http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhxcCDaM-EY

Zev Green and I check out the blistering fast LG Nitro HD on AT&T’s new 4G LTE network. We gave this Android Smartphone a very strong 3 out of 5 remotes. You have to check out our review for all the details.

Price:

• 2-yr Contract Price: $249.99
• Best Buy Online Discount: $100.00
• Total: $149.99

Stats:

• 4.5-inch display
• 1.5GHz dual-core processor
• 4G LTE
• 8-megapixel camera
• DLNA wireless media streaming
• HD 1080p video capture
• Front-facing Camera 1.3MP
• OS / Platform Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
• Bluetooth
• Mobile Hotspot

Pros:

• Phenomenal AH-IPS (Advanced High-Performance In-Plane Switching) Display
• 4G LTE network on AT&T is amazing. Avg speeds were around 28-33Mbps, bursting as high as 58Mbps
• LG User Interface is designed very well

Cons:

• Not a fan of that little flip thing to get to the power. It’s going to break
• The Android OS Lag- even with the dual-core processor
• Battery life takes a hit on 4G. All estimates are based on 3G

A number of weeks ago Samsung was kind enough to send us two Galaxy S smartphones — the AT&T Captivate and the T-Mobile Vibrant. At first glance both handsets are just simply beautiful — with a very clean design. The Super AMOLED 4.0″ screen is just simply captivating. I think I watched Avatar — on the T-Mobile Vibrant — at least three times. Avatar comes pre-installed on the Vibrant — no such luck on the Captivate.

You will quickly notice that the Vibrant is considerably lighter than the Captivate. This is simply a design aspect and does not suggest that the Captivate is a poorly constructed handset. I actually appreciated the fact that the Vibrant was lighter. As far as what network had the better experience — T-Mobile or AT&T — I had better reception with T-Mobile. That may have something to do with their next generation — HSPA+ network.

Zev Mo Green does a very nice job in reviewing both handsets:

Samsung Galaxy S Vibrant and Captivate review from DadsOnTech on Vimeo.

Photos:
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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]

What if you paid for your Internet access as if it were a utility bill?

This is what Mr. Randall Stephenson, AT&T Chairman and Chief Executive Officer has confirmed. Stephenson made this comment during his keynote webcast at the Morgan Stanley Conference this past Tuesday.

For the industry, we’ll progressively move towards more of what I call variable pricing, so the heavy [-use] consumers will pay more than the lower consumers,” Stephenson said in the webcast of the meeting.

Read more at the Huffington Post….

Rumors are abound about what Apple is planning to release come WWDC 2010 at the Moscone Center in California. The Worldwide Developer’s Conference is scheduled to take place June 28, 2010 to July 2, 2010. WWDC is an annual conference that is sponsored by Apple. It uses the conference to showcase new software and technologies for developers. Apple also takes this opportunity to offer hands-on labs and various feedback sessions.

There have been considerable iPhone rumors for the better part of 2009. The one rumor that has caught the attention of the many in the industry is, “is the iPhone going to Verizon?” We have heard other various unconfirmed iPhone stories such as – it being RFID/NFC enabled, having a 3.2 megapixel camera with auto focus and a front-facing camera – to just name a few. The most exciting of these stories is the long-awaited end of the Apple/AT&T exclusive contract.

The original iPhone was released in 2007 with an exclusive contract with AT&T. It’s not news that many in the iPhone community have had less than desirable service under AT&T’s rule. The stories are growing that not only will Apple open up the iPhone to all networks but that the latest iPhone may being siting on Verizon’s network or even T-Mobile’s network. Both companies explain that their networks can handle the additional bandwidth that the iPhone users are known for consuming.

What I find curious is that Google is partnering with T-Moble to sell the Nexus One. The Google phone also stands to be a bandwidth hog. If the rumors are true then the question begs “How will T-Mobile manage the bandwidth of these two phones?” In my opinion it could be disastrous for T-Mobile. I guess we will just have to be patient and wait for news from WWDC 2010.

Last week, Disney Parks Blog gave some wonderful screenshots of their new Mobile Magic Application.  The concept is this, if you are a Verizon Wireless subscriber, you can download the application for $9.99, that’s good for 180 days.  And for a limited time (I assume until January, while they are stretching the app’s legs), it is free for 24 hours.

