Samsung has started mass-producing the industry’s first 4-gigabit LPDDR2 mobile memory using 20nm-class technology. Smartphones and tablets using the new tech will be faster, lighter and offer longer battery life than previous devices.

The 20nm-class 4Gb mobile DRAM will enable Samsung to deliver 2GB RAM solutions while maintaining super-thin 0.8mm hardware designs. Compared to the previous generation 30nm-class 4Gb LPDDR2 chips, the newer 20nm-class design will be 20 percent thinner and can process data at up to 1,066 Mbps – all while consuming the same amount of power.

Consumers can expect 2GB of RAM to become a “mainstream product,” at least for high-end devices, by the end of 2013.

Note: it’s unclear whether the Japanese Samsung Galaxy S III with 2GB of RAM will take advantage of the new chip.

Source: Samsung via Engadget

Those looking to upgrade to the latest and greatest HTC Android smartphones this summer will be inconvenienced, at least temporarily. According to HTC, incoming shipments of the Sprint EVO 4G LTE (scheduled to release May 18) and AT&T One X (released May 6) have officially been delayed by U.S. Customs. Read the official statements from HTC and Sprint below.

HTC on the Sprint EVO 4G LTE delay:
“The US availability of HTC One X and HTC EVO 4G LTE has been delayed due to a standard U.S. Customs review of shipments that is required after an ITC exclusion order. We believe we are in compliance with the ruling and HTC is working closely with Customs to secure approval. HTC One X and HTC EVO 4G LTE have both received enthusiastic support and we appreciate customers patience as we work to get these products into their hands as soon as possible.”

Sprint on the HTC EVO 4G LTE delay:
The U.S. availability of the HTC EVO 4G LTE has been delayed. HTC is working to resolve this issue and appreciates your patience as they work to get products into Sprint channels. We can’t provide specific timing for product availability at this time and we appreciate your patience as HTC works to get products on store shelves as soon as possible.

Pre-order status/availability: Delivery of products for pre-order are on hold and Sprint will provide a ship date as soon as possible. Sprint will maintain the promise for the preorder customers that they will be among the first to receive their HTC EVO 4G LTE units. If you wish to cancel, please either refuse delivery or call us for return authorization kit once your device arrives.

Source: Sprint

During a Verizon Wireless investors conference, Executive Vice President and CFO Fran Shammo announced some disappointing news for loyal Big Red customers today. Verizon will eliminate grandfathered unlimited data plans for any consumer looking to upgrade to a 4G LTE-enabled smartphone when the company introduces tiered data share plans this summer.

“LTE is our anchor point for data share, so as you come through an upgrade cycle and you upgrade in the future, you will have to go onto the data share plan, moving away from the unlimited world” – Fran Shammo

“So when you think about our 3G base — a lot of our 3G base is unlimited — as they start to migrate into 4G, they will have to come off of unlimited and go into the data share plan, and that’s beneficial for us for many reasons, obviously.” – Fran Shammo

You can listen to Fran Shammo deliver the bad news at around the 10:30 mark of this webcast.

Source: Verizon Wirless via theVerge, FierceWireless

The folks at HDBlog received their Samsung Galaxy S III earlier than most and they were kind enough to unbox it for the world to see. While they do the usual unboxing duties, they also compare the Exynos 4 Quad-powered Android smartphone to the HTC One X, HTC One S, Samsung Galaxy Note and LG Optimus 4X HD. Unfortunately, it’s all in Italian, but you can check out the unboxing and two other demo videos below.

NTT Docomo may have announced a massive arsenal for their summer 2012 lineup, but KDDI has also unveiled a handful of Android-powered smartphones of their own, including handsets from Sharp, Fujitsu, HTC and Kyocera. Read on for specs, pics and videos of all six devices, which will hit the Japanese market beginning in late May.

Source: KDDI (Japanese)

Today, in Tokyo, Japan, NTT Docomo announced their summer 2012 lineup, which includes 16 Android-powered smartphones and a tablet. We’re looking at handsets from Samsung, Panasonic, Sharp, Fujitsu, LG, Toshiba, Sony and more. Much of them feature top of the line specs, like a Snapdragon S4 dual-core or Tegra 3 quad-core processor, and they will be launched beginning this June through August. All devices listed below run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Read on through for specs, thumbnail images and the press release.

Note: also check out KDDI’s summer 2012 lineup.

