Posts Tagged EVO
Alcatel updating Evo line of tablets
Earlier today we reported on Alcatel’s new products being shown at CES 2013. These included some high end smartphones, some new tablet devices, and some lower end smartphones. New products are not the only thing Alcatel is announcing today. They are also releasing some details about some upgrades to their existing line of Alcatel One Touch Evo tablets. The One Touch Evo 7 HD is very similar to the One Touch Tab 7 HD with both devices sporting 7-inch WXGA 1280 x 800 screens backed by 1GB RAM, a 1.6GHz cpu and running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Even the base price is the same at $179. However, the One Touch Evo 7 HD has the option to add a mobile data module. Two versions are available – 3G for $249 and 4G for $349.
Moving down a bit, mirroring the One Touch Tab 7 is the One Touch Evo 7. This 7-inch 1024 x 600 screen device carries 1GB of RAM, a single-core 1GHz cpu and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. The mobile data option is not as impressive either with only an HSPA+21 module and Bluetooth 2.1. Pricing has not been announced for this model.
Be sure to check back throughout the day here at TalkAndroid for more CES 2013 coverage.
source: Engadget
TalkAndroid Staff Picks: Best Android Phone for 2012
One of the best things about being on the Android side of the fence is the sheer number of phones available. Sure it can be confusing at times, but most of us prefer the flexibility that choice offers us. With so many phones, it’s not an easy task picking the best phone for the entire year. It’s nearly impossible to get everyone to agree since everyone is so different. We thought it would be cool to let each member of our incredible staff pick which phone they think is the Mac Daddy for 2012. Hit the break to find out the results and be sure to tell us your choice in the comments.
Robert Nazarian – Editor in Chief
For me the best phone isn’t about popularity, it’s about innovation, styling, usability, and availability. It also doesn’t mean the most popular phone can’t be the best phone, I am just saying they don’t always line up. The other indicator for me is how willing I am to give up my review unit. We have to send back our review units when we have completed our reviews, but I always find a few phones that I have a hard time putting back in the box. In looking at all my criteria it came down to two phones: the HTC One X and the Samsung Galaxy S III. Just before the Galaxy S III was introduced in London, I called the One X the best Android phone hands down. The Galaxy S III did give the One X a run for the money, but I have to give the nod to the One X based on an improved UI, a better display, and a superior build quality. My runner ups included the Nexus 4 for the incredible price and specs ratio as well as the original DROID RAZR MAXX for the incredible 3300mAh battery that was stuffed into a 9mm body. The DROID DNA / Butterfly also came very close to winning it all, but the fact that it isn’t widely available yet took it out of the running, but it was so good I decided to buy one for myself.
Roy Alugbue - Editor
There were a ton of great devices to choose from, but the Samsung Galaxy S III gets the clear nod. The revolutionary device may be a bit underwhelming in terms of its overall design and almost offensive use of plastic materials, but there’s no doubt the device became a household name not just to hardcore Android users, but to the mainstream public as well. Samsung knew it had a potential hit on its hands when it introduced revolutionary features like its quad-core Exynos chip and a stunning 8MP camera that rivaled not only other smartphones, but traditional cameras as well. Then there is the much-improved revamp of its TouchWiz software, which is actually dare I say a compliment to the overall Android experience as opposed to a hindrance. Toss in the fact that both the international and carrier-branded versions are developer-friendly much like Google’s Nexus line, and you have a device that easily caters to both the casual and hardcore Android crowds. Samsung wasn’t kidding when it told the world “The Next Big Thing Is Already Here”… and it has the sales’ numbers to back it up as well.
Ed Caggiani – Author
HTC impressed us when they released the One series earlier in the year. The flagship One X boasts a screen unsurpassed in quality, which is the perfect compliment to the groundbreaking ImageSense camera technology. The sleek design feels great in the hand, and the specs continue to impress.
Sprint bumped things up a notch with the Evo 4G LTE, adding expandable storage and the signature Evo kickstand. Sprint’s LTE network is in its infancy, but with this phone’s power, I don’t feel the need to upgrade anytime soon. Plus, with the recent update to Jelly Bean, it’s like a new phone all over again.
Jeff Causey – Author
I am going with the Galaxy S III not because of anything to do with the technical specifications, though they were impressive when the device was released. Other devices released during the year have matched it and probably surpassed it in some ways. The reason I nominate it is because I think Samsung achieved two feats with the S III. First, they redefined the bar for smartphones. Pretty much every phone released in the latter half of 2012 had to at least match the S III if it wanted to be considered a serious smartphone. That includes the Apple iPhone which brings me to the second feat that Samsung achieved. With the S III, I think Samsung finally has Apple chasing them instead of the other way around. The S III was slick enough, worked well enough, and when combined with the Android operating system, it surpassed the abilities of the iPhone. Of course, Android fans have felt this way for a long time, but the S III moved this in front of the general consumer. If ever there were evidence of this, it is my teenage son who got an iPhone earlier this year and is your typical Apple fanboy. He mentioned to me that he would like an S III now.
