ZTE Open Firefox OS phone announced at MWC 2013, we go hands-on

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><hr dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" /><div class="image-container" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/02/zteopenhandsonlead01.jpg" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Alcatel wasn't the only one to flash some Firefox OS hardware at Mozilla's big MWC event. ZTE was also showing off two shades of its new smartphone, the Open. The device will launch in orange and blue in global territories starting in Q2. It has a very handy 3.5-inch screen, meaning there's no issues holding it in one hand but there's not a lot of premium feel going on here. The plastic shell felt like any low-end Android device, though we won't fault the grippy finish here.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Other specs (that we've already snuck a peek at) include a Cortex-A5-based Qualcomm processor that could be clocked at either 600MHz or 800MHz -- we're trying to get a confirmation on that. There's also 256MB of RAM, 512MB of expandable storage and a humble 3.2-megapixel camera on the back. The 480 x 320 screen itself is nothing to shout home about. Again, it feels like a flashback to those sub-$150 smartphones that did the rounds back in 2011 and while it's not the flashiest spec sheet, ZTE (and Firefox) are pitching this at those millions of future smartphone users that haven't already plumped for a mobile OS. However, the search function looks pretty pervasive, able to tap into apps, the web and more in search of the answer you're looking for. Specific carriers will be able to add in their own apps (pre-installed or not) for its customers. We got a glimpse at a data monitoring app that could pull together your data habits and respective carrier plans -- even if there's no word on a US release beyond some time in 2014. There's a quick hands-on after the break.</div></div>

ZTE Open Firefox OS phone announced at MWC 2013, we go hands-on

Alcatel wasn't the only one to flash some Firefox OS hardware at Mozilla's big MWC event. ZTE was also showing off two shades of its...

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HP Slate 7 hands-on (update: video)

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><hr dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" /><div class="image-container" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/02/livedsc043602.jpg" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Well, this might just be the biggest news to come out of Mobile World Congress. Long after discontinuing the TouchPad (and the rest of its mobile devices, for that matter) HP is back with a new tablet. This time, though, it runs not webOS, but an old safety: Android. Interestingly, though, HP is returning to the tablet space not with a high-end flagship, but a lower-end device priced to sell. The Slate 7 is priced at $169, with modest specs that include a dual-core A9 processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of built-in storage, a 7-inch, 1,024 x 600 display and dual 3MP / VGA cameras. All that said, it could be worth a second look when it goes on sale in April. Meet us past the break to see what we mean.<br /><br />For a tablet priced at $169, the Slate 7 feels decently well-made, and pleasant to hold. A stainless steel frame lends the whole thing some much-needed rigidity, while the matte, soft-touch finish on the back gives the fingers a comfortable resting place. It'll be sold in silver and red, though we're partial to the Beats Red (that obvious Beats Audio branding aside). And yep, this does have Beats in tow, like almost every HP laptop and Ultrabook already on the market. We didn't get to sample that here at Mobile World Congress, but you know how we feel about Beats anyway. In any case, we like the design. We think we like the Nexus 7 a little more -- it feels more substantial, and the screen is sharper -- but it's close.<br />To answer a question most of you probably have about the display, it's not an IPS panel. Instead, it makes use of FFS technology, which HP claims will create a good viewing experience in low-light conditions as well as harshly lit ones. Alas, it's really, really bright on the show floor here, but we can say that the screen holds up well underneath these fluorescent lights. We'd say if you were to put the tablet on a table with the screen face up, you'd still be able to follow along with a movie. All that said, the screen looks a tad washed-out. That's not to say the colors lose their potency when you view the display at off angles; it's just that the tones aren't that vibrant to begin with.</div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"> Finishing our tour around the device, you'll find a micro-USB port at the bottom for charging, along with those twin speakers. On the right side is your all-important volume rocker, while the top edge is home to a headphone jack, power / lock button and a microSD slot -- something the Nexus 7 is missing. The buttons are made of chrome and seem easy to press, so kudos to HP for using premium materials where it can. As for performance, Android lags slightly on that dual-core CPU, but we wouldn't say it's any worse than what you'll experience on other budget tablets. We'd have to live with this thing for a few days to really say for sure. In the meantime, we'd like to say thank you to HP for using stock Android -- the world really doesn't need another custom skin, don'tcha think? We'll obviously be reviewing this when it comes out in April but for now, we'd say the Slate 7 has a shot at this low price, though it's going to have some handsome company down in the bargain-basement price range. Michael Gorman contributed to this report. </div></div>