Docomo Next Series:
- GALAXY S III SC-06D (June or July): Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 4.8-inch HD 720×1280 Super AMOLED display, 8 megapixel rear camera, 1.9 megapixel front-facing camera, Xi LTE connectivity, NFC, One-Seg TV.
- AQUOS PHONE ZETA SH-09D (June or July):Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 4.7-inch HD 720×1280 Super LCD display, 12 megapixel rear camera, VGA front-facing camera, Xi LTE connectivity, NFC, One-Seg TV, IPX5/IPX7/IP5X certified.
- Xperia GX SO-04D (July):Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 4.6-inch HD 720×1280 LCD display, 13 megapixel rear camera, 1.2 megapixel front-facing camera, Xi LTE connectivity, NFC, One-Seg TV.
- ARROWS X F-10D (July or August): Nvidia Tegra 3 AP33 1.5 GHz Quad-Core processor, 4.6-inch HD 720×1280 LCD display, 13 megapixel rear camera, 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, Xi LTE connectivity, NFC, One-Seg TV, IPX5/IPX8/IP5X certified.
- REGZA Phone T-02D (July or August):Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 4.3-inch qHD 540×960 Super AMOLED display, 13.1 megapixel rear camera, 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, Xi LTE connectivity, NFC, One-Seg TV, IPX5/IPX8/IP5X certified.
- Optimus Vu L-06D / L-06D JOJO (July or August): APQ8060 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, 5-inch XGA 768×1024 LCD display, 8 megapixel rear camera, 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, Xi LTE connectivity, NFC, One-Seg TV, IPX5/7 certified.
- ELUGA power P-07D (August):Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 5-inch HD 720×1280 LCD display, 8 megapixel rear camera, 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, Xi LTE connectivity, NFC, One-Seg TV, IPX5/IPX7/IP5X certified.
- AQUOS PHONE sv SH-10D (August):Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon S4 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 4.5-inch HD 720×1280 LCD display, 12 megapixel rear camera, VGA front-facing camera, Xi LTE connectivity, NFC, One-Seg TV, IPX5/IPX7/IP5X certified.

Docomo With Series:
- F-09D ANTEPRIMA (June): Qualcomm MSM 8255 1.4 GHz processor, 3.7-inch WVGA 480×800 LCD display, 8 megapixel rear camera, 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, IPX5/8 certified, NFC, One-Seg TV.
- AQUOS PHONE st SH-07D (June): Qualcomm MSM 8255 1GHz processor, 3.7-inch FWVGA 480×854 LCD display, 8 megapixel rear camera, IPX5/IPX7/IP5X certified, NFC, One-Seg TV.
- Optimus it L-05D (June or July): Qualcomm MSM 8960 Snapdragon S4 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 4-inch WVGA 480×800 LCD display, 8.1 megapixel rear camera, VGA front-facing camera, IPX5/7 certified, NFC, One-Seg TV, Xi LTE connectivity.
- MEDIAS X N-07D (June or July): Qualcomm MSM 8960 Snapdragon S4 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 4.3-inch HD 720X1280 LCD display, 8 megapixel rear camera, 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, IPX5/8 certified, NFC, One-Seg TV, Xi LTE connectivity.
- ELUGA V P-06D (June or July): TI OMAP4460 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 4.6-inch HD 720×1280 LCD display, 13 megapixel rear camera, 1.2 megapixel front-facing camera, IPX5/IPX7/IP5X certified, NFC, One-Seg TV.
- ARROWS Me F-11D (August): Qualcomm MSM 8255 1GHz processor, 3.7-inch WVGA 480×800 LCD display, 5 megapixel rear camera, NFC, One-Seg TV.
- Xperia SX SO-05D (August): Qualcomm MSM 8960 Snapdragon S4 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 3.7-inch qHD 560×940 LCD display, 8 megapixel rear camera, VGA front-facing camera, NFC, One-Seg TV, Xi LTE connectivity.

Docomo Tablet:
- ELUGA Live P-08D (August): TI OMAP4460 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 10.1-inch WXGA 1290×800 display, 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, One-Seg TV, IPX5/IPX7/IP5X certified.

Raku Raku Phone:
- Raku-Raku Smartphone F-12D (July or August): Qualcomm MSM8255 1.4GHz processor, 4-inch WVGA 480X800 LCD display, 8 megapixel rear camera, VGA front-facing camera, NFC, One-Seg TV, IPX5/IPX8/IP5X certified.

Press Release:
TOKYO, JAPAN, May 16, 2012 — NTT DOCOMO, INC. announced today its 2012 summer lineup of 19 models for launch in or after June, including 16 smartphones, a tablet and a mobile phone for children as well as a mobile Wi-Fi® router, many of which will be compatible with DOCOMO’s Xi™ (read “Crossy”) LTE mobile service.

DOCOMO’s new smartphone and tablet lineup, which covers an exceptionally broad range of specifications, is designed to satisfy diverse needs at a time when smart devices are becoming an increasingly essential and ubiquitous part of daily life.

For the first time, for example, the Raku-Raku PHONE series of simplified models offers a touch-screen smartphone that mimics the sensation of pressing actual keys. Users less experienced in touch screen operations are expected to welcome the familiar feel of this newest model in DOCOMO’s series of easy-to-see, easy-to-hear and easy-to-use mobile devices. Also for the first time, users of this phone may subscribe to the “Raku-Raku Pake-hodai” flat-rate packet service.