Runner up
The Galaxy Note II: If not the absolute top of the line in terms of “more power” hardware, it has to be close to the top. The usefulness of the multi-window function has created enough buzz that the feature is spreading to other platforms. Obviously the S-Pen is a unique feature of the device and is one that I look forward to trying out. A decade ago I was fortunate enough to have access to what then qualified as a tablet device with a stylus and the ability to handwrite on the device helped move me along to becoming (more) paperless. It was an experience I’ve been waiting to replicate and the Galaxy Note II seems to finally be a device that will get me close to that mode once again. Which brings me to why it makes my list – it is the device I’ll be voting with my wallet as I am hoping to buy one in the next few days.
Macky Evangelista – Author
With 2012 coming to a close, it’s safe to say Android dominated the mobile tech world due to so many successful devices. With monster flagships launching this year from every Android vendor, it’s difficult to just pick one as the best device. We have HTC beginning the year with their One X and ending it with the Droid DNA, Samsung releasing the most popular Android device to date with the Galaxy S III and yet outdoing that with the Note II. Then we even have LG getting into the mix with their Optimus G. In my opinion, undoubtedly the best Android device that came out this year came from Google themselves with the LG Nexus 4. Unlike their previous Nexus device, the Galaxy Nexus, this time around Google made sure they equipped the Nexus 4 with the best specs possible. It’s free from custom UI’s and will get updates as quickly as Google pushes them out. I can honestly say that it’s the first device I’ve ever owned that has yet to lag or slow down.
Jared Peters – Author
Rudy Rivapalacio – Author
Alex Enfiedjian – Author
What can I say, I’m a Nexus fan boy. I love the stock Android experience, the quick updates and the hassle-free life of no carrier contracts. The Nexus 4 is a phone (and a strategy) that seeks to revolutionize the industry in that it has (almost) all of the right features at an incredible off contract price. $299/$350 for a phone with a big, beautiful screen, a speedy processor, a great camera, good battery life, high quality construction and the pure Google Android experience is a winner in every possible way. Some people gripe about the lack of LTE, but in our WiFi saturated country you can almost always find an open network for quick download speeds. Even if you’re out and about, the data speeds on the Nexus 4 are more than adequate for most of your needs (especially if you’re connected to T-Mobile’s HSPA+ 42 network). Because of all these reasons and many more, my vote for best phone of 2012 is the Nexus 4. Good job Google. Now, next time if you could get the launch right.
TalkAndroid Staff Picks: Best Android Phone for 2012
One of the best things about being on the Android side of the fence is the sheer number of phones available. Sure it can be confusing at times, but most of us prefer the flexibility that choice offers us. With so many phones, it’s not an easy task picking the best phone for the entire year. It’s nearly impossible to get everyone to agree since everyone is so different. We thought it would be cool to let each member of our incredible staff pick which phone they think is the Mac Daddy for 2012. Hit the break to find out the results and be sure to tell us your choice in the comments.
Robert Nazarian – Editor in Chief
For me the best phone isn’t about popularity, it’s about innovation, styling, usability, and availability. It also doesn’t mean the most popular phone can’t be the best phone, I am just saying they don’t always line up. The other indicator for me is how willing I am to give up my review unit. We have to send back our review units when we have completed our reviews, but I always find a few phones that I have a hard time putting back in the box. In looking at all my criteria it came down to two phones: the HTC One X and the Samsung Galaxy S III. Just before the Galaxy S III was introduced in London, I called the One X the best Android phone hands down. The Galaxy S III did give the One X a run for the money, but I have to give the nod to the One X based on an improved UI, a better display, and a superior build quality. My runner ups included the Nexus 4 for the incredible price and specs ratio as well as the original DROID RAZR MAXX for the incredible 3300mAh battery that was stuffed into a 9mm body. The DROID DNA / Butterfly also came very close to winning it all, but the fact that it isn’t widely available yet took it out of the running, but it was so good I decided to buy one for myself.
Roy Alugbue - Editor
There were a ton of great devices to choose from, but the Samsung Galaxy S III gets the clear nod. The revolutionary device may be a bit underwhelming in terms of its overall design and almost offensive use of plastic materials, but there’s no doubt the device became a household name not just to hardcore Android users, but to the mainstream public as well. Samsung knew it had a potential hit on its hands when it introduced revolutionary features like its quad-core Exynos chip and a stunning 8MP camera that rivaled not only other smartphones, but traditional cameras as well. Then there is the much-improved revamp of its TouchWiz software, which is actually dare I say a compliment to the overall Android experience as opposed to a hindrance. Toss in the fact that both the international and carrier-branded versions are developer-friendly much like Google’s Nexus line, and you have a device that easily caters to both the casual and hardcore Android crowds. Samsung wasn’t kidding when it told the world “The Next Big Thing Is Already Here”… and it has the sales’ numbers to back it up as well.
Ed Caggiani – Author
HTC impressed us when they released the One series earlier in the year. The flagship One X boasts a screen unsurpassed in quality, which is the perfect compliment to the groundbreaking ImageSense camera technology. The sleek design feels great in the hand, and the specs continue to impress.
