Thursday, November 1, 2012

Android Authority

Android Authority


More people are now using Gmail than Microsoft’s Hotmail or Yahoo! Mail

Posted: 01 Nov 2012 02:24 AM PDT

When Google launched Gmail on April Fools’ Day in 2004, everyone thought it was a joke. What kind of company would be crazy enough to offer their users 1 GB of free email? You have to remember, back in those days you were lucky if you got 100 MB. More storage wasn’t the only reason people jumped to Google’s email service though, the user interface was absolutely incredible. Threaded conversations, meaning the ability to see multiple replies in one long list, made email usable again. Labels, instead of folders, made compartmentalizing messages a walk in the park.

According to the researchers at comScore, October was the first month in recorded history where more people visited Gmail than Microsoft’s competing email service, Hotmail. They say that 287.9 million unique visitors went to Gmail.com in October, versus 286.2 million for Hotmail in the same period. Yahoo! Mail is in third place with 281.7 million views, but it’s in first place if you look at just the United States.

If you’re not yet using Gmail … what’s wrong with you? Google lets you use your own domain, so if you want to use that URL you bought a few years ago, you’re more than welcome to do so. And there’s also Google Apps for small businesses. Why go with Exchange when Google’s service is cheaper and easier to use?

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Amazon offers Droid Razr HD for $129.99, Droid Razr Maxx HD priced at $179.99

Posted: 01 Nov 2012 02:18 AM PDT

Motorola Droid RAZR Maxx HD

The Droid Razr HD and the Droid Razr Maxx HD, two of Motorola's flagship offerings, are no strangers to price cuts and discounts – not that we have any problem with that. If you're still having second thoughts about getting one of the two, the latest offers that Amazon has for them should make it somewhat easier for you to get your wallet out.

Starting with the Motorola Droid Razr HD, the 4.7-inch phone is now offered on Amazon Wireless for $129.99 with a two-year contract. The deal is only valid if you're a new Verizon subscriber. If you're looking to upgrade, the price is set at $149.99.

As for the Droid Razr Maxx HD, new customers can get the phone for $179.99 on contract, while upgraders need only shell out $20 more. It's an inviting price for a super smartphone that can last a full day with heavy use and then some more.

The two smartphones only ship with Ice Cream Sandwich, but Motorola has given its words that an upgrade to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean is coming. And you know what, we tend to believe Moto this time around. Hit the links if you want to make use of the special offers.

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RIM’s BlackBerry 10 devices are now in the hands of over 50 operators

Posted: 01 Nov 2012 12:42 AM PDT

Research in Motion (RIM) is going to launch a brand spanking new smartphone platform called “BlackBerry 10″ during the first quarter of 2013. The company’s CEO, Thorsten Heins, just published a letter saying that the platform is currently being tested by over 50 operators. He also says that when he shows operators the new platform, their response is “tremendous”. Whether that means tremendously impressed or tremendously disappointed wasn’t clarified. We’re joking of course, and we honestly wish RIM the best of luck. They used to be an innovative company, so who knows, maybe they have something up their sleeves that’ll surprise us? Take the BlackBerry 10 keyboard for example, which was demoed several months ago. The company kept on emphasizing the feature whereby the word you’re trying to type appears over the letter you’re about to press. That’s in Android 4.2 in case you haven’t noticed!

What impact will RIM have on the Android ecosystem? That’s tough to say since we don’t yet know all the features of BlackBerry 10. RIM has a ton of loyal fans, that can’t be denied. Many Android users were former BlackBerry users who were simply tired of using an outdated platform. Are they going to switch back? Again, these are questions we’re not going to find the answers to until next spring.

RIM’s biggest competitor right now is Microsoft, who is desperately trying to make Windows Phone the default third choice for people shopping for a new smartphone. Microsoft is going to throw a ton of money at promoting Windows Phone, so there’s a good chance that RIM’s marketing message is going to be drowned out by all the Live Tiles you’re going to see plastered around your city.

At the end of the day, we’ll say it again, competition is good. All companies like to steal features from each other. It’s how they implement said features that makes them unique and distinctive.

