Today AT&T announced all new data packages for pay-as-you-go GoPhone customers that will be available on April 22nd (The same day HTC One X pre-orders begin). Customers using the $50 unlimited talk/text plan or $25 unlimited text/250 min plans will be able to use these new data plans, with more data for the same price. Choosing from 1GB for $25, 200MB for $15 or 50MB for $5. While it may not be the same value as T-Mobile’s pay-as-you-go plans for data, it’s sure to make AT&T customers happy. Be on the lookout for the new data plans this Sunday if you’re looking to switch.

Full Press Release:

New & Improved Prepaid Data Packages From AT&T

DALLAS, April 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — AT&T* today announced the following new data packages with double the data or more for the same price for GoPhone customers, available April 22.

1 GB $25

200 MB $15

50 MB $5

Data packages are available on GoPhone’s fantastic line up of monthly plans. All data packages are available on the $50 Unlimited Talk & Text nationwide plan for GoPhone smartphones and the $25 Unlimited Text with 250 minutes nationwide GoPhone plan. Both plans offer GoPhone customers great options, flexibility and freedom on how to use their service.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T │DIRECTV brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT.

© 2012 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. Mobile broadband not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

At MWC 2012 Sony has just announced the latest in the Xperia lineup, the Xperia P and the Xperia U. Both devices are slotted just below the Xperia S in size as you can see from the image above. Both devices feature Sony’s NXT technology, which is their fancy way of saying sharing content with your laptop, TV or tablet. They also both feature Sony’s Reality Display powered by Mobile BRAVIA® Engine for “razor sharp clarity” along with super fast response from sleep mode to snapping a picture.

Here’s a further breakdown of key specs for the two devices. For complete spec sheets, check out the full press release link at the bottom.

Xperia P

• 4″ Reality Display with powered by Mobile BRAVIA Engine.
• WhiteMagic(TM) display technology for an ultra-bright and power efficient viewing experience.
• 1 GHz dual-core processor for super fast performance with 16GB flash storage.
• 8MP camera with unique fast capture, HD recording and Sony technology to capture 2D and 3D panoramic images.
• Easy HDMI and DLNA connectivity to share content on any screen.
• NFC (Near Field Communications) enabled to access a growing range of NFC applications and services as well as Xperia SmartTags.
• Available in a choice of silver, black and red, all with an aluminium unibody.
• Launches on Android platform 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgrade to Android platform 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) during the second quarter of 2012.

Xperia U

• 3.5″ Reality Display powered by Mobile BRAVIA Engine.
• 1 GHz dual-core processor for super fast performance.
• 5MP camera with unique fast capture, HD recording and Sony technology to capture 2D and 3D panoramic images.
• Crisp and loud listening with xLoud and 3D surround sound audio technology.
• Available in a choice of white or black, with pink and yellow exchangeable caps for the base of the smartphone in the box.
• Launches on Android platform 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgrade to Android platform 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) during the second quarter of 2012.

Sony Mobile Communications has stated both handsets will be available sometime in Q2 of 2012, so not far off. Although both the Xperia P and Xperia U are launching with Android 2.3 Gingerbread, the update to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich is already promised for the second quarter of 2012, so at most a couple months after launching.

[Press Release (PDF)]

During all the flurry of new phones and other announcements, some information came from AT&T during the HTC One X announcement that is sure to please owners of the HTC Vivid. The Android 4.0 update is right around the corner and will be available in the coming weeks. Not only will the update bring the latest version of Android, but also an “updated HTC Sense” and Beats Audio profiles.

Additionally, an enhanced audio experience will soon be available to HTC Vivid™ customers in the coming weeks. Sound engineers at Beats Dr. Dre and software engineers at HTC have teamed up to bring an improved audio experience to the HTC Vivid through an upcoming software update that will provide Android 4.0, an updated HTC Sense experience and Beats By Dr. Dre audio profiles.

[AT&T Press Release]

The main attraction here is the quad-core processor, which is actually a 4-plus-1 configuration of four cores clocked at 1.5Ghz plus a companion core. While the 4X in the name refers to the processor, the HD obviously refers to the display, which is a 4.7-inch 1280 x 720 IPS display. Inside the 8.9mm body, you’ll find 1GB of RAM and 16GB of storage, and somehow they also managed to squeeze in a rather large 2150mAh battery to help power this beast. Around back you’ll find an 8 megapixel camera and a 1.3 megapixel unit up front. Thankfully the 4X HD will launch with Android 4.0 so there’s no waiting around for updates.

