Verizon 4G LTE press conference unveils 10 new devices

[CES 2011] It looks like Verizon is really stepping up their game with their 4G network. After launching their 4G LTE network last month with only a couple of modems to make use of it, they have finally decided to launch some new devices this year. Verizon announced 10 new devices that will take advantage of their 4G network – 2 notebooks, 4 phones, 2 tablets and 2 mobile hotspots, which will all be available by the middle of this year, and some as early as March. Not all the devices were elaborated on – expect more details to be released as we get closer to their launch dates, but it looks like a pretty solid line up to complement Verizon’s new 4G LTE network. Hit the break for a run down on the devices.

Verizon got different people to introduce their own products during the conference.

Dr Park, LG’s CEO of mobile communications introduces a 4G LTE smartphone – the LG Revolution. He didn’t talk much about the device so we can’t say anything about it. We know it runs on Android and supports 4G LTE.

Tony Bates, CEO of Skype also talked about the latest version of Skype that will be deeply integrated in all of Verizon’s upcoming 4G phones. Skype video calling will play a much bigger role in all of Verizon’s upcoming smartphones.

Peter Chou, CEO of HTC: HTC’s first 4G LTE smartphone is the HTC Thunderbolt. “Let me tell you, it’s blazing fast,” he said. The Thunderbolt will have integrated Skype Video chat in the HTC Sense user interface on a 4.3″ Super LCD screen. It can work as a mobile hotspot – to support up to 8 other devices. Qualcomm, Google, Verizon and HTC engineers worked together to create the phone. Peter Chou ended with, “This is just the beginning.”

EA’s VP Travis Boatman introduced Rock Band Mobile – where up to 4 friends can play the same together game no matter where they are, by connecting using Verizon’s high-speed 4G LTE service.

JK Shin president and head of Samsung mobile devices announced three new devices– a 4G Galaxy Tab that runs on a 1.2GHz processor, a 4G Mobile Hotspot that is small enough to fit into pocket or purse, and can support up to 5 devices at once,  and lastly a 4G phone that packs a 4.3″ Super AMOLED + display. 8mp rear, hd recording 1.3mp front camera.

The other 4G LTE devices that were briefly mentioned:

• HP pavilion – packs a dual core processor
• Compaq mini notebook and weighs under 3lbs
• Novatel MIFi – share 4G and 3G up to 5 devices
• Motorola Droid Bionic and Xoom tablet that can act as a mobile hotspot

George Wong
Categories: Cellphones, Computers
Tags: 4g lte, announcements, CES, CES 2011, compaq, conference, HP, HTC, Motorola, Samsung, Verizon