U.S. Cellular launching Seven Android Smartphones by End of the Year

We have just got the official word that U.S. Cellular has some big plans for Android in the coming months of 2011. From now until the end of 2011 U.S. Cellular will be launching seven Android powered smartphones. The carrier is expanding its portfolio to offer more features, handset styles and pricing options to help its customers select the one that best meets their needs. With seven handsets on their way, all said to be running Android 2.3 Gingerbread we sense some good things coming from U.S Cellular soon, especially considering most carriers do not offer many 2.3 devices or are still in the upgrade process.

The upcoming devices feature large touchscreens, additional models will feature full QWERTY keyboards and all the usual specs of smartphones these days. All seven phones will be Google-certified and will come pre-loaded with all the apps we are used to such as Google Maps, Market, Gmail and more. They also plan to bring a 7″ HTC Tablet to market but did not mention if this would in fact be running Android 2.3 or if it will be Honeycomb, we can hope for the latter. They mention multiple HTC devices running android as well as a Motorola device with a dual-core processor and 4.3″ display, but they better hurry with that one. There is also talk of an LG branded Android phone so it looks like they plan to hit all the sweet spots.

There was also brief mention about a Windows Phone 7 device but that doesn’t concern us in the android world. Feel free to check out the full press release below for all the juicy details, oh and in case you forgot U.S. Cellular does not make you sign a contract. So you could get the latest and greatest from them with no contractual obligations and just enjoy your Android.

U.S. CELLULAR TO LAUNCH EIGHT SMARTPHONES, TWO TABLETS

AND ITS FIRST 4G LTE DEVICES

Touchscreen devices offer customers more features and functions to enhance their lives

CHICAGO (June 9, 2011) – Between now and the end of the year, U.S. Cellular (NYSE: USM) is expanding its portfolio of cutting-edge devices with more features, handset styles and pricing options to help its customers select the one that meets their needs and helps them stay connected.

U.S. Cellular plans to launch seven smartphones that run on the Android™ operating system, including its first 4G-enabled smartphone. Two mobile tablets are planned along with the carrier’s first Windows® Phone 7 device. U.S. Cellular will also roll out its first wave of 4G LTE devices in November.

“Our new smartphones and tablets are packed with faster processors similar to those in personal computers for improved web browsing, video streaming, playing games and being more productive on the go,” said Edward Perez, vice president of sales and marketing operations for U.S. Cellular. “Customers who switch to U.S. Cellular also get unique benefits with all of our devices, like new phones faster without continuously signing contracts, and join the happiest customers in wireless.”

Large touchscreens and options for full QWERTY keypads make it easier for customers to stay organized and take advantage of all the time-saving applications and functions that enhance their lives. Wi-Fi capabilities offer another means to quickly access important information and entertainment. All of the Android-powered phones will run the 2.3 operating system, also known as Gingerbread, and are pre-loaded with popular Google™ applications like Gmail™ and Google Maps™.

U.S. Cellular’s entire line-up of devices is backed by its high-speed nationwide network, which has the highest call quality and network satisfaction of any national carrier. Customers can also select from a range of national bundled plans that are designed to match how they use their phones. A family of four who switches to the Premium Plus Family plan can save more than $1,000 a year and the Primary Plus Plan, which includes 5 GB of data, unlimited text video and picture messaging, and 450 minutes with free unlimited incoming calls, nights and weekends, and mobile-to-mobile calls, is the best value in wireless at $79.99.

U.S. Cellular plans to launch four devices from HTC Corp. beginning this summer, including the carrier’s first Windows Phone device that runs the Windows 7™ operating system. The Live Tiles on the Windows 7 homescreen show all of the messages, voicemails, e-mails and social network status updates in a single glance. U.S. Cellular also will launch a mobile tablet from HTC in early fall, which has a 7-inch screen and can be held in one hand for easy access to hundreds of thousands of Android applications. Two additional Android-powered phones from HTC are expected to launch in the fall.

Customers looking for the most advanced devices will have more options this fall. A Motorola smartphone with dual-core 1 GHz processors and 4.3-inch touchscreen is optimized for multimedia applications like watching TV and movies, and has worldphone capabilities for global travelers. One of the slimmest and lightest smartphones is coming from LG, though it’s also heavy on features with a 1 GHz processor, 4-inch touchscreen and ultra-bright LCD display that is easy to view in sunlight. Both devices run on the Android operating system.

Those who want to step up to a smartphone this fall will be able to choose from new entry-level devices from Samsung and Huawei, which have just the right amount of features to help first-time smartphone owners realize the power of Android technology.

In addition to its expanded smartphone selection, U.S. Cellular is launching two new messaging devices from Samsung that have a slide-out QWERTY keypad and the added convenience of 2.8-inch touchscreen. They’re ideal for customers who prefer to stay connected to their friends and family through talking and texting, and are expected to launch this summer.

About U.S. Cellular
U.S. Cellular rewards its customers with the unmatched benefits of The Belief Project, an array of industry-leading innovations designed to elevate the customer experience. The Belief Project, named Frost & Sullivan’s Customer Value Enhancement of the Year, complements the Chicago-based carrier’s growing catalog of cutting-edge phones that are all backed by its high-speed nationwide network. U.S. Cellular was recently named a J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Customer Service Champion and was also named one of Forbes Magazine’s 2010 “Most Trustworthy Companies.” To learn more about U.S. Cellular, visit one of its retail stores or uscellular.com. To get the latest news, promos and videos, connect with U.S. Cellular on Facebook.com/uscellular, Twitter.com/uscellular and YouTube.com/uscellularcorp.