Verizon Wireless and Pantech have announced the 4G LTE-powered Pantech Marauder is coming exclusively to its 4G LTE network starting Aug. 2. The Pantech Marauder is aimed at first-time smartphone customers and offers a dual-interface option, allowing customers to fit the device to their lifestyles or specific needs.

The Pantech Marauder offers customers the option to choose between Starter Mode and Standard Mode. Starter Mode is a simplified and more intuitive experience that is perfect for those who are new to the smartphone world. This option eases first-time customers into the smartphone experience with the help of four easy-to-learn home screens featuring preset widgets and an uncluttered, easy-to-use lock screen. Starter Mode also features a quick dialer icon that allows customers to make phone callsdirectly from the home screen. Standard Mode is a general smartphone setting for those who are familiar with the Android experience. It offers up to seven fully customizable home screens and a customizable lock screen with quick access to frequently used applications. All settings are maintained when switching between modes so customers do not have to worry about losing information.
The Pantech Marauder features a virtual keyboard as well as a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. It has a 5-megapixel camera.

Additional features include
— Notification Curtain that displays quick on/off settings, phone settings, connectivity and sync, social media and email
— On device help section provides guided tours for first-time smartphone customers to help learn the tips and tricks of their new device
— 1.2 GHz dual-core processor and 1 GB RAM
— Support for Google Mobile Services, including Gmail, YouTube, Google+, Google Search and Google Maps, as well as access to the Google Play Store
— Mobile Hotspot capable to share 4G LTE connection with up to 10 Wi-Fi-enabled devices
— Share media with friends and colleagues wirelessly to DLNA-enabled devices
— Bluetooth Version 3.0 Support Profiles: headset, hands-free, object push, advanced audio distribution (stereo), audio/video remote control, file transfer and phone book access
— Daily Life Assistants such as clock, calendar and weather
— Easy access email that is compatible with Microsoft® Exchange, Yahoo! Mail, Windows Live, AOL, Gmail
— microSD card slot with support for up to 32 GB

The Pantech Marauder will be available online at www.verizonwireless.com starting Aug. 2 for $49.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debitcards are accepted. New customers that purchase a Pantech Marauder smartphone will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Share Everything plan. Customers can purchase unlimited talk and text messaging with 1 GB of data for $90 monthly access. Customers can visit www.verizonwireless.com/shareeverything for additional information on data plans.

For more information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

Here's my video review of the brand new Galaxy SIII smartphone, which is among the best phones on the market right now with its top-notch specs and performance. And it's across all the carriers, putting it in a good position to take on big names like the iPhone and HTC's One X.

T-Mobile USA, Inc., and Samsung have announced the upcoming availability of the extra large Samsung Galaxy Note through T-Mobile.

Running on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and Samsung’s Premium Suite, the Galaxy Note provides a range of productivity-enhancing features, such as the S Pen, S Note, S Memo and Polaris Office. T-Mobile customers can write notes, to-do lists and annotate documents; share ideas and edited content; and create documents, presentations and spreadsheets to maximize efficiency while on the go. S Note helps to professionalize communications by providing templates for seven commonly used documents such as an idea note, travel notes, diary entry, meeting notes and recipes. S Note also allows you to import and annotate a PDF file and convert dictated or handwritten memos to text with the Continual Voice Input and Handwriting-to-Text features. With S Memo, Galaxy Note users have one-touch access to creating a typewritten, handwritten or voice dictated memo; researching information during creation; and adding an image.

The Galaxy Note also has the SAFE (Samsung Approved for Enterprise) designation, which means it has a full suite of enterprise-ready features and capabilities, including comprehensive IT policy support for top-tier mobile device management (MDM) providers, on-device AES256-bit encryption, enhanced support for Microsoft Exchange, as well as integrated support for a range of virtual private network (VPN) solutions. The Galaxy Note also provides Wi-Fi Calling capabilities and, with a qualifying rate plan, can act as a Smartphone Mobile HotSpot for up to five devices.

“In addition to larger screens, today customers demand more from their devices — from having safeguarded access to corporate email and other productivity features to being able to rely on a speedy network for streaming content,” said Andrew Morrison, vice president, product management, T-Mobile USA. “With the unique and highly innovative Galaxy Note in our lineup, we are even better equipped to help our customers strike the perfect balance as they juggle both professional and personal activities.”

The Samsung Galaxy Note also offers the T-Mobile 4G Pro App Pack, an aggregation of key applications, such as Dropbox, Evernote, Square, TripIt, CamScanner and LinkedIn, that can reduce the complexity and effort associated with finding and downloading business-related applications. By providing an easy path to cloud services such as Dropbox and Evernote, T-Mobile helps professionals easily store and access the documents, files, images and notes that will help them better manage their work from virtually anywhere.

Featuring a snappy Qualcomm Snapdragon S3 Processor with 1.5 Ghz Dual-Core CPUs, the Galaxy Note provides customers with incredible 4G experiences, making it the perfect all-in-one device to maximize efficiency and productivity, in addition to fun. The Galaxy Note offers a variety of entertainment experiences, such as T-Mobile TV in mobile HD3 for watching live TV programming, Samsung Media Hub for renting and buying the latest movies and TV shows, and Google Play Music for streaming and purchasing music. The Galaxy Note also features an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera, to capture pictures and HD videos to share with friends, family and social networks.

Availability
The Samsung Galaxy Note is expected to be available at select T-Mobile retail stores and online via www.T-Mobile.com in the coming weeks.

Follow @MattMyftiu on Twitter. Email him at matt.myftiu@oakpress.com.