HP Slate 7 hands-on (update: video)

Well, this might just be the biggest news to come out of Mobile World Congress. Long after discontinuing the TouchPad (and the rest of its ...

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Mozilla CEO: looking at a 2014 time frame for a US Firefox OS release

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><hr dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" /> <div class="copy post-body" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"> <div class="image-container" style="text-align: center;"> <img alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/02/mozillamwc13-0079-02-24-13-01.jpg" /></div>With a number of other countries already in line to get their hands on Mozilla's Firefox OS, it's pretty clear that the company doesn't have the States at the top of its list of priorities. While attending its press conference at MWC today, however, we just had to ask: when will we be getting a turn at the mobile operating system? CEO Gary Kovacs assured us that the US is indeed on the list (albeit a bit further down), and his company has both plans and partners lined up for what looks to be a 2014 release time frame for the low cost operating system.<br /> </div></div>

Mozilla CEO: looking at a 2014 time frame for a US Firefox OS release

With a number of other countries already in line to get their hands on Mozilla's Firefox OS, it...

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Alcatel One Touch Star hands-on

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><div class="copy post-body" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt="Alcatel One Touch Star handson" data-src-height="412" data-src-width="620" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/02/mwc2013alcatelstarmain.jpg" /></div>Alongside Alcatel's other launches today at Mobile World Congress the One Touch Star is another example of an affordable handset that still manages to maintain good looks with excellent fit an finish. Featuring a 4-inch WVGA AMOLED display, 5-megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash, quad-band GSM and 900 / 2100 UMTS, all powered by a 1GHz dual-core CPU.<br /> The handset is a little on the heavy side, but not in an awful way, more like a quality sort of feeling, reminiscent of iPhone's weight. Clever touches such as the corner tab being recessed a little more to get at the 1500mAh battery and SIM slots -- or dual-SIM slots when optioned with that -- is also a clever touch and just generally adds to the device's appeal. Of course the One Touch Star will be a budget phone but it is also a brilliant example of how lower pricing and excellent quality can coexist. Well done Alcatel, well done. No word on pricing but it is expected to begin shipping sometime in March 2013. A Gallery showing off the cranberry variety is just below the break.<br /> </div></div>

Alcatel One Touch Star hands-on

Alongside Alcatel's other launches today at Mobile World Congress the One Touch Star is another example of an affordable handset th...

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Alcatel Idol X hands-on (video)

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><hr dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" /><div class="image-container" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Alcatel Idol X handson video" data-src-height="412" data-src-width="620" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/02/alcatelonetouchidolxlead01.jpg" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Alcatel converted its One Touch Idol line from a duo to a trio with today's launch of yet another set at Mobile World Congress: the Idol X. While not quite as thin as its 6.45mm-thin Idol Ultra sibling, at 7mm thick with a tiny 2.4mm bezel it is definitely is about as small as a 5" set can get. The Idol X's giant 1080p IPS display is fantastic to look at and Jelly Bean is snappy driven by a quad core MediaTek MT6589 1.2GHz CPU. Like many of Alcatel's other sets the range of config option varies by market and the same is true here as we'll see both 13 and 8-megapixel variants -- both with 1080p front facing cameras -- and dual or single-SIM, with the single variety getting a bonus microSD slot. While the Idol X is not equipped with LTE it does have 42Mbps HSPA+ connectivity, quad-band GSM and offers dual-band UMTS in both 900MHz / 2100MHz or 850MHz / 2100MHz frequencies.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Alcatel<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7080182682816192337">'s all about mass market, it isn't chasing the likes of Apple or Samsung but rather is quite happy to simply make "devices for people." So while 2012 marked its first foray into smartphones, judging by what we've seen so far in 2013 from them it seems they've nailed affordability while maintaining a surprising amount of quality, a great combination. Join Myriam just after the break for a quick video tour.</a></div></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="349" id="viddler-ce0609cb" mozallowfullscreen="true" src="//www.viddler.com/embed/ce0609cb/?f=1&offset=0&autoplay=0&secret=98932856&disablebranding=0&view_secret=98932856" webkitallowfullscreen="true" width="545"></iframe></div>