Sprint bumped things up a notch with the Evo 4G LTE, adding expandable storage and the signature Evo kickstand. Sprint’s LTE network is in its infancy, but with this phone’s power, I don’t feel the need to upgrade anytime soon. Plus, with the recent update to Jelly Bean, it’s like a new phone all over again.
Jeff Causey – Author
I am going with the Galaxy S III not because of anything to do with the technical specifications, though they were impressive when the device was released. Other devices released during the year have matched it and probably surpassed it in some ways. The reason I nominate it is because I think Samsung achieved two feats with the S III. First, they redefined the bar for smartphones. Pretty much every phone released in the latter half of 2012 had to at least match the S III if it wanted to be considered a serious smartphone. That includes the Apple iPhone which brings me to the second feat that Samsung achieved. With the S III, I think Samsung finally has Apple chasing them instead of the other way around. The S III was slick enough, worked well enough, and when combined with the Android operating system, it surpassed the abilities of the iPhone. Of course, Android fans have felt this way for a long time, but the S III moved this in front of the general consumer. If ever there were evidence of this, it is my teenage son who got an iPhone earlier this year and is your typical Apple fanboy. He mentioned to me that he would like an S III now.
Runner up
The Galaxy Note II: If not the absolute top of the line in terms of “more power” hardware, it has to be close to the top. The usefulness of the multi-window function has created enough buzz that the feature is spreading to other platforms. Obviously the S-Pen is a unique feature of the device and is one that I look forward to trying out. A decade ago I was fortunate enough to have access to what then qualified as a tablet device with a stylus and the ability to handwrite on the device helped move me along to becoming (more) paperless. It was an experience I’ve been waiting to replicate and the Galaxy Note II seems to finally be a device that will get me close to that mode once again. Which brings me to why it makes my list – it is the device I’ll be voting with my wallet as I am hoping to buy one in the next few days.
Macky Evangelista – Author
With 2012 coming to a close, it’s safe to say Android dominated the mobile tech world due to so many successful devices. With monster flagships launching this year from every Android vendor, it’s difficult to just pick one as the best device. We have HTC beginning the year with their One X and ending it with the Droid DNA, Samsung releasing the most popular Android device to date with the Galaxy S III and yet outdoing that with the Note II. Then we even have LG getting into the mix with their Optimus G. In my opinion, undoubtedly the best Android device that came out this year came from Google themselves with the LG Nexus 4. Unlike their previous Nexus device, the Galaxy Nexus, this time around Google made sure they equipped the Nexus 4 with the best specs possible. It’s free from custom UI’s and will get updates as quickly as Google pushes them out. I can honestly say that it’s the first device I’ve ever owned that has yet to lag or slow down.
Jared Peters – Author
Rudy Rivapalacio – Author
Alex Enfiedjian – Author
What can I say, I’m a Nexus fan boy. I love the stock Android experience, the quick updates and the hassle-free life of no carrier contracts. The Nexus 4 is a phone (and a strategy) that seeks to revolutionize the industry in that it has (almost) all of the right features at an incredible off contract price. $299/$350 for a phone with a big, beautiful screen, a speedy processor, a great camera, good battery life, high quality construction and the pure Google Android experience is a winner in every possible way. Some people gripe about the lack of LTE, but in our WiFi saturated country you can almost always find an open network for quick download speeds. Even if you’re out and about, the data speeds on the Nexus 4 are more than adequate for most of your needs (especially if you’re connected to T-Mobile’s HSPA+ 42 network). Because of all these reasons and many more, my vote for best phone of 2012 is the Nexus 4. Good job Google. Now, next time if you could get the launch right.
TalkAndroid Staff Picks: Best Android Phone for 2012
One of the best things about being on the Android side of the fence is the sheer number of phones available. Sure it can be confusing at times, but most of us prefer the flexibility that choice offers us. With so many phones, it’s not an easy task picking the best phone for the entire year. It’s nearly impossible to get everyone to agree since everyone is so different. We thought it would be cool to let each member of our incredible staff pick which phone they think is the Mac Daddy for 2012. Hit the break to find out the results and be sure to tell us your choice in the comments.
Robert Nazarian – Editor in Chief
For me the best phone isn’t about popularity, it’s about innovation, styling, usability, and availability. It also doesn’t mean the most popular phone can’t be the best phone, I am just saying they don’t always line up. The other indicator for me is how willing I am to give up my review unit. We have to send back our review units when we have completed our reviews, but I always find a few phones that I have a hard time putting back in the box. In looking at all my criteria it came down to two phones: the HTC One X and the Samsung Galaxy S III. Just before the Galaxy S III was introduced in London, I called the One X the best Android phone hands down. The Galaxy S III did give the One X a run for the money, but I have to give the nod to the One X based on an improved UI, a better display, and a superior build quality. My runner ups included the Nexus 4 for the incredible price and specs ratio as well as the original DROID RAZR MAXX for the incredible 3300mAh battery that was stuffed into a 9mm body. The DROID DNA / Butterfly also came very close to winning it all, but the fact that it isn’t widely available yet took it out of the running, but it was so good I decided to buy one for myself.
