HTC ThunderBolt vs Motorola DROID X web browsing times

In our fourth video, we decided to test the browser speed on the HTC ThunderBolt, and compare that next to the Motorola DROID X.

Here, we noticed something interesting. Even though web pages started to load faster on the ThunderBolt, they finished at about the same time on it and on the DROID X. We tried several page loads, and both were only within a second or two of each other.

So it appears that even though the 4G LTE network is capable of faster download speeds (as shown in our speed test video) the web browser on the ThunderBolt is finishing to load pages at about the same speed at the DROID X.

We will continue to test the browser speed on the ThunderBolt over the next few days and will update if there are any changes.

UPDATE:
As some of you have commented below, the DROID X did load a few pages slightly faster than the ThunderBolt, but the reason we believe this happened is because our DROID X is rooted and has a program installed for it not to load web-page banner ads that are Flash based. The ThunderBolt is not rooted and will load all Flash ads, so that is why some pages on it took slightly longer to load. But for a stock DROID X that isn't rooted and will load all Flash content (including ads) the ThunderBolt should be a bit faster. We have also noticed that downloading apps from the Android Market are also much faster on the ThunderBolt than the DROID X, as well as connecting to Google Maps, VCast Video, and file attachment downloads.

UPDATE 2:
Guys, sorry about forgetting to un-root the DROID X first. We have done this now so it will load all flash files and web ads. The ThunderBolt is taking 22 seconds to fully load the PhoneArena.com home page, while the DROID X is taking 45 seconds. We will have a new full video review of the ThunderBolt up that will show this.

Sprint’s HTC Evo 3D specs leaked!

We’ve already told you Sprint will have an awesome line-up for the upcoming CTIA. Among the devices the carrier will unveil are two WiMAX-enabled tablets — 7-inch HTC Flyer and 10-inch Motorola Xoom — as well as Nexus S and HTC Evo 3D.
Today our focus is on the Evo 3D which looks like a promising phone we can’t wait to try out. Here are the rumored specs:

• 4.3-inch 3D capacitive touchscreen with 960×540 pixels resolution!
• 1.2 GHz dual-core Snapdragon CPU
• Dual 5-megapixel rear cameras for recording 3D video at 720p — 2D video is recorded at 1080p.
• 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera for video calls
• 4GB of internal memory, microSD expansion slot (8 GB card comes inside the box).
• GPS, Bluetooth and “standard” sensors
• DNLA support and HDMI port – for beaming videos to the TV
• Dimensions: 5.0×2.6×0.48 inches
• Android 2.3

Impressive don’t you think? We hope other carriers in the U.S. will follow Sprint’s example and launch similarly powerful devices.
[Via: AndroidCentral, BGR]

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Virgin drops iPhone 3GS 8GB to $9.99 on 3-year/SuperTab

We’ve seen Rogers, Bell, TELUS, Koodo and Virgin didn’t want to be left out of all the fun so they too have dropped their handset prices. Again, if you’re into contracts (or using their SuperTab) there are a few deals happening at Virgin. Most notably, the Apple iPhone 3GS has been dropped to $9.99 on a 3-year/SuperTab (and we’re informed they’ll give you a $50 credit on your first bill). In addition, the Samsung Galaxy S Vibrant is now $50 on 3-year/SuperTab.

RIM Tangles With AT&T, T-Mobile Over Mobile Payments

BlackBerry maker Research in Motion is in a scuffle with AT&T and T-Mobile over control of mobile-payment data, which could determine whether handset makers or wireless carriers dictate the terms of a lucrative $1.13 trillion industry.

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The Waterloo, Ontario-based company, which plans to add mobile payment technology, known as near field communication, or NFC, to most of its devices, is tussling with AT&T and T-Mobile over where key customer data will reside -- on the phone itself or on the SIM card.
That may not sound like much, but the implications are enormous. That data, which is stored in the magnetic strip on credit cards, will determine who controls the customer, and the revenue from transactions to merchants when the device is waved over an electronic reader during checkout.
AT&T and T-Mobile want to encrypt the information on their SIM cards, small chips that communicate with its wireless networks, but RIM wants those credentials to be stored on its BlackBerry device.
Consumers would ultimately be better off if the carriers win, since they can swap their SIM card from phone to phone. Should RIM prevail, customers may be tied to their BlackBerry smartphones, which would potentially cut carriers out of the loop.
RIM has already made the first move and reached out to banks to bypass the carriers, people familiar with the matter said. But AT&T and T-Mobile are part of a consortium of 800 wireless operators around the world, known as the GSM Association, or GSMA, that is racing to standardized mobile-payments system.
Verizon and Sprint, which use a different technology called CDMA, hasn't been involved in the dispute, because its network doesn't use SIM cards. But those wireless carriers could upgrade their networks to a 4G technology known as LTE, or Long-Term Evolution, which does.
"Many if not most of BlackBerry devices throughout the year will have NFC in them," RIM's co-chief executive Jim Balsillie said at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona last week.
Meanwhile, rivals Google and Apple are making their moves as well. Google has already released its Nexus S smartphone with built-in NFC, while Apple decided to hold off on mobile-payment on the iPhone 5 until the technology is more mature.
In December, Google bought Zetawire, secretive mobile-payment startup. The company will test its mobile payment systems in New York and San Francisco in the next four months.
Whoever dictates the standards of mobile payment stands to gain the most of a lucrative $1.13 trillion industry.