Alcatel Idol X hands-on (video)

Alcatel converted its One Touch Idol line from a duo to a trio with today's launch of yet another set at Mobile World Congress: the Ido...

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Alcatel One Touch Fire joins the Firefox OS cuddle party, we go hands-on (video)

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><hr dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" /><div class="image-container" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Alcatel One Touch Fire" data-src-height="358" data-src-width="620" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/02/alcatel-one-touch-fire.jpg" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">ZTE may have had a head start in the Firefox OS race ahead of MWC, but Alcatel's also got something similar to ride on the waves of some "500 million Mozilla users." Suitably dubbed the One Touch Fire, this entry-level phone is basically a rehash of the budget One Touch T'Pop announced back at CES, packing a 3.5-inch HVGA TN display, a 1GHz processor, 256MB RAM, 512MB storage and a 3.2-megapixel camera. There are also the usual bunch of radios: WiFi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, GPS, FM radio and UMTS 900/2100 and 850/1900/2100 (up to 7.2Mbps for download and 5.76Mbps for upload). Underneath the removable 1,400mAh battery you'll find a microSD slot that'll take anything up to 32GB (a 2GB card is included), as well as a slot for an old-school Mini-SIM card.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">We got the chance to play with the Fire earlier today and while the glossy plastic body -- in either orange or pink -- felt solid enough, the performance wasn't quite there yet: the touch and software response were significantly sluggish, as you'll see in our hands-on video after the break. On the brighter side of things, the surprisingly large loudspeaker on the back produced some punchy bass, but don't expect too much from its audio quality. Alcatel has a few more months to grease up the phone before its June launch across Latin America and Europe, so we'll be able to give it a proper score then. Press release after the break.</div></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="349" id="viddler-1af9a2ab" mozallowfullscreen="true" src="//www.viddler.com/embed/1af9a2ab/?f=1&offset=0&autoplay=0&secret=67225493&disablebranding=0&view_secret=67225493" webkitallowfullscreen="true" width="545"></iframe></div>

Alcatel One Touch Fire joins the Firefox OS cuddle party, we go hands-on (video)

ZTE may have had a head start in the Firefox OS race ahead of MWC, but Alcatel's also got something similar to ride on the waves of som...

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HP Slate 7 Android tablet rocks Beats, $169 price tag; due out in April