Roy Alugbue - Editor
There were a ton of great devices to choose from, but the Samsung Galaxy S III gets the clear nod. The revolutionary device may be a bit underwhelming in terms of its overall design and almost offensive use of plastic materials, but there’s no doubt the device became a household name not just to hardcore Android users, but to the mainstream public as well. Samsung knew it had a potential hit on its hands when it introduced revolutionary features like its quad-core Exynos chip and a stunning 8MP camera that rivaled not only other smartphones, but traditional cameras as well. Then there is the much-improved revamp of its TouchWiz software, which is actually dare I say a compliment to the overall Android experience as opposed to a hindrance. Toss in the fact that both the international and carrier-branded versions are developer-friendly much like Google’s Nexus line, and you have a device that easily caters to both the casual and hardcore Android crowds. Samsung wasn’t kidding when it told the world “The Next Big Thing Is Already Here”… and it has the sales’ numbers to back it up as well.
Ed Caggiani – Author
HTC impressed us when they released the One series earlier in the year. The flagship One X boasts a screen unsurpassed in quality, which is the perfect compliment to the groundbreaking ImageSense camera technology. The sleek design feels great in the hand, and the specs continue to impress.
Sprint bumped things up a notch with the Evo 4G LTE, adding expandable storage and the signature Evo kickstand. Sprint’s LTE network is in its infancy, but with this phone’s power, I don’t feel the need to upgrade anytime soon. Plus, with the recent update to Jelly Bean, it’s like a new phone all over again.
Jeff Causey – Author
I am going with the Galaxy S III not because of anything to do with the technical specifications, though they were impressive when the device was released. Other devices released during the year have matched it and probably surpassed it in some ways. The reason I nominate it is because I think Samsung achieved two feats with the S III. First, they redefined the bar for smartphones. Pretty much every phone released in the latter half of 2012 had to at least match the S III if it wanted to be considered a serious smartphone. That includes the Apple iPhone which brings me to the second feat that Samsung achieved. With the S III, I think Samsung finally has Apple chasing them instead of the other way around. The S III was slick enough, worked well enough, and when combined with the Android operating system, it surpassed the abilities of the iPhone. Of course, Android fans have felt this way for a long time, but the S III moved this in front of the general consumer. If ever there were evidence of this, it is my teenage son who got an iPhone earlier this year and is your typical Apple fanboy. He mentioned to me that he would like an S III now.
Runner up
The Galaxy Note II: If not the absolute top of the line in terms of “more power” hardware, it has to be close to the top. The usefulness of the multi-window function has created enough buzz that the feature is spreading to other platforms. Obviously the S-Pen is a unique feature of the device and is one that I look forward to trying out. A decade ago I was fortunate enough to have access to what then qualified as a tablet device with a stylus and the ability to handwrite on the device helped move me along to becoming (more) paperless. It was an experience I’ve been waiting to replicate and the Galaxy Note II seems to finally be a device that will get me close to that mode once again. Which brings me to why it makes my list – it is the device I’ll be voting with my wallet as I am hoping to buy one in the next few days.
Macky Evangelista – Author
With 2012 coming to a close, it’s safe to say Android dominated the mobile tech world due to so many successful devices. With monster flagships launching this year from every Android vendor, it’s difficult to just pick one as the best device. We have HTC beginning the year with their One X and ending it with the Droid DNA, Samsung releasing the most popular Android device to date with the Galaxy S III and yet outdoing that with the Note II. Then we even have LG getting into the mix with their Optimus G. In my opinion, undoubtedly the best Android device that came out this year came from Google themselves with the LG Nexus 4. Unlike their previous Nexus device, the Galaxy Nexus, this time around Google made sure they equipped the Nexus 4 with the best specs possible. It’s free from custom UI’s and will get updates as quickly as Google pushes them out. I can honestly say that it’s the first device I’ve ever owned that has yet to lag or slow down.
Jared Peters – Author
Rudy Rivapalacio – Author
Alex Enfiedjian – Author
What can I say, I’m a Nexus fan boy. I love the stock Android experience, the quick updates and the hassle-free life of no carrier contracts. The Nexus 4 is a phone (and a strategy) that seeks to revolutionize the industry in that it has (almost) all of the right features at an incredible off contract price. $299/$350 for a phone with a big, beautiful screen, a speedy processor, a great camera, good battery life, high quality construction and the pure Google Android experience is a winner in every possible way. Some people gripe about the lack of LTE, but in our WiFi saturated country you can almost always find an open network for quick download speeds. Even if you’re out and about, the data speeds on the Nexus 4 are more than adequate for most of your needs (especially if you’re connected to T-Mobile’s HSPA+ 42 network). Because of all these reasons and many more, my vote for best phone of 2012 is the Nexus 4. Good job Google. Now, next time if you could get the launch right.
Leaked Jelly Bean Update List Comes Out for HTC
Alright fellow HTC brothers and sisters. Time to find out if your HTC phone will be getting some Jelly Bean…sometime soon. Yes, unfortunately there are no dates confirmed, just a list of HTC phones that will definitely be getting some of that chewy candy. This list comes from Football4PDA who I guess is notorious for leaks such as this. Here is the list:
- HTC One X+
- HTC One XL
- HTC DROID Incredible 4G LTE
- HTC EVO 4G LTE
- HTC One SV
- HTC One VX
- HTC One S
- HTC One S C2
- HTC J
So as you can see, all the One series phones will be getting Jelly Bean, which makes perfect sense. So hopefully the update will start rolling out early next year, so those of you that have not rooted your phone can taste the pure greatness of Jelly Bean.
