Just a quick note to tell you all that Asus might be coming out with another Windows 8 tablet as the Asus 810 tablet was spotted gracing the FCC. Unfortunately, the FCC filing for said tablet with the markings TFC810 C reveals nothing much about the specs and features of the device. Well, except for the fact that it will be an 11.6-inch slate with Wi-Fi and NFC. Aside from those two features, there’s nothing else that we can find from the FCC documents. But granting that most new tablets that pass through the FCC have a higher chance of getting released to the US market, we have no choice then but to wait for Asus to bring this Windows 8 tablet out. Hopefully, just before the Microsoft Windows Surface comes out sometime in October. At least if Asus wants to earn the title to bring out an Intel-based Windows 8 tablet before Microsoft does. Via [FCC] and [Engadget]  
Archos launched the 97 Carbon tablet for those in Europe a few weeks back, and well, as of today the Ice Cream Sandwich running tablet has come available here in the US. The tablet is selling direct with Archos and is regularly priced at $249.99. Notice the regularly comment there. You see, Archos is currently offering the tablet at a discount for an unspecified “limited time.” Those who make the purchase and use MAC45Z as a coupon code will see the price drop down to $229.99 with free shipping. Simply put, use the coupon code and get a $20 discount along with free shipping. In terms of the tablet itself, as mentioned, the Archos 97 Carbon is running Android 4.0. And right along that line, the Archos 97 Carbon is a Google experience device which means you have Google Play available for your app (and music, movie, TV, magazines, ebooks and more) experience. The hardware features include a 9.7-inch (1024 x 768) IPS capacitive display, 1GHz ARM Cortex A9 processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, micro SD card slot, HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, a full-sized USB port, 0.3 megapixel front facing camera and a 2 megapixel rear facing camera. Via [Archos]  
Those visiting the T-Mobile website in hopes of finding a Sidekick will be out of luck. And while that may sound like a bit of bad news considering the carrier only had one Sidekick branded device available, there may be some hope in seeing another come available in the future. According to a statement provided to Phone Scoop, a T-Mobile spokesperson stated that the Sidekick 4G has been “retired.” The key here being that the Sidekick 4G (a specific device) has been retired and that they have not discontinued the T-Mobile Sidekick brand. Though, if you ask us, it may be time for the Sidekick brand to go away. Via [phonescoop]  
Verizon Wireless cut the price of the Galaxy Nexus in half last week dropping the on-contract price down to $99.99. Given that, this move from Best Buy Mobile comes with slightly less in terms of surprise. But that being said, those interested in picking up the Galaxy Nexus can do so for nothing. Simply put, Best Buy Mobile is now offering the Galaxy Nexus for free on a two-year agreement. And sure, Verizon may have yet to offer the Jelly Bean update, but the Galaxy Nexus is sporting Ice Cream Sandwich and a decent overall set of specs. Not to mention, it is often hard to argue with free. Touching back on the specs just for a moment, the Galaxy Nexus features include a 4.65-inch (1280 x 720) HD Super AMOLED display, dual-core 1.2GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage, an 1850 mAh battery, 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, a 5 megapixel rear-facing camera and LTE connectivity. Via [Best Buy Mobile]  
Nokia today has released “Counters,” a mobile app that lets you track your usage for calls, messaging and data. Interestingly, what this app does is actually a Windows Phone 8 feature which was made for Windows Phone 7 devices as a mobile app. In Windows Phone 8, it’s called the DataSense and has other advanced features including push browser data through proxy server for compression. While the app is functioning really well, there are few limitations to what it can do. And these include – the lack of notifications when set limit is achieved, conference calls are not counted properly, and it’s not possible to set data limit counter with fractional part. Additionally, for AT&T users, the app will not run without the latest Nokia firmware which is tied to the “Tango” update that should come from Nokia firmware. The update is scheduled for released later this summer. While for non-AT&T users of Windows Phone 7 devices, you might want to hit the app’s download link for betalabs since it’s not yet propagating at the Windows Marketplace as we speak. Via [Counters] and [WPCentral]  