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><hr dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" /> <div class="image-container" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"> <img alt="Image" data-src-height="450" data-src-width="539" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/02/hp-slate-seven-red-mwc.jpg" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"> Mobile World Congress <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7080182682816192337">isn't just about the phones. Sometimes a company's got a little tablet love to give as well. HP's out in Barcelona talking up the new Slate 7, a Jelly Bean-sporting tablet with a 1.6GHz dual-core ARM processor inside. The tablet's got a (you guessed it) 7-inch display, plus front and rear facing cameras and, as the red backing not-so-subtly suggests, built-in Beats Audio. The device's biggest selling point, however, has to be that $169 starting price. The Slate 7's due out in April. In the meantime, have a read of the press release after the break.</a></div><div class="open" dir="ltr" id="pr_box" style="text-align: left;"> <div id="pr_box_button">Hide Press Release</div><div id="pr_text"> <em><strong>HP Unveils Android Consumer Tablet</strong></em><br /> <em>HP today announced the HP Slate7, an affordable Android Jelly Bean consumer tablet that provides customers with easy access to Google Mobile services.</em><br /> <em>With a 7-inch diagonal screen and weighing 13 ounces, the HP Slate7 is an ideal trusted personal companion, featuring a stainless-steel frame and soft black paint in gray or red on the back. It also is the industry's first tablet to offer embedded Beats Audio, for the best-sounding, richest audio experience available on a tablet.</em><br /> <em>The HP Slate7 delivers the Google experience with services like Google Now, Google Search, Gmail, YouTube, Google Drive and Google+ Hangouts for multiperson video chat as well as access to apps and digital content through Google Play.(1)</em><br /> <em>"To address the growing interest in tablets among consumers and businesses alike, HP will offer a range of form factors and leverage an array of operating systems," said Alberto Torres, senior vice president, Mobility Global Business Unit, HP. "Our new HP Slate7 on Android represents a compelling entry point for consumer tablets, while our ground-breaking, business-ready HP ElitePad on Windows® 8 is ideal for enterprises and governments. Both deliver the service and support people expect from HP."</em><br /> <em>The HP Slate7 joins the recently introduced HP Chromebook as part of HP's push to offer access to the Google experience.</em><br /> <em>HP's tablet offerings reside in the company's newly formed Mobility Global Business Unit, established in September 2012 with the hiring of Torres. Torres joined HP from Nokia, where he was executive vice president and oversaw the MeeGo products and platform.</em><br /> <em>HP Slate7 makes computing easy while on the go</em><br /> <em>Powered by an ARM Dual Core Cortex-A9 1.6 GHz processor, the HP Slate7 is fast and responsive. Integrated wireless allows customers to access email, the internet and key applications, while the High-aperture-ratio Field Fringe Switching (HFFS) panel offers wide viewing angles that provide easy viewing of documents, games, photos and videos-even in outdoor lighting conditions.</em><br /> <em>The HP Slate7 includes a 3-megapixel camera on the back and a VGA camera on the front for chatting, videos and photos.</em><br /> <em>With the HP ePrint (2) application, customers can easily print while at home or on the go, and the exclusive native printing capability enables customers to print directly from most applications. A micro USB port allows customers to easily transfer files, and a suite of applications from HP spans exclusive games to productivity tools.</em><br /> <em>HP will provide an array of simple and easy-to-access support tools and resources to help customers take full advantage of all of the features the HP Slate7 has to offer. In addition to extensive phone and online support offerings included with the HP Slate7, HP is offering customers the opportunity to add to the standard product limited warranty with its HP Care Pack services. HP Slate7 customers will have the option to protect their investment with a two-year HP Care Pack for $29 or a two-year HP Care Pack with Accidental Damage Protection (ADP) for $49.(3)</em><br /> <em>Pricing and availability(3)<br /> The HP Slate7 is expected to be available in the United States in April with a starting price of $169.</em><br /> <em>Additional information about the HP Slate7 is available at www.hp.com/slate and The Next Bench.</em><br /> </div></div></div>

HP Slate 7 Android tablet rocks Beats, $169 price tag; due out in April

Mobile World Congress isn't just about the phones. Sometimes a company's got a little table...

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Likely ZTE Open spotted at Mozilla press conference: it's blue and open, like the ocean

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="copy post-body" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"> <img alt="ZTE Open spotted at Mozilla press conference it's blue, it's open, like the ocean" data-src-height="340" data-src-width="620" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/02/zte-mozila-lead.jpg" /><br /> Remember that orphaned spec list we saw for the Mozilla-powered ZTE Open? Well, we <em>think</em> we've just spotted the device that it describes. It only came out for a second, clasped in the hand of someone from Mozilla, but we were just about able to grab a shot. As we saw in an earlier leak, it should be arriving with a 3.5-inch HVGA TFT screen, Cortex -A5-based processor, 512MB of RAM and a 3.2-megapixel camera. Check it out in the dark sea of shapes above and then remind yourself of the rest of the likely specs after the break.<br /> <img alt="Likely ZTE Open spotted at Mozilla press conference it's blue, it's open, like the ocean" data-src-height="413" data-src-width="620" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/02/zte-open-firefox-os-mwc-spy-2-24-13-01.jpg" /><br /> </div></div>

Likely ZTE Open spotted at Mozilla press conference: it's blue and open, like the ocean

Remember that orphaned spec list we saw for the Mozilla-powered ZTE Open? Well, we think we've just spotted t...