Source: Talk Android
Ting begins ‘bring your Sprint phone’ program, lures you to the contract-free side
Ting, a curiously structured MVNO utilizing Sprint’s network, has a pretty interesting pricing structure. For ridiculously light users, it’s bound to save some dough, but heavier users may not fare so well. For those who’ve yet to hop on the myriad other MNVO networks that tap into Sprint’s infrastructure, Ting is now inviting those with Sprint handsets to give their service a try. The “Bring a Sprint device to Ting” initiative launched today, supporting seven handsets in total: HTC’s Evo 3D, 4G and Shift; Samsung’s Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch and Epic 4G; LG’s Optimus S; and Motorola’s Photon 4G. BlackBerry phones, the iPhone, LTE and push-to-talk phones aren’t supported, so you can go ahead and toss those dreams aside. That said, those of you who are still in the mix after that blow can find out more on the transition process by visiting the source link. Godspeed, network jumpers.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Sprint
Hot in the forums: The impending EVO 4G LTE update

If you've never spent time in a forum for a Sprint device, well, things can get a little a little rowdy. Such is the case for the HTC EVO 4G LTE, which never really got the respect it deserved. (Much of that probably should be placed on Sprint's shoulders, but we digress.)
Currently the hot topic is a rumored update. Is it Jelly Bean? Is it just some other maintenance release? And just when will said update ever see the light of day? These questions — and more — in our EVO 4G LTE forum.
Virgin Mobile offering holiday discounts on handsets
Virgin Mobile is all about deals for service and handsets, and it's adding some limited-time special deals for the holidays. The Samsung Galaxy SII (S2) has been $70 off since Monday, now just $299 off contract, and will stay that way through next Monday. The venerable HTC EVO 4G will be on sale for $199 and the Samsung Galaxy Reverb just $99 through Monday also, both $100 off.
You'll see the EVO 4G go on sale starting Friday, and the Galaxy Reverb starting Thursday. Virgin offers all of these devices off-contract, with monthly plans starting at just $35.
Source: Virgin Mobile
HTC Droid DNA Gets Root, Custom Recovery, And Modified Kernel Ahead Of Official Release
That sure didn’t take long. Just two days after the official announcement – and still a few days away from retail availability – the Droid DNA has already been rooted and gotten some goodies from famed Android modder/hacker dsb9938. Apparently the DNA is unlockable using HTC’s official bootloader unlock tool, which allows a custom kernel to be flashed. The first available kernel has only been slightly modified to allow root in adb connections – a requisite in order to flash the custom recovery and root the device.
After going through the unlock process, the kernel is flashable via fasboot. With that out of the way, you’re free to flash the recovery, which is also flashed with fastboot.
- CyanogenMod 7 Alphas Now Available For The HTC Evo 3D and Sensation
- Achievement Unlocked! EVO 4G Now Fully Rooted, NAND Protection Defeated, Full Write Permissions To /system. Incredible Next?
- The Moment You’ve Been Waiting For – CyanogenMod 7 Beta/RC0 For The Droid X Available For Download
- Workaround To Bypass The Locked Bootloader On The Verizon Galaxy S III Allows Custom Kernels
HTC Droid DNA Gets Root, Custom Recovery, And Modified Kernel Ahead Of Official Release was written by the awesome team at Android Police.
Samsung Galaxy S III holiday sale for $49.99
US carrier Sprint has dropped the price of Samsung Galaxy S III to just $49.99 (originally $99.99) for its new customers. Android smartphone lovers and enthusiasts are given an opportunity to own the device considered as one of the most powerful and feature-packed handset at a very low price. While it hasn’t been revealed until when this offer would last, it is believed to be in preparation for the holidays. Interested parties are advised to visit Amazon Wireless to avail this great deal.
While this deal is a great offering, there are some of the conditions you have to fulfill before you can avail it:
- You should choose only between the blue and white 16GB variants. No information was provided whether there are plans to offer Galaxy S III with higher capacity at a price as low as this.
- You should be a new customer for Sprint. Current customers are not eligible for this promotional price and there is no upgrade plan just yet. However, it is expected that the carrier will give its existing customer something for the holidays.
- The new customer should sign up for Sprint’s family plan. There is no exception, you should either sign up for the family contract or have to pay the regular price.
For those who might be looking for mid-range smartphones but don’t want to spend more, the prices of Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G and HTC Evo 4G LTE have also been dropped to $0.01 and $19.99, respectively. You can get either of these phones with an individual contract.
Offerings like these don’t happen so often and most of the times the promotion would last for not very long. These devices have really impressive specs, especially the Galaxy S III, with a lot of features everybody can enjoy. Here are the links of each device posted on Amazon Wireless.