Google has had video chatting available in Gmail since way back in 2008, however as of today they have taken it to another level and instead of being limited to one-to-one you will now chat with up to nine others. Simply put, Google has launched Video Chatting in Gmail by way of Google+ Hangouts. In addition to being able to chat with more than one person at a time, this new video chatting will be a bit more widespread in terms of availability. After all, Google+ (with Hangouts) is available on iOS and Android devices. Some of the other perks will include the YouTube integration, Google Docs collaboration, screen sharing and effects. Anyway, additional features aside, the new and improved Gmail video chatting will be rolling out to Gmail users as of today and according to Google, will be available for all users over the course of the next few weeks. Via [Official Gmail Blog]  
Earlier this morning we learned that the Android-running ZTE Grand X smartphone has arrived with Phones 4u in the UK. And well, it looks like the retailer has since come forward with some release details for a Windows Phone device. The Samsung Omnia M will be available beginning on August 1st. The Omnia M is a Windows Phone 7.5 device and (for two months time) will be available exclusively with Phones 4u. That bit aside though, the Omnia M will have features to include a 4-inch WVGA Super AMOLED display, 1GHz processor and 5 megapixel camera. Not to mention, the expected Windows Phone goodies such as Zune, Xbox and Bing integration. As for the price, Phones 4u will be offering the Omnia M for free on contract (at £20.50 per month and up) or SIM free for £289.95. Finally, those interested in making a purchase and not willing to wait, rest assured in knowing that pre-orders are available as of today. Via [Phones 4u]  
AT&T has officially announced their latest quick messaging style handset, the Pantech Renue. The Renue is available as of today and has arrived priced at $69.99. Though, just to clarify that price, it comes after a $50 mail-in-rebate and along with a two-year agreement. In other words, make sure you are able to shell out $119.99 on the day of purchase and perhaps more important — that you are willing to stick with this device for two-years. With pricing and release details aside, lets get into some of the specs. As one would hope to see with a quick messaging style device, the Pantech Renue has a slide-out hardware QWERTY. Other goodies include a 3.2 inch capacitive touchscreen, a 3 megapixel camera with video recording and pre-loaded apps to include Facebook and Twitter as well as WHERE, WikiMobile, AT&T Maps and AT&T Navigator. Otherwise, AT&T has noted that the Pantech Renue is made from 67% recyclable materials and eco-rated with 3-stars and perhaps more important for those who are hard on their phones — the Renue meets MIL Spec 810 G which means that it is resistant to dust and sand, temperature and humidity, shock, vibration, and radiation. Via [MarketWatch]  
Back in December of last year we had heard from LG in regards to which devices would be receiving an update to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. At that time they offered a few device names, one of which was the LG Optimus 2X. And well, it looks like that statement was “issued from HQ” and those sporting an Optimus 2X in Canada are in for some disappointment. Basically, it seems that handset updates are not the same across the board and there are some differences between LG HQ and LG Canada. Anyway, the bad news for those in Canada was recently delivered by way of Twitter where LG Canada stated rather simply that “the Optimus 2X will not be receiving the ICS upgrade.” And with that, while we are Android fans here at GadgeTell, we cannot help but feel some frustation dealing with Android updates. Via [Twitter @LGCanada] and [IntoMobile]  
Coming as what we believe to be follow-up confirmation, Microsoft has stated that the Windows RT version of the Surface tablet will go on sale along side Windows 8 on October 26th. This latest date was discovered in an SEC filing by the folks over at CNET. “The next version of our operating system, Windows 8, will be generally available on October 26, 2012. At that time, we will begin selling the Surface, a series of Microsoft-designed and manufactured hardware devices,”
Otherwise, aside from the release date of the Windows RT tablet, the Windows 8 Pro model is expected to debut 90 days after. In other words, those waiting for that model should begin looking sometime around the end of the year. Of course, release dates aside, the one big unknown here is the pricing. Sure, the Surface tablets look nice enough, but as we have seen with other tablets over the past months (and years) — that will make or break a device. Via [CNET]  | |
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