CTIA 2006
Apr 11, 2006, 12:08 AM by Rich Brome and Eric Lin
On-the-scene coverage of CTIA Wireless 2006. Exclusive photos and hot info from Las Vegas. New phones from HTC, Pantech, LG, Disney, Helio, Samsung, Nokia, Kyocera, and more.
The winter trade show season is almost over. As usual, the finale is CTIA Wireless. Although technically not as big as CES or 3GSM, CTIA focuses on the Americas market, making it a more important show for those of us in the U.S..
While most companies have already unveiled their GSM lineups for the coming months, CTIA is typically where we finally get to see what's in store for the CDMA carriers this year. This year is no different than past years; while many new CDMA phones are being announced, the number of significant new GSM phones can probably be counted on one hand.
MVNO news is also big this year. While the MVNO space is already quite crowded, two brand-new MVNOs made a splash at opposite ends of the age spectrum: Disney Mobile for kids, and Jitterbug for the grandparent market.
In general, most companies have shifted away from announcing whole-year lineups all at once like they used to. Most of the phones announced at the show this year are only the ones that will launch in the next 3-4 months. Most companies are keeping their 2nd-half lineups under wraps until later for competitive reasons. Unfortunately that means a few less new phones than past shows, but less waiting for the phones that are being shown to hit the market.
CES 2007 + iPhone
Review: Jitterbug
2006 Holiday Pre-Preview
CTIA Fall 2006
Review: LG Fusic
Pantech Hero / PN-8300
LG Fusic / LX-550
Samsung SPH-A960
Comments
ZOMFG can't wait for Helio...
Look at the interface! It's so... clean... and efficient... look how many fields they fit on that QVGA screen - my Samsung with the same resolution only fits 3 or 4... wow... just wow. Bout time someone gave us something that could even slightly compete with Japanese and South Korean carriers.
you think the phone ui is cool, just wait til you see the myspace site designed just for helio, it is sweet and fast too.
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VX8400???
Here is what I find interesting.
The FCC site shows that the VX8300 was submitted on 03/03/06 and the VX8400 was submitted on 11/18/05.
However, there is no mention of the VX8400 from CITA.
The FCC site says the External Test Photos for the VX8300 will be up available on 10/14/06, and the External Test Photos for the VX8400 on 05/17/06.
http://home.comcast.net/~dougsmithfl/vx8300a.jpg »
http://home.comcast.net/~dougsmithfl/vx8400a.jpg »
The FCC site shows that the VX8300 was submitted on 03/03/06 and the VX8400 was submitted on 11/18/05.
However, there is no mention of the VX8400 from CITA.
The FCC site says the External Test Photos for the VX8300 will be up available on 10/14/06, and the External Test Photos for the VX8400 on 05/17/06.
http://home.comcast.net/~dougsmithfl/vx8300a.jpg »
http://home.comcast.net/~dougsmithfl/vx8400a.jpg »
These days, LG is the best at working the FCC system. If they haven't announced the 8400 by May 17, you can bet they'll get an extension on the confidentiality. They always do.
I was expecting the 8400 at CTIA, too. Since it wasn't announced, I'm g...
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I was expecting the 8400 at CTIA, too. Since it wasn't announced, I'm g...
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To Rich or Eric
Did you guys notice how CTIA has become more insignificant? There seems like there were less attendance, the venue seemed smaller and not many things were announced this years as was last year.
There was less hype. It was almost quiet.
I was wondering if you felt that and if you think that this is a hiccup for 2006 or an ongoing trend?
There was less hype. It was almost quiet.
I was wondering if you felt that and if you think that this is a hiccup for 2006 or an ongoing trend?
I did hear a lot of people saying things like that last week.
I think it was just the venue. Because CES is in the same place, and a lot of the same people go to both shows, people might have been subconsciously comparing it to that. CES is so insa...
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I think it was just the venue. Because CES is in the same place, and a lot of the same people go to both shows, people might have been subconsciously comparing it to that. CES is so insa...
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Future Helio Handsets (Samsung?)
