AT&T at CES 2012: Xperia Ion, a Nokia LTE device, HTC Titan 2, Galaxy Note, and more

The Pantech Burst is a $49.99 on-contract Android phone that runs on AT&T's LTE network. It represents a return to smartphones for Pantech, which has been focusing mainly on "Quick Messaging Devices" for the past year or so. The Burst isn't exactly an ambitious re-entrance, though the price is notable. The other specs overachieve at this price as much as the LTE radio does: a 1.2GHz dual-core processor and a 4-inch Super AMOLED screen (though only at 480 x 800 pixels).

Pantech has applied a skin to Android here that looks a bit like a throwback to earlier versions of TouchWiz, although there is an enhanced lock screen that will allow you to jump directly into one of five apps. It will be available on January 22nd, but if you like you can purchase it in a bundle with the Pantech Element for $249.99 — although that option will saddle you with two matching 2-year contracts.

The Element is fully waterproof, not just water resistant, good down to 30 feet so long as the ports are fully and tightly sealed. However the screen is apparently not very usable underwater — it's designed primarily to prevent accidents from becoming catastrophic. In that vein the build quality is definitely designed for a little more ruggedness and a little less sveltness, but it's not ridiculously thick. The Element will be available on January 22nd for $299.99 on a 2-year contract or is also available in a bundle with the Pantech Burst for a total of $249.99 and two, 2-year contracts.

In the wake of AT&T's monster device announcement this morning spanning multiple Android and Windows Phone devices, we're embedded with HTC to take a first look at the Titan II. The phone bears a striking resemblance to the Titan of old as you might expect, but it's got that wild "16 Megapixels" label on back. It feels both like the old Titan and also a number of other 4-inch-plus HTCs of recent memory — the Thunderbolt comes immediately to mind — and it definitely trends toward the thick end of the spectrum. Odds are that has to do with at least three things here: the LTE radio, a big battery, and the SLCD display, which requires more girth than its AMOLED counterparts.

So, what about the camera? The jury's still out until we can properly review the phone, but the initial impression is that you might not be getting better quality images here — just bigger ones. Of course, until phone engineers how to break the laws of physics, it's hard to get around the issues of optics and limited sensor size... but 16 is a pretty awesome number, isn't it?

Follow our Nokia CES 2012 live blog at 3pm (PT) today for the full details.

The Titan II is going to be the first LTE Windows Phone available in the USA. It sports a gigantic 16-megapixel camera with 720p video, dual LED flash, a 1.5GHz Snapdragon processor, and a huge 4.7-inch WVGA display (the largest of any Windows Phone). In addition to the high-resolution sensor — to put this in comparison, Nikon's flagship D4 shoots 16.2-megapixel photos — the phone also features a number of other features aimed at photographers, such as panorama and burst modes, and image stabilization, although it's not clear if this will be the optical or digital variety.

You'll be able to purchase the Pantech Burst alongside the Element tablet (which was also announced today) for $249.99 if you buy a contract for both devices. Clearly, AT&T is looking to lower the price of entry and get more people on its expanding LTE network. We think $50 is certainly a reasonable price for access to LTE, though don't forget you'll be saddled with that two-year contract. We should have more details on both phones soon, and we'll be getting some hands-on impressions after AT&T's event finishes up.

AT&T has just announced the Skyrocket HD at its Developers Summit. Technically it's called the Galaxy S II Skyrocket HD, and it's one of AT&T's first LTE devices. It's got a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, removable battery, AMOLED display, and an enclosure described by AT&T chief Ralph De La Vegas as being "razor thin." There aren't any other announced specs, but official press images reveal an 8 megapixel rear camera and a front-facing companion of unknown resolution.

We've just got the first official confirmation of what you'll be paying for 3G data on the PlayStation Vita. AT&T let the world know via its CES 2012 Developer summit that 250MB a month will cost $14.99, and 2GB will go for $25. The good news is that there aren't any term contracts involved, so you should be able to cancel and restart at will. We weren't convinced by the need for 3G data on the Vita in our review, though, and the 3G model will carry a $50 premium when the system launches February 22nd.

Speaking of "enormous," does the Galaxy Note fit in a pocket? It can — but considering that it comically dwarfs an already large 4.65-inch Galaxy Nexus sitting next to it, we'd recommend testing it with each and every pocket you'd ever carry it in before committing. Samsung hasn't given guidance on when we'll see the device on AT&T shelves, but when it comes, it'll be available both in "carbon blue" and "ceramic white."