Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus N launches in Germany

Samsung has launched yet another 7-inch tablet, and this time it's a redesigned version of the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus for the German market. Similar to the Galaxy Tab 10.1 N, the Tab 7.0 Plus N is redesigned  in order to work around Apple's legal shenanigans. The most noticeable change is that metallic trim around the edge of the device, which gives the front face of the device a noticeably different appearance.

Aside from the new look, the internals are the same as they always were -- you've got a 1.2GHz dual-core Exynos processor, 1GB of RAM and Android 3.2 Honeycomb (with TouchWiz) on a 1024x600 display. Prices start at €499 for the Wifi-only version, and go up to €569 for Wifi and 3G.

The Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus N joins a growing list of 7-inch Samsung tablets, including the original Galaxy Tab, the Tab 7.0 Plus, the Tab 7.7 and the recently-announced Galaxy Tab 2.

Source: Samsung (German)

New LG CX2 render shows slimmer handset in white, with new software

With Mobile World Congress less than two weeks away, we're starting to see images of even more unannounced devices leaking out online. The latest to appear is LG's successor to the Optimus 3D, the "CX2", or Optimus 3D MAX. This new leaked render shows a thin device in white, running what seems to be an updated version of LG's Optimus UI. LG's software is long overdue a visual refresh, so hopefully this new version will bring some much-needed improvements.
Alongside the new render, Korean site ETNews gave details of the device's size, weight and screen resolution. The site claims that the new device will sport a higher resolution 3D display, compared to the Optimus 3D's WVGA offering. Apparently LG has brought the device down to a thickness of just 9.8mm, and shaved 20 grams off its weight, too. The reported resolution increase is interesting, as it contradicts earlier reports that LG was sticking with WVGA for its second 3D phone. However, given the company's push towards 720p displays for its high end devices (as well as the reduction in visible resolution required for glasses-free 3D), we wouldn't be surprised to see a 720p IPS panel in this thing when it launches.
We'll know more about LG's next flagship device in just a few days, assuming the rumors of a MWC unveiling hold true.

Source: ETNews; via: GSMArena

Motorola Droid 4 available now on Verizon for $199 on contract

The Motorola Droid 4 is now available from Verizon's website (and will be in stores in just a few short hours) for $199 on contract. As the name implies, this is the fourth phone in the line that for all intents and purposes put Android on the map.

As you'll recall from our hands-on at CES, the Droid 4 takes the classic Droid stylings -- a larger

screen and a physical keyboard -- and refines them even further. From the front, it looks like a cousin to the new Droid RAZR MAXX, albeit a tad smaller with a 4-inch display at qHD (540x960) resolution. Slide open that 4-inch display and you've got what might well be the best physical keyboard on any smartphone. The keys are backlit and laser-cut and are extremely easy to navigate. 

One odd feature of the Droid 4 is on the backside. You can remove the battery cover -- and must do so if you want to get to the microSIM card (which is what provides the 4G LTE data) and microSD card. But it takes a weird little unlocking tool (included with the phone) to do so. But even then you can't actually remove the 1785 mAh battery -- at least not without likely breaking anything. That could be a deal-breaker for many. Check out our Droid 4 walkthrough video for more on that.

The phone's running Android 2.3.6, and Verizon is already promising to update it to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Other specs of note:

• 1.2GHz dual-core processor
• 1GB RAM
• 8MP rear camera
• 1.3MP front-facing camerea
• Serve as a 4G LTE hot spot for up to eight other devices.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Look for our full Droid 4 review in the coming days.

Source: Verizon Wireless

HTC, Vodafone Germany to launch first 4G LTE phone -- the HTC Velocity

Vodafone Germany customers will soon be able to pick up the network's first 4G LTE smartphone, the HTC Velocity, according to reports from German site Computer Woche. The device will be familiar to readers in the U.S., as stateside it's known as the AT&T HTC Vivid. As well as supporting the insane speeds we've come to expect from LTE networks, the Velocity also sports HSPA+ connectivity up to 42.2 Mb/sec, alongside good old-fashioned 2G and 3G.
Internally, the device is similar to many of HTC's other high-end smartphones. There's a 1.5GHz dual-core chip inside, along with a full gigabyte of RAM, a 4.5-inch qHD (960x540) screen and Android 2.3 Gingerbread, backed up by HTC Sense 3.5. Frequency-wise, the HTC Velocity supports LTE on 800/2600MHz in addition to UMTS/HSPA on 900/2100MHz, meaning it should work on other LTE networks across Europe once they start rolling out.
So it's an HTC Vivid for Europe. Speaking of which, you can check out our review of that device to get an idea of what you'll be dealing with if you pick up an HTC Velocity in the future. We'll keep you posted with any release date or pricing info as it becomes available.

 Source: Computer Woche; via: Engadget Mobile