PhoneTalk

Changing phones can be a lot of fun, but what happens when the new phone doesn’t have quite the same usability as the existing phone? That’s what happened to LetsTalk’s Heather Battaglia. An avid BlackBerry user, Heather traded in her BlackBerry Bold 9650 for a larger touchscree-only DROID X2 by Motorola Android smartphone. Find out which model she prefers and why. Is a BlackBerry phone still the best bet for business? Watch the video below to find out.

In the episode of Weekly Wireless Wrap-Up LetsTalk's Editorial Director Joni Blecher covers all the Samsung news including new Samsung Galaxy II S smartphone for T-Mobile, AT&T, and Sprint’s Samsung Galaxy II S Epic 4G Touch. Also included are the new Samsung Tablets, the Galaxy Note, Sony Ericsson’s update to the Xperia Arc, and 10 must have apps for back to school. While the test drive this week is of Sprint's HTC EVO View 4G tablet with digital pen.

The company announced another tablet, the Galaxy Tab 7.7. As the name suggests, the new tablet measures 7.7-inches, has a Super AMOLED Plus display, and 1.4GHz dual-core processor. It will be running Android 3.2 OS with Samsung’s TouchWiz interface. The tablet will have a few storage configurations ranging from 16GB to 64GB plus it will have a microSD card slot. You’ll also be able to view 1080p HD movies on the slimmer tablet. It will have 3-megapixel camera on the back and a front facing 2-megapixel camera.

Also announced today was the Galaxy Note, measuring just 5.3-inches and includes a digital S Pen that can be used for taking notes, sketching, and even creating artwork. Unlike the Galaxy Tab 7.7, the Galaxy Note will run the Android 2.3 OS - that's the smartphone OS. As for specs it will have a 1.4GHz dual-core processor, a HD Super AMOLED display, rear-facing 8-megapixel camera with flash and front-facing 2-megapixel camera, and have either 16GB or 32GB of storage plus a microSD card slot. There is no word yet on availability. Check out the Galaxy Note in the picture below.

At an event in New York today, Samsung officially unveiled its latest models in the Samsung Galaxy S II line for Sprint, T-Mobile, and AT&T. All the models will be running Android 2.3 OS with Samsung’s TouchWiz 4.0 interface with a widget idle screen. The phones will also have a battery that’s 10 percent bigger.

First up, Sprint will be offering the next version of the Samsung Epic 4G. The new model called the Samsung Galaxy S™ II, Epic™ 4G Touch has some noteworthy editions, but is lacking the tactile slide-out QWERTY keyboard found in its predecessor in favor of a much slimmer profile. The new model sports a Samsung Exynos 1.2GHz dual-core processor, a 4.52-inch Super AMOLED™ Plus touchscreen, Samsung’s TouchWiz 4.0 interface, enterprise functionality, and the 4G data connection can be used as a mobile HotSpot with the ability to share the connection with up to eight WiFi-enabled devices. The phone will also have a rear-facing 8-megapixel camera with flash and autofocus that can record 1080p HD video that can be edited on the phone. On the front of the cell phone is a 2-megapixel camera that can be used for self-portraits or video chat using an app like Google Talk Video Chat.

There’s not a lot of information available about the Samsung Galaxy S II for T-Mobile, but it will run Android OS 2.3 with the Samsung TouchWiz 4.0 interface. Like the Epic 4G Touch it will also sport a 4.52-inch display. We’ll provide more information as it becomes available.

AT&T will also be offering the Samsung Galaxy S II. That model will offer 4G connectivity, sport a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, and a rear-facing 8-megapixel camera with the ability to record 1080p HD video and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. The AT&T version will have a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus display instead of the 4.52-inch size found on the T-Mobile and Sprint versions.

It's that time of the year, when we first start to feel the temperature outside cooling a few degrees and students of all ages get ready to head back to school. Many students will have a cell phone with them either on campus or after class. (Note: Please check with your child's school about its cell phone policy) With that in mind, we've rounded up a slue of apps below that can help students with everything from getting a good deal on books to keeping track of homework assignments.


1. Find the best deal on books

Getting books for class can be a daunting task, not to mention an expensive endeavor. Enter Campus Books a one stop shop for buying, renting, and even selling college text books. This app will search local bookstores, online stores, and nearby libraries for the book you need. There's no need to type in book titles anymore either, just point the phone's camera at a book's barcode and the app does the rest.

