Sony Makes A Splash In Its Return To T-Mobile

Bellevue, WA -- T-Mobile is continuing its roll out of its LTE network while broadening its lineup of 4G LTE phones.  The newest member of T-Mobile's 4G LTE lineup is significant because it marks to the return of Sony to its lineup.  The new Sony Xperia Z is significant in many ways, it marks Sony's return to T-Mobile, but is also the first water resistant smartphone in T-Mobile's lineup.  The Xperia Z is compliant with IP55 and IP57 standards.  Unlike other smartphones however, it remains elegant and there's no telling sign that its built to be rugged.  The Xperia Z has a 5 inch display with a 13 megapixel rear camera and a 2 megapixel front facing camera.  Making the smartphone work is a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor with a powerful 2330 mAh battery.  Memory is typical with a 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage.  T-Mobile has it reasonably priced at $99 USD down and $20 a month for 24 months.  The phone is available in black or purple.

Cherokee Returns To Jeep Lineup

NEW YORK - Jeep marks the 2013 New York International Auto Show with the return of the Cherokee nameplate.  The new 2014 Cherokee has a new aggressive styling that retains the traditional Jeep grille but gets a modern look and style that resembles nothing like  previous Cherokee sports utility vehicles.  Jeep proudly proclaims that the new Cherokee is the first SUV with an available nine speed automatic transmission.  Powering the Cherokee is a 2.4 Liter I-4 engine that produces 184 horsepower and an option 3.2 Liter V6 that makes 271 horsepower.  

Samsung To Unveil Successor To Galaxy S III

NEW YORK - Samsung is set to unveil it's successor to its popular Galaxy S III smartphone at its Samsung Unpacked event.  Check back here at 7PM Eastern Time to see the live stream of the event.

Stingray Makes Appearance In Geneva

GENEVA ( CarPressions ) -- After making its first debut in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show, the convertible version of the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray has made its appearance in Geneva.  The convertible is nearly identical to the coupe except for a few changes to accommodate the convertible top.  Like the coupe, the Stingray convertible is powered by a new LT1 6.2-liter V8 engine that produces an estimated 450 horsepower.

Apple Announces iPad With Bigger Storage

CUPERTINO, Calif. -- Apple has announced a new higher capacity fourth generation iPad. The iPad now tops out at 128GB. Previously, the highest capacity iPad was 64 GB. Sales of the 128GB iPad will begin February 5th in black or white. The MSRP for the WiFi version will be $799 and the Wi-Fi plus cellular will be $929.

Toyota Hints At The Next Corolla To Come

DETROIT (Jidosha Shinbun) -- Toyota late last year teased a Furia Concept and has revealed the actual concept as the Corolla Furia Concept at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).  The concept only had an exterior but Toyota Group Vice President and General Manager Toyota Division, Bill Fay, says that their "designers are also pushing the envelope on interior styling that will surprise a lot of people."  Fay also says that the "Corolla Furia sends a clear message where we’re going in the future.  Not only will the styling be more expressive, but it will also reflect our overall approach to the
compact segment in every way."

Toyota NAIAS Press Conference (Courtesy Toyota)

Roabst's Picks For Best Smartphone 2013 Part II

In the previous part, we gave a brief history of AT&T and Sprint and we talked about the best smartphone for each of the two carriers. AT&T was the first wireless carrier in the United States to sell the Apple iPhone and Sprint is a carrier in transition. In this part, we'll be discussing the best smartphone on T-Mobile and Verizon in the next part.

Best Smartphone on T-Mobile

Like Sprint, T-Mobile is also a wireless carrier in transition. When plans to merge with AT&T fell through, T-Mobile needed a new plan. T-Mobile is currently buying MetroPCS and is in the process of rolling out their new strategy plan. Despite being the smallest of the big four carriers, T-Mobile actually has a lot of firsts. T-Mobile is the first to roll out HD Voice. T-Mobile will be the first to sell all their phones unsubsidized when their plan takes effect in a few months. T-Mobile was also the first wireless carrier in the United States to sell Android. The very first Android device was the HTC Dream aka T-Mobile G1 in the United States. A lot of things have changed since the T-Mobile G1 debuted. Android is now at version 4.2.1 Jellybean and T-Mobile has announced it will be selling an Apple product in 2013. Will the Apple iPhone be the device that keeps iPhone alive or should T-Mobile continue to rely on Android? Whatever the case may be, what is the best smartphone on the T-Mobile network?

