By now, we all know and love our 4G LTE network that the various carriers are providing for us. Still even now though, LTE is not used for any voice duties, only data. Verizon specifically uses 3G or CDMA for any voice calls, but thanks to a new test by a Qualcomm chip, the MSM8960 Snapdragon S4, full LTE use is in sight.

This new chipset allows for a single radio to handle the LTE/CDMA handoff seamlessly. This means there doesn’t need to be two separate radios for data and voice. What does this mean for the consumers? Smaller phones and better battery life without the need for multiple radios. When VoLTE (voice over LTE) becomes more commercially focused these chips will be invaluable to our phones.

Via: Engadget

On opening day of the Consumer Electronic Show (CES), we will do our best to head over to Qualcomm’s booth who are launching their GameCommand application into the Android Market.  The GameCommand app will be a portal for all Snapdragon users to find the best games available which are enhanced for Qualcomm’s pride and joy.  The app will contain access to over 100 games for your Snapdragon powered phone or tablet.

Along with the app launch, the man who sent Brock Lesnar into retirement this last weekend will be there battling it out with Qualcomm executives in a game of Fight Game Heroes.  That man is none other than 6′-5″ 265-pound Alistair Overeem.  So if you are at CES next week, be sure to stop by their booth for a chance to see the man himself.  Full press release down below. 

Taking after NVIDIA’s TegraZone app, Qualcomm has announced GameCommand.  Finding games made especially for your Snapdragon device has become a whole lot more fun.  The idea is simple – through an app, showcase some great looking games made specifically for Snapdragon processors.  Allow users to then buy the games leaving you with a bunch of happy consumers.

As games start looking more and more polished on mobile devices, people are becoming more interested in buying higher priced titles.  Qualcomm is seeing this trend and are helping Android game developers create better looking games.  This is a huge plus for us as consumers.  On the flip side, some games will be made exclusively for Snapdragon processors, allowing for extra features to be developed into the apps.  But that will also force people to start making tougher decisions when they buy an Android tablet. 

Few words come to mind after watching this video. Qualcomm has decided to show the true power of the Snapdragon processors and it just so happens to involve shooting beetles out of cannons, and mantis powered bicycles?

I guess if you’re in need of a really awesome phone charger, here’s your inspiration. Enjoy.

Cheers K! 

Dual-core is so yesterday, it’s all about the quad-core processors in this day and age. While most of the news surrounding the new processors has been about NVIDIA’s Kal-El, Qualcomm has announced plans for it’s own quad-core processing beasts.

The next generation Snapdragon processors would be clocked as high as 2.5GHz in single, dual and quad cores. The S4 class chipset will also offer Adreno Graphics, 3D, 1080p HD, as well as supporting 3G and LTE connectivity as standard. These beastly processors will be available to manufactories by the end of the year, with devices hitting the market by the start of 2012.

I can’t wait for CES and MWC, now let’s hope battery innovators can come up with something “juicy”.

Via: Pocket-Lint

Pardon me while I pick my jaw up off the floor to attempt to write this post.  What you are looking at, is a (unconfirmed) benchmark for the HTC Vigor that could be headed to Verizon.  If what we are seeing is to be believed, the device (ADR6425LVW) will run Qualcomm’s new 1.5GHz Snapdragon dual-core processor that includes the brand new Adreno 220 GPU – a processor and GPU set that at least on paper, might be one of the most impressive we’ve ever seen.  It gets better though.  Check out the display resolution of 1280×720…yep, 720p HD resolution right there.

It’s also running Android 2.3.4 at this time, but with a resolution like that, we’re thinking Ice Cream Sandwich would be a likely candidate come launch; especially if rumors of on-screen home/search/back buttons are to be believed.  

Our buddy Taylor from Android and Me was poking around in a Q3 discussion that the CEO of Qualcomm had some time in the last few days and noticed a couple of key points that were made about their next generation dual-core Krait processor.  Apparently, they have pushed up production to have these chipsets out to sampling far ahead of time which means we could see them in devices by the end of the year.  In fact, their CEO said specifically, “Our first 28-nanometer device will really go commercial at the end of this calendar year.”

For those not familiar with Krait (MSM8960), we’ll do our best to try to explain it.  The MSM8960 is Qualcomm’s next dual-core processor that can potentially reduce power consumption by up to 75%.  Think about that stat for a second…yeah, I’m ready for one too.  This processor may also be more efficient or at least perform better than the NVIDIA’s Kal-el quad-core, but I’m not a big enough hardware guru to confirm that stance.

The point though, is that the MSM8960 will likely make even the HTC EVO 3D and Sensation (which sport Qualcomm’s newest dual-core chips) look like chumps, and they were both released within the last month.  So we could have devices sporting Krait, Kal-el and the new OMAP4470 processors all by the end of the year.  If that doesn’t get you feeling a little saucy this morning, then I don’t know what will.

Via:  Android and Me

We’re currently only able to enjoy NVIDIA’s dual-core processors in phones and tablets at this point, but Qualcomm wants to make sure you aren’t forgetting about what they have in store, the MSM8660.  This would be Qualcomm’s first dual-core processor, but one that is the world’s first a-synchronous processor meaning each core can operate at up to 1.5GHz.  This is an insane amount of power here, but it’s only getting better.

Qualcomm is offering up this new 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon to developers in their new MDP (Mobile Developer Platform) unit, so that you can begin to optimize games and other apps before this chip hits consumer units.  Calling it a “beast” is an understatement.  Along with the new MSM8660, the device has their new Adreno 220 GPU, 13MP camera, HDMI-out, and runs Gingerbread.  Now, it may not be the prettiest of devices, but who wouldn’t want to take a spin with an unreleased dual-core processor?  Oh, it’ll cost you $1350 though.  You can see a full preview of the device in the video at the top.

Down below though, you are getting a quick look at how Snapdragons handle Flash video better than anyone else, plus you’ll see the future of 1080p on-device playback through the MDP.  Even Qualcomm knows how to hypebeast.  +1