Virgin Mobile Launches the LG Optimus Elite

A few days ago Virgin Mobile began taking pre-orders for the LG Optimus Elite. Today, Virgin Mobile actually released the device so if you didn’t get your pre-order in already you should have no problem stopping by your local pre-paid retailer and picking one up. The LG Optimus Elite is the eco-friendly successor to the Optimus S and will run you $150 with Virgin’s pre-paid plans beginning at $35 a month. This is a pretty sweet deal for a device that is equipped with NFC capabilities and you know what that means, that means you get to enjoy a little Google Wallet action as well. Other features include a 3.5-inch HVGA screen, an 800MHz processor, and a 5MP rear camera with flash. Head to your local pre-paid retailer or check out Virgin Mobile’s website to pick one up. Full press release after the break.

WARREN, N.J. & SAN DIEGO (BUSINESS WIRE), May 15, 2012 – Virgin Mobile USA answers to A Higher Calling™ once again, announcing with LG Mobile the availability today of LG Optimus Elite™ in Titan Silver for $149.99. The device operates on Virgin Mobile’s industry-leading, no-contract Beyond Talk plans with unlimited data and messaging starting at $35 a month. Stylish and slim, LG Optimus Elite comes with Google Wallet™ and is now available at virginmobileusa.com and major retailers nationwide.

LG Optimus EliteTM Makes its Way to Virgin Mobile USA on May 15. http://www.virginmobileusa.com (Photo: Business Wire)

A successor to the popular LG Optimus V™, this highly customizable full-featured smartphone keeps customers organized with Android 2.3 Gingerbread, and other key features, including a 3.5-inch HVGA screen, 800MHz processor, 5MP autofocus rear-facing camera and camcorder with flash, and a virtual QWERTY keyboard.
A first for Virgin Mobile USA devices, LG Optimus Elite comes with Near Field Communications (NFC), allowing customers to access true value features, such as Google Wallet^TM, an app that allows payment using a mobile device from participating retailers at select Macy’s, RadioShack, Walgreens, Gap and more.
“Our customers fell in love with the LG Optimus V™, so bringing another great device to our lineup of Android™-powered devices from the Optimus family goes right along with our promise of A Higher Calling™,” said Jeff Auman, vice president for Virgin Mobile USA. “LG Optimus Elite offers full integration of social networking apps, Microsoft Outlook Exchange email, and advanced messaging capabilities. Combined with our awesome Beyond Talk monthly unlimited data plans, customers can realize true savings with no contract and no surprises.”
Operating on the Sprint Nationwide Network¹, Virgin Mobile USA offers tremendous value for those customers who text, IM, post, email, friend, like and tweet more than they talk. Virgin Mobile Beyond Talk plans start at just $35 a month for 300 minutes of voice and include unlimited messaging and data. For those looking for a bit more talk time, the $45 plan offers 1,200 minutes of voice, and the $55 plan offers unlimited voice minutes each month. All plans include unlimited messaging and data (plans include 2.5GB of full-speed data).
“LG Mobile strives to provide the best technologies and services that are not only extremely useful, but also accessible to everyone,” said Tim O’Brien, vice president of marketing for LG Mobile. “The LG Optimus Elite not only has amazing features, but with add-ons such as Google Wallet, Box and Virgin Mobile’s affordable monthly plan, consumers will be getting a great smartphone with incredible value.”
Customers can also download Box on LG Optimus Elite and receive 50GB of free cloud storage and sharing² directly from LG, an estimated value of $240 per year, so they don’t have to stress about storing all of their favorite music, files, photos and other memories.
About Virgin Mobile USA
Virgin Mobile USA, one of Sprint’s prepaid brands, offers millions of customers control, flexibility and connectivity through Virgin Mobile Beyond Talk™ no-contract plans with unlimited data for mobile phone service, including Android-powered smartphones and prepaid Broadband2Go high-speed Web access on the Nationwide Sprint Network. Virgin Mobile-branded devices are available at more than 40,000 retail stores, including Target, Walmart, Best Buy and RadioShack. Top-Up cards are available at approximately 150,000 locations nationwide and can be used for Broadband2Go services. Experience Virgin Mobile on the Web atFacebook, Twitter, You Tube and purchase Virgin Mobile USA products at www.virginmobileusa.com.
About LG Electronics, Inc.
LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances. With 117 operations around the world, LG achieved global sales of USD 49 billion (KRW 54.26 trillion) in 2011. LG is comprised of four business units – Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, and Air Conditioning & Energy Solutions – and is one of the world’s leading producers of flat panel TVs, mobile devices, air conditioners, washing machines and refrigerators. For more news and information on LG Electronics, please visit www.LGnewsroom.com.
About LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company
The LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company is a global leader and innovator in mobile communications. With its breakthrough technologies and innovative designs, LG continues to establish a number of benchmarks in the smartphone market, while also helping create a better lifestyle for consumers by delivering a wholly enhanced smartphone experience. As a leader in 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology, LG continues its commitment to developing groundbreaking LTE technologies and fulfilling consumer demands with differentiated LTE devices of the highest quality, all of which are based on the company’s wealth of LTE patents and technical knowledge. For more information, please visit www.lg.com.
Google, Android, and Google Play are trademarks of Google, Inc.
¹ Virgin Mobile customers have access to the Nationwide Sprint Network which reaches more than 280 million people for voice services and 276 million people for 3G data services.
» See more articles by Stacy Bruce

