What if Windows Phone 8 Finally Brought a Real Speech UI?

For many years, most mobile phones came with some sort of hands-free voice dialing interface. Today there are many popular options on smartphones including Apple's very often advertised and fun to use Siri software. Android has numerous options including Google's Voice Actions, and Microsoft has a "TellMe" based speech interface as well. However, those are all just programs that process your voice and then carry out some action. They really just have a few tie-ins to a few other built-in apps and a networked server. You can do web searches or launch third party apps, but that's where the integration ends. 

Ever since Microsoft first released its Voice Command software for their smartphone operating system (Pocket PC Phone Edition) in 2003 (which was way ahead of its time with many functions still not found on smartphones today), users and developers have been wishing and hoping that Microsoft would make a speech application platform. Something that not only allowed you to interact with specific built-in functions, but was also extensible to third party applications just like a real operating system's graphical user interface. 

Ideally, a speech UI would give you one single method of activating it and then all functions supported would be accessible through the user's speech and the device's voice feedback. There shouldn't be any need to look at a screen or press a button multiple times or even navigate to a different part of the visual interface in order to activate voice dictation or whatnot. Furthermore a real speech UI should allow 3rd party applications to extend their functions to other programs through a series of APIs. So, for example, aTwitter app could add support for specific voice commands related to Twitter functions, or GPS navigation apps could add commands for finding nearby destinations and asking about traffic updates, or eBook readers could add support for finding different books and reading them aloud. The possibilities are endless.

It's been 10 years and there hasn't been anything like this on any kind of consumer computing experience, why should we think Windows Phone 8 might bring this kind of innovation that we've been waiting so long for? Well, actually Microsoft did bring a sort of extensible speech interface to something else recently. The newest Xbox 360 dashboard released in the winter of 2011 seems to have a consistent speech interface that is shared by all applications and games that have been programmed to make use of it. No matter if I'm in the dashboard, the YouTube app, Netflix, Crackle, MSNBC or Star Wars Kinect… if I say "Xbox" it will start listening to me and highlight the relevant commands that I can say. I can tell the TV what I want it to do instead of picking up a plastic controller and pressing buttons. Plus since the speech UI is shared throughout the system, apps like YouTube or Netflix don't have to reinvent the wheel in order to get propervoice control support. Unfortunately, the Xbox's speech interface still requires your eyes on the screen in many situations since it does not provide voice feedback for any commands (however it does have a little sound effect that acknowledges commands.) 

Hopefully we will finally see some real forward movement in the area of speech UI's for Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8 since that seems like the next step for human-computer-interactions of the future (considering we already have 3D gesture recognition with Kinect.) 

Is an easy and extensible speech interface important to you for the future of smartphones or is the regular "touch a button" interface always going to be the primary interface? 

HTC Golf Shows Up In Real-Life Pictures As Wildfire/Desire C

First we've seen an image taken by the HTC Golf and then we've taken a look at the first devicepress shot but today we have some live pictures with the phone which seems to borrow many of the new design principles applied by HTC to its One line-up. 

The phone is believed to be also known as the HTC Wildfire C -- and now, from the source of the images, the Desire C -- and it is believed to land with a sub-gigahertz processor. Ice Cream Sandwich will be the OS powering it and Sense 4.0 will try to make it more usable. There's also a 3.5-inch, 480 x 320 pixel display believed to be on it as well as 512MB of RAM and 4GB of storage onboard. 

Acer Iconia Tab A100 Users Get ICS Notification Updates Again

Acer promised the official Ice Cream Sandwich update for its Iconia Tab A100 for mid-April but there were some issues with the refresh. Some have received the notification, some did not while some users managed to apply it and others being left waiting. 

According to recent reports, Acer has ironed out the issues and the official Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich update is now rolling out to the masses. Users are reporting that there are several updates for the tablet, among which one bumps the OS version to Honeycomb 3.2.1 and shortly after that to the latest iteration of Android. Let us know if you received your platform refresh and whether it was a smoothprocedure or not. 

HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE for Verizon hands-on at CTIA 2012 (update: video)

This handset didn't surprise anyone when it was officially announced at CTIA Wireless 2012, but we're still happy to spend time with the HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE for Verizon Wireless regardless. After catching enough glimpses of the smartphone over the past few months, we already had a good idea of what to expect: Big Red's latest LTE device will have Ice Cream Sandwich dressed in Sense 4, a 4-inch Super LCD qHD panel, a 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 (Krait), 1,700mAh user-removable battery, microSD support and an 8MP BSI f/2.2 camera with a 28mm lens.

If you're familiar with either the OG HTC Droid Incredible or its sequel, you'll instantly recognize the trusty hump on the back of the third iteration -- Verizon and HTC haven't strayed too far from the design formula here. Aside from the Sense 4 firmware hiding inside the phone, the Incredible 4G LTE has little in common with its cousins, the One X and One S. Frankly, we're still left pondering if the carrier will come out with a version of its own, since we've seen the other three national powers get a high-profile device from the Taiwanese manufacturer.

We had a very similar feeling when holding the new Incredible, one easily related to how we felt with its predecessors. It's quite light, and it actually feels thinner than it really is. All in all, the phone is very comfortable to hold, and from our few minutes of using it, it seemed to be rather smooth. Naturally, as we expected, Verizon reps warned us that it's running on preliminary firmware at the moment, so we don't take a lot of stock in its performance, good or bad. All in all, it's exactly how we thought it would be -- a refreshed version of the Incredible 2, with a much better processor and a few other notable bumps in specs. Head below to check out a few images of Verizon's newest darling.

Update: Our hands-on video is now live after the break.

HTC Incredible 4G LTE hands-on

Myriam Joire contributed to this report.

Virgin Mobile USA and Boost take WiMAX live, ship HTC EVO V 4G and EVO Design 4G on May 31

In sync with Sprint's plans to get its sub-brands on 4G using its legacy WiMAX network, both Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile have trotted out their initial 4G lineups. The early Virgin mix includes retreads of two Sprint data-only devices -- a Broadband2Go-badged version of the Sierra WirelessOverdrive Pro 3G/4G hotspot and a matching version of the Franklin U600 previously seen at Clear. Virgin's real star, however, is the HTC EVO V 4G: though it's ultimately the EVO 3D with a slightly more 2D name, it's shipping with Android 4.0 from the start and has HTC's Frankenstein-like Sense 3.6 rather than the 4.0 of the One series. The network upgrade and all three new devices swing into action on May 31, and while your $35 minimum monthly plan will stay in effect even with unlimited on-device 4G, you'll need to spend $300 (contract-free) to take home an EVO V 4G, $150 on the Overdrive Pro or $100 on the U600 stick.

Boost Mobile is also going the Sprint rebadge route through the HTC EVO Design 4G. As with its bigger brother over at Virgin, the single-core EVO Design 4G is identical in hardware to its Sprint equivalent but slaps Android 4.0 and Sense 3.6 on top to keep the software fresh. The update does mark the first time a Boost phone gets Visual Voicemail, so you can feel slightly less guilty when you miss a call. HTC's phone will oddly cost the same $300 off-contract as the more advanced EVO V 4G, although Boost is likely counting on customers sticking around long enough for an all-inclusive unlimited plan to drop to $40 per month and make it worthwhile.

Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile 4G devices

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Virgin Mobile USA Introduces 4G with No-Contract Plans Starting as Low as $35 per Month

First 4G smartphone on Beyond Talk is the HTC EVO™ V 4G, part of the award-winning EVO family

Overdrive Pro 3G/4G mobile hotspot by Sierra Wireless and U600 3G/4G USB Stick by Franklin Wireless come to Broadband2Go

WARREN, N.J. (BUSINESS WIRE), May 08, 2012 - Virgin Mobile USA continues to demonstrate how it's answering to A Higher Calling with the speed of 4G, by offering customers who prefer a no-contract option the fully loaded HTC EVO™ V 4G on Virgin Mobile Beyond Talk monthly plans. The data-centric offers start at $35 per month for unlimited data and messaging. HTC EVO V 4G will be available for $299.99 beginning May 31.

Virgin Mobile USA Introduces 4G Speed with the HTC EVO V (Photo: Business Wire)

As Sir Richard Branson states in his video manifesto for A Higher Calling, "Why pay for minutes when it's unlimited data you really want?" Now customers will be able to enjoy unlimited 4G data where available and messaging on an iconic Android™-powered device, all for just $35/month.1 Virgin Mobile USA was recently "Highest Ranked Customer Service Performance among Non-Contract Wireless Providers" by J.D. Power and Associates.2

"'Higher Calling' means we continue to look for ways to give our customers the best products possible at a great price, and we know our hyper-connected Beyond Talk customers will appreciate the real affordability paired with the innovative technology of the HTC EVO," said Jeff Auman, vice president for Virgin Mobile USA. "You just can't beat the value of EVO V 4G with plans starting at just $35 per month."

On the mobile broadband side, Virgin Mobile's Broadband2Go continues to offer no-contract plans ideal for people who need internet access when they're out and about. The versatile Overdrive Pro™ 3G/4G mobile hotspot by Sierra Wireless ($149.99) and the powerful U600 3G/4G USB Stick by Franklin Wireless ($99.99) provide customers two ways to stay connected at 4G speeds. "The launch of these two devices demonstrates our commitment to bring 4G speeds and innovation to our Broadband2Go customers who chose to forgo a contract as well," said Auman.

All three devices will operate on Sprint's 3G and 4G (WiMAX) network and be available beginning on May 31 at VirginMobileUSA.com. They will then be available in June at major retailers and at select independent dealers nationwide.

Going Beyond Talk

The HTC EVO V 4G strengthens Virgin Mobile USA's Android-powered smartphone lineup by adding such features as Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich and HTC Sense 3.6 user interface.

Proving that customers don't have to sacrifice technology to choose a prepaid smartphone that keeps them connected, HTC EVO V 4G specifications also include:

* Mobile hotspot capability – Connect up to five Wi-Fi devices
* 5MP camera with video and 3D HD imaging, and 1.3MP front-facing camera
* 4.3-inch qHD touchscreen
* 1730mAh battery (up to six hours of talk time)
* 1GB RAM/4GB ROM
* External micro SD memory card slot up to 32GB (8GB card included)
* HDMI and Bluetooth-capable

HTC EVO V 4G customers will enjoy Virgin Mobile USA Beyond Talk plans starting at just $35 a month for 300 minutes of voice with unlimited messaging and data.4 And the mobile hotspot on the HTC EVO V 4G can be added for this device on any Beyond Talk plan for an additional $15 per month.

Pairing Broadband2Go with 4G

Virgin Mobile's new monthly 3G/4G Broadband2Go plans, combined with these new devices, allow customers to hook up their tablets, laptops, and other wireless devices. Starting at just $35/month, customers can enjoy access to unlimited 4G data. Where 4G coverage is not available, the $35 plan keeps you connected with 2GB of 3G data. For $55/month, customers benefit from unlimited 4G data and a whopping 5GB of 3G data.

The Overdrive Pro 3G/4G mobile hotspot connects up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices, making it ideal for families on-the-go and independent professionals. The compact device has top battery strength and a 1.7-inch LCD screen that makes setting up a cinch. It also offers a microSD slot for up to 32GB of shared network storage.

* The U600 3G/4G USB Stick supports Mac OS and Windows, and a rotating connector makes it easy to fit in most laptop configurations.

