On Episode 12 of Dads On Tech, Ray and Zev Mo speak about the Motorola Droid Bionic, an Android smartphone running 2.3.4 gingerbread running on Verizon’s 4G LTE network. Watch and see why we gave it a 3/5 remotes.

Stats:
- qHD display
- 4g LTE
- $299 with a two year contract
- Android 2.3.4 (gingerbread)
- 4.3 inch display
- 8 mega pixel camera
- Will shoot 1080p hd
- Front facing camera
- 1GHz dual core CPU

Pros:
- Verizon’s LTE network, which is fast
- 4.3-in. display to be bright enough for outdoor use
- Front and back cameras
- Can be a mobile hotspot (4G makes this a Pro)
- ZumoCast Capable (access any file from your computer remotely)
- Can dock with a laptop (like the atrix)

Cons:
- Expensive ($299 w/ contract)
- Battery life not so good (expected on 4G phones)
- 1Ghz Processor vs the 1.5Ghz in other models
- MotoBlur (not a fan)

Ratings:
- 3 out of 5 remotes

The holiday shopping season well on its way. While we are all running around with our lists and credit cards in hand — T-Mobile would like to say “thank-you.” They would like to say “thank-you” to the DadsOnTech loyal readers. T-Mobile is giving away a Dell Inspiron Mini 10 4G netbook. This would make a great holiday present for the techie in your family.

The Mini is an ultraportable netbook with full Internet access via T-Mobile’s 4G network. This also includes unlimited WiFi access to thousands of T-Mobile HotSpot’s. Here are the technical specifications:

• Built-in 4G mobile broadband access via T-Mobile’s 4G network and unlimited
• Access to thousands of T-Mobile HotSpot Network locations nationwide
• Capable of theoretical peak speeds up to 21 Mbps
• Full-size keyboard that’s 92 percent the size of a standard keyboard
• 0.1 inch LED glossy WSGVA widescreen display
• Built-in 1.3 MP Webcam, 5-in-1 media card reader, stereo speakers, three USB ports, VGA port
• Microsoft® Office 2010 Starter Edition and Windows Internet Explorer® 8
• Intel® Atom™ Processor N450 (1.66 GHz; 512 KB L2 Cache)
• Dimensions: 10.43 x 7.72 x 1.29
• Ultraportable and weighs three lbs
• Six cell 56 WHr lithium-ion battery with up to eight hours Web surfing and 11 hours on standby
• Network Frequencies
  • Quad-band GSM world device (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)
  • Quad-band UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+ world device (Bands I, II, IV & V)

Giveaway Details:

To win, simply leave a comment below telling me what is your favorite thing about T-Mobile. The contest ends Monday, December 13th, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST. One winner will be announced on this post on Wednesday, December 15th, 2010, (using random.org) and will be notified via email or Twitter (please provide a valid email or Twitter address).

Note: To increase your chances of winning complete and submit the additional entries below. Be sure to leave a separate comment after completing each. If you have already completed the entries, please indicate below.

“Like” T-Mobile on Facebook

Follow T-Mobile on Twitter

“Like” Dads On Tech on Facebook

Follow Dads On Tech on Twitter

Winners will have 24 hours to claim their prize; otherwise, a new winner will be chosen. I am sorry but this giveaway is for US residents only.

Winner as chosen by random.org.

Winner is — Nelson Jackson

Nielsen Company

Today the Nielsen Company released a new report – “Which is the Most Desired Operating System?” The most popular smartphones are the Apple iPhone and RIM Blackberry. These two handsets are caught in a statistical dead heat at – 27% market share in the U.S. Android — which was barely a blip on the radar two years ago — is at 22% market share.

According to the report 29.7% of the U.S. mobile subscribers now own smartphones. That would leave the remaining 70.3% owning feature phones.

Verizon

Verizon held their 4G LTE Press Conference yesterday – where Chief Technology Officer — Tony Melone spoke. Verizon announced that on December 5, 2010 the company will be launching its new LTE service; which includes New York City. Southern California will be the largest market — covering 20 million people as of Sunday December 5th.

Melone explains that 4G is 10x’s faster than 3G, 5 – 12 Mbp/s downstream and 2 – 5 Mbp/s upstream. Now, that is fast.

There will be two pricing plans — 5GB for $50 a month and 10GB for $80 a month. Overages will run you $10 per GB.

There will be two 4G LTE USB modems: the LG VL600 which will be available at launch and the Pantech UML290, which will be available later this year. Each modem will cost $99.99 after $50 rebate with a new two-year agreement. LTE handsets will be available by mid-2011.

WikiLeaks

The International Criminal Police Organization, also known as Interpol, has added WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to its wanted list. The notice, issued today, targets Julian Paul Assange for sex crimes.

The warrant stems from an accusation of sexual assault — which was made earlier this year by two women Assange met in Sweden during a business trip.

Cyber Monday

On a brighter note — ComScore explains that Cyber Monday might be the heaviest online spending day in history — with consumers spending a whopping $1.028 billion dollars. This same time last year consumers spent $887 million dollars — that is a 16% increase year-on-year.

comScore explains the increase of consumer spending is in part due — to the heavier-than-normal promotional and discounting activity of retailers.

T-Mobile announced the myTouch 4g will be available for purchase on November 3rd, 2010.  The price point will be $199.99.

