Verizon Wireless customers can use their smartphones to share live video broadcasts of life’s special moments with their Facebook friends using Color for Facebook, a free social camera application, the companies announced today.
Color for Facebook highlights the power of video on Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network, giving customers with a wide range of smartphones the ability to broadcast up to 30 seconds of live video and share the important moments in their daily lives at blazing speeds. Verizon Wireless customers will also have access to an exclusive audio feature to add sound to their broadcasts.
Friends and fans receive a notification on their devices when one of their friends starts broadcasting live video and audio. Concerts, sporting events, road trips and other special moments can all be shared live.
Using Color for Facebook, batch photo uploads to Facebook are an easy and fast way to share multiple photos from a phone’s camera roll to any Facebook album. Customers can pick the best photos, choose or create a new album, and share with any group or all of their friends on Facebook with a single tap.
“Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network is a huge opportunity for creating new applications,” said Bill Nguyen, chief executive officer of Color. “The performance, coverage and features available on Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network establish a new platform for creativity; it is revolutionary for app developers. Color plans to develop additional features exclusively with Verizon Wireless to showcase its 4G LTE network.”
“Color is an amazing team dreaming up creative ways for people to share even more using smartphones,” said Kristi Crum, executive director, Consumer Solutions at Verizon Wireless. “This app, which highlights the speed and immediacy of video over 4G LTE, is just the first step in what we will deliver for Verizon Wireless customers.”

Availability and pricing
Verizon Wireless customers can dial **COLOR to download the app, or download it from an app store. The app is free, and other charges will apply according to a customer’s data package.

iHome has announced its most colorful audio system yet, the iP76 LED Color Changing Speaker Tower, which allows you to listen to music from your various devices via Bluetooth technology.

Available in July 2012, the décor-enhancing showpiece is packed with 16 multi-color LED clusters to create various light effects; four high performance speakers, Reson8 speaker technology, and the latest in Bluetooth technology for an untethered audio experience.

“Our Glowtunes line continues to evolve and offer a wide range of speakers for today’s most popular multimedia devices,” said Evan Stein, Director of Marketing, iHome. “We’re very excited to release our first speaker tower and believe the design and array of features will make the iP76 stand above the competition.”

The three-foot high unite has the ability to stream music from Bluetooth-enabled devices; charge iPhones and iPods when docked, and send video content from your device to your television via the built-in component video outputs. The unit can be customized to feature your favorite color and boasts a variety of options such as color fade, pulse to music and strobe effect for the ultimate music and light show.

The iP76 will be available in July 2012 at retailers nationwide and at www.ihomeaudio.com for $199.99. For detailed product information, please visit www.ihomeaudio.com/iP76WZ/

Verizon Wireless and HTC have announced the new DROID INCREDIBLE 4G LTE by HTC. The new smartphone features high-quality photo and audio capabilities, combined with the power of 4G LTE speeds. Running the latest version of HTC Sense 4.0, HTC’s user interface, the phone is also integrated with Google’s latest mobile operating system — Android™ 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich..
The phone features Beats Audio sound, an advanced 8-megapixel camera with quick activation from the home screen. Additionally, there’s no longer a need to choose between shooting video or taking photos, HTC Video Pic allows users to shoot HD video and capture photos at the same time. With 4G LTE speeds, sharing photos and video via email, uploading to the cloud or posting to social networking sites is a breeze.
Customers can personalize and use lock screen shortcuts to quickly access their four favorite apps. Folders can easily be created on any home screen for additional customization and organization. A Read Later feature allows people short on time the ability to save browser content like news articles and websites that can be viewed later, even while offline. The smartphone is also NFC capable so customers can take advantage of Android Beam to quickly share Web pages, apps, contacts and YouTube videos with friends by simply tapping two compatible phones together.
The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network is available in 230 markets across the Unites States. In real-world, fully loaded network environments, 4G LTE users should experience average data rates of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink. When customers travel outside of 4G LTE coverage areas, devices automatically connect to Verizon Wireless’ 3G network, where available, enabling customers to stay connected from coast to coast.
Additional features:
— 4-inch super LCD qHD display
— 8 megapixel rear-facing camera with autofocus, LED flash, BSI, f/2.2 and 28 mm lens
— Front-facing camera for video chatting with friends and family
— 1.2 GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor
— Mobile Hotspot capable to share 4G LTE connection with up to 10 Wi-Fi-enabled devices
— Support for up to 32 GB microSD memory card
— 1,700 mAh lithium ion removable battery

The new DROID INCREDIBLE 4G LTE by HTC will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com in the coming weeks.

Contact Matt Myftiu at matt.myftiu@oakpress.com, or follow him on Twitter @MattMyftiu

T-Mobile USA, Inc., has announced the upcoming T-Mobile Prism, their latest budget-friendly option for cost-conscious consumers looking for their first smartphone.

Powered by Android 2.3 Gingerbread and featuring a 3.5-inch HVGA touch screen, the 3G smartphone enables T-Mobile customers to surf the Web, access their favorite social networking sites and choose from thousands of applications to download from Google Play. The T-Mobile Prism also makes it simple to capture and share photos and videos via its 3.2-megapixel camera with digital zoom and video recorder. With the T-Mobile Prism, customers can sync multiple email accounts, including Microsoft Exchange, Google calendar and contacts, T-Mobile contacts, and more.

The T-Mobile Prism is now available at Best Buy and Walmart and T-Mobile retail stores, or online via www.T-Mobile.com. The T-Mobile Prism is costs $19.99 after a $50 mail-in-rebate card with a two-year service agreement and qualifying Classic voice and data plan or $149.99 via no annual contract.

