The big
news at T-Mobile USA may be the $39-billion
takeover of the company by AT&T. But that merger could take
months, perhaps years, for regulatory approval and completion. So, until then,
it's business as usual for the company. That business today comes in the form
of two Android-powered 4G devices from LG -- a smartphone and a tablet.
First up,
T-Mobile is rolling out another smartphone in the "G" series (which
once included the first ever Android-powered device, the G1). This time,
though, rather than partnering with HTC to design and manufacture the
Google-branded device, T-Mobile has opted for LG. This results in a somewhat
lengthy official title for the device, dubbed the "T-Mobile
G2x with Google by LG".
The G2x
is the latest to join the carrier's "4G"-like,
HSPA+-compatible lineup. But it is the first to also boast a dual-core
processor, NVIDIA's Tegra 2.
To show
off the G2x's capabilities, T-Mobile is highlighting a number of multimedia
features, including DTS Ultra Mobile, which pairs two audio technologies – DTS
Envelo and DTS Boost – "for a premium surround sound experience." The
racing game Need for Speed SHIFT HD will also come preloaded on the device,
along with T-Mobile TV and Zinio eReader.
Other
features include a 4-inch screen, a rear-facing 8-megapixel camera with LED
flash and a front-facing 1.3-megapixel one, 1080p video recording, DLNA compatibility,
8GB of internal memory, microSD card slot, and Stereo Bluetooth 2.1. Because of
the Google branding, the G2x will run a stock version of Android 2.2.
No
pricing or exact availability was announced, but the G2x is expected to launch
before summer.
Meanwhile,
pricing of LG's upcoming Tegra 2-powered G-Slate for T-Mobile has been announced.
Engadget notes that the 8.9-inch, 3D-capable tablet will run $529.99
after $100 mail-in rebate with a qualifying two-year contract.
The
Honeycomb-powered G-Slate can record 3D video, output it at 1080p, and access
T-Mobile's HSPA+ network.
A launch
date for the G-Slate has not yet been confirmed.