Helio did mention they had a Samsung handset comming out in the fall after the initial push with a design that has "already been successfull" or something to that liking.
Are we supposed to start thinking SLIM A900 with more features here?
Are we supposed to start thinking SLIM A900 with more features here?
Gah, if Helio never gets a Sammy phone I'll be happy. That is, unless they replace their godawful UI with the Helio one, which I believe they are doing to all their handsets...
Sammy may be king in SK, but honestly the carriers themselves seem to ...
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Sammy may be king in SK, but honestly the carriers themselves seem to ...
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Nokia GPS
Any bets on if Verizon will disable the standalone GPS??
I'm going to say that they will disable it since there would be a competing BREW program
I'm going to say that they will disable it since there would be a competing BREW program
Jitterbug and GreatCall
Now after getting some clarification, I take back the snide remarks about this particular MVNO. It looks like GreatCall has done its research. And I actually dig the Jitterbug phone. It's pretty neat (and damn, are those some large buttons!).
I think their more like rediculusly large.
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I think this is a great service for older customers. Look in most home electronics stores; there is a phone with large dial buttons, marketed towards older or sight impaired persons.
I couldn't have imagined before working at a wireless carrier stor...
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I couldn't have imagined before working at a wireless carrier stor...
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RE: Cingular trying to charge for RRS feeds
I had to laugh at this. $10/mo for the "previlige" of downloading these feeds? I'm SOO glad they aren't releasing the N80. They would have destroyed this phone by first, disabling the WLAN, and then having the audacity to charge for RSS feeds.
Where did you see that?
Last I heard, Cingular was still getting the N80. Where did you hear that they weren't?
RSS Readers
The E61 has wifi and I was wondering how it loads the RSS feeds. Does it use the Wifi connection or does it use whatever connection is available for mobile data (GPRS/EDGE). Also, how does SE implement it on their device? Anything that avoids more data charges is as advantage.
It can work over any data connection, including wi-fi if that is available.
Rich, both LG LX-550 and VX-8300 support stereo Bluetooth profile (i.e. A2DP)
Here is the LG LX-550 entry on the Bluetooth Qualification program website.
http://qualweb.bluetooth.org/Template2.cfm?LinkQuali ... »
And here is the LG VX-8300 entry.
http://qualweb.bluetooth.org/Template2.cfm?LinkQuali ... »
Both qualified profile lists show A2DP-Source so they support streaming stereo Bluetooth.
http://qualweb.bluetooth.org/Template2.cfm?LinkQuali ... »
And here is the LG VX-8300 entry.
http://qualweb.bluetooth.org/Template2.cfm?LinkQuali ... »
Both qualified profile lists show A2DP-Source so they support streaming stereo Bluetooth.
We'll have to get clarification on that.
The 8300 definitely does, and I think we said that (didn't we?).
The 550 does not, according to the LG spec sheet I'm looking at... đ
The 8300 definitely does, and I think we said that (didn't we?).
The 550 does not, according to the LG spec sheet I'm looking at... đ
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That video does not work!
I tried to view the video of the new flash based verizon menu system... and it doesnt seem to work. nothing will play it right no matter what codecs are downloaded... could you either tell me what to play it with or change the format please?
because the video is not streaming, it shows a quicktime logo while it is loading. this, unfortunately makes it look as though the video is busted. it's not. as long as you have quicktime 7, everything should be fine. all that's required is patience. ...
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Any New Sanyos?
I've gotten some word about some of the new Sanyo's but, I haven't seen any pictures of them. Just wondering if they had anything to show. Thanks.
Nope. Sanyo leaves all the announcing to Sprint. We met with Sprint and checked out their booth, but no new Sanyos. âšī¸
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I was speaking to a customer service rep for Sprint just the other day who said that there is at least one new Sanyo phone coming out this month. The Sanyo 3100. I believe it is to be an upgrade to the 2300. My Operations manager confirmed this, now w...
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Samsung SPH-A960 TransFlash?
Are you guys sure it has it? Sprint employees have been claiming no for quite some time.