Verizon Wireless, operator of the 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless network, has expanded its 4G LTE service across more of southeastern Michigan. The network now covers more than two-thirds of the U.S. population in 230 markets.
The expansion now reaches: northern Oakland County, along Interstate 75 between Detroit and Northern Saginaw: Oxford, Lake Orion, Groveland Corners, Holly, Rose Corners, Davisburg, Springfield, Clyde, Waterford, Highland and White Lake as well as the Port Huron area and Livingston and Washtenaw counties.
Verizon Wireless has invested $1.8 billion in its Michigan network since 2000, including $265 million in 2011 alone, to increase coverage and capacity on behalf of its customers.
In real-world environments, Verizon’s 4G LTE customers in the coverage area should experience average data rates of 5 to 12 megabits (Mbps) per second on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink.
“People across Michigan are increasingly relying on tablets, smartphones and apps to stay organized, connected and entertained,” said John Granby, president–Michigan/Indiana/Kentucky Region, Verizon Wireless. “Our investment in Michigan has kept us ahead of these consumer trends and underscores our belief that 4G LTE delivers the best value to customers by maximizing the performance of their wireless devices.”
Verizon Wireless plans to more than double the number of its 4G LTE markets, bringing the total number of markets to more than 400 by the end of the year.
When customers travel outside of a 4G LTE coverage area in Michigan or elsewhere, the devices automatically connect to Verizon Wireless’ 3G network, enabling customers to stay connected from coast to coast. Verizon Wireless’ 3G network is the largest, most reliable network in the country and allows customers in 3G coverage areas who purchase 4G LTE devices today to take advantage of 4G LTE speeds when the faster network becomes available in their areas.
The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network was named “Fastest 4G Network Yet” by Popular Science’s 2011 Best of What’s New Awards, and was also ranked No. 1 on PC World’s 100 Best Products of 2011. For more information about Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network, please visit www.verizonwireless.com/lte.

Customers in seven Oakland County communities are expected to experience improved mobile Internet coverage and voice performance as a result of continued investment and innovation by AT&T.
The company has announced that it has completed a key initiative in its ongoing efforts to enhance the wireless capacity and performance of its mobile Internet network in Berkley, Hazel Park, Huntington Woods, Madison Heights, Oak Park, Royal Oak and Troy.
"AT&T's new investment in Oakland County will mean better opportunities for jobs and a more connected metro-Detroit," said state Sen. Mike Kowall (R-White Lake). "By expanding their mobile high speed network, AT&T is helping us do business faster as we build the 21st century economy."
The network enhancement adds new layers of frequency, also known as "carriers," to 12 cell sites to more efficiently manage available spectrum and increase mobile broadband capacity. The expansion helps manage ever-growing demand for mobile Internet services by allocating more network resources for AT&T's mobile Internet network.
"Our goal is for our customers to have an extraordinary experience. As part of the Oakland County community, we're always looking for new opportunities to provide an enhanced customer experience and our investment in the local wireless network is just one way we're accomplishing that," said Jim Murray, president of AT&T Michigan.
AT&T recently launched "Focus: Detroit," which provides visitors a peek into AT&T's wireless network enhancements made since the beginning of the year. Enhancements include new cell sites, Internet speed upgrades, capacity upgrades and network connection upgrades.
For updates on the AT&T wireless network, please visit the AT&T network news page at http://www.att.com/networknews.

Bose has updated its Bose Wave radio and Wave music system, and say they have combined their audio performance and small size with more functionality and more versatility.

“The Bose Wave radio and Wave music system changed the way people listen to music,” said Santiago Carvajal, business director for Bose Wave products. “They’ve delighted and excited owners for years, and have become two of the most enduring consumer electronics products in history. We’ve updated them with new features and accessories, making each even better for enjoying the radio and digital music.”

For radio listening, the Wave radio III and Wave music system III now include an improved FM/AM tuner for clearer reception, and artist names and song titles provided by many broadcasters are now displayed on-screen.

The Wave music system III integrates a slot-load CD player, and both systems include an auxiliary input to connect a smartphone, iPod, HDTV, or computer.

Each system also offers a Bose Link input for connection to optional accessories: the Wave SoundLink adapter for streaming music wirelessly from a computer or Bluetooth enabled device, the Wave Connect Kit for dock-and-play simplicity with an iPod or iPhone, and the Wave Multi-CD Changer for uninterrupted enjoyment of three additional CDs.
Convenience is improved with a new touch pad integrated on the top of each unit for simple on/off control or to snooze the alarm. With new dual alarms, owners can select separate wake-up times set to different sources and volumes.

Regardless of the source, the audio performance from the Bose Wave radio III and Wave music system III deliver the lifelike, natural sound of their predecessors, combining patented waveguide speaker technology to deliver deep, rich low notes with proprietary digital signal processing to ensure musical accuracy across all frequencies, and at all volume levels.

Availability
The Bose Wave radio III and Wave music system III are available from Bose for $349.95 and $499.95, respectively. They replace the current Wave radio and Wave music system. The Wave radio III is available in a choice of Platinum White or Graphite Gray. The Wave music system III is available in Titanium Silver, Platinum White, or Graphite Gray. The optional Wave Multi-CD Changer ($249.95), Wave SoundLink adapter ($149.95), and Wave Connect Kit ($99.95) will be sold separately. The Wave radio III, Wave music system III and their accessories will be sold at Bose retail stores, www.Bose.com, and toll-free at 1-800-444-BOSE (2673).

Contact Matt Myftiu at matt.myftiu@oakpress.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattMyftiu.