Need More Battery Life For Your Android Phone? Here Are Some Tips
Dec 20th
I love my Epic 4G Touch, but one thing that annoys me is its relatively short battery life that barely gets me through the day (and sometimes doesn’t even last that long). And this isn’t just a problem on the Epic 4G Touch– most Android phones have quicker battery drains because of their larger screens, more powerful processors and 4G chips (all things that help make Android so great).
If you’re like me you’re gonna want to try to make the most of your Android phone’s battery life, so here are four tricks that I use to get the most out of my smartphone.
Galaxy Nexus Now Finally Available From Verizon
Dec 15th
We know a lot of you have been waiting for Verizon to finally release their latest Android superphone, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, and today we finally have the good news you’ve been waiting for: the Galaxy Nexus is available now for Verizon’s usual 4G LTE phone price of $300 with a new 2 year contract and data plan. Yes, you can finally pick up the latest and greatest Google phone and the first phone to run the latest and greatest version of Android, version 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.
But wait– things get better. If you look online you’ll see sites like Amazon and LetsTalk.com offering the Galaxy Nexus for a much better price of $250 when you upgrade your phone (Amazon is also offering the HTC Rezound and Motorola Droid RAZR for an even cheaper $230 on upgrade– $70 less than what Verizon charges). And did we mention that Verizon will also give you double the data for your data plan when you buy a new 4G LTE phone? Yeah, for any upgrade to a 4G LTE phone Verizon will give you double the amount of data (so for example, instead of paying $30 a month for 2 GB you now are paying $30 for 4 GB. This means you can actually do things like video chat and watch YouTube from your phone without constantly worrying about running over your limit and paying Verizon even more money). For more on this see Verizon’s site here.
So Verizon users, which phone do you want for the holidays: Droid RAZR, HTC Rezound, Galaxy Nexus or iPhone 4S?
More info: Verizon
AT&T Announces Their Third LTE Phone: The LG Nitro HD
Dec 2nd
Looking for a new AT&T 4G LTE phone this holiday season but want something with a more powerful screen than the Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket or HTC Vivid? Well, then you should check out AT&T’s latest 4G LTE beast, the LG Nitro HD. Like the Vivid and Galaxy S II Skyrocket, the Nitro HD is an absolute beast of a phone with all the latest and greatest specs you’d expect on a top-of-the-line Android phone today: 1.5 GHZ dual-core processor, 8 megapixel back camera with 1.3 megapixel front camera for video chat, Android 2.3 Gingerbread (with an upgrade to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich likely coming next year), and of course, support for AT&T’s growing 4G LTE network (and 4G HSPA+ network for the places that don’t have LTE yet. See our post here on what the differences are between AT&T’s 4G networks).
But the biggest news here is the screen. Like Verizon’s Galaxy Nexus and HTC Rezound, the Nitro HD packs a 4.5 inch 720p HD screen (the first phone on AT&T to do so). This means that everything from pictures to videos to games to websites will look beyond amazing on here (think of this as the awesomeness of the iPhone’s Retina Display, but on a screen one inch larger). If you plan on using your phone for a lot of video watching (it comes with 20 GB of storage) or gaming we definitely recommend checking this guy out.
The Nitro HD will be available this Sunday, December 4th, for a pretty expensive price of $250 with a new 2 year contract and data plan (and who knows, hopefully it’ll get some holiday discounts as we get closer to the end of the month).
Verizon Galaxy Nexus Ads Leak, Release Coming Next Week?
Nov 27th
While this month has seen a whole bunch of awesome new Android superphones for Verizon (like the Droid RAZR and HTC Rezound), there still may be some more awesomeness left before the year is out. Yes, it looks like the long-awaited Samsung Galaxy Nexus is finally on its way to Verizon, and according to the latest rumors it should be out December 8th (or a week from this Thursday). In fact the Galaxy Nexus has even begun appearing in ads this weekend, such as a leaked Verizon Holiday ad and the December issue of Best Buy’s Buyer’s Guide (the same ad where we first we first saw the Droid Bionic a few weeks back. We’ve got some of the shots from the Best Buy ad after the break, but you can see them for yourself on pages 11, 21 and 44 in the ad).