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Bell Canada set to launch Novatel's MiFi 2

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><hr dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" /> <div class="image-container" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"> <img alt="Bell Canada set to launch Novatel's MiFi 2" data-src-height="412" data-src-width="620" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/02/mwc2013bellmifimain.jpg" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"> Novatel's touchable MiFi 2 -- also known as the MiFi Liberate -- receives a fresh coat of paint in the form of a UI overhaul on its way to Bell Canada's network this March. No word on pricing or an exact date, but this 11-hour-lasting king of all portable access points is $50 on a two-year agreement on AT&T, so we'd hazard that sets a decent watermark on the potential price. No word on what the new UI tweaks entail but we're angling to get our hands on one some time this week at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.</div><div class="open" dir="ltr" id="pr_box" style="text-align: left;"> <div id="pr_box_button">Hide Press Release</div><div id="pr_text"> Novatel Wireless Next-generation MiFi 2 Touchscreen Mobile Hotspot to Launch with Bell on Canada's Largest 4G LTE Network this March<br /> First mobile operator outside of the US market to offer the highly praised 4G LTE MiFi 2<br /> <br /> Barcelona, Spain – February 24th, 2013 – Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVTL) today announced that its next-generation MiFi® 2 – the first mobile hotspot with a touchscreen display and the most feature rich mobile hotspot in the market – will launch commercially with Bell on Canada's largest 4G LTE Network this March 2013.<br /> MiFi 2 introduces an entirely new user interface based on a 2.8" multi-touch interactive color display, letting users control the MiFi device with the touch of a finger. It has a beautiful design, which features a minimalist style and a vibrant color screen. MiFi 2 brings a new set of features and services which redefines how users interact and use their mobile hotspots. The touch-screen display drives a better, more intuitive connection between devices and people. An accelerometer ensures that users can hold the device however they like and the touchscreen display will adjust automatically. The features and functionality of MiFi 2 are showcased by icons that allow users to easily discover and interact with the capabilities of MiFi 2 for almost any use case, such as data usage, on-board shared storage, the MiFi Media Center and location based services. MiFi 2 can connect up to 10 Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously and empowers users with up to 11 hours of usage time, even while streaming live video.<br /> MiFi 2 has already received numerous industry awards and Editors' Choice selections as the most advanced and best-performing mobile hotspot available with statements such as "The Best Mobile Hotspot I've Ever Used," by GIZMODO and "takes mobile hotspots to the next level," by PC Magazine.<br /> "We are very excited with the upcoming launch of the MiFi 2 on Bell's 4G LTE network," said Rob Hadley, CMO of Novatel Wireless. "The market feedback has been incredible and we look forward to bringing Bell's MiFi customers the experience of an interactive color touchscreen, always-secure, always-reliable connectivity with an amazing 11 hours of continuous use, and capabilities that take the MiFi device well beyond pure connectivity."<br /> "Bell Mobility customers will be among the first in the world to enjoy high-speed wireless broadband access with Novatel Wireless' high-performance MiFi 2 mobile hotspot," said Adel Bazerghi, Senior Vice President of Products at Bell Mobility. "With access to Canada's largest 4G LTE mobile network, Bell customers using the advanced MiFi 2 will be able to move data across multiple devices at speeds often exceeding that of a fixed wireline connection."<br /> The MiFi 2 will be available on Bell's 4G LTE network in Canada in the coming weeks.<br /> ABOUT NOVATEL WIRELESS<br /> Novatel Wireless, Inc. is a leader in the design and development of intelligent wireless solutions based on 2G, 3G and 4G technologies providing wireless connectivity. The company delivers specialized wireless solutions to carriers, distributors, retailers, OEMs and vertical markets worldwide. Product lines include MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspots, Ovation USB modems, Expedite embedded modules, Enfora smart M2M modules, and Enfora integrated M2M solutions. These innovative products provide anywhere, anytime communications solutions for consumers and enterprises. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Novatel Wireless is listed on NASDAQ: NVTL. For more information please visit www.nvtl.com. (NVTLG)<br /> This release may contain forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended to date. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements contained herein. These factors include risks relating to technological changes, new product introductions, continued acceptance of Novatel Wireless' products and dependence on intellectual property rights. These factors, as well as other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, are discussed in more detail in Novatel Wireless' filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (available at www.sec.gov) and other regulatory agencies.<br /> (C) 2013 Novatel Wireless, Inc. All rights reserved. The Novatel Wireless name and logo, MiFi are trademarks of Novatel Wireless, Inc. Other Company, product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.<br /> </div></div></div>

