As anticipated, Google has been working on its Chrome browser Android edition and today the search giant just released the Beta version for Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0 users.

Google carries forward the simplicity in user interface and the browsing speed that many users enjoy on desktop side

With Chrome mobile, Google insists that you can scroll through web pages as quickly as you can flick your finger. When searching, your top search results are loaded in the background as you type so pages appear instantly. And of course, both search and navigation can all be done quickly from the Chromeomnibox.

Tabs are unlimited and come with some cool animation using the device built-in accelerometer. Links are optimized with smaller screen by enlarging automatically and the bookmarks, Web pages opened are sync’ed with your desktop. The new browser does not support Flash video, since Adobe has stopped the development on its mobile Flash player.  

If you are ICS users, you can download Chrome Beta HERE. 

• Siri only works on the latest iPhone 4S
• Siri still requires touch & visual interaction with the iPhone display, which is not legal in many states. (I know somebody got a traffic ticket when caught using Siri)
• Siri requires the iPhone is in silent with no audio playing in background to run.

KulTek just released Vokul is, a new iPhone voice command app that addresses the above issues. The app is using Nuance Technology for voice recognition engine, the same technology used by Siri. The $3 app can excel with 3 actions:  control media playback with iTunes Music Player, phone calling and sending out text messages. Vokul is truly hands-free,  users can just using their voice without touching nor reading at the device.

With its “always-listening” mode, user can invoke by saying “Hey Vokul” and starts giving voice commands after the prompt beep. Vokul is doing an excellent job recognizing the command, even in heavy traffic background noise. The app is having the ability to take the commands while audio is playing. You’ll notice in the demo video below, the use of this appy does not require you to touch nor to glance at the device screen at anytime.

For now, the app does not allow to read incoming text messages nor to be used with a Bluetooth headset and the use case is fairly limited, but if you spend most of the day in your commute or you’re still carrying an older iPhone version, Vokul could be very handy tool for the most common tasks.

The Droid 4 should be a delight for road warriors with extensive typing requirements. The device comes with a sliding convenient backlit QWERTY keyboard but still keeps very think body. Let’s not forget 4G LTE support, which often gives bulk to the device.

The display is a respectable 4” qHD (540-by-960-pixel). The whole device is water-repellant with Motorola’s nanocoating. 8MP camera with 1080p video capturing and 16GB internal storage plus microSD slot.  The device is compatible with the company Webtop (docking station).

The Droid RAZR MAXX is basically the DROID RAZR with a larger 3300 mAh battery, whick provides a remarkable 21 hours of talk time. (Take that iPhone!). The larger battery only adds  0.07 inches to the thickness of the RAZR,

Unfortunately on the software side. Both high-end devices come with Android 2.3.5 codenamed Gingerbread and they are in line for the next update to Android 4.0 codenamed Ice Cream Sandwich when it becomes available. Considering Google now owns Motorola Mobile. It is a surprise that Motorola is still behind on the latest Android OS. 

Just like many devices announced at CES 2012, pricing and availability are not yet known.

The feature that stands out from the HTC TITAN 2 is the 16-megapixel camera with a f/2.6 wide-angle lens and autofocus. Another detail’s worth noting is the support for AT&T LTE 4G network, one of the first Windows Phones that offer this high speed capability.

This super phone, features a large 4.7” super LCD display; 1.5 GHz Snapdragon S2 processor. And since it runs Windows Phone OS, users can take advantage of game-on-the-go with Xbox LIVE and other integration with Xbox 360 to control the media playback. The HTC TITAN II offers quick and easy access to the latest movies and TV shows via HTC Watch

The smartphone also enables 720p HD video recording with the rear-facing camera, as well as on-the-go video chat over Wi-Fi with its 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera.