Sony Ericsson confirms it will be affected by the Japan earthquake

Sony Ericsson confirms its business will be affected by the earthquake and tsunami that has ravaged Northern Japan. The handset manufacturer operates out of Tokyo and all 1100 employees and its two offices were safe following the natural disaster. Though it emerged relatively unscathed from the earthquake, Sony Ericsson’s component suppliers in Northern Japan have been adversely affected. As a result, Sony Ericsson is looking at secondary sources for components and is considering the relocation of some manufacturing. Unfortunately,the handset company expects this shift in components will disrupt its supply chain. The handset maker did not mention which handsets may be adversely affected as the situation is still being assessed. Fingers crossed that this disruption does not impact the upcoming Sony Xperia Play, its premier gaming-oriented Android phone. The company’s official statement on the Japan earthquake is available on the second page.

HTC ThunderBolt unboxing and hands-on

Ever since our first look at the HTC ThunderBolt back in January at CES, we've been awaiting it's release, which is now upon us. We got our demo unit today, and couldn't wait to try it out, especially since it was originally planed to come out a month ago.

The box is all black, very minimalistic, and included with the ThunderBolt is a 1400mAh battery, SIM card, SanDisk 32GB Class 4 microSDHC memory card (pre-installed), battery cover, user guide, and a wall charger with a detachable microUSB cable that can also be used to connect the phone to your PC. One interesting thing that we noticed is that the back of the phone has a few metal pins that line-up with metal connectors on the battery cover. One of those has GPS printed next to it, another on the phone says BT (Blue Tooth), but the smallest connector near the top doesn't say what it is for. Though we're going to guess it's the 4G LTE antenna, because if the phone is use without the battery cover installed, it will drop down to 3G or 1X. So make use the back cover is on securely to get 4G reception.

On the front is a large 4.3" 480x800 WVGA resolution TFT display with 16 million color support. Images and videos look good, and text is sharp and clear, though we did notice the ThunderBolt's screen isn't quite as bright as the one on the Motorola DROID X, with both manually set to the highest backlight level. Along the bottom are the 4 capacitive touch-sensitive control buttons, and with the volume rocker on the right side. Up at the top is the 3.5mm headset jack, and the power/lock key, but it's a bit small and flush with the surrounding plastic, so it can be a bit hard to find by touch alone. On the back is the 8MP autofocus camera with dual LED flash, speaker and kickstand, which comes in handy when watching videos.

The HTC ThunderBolt feels a bit bulky in the hand, even more so than the Motorola DROID X, as the ThunderBolt is not only thicker, but wider too. Even though the ThunderBolt is constructed out of plastic, it has a very solid weight to it, again feeling heavier than the DROID X.

We like the updated HTC Sense UI that is on the device, as it comes with 6 scenes and 5 skins, both of which allow for some nice customization. There are also 7 home screens, and moving between them is very fluid without any noticeable delay.

Below is our unboxing video of the HTC ThunderBolt, with more videos to follow, and also our full review, so be sure to check back.

New ads by Apple show what it is like to not have an iPhone

A trio of iPhone ads, still warm and fresh from Cupertino's kitchen, have popped on Apple's website and display some of the privileges that one gets with owning and using the shiny smartphone. However, there seems to be something special about these three new videos. As a rule of thumb, Apple's advertisements are generally fun to watch – sleek and sexy devices do neat stuff, but these ads actually have the potential of making you feel a bit guilty for not owning an iPhone. The videos also appear to be quite vulnerable to parodies thanks to the catchy quote, which all three end with. You will have to watch them to see what we mean.

We are expecting the videos to spark a number of comments in the online communities, and if you feel like expressing your opinion, feel free to watch the ads below and leave your thoughts here on our website.