DOCOMO also has launched a number of initiatives for enhanced security and customer support to ensure that all smartphone and tablet models in the summer 2012 lineup can be used with peace of mind.

Key features of DOCOMO’s new lineup of smartphones and tablet are as follow:

All models run on Android™ 4.0.

All eight “NEXT” series smartphones, three “with” series smartphones and the lineup’s slim, stylish W-Fi router are compatible with DOCOMO’s Xi LTE service for extra-fast access and navigation.

Most of the devices are compatible with the updated docomo Anshin Scan™ service, which features a new alarm system warning users about fraudulent sites for extra-safe browsing, in addition to its existing virus scan feature.

All models are expected to be compatible with Smartphone Anshin Remote Support™, a call center that can send easy-to-follow prompts to the user’s screen to show them how to set up and operate their devices.

Most models can access Sumaho Onayami Support Menu, a portal of handy, flowchart-style resources for smartphone troubleshooting, fun tips about device usage, terminology and introductions to useful content.

Potent processing power, including one model with a quad-core CPU and 12 models with dual-core CPUs for enjoying rich applications and high-resolution videos and games on the high-speed Xi network.

Smartphone sizes to suit all needs, from smaller models that fit snugly in one’s palm to large 5-inch screens for easy viewing of e-books and similar content.

Four smartphones and the tablet are compatible with NOTTV™, a V-high multimedia broadcasting service.

Two collaboration smartphones, one featuring the fashion brand ANTEPRIMA and the other the manga comic series JOJO, with exclusive content preinstalled.

Many models offer highly in-demand features such as water resistance, NFC, infrared communications and One-Seg terrestrial digital broadcasting.

Six models are expected to feature the preinstalled “Twonky Beam” app, which allows users to enjoy recorded digital terrestrial contents and others on their smartphones, as well as wirelessly transmitting browsed content such as videos, images or music to large-screen televisions or audio systems.

Source: NTT Docomo

Smule, who released the I Am T-Pain app for the iPhone a while back, has finally brought some auto-tuning goodness to Android. Songify can automatically turn your speech into an auto-tuned song with background music. The app is available for free on the Google Play Store, however, in-app purchasing is required to get access to various genres of background music. You can also earn free points through TapJoy that allow you to purchase these add-ons as well. Head over to the Google Play Store to download Songify for Android.

Note: Smule is planning to release their popular Magic Piano app on Android in a few weeks. A preview is already available on Google Play.

Google’s belated listing of the unlocked Samsung Galaxy Nexus on the Google Play Store a few weeks ago is only the beginning of a broader strategy shift, according to the Wall Street Journal. The real surprise is said to come in time for the launch of Android 5.0 Jelly Bean.

The report suggests Google will work with multiple manufacturers to release up to five Pure Google, or Nexus, devices at once later this year. The vanilla Android 5.0 smartphones will be unlocked and sold directly by Google to consumers in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Previously, Google worked with just one manufacturer to release a Nexus handset each year: HTC for Nexus One, Samsung for Nexus S, and again with Samsung for Galaxy Nexus. This time around we could see Motorola and LG involved, too.

If the rumor turns out to be true, this would mean quicker access to the latest version of Android and a wider variety of choices in hardware for consumers looking to secure the 4th installment of the Nexus series. Hopefully we will hear more at Google I/O 2012 in June (27-29th).

Source: The Wall Street Journal via Engadget

Verizon Wireless already announced plans to expand their 4G LTE network to numerous mid-Atlantic beach communities just in time for summer. On the same day, May 17, Big Red will also add 28 new markets and expand in 11 more markets (list below), resulting in total coverage of 258 markets to date. Verizon’s goal is to cover 400 markets over 49 states by the end of 2012.

New Markets: Houma/Thibodaux and Lake Charles, La.; Hyannis/Mid-Cape, Mass.; Benton Harbor/St. Joseph, Mich.; Biloxi/Gulfport/Pascagoula and Oxford, Miss.; Atlantic City/Toms River, N.J.; Dickinson and Williston, N.D.; Ashtabula, Bucyrus and Defiance, Ohio; Eugene/Springfield, Ore.; Lancaster, New Castle, Northern Cambria County, Oil City/Franklin, Somerset and York, Pa.; Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Mitchell, S.D.; Paris, Texas; Burlington/Northern, Vt.; Fredericksburg, Harrisonburg, Martinsville and Staunton/Waynesboro, Va.; and Sheridan, Wyo.

Expanded Markets: Denver, Colo.; Dover, Del.; Fort Myers and Lakeland, Fla.; Hagerstown, Md.; Canton, Lima, Mansfield, Toledo and Youngstown/Warren, Ohio; and Erie, Pa.