* Setting up your Broadband2Go account is extremely simple, and there are no activation fees. Top-Up can be handled online with a Virgin Mobile Top-Up card, debit or credit card.

Sprint 4G (WiMAX) is currently available to 120 million people in 71 markets across the country with average upload speeds of between 3-6 Mbps, with bursts of more than 10 Mbps.

Boost Mobile Pairs the Speed of 4G and Android Monthly Unlimited for as Low as $40 with HTC EVO Design 4G

IRIVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Boost Mobile, ranked Highest in Purchase Experience among Non-Contract Wireless Providers by J.D. Power and Associates¹, today announced the May 31 release of HTC EVO Design 4G™, a member of the award-winning EVO family. This robust Android smartphone will operate on Sprint's 3G and 4G (WiMAX) networks, bringing 4G speeds to Boost Mobile customers in 71 markets across the country with average upload speeds between 3-6 Mbps with bursts of more than 10 Mbps.

This will be the first device that pairs the speed of 4G with the value of Boost Mobile's award-winning, no-contract $55 Android Monthly Unlimited plan with Shrinking Payments. For every six on-time payments, the cost of Boost Mobile's Monthly Unlimited plan shrinks by $5, eventually getting down to as low as $40 a month for unlimited nationwide talk, text messaging, Web, email and calls to 411. Payments do not need to be consecutive to qualify for the next savings milestone.

HTC EVO Design 4G will be available on May 31 for $299.99 (excluding taxes) at Boost Mobile's exclusive retail stores, select independent wireless dealer locations nationwide and at www.boostmobile.com with free shipping. It will be available in June at Best Buy, Radio Shack and Walmart.

"We are telling our customers to 'Be Heard' and not sacrifice technology or speed for value," said Andre Smith, vice president-Boost Mobile. "HTC EVO Design is a strong match with Boost's $55 Monthly Unlimited plan enabling our customers to enjoy the features of this robust device. With our shrinking monthly plans, customers will be able to enjoy an unlimited experience on an EVO device for as low as $40 a month – an industry first."

Launching as a no-contract exclusive with Boost Mobile, HTC EVO Design 4G boasts many of the "must-have" features of its post-paid predecessors, including a 4-inch qHD capacitive touchscreen display, while sporting a slim, pocket-friendly aluminum unibody design. HTC EVO Design 4G combines the acclaimed HTC Sense™ experience with Android™ 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich. Additional features include:

* 1.2GHz processor

* 5MP rear-facing camera/camcorder with flash and HD video recording and 1.3MP front-facing camera for video chat

* Stereo Bluetooth

* Visual Voicemail

* Wi-Fi hotspot capable

* External memory slot for up to 32GB (2GB card included.)

For the first time on Boost Mobile, this device will include Visual Voicemail, powered by Smith Micro. At no additional cost, users can listen to messages in their order of preference and manage them with a simple tap of the screen.

This is also the first Boost Mobile device enabled with built-in mobile hotspot functionality allowing up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices to share the 3G or 4G experience on the go with a laptop, camera, music player, game unit, video player, or any other Wi-Fi enabled device. Use of this feature requires an additional fee of $10 per month.

Later this year, in order to provide the best value and customer experience, Boost Mobile will move to reduce 3G/4G data speeds to 3G speeds of 256kbps when a customer's data usage exceeds 2.5GB in a month. Customers who go over the 2.5GB threshold may experience slower page loads, file downloads and streaming media. Data speeds will restore to full 3G/4G speeds when a customer's new monthly plan begins.

Boost Mobile will continue to provide unlimited data access without a contract, usage cap, overage or activation fees. Based on recent usage patterns, approximately 95 percent of Boost Mobile customers use less than 2.5GB of data usage per month and will not experience any difference in their experience. Boost Mobile is committed to ensuring an unlimited robust data experience and intends to maintain 3G data speeds of 256 Kbps even after surpassing 2.5GB in a given month.