Posts tagged Android
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
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!
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.
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?
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.
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.