$199.99 (after a $50 mail-in-rebate), plus taxes and fees, with a two-year service agreement and qualifying voice and data plan. The myTouch 4G will be available nationwide through T-Mobile retail stores and online at www.T-Mobile.com. The myTouch 4G will also be available nationwide beginning November 3 through select third-party dealers and leading national retailers including Best Buy, Costco, RadioShack, Sam’s Club and Target. Pricing may vary at independent dealers and national retailers.

I first got my hands on the smartphone last night at a T-Mobile myTouch event in NYC. The handset is a beautiful 3.8-inch WVGA touch-screen display. The most impressive feature is that the myTouch — like the G2 — will take full advantage of the HSPA+ network. The myTouch has a built-in HSPA+ radio and real world speed tests look something like this — 9.11 Mbp/s download and 2.73 Mbp/s upload.

Take a quick look at the myTouch from our friends at Wirefly.

Check out the full article at Huffington Post.

Ramon Nuez and I were fortunate enough to attend the Samsung launch party, where we got a sneak peek of the new line of Galaxy S mobile devices.  There were celebrities, there were musicians, there were cameras, there were little tiny hamburgers, and of course there was tech.

Samsung Mobile released 4 brand new phones:

1. Verizon –  Samsung Fascinate
2. Sprint — Samsung Epic 4G
3. T-Mobile — Samsung Vibrant
4. AT&T — Samsung Captive

Each phone has its own individual flavor.  Samsung has a long tradition of well crafted technology, and you can see that they take their mobile market seriously, and with great pride.

Another Android Phone?

Yeah, yeah, I know what you are saying.  Geez, it’s like another one is going to come out NEXT week!  Ultimately, this is what is most annoying about this platform.  So many phones, so many manufacturers, so much confusion.  I agree with you.

HOWEVER, this can also be a good thing in the long run.  Actually, a really GOOD thing.  We haven’t reached the over-diversity peak of the scale yet, but we are getting there.  Samsung realized that and offered 4 models that offer you the best of the Android platform, and will compete or exceed the specs of any of the other Android mobile devices out there.

Whether it be the amazing Super AMOLED screen, their TouchWiz user-interface, the custom TouchWiz apps (like Daily Briefing, Social Hub, Remote Control, etc.), hummingbird processor, or simply the quality design, you can bet that Samsung is now leading in this platform.

Which one, which one…

Look, it all comes down to your carrier.  Personally, the Verizon Fascinate is my favorite, followed by the thin T-Mobile Vibrant, but I really would liked to have seen a forward facing camera like the Epic 4G has.

The Epic 4G has a physical keyboard, which I personally think is a waste of space since the on-screen Swype software (shipped as default) is a really good input method.

The AT&T Captive looks a little like the Blackberry Storm 2, and is a perfectly good device, I just like the styling of the other two.

Is it perfect?

No device is perfect, and each person has their own needs.  So, this is where I wished for all phones in one.

For me, I would have liked an LED flash on the back, and a forward facing camera on all of the devices.  One thing to note, Samsung made a point in removing the trackball/trackpad on most Android phones, to make way for the larger screen.  I say, hurrah!  Manufacturers have to push Android to be a truly touch-screen interface… no ‘mice’ needed.

As far as Parental Controls, again, Android fails to deliver.  I am waiting to see if Android 2.2 or 3.0 will be adding any major changes to this shortfall.

Just try one

If you are looking for a new phone, I suggest you take a look at the Samsung Galaxy S line.  The speed, screen, interface, and design are really sweet advances to the existing line of available Android smart devices.

More Information:

Samsung Mobile Introduces the U.S. to the Galaxy S – Ramon Nuez (Huffington Post)

Check out our pictures from the evening:

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[starreviewmulti id=3 tpl=20]

So we pick up 2010 right where we left off 2009 – speculating what Jobs will be announcing on January 26th at the Yerba Buena Center. The hopes are set rather high that Jobs will make the announcement we have all been waiting for – the Apple tablet. Unfortunately, the pricing rumors are a bit unsettling. It has been reported that the price point could be anywhere between $700 to $900. According, Pete Cashmore Apple is plaining on selling 10 million tablets in 2010. I don’t see Apple selling 10 million units in 2010 at a price point nearly $1000.

What we can report with certainty is that Apple has been in talks with various publishers, broadcasters and movie studios to bring subscription based services to iTunes. The Wall Street Journal has reported that CBS and Disney are interested in partnering with Apple to provide TV subscription services. It’s still unclear how much Apple will charge for the TV subscription service – some are saying $30 a month. Additionally, it is unclear if CBS and Disney will be making their entire portfolio of TV shows available. My first guess would be no – we would see the availability of only a handful of shows. Apple plans to launch the TV subscription service sometime in 2010.

With Apple cutting these content deals and the tablet rumored to be coming in at just under $1000, are we really talking about an iPhone on steroids? I think we are more looking at an Apple media tablet. I am not just talking about the content already available on iTunes, that is a given. I am talking about news papers, text books, magazines all updated in real time, living stories and Internet TV - all operating on a 3G or 4G network; even white-space is a strong possibility.

I believe that the success of the Apple tablet will depend on a fine balance of price and content. Too much of one and not enough of the other and Apple will not be selling 10 million units in 2010.