Those of you that see 4G LTE at the end of a device name generally know one thing for sure, it means its data speed is fast. When you buy the device however do you actually know the reason and meaning behind the name “4G LTE”? Most people think that it means 4GB transfer speeds when in reality its just the 4th Generation of data technology.

4G LTE does allow you to stream the movies you love, music, pictures, etc. faster than any other mobile network available today. This being said 4G LTE are two different things joined together to make faster data. 4G stands for “Fourth Generation” and LTE stands for “Long Term Evolution”. LTE is the technical process of creating the high speed data you see on your device where available.

Since everything we do these days from sending emails to downloading video’s from YouTube uses data. With using LTE (Long Term Evolution) with the 4th generation technologies this can be done in a fraction of the time as the older 3G (3rd Generation) technologies.  LTE means the speed will increase with the infrastructure without changing technology, and allows for greater scalability as well.

Verizon Wireless is almost ready to launch a new Droid Incredible called the Droid Incredible 4G. We haven’t heard anything about the device until it mysteriously showed up on the Droid Does website and was quickly removed. The short lived Droid Does listing gave a sneak peak into the Droid Incredible 4G specifications.

Droid Incredible 4G LTE Device Features:

• 4-inch qHD LCD display
• 1.2GHz dual-core processor
• 1GB of RAM
• 8GB of internal storage
• microSD card slot
• Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
• HTC Sense 4.0
• 8-megapixel rear-facing camera capable of shooting 1080P video
• VGA front-facing camera

Unfortunately the Droid Incredible 4G was removed from the Droid Does website although at least now we know it will be showing up before too long as another Verizon 4G LTE device. As always it will be released with a larger price tag as all other LTE devices Verizon launches coming in at $299. Let us know what you think of the new Droid Incredible and if you might be interested in the device upon actual launch.

PocketNow has reported that the Samsung Galaxy Note will be available via AT&T with 4G/LTE. The Galaxy Note is the new hybrid device that merges the smartphone and tablet. It has not only a 1.5 GHz dual core processor and 5.3 inch screen but comes with built in “S Pen” for using as a tablet. It has also recently cleared the FCC in Columbia Maryland making it only a matter of time before release.

PocketNow says that the Samsung Galaxy Note will be available some time early 2012 and that the US version may come with a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor to support the 4G LTE stack. This would be replacing the Samsung Exynos processor that we have seen previously in its specifications.

Sprint has been falling behind AT&T and Verizon and hopes to get back into the game as a leader by purchasing $20 billion in the next generation of iPhones. With the release of the iPhone 5 tomorrow Sprint hopes to close the gap between itself and the two major competitors.

Sprint is actually purchasing $30 billion worth of devices with a $500 subsidy of each device. This is Sprint’s last hurrah if they don’t get some of their 52 million subscribers who are majority pre-paid accounts to convert to contracts. We have seen Sprint’s stock taking a hit over the last few months but this could be a game changer for them.

We hope sincerely being stock holders ourselves that this turns things around for sprint. Being the last major carrier with unlimited plans still in tact we see no reason that this will not be a sound decision by the powers that be at Sprint.

“If Sprint has bet right, the iPhone will be the device that finally breaks the company’s half-decade long slide and keeps much larger rivals Verizon Wireless and AT&T Inc. from running off with the bulk of the wireless industry’s subscribers and profits. If it’s wrong, the iPhone deal will saddle the company with a costly albatross at a time when it is already stretching to manage an expensive network upgrade and cover debt payments.”
via http://online.wsj.com

AT&T has announced their first 4G/LTE capable tablet the 10″ HTC Jet Stream.  I realize we are a little slow with this announcement.  The tablet will be available September 4th for $850 without a contract or $700 with a 2 year contract. HTC has also confirmed that the Jet Stream will only come in one flavor being a 32GB version.

“HTC Jetstream combines the acclaimed HTC Sense experience with Android Honeycomb to provide an innovative and engaging experience on a 10.1 inch tablet,” said Martin Fichter, acting president, HTC Americas Region. ”Paired with AT&T’s upcoming 4G LTE speed and mobility, HTC Jetstream delivers connectivity for social and entertainment needs alongside productivity and creativity tools in a portable package.”

The HTC Jet Stream will be coming with the HTC Scribe for a limited time to allow easier drawing and note taking. This device will feature a 1.5 GHz dual core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 8 MP rear camera and a 1.3 MP front facing camera.

While we don’t know much about Pantech as a company or the Breakout 4G we do know that Verizon will get the device. We also aren’t sure if the phone named the Apache that recently cleared the FCC is a different device or just a different name for it.

Pantech Breakout 4G Features that we know of:

• Android 2.3 Gingerbread
• On Verizon’s 4G LTE Network
• 4 inch 800×480 display
• 1 GHz processor
• 512MB RAM
• 8GB Micro SD (32GB Max)
• Front 1.3MP Front Camera
• Rear 5MP Rear Camera

It also looks like Pantech will have its own UI on the device that will likely be close to Moto Blur or Touch Wiz. As we get more information on the device we will be sure to let you all know.

Apparently a Droid Life reader received an email stating that Motorola will begin the 4G LTE upgrades to the Xoom in the next few days. This seems to be only for those that are business and government customers although will be followed shortly by the rest of the world.

While it was thought that the Xoom’s would have to be sent to Verizon for the upgrades it looks like they will be sent back to Motorola instead. Motorola has promised a 3 day turn around on all tablets sent to them for the upgrade. Motorola will be sending packaging for free shipping for all of those that registered for the upgrade so it will be free.

Be sure when sending back your Xoom that you backup all of the information as the device may be reset back to factory during the upgrade. Also if you decide to leave any information on the Xoom be sure its encrypted just to be safe.

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