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T-Mobile will not support WiFi calling on the LG Nexus 4

Posted: 01 Nov 2012 12:13 AM PDT

Google’s recently announced Nexus 4 will go on sale later this month for $299 unlocked and unsubsidized. There is one American operator who will be offering it on a contract however, T-Mobile. They’ll gladly sell you a Nexus 4 with a 2 year contract for $199, which sounds appealing, but the folks at TmoNews have recently learned that WiFi calling will not be supported on the device. Some background: T-Mobile has a service whereby you can make phone calls over your wireless network at home instead of having to go through the cellular network. It’s useful if you live somewhere that has spotty coverage, if you’re traveling abroad, and the best part is you don’t get billed for the minutes you make when on WiFi.

Now that we know the Nexus 4 isn’t going to support one of T-Mobile’s best features, this poses an important question: Should you buy this phone on contract? Buying phones unsubsidized is commonplace in many parts of the world, but for Americas it’s still considered a taboo for reasons we don’t quite understand. The amount of money you can save by going with a prepaid operator and then buying a phone unlocked is startling.

Take Straight Talk for instance, which lets you pick whether you want to use AT&T’s or T-Mobile’s network. They’ll give you unlimited everything for $45 per month. That’s half what the big boys charge. We can’t stress this enough, when using Straight Talk you’re on the same network that your friends and family are paying double to use! How is it so cheap? Straight Talk doesn’t have retail stores, they don’t subsidize phones, their customer service leaves a lot to be desired, and they go out of your way to be a dumb pipe.

When was the last time you called the company that provides you with electricity or water? Exactly. That’s what prepaid operators are like.

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Get a Windows Phone, says Steve

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 09:48 PM PDT

Here’s to the crazy ones, indeed! Reminiscent of how an iconic ex-CEO once attempted to voice-over an advertisement for his company’s product, Microsoft’s latest Windows Phone 8 ad screams of self-promotion. But this is a different Steve, altogether — someone who does not exactly generate a Reality Distortion Field like the late Steve Jobs. Microsoft’s own Steve Ballmer has narrated Redmond’s latest Windows Phone 8 ad, with highlight on the personal touch.

Steve talks about taking advice from all sorts of folks, from his wife, to his Microsoft colleagues, and even Bill Gates himself. But Ballmer’s own advice: get a Windows Phone.

The ad puts a highlight on communication as a central part of Windows Phone 8 (hey, it’s a phone, after all!). This includes the live tiles on the home screen showing messages and the number of Skype calls and emails.

The ad is pretty straightforward, and does not have any allusions to how groundbreaking their platform is (like Apple’s Think Different ads). Apple eventually went for another voice-over in their “crazy ones” ads, a spot that eventually went to Richard Dreyfuss. Will Microsoft eventually hire other voiceover actors, too?

Check out the video ad below.

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Verizon support page reveals HTC Droid DNA before its announcement

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 05:16 PM PDT

HTC Droid DNA revealed by Verizon early

Verizon’s upcoming 5-inch 1080p device named HTC Droid DNA has been published as a registered device on its support page before the official announcement.

The screenshot above reveals that the ADR6435 will be known as HTC Droid DNA, a name that was revealed in a MAP listing a week ago. The same leak suggested the device will be sold starting at $199 in the near future. However, such MAP lists are known to change constantly and won’t always offer reliable information. And while Verizon’s support page does list the device, the Droid DNA is still not officially announced.

The device is rumoured to be announced mid-November and feature a quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro Processor, 16GB of internal storage, 2GB RAM, an 8MP camera, and run Jelly Bean.

As expected, the HTC Droid DNA is most likely going to be Verizon’s HTC J Butterfly version, which happens to be HTC’s most recently launched device. Waiting for the 5-inch HTC handset to hit Verizon, we have already compared the HTC J Butterfly with the Galaxy Note 2. Which one would you rather buy?

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LG Optimus G vs Samsung Galaxy S3

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 05:00 PM PDT

LG is not one to let other devices dominate the playing field. The company recently released its newest flagship smartphone, the Optimus G. The specs alone are something to drool over, and if you’re particular about your display, it’s something worth craving. If you haven’t seen our full review of this phone yet, check out our in depth-review of the LG Optimus G to see why people can’t wait to get their hands on this device.

How does the Optimus G stack up against the current King of the Android Hill, the Samsung Galaxy S3 GT-I9300? Find out in our comparison of the two phones below (or jump to our phone comparison video near the end of this post).