There’s rumors of the phone launching in the US on T-Mobile as the G4X, but the only solid release information we have is that LG says it will launch in Europe in the second quarter of 2012.

[LG Press Release]

If you haven’t heard of GetJar Gold, it’s similar to Amazon’s free app of the day, except GetJar’s free premium apps are free forever. Gameloft has just announced their partnership with GetJar, which can only mean good things for you, the app consumer. Along with the partnership comes the first of hopefully many free games, Asphalt 6 is now free from GetJar Gold, but still runs $0.99 in the Android Market. Be sure to check out Asphalt 6 and the many other free apps available from GetJar Gold.

Press Release:

Gameloft Signs On with GetJar Gold

Asphalt 6 Zooms Its Way to Android Users for Free

GetJar, the world’s largest free app store, today announced that Asphalt 6, the adrenaline-pumping racing game from Gameloft is now available for free on GetJar Gold. This is GetJar’s first title from Gameloft, one of the world’s premier publishers of mobile games.

Asphalt 6 lets you discover 42 different cars and bikes from Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Ducati and many more, and tear up the streets of Los Angeles, Tokyo, the Bahamas and other amazing locations. Drive against tough opponents in different leagues with online and local multiplayer for up to six players.

Asphalt 6 is one of more than 100 free, ultra-premium apps available to consumers on GetJar Gold. GetJar makes over $250 worth of apps free to consumers and gives away up to $300,000 worth of free apps each day.

“GetJar puts Asphalt 6 front and center with millions of consumers around the world, and we’re excited to finally join forces with them,” said Yann Fourneau, Sales Director at Gameloft. “They are innovating on the app store model in ways that are great for the whole ecosystem, including consumers, developers and publishers.”

“It’s great to have Gameloft in the fold and making their games available for free through Getjar,” said GetJar CEO Ilja Laurs. “We now have 95% of the world’s top developers and publishers on GetJar, and the momentum we need to continue to explore new ways to reward both Android users and the developers building great new apps for them.”

ReconAge is a real age recognition app for Android phones. Take pictures of your friends and see aproximetly how old they look. ReconAge recognizes the approximate age of a person by making use of real time face recognition biometric systems online. This app will not work without an internet connection.

Although the app seems like all fun and games to impress your friends, there’s some serious technology and business behind the app. By using cutting edge biometric technology, the company behind the app hopes to use similar software in the advertising industry to make sure they’re marketing to the correct demographic just by looking at your face. Scary and cool at the same time.

So does the app work, and how well? I tested it out with a few self shots, and it consistently thought I was about 10 years older than I actually am. Although at 5am, I probably do look a bit disheveled. Then I tested it out using the same picture from the Android Market screenshot. Not very scientific, but it didn’t get that one correct either, this time guessing lower. Maybe they changed their algorithms recently.

[Press Release]

Today Motorola announced the followup to the Defy, the Defy Mini. It’s got the same rugged features of the original, but smaller with less impressive specs. Here’s a quick look at the specs:

• 3.2-inch 480×320 display
• 600MHz processor
• 3MP rear-facing camera
• Front-facing VGA camera
• Gorilla Glass
• Water proof and dust proof
• 1,650mAh battery
• WiFi b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1

The device will be available in China and select European and Latin American countries starting in February. Pricing has not been announced, but it should certainly be cheaper than its bigger brother.

Press Release

LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – Jan. 5, 2012 – This spring, Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE: MMI) is helping you flaunt your individuality by adding two stylish and unique Android™ 2.3 (Gingerbread) powered smartphones to its growing budget-friendly portfolio. MOTOLUXE is a hip, slim touchscreen device and Motorola DEFY MINI is dustproof and water-resistant, making it the ideal “life proof” phone for active users. And they come in different shapes, sizes and colors – so you can choose a phone that best reflects your personality.

No matter what device you choose, Motorola’s MotoSwitch user interface changes the way you manage your life. With MotoSwitch, your smartphone learns who you talk to and which apps you use and keeps all of that information front and center. The Social Graph feature gives you easy and fast access to the people who really matter. It learns who’s most important to you and uses that information to populate the home screen. The more frequently you communicate with someone, the bigger their icon becomes. The Activity Graph gives you quick and easy access to your favorite apps, automatically changing to reflect the apps you use the most. With Music Now you can easily play your favorite music while the Smart Gallery displays your favorite pictures as collections.