The HTC TITAN 2 will be available in coming months, exclusively on AT&T

The phone features 4.3-inch AMOLED ClearBlack display at 800 by 480 pixels. The device is using  polycarbonate casing in cyan blue or black color; 8-MP rear camera equipped with Carl Zeiss lens plus dual LED flash. The lens sports f2.2/28mm aperture for better low-light shots. The camera supports video capture at 720p/30fps. There’s a second, front-facing camera for video chat, the front camera is a 1-MP with an f2.4 lens and 30fps capture. Video chat Tango app comes bundled with the device.

Windows Phone Mango OS will drive the  1.4GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon APQ8055 + MDM9200 CPU. . The souped-up 1840mAH battery in the Nokia Lumia 900 will last for about 7hrs talk-time and up to 300hrs on standby.

The latest iteration of Windows Phone will be added  Nokia Maps and Nokia Drive through the Windows Phone Marketplace. Nokia Drive offers free, turn-by-turn, voice-guided navigation everywhere.

No word yet on availability or pricing.

Specs

• Networks: GSM/EGSM 850/900/1800/1900, WCDMA 850/1900/2100, LTE Band 4 (1700/2100) & 17 (700)
• OS: Windows Phone Release 7.5 – Mango Commercial Release 2 (Mango + LTE)
• Memory: 512MB RAM
• Storage: 16 GB internal memory (14.5GB user memory) + SkyDrive cloud storage
• Volume: 90cc
• Weight: 160g (5.6 ounces)
• Dimensions: (max): 127.8 x 68.5 x 11.5 mm (5 x 2.7 x .45 inches)
• A-GPS
• Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n)
• USB 2.0 high-speed
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
• 3mm headset connector

The Galaxy Note 5.3”, a jack-of-all-trades smartphone + Tablet combined. Unlike the HTC TITAN with big screen but lower resolution, 4.7” 480×800, the Galaxy Note features  WXGA HD Super AMOLED supporting a respectable 1280 x 800 resolution, which might requires constant pinching & zooming to read small text.

The Galaxy Note is powered by a 1.5GHz dual core CPU, 4G LTE capable for the new AT&T network, 8MP/2MP cameras. 16GB of internal storage Since it is between the smartphone and tablet, the OS is still remains Android Gingerbread 2.3 instead of Honeycomb 3.2  seen in Android tablet. Hopefully the device will be upgradable to the latest Android version “Ice cream sandwich” when it becomes available.

An intriguing point here is the suite of software layer that enables note taking and other creative tasks using a stylus, which differentiates the device from others. 5.3”

Below is the official video introduction for your review.

Beside the superior sound, the most interesting part is the Apple Airplay/ Android DNLA and multi-room support that allows users to stream audio from iPhone, iPad, Android devices with DNLA support, wirelessly to one or multiple SA-AN500 speakers placed throughout your house.    

Sony’s portable SA-NS500, which is now shipping for around $300

Product Features

• Wirelessly stream your favorite music to any room from Pandora, Slacker, iTunes, iPad, iPod Touch, iPhone, your PC, Sony Tablet, Sony Blu-ray integrated systems and more
• Apple AirPlay lets you stream your music from your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and iTunes wirelessly
• Up to 5 hour battery life for complete portability around your home
• Powerful, 360-degree, room filling sound
• iPhone Remote Control and Sony Tablet Music Sharing apps available

[Source SONY]

Yesterday the popular social network also rolled out its compatible version for iPhone and promised a version for the iPad will be available shortly after. Note that yesterday Facebook also made available a new version for the iPad, but it still does not yet include Timeline support.

The new version 4.1 brings:

• Access to Mobile Timeline on iPhone (if you already have a timeline). iPad support coming soon. Get your own timeline here: http://fb.me/tml
• Access to friend lists, subscribers and subscriptions
• Faster, better performance
• Photos are easier to view, upload and comment on

Limited by screen real estate, the Timeline is only shown in a single column format and the time slider is not available should you need to scroll further back. The sliding left sidebar elongates to accommodate new options such list, subscriptions, etc..