Bell Canada set to launch Novatel's MiFi 2

Novatel's touchable MiFi 2 -- also known as the MiFi Liberate -- receives a fresh coat of paint...

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Mozilla to bring first phone to Europe this Summer: the Alcatel One Touch Fire on Deutsche Telecom

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"> <img alt="Mozilla to bring first phone to Europe this Summer the Alcatel One Touch Fire on Deutsche Telecom" data-src-height="340" data-src-width="620" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/02/mozilla-lead-2.jpg" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"> How long will Europe have to wait for its first taste of the Mozilla smartphone OS? Not long at all, it seems. The Alcatel One Touch will arrive first in Poland before venturing forth across the mainland at dates that Mozilla isn't quite ready to reveal.<em> </em>We don't have a ton of detail at this point, beyond what's in the press release after the break, but Mozilla's press conference is just getting going so more is surely still to come.</div><div class="open" dir="ltr" id="pr_box" style="text-align: left;"> <div id="pr_box_button">Hide Press Release</div><div id="pr_text"> <strong>Deutsche Telekom brings the first Mozilla smartphone to Europe</strong><br /> • Alcatel ONE TOUCH FIRE with Firefox OS will be available in Poland this summer<br /> • More countries to follow this year<br /> • DT and Mozilla in development partnership for more openness and competition<br /> between systems<br /> Deutsche Telekom is the first mobile communications services provider to launch a smartphone with the new Mozilla operating system – Firefox OS – on the European market: Sales of the Alcatel ONE TOUCH FIRE begin in Poland this summer. Further countries in Eastern Europe will follow in 2013. DT and Mozilla, along with other partners, have been working together to develop an open-source standard for mobile operating systems for a long time. The partnership aims to create more competition on the market and more choice for customers. The Alcatel ONE TOUCH FIRE represents the first milestone achievement.<br /> "Partnerships are an important method in paving the way for innovations. We rely on open platforms because we want to create freedom of choice on behalf of our customers," said René Obermann, Chairman of the Board of Deutsche Telekom at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. "That's why we support Mozilla in developing an innovative and open standard for mobile terminals. The launch of the first smartphone in Europe with the new Firefox operating system is an important step on the way to more competition between the different ecosystems."<br /> <br /> Deutsche Telekom has been involved in the development of the new Mozilla operating system for smartphones since the project began in 2011. On Mozilla Firefox OS, all apps and websites function within the browser environment.<br /> Only applications that are written in the most common Web languages – in particular HTML 5 – will be supported. These apps can either be opened in the browser the same way as websites or pre-installed like voice, text messaging and address book applications. DT contributes not only the strategically relevant building blocks, such as those for security, it also provides a network operator's perspective on technical requirements and coordinates collaboration with smartphone manufacturers. Beyond this, Deutsche Telekom supports Mozilla's development community by organizing various events such as the Mozilla Work Week in Berlin, a "hackathon" in Warsaw and App Days in San Francisco.<br /> <br /> Deutsche Telekom is cooperating with Mozilla to promote open standards and competition between ecosystems: A developer-friendly operating system drives innovative applications and makes better integration of individual services and platforms possible. DT sees great potential in this new approach, as well as in that of developing a good smartphone at a reasonable price. With the Alcatel ONE TOUCH FIRE, which will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor with a one- gigahertz CPU, Deutsche Telekom is launching an "affordable" Mozilla smartphone on the European market. The device will be available in Poland as of this summer – further countries will follow over the course of 2013.<br /> </div></div></div>

Mozilla to bring first phone to Europe this Summer: the Alcatel One Touch Fire on Deutsche Telecom

How long will Europe have to wait for its first taste of the Mozilla smartphone OS? Not long at all, it seems. The Alcatel One Touch will...

