Verizon CFO Reveals iPhone 5 Details

In an interview with Reuters, Verizon Chief Financial Officer Fran Shammo said his company's version of the next Apple iPhone, the so-called "iPhone 5," will be a global phone, working in the same countries as the AT&T model.

That would mean the Verizon iPhone 5 would be able to make calls on both CDMA and GSM networks. The device would still be native to Verizon's network, using GSM only when roaming. The AT&T version might also have both radios, though it would only need GSM to be considered a global phone.

The current Verizon iPhone 4 is CDMA-only, so it doesn't work in countries where there are only GSM networks, which includes most of Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia. The AT&T version works on most GSM networks, which are much more common.

Shammo also said Verizon would be able to launch the iPhone 5 at the same time as AT&T, all but confirming a simultaneous launch on both carriers.

Very little is known about the next iPhone, although iPhone 5 rumors are rampant. If Apple sticks to its typical product cycle, it should be unveiled soon with a debut next summer, although there are reports that because of production difficulties, it won't hit stores until September.

On whether or not the Verizon iPhone 5 would be able to ride Verizon's new high-speed LTE network, Shammo was fairly mum: "I think it's a bigger issue for Apple than it is for us," he told Reuters. "Depending on where Apple plays, that's where we'll sell."

PCmag

Samsung shows square camera, compact prototypes

Samsung has revealed several prototype cameras, including several square models and three compact designs. The prototypes, which were shown in a picture on the company's Imaging Blog, include a retro-styled design that resembles a Leica X1 or Fujifilm X100. The square camera mimics the appearance of some medium-format mirrorless cameras.

It is unclear if any of the prototype cameras represent early-stage designs destined for the market, or if they are all simply concept designs. The image was included as part of a closer look into the development and design process that led to the current NX lens lineup.

Electronista

BlackBerry PlayBook reaches UK on June 16

The RIM BlackBerry PlayBook will reach the UK on June 16. It is listed on the Carphone Warehouse for pre-order, while users can register their interest for the device with Best Buy. The UK pricing of the device matches the iPad 2 pricing for each of the three Wi-Fi configurations. The 16GB model is selling for �399, the 32GB will be available for �479, while the 64GB model will be �559.

RIM is continuing to pitch the device as delivering deep multitasking and offering users the whole web with its support for Adobe Flash Player. It is also targeting its loyal BlackBerry users and tempting them to pair their BlackBerry smartphone through its BlackBerry Bridge software, which delivers the email functionality on a larger screen, in lieu of a native email client that remains absent. RIM is also touting its camera hardware as well as the devices ability to output video at 1080p via its built-in micro-HDMI port.

The device has received mixed reviews on launch, with most reviewers praising the hardware, but finding the software experience to be somewhat underdone.

Electronista

Motorola posts Droid X 2 user guide early

Motorola has posted the user guide (PDF) for the Droid X 2 ahead of its rumored May 26 launch. With Direct Fulfillment orders starting as soon as May 19, the user guide confirms that the device features a dual-core processor clocked at 1GHz and its rumored qHD high-resolution display.

The X2�s NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor is matched with 768MB of RAM, while the device will also shoot 720p video with its 8-megapixel camera. Videos can also be output over HDMI from the device�s built-in HDMI port. While pre-production versions have been shown running Android 2.2 (Froyo), it is expected to ship with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread).

Electronista

Nokia X7 arrives at FCC

Americans may soon have the option of buying an unlocked version of the Nokia X7 smartphone in the US. Nokia appears to be moving forward with plans to bring the X7 to this market. The company has submitted photos, drawings and specifications to the FCC required to obtain the needed regulatory approvals. The phone was officially announced in Europe in April.

The X7 features a four-inch AMOLED 16:9 (640 x 360) capacitive touch screen, an eight-megapixel camera, GPS, FM stereo radeo, and runs Nokia's Symbian release Anna. The browser supports Java and Flash Lite.

At one time, AT&T had planned to pick up the X7. However, the carrier's interested faded and Nokia's plans for a US introduction were dropped.

In Europe, the X7 carries a list price of approximately $540 USD.

Electronista

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 arrives as corporate rival to MacBook Air

After numerous leaks, Lenovo tonight brought out its first halo notebook in years through the ThinkPad X1. The 13.3-inch system is the thinnest ThinkPad to date at no more than 0.83 inches but promises to trump the MacBook Air by overcoming the usual barriers in the class. A new generation of Lenovo's high-power, low-noise "owl wing" cooling fans lets it use full-power Core i3, i5, and i7 processors while still keeping up to five hours on its regular battery.

Its weight isn't as comparable at 3.7 pounds versus 2.9.

The ultraslim also delivers on a rare ultra-quick battery charge. Much like some MP3 players or phones, RapidCharge can bring the X1 up from drained to an 80 percent charge in just half an hour, or 2.5 times faster than other ThinkPads or most notebooks. Lenovo's Jason Parrish told Electronista that the technique doesn't artificially shorten the life of the battery and that it should last about 1,000 full charge cycles, or about three years of frequent use.

An external battery slice can take advantage of RapidCharge itself and doubles the longevity to 10 hours. In a break from Lenovo's usual habits, though, the main battery is sealed in and will need a qualified technician to swap out, much like Apple's pack. More computers beyond the X1 will get RapidCharge, many of them in 2012, Lenovo told us.

The design is both billed as tough as regular ThinkPads while acknowledging that many users care about using systems for home as much as work. It still uses a magnesium alloy frame with a 'rollcage' to stay strong. Corning's Gorilla Glass also makes an unusual appearance in a notebook and makes the screen more resistant to pressure and scratches than the usual notebook display; Lenovo also vows a much brighter screen at 350 nits instead of the usual 200 to 250. A backlit keyboard is a first for this class of ThinkPad, and video output has dropped the stereotypical corporate-friendly VGA in favor of HDMI, Mini DisplayPort, and Intel's over-the-air WiDi.

The X1 is due to start at $1,399 with a 2.1GHz Core i3 and an unspecified Intel SSD, most likely a 160GB model. Shoppers can get one online through Lenovo and others on May 17.

Lenovo's launch is its second real design attempt at countering the MacBook Air and its first from-scratch model made since the Air existed, the original X300 series having been developed at the same time. The system has always had a loyal base but struggled to match even the Air's relatively low numbers due mostly to price: initially going for $2,799, it was a full $1,000 more than the original Air and almost always cost more.

In discussing the X1 with us, Parrish said he had "seen people make those comparisons" to the Air with the new model but pointed to clear differences between the ThinkPad and its Mac challenger. The full-speed processor, toughened frame and "world-class" keyboard justified getting an X1, he said.

Electronista

Droid X gets Android 2.3 early

One Motorola Droid X test phone owner has reportedly already received the Android 2.3 update, Droid-Life said Monday. The system update, version 4.5.596, is also dated for May 26, so that's likely when it will launch. About a month ago, Droid X owners had the option of manually downloading the Android 2.3 update but it was quickly pulled.

The May 26 date revealed by the update build number is very close to the May 25 date showed in earlier build numbers from leaks. The Droid X 2 is also expected to launch on May 26, so there is a possibility the same software will come preloaded on that handset as well.

Electronista