eWEEK content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More.
The CTIA 2010 conference and expo held in San Francisco was the launching pad for new Android-based devices and extensive renovations to existing carrier networks.
Verizon Wireless announced the large-scale deployment of their LTE (Long Term Evolution) network in cities and airports across the US.
Over the next three years Verizon expects to have 4G/LTE coverage that is comparable to its current 3G network. McAdam also outlined how Verizon is working with rural carriers to use roaming, licensing and volume equipment discounting to extend Verizon 4G service to more sparsely populated areas. McAdam addressed CTIA attendees in a keynote address and is shown here preparing to take questions at a press conference at the Moscone Center.
Ford Motor Company was showing off the marriage of mobile technology and vehicles on the show floor, in the lobby and pretty much anywhere a car could be placed inside the convention hall. At both GigaOM’s Mobilize confab last week in San Fran and repeated again during a demo of the Ford MyTouch dashboard, since users are going to try to use messaging services while driving, Ford wants to take a stab at making it a bit safer. I asked about the dash and was told that when the car goes into motion, certain screens–including any that display a keyboard–are locked out. A fellow CTIA attendee decried this state of affairs saying that some consumers would want the keyboard available just at that moment to input address information. This just confirmed that the customer isn’t always right. The Ford rep took that moment to talk about voice recognition technology.
And what would a trade show at this time of year be without a goody basket of cases for the myriad of handheld devices on offer to consumers. The Pepcom Mobile Focus evening event held next door to CTIA had plenty to offer in terms of handsets and accessories. HTC and T-Mobile showed off the Android-based G2 handset, while Plantronics and Jabra vied for the top spot in the ear candy department.
For more visual coverage of CTIA, you can go here to see my top picks from the CTIA “Hot for the Holidays” display, and here for my coverage of the ShowStoppers event also held to coincide with the CTIA expo.