If you aren’t a Verizon Wireless subscriber, like me (iPhone), you can have access to some very “basic” information (mostly the essentials- weather, operating times, magic hours, dining info, etc) through the web at http://m.disneyworld.com.

The app promises “FASTPASS return times, attraction wait times for the park you are in, extensive information on character locations and more for Walt Disney World and Disneyland theme parks.” I am looking forward to testing the app out in January, once I get a demo unit from Verizon, since I am on AT&T with the iPhone.

We’ll see what the accuracy of the fastpass and attraction wait times are, although I assume it uses historical statistics, or another algorithm for the calculations.  If it is wired, accurate, and not too vague, I will be very impressed.

The Disney Mobile Magic BREW application (the kind that you see on non-smart, or touch screen, phones) will be very useful for people who use those kinds of devices.  DPB did mention that “touch” phone support will be expanding, so I assume that there will be a Java-based app for the Android and Blackberry smart-phone segments as well.  That is something that I would be very interested in.

I see there being a third-way here.  I understand strategic partnerships, and they certainly serve a purpose here, but the next phase of the WDW experience should go even farther.  The next evolution, in my personal opinion, should be property-wide wireless networking.  This is not small task, despite the flat geography of the 35,000 acres of Disney property.  However, with personal wireless devices, and laptops/netbooks being so ubiquitous (and becoming more every day), it is the next logical step in creating an entire experience for the guest.

With this implementation, all of the data is served instantaneously to the guest, on demand, and also by using in-network geo-tagging.  We have already seen a portion of this technology implemented in the parks, if you remember Pal Mickey.  Future wireless devices, the iPhone for example, are going to be equipped with RFID devices that can be triggered when in close proximity to some object or place.

Two ways to deliver content:

a) Application-based: An application can be developed for the device (OS platform dependent) that operates both inside and outside the park.  When the application detects being on the internal wireless-LAN for the park, it will shift content accordingly, and/or operate on a different cost basis, if desired.  This would provide the richest 2-way content and most information for Imagineers, especially when incorporated with RFID.

b) Web-based: Access from any web capable device from within the park’s wireless-LAN.  This delivers content on a demand, however guest location can be somewhat determined on a limited basis.  Information is instant, and controlled.

Access over the wireless-LAN, rather than bulky carrier-based data access, gives a higher Quality of service for the guest.  It also alleviates the applications need to keep updated and synchronized data usually plagued by version-control problems, and coding/device issues, that can become an unruly mess.  Plus, with a username and a MAC address, you can empower the guest, see what they want to do, where they want to go, and when they want to do something.  You get a complete analysis in order to give Imagineers the information on how to best design and cater to the way that guest actually visit the property, not just how you think they do, or want them to.

Offering this as an add-on service, you can integrate things like photopass, where you can buy your pictures that evening from your room, a restaurant, or even poolside.  The ideas are endless, but the system is essential.  I’m sure this has to be on Disney’s radar.  Especially that you can integrate a Social Networking experience, exclusively on property, as a new “attraction” to the park.

On the hardware front,the most common devices capable of allowing for rich content delivery are smartphones (iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, Palm).  Being able to deliver custom content on these devices can be done by browser alone, but rich content that gives true 2-way data (which is the ROI for all of the infrastructure outlay), needs a formal app.

Here’s the list of phones that the BREW app is currently available on:

– LG Glance
- LG VX Chocolate
- LG Chocolate 3
- LG Decoy
- LG VX 8700
- LG Venus
- Moto Adventure
- Nokia 7205
- Samsung Renown
- Moto 325
- Samsung 540
- Samsung 550
- LG 5500
- Nokia 6205
- Moto 755
- UT Starcom 8950
- UT Starcom GC1-c711
- GZ1 – S Boulder
- Moto K1 -M
- Moto – L7c
- LG 8350
- Samsung Trance
- Moto V3m
- Moto Barrage
- Moto VU204

If you are like me, I am always impressed with Disney Imagineering.  There is no doubt that the future within the parks will incorporate devices that guest already bring with them.  The best example is Space Mountain‘s games while in the queue.  In the future, you can interact with the ride, or be involved somehow with a shared experience (group gaming, scenario creation- like Spaceship Earth, etc.) using the devices you now carry, through the network app.

I can’t wait!