CES 2016
The mother of all trade shows, the Consumer Electronics Show takes over Vegas for the first week of January. Some major phones are usually announced, and we'll have hands-on reports for each one. This year, we expect big news from Huawei, Samsung, Sony, and Blu. Plus we'll have hands-on details of other interesting apps, services, and accessories in the world of phones.
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Hands-On with the Alcatel OneTouch Fierce XL with Windows
Making good on a promise it made last year, Alcatel has shown off its first Windows 10 smartphone. Rather than start from scratch, the copy repurposed the Fierce XL handset, swapping Android for Windows. Here are our first impressions of this handset bound for T-Mobile.
Alcatel Adds Windows 10 to the Fierce XL
Alcatel today announced a Windows 10 variant of the Fierce XL smartphone. The phone is a direct carry over from the Android version, which was announced last year. The hardware features a 5.5-inch 720p HD screen, a 1.1GHz quad-core Snapdragon 210 processor with 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of storage. It supports memory cards up to 32GB. The main camera features an 8-megapixel sensor with flash and the front camera has a 2-megapixel sensor. The Fierce XL supports LTE 4G along with VoLTE, HD voice, and WiFi calling. Though it runs Windows 10, it does not support the Continuum feature. Alcatel said the Fierce XL will reach T-Mobile stores in a few weeks. T-Mobile will carry the phone in the months ahead. Pricing has yet to be determined. Alcatel said it will eventually make an unlocked version available to U.S. buyers via its web site.
Alcatel Teases Revamped Pixi Line Ahead of CES
Alcatel OneTouch offered a sneak peak at what it plans to announce during the CES trade show later this week. The company has fully revised its Pixi 4 series of devices, which comprises three phones with 3.5-, 4-, and 6-inch screens, as well as a tablet with a 7-inch screen. Alcatel describes the Pixi line as "premium entry-level devices" that offer top design, audio, camera, and battery performance for the dollar. They all run Android. Alcatel also has an 8-inch Pixi 3 tablet (shown) in the wings that will run Windows 10 Mobile. The Windows tablet features a TV remote control, voice-call capabilities, GPS, and front/rear cameras. Last, Alcatel plans to show off the CareTime Watch for children, a GPS-enabled wearable so parents can monitor kids' whereabouts. More details concerning these products will be made available as the week unfolds.