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Mad Catz F.R.E.Q. 7 gaming headset hands-on

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><hr dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" /> <div class="image-container" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"> <img alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/02/catzdsc06643.jpg" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"> Mad Catz announced the F.R.E.Q. 7 gaming headset last week, and the company has the $200 cans on hand here at Mobile World Congress. As you may recall, the marquee spec is Dolby Pro Logic IIx processing, which expands 5.1-channel audio to 7.1 channels for a richer aural experience. Another cool feature: these over-ears come bundled with both a standard stereo connector and a cord with USB for connecting directly to your computer (both have mini-USB on one end). The F.R.E.Q. 7 wasn't plugged in so we can't speak to sound quality, but they feel lightweight, and the red color really pops in real life. (There's also a matte black option.) The devices are currently available for pre-order, but you can get a hands-on look now in our gallery.</div></div>

Mad Catz F.R.E.Q. 7 gaming headset hands-on

Mad Catz announced the F.R.E.Q. 7 gaming headset last week, and the company has the $200 cans on han...

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Acer intros its first Android-based all-in-one, the Smart Display DA220HQL (hands-on)

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><hr dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" /> <div class="image-container" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"> <img alt="Acer intros its first Androidpowered monitor, the Smart Display DA220HQL" data-src-height="412" data-src-width="620" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/02/dsc05280.jpg" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"> Android-powered monitors / all-in-ones aren't exactly a novel concept, but it's definitely a new frontier for Acer. The company is just dipping its toes into the space with the Smart Display DA220HQL, which it's showing off here at Mobile World Congress. If you've never heard of such a thing, Acer is hoping you'll use as a kitchen PC, or as an external monitor for keeping an eye on things like email.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"> The 21.5-inch, 250-nit, 1080p panel makes use of VA technology (like some other Acer monitors, actually), which provides viewing angles on par with IPS. Which is to say, they're wide, and colors stay vibrant regardless of whether you're standing off to the side or you've got the screen pushed down at a near-flat angle. <span>As far as connectivity goes, you've got three USB ports, as well as micro-HDMI for hooking this up to your PC. There's also an Ethernet jack, a microSD slot supporting 32GB cards and a 1.2MP front-facing camera if you want to use Skype or some other app for video calls. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"> <span>As you can see in the gallery and in that main shot up there, this is mostly clean Android, which isn't a surprise since Acer isn't known for saddling its tablets and phones with heavy skins. Still, like recent Iconia Tabs we've tested, it has the Acer Ring UI for quickly launching apps. Even then, it's easy enough to ignore if you're not into it. On the inside, you've got a dual-core 1GHz TI OMAP 4428 CPU and <strike>8GB</strike> 1GB of RAM to keep performance hopping, which is plenty -- this is, after all, a mobile OS we're talking about, even if it does live inside what appears to be an all-in-one PC.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"> Other design notes: that speaker grille up front has a funky circular pattern, which we're not really digging. But hey, to each his own. We do appreciate the relatively narrow bezel, though the backside and front face have a few too many glossy bits. Even so, it's a nicer design than what ViewSonic had to show at CES. (Besides, how many people are going to see your monitor's rear end anyway?) As far as availability goes, we so far know this will hit Europe in March for 399 euro. It's said to be US-bound, too, though no word on pricing. For now, we've got some hands-on shots below for your viewing pleasure.</div></div>

Acer intros its first Android-based all-in-one, the Smart Display DA220HQL (hands-on)

Android-powered monitors / all-in-ones aren't exactly a novel concept, but it's definitely a...

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