http://www.talkandroid.com/111843-virgin-mobile-launches-the-lg-optimus-elite/ 

Sony Confirms ICS Update Will Arrive For Xperia S Smartphone By Early June

Sony’s Xperia S has been an awesome phone except for well, its lack of Ice Cream Sandwich. While it’s questionable to launch a device of that nature with Gingerbread 2.3 in a world of Android 4.0, Sony has taken the time to finally give us what we have been waiting for— a concrete date for when the Android 4.0 update will arrive on the smartphone. The update is very much real and on its way as it is all set to arrive by late May or early June at the latest.
Keep in mind while the approximate release date of the update is set, the actual push of the updates will vary among the variations of the device. It’s expected the first to receive the update will be the unlocked or unbranded versions which will roll out in phases. The carrier-branded versions will follow suit but as you know unfortunately— it’s up carriers to decide if or when the devices can get the update. Here’s hoping we see the update sooner than later, especially for those of us planning on buying that Xperia Ion.
source: Sony Mobile Thread
via: Unwired View

http://www.talkandroid.com/111880-sony-confirms-ics-update-will-arrive-for-xperia-s-smartphone-by-early-june/ 

HTC DROID Incredible 4G LTE First Look

We’ve gotten our first look of the HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE here at CTIA 2012 and early impressions are fairly positive. Despite having an S4 processor, Verizon and HTC don’t consider this device a part of the One series. Looking at the device, I’d say that assessment is accurate.
The Incredible 4G’s S4 chip is not equipped with ImageSense technology, so you lose some features that are prevalent on the One phones. While there is still lag-free shutter, you can’t take continuous lag-free shots. This was a bummer for me as it was one of my favorite features on the One X. The 8 megapixel 1080p HD camera here still takes excellent shots, and that is the most important thing.

 

Another area where it’s obvious the device is not a One phone is in its design. The device is a tad bit thicker than some of the One phones, but it’s far from bothersome. It still feels really natural to hold. It also has a removable battery. And no, theres no eye-bleeding flood of red underneath it.
The device pays proper homage to the original with tones of red tracing the power button, speaker grill and the camera ring.
I won’t lie: I was let down that we only have a qHD display. It’s a 4 inch display of the Super LCD variety, though, and it still looks great. I was also let down that there are only 8GB of storage inside, but the advent of a microSD card slot inside should make this a non-issue for some.
On the software side, we have HTC Sense 4.0 with Android 4.0. Moving around the phone is just as snappy as it is on HTC’s other 2012 S4-equipped offerings. Expect Verizon and HTC’s usual bloat ware, alongside a host of Google apps that weren’t present on the device at the time.
It looks like the DROID Incredible 4G LTE could be a legit option for those who want a 4G phone. Sure, it isn’t quite as great as the One S and One X, but it’s no bad phone in its own merit. We’ll be looking forward to getting another look at this device once it’s final and ready to go on sale. Stick around for more coverage from CTIA!

http://phandroid.com/2012/05/08/htc-droid-incredible-4g-lte-first-look-ctia-2012/