Physical build and design

Dimensions and weight

Samsung Galaxy S3LG Optimus G
Length136.9 mm (5.39 in)131.9 mm (5.19 in)
Width71.1 mm (2.80 in)68.9 mm (2.71 in)
Thickness8.6 mm (0.34 in)8.45 mm (0.33 in)
Weight133 g145 g

Plastic has been Samsung’s trademark for everything, including its high-end phones. The Galaxy S3 is no exception as the phone’s chassis is primarily made of plastic. The device’s rounded corners make it comfortable to hold. Its smooth and polished polycarbonate back cover, however, may be a challenge to people with oily and sweaty hands.

This device measures 136.9 x 71.1 x 8.6 mm (5.39 x 2.80 x 0.34 in) and weighs 133 grams. This is by no means a small phone, and some may even consider this to be pushing the limits of what they’re willing to hold.

The LG Optimus G is also made of plastic but its unibody chassis seems to be more solid than the Galaxy S3′s. However, some users may find the blocky and slightly more angular build of the Optimus G a turn off compared to the rounded corners of the Galaxy S3.

The Optimus G has measurements of 131.9 x 68.9 x 8.45 mm (5.19 x 2.71 x 0.33 inch) and weighs 145 grams. It is slightly heavier than the Galaxy S3. This may be perfect for users who like to actually feel their phone in their hands. The Optimus G is also smaller, overall, than the Galaxy S3, in terms of length, width, and thickness. If you found the Galaxy S3 pushing the limits of what you’re willing to carry, the Optimus G might appeal to you.

Front panel

Both the Galaxy S3 and the Optimus G have minimalist looks, but both devices have different inspirations.

The Galaxy S3 is rounded in a lot of places, giving no hard edges and even resembling a smooth-worn rock. The Galaxy S3′s front has a physical Home button and the colored bezel around the screen clearly shows you where the screen is located. The earpiece grille is located at the top-center of the phone, with the LED notification light to the left of the Samsung logo and the 1.9 MP front camera to its right. On the left of the Home button is the capacitive Menu button and on the right is the capacitive Back button.

The Optimus G, on the other hand, has a truly minimalist front. With its glass and metal edging, the phone appears to be more industrial compared to the S3′s nature-inspired look. There are no physical buttons and all that pops out at you is the LG logo at the top of the device.

The LED notification light is located to the right of the logo, together with the 1.3 MP front facing camera. Once you power on the device, you can see the Back, Home, and Menu capacitive buttons at the screen’s bottom. Because the Optimus G’s capacitive buttons are not physical, you cannot quickly tap on them to see your lock screen. You’ll need to reach for the Power button if you want to see the time or how much your device has been charged.

The Galaxy S3′s display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 2, whereas the Optimus G’s own display is protected with Corning Gorilla Glass. LG, however, has introduced its Zerogap Touch Technology to its touchscreen panel, which reportedly makes the panel thinner and more sensitive to touch.

Sides

The placement of the physical buttons of both phones is similar. On the left side of the phones, you can find the Volume rockers and on the right, the Power button. The difference, however, is how accessible these buttons are to your fingers.

The Optimus G’s side physical buttons are placed a bit higher than those on the Galaxy S3, which means that reaching for the Volume rockers with your index or middle fingers will be a little difficult. Reaching for the Volume Down button is okay, but you’ll need to stretch your finger a bit to reach the Volume Up button. The Power buttons on both devices, on the other hand, are easy to get to with your thumb.

If you’re really meticulous with details, you’ll notice that the Optimus G’s physical buttons are not the same color as its chassis. The Power button and Volume rockers are slightly off white, more pearl-colored than the bright white of the phone’s body. While others may say that this difference in color helps the physical buttons pop out, I personally found the physical buttons to look as if the paint had been rubbed off of them. The Galaxy S3′s physical buttons, however, are of the same color as its body.

Back

The back of the LG Optimus G is glossy and smooth, except for the 13 MP camera that juts out. Under the Optimus G’s camera is its LED flash and on the lower right corner, you can find the loudspeaker grille. Owing to its position, the loudspeaker grille is less likely to be covered up if you’re right-handed, but if you’re holding the Optimus G with your left hand, you might end up covering it.

