Softbank Announces Sharp Aquos, First Announced Ice Cream Sandwich Device due Next Year
Soon Google will be launching the first ever Ice Cream Sandwich powered device with Samsung and we can’t wait! But if you want to check out the first ever announced Ice Cream Sandwich device, then behold — the Sharp Aquos Phone 104SH. Obviously this one wouldn’t be the first ICS device to hit the market, but we can say that it’s the first one to be announced as an Ice Cream Sandwich device. No doubt the device is very sexy and good looking, not only from the outside, but it also has a lot of amazing goodies on the inside. It will be launched by Japanese network Softbank and they are planning to launch it somewhere in spring of 2012. Don’t know when or if it will be hitting other countries but I’m sure by then, we will have a huge number of ICS powered phones to choose from. Have a look at the spec sheet:
- Dual-core TI OMAP 44601.5-GHz processor
- 4.5-inch touchscreen (1280×720 resolution)
- 12.1-megapixel primary camera (capable of 1080p video capture)
- 2 GB storage
- microSDHC expansion slot
- dust-proof and water-proof build
- compatibility with WCDMA and GSM networks
- Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 3.0 support
- physical dimensions of 65 mm × 129 mm × 8.7 mm
Sharp Galapagos 003SH and 005SH bring glasses-free 3D to Japanese Android lovers
Hey, what could the maker of the 3DS’ autostereoscopic display be doing in its spare time? Why, stealing a bit of thunder for itself, by the looks of it. Sharp has just trotted out a pair of glasses-free 3D Android handsets for Japan’s Softbank network in the form of the touchscreen slate 003SH and QWERTY-slidin’ 005SH. A 1GHz Snapdragon powers Froyo on both, with the 3D-capable displays stretching to 3.8 inches and 800 x 480 resolution. The 003SH also comes with a 9.6 megapixel camera capable of 720p video, while the 005SH settles for 8 megapixels. There are also bundled 3D content deals in place, such as the one with Capcom that will see Mega Man, Resident Evil and Ghosts ‘n Goblins titles coming preloaded on the handsets. Intrigued? The 003SH is coming in this December, to be followed by the 005SH in February next year.
Sharp Lynx SH-10B appears at CEATEC
Sharp’s NTT DoCoMo-living / Android-loving Lynx SH-10B isn’t brand new by any stretch — it hit local markets in late July, and earlier this year was released on KDDI as the ISO1 — but this week’s CEATEC would be the first time we’ve had a chance to play around with, and given the dearth of comparable US form factors, we couldn’t resist. The 5-inch 960 x 480 resolution MID / smartphone sports a pretty snappy and easy-to-use keyboard and a responsive touchscreen. Unless you’ve already prepared for the likes of Dell’s Streak, the Lynx isn’t exactly pocketable, and by our estimates, it’s about twice the thickness o the iPhone 4 when closed up. The customized UI (running over what we presume is Android 1.6) is pretty unique in design, although functionally there was some minor lag in change panels and opening panes.
Sharp Launches 5.5″ and 10.8″ Galapagos E-Reading Tablets
Sharp Corporation announced that they will release a media service business, named GALAPOS, specially created to provide users a new network service and device specifically designed for the Japanese market.
Find out that two compatible tablets have been created as e-book readers and will be introduced in the same time. The great news is that the new e-bookstore will feature an ‘Automatic Scheduled Delivery Service’ for periodical publications. E-book users may read the most recent editions of newspapers and magazines, which they have been subscribed.
Sharp has built two models of the e-book readers: a mobile version featuring a 5.5-inch LCD screen that reads like a paperback book, and a home version featuring a 10.8-inch high-resolution HD LCD, allowing users to read from a two-page spread.
The great news is that Sharp will continue to provide updates through the service, and by increasing the functions of compatible terminal devices.
Sharp IS03 Android phone
Apple’s Retina Display for the iPhone 4 and latest iPod touch may have been leaving WVGA Android smartphones in the shade, but it was only a matter of time before the open-souce alternatives caught up. Sharp has just announced the IS03, headed to Japanese carrier KDDI in November, with a 3.5-inch 960 x 640 capacitive touchscreen, 1GHz Snapdragon processor and 9.6-megapixel camera with flash.
As we’ve grown to expect from Japanese smartphonse, the KDDI IS03 is bursting with functionality. In addition to EVDO Rev.A, WiFi b/g and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR there’s infrared, GPS, 1-Seg mobile digital TV and an FM transmitter, as well as compatibility with KDDI’s mobile wallet electronic payments system.
There’s also 512MB of RAM and a 2GB microSD card preloaded (up to 32GB supported), and the whole thing weighs in at 138g and will be available in white, black or orange. Interestingly, the display has a dual-power mode which can show battery status, signal, missed calls and other reminders without the backlight being active, and it seems to beat the Continuum to the post with a second touchscreen panel for the Android controls. No word on whether Sharp are going to develop a version of the IS03 for the US or Europe, sadly.