But that’s not even the best part. From the looks of that leaked Verizon ad there is a chance that Verizon will price this beast at just $200 with a new 2 year contract and not their usual 4G phone price of $300. Verizon, Google and Samsung haven’t officially confirmed any of this yet and it can change, but like you we’re really hoping it’s true.
For those who don’t know, the Galaxy Nexus is the future of the Android phone. It is the first phone to run the latest and greatest version of Android called Ice Cream Sandwich and is loaded with all the top of the line specs you’d expect: a massive, 4.65 inch Super AMOLED HD curved screen (which will make everything– games, videos, pictures, texts– look absolutely incredible on here. Think of this as a HDTV in your pocket– the screen on here is that amazing), 1.2 GHZ dual-core processor with 1 GB of RAM (for speed), 5 megapixel back camera (with the ability to instantly capture pictures the second you tap the screen) with a 1.3 megapixel front camera for high quality video chat, and of course, support for Verizon’s blazing fast 4G LTE network. It may not be as thin as the Droid RAZR or pack built-in Beats like the Rezound, but if you want the latest Android has to offer (and don’t want to wait until who knows when for the Ice Cream Sandwich update to come to those phones) you’re gonna want to check this out.
We’ll make sure to keep you updated once Verizon finally makes this all official, so stay tuned!
Ask TeensTalkTech: What’s The Difference Between AT&T’s 4G Networks?
Nov 15th
Ask TeensTalkTech is where we try to answer your questions on technology– from computer problems to cell phone questions and everything in between. Have any questions of your own? Either comment below, email us at ask@teenstalktech.com or tweet us (@teenstalktech) and we’ll try to answer them in a future post!
As you’ve heard by now, AT&T has this month released their first two phones capable of using their brand new, much faster 4G LTE network. 4G LTE is AT&T’s true 4G network, and looks to really give you all the speed of your home internet wherever you go.
Now we know a lot of you are really confused right now– “didn’t AT&T already have 4G? What about phones like the Atrix 4G, Thrill 4G, and Infuse 4G? Aren’t they 4G?” Well, the answer to that is yes and no– we’ll explain.
HTC Rezound Out Now For Verizon
Nov 14th
If you’re on Verizon and were waiting for the HTC Rezound (aka the first US phone with built-in Beats Audio) to be your next phone then today is you’re lucky day. As planned, Verizon has today released the Rezound and it’s now available for you to order for Verizon’s usual new 4G phone price of $300 with a new 2 year contract and data plan.
For those who don’t know, the Rezound is much more than just a phone with Beats– in fact it’s one of Verizon’s best new phones and right up there with the Droid RAZR and upcoming Galaxy Nexus (which is said to be coming out before the end of the month). And like those other two phones, this bad boy is absolutely loaded, with specs like: a 1.5 GHZ dual-core processor with 1 GB of RAM (so everything runs fast and without freezes or lags), support for Verizon’s 4G LTE network, Android 2.3 Gingerbread with HTC Sense, 8 megapixel back camera with a second 2 megapixel front camera for HD video chat, 4.3 inch 720p HD screen (or the same, awesome HDTV-like screen as the Galaxy Nexus. In short this is one of the best screens you’ll find on a phone today) and 32 GB of storage (16 built-in and 16 on an included microSD card– so you can load this up with all you music and videos right out of the box).
Oh, and did we mention that HTC and Verizon are also throwing in a pair of Beats in-ear headphones in the box (headphones that would otherwise cost you $100)? Yeah, while this may not be as thin or physically strong as the Droid RAZR and not be running the latest Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich like the Galaxy Nexus (something the Rezound will be getting “early next year”), if you’re looking for phone that is awesome at playing videos and music we think you’ll love this.
For more info on the Rezound see Verizon’s site here.
