custom processor (likely ARM-based) from recent acquisition PA Semi and will use HSDPA for its 3G access, likely putting it on AT&T's network.
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09/01, 5:20pm
Qualcomm sales restrained
Qualcomm can no longer sell products that carry the "smartbook" name in Germany, as Smartbook AG has filed a restraining order against Qualcomm, Digitimes said on Tuesday. If Qualcomm fails to comply, it faces an equivalent fine of nearly $358,000 or an arrest for contempt. Smartbook AG CEO Dirk Pick says Qualcomm's German website, which divert users to the US page, are blocked to Internet users with German IP addresses.
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08/26, 6:15pm
Qualcomm PTV Player
Qualcomm is hoping to spark life in its over-the-air FLO TV format by launching a device of its own, a detailed leak notes. Although its digital TV service is already found in a number of cellphones in the US, the normally chip-only company is said by GDGT to be developing a Personal Television, or PTV, that would focus on its own FLO TV tuner. It would be dominated by a capacitive (finger-driven) touchscreen and might have a more natural interface with flicks and other gestures.
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08/26, 9:40am
Nokia ARM-based smartbook
Nokia may add a second netbook PC to its lineup besides the upcoming 10-inch Booklet 3G, according to unofficial sources from cellphone makers in Taiwan. They reported on Wednesday that the second netbook will reportedly be based on an ARM processor, like so many of Nokia's smartphones. The Digitimes insiders claimed Nokia may contract Compal or Foxconn to build a device that would fit Qualcomm's "smartbook" label but which would not arrive on store shelves until sometime in the middle of 2010.
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08/24, 4:45pm
HTC Mega screen caps
Images, screen captures and specs of the upcoming HTC Mega smartphone, first spotted earlier this month, have been unveiled in a recent ai.rs blog post. The device is expected to be priced as an entry-level smartphone and be powered by Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional. Its 2.8-inch, 240x320 resolution touchscreen is run by HTC's TouchFLO interface, and the handset supports HSPA for 3G on top of GSM and EDGE.
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08/10, 2:15pm
Sony Ericsson Smartbook
Sony Ericsson may be entering the smartbook field with a model of its own, based on a rumor today. A purported Taiwan-area source says the company is developing one of the mini notebooks. Most details aren't available to NetbookNews, including the choices of processor or operating system; The smartbook concept usually centers around a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor fast enough to rival a netbook and either Android or another Linux variant, but any ARM processor and a suitable operating system are candidates.
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07/30, 4:10pm
Acer Android netbook a go
Despite a recent report to the contrary, Acer is still on track to deliver a promised Android powered netbook PC later this summer, according to a representative at the company. The announcement was made after reports of a delay emerged, and the Aspire One-series netbook will sport a 10-inch screen along with an Intel Atom CPU. Thus far, Acer's Aspire One runs on Windows XP, but a prototype device on display recently contained both operating systems. Acer executives said the production version will only have Android.
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07/24, 5:30pm
Verizon Rushing 4G
Verizon is accelerating the launch of its 4G network for an unknown purpose that might involve Apple, a leak maintains. Although the provider has officially postponed its Long Term Evolution (LTE) 4G network to the second half of 2010, a purported veteran source of TechCrunch now says the network build out is being accelerated with an early 2010 release once again in mind. The accelerated schedule supposedly involves at least one "non-dongle" device, most likely meaning a handheld.
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07/22, 5:10pm
HTC Leo gets touchscreen
Following up earlier rumors of an HTC handset, the Leo, the latest leak shows the device's specs and reveals that what was actually known as Firestone will become the Leo, as the specs reveal no QWERTY keyboard. Instead, the Leo will apparently have a fast 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, a 4.3-inch capacitive touchscreen with a 480x800 resolution and 320MB of RAM, according to one source. Otherwise, the dual-band HSDPA handset will have quad-band GSM/EDGE network support and should run Windows Mobile 6.5.
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07/22, 2:30pm
HTC to go mainly Android
HTC is planning on increasing the use of the Android platform on its handsets to more than 50 percent in 2010, replacing Windows Mobile as the dominant OS, Taiwan's DigiTimes reported on Wednesday while referring to claimed industry sources. This is a significant increase from the current split, as HTC now offers about 30 percent of its handsets preloaded with the Google-developed, open source operating system.
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07/21, 4:25pm
TG01 passes FCC testing
The Toshiba TG01 smartphone, notable for its use of a high-powered 1GHz Snapdragon CPU from Qualcomm, has appeared on the FCC website. Unlike the usual FCC listings, the TG01 tested in this case is a production-ready device with support for CDMA networks and not a prototype, indicating it will very soon launch at either Sprint or Verizon, and perhaps eventually on both wireless providers.
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07/20, 11:40am
Nokia C X and Booklet
Nokia is registering a number of trademarks that suggest a major effort to expand and relabel its phone lineup, as well as to introduce new types of devices. The company has filed for trademarks on the names Cseries and Xseries that imply two new phone lines. At present, its phones are divided into the Nseries media and Eseries work smartphones as well as its four-digit numerical devices like the 5800 XpressMusic.
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07/20, 10:55am
HTC Leo smartphone rumors
Leaked specs for HTC's custom Manilla 2.5 platform reveal the company may be getting ready to release a new advanced clamshell smartphone thus far called the Leo. The details revealed to WMPowerUser suggest it will sport two screens, one with an 800x480 internal screen and an external 320x240 resolution screen. Support for OpenGL 2.0 graphics indicates it may be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon processor, like the one used in the Toshiba TG01.
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