Take note that the Optimus G’s loudspeaker is mono, which is disappointing for music lovers. The back is also adorned with crystal or diamond patterns, thanks to LG’s “Crystal Reflection” design, which is topped with a clear glass cover. We are not quite sure, though, if this glass cover can withstand deep impacts on the floor.

The Galaxy S3′s smaller 8 MP camera, on the other hand, slightly rises from the backplate. On the left of the camera is its flash and on the right is its speaker grille, which is less likely to be covered by your hand when you hold it. You can easily remove the Galaxy S3′s backplate and even subject it to some bending without it breaking. If your device falls, you can expect your backplate to go flying off.

Screen and display

The Galaxy S3 has more saturated colors, thanks to its HD Super AMOLED display. The colors look dense and strong on the screen, giving you richer and deeper colors. This screen type would most likely appeal more to artists and to the color-specific. The Optimus G, on the other hand, packs a True HD IPS Plus LCD display which shows truer-to-life colors. Some of my colleagues here at Android Authority liked the realistic colors and the sharp display on the Optimus G more than they do the display on the Galaxy S3.

It all depends on what you intend to use your screen for. If you’re using your device for color-sensitive work, such as for art and design, then you may want to use the Optimus G for its True HD IPS Plus LCD display. If you’re a gamer or you use the device primarily for media consumption, you may want the more vibrant colors of the Galaxy S3′s HD Super AMOLED display. As for reading, you may notice a slightly bluish tint on the Galaxy S3′s screen, even if the document’s background is white. It is slightly warmer on the Optimus G, which may appeal more to heavy readers.

In terms of screen size, the Galaxy S3 has a 4.8-inch screen with a 16:9 aspect ratio, while the Optimus G’s own screen is 0.1 inch smaller, at 4.7 inches, but with a 15:9 aspect ratio. There’s a difference between the two screens’ pixel resolutions. The Galaxy S3 has 1280×720 but the Optimus G has slightly more pixels at 1280×768. Though the difference is small, the higher pixel density of the Optimus G means that you can enjoy a crisper display. If you hold the Optimus G closer to your face, you may not see the individual pixels as clearly.

Regardless of what your tastes are regarding displays, the Optimus G comes with one media disadvantage: its mono loudspeakers, which could be a large disappointment for music lovers.

Processing Power

Samsung Galaxy S3LG Optimus G
SoC / ChipsetSamsung Exynos 4412Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro
CPUARM Cortex-A9Qualcomm Krait
CPU Clock Speed1.4 GHz1.5 GHz
CPU Cores4 (quad)4 (quad)
GPUARM Mali-400 MP4Adreno 320
RAM1 GB (international version)2 GB (international version)
Internal Memory16, 32, or 64 GB32 GB
External Memoryup to 32 GBnone

The LG Optimus G has pretty impressive insides. It’s powered by a Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core processor with 2 GB of RAM. It has 32 GB of internal storage but, unfortunately, cannot be expanded via microSD card. That might be a dealbreaker for some who like being able to backup important data on an external SD card.

On the other hand, you do get to enjoy more space with the Galaxy S3, thanks to its microSD card slot. It uses the Samsung Exynos 4412 quad-core processor and has 1 GB of RAM (international version).

When launching apps on the Galaxy S3, there is a slight delay. On the Optimus G, however, the delay is less noticeable. Browsing through the app drawer is also snappier on the Optimus G than on the Galaxy S3.

In benchmarks, the Snapdragon S4 Pro proved to be snappier than the Exynos 4412. Check out the benchmark results comparison in “Benchmarked: Snapdragon S4 Pro (Optimus G) vs Exynos 4412 (Galaxy S3).”

Battery Life

Though both the Optimus G and the Galaxy S3 are packing 2,100 mAh batteries, these two batteries are not alike. The Galaxy S3′s removable battery is Li-ion, whereas the Optimus G’s battery is Li-polymer. LG is trying to one up the competition by giving its battery “prolonged charging cycles.” Where most Li-ion batteries on the market have only up to 500 charging cycles, LG claims that its battery lasts up to 800 charging cycles.

LG claims that the Optimus G can provide up to 15 hours talk time and 335 hours standby time, or up to about 8 hours on 4G LTE (with power-saving mode activated). The Galaxy S3, on the other hand, promises about 12 hours talk time and 790 hours standby time on 3G.

