As expected, Sprint has announced the HTC Evo View 4G tablet at their CTIA 2011 event held this afternoon.  The 7-inch tablet sports a 1024x600 display, and weighs in at 420 grams.  This is Sprint's version of the HTC Flyer, and also includes HTC Scribe technology using a special pen as an input device.  The specs:

• 1.5 GHz Qualcomm CPU
• 1 GB RAM, 32 GB Internal memory
• Micro SDcard slot
• 5 MP read HD camera, 1.3 MP front facing camera
• 4G WiMax connectivity
• 802.11 b/g/n Wifi
• GPS
• Bluetooth 3.0

Available sometime this summer, but no word on pricing.  We're excited about this one, watch for some hands-on time later. Sprint's press release is after the break.

If you are a T-Mobile user, and are waiting for the expansion of their 4G network, and happen to live in Las Vegas, New York, or Orlando good things are coming your way. T-Mobile has announced that they are turning on their 42Mbps network in these three specific areas first, closely followed by more locations as well.

“As T-Mobile continues the aggressive expansion of America’s Largest 4G Network, we’re doubling our maximum speed in more than two dozen markets, starting with three important cities today,” said Neville Ray, chief technology officer, T-Mobile USA. "We will continue to build on our 4G network advantage this year, providing customers with an industry-leading mobile data experience.”

While unfortunately this doesn't help everyone, it is certainly a big step in the right direction for those with T-Mobile, and by mid-year T-Mobile is expecting to have 4G speeds in 25 markets, which would cover over 140 million people. [BusinessWire]

Out of the fat and into the fryer -- it's time for Sprint's press event at CTIA. New handsets are a given, so let's just jump right into it. Liveblog's after the break, and the whole thing gets started at 12:30 p.m. EST.

Youtube link for mobile viewing

As you may have guessed it from my post earlier today, I'm here at CTIA 2011 with Phil and Dieter, and as there isn't much in the way of BlackBerry stuff at the show (we're all waiting for our PlayBook tablet and some new phones) I'm helping out here with some posts (apologies in advance for my android-newbness).

In this video we start off with that live at CTIA feel with an on-stage presentation by the LG Girl of the T-Mobile G-Slate. Key specs on this baby include:

• T-Mobile HSPA+ data, plus Wifi
• Display: 8.9-inch 3D-capable multi-touch display
• Operating System: Android 3.0 (Honeycomb)
• Processor: Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core
• Rear-facing stereoscopic video recorder at 1080p
• 5MP camera with LED flash
• 720p video playback, 1080p output via HDMI
• 32GB of internal memory

I pick up the G-Slate at 3m51s into the video (a little tricky with one hand on the camera). It definitely feels a tad on the heavy side, but I guess that's to be expected when you're cramming in the features, like 3D video recording. The T-Mobile G-Slate will cost $529.99 after $100 mail-in-rebate and the standard 2-year contract but also a data plan.

Youtube link for mobile viewing

Following up the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 announcement and our hands-on Galaxy Tab 8.9 photos, we fired up the video camera to spend a few minutes of 1 on 1 time with the new mid-sized tablet. We were so quick getting to Samsung's CTIA booth after the press conference ended that we even caught the show floor unveiling of the devices (skip to 1m26s if you want to get right to the hands-on review part of the show). Geektastic good times!

Samsung's aim with the Galaxy Tab 8.9 is to hit that sweet spot of portability and a big screen,  and at only 470grams in weight it definitely feels light in the hand given it's rather sizable footprint. Unfortunately neither Phil or I were wearing coats to test if it would fit into our pockets. We'll let you know on that once we give it a go. Enjoy the show, and be sure to check out more of our Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 first impressions here.

If you are a parent on the Sprint network, the appeal to get an Android device just got even higher, as today Sprint has announced that they will be adding parental locks to all Android devices. Location Labs has created an application for Sprint that will become available in Q3, and carry a $2 monthly charge, but the protection it will provide is priceless. Some of the features of the application are:

• Lock the driver’s cell phone screen and redirect calls to voice mail.
• Block text-message alerts and auto-respond to the message sender that the driver is currently unavailable.
• Allow access to three key contacts and three mobile applications, such as GPS navigation.
• Give parents and business administrators Web portal access to configure Drive First for their teens’ or employees’ mobile devices.

Definitely a step in the right direction, and a huge help from the carrier in an attempt to completely stop use of cell phones while in the car without a bluetooth headset. [Sprint]

Update: What you see here apparently is some sort of early prototype of the 8.9-inch tablet, which is odd given they unveiled the thing on the show floor with great pomp and circumstance. You can see a hands-on with the retail version of the new Galaxy Tabs here.

Samsung's bringing a tablet for every lifestyle, and the latest in the Galaxy Tab line is the aptly named 8.9-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9. And as it should be, it's thin, surprisingly light, and it's running Android 3.0 Honeycomb out of the box.

It's noticeably easier to hold than the hefty Motorola Xoom, but that's tempered a bit by the slick back. It may be a textured surface, but it's slippery and you're definitely going to want a case.

We have a feeling we were treated to an early build of Samsung's new Live View skin atop Honeycomb, as there was some definite lag. But Live View itself isn't offensive, if you don't mind your menus being colorful, as Samsung is prone to do.

A bright spot, however, is the price. At $469 for the 16GB version and $569 for the 32GB version -- and these are the unsubsidized, no-contract Wifi-only ones -- we're finally seeing competitive price points.

More pics are after the break, if you're into that sort of thing.

Samsung announced two new models in their Galaxy Tab line, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the Galaxy Tab 8.9. 

The Tab 10.1 has been redesigned since we saw it at MWC and both tablets can now boast that they are the world's thinnest tablets at 8.6 mm.

Both will feature an updated Live View interface on top of Honeycomb, specifically designed for the platform. They each have dual core 1GHz processors, will support HSPA+ as well as have WiFi-only versions. 

Samsung also announced pricing and availability today, something that they don't often do. 

Here is what they announced:

• Galaxy Tab 10.1 WiFi-only 16GB: $499, available June 8th
• Galaxy Tab 10.1 WiFi-only 32GB: $599, available June 8th
• Galaxy Tab 8.9 WiFi-only 16GB: $469, available "early summer"
• Galaxy Tab 8.9 WiFi-only 32GB: $569, available "early summer"

Samsung announced some pretty impressive additions to their Galaxy Tab lineup and is stepping up their game in terms of pricing. Sit tight for more news! [Samsung Mobile]

Kicking things off at CTIA Wireless 2011 in Orlando (well, after the opening keynote, that is) is Samsung's press event. It's no secret that we're about to have an 8.9-inch tablet dropped in our laps, but knowing Samsung, they'll have something up their sleeves.

So join us after the break for the liveblog. Event kicks off at 11 a.m. EST.

Amazon has launched their long-awaited Appstore, which will provide another avenue for users to download Android apps from. There's one problem though: AT&T users cannot yet access it due to the carrier's restriction on 3rd party app downloads. 

Amazon has listed that they are working with AT&T on a solution that will allow users to download the app, but as of right now, it is restricted. 

Until then though, we still have our Sideload Wonder Machine, which still allows the installation of 3rd party apps on carriers *cough* AT&T, who restrict users from choosing to download 3rd party apps. [Amazon.com/appstore]