Google Nexus 4 by LG

It may not have Samsung's TouchWiz features or HTC's Sense, but that doesn't matter because the Nexus 4 is a stock Android device.  It doesn't have Samsung's cool Multi-Window feature, but it'll surely get Android updates when Google announces them.  Sure we're tempted by Samsung's Multi-Window and motion gestures, but in the end getting updates quickly is more important to us.  Another bonus is that the Nexus 4 is unlocked and for a price that pretty much can't be beat.  The only problem with the Nexus 4 is when will it be back in stock and will we ever find out if it's LG or Google's fault for the inventory issues?  When Apple starts selling unlocked iPhones directly for a price that's closer to the Nexus is when things will get even more interesting at T-Mobile, but until then there's no better deal then a Nexus 4 with a Monthly4G plan from T-Mobile.  

Detroit Hosts Annual NAIAS

DETROIT (CarPressions) -- I'ts that time of the year again when the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) is at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan.  NAIAS is open to the public from Saturday, January 19th through Saturday, January 26th.  Doors open at 9 am and close at 10 pm, but there is no admittance after 9 pm.  The last day for NAIAS is Sunday, January 27th when doors also open at 9am, but closes at 7pm and there is no admittance after 6pm.    Adult tickets can be purchased online at http://www.naias.com/tickets/public-show-tickets.aspx   or at the door for $12. Seniors and children's tickets are only available at the door for $6 each. Children ages 6 and under are free when accompanied by a parent or guardian with a paid ticket.

The Cadillac Converj Concept Becomes The ELR

DETROIT (CarPressions) -- The Cadillac Converj concept that was shown at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) back in 2009 returns to NAIAS in production form as the ELR.  It may be related to the Chevrolet Volt, but this isn't a Volt with a Cadillac badge.  Unlike the Chevrolet Volt, the Cadillac ELR is a coupe like the Converj concept and one can see the influence.  It's quite stunning and we hope Cadillac will make a four door version in the future.  Production will start this year and sales is to begin worldwide early next year.  The ELR is powered by an electric motor mated to a "range-extending' 1.4 liter petrol powered electric generator.  The ELR produces a total of 207 horsepower.  Cadillac says that the ELR's battery is covered by a 8-year/100,000 mile warranty.

Mercedes-Benz Unveils The New E-Class

DETROIT- Mercedes-Benz revealed a "fully-updated E-Class line" at the North American International Auto Show. The new E-class will come in sedan, wagon, coupe, and cabriolet versions. Mercedes put an emphasis on their "Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive" which consists of systems to crossing vehicles, pedestrians, and lane assist. There are six powerplants ranging from 136 horsepower all the way to 408 horsepower. If that's not enough, there's always the E 63 AMG which has a 585 horsepower powerplant. Sales of the new E-Class begin in April of this year.

Stingray Hits Detroit

DETROIT (CarPressions) -- Stingray hits the North American International Auto Show in its 2014 form.  The powerplant is an all new LT1 V-8 that has a displacement of 6.2-liters.  Chevrolet says the powerplant has a preliminary output of 450 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque.  The new Corvette Stingray will be built at the Bowling Green, Kentucky assembly plant.  Sales of the new sports coupe will begin third quarter 2013.

2014 Lexus IS Sport Sedan To Debut At NAIAS

TORRANCE, Calif. (Jidosha Shinbun) -- Lexus has released pics of the 2014 Lexus IS F Sport and announced that the new IS will make a world debut at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.  Lexus will be holding their press conference at 9:30 am (ET) at Cobo Center.  The IS model range consists of the IS 250, IS 250 F Sport, IS 350, IS 350 F Sport, and IS300h.  The Lexus IS F Sport models resemble the LF-CC concept vehicle.  The gauge cluster, steering wheel, and even the engine start button location are similar to the concept car.    The Lexus IS competes with the 2014 Infiniti Q50 and BMW 3-series sport sedans.