Sprint Samsung Galaxy S III – $49.99
Sprint Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G – $0.01
Sprint HTC Evo LTE 4G – $19.99
Galaxy S2 coming fashionably late to Virgin Mobile
The Samsung Galaxy SII (S2) is making its way to Virgin Mobile. Yes, the Galaxy S2. Virgin Mobile has been reclaiming older devices and offering them at reasonable prices since Sprint has started moving to LTE and offloaded its WiMax network to prepaid operators. It started with devices like the Evo 3D coming to Virgin, and it will continue today with the Galaxy S2. We're going to go ahead and assume this device is going to look the exact same as Sprint's Galaxy S2 (Epic 4G Touch) from mid last year — if the Boost Mobile variant is any indication — save for probably a different logo on the back.
The device will be $369.99 without a contract, in both silver and white, from November 15th. Virgin Mobile "Beyond Talk" plans start at $35 per month for unlimited messaging and data.
Source: Virgin Mobile Newsroom
[Black Friday Deal Alert] Samsung Galaxy S III From Sam’s Club For $0.96 With Qualifying Two-Year Agreement
Ah, Black Friday. The biggest (and most malevolent) shopping day of the year. A day of good deals, hateful people, and… other stuff. If you’re willing to brave the all that for a new phone, Sam’s Club has you covered this year, with the Galaxy S III going for less than a buck with a new two-year agreement.
From what we gathered by calling a few different Sam’s stores, this is good for all four carriers (so long as your local Sam’s has them all). The ad doesn’t specify, but it would just be silly to sell them for this cheap on one or two carriers and not the others.
- Sprint Will Officially Carry The Evo 4G LTE In Stores June 2nd, Finally
- Samsung Releases Figures For 2010: Over 10 Million Galaxy S Phones Sold, Tab Sales Mysteriously Absent
- [New App] Sleep Time Alarm Clock Sees You When You’re Sleeping, Knows When You Should Wake Up
- Google I/O 2012 Registration Begins On March 27th At 7AM To The Tune Of $900 Per Ticket
[Black Friday Deal Alert] Samsung Galaxy S III From Sam’s Club For $0.96 With Qualifying Two-Year Agreement was written by the awesome team at Android Police.
Cruzerlite Androidified Clone Army Nexus 7 TPU Case Review
Finding just the right case for my Nexus 7 has been a challenge. I’ve tried the effective and highly flexible, yet very bulky rooCASE, as well as the updated Ultra Slim rooCASE. Both of these serve their purposes well, with the Ultra Slim edging out the original due to its much slimmer profile.
But there is another class of case that I needed to check out. Currently, my phone is an HTC Evo 4G LTE and I’ve been using a Cruzerlite TPU case on that for a while and I love it. TPU stands for Thermoplastic Polyurethane, which is a class of plastic that has many great properties for an electronics case, including elasticity, transparency, oil resistance, and durability. My Evo has never felt so protected.
So when I saw that Cruzerlite was making a TPU case for the Nexus 7, I jumped on it. After spending a couple of weeks using the case, I decided to write up a review with my thoughts. Hit the break for all the details.
Features
The Cruzerlite site lists the following features:
- Shock absorbent
- Made from TPU material
- Sleek, lightweight design
- Cutouts for all ports and buttons
- Screen left exposed for full functionality
- Easy to apply and remove
- Anti-scratch material
I have to say that everything the feature list mentions is absolutely true. The TPU material is absolutely shock absorbent while remaining very light. It is also a breeze to put on. Most cases I have tried have their quirks when trying to insert the device, but the Cruzerlite case is by far the easiest to get on and off.
The case comes in eleven fancy colors and contains Bugdroid, the Android robot, etched into it as a repeating pattern. Android fans will love that… I know I do.
When the case is on, it barely adds to the size or thickness of the Nexus 7. It’s like a second skin. Though the back of the Nexus 7 is not slippery by any means, the Cruzerlite case is even less so, adding a nice grippy feeling that makes you feel secure when holding it.
The cutouts for the buttons and speaker are all cut perfectly and provide unfettered access to your entire device. This is a step up in my opinion from the official Google case that actually covers the power and volume buttons. The TPU material also helps keep the case nice and snug, keeping the cutouts always aligned properly. Leather cases tend to have a bit more give and the device moves around a bit inside them, sometimes causing button positions to shift a bit. Not an issue here.
The Good
Everything I mentioned above shows how great this case is. It’s durable, scratch resistant, thin, snug, and stylish. It’s also very affordable at only $19.90 from Cruzerlite’s web site.
So what’s not to like about it?
The Bad
Obviously, one disadvantage of this case over some of the other cases out there is that it does not offer a way to prop the device up to watch videos. It is merely a cover that protects the body, nothing more. That might be enough for some, but if you’re looking to watch a movie on your Nexus, be prepared to hold it in your hand or lean it against something.
The only other negative thing I would say about this case is that it doesn’t protect the screen at all. The case covers every inch of the device except the screen, as you can see in the following picture.
That being said, it is the perfect case for you if you carry your Nexus 7 in a bag or sleeve of some sort, and only take it out when you use it. For me, that’s not how I carry my Nexus. I prefer a case that protects not only the body, but the screen as well.