Compatible OS: Android, iPhone
Cost: Free
How to get it: Visit the app market residing on your phone or corresponding app store on your computer.

2. An encyclopedia in your pocket

All solid papers begin with thorough research. Where better to start gathering that information than the Encyclopedia? Now, there's no need to dig through heavy volumes to find what you want. You can carry it in your pocket with the mobile version of the concise Britannica Encyclopedia 2011. It includes over 25,000 fact-checked articles on a variety of topics that can be navigated using a browser-like interface. Since the data resides on the phone, you'll never need a data connection to look something up. Want to learn something new? Simply open the app, shake the phone, and see what appears.

Compatible OS: Android, iPhone, BlackBerry
Cost: $19.95
How to get it: Visit the app market residing on your phone or corresponding app store on your computer.

3. Keep on track

Going to school means a busy schedule that's likely always changing. Whether its remembering to do a homework assignment or bringing an extra book to class, having a friendly little reminder can only help keep everything on track. That's the idea behind BugMe. It's essentially a virtual sticky note, but the key is that you can add alarms to the note so it won't get lost in the shuffle of all the other apps on your phone. The Pro version of the app offers more features such as adding notes to photos or sharing notes with friends.

Compatible OS: Android, BlackBerry (even OS 7), iPhone, and iPad
Cost: Free to $2.99
How to get it: Visit the app market residing on your phone or corresponding app store on your computer.

4. Money manager
(Read more)

The company’s line of GALAXY cell phones and tablets are getting some additions. In tablet news, the GALAXY Tab 8.9 is getting 4G connectivity with the addition of LTE. This tablet will sport an 8.9-inch touchscreen and will weigh close to a pound.

Samsung also showed off the GALAXY S II LTE Android 2.3 smartphone, which will offer 4G connectivity via LTE, a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 3D graphics, and a spacious 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus display. That’s going to be larger than cell phones like the DROID X2 by Motorola and the HTC EVO 3D. It will also have an 8-megapixel camera and the ability to record HD video.

In this week's edition, we discuss Steve Jobs leaving Apple, the new BlackBerry Curve models, the BBM music service, and a presidential app. She also takes a closer look at the BlackBerry Bold 9900 and answers viewer questions.

If you like the slimmer style we’re seeing in the latest BlackBerry Bold models, then you’ll be happy to learn that the new BlackBerry Curve’s also sport a thinner profile than their predecessors. The smartphones will also have the latest BlackBerry OS 7, a 5-megapixel camera and the ability to record video (sorry, no 720p HD video), a faster processor, and can hold up to a 32GB micro SD card. Additionally, the new models will also support NFC (Near Field Communications), which is the technology used for things like Google Wallet and the ability to pay for things with the phone.

There will be three BlackBerry Curve models: Curve 9350 CDMA version (think Sprint and Verizon), Curve 9360 GSM version (think T-Mobile, AT&T, and countries abroad), and the Curve 9370 GSM/CDMA version making it a true world phone. The only real difference between the models is that the Curve 9350/9360 will have 512MB of on-board storage while the 9370 will have 1GB of on-board storage.

The BlackBerry Curve 9350 will be available for Sprint in early September and come with a 2GB microSD card. We’ll keep you updated on when the Curve will be available from other carriers.

Cloud storage is becoming more and more popular these days. In case you don’t know, “cloud” storage is a way to have access to all your data (pictures, music, files, videos, etc) from virtually any device with an Internet connection. SugarSync is all about cloud storage with a version of its app for iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, Symbian, and more. Today, the company has announced a few noteworthy additions to its BlackBerry app.

The additions include the option of adding a PIN code to access the app for added security, the ability to sync items stored on the BlackBerry’s microSD card to the SugarSync cloud, and a direct folder sync so that you can make changes to a file when not connected to the cloud and easily update those changes when back online. Interested in trying out the app? The company offers a free 5GB version of the app and for those who need more storage there’s a 30GB plan for $4.99 a month or $50 a year. You can download the app at the SugarSync site or from the BlackBerry app world on your phone.

Yesterday, we learned that HP is discontinuing support for Web OS devices, which means no more WebOS phones and TouchPad tablets. (Note: HP bought Palm last year and ditched the Palm name on the Pre, Pixi, and WebOS) First, if you currently have a WebOS device this news doesn’t mean anything is going to happen to those existing products. It simply means your next smartphone is probably not going to be a Pre, Pixi, or Veer.