With Google Mobile™ services you’ll be able to search for anything with Google Search™, chat with your friends using Google Talk™, or find your way anywhere you want to go with Google Maps™ with navigation.

Strike While the Iron Is Hot

The ultra-vogue, very-slim, MOTOLUXE sets the bar high in terms of style with a 4-inch edge-to- edge touchscreen display. This hip device is perfect for writing emails, surfing the Web and watching movies. And, for the amateur photographers out there, the 8-megapixel autofocus camera with flash lets you shoot like a pro and capture life clearly and fully.

MOTOLUXE also sets itself apart with a lanyard slot that has a lighting effect. So you can see when you’ve missed a call, received a text or have an email waiting for you.

Other cool stuff includes:

Front-facing VGA camera for video chatting with friends and family
Available in licorice or white
1400 mAh battery for up to 6.5 hours of talk time, 19 days of standby time
Strong and Sturdy

Water-resistant, dust-proof and with a scratch resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass display, Motorola DEFY MINI is the ideal smartphone for active users who need a device as resilient as they are. With a 3.2-inch touchscreen good for emailing, texting and browsing the Web, and a long battery-life, you can keep this phone on and by your side all day long no matter where you go, so you’ll never miss a beat.

But wait… there’s more:

3MP rear-facing camera with flash
Front-facing VGA camera for video chatting with friends and family
Easy access to all your favorite outdoor apps with the “Instrument Dashboard”
1650 mAh battery for up to 10 hours of talk time, 21 days of standby time
You can get your hands on MOTOLUXE and Motorola DEFY MINI at Motorola’s booth (LVCC, Central Hall, Booth NO. 8644) at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show, January 10 – 13, 2012.

Pricing and Availability
Both devices are expected to be available in Greater China, Europe and Latin America starting this spring. MOTOLUXE is already available in China under the name Motorola XT615 and is expected to be available in Greater China, Europe and Latin America starting in February. Motorola DEFY MINI is expected to be available in China under the name Motorola XT320 and in select countries in Europe and Latin America starting in February.
About Motorola Mobility
Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE:MMI) fuses innovative technology with human insights to create experiences that simplify, connect and enrich people’s lives. Our portfolio includes converged mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets; wireless accessories; end-to-end video and data delivery; and management solutions, including set-tops and data-access devices. For more information, visit motorola.com/mobility.

Today Acer announced their latest entry to their Iconia series of Android tablets, the Iconia Tab A200. Here’s a quick look at the specs:

• Dual-core Tegra 2 processor
• 1280 x 800 10.1-inch display
• 2MP front-facing camera
• MicroSD slot and full-sized USB 2.0 port
• WiFi, Bluetooth and DNLA
• Android 3.2

The A200 will ship with Honeycomb but will be upgraded to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich sometime in mid-February. It’s available in 8GB or 16GB options, the lesser of the two starting at an attractive $329 price tag, while more storage will run you only 20 bucks more. January 15th is the US launch date when it should be available in local stores and online electronics retailers.

[Press Release]

With only a handful of retail locations nationwide, MetroPCS is looking to ramp up handset sales by taking them to the world’s largest online retailer. The complete lineup of MetroPCS no-contract phones is now available through Amazon. Pricing is on par with the carrier’s website at the moment, but it’s almost expected that Amazon should be offering discounts in the future. Handsets purchased from Amazon can be activated on the MetroPCS website, by dialing *228 or by visiting a MetroPCS retail location.

“We are committed to offering our customers affordable handsets along with exceptional service and delivering both at an incredible value,” said Tom Keys, president and COO of MetroPCS. “Making our phones available on Amazon.com is just one way that we’re providing consumers with a convenient purchase option that will allow them to have it all with MetroPCS’ services.”

[Amazon]

[Press Release]

Cricket might only be a region bit player in the carrier world, but they’re stepping it up in terms of devices. Today they announced they will begin carrying the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 available on December 16th, tomorrow. The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is the WiFi-only version, and it’s priced at $499.99, or along with a mobile hotspot for $594.99 which includes the first month of service for free. And as with everything else from Cricket, there’s no contract to sign and no long term commitment.