Conclusion
All in all, the Cruzerlite Androidified Clone Army Nexus 7 TPU Case is a solid entry as long as you don’t need to prop up the tablet or care about screen protection. I do really like the look and feel of this case, but since I throw my Nexus 7 into a backpack with lots of other loose objects, I require full time screen protection.
source: cruzerlite
[Deal] Amazon Wireless offering pair of HTC phones at deep discount for new accounts
Are you hoping to get your hands on a new HTC smartphone? Amazon Wireless has a couple options available if you are ready to open a new account with either AT&T or Sprint.
For potential AT&T customers, you can get your hands on an HTC One X in white for only $19.99. Existing customers can upgrade their phone for $99.99 with a contract extension. If you would prefer to go with Sprint, you can grab an HTC EVO LTE 4G for only $69.99 with a new contract. Those just looking for an upgrade will have to pay $149.99.
Hit the source links to visit Amazon Wireless to see whether you qualify for an upgrade or if you are ready to open a new account and pick up one of these HTC phones in the process.
source: Amazon Wireless – AT&T HTC One X, Sprint HTC EVO LTE
According to Sprint, over 1 million Sprint LTE devices have now been sold
According to Sprint’s Chief Executive Officer Dan Hesse, the company has reached a milestone of over 1 million LTE devices sold. Sprint offers some great LTE devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S III and HTC EVO 4G LTE. Sprint offers their LTE service in 19 (and counting) different metropolitan areas.
I know Sprint hasn’t exactly always had the best rap when it comes to their 3G service, or their service in general. From our Sprint readers, how has LTE been for you guys?
source: Sprint
Amzer Shellster ShellCase and Holster review
The Shellster ShellCase by Amzer is an inexpensive but solid snap-on case and holster for the HTC One X, HTC One S, HTC EVO LTE, and Samsung Galaxy S 3. Both the case and the holster have steep, pronounced horizontal ridges that add a ton of grip, though the edge of the case is simple and smooth. The holster’s clip doubles as a kickstand and works great in both landscape and portrait orientation. Best of all, the combo is really affordable at $14.95.
Amzer Shellster ShellCase and Holster review
The Shellster ShellCase by Amzer is an inexpensive but solid snap-on case and holster for the HTC One X, HTC One S, HTC EVO LTE, and Samsung Galaxy S 3. Both the case and the holster have steep, pronounced horizontal ridges that add a ton of grip, though the edge of the case is simple and smooth. The holster’s clip doubles as a kickstand and works great in both landscape and portrait orientation. Best of all, the combo is really affordable at $14.95.
HTC EVO 4G LTE update rolling out, includes Sense 4.1
According to a few forums, it appears that owners of Sprint’s HTC EVO 4G are beginning to receive a software update. While the update does not include an upgrade to Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean), it does provide a minor update bringing it to version 4.0.4. This latest software version, reportedly 2.13.651.1.710RD, also brings with it Sense 4.1 – HTC’s latest custom UI. The update appears to be a minor one encompassing the frequently used “Bug Fixes”, however an official, complete change-log has not been made available at this time. We’ll keep you updated on any official word.
source: AndroidForums
Gift Card Redemption Showing Up In Google Play Store For Some
If you have Google Play Store version 3.8.16 (or .17) installed, check your overflow menu. You might see a new entry labeled “Redeem” which shows just how close we are to seeing Google Play Gift Cards go live. Not every device that has the latest Play Store is seeing this yet (no joy on my Evo 4G LTE) but our editor got lucky on his Galaxy Nexus (seen in the screenshot above). We should start seeing this pop up on more devices soon.
Gift Cards should be a huge boon to the Play Store, and we’re ecstatic that they’re finally coming. More people will spend in the Play Store, making devs happy, and we’ll all benefit from more and better apps. Nothing is better than a happy developer.
So who’s seeing the redeem option?
Boost Mobile HTC EVO Design 4G review

Contract-free and prepaid carriers are gaining in popularity. But when prepaid Android devices starting hitting those markets, they tended to be lower-tier phones. But recently we have seen plenty of great devices hitting various prepaid carriers, one of them being the HTC EVO Design 4G, which recently hit Boost Mobile.
Looking to get a taste of Ice Cream Sandwich in your hands, without breaking the bank monthly, and locking yourself into a new two year agreement? With lower monthly costs and the same high quality, could the HTC EVO 4G Design be your next Android device?
HTC EVO 4G LTE to get HD Voice support by the end of the year
Sprint is looking to launch HD voice calling soon as it has indicated it would launch the feature on the HTC EVO 4G LTE. Things are expected to be operational by the end of this year according to PhoneScoop.
Unfortunately the feature will probably get little use because both parties must have a phone capable of handling HD Voice — that means EVO 4G LTE owners would have to speak to other EVO 4G LTE owners until more devices get the feature.
Sprint won’t be making a huge push for HD Voice this year because they’re still preparing network improvements and devices that can handle it.