I put these beasts under heavy usage in order to find out which battery gives up first. The test consisted of playing HD games, downloading apps, surfing the Net, setting the phone’s screen on all the time with its brightness level maxed out, watching videos, Bluetooth, NFC and GPS on, and all sync options turned on. The Optimus G lasted about four hours before giving up. When it was the Galaxy S3′s turn, it surprised us by lasting 4 hours and 30 minutes. Though the Galaxy S3 may have outlived the Optimus G in our battery test, the results are not conclusive and may differ among users and among different usage conditions.

Camera

The Galaxy S3 features a super fast camera, allowing you to snap a shot the moment you press the shutter. Jump shots can now be captured, thanks to Burst Mode and you can automatically choose the best picture in a series using the Best Photo feature.

The Galaxy S3′s 8 MP camera performed well when I took some shots around the office. The pictures were a little bit noisy, though. Taking pictures in a low-light environment will also produce noisy pictures. Taking shots outdoors with ample lighting produced good pictures.

The 1.9 megapixel front facing camera also produces good pictures in bright environments but noisy ones in low-light environments. You will need to turn on the lights if you want to take vanity pictures or video chat with your friends.

The Optimus G’s camera performs well when taking pictures and videos in well-lit environments, especially outdoors. Colors are vivid and the camera could easily pick up textures, such as the ones on Bugdroid’s plastic body.

When taking pictures in low-light, however, the Optimus G’s camera was a disappointment. It got only worse when I took a video indoors. You can barely see anything and the clip is quite noisy. It may be a result of the Optimus G’s noise reduction.

The 1.3 MP front facing camera isn’t any better. Indoors, you can hardly see yourself, which means that it could be terrible for vanity shots and video calls. It’s slightly better when you take it out outdoors, but you end up looking washed out and pale.

The Optimus G has a direct rival to the Galaxy S3′s Burst Shot feature. It’s called Continuous Shot, but the LG phone has another interesting feature called Time Machine Camera, which makes sure that your shot will not be ruined by things like a sudden gust of wind or your subjects’ overpowering urge to scratch their noses. The magic happens seconds right before you touch the shutter button. If by the time you say “Cheese!” and the subject has moved to blink, you can scroll back to frames captured seconds before and select the better pre-captured shot.

Software and UI

The Galaxy S3 has already started receiving official Jelly Bean updates. According to LG sources, the Optimus G will be receiving its share in December yet — for the Korean variant, at least. Both devices have Ice Cream Sandwich out of the box, but the difference lies in their respective UIs. The LG Optimus UI 3.0, developed to be a straight competitor to Samsung TouchWiz 5 and HTC Sense 4, first debuted with LG Optimus LTE 2. Features like Quick Memo, Voice Shutter, Icon Personalizer, and unique unlocking options all came with this UI version.

On the other hand, Samsung’s Nature UX (inspired by nature) in TouchWiz 5 debuted with the Galaxy S3 coupled with a slew of features absent from its earlier version. Features like S Voice, Direct Call, Smart Stay, S Beam, and the pop-up video feature all debuted with the phone.

Unlocking the screens of both devices involve swiping your finger or thumb in any direction on the screen; TouchWiz 5 has its signature ripple effect and water sounds, while the Optimus UI 3.0 has made screen unlocking a delicious piece of eye-candy. A bubble-like circle teases the user of the home screen even without fully swiping it to unlock. Dragging the bubble from one of the bottom apps will immediately launch the app, as well. You can also launch app shortcuts directly on the lockscreen with TouchWiz 5.

The notification bar on the TouchWiz 5 UI can be swiped from left to right and vice-versa. The Toggle buttons on its notification bar are pre-set, you can’t change the toggle buttons nor can you reorder them. On the Optimus UI 3.0 though, you can choose to reorder the toggle buttons that appear on the notification bar. Although adding another item to be displayed on the notification bar is not possible, you can choose to take off as many toggle buttons as you want.

Video

We also made a video review comparing the LG Optimus G and the Samsung Galaxy S3.  Check it out below and remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Conclusion

If you want a device that can give you clearer and sharper display, more realistic colors, and a sturdier feel, then the Optimus G might be for you.

If you’re looking for a slightly larger screen with saturated colors, the ability to expand via microSD card, and being able to replace the battery, then the Galaxy S3 might be more your thing.