Our bad. Sorry! đ¤
The Samsung spec sheet they handed out to everyone says very clearly:
"Transfer your favorite tunes in MP3 format onto the removable microSD(TM) memory card"
...but when playing with it today, I couldn't find the slot....
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The Samsung spec sheet they handed out to everyone says very clearly:
"Transfer your favorite tunes in MP3 format onto the removable microSD(TM) memory card"
...but when playing with it today, I couldn't find the slot....
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I guess I'm stupid
but I never noticed that the Samsung logo has an upside down "V" for the "A". I was looking at the a930 up close and noticed it. I thought to myself, "Man, that's cool. I wonder when they started doing that." Then I started clicking on phones and such and realized it's always been like that......I need to put down that pipe.
Having gone to CTIA.....
I found the Samsung booth to be the best overall (not for design, I couldn't care less for their shows and booth designs).
They had a killer slim blackberry (7100t type keypad) that was major slim.
They also had their first HSDPA phone that will go into production ZX20. It has a disappointing form factor that was reminiscent of the SS ZX10 but heavier, the LG HSPDA device, which is coming out at the same time is much more compelling (but was not shown). I like their jewelry store concept but I am not a fan of the fugly jitterbug. That is a huge monstrosity that could have been executed better.
Second was a tie between LG and Sony Ericcson. While I've seen pictures, sometimes you just have to see the phones in real life. I rea...
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They had a killer slim blackberry (7100t type keypad) that was major slim.
They also had their first HSDPA phone that will go into production ZX20. It has a disappointing form factor that was reminiscent of the SS ZX10 but heavier, the LG HSPDA device, which is coming out at the same time is much more compelling (but was not shown). I like their jewelry store concept but I am not a fan of the fugly jitterbug. That is a huge monstrosity that could have been executed better.
Second was a tie between LG and Sony Ericcson. While I've seen pictures, sometimes you just have to see the phones in real life. I rea...
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Picture of VX8300 OLED Display?
I liked the pictures comparing the VX8100 next to the VX8300.
However, it would be nice to see a picture of them with the external displays turned on
so we see the VX8300 OLED next to the VX8100 TFT.
However, it would be nice to see a picture of them with the external displays turned on
so we see the VX8300 OLED next to the VX8100 TFT.
...so we see the VX8300 OLED next to the VX8100 TFT.
They wouldn't look any different. I couldn't see any significant difference in person, and it's nearly impossible to really capture display quality accurately in photos any...
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Helio
Does anyone know if Helio will be announcing anything new about the carrier or if they are even at the show? I checked the CTIA website but could not see them as presenting or even attending, not Helio, not SK Telecom, and not Earthlink.
Day 2.......there's your answer, hope you're pleased
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lg
seems to have some good stuff coming. i am disppointed that a lot of it seems to be new model number/different color, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. the flash based UI for verizon is also some exciting news.
I am dissapointed. Little Bluetooth, garbage GSM handsets, and no attempt to use intenna designs.
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Rich - Q about Helio phones...
Hey Rich,
When you had your mitts on the two Helio phones, were the screens the same size? Specs for the SK version of the Kickflip (can't remember the exact model number now, it's a VK Mobile phone - 650 maybe) state the screen is 2.2", and I also read that the Hero specifically had a 2.2" screen.
Of course, for whatever reason in all the photos the Hero appears to have the bigger screen, but it may just be due to the design and color.
=)
When you had your mitts on the two Helio phones, were the screens the same size? Specs for the SK version of the Kickflip (can't remember the exact model number now, it's a VK Mobile phone - 650 maybe) state the screen is 2.2", and I also read that the Hero specifically had a 2.2" screen.
Of course, for whatever reason in all the photos the Hero appears to have the bigger screen, but it may just be due to the design and color.
=)
motorola and samsung
does anyone know which days motorola and sumsung will be showing their phones on (today or the tomorrow)?
today or tomorrow** đ¤
They're showing them throughout the show. We just haven't had time to write up our coverage yet. There's only two of us, and only so many hours in the day. Plus we have to split our time between gathering info and publishing it.
Moto and Samsung ha...
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Moto and Samsung ha...
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