The app is available in iTunes app store

LG, the Korean electronic manufacturer released its flagship (yes, another Android flagship until next month), the LG Nitro HD. The 4.5” Android 2.3 smartphone is poised to rival the Samsung Galaxy S II and perhaps when it gets the Ice Cream Sandwich Android 4.0 upgrade, it could also challenge the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon Wireless Network. The LG Nitro HD will be available on AT&T network. 

The LG Nitro will be one of the first phones that run on AT&T latest high speed technology 4G LTE as well as existing HSPA+.. LG is touting its 1280 x 720 4.5 screen is a true HD with IPS panel, the same used by Apple iPad to provide best viewing angle on a mobile device. Colors  are balanced and accurate with a density of 326-pixels-per-inch, the same retina pixel density as the iPhone 4 and 4S. In addition, LG adds a nice touch to make the screen flushed in to the body that make swiping the screen with your finger a pleasant experience.

The LG Nitro HD is powered by a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, the smartphone exhibits blazing speed in scrolling. The phone is equipped with 1GB of RAM; 4 GB of built-in storage and 16GB microSD storage card.

The Dual-Lens 8 MP Autofocus Camera with LED Flash camera  is capable of 1080p video capturing. 

AT&T’s 4G LTE network is available in limited areas: Atlanta and Athens, GA.; Baltimore; Boston; Charlotte, N.C.; Chicago; Dallas-Fort Worth; Houston; Indianapolis; Kansas City, Mo.; Las Vegas; Oklahoma City; Washington D.C.; San Antonio; and San Juan, Puerto Rico, with more markets planned to launch next year.

If you are not in the aforementioned, the Nitro HD  can run on the HSPA+ 4G network or its 3G network,

Nitro HD’s portable Wi-Fi hotspot capability allows you to share your 4G connection with up to 8 wireless devices

The phone is running Android 2.3, which is not the latest version offered and Android, but AT&T mentions it will be upgradable as soon as   ICS becomes available.

The LG Nityo HD cost1 $250 with 2 year-contract.
Watch the LG girl in the video if you want to be convinced!

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If you are not familiar with Flipboard, here is a quick explanation: It is a beautiful magazine-like formatted app filled with fully customized aggregated contents from your social networking feeds, your RSS feeds, traditional newsmagazine feeds..  You can also just pick Flipboard staff curated contents by topic of your choice.

The most visible difference on the iPhone when compared to the iPad version id the flip action going from right to left horizontally to bottom-up vertically. The UI is cleverly designed to invite user to use that way naturally. The navigation is simple and intuitive. The app offers first time users few default topics (located in square tiles), optionally the developer encourage to register  so user can carry the same selection across devices.

In addition to regular available source from  Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Flickr, 500px, etc.. iPhone Flipboard User will be presented with a new “cover story” topic covering the hottest stories of the day.  “Cover story” is coming to the iPad as well.

Flipboard (iTunes App Store)

The feature “Follow me” essentially uses the rear camera to project the real image captured in front of the driver and overlay the car images with several model to choose from, along with navigation information. The GPS traditionally only displays the static map.

The VP of marketing for ROUTE 66, Paul Warmer says: “the ROUTE 66 Maps + Navigation provides the future of navigation, today, and the Follow Me feature is a breakthrough in navigation that goes beyond anything else available for tablet and smartphone.”

Also in the package is free lifetime access to 104 different maps with 3D graphics, the ability to download mapping data on the go or prior to the journey, and more.

