Just like the Sprint version, the RIM BlackBerry Bold 9650 for Verizon brings an update to the carrier’s BlackBerry Tour. It’s not a major overhaul but brings some nice enhancements, including Wi-Fi, double the onboard memory, and an optical touchpad, to make it a worthwhile upgrade. In this review, we will focus on the Verizon-specific features and performance. For more information about the phone’s design and core functions, please read our full review of the RIM BlackBerry Bold 9650 for Sprint. The RIM BlackBerry Bold 9650 is available from Verizon now for $149.99 with a two-year contract and after a $100 mail-in rebate. Features The RIM BlackBerry Bold 9650 is a world phone with dual-mode functionality, meaning that it supports both the CDMA and GSM networks. Here in the States, the smartphone will work on Verizon’s network as usual, but when you travel overseas, it will automatically detect and connect to a GSM network, so you can continue to make calls and receive data. Like the Tour, the Bold supports the 2100MHz UMTS/HSDPA band, so you can get 3G support overseas. In addition, the Bold is Verizon’s first smartphone to support the carrier’s GlobalAccess Connect service, which allows you to use the Bold as a tethered modem while abroad. Plans start at $65 per month with a 5GB data cap in the US and Canada (5 cents per MB overage fee) and 100MB allowance in select countries ($5.12 per MB overage fee). Though the Bold ships with a SIM card, Verizon will allow …Read more...(262 words, estimated 1:03 mins reading time)
michaelsherlock.com The Epic 4G, the galaxy s smartphone for Sprint, is an excellent cell phone. This device sports an excellent QWERTY keyboard, surpassing all but the Touch Pro 2 in terms of comfort and efficiency. With blazing fast 4G networking, the swype keyboard, a high resolution Super AMOLED display, and a Froyo update in the works, I guarantee you the Epic 4G is currently the best Sprint smartphone, and galaxy s model, on the market. At $249.99 on a two year contract, the device isn’t cheap but it is worth the entry cost. For more Epic 4G Videos bit.ly For exclusive content follow me on twitter at twitter.com Read more...(116 words, estimated 28 secs reading time)
HTC Aria. Similar to the HTC HD Mini in design, the Aria runs on Android 2.1 with HTC’s Sense user interface and includes a good deal of features for its size. It’s certainly not the most powerful Android device on the market–power users might want to wait for the recently announced Samsung Captivate–and we’re upset that AT&T has once again blocked third-party app downloads. However, the Aria is a solid midrange smartphone that’s certainly better than the Motorola Backflip, AT&T’s other Android offering. The HTC Aria costs $129.99 with a two-year contract and after a $100 mail-in rebate. We think it should cost a bit less–$100 would be the sweet spot–but its price isn’t unreasonable. Design Though the smartphone design trend appears to be moving toward “bigger is better,” the HTC Aria is representing for the little guys. At just 4.6 inches tall by 2.3 inches wide by 0.5 inch thick and weighing 4.6 ounces, the Aria stands in stark contrast to the HTC Evo 4G . While you might not get that ginormous screen that the Evo has, the Aria’s petite size makes it easy to slip into a pants pocket and more comfortable to h Read more...(205 words, estimated 49 secs reading time)
A video review of the BlackBerry Torch 9800 smartphone on AT&T. The BlackBerry Torch is the first phone featuring the BlackBerry OS 6, and it has a 3.2″ capacitive touch screen with a slide up QWERTY keyboard. The smartphone has a 5 megapixel camera with autofocus lens, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS. It will be available on August 12 on AT&T for $199 with a 2-year contract.
The Motorola i1 is one such handset–it’s the first Google Android phone for Boost Mobile, and it’s also the first Google Android smartphone to run on Nextel’s iDEN network. It’s quite a rugged device–for a touch screen phone anyway–and it’s also the only Android phone to support push-to-talk, which is a big deal if you’re a Boost or Nextel customer. However, the i1 is saddled with Android 1.5, which is a relatively obsolete version of the operating system, and the iDEN network doesn’t have fast data speeds. However, Motorola may release a software update in the future, so we’ll keep hoping for improvements on that front. Overall, it’s certainly not the best Android phone we’ve seen, but it makes for a serviceable touch-screen smartphone, especially if you’re an iDEN die-hard. The Motorola i1 is available for $349.99, but bear in mind that price without a contract from Boost Mobile. Read more...(157 words, estimated 38 secs reading time)
No Contract Price $499.99 2-yr Contract Price $49.99 The good: The RIM BlackBerry Storm features an innovative touch screen that provides tactile feedback to confirm your selection. The Storm offers dual-mode functionality for world-roaming capabilities as well as EV-DO Rev. A and UMTS/HSDPA support. Other highlights include GPS and a 3.2-megapixel camera. The bad: The Storm’s SurePress touch-screen takes some acclimation and the onscreen keyboard is a bit cramped. The smartphone can still be sluggish even after the firmware update. Speakerphone quality was a bit choppy
A video review of the Samsung Intercept Android smartphone on Sprint. The Samsung Intercept has a 3″ touch screen, a 3.2 megapixel camera and a full slide-out QWERTY keyboard. The phone runs Android 2.1, and it has WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS. It’s an entry-level Android phone on Sprint and sells for $99 with a contract after rebate.
Rating: 3/5 – The brains behind RIM are back with an updated version of the Curve, the 8250. And is it good? It could have been. Taking this phone down a peg from ‘good’ to ‘average’ are the same negatives that perpetually stump BlackBerry, with a few unforced errors mixed in. Despite the fact that some of these features have been pointed out time and again, RIM have still avoided dealing with them. Excuses can be given for having a small budget to work with, as the phone is intended to be one of the lower-range releases by the company. Good work, but not good enough for a brand with a reputation to live up to. Read more...(599 words, estimated 2:24 mins reading time)
Leakdroid.com reviews the Motorola Droid, a new Android-based smartphone launching on Verizon Wireless November 6th 2009. The Droid will be $199 w/ new 2-year contract (after $100 Mail-in-Rebate). To read the full review: home.leakdroid.com Stay tuned to Leakdroid.com for more Android News, Reviews, Rumors, and Leaks
Apple iPhone 4 is the biggest upgrade to Apple’s smartphone since the iPhone 3G. It’s also the showcase handset for Apple’s newest operating system, iOS 4, which adds a selection of long-overdue features, plus a selection of smaller tweaks that we weren’t expecting. If they existed independently, iPhone 4 and iOS 4 wouldn’t be much more than blips on the smartphone radar screen. When combined into one handset, however, the result is a sleek, satisfying, and compelling device that keeps Apple strongly competitive in an increasingly crowded marketplace. Indeed, the iPhone 4 is fast, the new hardware is a looker, and some of the new features blew us away. On other points, however, we have some concerns. Call reception still has its problems, and though we welcome multitasking with open arms, it has its drawbacks. Also, though the FaceTime video calling is more than noteworthy, we wonder if our interest will last more than a week. So should you buy it? If you’re an iPhone fan, you’ve probably already ordered your new baby. But if you’re on the fence, think carefully. We won’t say that the iPhone 4 is the best smartphone on the market today. To do so would ignore so many great competing handsets, and the fierce rate of change in the technology world. If you prefer Apple’s vision of a polished, highly organized, and slightly closed user experience, then by all means you’ll be pleased. But if you prefer a smartphone that offers more personalization, that isn’t shackled to AT&T …Read more...(262 words, estimated 1:03 mins reading time)