DIY Tech: Go On Facebook Without A Web Browser
Nov 13th
If you’re like me, I bet you’re thankful that your cell phone has a dedicated Facebook app – and rightly so: dedicated apps offer quick access to your account, and don’t require the use of a web browser.
However, like me, you’re probably also disappointed knowing that these same joys are not shared when you want to access your Facebook account from a PC or Mac. You know the drill: opening a new browser window, accessing the Bookmarks Bar or Favorites window, entering your account info after that, and only then finally logging on to Facebook. It’s not the worst process, but it’s not as easy as your tablet or phone where all it takes is a press of a button (or touch screen).
However, there is a solution. Enter Facebook Desktop…
Android App Of The Day: Amazon Appstore
Nov 8th
As an Android user, one of the best perks is the Amazon Free Paid App of the Day.Everyday, Amazon offers a paid Android app for free. Even better: these apps aren’t like the many useless apps that are usually free in the Android Market, but many times they are actually really good apps and games. In the past, they have offered apps like Guitar Hero, Plants vs Zombies, and Doodle Jump– apps that usually cost from $1-$10 — for free. In fact, today, they are offering the game 3D Bio Ball HD for free. It’s a twist on the classic game Labyrinth where you guide a ball around a maze to a target.
So how can you get these apps? Instructions after the break.
Verizon Gives The Droid RAZR A Release Date: Coming November 11th At 11:11 AM
Nov 7th
Want the Droid RAZR to be your next Verizon phone? Then get ready because Verizon and Motorola have announced the awesome release date and time for their latest Droid: November 11th (or this Friday) at 11:11 AM. Yes, on 11/11/11 at 11:11 you’ll finally be able to go into your local Verizon store and buy the Droid RAZR.
For those who don’t know, the Droid RAZR is Verizon and Motorola’s latest and most amazing Droid yet. Like Verizon’s other upcoming Android superphones (the HTC Rezound and Galaxy Nexus) this beast is loaded with the latest and greatest specs like: a 1.2 GHZ dual-core processor with 1 GB of RAM (so everything on your phone is fast and without freezes or lags), 4.3 inch super sharp screen (not as powerful as the Rezound or Galaxy Nexus’ but still pretty amazing), Android 2.3 Gingerbread (with an update to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich promised to be coming next year), support for Verizon’s 4G LTE network, 8 megapixel back camera with HD front camera for video chat and a RAZR thin (like literally almost paper thin!) waterproof design made of Kelvar (the same material used to make bulletproof vests!). Yeah, this is a pretty amazing phone.
As previously announced the Droid RAZR will cost Verizon’s usual 4G phone price of $300 with a new 2 year contract and data plan (yeah, we wish it was $111.11 too).
So, is this gonna be your next Verizon phone or will you instead go with something like the Rezound or Galaxy Nexus?
AT&T Releases Galaxy S II Skyrocket and HTC Vivid– Drops Prices By $100 Each (UPDATED)
Nov 6th
Today is November 6th, and you know what that means– AT&T’s first 4G LTE phones are finally available. As promised, AT&T today released their fist two superphones capable of using their brand new, blazing fast 4G LTE network: the HTC Vivid and Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket. Not expected? AT&T has apparently dropped the price of these two beasts by $100 each, with the Vivid now available for just $100 while the Galaxy S II Skyrocket is now just $150 (both with new 2 year contracts and data plans).
Now we don’t know why AT&T dropped their prices or if this is just a temporary thing, but we’re not complaining (I mean, it beats the garbage out of the $300 Verizon usually charges for their new, top of the line 4G LTE phones). At these prices both of these phones look to be amazing deals, and if you’re looking for a new AT&T phone we really recommend you look into picking one of these up while you still can.
UPDATE: Well it was fun while it lasted. Looks like AT&T has switched the prices back to the originally announced $200 for the Vivid and $250 for the Skyrocket. So, anyone able to score one of these at the cheaper price?
More info: Galaxy S II Skyrocket, HTC Vivid
