Cell Phones
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.
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
HTC Announces Their First US Beats Phone: Meet The HTC Rezound
Nov 3rd
As expected, HTC today finally announced their first US Beats phone– the HTC Rezound. If you’re looking for a superphone that’s also an amazing media phone this is the phone for you.
Specs wise it’s everything we heard it would be: 1.5 GHZ dual-core processor with 1 GB of RAM (even faster than the already quick Droid RAZR and Galaxy Nexus), 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) and of course, built-in Beats Audio (so everything sounds just amazing as it looks) with 32 GB of storage (16 built-in and 16 on an included microSD card).
HTC today did though add in two major details we didn’t know: it will be getting the latest version of Android, the upcoming Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, early next year (which is huge considering the amount of Android phones that get announced and never get updated to the latest and greatest. We’re really glad Verizon and HTC are promising not to let that happen here), and that it will also come with Beats earbuds in the box!
All in all, between this, the Droid RAZR and the Galaxy Nexus we gotta say– now is a pretty awesome time to have an upgrade on Verizon. The Rezound will be available for $299.99 with new 2 year contract and data plan when it launches on November 14th.
AT&T Announces Their First 4G LTE Phones: Meet The HTC Vivid and Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket
Nov 1st
It’s been a long time coming but AT&T has finally taken the wraps off of their first real 4G phones, the HTC Vivid and Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket. Now we say real 4G here because unlike all of AT&T’s other “4G” phones released this year (like the Infuse 4G, Atrix 4G, Torch 4G 9810, Galaxy S II etc.), these bad boys run on AT&T’s much faster, brand new LTE network instead of their upgraded 3G HSPA+ network (which they also called 4G. This HSPA+ network was the “4G “in those earlier”4G” phones and while it was slightly faster than 3G it was nowhere near as fast as this. We know this is confusing and we’ll have more on the differences between AT&T’s 4G networks soon). Anyways, not only will these new LTE phones be crazy fast– AT&T says their LTE network is up to 10x faster than 3G, or in other words, its as fast as your home internet– they’re some of the most impressive Android phones AT&T has released yet.
If you’re looking for a new AT&T phone anytime soon, these are definitely two you should be checking out. So what are you waiting for? Read on for all the info.
Is HTC Announcing Their First US Beats Phone This Week?
Oct 30th
Excited for Verizon’s upcoming HTC superphone, the HTC Rezound with built-in Beats Audio? Well, it looks like your wait may soon be over. HTC has sent out invites for an event in New York this Thursday (November 3rd) where they are going to show off their “latest innovation,” an innovation that from the invite above looks to have a lot to do with Beats. And seeing as the latest rumors have the Rezound coming out exactly one week after this event (on November 10th), this looks to be the perfect place for it to finally be announced.
For those who don’t know, the Rezound looks to be one beast of a phone, with incredible specs like: a 1.5 GHZ dual-core processor with 1 GB of RAM (even faster than the already quick Droid RAZR and Galaxy Nexus), support for Verizon’s 4G LTE network, 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) and of course, built-in Beats Audio (so everything sounds just amazing as it looks). Yeah, it’s pretty insane (and this is before we find out if HTC will include some sort of Beats headphones in the box like they did with their first Beats phone, the non-US Sensation XE. Let’s hope they do!).
As always we’ll have everything covered for you back here, so make sure to check back on Thursday for everything you’re gonna need to know on whatever new awesomeness HTC announces.
Top 5 New And Upcoming Verizon Phones: Fall 2011
Oct 25th
So Verizon users– you’ve got an upgrade coming up sometime over the next couple of weeks/months and while you like some of the phones already out there, you really wanna know what Verizon’s got planned during those next few weeks or months so you don’t go out and buy something only to really regret it a week later. We’re here to help.
While not all of these are confirmed to be coming to Verizon (some are just our best guesses based on rumors we’ve been hearing), here are 5 phones that have recently launched or are said to be on their way to Verizon over the next few weeks/months that anyone with an upgrade should be really excited for (and trust us– they’re really good).
Verizon Introduces the Samsung Stratosphere, It’s First 4G LTE Phone With A QWERTY Keyboard
Oct 24th
A few days ago, we talked about how AT&T had announced the Samsung Captivate Glide, a powerful Android phone with a full slide-out QWERTY keyboard. However, if you were a Verizon user, you might have felt left out. Fear no more, as also a few days ago, Verizon launched the Samsung Stratosphere, an awesome device with 4G LTE, a physical QWERTY keyboard, and even a Super AMOLED Display. If you’re a heavy texter or just want a good smartphone on Verizon that isn’t all touchscreen, this looks to be for you. Just check out these specs:
- 4.0 inch Super AMOLED screen– So everything– pictures, games, texts, apps, videos– look sharp and clear. I have the Epic 4G Touch which sports a Super AMOLED Plus display (a slightly more powerful version of this), and I have to say, it is awesome.
- 1 GHz single-core processor– While it’s not as fast as some of Verizon’s more recent 4G phones like the Droid Bionic, Droid RAZR and Galaxy Nexus (which all have faster dual-core processors), it should be more than enough for checking Facebook, multitasking and playing games like Angry Birds.
- QWERTY keyboard– The 5-row physical keyboard is one of the main features of this device (there is even a full row of numbers!). Texting, updating Facebook, finishing up that English essay (oh come on, you haven’t done this before?), and searching the web will be even easier on the Stratosphere (and if you don’t want to use that slide out keyboard you can always use the built-in Swype virtual one).
- 4G LTE– Like Verizon’s other recent Android phones, this bad boy runs Verizon’s blazing fast 4G LTE network– so everything from opening websites to streaming HD videos is insanely fast. Now before you go watch all those videos, remember Verizon does have a tiered data-plan system (which starts at $30 a month for 2 GB of data a month– enough for a lot of Facebook updating, browsing the web and YouTube watching but not enough to download HD movies over 4G. For that we recommend using WiFi as if you go over that limit, you will have to pay A LOT more).
- Android 2.3 Gingerbread– So you can run pretty much all the latest Android apps and games. This also has Samsung’s custom TouchWiz UI, which adds even more to Android like Media Hub (Samsung’s version of iTunes for downloading movies and TV shows), better homescreen widgets and tweaks like pinch-to-zoom for switching between your homescreens.
- 1.3 megapixel front-camera and a 5.0 megapixel back-camera– So your video chats and photos look nice and clear.
- 4 GB internal memory and 4 GB pre-installed microSD card– This isn’t much memory, but it will be able to hold a few thousand songs, some videos, and some apps. If you do need more memory, you can also buy a larger microSD card.
The Stratosphere is available now for $149.99 with a new 2 year contract and data plan (or $100 with new year contract and data plan from Best Buy), and if you’re on Verizon and looking for a solid 4G LTE phone that also has a full QWERTY keyboard we think you’re definitely gonna want to check this out.
Samsung and Google Announce The Galaxy Nexus– This Is The Future Of Android
Oct 20th
Thought the Droid RAZR raised the bar for Android phones? Think again. Google and Samsung have finally taken the wraps off of the future of Android and Android phones with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and the Samsung Galaxy Nexus– and put simply both look absolutely incredible.
As always we’ve got all the info you’re gonna want and need to know after the break, so read on. More >