It all comes down to what you’ll be using your device for. Artists and designers may like the Optimus G because it displays true-to-life colors, but if you’re all about brighter and more vivid colors for media consumption, the Galaxy S3 is your best bet.

Which one of these quad-core giants appeals most to you? Let us know by leaving a comment or voting in the poll.

(with contributions from Dan Evans)

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

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Samsung files for tri-fold flexible display patent for smartphones – what could this mean?

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 04:52 PM PDT

Thought that flexible displays were a long way off before they could start showing up on smartphones? Think again. Samsung is leading the way towards producing the very first such displays that could be part of its next  smartphones generations. This has been a big year for Samsung and its work on flexible displays is another step in the right direction.

The company has already submitted a number of patent applications that detail the intriguing folding display designs for its smartphones. All along, since back at CES 2009, Samsung had presented a prototype of the unit and promised to deliver on it. The new flexible displays are expected to replace the traditional LCD displays by 2015-2016, at least according to a recent Samsung announcement. But in the mean time, it looks like Samsung has filed a new flexible display patent, this time describing a tri-fold panel.

The patent includes a number of representations that clearly show how a tri-fold display unit would work in a smartphone:

If delivered successfully, the tri-fold display could be revolutionary and would likely be the display of choice that allows a smartphone to be expanded into a mini tablet that would let users enjoy surfing the web, watching movies or playing games. It could also allow Samsung to produce the gadget of choice for cool Internet devices and unseat competing Apple products in the products. This would also help clean up Samsung's image, which has already been marred by the copycat designer accusations and reveal it to be the true innovator in the mobile device space.

Currently, Samsung's handsets shipments give it a 2-to-1 ratio lead over Apple’s iPhone shipments in Q4. Clearly, the mobile device war is only going to accelerate, especially if the Samsung tri-fold flexible display kicks off.

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iPhone 5 vs Galaxy S3 – 50 reasons why the iOS smartphone is better [video]

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 04:17 PM PDT

A few weeks ago we showed you a video comparison between the iPhone 5 and the Galaxy S3 in which were revealed 50 reasons why the Android smartphone is better.

The same guys behind that clip are now back with a rebuttal video, just as they promised. This time around PhoneBuff gives us 50 reasons why the iOS smartphone is better.

The freshly uploaded video is just under 12 minutes long, and shows users various reasons why the iPhone 5 can be considered better than the Galaxy S3. Just like in the previous video, not all the listed reasons depict must-have features of today's high-end smartphone, but they may be appreciated by users nonetheless.

In case you need a reminder of the 50 reasons why the Android smartphone is better, here's the first video:

However, if you are going to buy a top device this holiday season, we’ll remind you that the iPhone 5 and the Galaxy S3 are the current flagship devices for iOS and Android, respectively. While they are exponents of two different mobile platforms and ecosystems, it’s ultimately up to you to choose which one to get, although we’ll point out that they aren’t the only available choices out there, especially considering the recent Galaxy Note 2 launch or the Nexus 4 announcement. Not to mention that a slew of Windows Phone 8 handsets are about to hit stores also.

In case you’re only looking for more iPhone 5 vs Galaxy S3 coverage before you make your purchase then we've got you covered. From drop tests and hands-on videos to benchmarking results, battery performance comparisons and display quality tests. We even talked about yearly charging costs and web traffic stats for these two smartphones.

What video did you like better?

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T-Mobile, AT&T open networks for Hurricane Sandy victims

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 02:48 PM PDT

hurricane sandy

In a press release today, T-Mobile and AT&T announced that they will be entering a temporary agreement to allow roaming for customers of either network in the areas hit by Hurricane Sandy.

While the worst of the storm has passed, Hurricane Sandy left a lot of damage in its wake, and at one point millions were without power. While a lot of people are working to help get things back in order as quickly as possible, some of the hardest hit areas are still looking at a difficult time ahead. There is no doubt that T-Mobile and AT&T had this in mind when they began their temporary agreement.

Customers of either network don’t have to do anything special to take advantage of the additional coverage. Just place a call as you normally would, and whichever network is working best in your area will automatically carry the call. Both voice and data are covered by this agreement, so there is no need for customers to worry about being hit with hefty fees if their phone connects to the wrong network by accident.