• Follow Me augmented reality navigation provides an innovative, smart, and fun way to reach your destination.
  With just one tap on the screen during navigation users can switch on Follow Me which shows the real road ahead and adds a realistic virtual car driving in front of you and guiding you to your destination. This is augmented reality navigation at its best, where GPS, live video from the camera, detailed maps, and crisp, clear spoken directions all come together to make finding your way more intuitive than ever.
• Detailed Maps with stunning 3D Graphics.
  ROUTE 66 Maps + Navigation provides free lifetime access to 104 different crystal-clear maps utilizing lush 3D graphics and packed with links to useful information such as Wikipedia and weather. Users can explore maps in any direction with multi-touch gestures for zooming, moving, tilting, and rotating the view, features available even during turn-by-turn navigation.
• On-board and off-board maps.
  With ROUTE 66 Maps + Navigation users can access map data in various ways. The app automatically downloads map data segments from our high-speed servers to the phone or tablet as you go, providing access to the very latest and most accurate maps whenever it is needed. Users can also choose to store complete maps on their smartphone or tablet using Wi-Fi before they go on the road, avoiding data roaming charges while abroad and ensuring instant access with guaranteed performance, whatever the local network reception might be.
• And there is much more: Intuitive ROUTE 66 partial keyword search helps to find locations with less effort. Locations can be turned into destinations with a single tap and reached with accurate turn-by-turn navigation in 57 languages and dialects, clear on-screen guidance, and advanced lane information. Real time traffic information and the latest speed camera warnings are available as premium services.

ROUTE 66 Maps + Navigation is available as free download via Android Market to Android users running Android OS 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 – 2.3.7 (Eclair, Froyo, and Gingerbread) and offers free access to maps.

Until 31 December 2011 ROUTE 66 Maps + Navigation comes with a free 30-day Worldwide Trial license that includes Navigation (including Follow Me) and free access to premium services like Traffic information and Speed cameras*.

The lifetime Worldwide Navigation license is available via in-app purchase for USD 64.99 and offers turn-by-turn navigation in over 80 countries*. In addition a lifetime USA Navigation license is available for USD 39.99

You can get the app in now available in the Android Market

[Source Route 66]

The Galaxy Nexus is highlighted by its very bright and large concave screen 4.65” super AMOLED with resolution 1280×720.  The thin body is accented with an teardrop shape. The light weight of the device is calling for most plastic used in the casing. 

Below is the teaser video that shows the user experience with the iPhone. the marketing message for the first time stays away from technical specs in favor of experience. 

Below are the hardware specs:

• Dimensions: 136.0 mm × 68.0 mm × 8.8 to 11.5 mm
• Weight: Approximately 135 grams
• Android ICS Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0
• Texas Instruments OMAP4460 CPU; ARM Cortex-A9 MP Core SMP (Dual-Core); CPU operating frequency: 1.2 GHz
• GPU: Imagination Technologies PowerVR SGX 540
• Network support (varies by carrier): W-CDMA; GSM; LTE, CDMA2000; HSPA; EDGE, GPRS; LTE; EV-DO. When it shows up in the US, Verizon will carry it with 4G LTE.
• Display: AMOLED HD: 4.65 inches with 1280×720 resolution
• Main camera: 5 megapixels with LED flash; 1080p video capture
• Front camera: 1.3 megapixels
• GPS; NFC, Bluetooth 3.0 + HS; 802.11 a/b/g/n; Wi-Fi Direct
• Memory: 1 GB of RAM; 16/32 GB of storage  (US version has 32)
• Battery Capacity: 1750mAh
• Notification LED

As far as Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the most notable feature would be the face recognition using the front  faced camera to unlock your device is way cool. The screen presentation and navigation are reminiscent of Honeycomb. The new Google beam app includes NFC (Near Field Communication) for device to device sharing. Gmail app, Calendar app, Google+ apps also got a major revamp. The contact app has become People, which seems to be borrowed from WP Metro interface and ties nicely to Google latest Social networking Google+.
The camera app now offers faster action and a cool way to scan for a panorama photo taking.

User will need to sign-in with credential as well as credit card information for future transactions with the Android market. The move that mimics Apple ecosystem.  Overall the OS gives a speedy feels throughout.. 

A small company has come up with an affordable universal stand that costs only under $5

The MMS360 is a stand that has a unique design, it is universal, small and portable, very adjustable to multiple viewing angles and positions. It can be used on the protective cases or the smartphone itself.

The stand can be adjusted to different viewing angles either in landscape or portrait on any of the 4 sides of the phone. It is very small, its pocket size, and the price is very affordable specially for an accessory that has this many features.

