Las Vegas –
Sprint unveiled the first three devices that will operate on its planned 4G LTE
network, which will eventually replaces its 4G Mobile WiMAX network.
The products are the Samsung-made Galaxy Nexus
based on the Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) OS, the eco-friendly LG Viper,
and the Sierra Wireless Tri-Network Hotspot, which operates in Sprint’s 3G, 4G
WiMAX, and 4G LTE networks.
Sprint said it plans to offer around 15 4G LTE
devices in 2012, including handsets, tablets and data cards.
Sprint will launch 4G LTE service in the first
half in select markets, with Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio expected
to be among the first to offer LTE and improves 3G service, the company has
said. Additional areas that will receive 3G enhancements and 4G LTE will be
announced later in the year, the company added.
The carrier declined to reveal pricing or
availability of its first three LTE products, but it did release limited
specifications. The Galaxy Nexus, for example, will feature a pure Google
experience and Android 4.0, which delivers a redesigned user interface, improved
multi-tasking, notifications, Wi-Fi hotspot, NFC support, and a full web-browsing
experience
The LG Viper 4G LTE offers such eco-friendly
features as a charger with a no-load consumption rating of .03 watts and a
casing made of 35 percent recycled plastics. The Viper features Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
OS, 1.2GHz dual core processor, 5-megapixel rear-facing camera, VGA
front-facing camera, 4-inch WVGA NOVA
display, hotspot capability and a microSD slot supporting up to 32GB. It is
also compatible with DLNA-capable devices.
The Sierra Wireless Tri-Network Hotspot will
be Sprint’s first tri-network hotspot. It connects up to eight Wi-Fi devices to
Sprint’s networks. A microSD slot lets groups share files and presentations
with network storage.