Things should be in full swing by 2013, though, and Sprint’s expecting it to be a big part of their network enhancements in 2014. We’re excited but we still have a long way to go. [via PhoneScoop]
HTC Evo Design 4G Gets Bumped Up To Ice Cream Sandwich, Just Like Its Big Brother
Continuing the long string of updates being released today, the HTC Evo Design 4G, one of Sprint’s mid-level Evo devices, is getting an update to Ice Cream Sandwich today. The update should begin rolling out soon and will bring the device up to Android 4.0. The update stops short of all the fun stuff Jelly Bean has to offer, but this should still do wonders to bring the device up to the modern era.
We had previously heard that both of the Evos seeing updates today would be on schedule to receive ICS by “early August.” So, it actually looks like Sprint is just a smidge ahead of schedule.
Official Android Police t-shirts are now on sale, with over 25 designs to call yours.
- HTC: EVO 3D, Sensation 4G (And Global) Bootloader Unlock Will Roll Out In August – Sort Of
- HTC EVO 4G Maintenance Update 4.53.651.1 Rolling Out Over The Next 1-2 Weeks – Here’s What It Fixes
- Sprint Pushing Minor Bug-Fix OTAs To The Kyocera Echo And LG Marquee
- HTC Phones To Receive Froyo Before Christmas
- The Wait Is Finally Over For Samsung Fascinate Owners: Froyo Update Is Ready
HTC Evo Design 4G Gets Bumped Up To Ice Cream Sandwich, Just Like Its Big Brother was written by the awesome team at Android Police.
ZTE Flash for Sprint leaked with 4.5-inch screen and LTE

Hot on the heels of the recently released Grand X, it looks like ZTE is pairing up with Sprint to launch a new LTE handset, the Flash. As far as specs, it seems to tick all the boxes: a 4.5" 720×1280 display, dual-core 1.5 Ghz processor, 1GB of RAM and a 12.6MP camera. There are just a couple shortcomings at first glance though, mainly the rather small 8GB of storage and 1780 mAh battery, which don't compare favorably to recent top tier handsets like the Evo 4G LTE and Galaxy SIII.
We'll only know for sure when Sprint drops the official release date and pricing on this one. It could be a real contender, and more high-end device competition can only be a good thing.
Source: Talk Android
Sprint Galaxy Nexus and Samsung Galaxy S3 Receive OTA Updates – EVO 4G LTE To Follow
Sprint has been busy updating the software on their 4G LTE lineup, starting with the Galaxy Nexus and Samsung Galaxy S3. Both these devices received similar updates addressing the usual bug fixes, with the common fix involving flipping the switch on the default 4G LTE setting from off, to on. I’ve been chatting with my Sprint buddy, and a similar update will soon be rolling out to the HTC EVO 4G LTE as well. Here’s the changelog as posted in the official Sprint Community forums:
If you’re not currently in one of Sprint’s few LTE markets and are looking to save on some battery life, now you know to use the appropriate method to turn the LTE switch back to off. Expect a changelog for the EVO LTE coming sometime in the next few days as well.
Increased download speeds, No Flash woes [From the Forums]

Just in case you missed out on some of the Android news today, now is the time to go ahead and get yourself fully caught up. Here on the blogs and in the Android Central Forums there is plenty to talk about. Have some questions? Need some help or just looking to chat Android? You know where to go, check out some of the threads below to get started.
- Google Nexus 7 Tablet Forums - No flash got you down? Try this fix
- HTC EVO 4G LTE Forums - How to use Google Wallet?
- HTC One X Forums - Has the One X already lost steam?
- Samsung Galaxy S III Forums – Lots of apps force closing
- Galaxy Nexus Forums - Galaxy Nexus 4.1 update increased data speeds?
If you're not already a member of the Android Central forums, you can register your account today.
HTC releases kernel source for both the T-Mobile One S and the Sprint EVO 4G LTE
HTC seems to be running a little slow with kernel releases, but better late than never. They just released the kernel source for both the T-Mobile One S and the Sprint EVO 4G LTE. Again these source codes don’t mean much unless you’re a developer, but if you own one of these phones, you can be on the look out for better performance from custom ROMs.
source: HTCDev
Android Other: AT&T Galaxy Note and Galaxy SII Skyrocket Receive ICS, HTC New Tablet, Wallet Fixed on EVO 4G LTE
ICS Rolling out to AT&T Galaxy Note and Galaxy SII Skyrocket Today We all know the story with Ice Cream Sandwich updates so far, it’s one of the best things that can happen to your phone; as long as your carrier decides you can have it. AT&T has approved ICS updates to their Galaxy Note [...]
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HTC EVO 4G LTE kernel source released

HTC has (finally) released the kernel source for the EVO 4G LTE, allowing developers to build their own custom kernels for Sprint's flagship. The majority of users won't have any reason to grab it and get down to business, but we all will benefit when the developers give us something sweet to flash. Custom kernels can make the biggest difference, as third party developers can tweak things and squeeze extra performance, as they target advanced users with their wares. We like performance. We like tweaks.
If you're in need of source for your own project, or one of those mentioned developers, grab it at the link below. Game on.
Source: HTC Dev; via EVO 4G LTE forums




