Below are few reasons why you would need a stand:

• Play emulated video games on your smartphone using a bluetooth controller in the perfect viewing angle set by you.
• Set the cell phone stand to a 90 degree angle and record videos or take pictures just like setting a camera on a tripod.
• Video-watching. smartphones have large HD where you can enjoy viewing movies, YouTube videos, Netflix streaming, or whatever else you’re watching.
• Set your smartphone in your desk and use it as a desk clock.
• Use the stand to hold your phone as a Digital photo frame with the slideshow function, perfect for when you have company over.
• Video chat without having to hold the smartphone.
• Listen to music without resting the smartphone flat on its back
• Keep your agenda in front of you at work on your desk, use the speakerphone when on a call, and stay updated with social media.

You can find the MMS360 HERE!

The HTC Rezound is a media centric device, highlighted by a 4.3-inch true HD 720p display that includes the latest HTC Sense experience and 4G LTE capability, will be available exclusively from Verizon Wireless starting Nov. 14.

Unique to HTC, the HTC Rezound includes new lightweight Beats headphones, created exclusively to integrate with the Beats audio profile on the device. Hands-free calling is easy with the built-in microphone and the on-cable remote to pause, advance or rewind and answer a call mid-track.

The app HTC Watch puts an entire library of the latest premium movies and TV shows right at customers’ fingertips. Using a wireless connection, HTC Watch uses progressive download technology on the HTC Rezound, which makes it possible to watch videos without waiting for them to finish downloading. Customers can rent or purchase videos through HTC Watch and enjoy content on up to five different HTC devices.

The HTC Rezound features Mobile High Definition Link (MHL) connectivity, so customers can watch content from the device on an HDTV, including 5.1 surround sound and SRS WOW(TM) HD surround, to take advantage of a home theater setup. Equipped with a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, the HTC Rezound offers a speedy mobile experience even for the most demanding media enthusiast.

Additional Features:

• Mobile Hotspot Capability: Share 4G connection with up to ten Wi-Fi-enabled devices.
• Operating System: Includes the Android 2.3(TM) (Gingerbread) OS with the latest HTC Sense — an upgrade to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) will available in early 2012.
• Internal Memory: 16 GB of on-board memory, 1 GB of DDR2 RAM
• Memory Card: A 16GB microSD(TM) pre-installed
• Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n
• Bluetooth®: 3.0 — support for headset, hands-free, stereo, phonebook access and object push for vCard and vCalendar
• GPS: GPS/AGPS
• Battery: 1,620 mAh
• Special Features: HDMI (through MHL), g-sensor, light sensor, compass, proximity sensor, MicroUSB, USIM/CSIM/ISIM, audio jack and wireless charging-capable
• Chipset: Qualcomm® MSM8660 1.5 GHz, Qualcomm® MDM9600
• Dimensions: 129 x 65.5 x 13.65 mm

Availability
The HTC Rezound will be available beginning Nov. 14 at Verizon Wireless and at Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile stores for $300 with a new, two-year customer agreement.

The flagship Lumia 800 comes in three colors Cyan, Pink and Black that should fit in to business attires as well as blue jeans or skirts. The shape is clean covered almost by the 3.7” 800×480 AMOLED display. 12.1mm thick compared to iPhone 4S at 11mm. Non removable 1450mAh battery.
The phone is built on the potent 1.4 GHz Snapdragon processor and 512MB RAM, driven by the latest Windows Phone OS 7.5 codenamed Mango.

The device sports an 8MP camera equipped with Carl Zeiss optics, capable of HD video capturing. The Lumia is lacking a front facing camera, which is sorely noticeable nowadays, considering Microsoft would shortly include Skype to its Windows Phone OS.

The smartphone will go on sale first in UK, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, or the Netherlands with an  estimated retail price 420 € or $580. No word on US release.

We believe this is the first Windows phone from Nokia and it will be followed by many more models in the smartphone portfolio.

[Source Nokia via Thisismynext]