Samsung

LG - the world's third-largest mobile manufacturer - has become the latest major handset vendor to unveil an Android-powered smartphone.

US prepaid operator MetroPCS yesterday announced it has selected Ericsson and Samsung as vendors for the launch of its LTE network in the second half of next year.

Industry group the VoLGA (Voice over LTE via Generic Access) Forum today published its first complete set of approved specifications aimed at delivering mobile voice and SMS services over future LTE networks. The move is important as there is currently no single agreed way of providing voice and SMS capability on next-generation LTE networks.

Unstrung reports that Samsung is promising a couple of LTE device launches in 2010 - following deals with Verizon and MetroPCS - and will start testing devices using the 802.16m or 'WiMAX 2' standard in 2011.

The Western European mobile devices market recorded another quarter of annual decline in 2Q09 despite a significant rise in smartphone sales, according to a new IDC study.

Samsung has launched two new mobile chips aimed at improving the performance of sophisticated devices without raising power consumption, reports Information Week.

Vodafone has officially announced details of its new Internet services initiative, 'Vodafone 360,' the UK-based operator's answer to rival services such as Apple's App Store and Nokia's Ovi. Vodafone 360 aims to gather all of a customer's friends, communities, entertainment and personal favorites (like music, games, photos and video) in one place.