While the press release states that this agreement applies to New York and New Jersey, it may be worth checking to make sure your area is covered before connecting to avoid any unwanted fees.

Are you located in an area that was hit by Hurricane Sandy? Will this roaming agreement make it easier for you to stay in touch with friends and relatives in areas hit by the storm?

Show full PR text

AT&T and T-Mobile Open Networks

to Customers of Both Carriers in New York and New Jersey

 

Dallas and Bellevue, Wash. — October 31, 2012 —  In the wake of destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy, AT&T and T-Mobile are taking extraordinary measures to make sure our customers can stay in touch.

 

AT&T and T-Mobile have entered into an agreement to enable roaming on their networks to customers of both companies in the heavily impacted areas and where capacity is available and for subscribers with a compatible device.

 

AT&T and T-Mobile customers will be able to place calls just as they normally would, but their calls will be carried by whichever network is most operational in their area. This will be seamless for AT&T and T-Mobile customers with no change to their current rate plans or service agreements even if the phone indicates the device is attached to the other carrier's network.

 

T-Mobile and AT&T both utilize network technology based on GSM and UMTS standards, which allows for this sharing of voice and data traffic.

 

 

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and internationally. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's largest 4G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries.  It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T │DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com.  This AT&T news release and other announcements are available athttp://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT.

© 2012 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 4G not available everywhere. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

About T-Mobile USA

Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile USA, Inc. is the U.S. wireless operation of Deutsche Telekom AG (OTCQX: DTEGY). By the end of the second quarter of 2012, approximately 130 million mobile customers were served by the mobile communication segments of the Deutsche Telekom group — 33.2 million by T-Mobile USA — all via a common technology platform based on GSM and UMTS and additionally HSPA+ 21/HSPA+ 42. T-Mobile USA's innovative wireless products and services help empower people to connect to those who matter most. Multiple independent research studies continue to rank T-Mobile USA among the highest in numerous regions throughout the U.S. in wireless customer care and call quality.

For more information, please visit http://www.T-Mobile.com. T-Mobile is a federally registered trademark of Deutsche Telekom AG. For further information on Deutsche Telekom, please visit www.telekom.de/investor-relations.

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Android and Me

Android and Me


Top 10 Android game releases this week: Need for Speed, Chrono Trigger, Family Feud

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 02:23 PM PDT

This week we're taking another break from our Android Gaming Weekly recap to focus on new releases. We still plan to cover upcoming releases and games we're playing, but this new column is dedicated to new games you can install and start playing right now. Check out our top picks and let us know if...

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Top 4 US pre-paid wireless plans for the Nexus 4

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 10:38 AM PDT

Regular readers of the site will know that we are huge fans of pre-paid wireless service, and the recent launch of the Nexus 4 has brought a new level of attention for these cheaper plans. We recently covered the best pre-paid plans for Android phones, but we thought the guide should be [...]

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Giveaway: Leave a comment and win an ASUS Nexus 7 to play Zombie Driver THD

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 09:18 AM PDT

Happy Halloween. To celebrate the release of Zombie Driver THD we have teamed up with NVIDIA to give away a couple Tegra 3-powered tablets. Zombie Driver THD is the mobile version of the classic PC game Zombie Driver, which has been designed with touch controls in mind. This bloody racer includes...

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Samsung Smart Dock turns your smartphone into a desktop

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 07:45 AM PDT

We already know that Android is on the path to taking over desktops and laptops, and this new Smart Dock accessory from Samsung proves that point. The Galaxy Smart Dock allows your phone to provide a desktop experience by connecting an HD monitor, external storage device, and USB keyboard and...

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Nexus 4 heading to O2 UK in November

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 07:22 AM PDT

There’s not much to go off of with this story, but O2 has just launched a “coming soon” page for the Nexus 4 on its UK website. The page highlights some of the new features included in Android 4.2 and claims the device will be available in November. With sales of the SIM-free...

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ASUS confirms Nexus 7 sales hover just under 1 million units per month

Posted: 31 Oct 2012 07:20 AM PDT

While Google has always been willing to release vague numbers regarding Android tablet activations, they have been silent about how popular the Nexus 7 truly is. Fortunately, Asustek’s CFO David Chang let slip that sales of the Nexus 7 have nearly doubled since launch and are now averaging...

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