Posts tagged teens
Texting and Driving #ItCanWait
Sep 24th
When it comes to technology, one of the biggest dangers facing our generation is the danger of texting while driving. We all know its wrong and that it can get us or someone else killed, yet so many of us know people who do it. All it takes is just one glance down to ruin your life. No text is worth it.
You may have noticed companies like AT&T over the last couple of weeks have been promoting a campaign called It Can Wait (or on Twitter #ItCanWait). The goal of this is pretty simple– get people to stop texting while driving. All it takes is that one quick glance down at your phone and you could ruin your life (and if you don’t believe us just try the virtual simulator AT&T created on their site. See if you can keep up a conversation while focusing on the virtual road).
We here at TeensTalkTech have taken the pledge. As we said, no text is worth the dying for.
For more information and to take the pledge yourself check out ItCanWait.com
Info from USA Today
The Teen First Look: Samsung Galaxy Note 2
Sep 24th
At an event late last week in New York we had a chance to check out some really cool things coming out over the next couple of months. One of those cool new things was Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Note 2. The Galaxy Note 2 is the successor to Samsung’s popular Galaxy Note “phablet” (phone/tablet) that was released earlier this year on AT&T and a few months ago on T-Mobile.
The new Note 2 looks to take this giant superphone to new heights, with a 5.5 inch HD Super AMOLED screen (up from 5.3 inches on the original Note), 1.6 GHZ quad-core processor with 2 GB of RAM (so anything you do– text, watch YouTube, check Facebook, play a game– is fast and doesn’t freeze or lag), 8 megapixel back camera with 1.9 megapixel front camera for HD video chat, NFC and 4G LTE support, and 16 GB of built-in storage (with room for another 64 GB through microSD). Oh, and the Note 2 will also launch with the latest and greatest version of Android, version 4.1 Jelly Bean.
After playing with it for a few minutes we gotta say, it is one very nice phone. Read on for our Teen First Look of the Galaxy Note 2.
Microsoft Brings Back Their Back-To-School Deal– But Is It Worth It?
Jun 6th
Well it’s that time of year again. Yup, the school year is almost over, summer vacation is just weeks away and you know what that means: time for back-to-school deals to begin. Last year at this time Microsoft was just taking the wraps off of their back-to-school Windows PC deal and it was so good that this year their bringing it back. Yes, Microsoft will be giving away free 4 GB Xbox 360s with all new PC purchases of $699 or higher as well as a $15 upgrade to the all new Windows 8 when it comes out later this year. And like last year this deal applies to both high school and college students and all you gotta do to get this offer is show your Student ID if your buying in a store or a enter your .edu email address if you’re buying online (this is the email address your college gives you once you enroll).
Unlike last year however, this deal is available in more stores than just the Microsoft Store and Best Buy. In fact Best Buy, Dell.com, Fry’s Electronics, HPDirect.com, Microsoft Stores, and NewEgg.com are all partaking in this years deal.
The Samsung Series 5 Windows 8 Hybrid– one of the many new tablet/laptops you can expect later this year (pic via The Verge)
Now here’s the real question– is this deal worth it? Usually we’d say its a pretty much no brainer of a deal– I mean, you’re getting a brand new computer AND a free Xbox– but with Windows 8 coming later this year things are a bit more complicated. Windows 8 is a major upgrade over Windows 7, with one of its biggest updates being it’s completely optimized for tablets. Now that’s not to say that it doesn’t work well on “traditional” mouse and keyboard computers that don’t have touchscreens, just that later this year we can expect all new computers that look to combine the best of a tablet and a laptop (like the upcoming Samsung in the pic above. Think of it as having all the best of a tablet– apps, awesome battery life and really thin designs– combined with all the power of a normal Windows PC). So for $700-$800 you can get a full Windows computer AND a very good tablet in one.
The downside to this of course is that Windows 8 PCs and tablets aren’t expected to come out until September or October (or around the time school actually starts), so if you’re looking for a new PC we really would recommend to try to wait until then (and if you’re planning on buying a Mac we’d also recommend waiting a week as Apple is rumored to be updating its entire Mac line next Monday at their annual WWDC conference). If you need a new computer right now and can’t wait, then by all means this is stll a solid deal, if not for the Xbox then for the fact that you’ll get Windows 8 for just $15.
Again though, if you can, try to hold out a couple more months– trust us, it’ll be worth it.
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.
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?