T-Mobile, today announced the latest additions to its lineup of T-Mobile myTouch smartphones. The new T-Mobile myTouch and T-Mobile myTouch Q will be available starting Aug. 8 for just $49.99 after a $50 mail-in-rebate card with a two year agreement on a qualifying plan.
New T-Mobile myTouch Series Key Features

— Voice Control Made Better: To make the process of learning and using a smartphone’s best features quicker and easier, both devices are equipped with the next-generation Genius Button 4.0, powered by Dragon from Nuance, providing customers with a powerful voice-controlled service. With Genius Button 4.0 customers have access to the new Genius Web Search, featuring new voice-command capabilities such as direct search among multiple sources, direct app launch, and even the ability to make dinner reservations.

— Simple Setup: The new myTouch devices feature an onboarding experience that allows users to set up what’s important without having to deal with extra steps, including a simple login process, a tips widget and tutorials for the most-used features of Android.

— Enhanced App Drawer: A redesigned app drawer gives customers quick access to recently used apps, a separate tab for all downloaded apps, and an easy way to search their app collections by text or even by voice.

Manufactured by Huawei, the 4G-enabled T-Mobile myTouch and myTouch Q ship with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and feature a 1.4 GHz processor. The devices are also equipped with a dedicated camera button for easy access to the 5-megapixel camera with auto-focus and LED flash for quality photo capture and sharing. Both devices also sport a front-facing camera for video chat over T-Mobile’s 4G network. A redesigned camera user interface allows for quick access to key features such as the flash, switching cameras and choosing the camcorder option.

The new 4G capable T-Mobile myTouch smartphones ship with Android 2.3 and feature a 1.4 GHz processor and are available in two form factor options:
— Available in black or dark red, the T-Mobile myTouch features a 4-inch touch display and virtual keyboard with Swype.
— Available in black or white, the T-Mobile myTouch Q features the same vibrant touch display with a full slide-out QWERTY keyboard.

Availability
The T-Mobile myTouch will be offered in black or dark red, and the T-Mobile myTouch Q will be offered in black or white. Both devices, exclusively from T-Mobile, are expected to be available Aug. 8 at T-Mobile retail stores, from select dealers and national retailers, and online at http://www.t-mobile.com for $49.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate card with a two-year agreement on a qualifying plan. For more information visit www.T-Mobile.com.

Follow @MattMyftiu on Twitter. Email him at matt.myftiu@oakpress.com.

Announced earlier this year, the DROID INCREDIBLE 4G LTE by HTC, will be available in Verizon Wireless stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com starting July 5.
Running the latest version HTC Sense 4, HTC’s branded user experience, integrated with Google’s Android 4.0 OS (aka Ice Cream Sandwich), customers can enjoy the latest Android features, as well as the power of 4G LTE speeds.
The advanced 8-megapixel camera features quick activation from the home screen so customers never miss that perfect shot. Additionally, HTC Video Pic allows customers to simultaneously shoot HD quality video and take pictures at the same time. Uploading photos or videos onto social networking sites or sharing through e-mail takes only seconds with 4G LTE speeds.

Lifestyle features:
— Authentic Sound: Customers will benefit from Beats Audio — incorporated across the entire experience for richer, more authentic sound.
— Read Later: Active readers who are constantly on-the-go can use the Read Later feature to save online content, such as news articles and website pages, to view later, even when they are offline.
— Android Beam: Sharing YouTube videos, Google Maps locations and more with others is faster and easier than ever with Android Beam. Android Beam is as simple as tapping two compatible phones together for users to instantly share information.

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 a 4G LTE connection with up to 10 Wi-Fi-enabled devices
— Support for up to 32 GB microSD memory card

Price and availability:
The DROID INCREDIBLE 4G LTE will be available beginning July 5 in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com for 149.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.
For additional information, go to www.verizonwireless.com.

Verizon Wireless announced Monday that the Samsung Intensity III is available online starting today at www.verizonwireless.com.

The horizontal-slide QWERTY keyboard is ideal for text message fans and the enhanced social networking features make it easy to stay connected with family and friends. The Intensity III boasts a durable and ruggedized design built to withstand wear and tear while also being made from 80 percent post-consumer materials, including recycled plastic extracted from water bottles or other recycled polycarbonate materials. For customers interested in keeping track of their own carbon footprint, the Intensity III offers an eco-calculator that tracks car fuel mileage, efficiency and also estimates the amount of carbon dioxide emissions.

Additional features:
— 2-megapixel camera with photo options including night shot, shooting modes (series and divided), and effects (normal, black and white, antique and negative).
— Meets Military Specifications 810F standards for shock, low pressure (altitude), low and high temperature, temperature shock, solar radiation, salt fog, humidity, vibration, sand and dust.
— 2.4 inch QVGA (240 x 320) TFT screen for easy viewing.
— Full suite of messaging options, including text, picture, video and voice messaging.
— Enhanced social networking capabilities make updating statuses on Facebook® and Twitter™ easier than ever.
— Voice commands and advanced speech recognition for an enhanced user experience.
— Multilingual User Interface that includes English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese.
— Fake Call feature that allows users to set up a pseudo-call to help them escape unwanted social situations.
— VZ Navigator® capabilities for customers to receive audible turn-by-turn directions to millions of points of interest and share the directions with others.
— Bluetooth technology with support for headset, hands-free, stereo, phonebook access, basic imaging, object push for vCard and vCalendar, and serial port.
— microSD card slot with support for up to 32 GB.

Additional environmental features:
— Packaging made from recycled paper (post-consumer waste) and printed with soy ink, along with reduced package size.
— Box: 60 percent recycled paper
— High efficiency charger that alerts when the battery is fully charged.

Pricing and availability:
— The Samsung Intensity III is available online at www.verizonwireless.com and will be in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in the coming weeks for $79.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.
For additional information, go to www.verizonwireless.com.