Much of the reporting on the demise of the HP WebOS devices focuses on what it means for the industry going forward and speculates on just how many smartphone OS’ the market can handle. I’d rather take a look back at just what Palm devices did for the mobile industry and how we have a lot of the usability we have today is thanks to a little product called the Palm Pilot.

It started with a little PDA

Back in 1996, Palm (at the time a division of US Robotics) came out with its first PDA, the Palm Pilot. It was definitely different than the other digital organizers currently available. Its pocket-friendly size, four main buttons for navigation (sound familiar?), and a unique handwriting-based input method called Graffiti set it apart. At that time, people were carrying around fairly large devices with full QWERTY keyboards made by companies like Casio. In fact, the only real competition the Pilot had was another device called the Psion Series III Organizer. In case you don’t remember what happened to that product, you can still find remnants of it in the Symbian smartphone OS. There was also another product trying to find a place in consumer’s lives, Apple’s Newton. (For more information on the Newton, read this story on Gizmodo – it’s a great summary.)

In time, those products disappeared from the market, but not the Palm Pilot. That device continued to evolve. We didn’t know it in the late 90s, but the Palm Pilot gave us a glimpse at the type of products we use today. This is probably a result of how it was created. I remember attending a press event for Handspring (the first company to license the Palm OS and was later acquired by PalmOne) where Jeff Hawkins told the story of how he carried a block of wood around in his pocket while developing the Palm Pilot. As he walked around, he would think about what he wanted that piece of wood to do. That speaks to UI on many levels. For example, the first Palm Pilot measured 4.7 x 3.2 x 0.7 inches and weighed 5.7 ounces. That kind of set the standard for the acceptable size of a mobile device. Today, we have tons of smartphones with 4.3-inch touchscreen displays touting a similar size and weight. Take the HTC EVO 3D (Read more)

In this week's episode learn more about Google's intent to purchase Motorola, HP's decision to stop support of WebOS devices, and new BlackBerry Bold's coming to Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobile. Also, find out how to get the Android 2.3.4 update on T-Mobile's HTC Sensation 4G.

Although getting a new phone is exciting there’s typically a bit of a learning curve in order to master the new model. That’s also the case when getting a new Google Android smartphone since not all Android phones are the same. Sure they might have similar specs and run a similar OS, but that’s just the beginning. Depending on the manufacturer and carrier they also may have different overlays. These overlays pretty much dictate the user experience. Switching from one model to the next may not be as simple as you think.

To get a better idea of how different two phones running the Android OS can be, check out the video below where I show LetsTalk’s Social Media Expert Ashley Gustafson a few simple tips that make transitioning from the Samsung Fascinate to the DROID Incredible 2 by HTC a bit easier.

Interested in getting the latest BlackBerry Bold, but wanted it for T-Mobile? No problem. The company announced today the BlackBerry Bold 9900 would be available at the end of the month. As noted, this model sports the trademark BlackBerry tactile QWERTY keyboard and a touchscreen. It also has a 1.2GHz processor, a bright display, a thin profile (just 10.5mm thick), offers 4G connectivity over the HSPA+ network, and will run the latest BlackBerry OS 7. The smartphone will also have T-Mobile’s new Family Life Organizer application. The idea behind the app is that it will provide a centratliazed place to store calendars, shopping lists, to-do lists, and more. Reminders about calendar appointments can even be sent to family members via text or e-mail.

For all those Sprint Nexus S 4G users who want the SWYPE keyboard now you have a chance to get it. In addition to the traditional keyboard, there’s also a newer version that comes in the download. Watch the video below to see how to get it on the Nexus S 4G or simply click this link for more details on the Swype keyboard.

Shortly after Sprint unveiled the HTC EVO 3D, the company came out with another 4G Android smartphone, the Motorola Photon 4G. Although, they both run the Android 2.3 OS and have pretty powerful dual-core processors there are some differences. For example, the Photon 4G has a kickstand (a feature originally found in the HTC EVO 4G) whereas the HTC EVO 3D doesn’t. To get a better idea of what the Motorola Photon 4G has to offer and to see what comes in the box check out the video below.

In May, RIM announced the BlackBerry Bold 9930 at its annual BlackBerry World Conference. The new Bold had something previous models didn’t: a touchscreen and a full tactile QWERTY keyboard. If you’ve been waiting for this Bold to be available for Verizon, you won’t have to wait much longer. It’s coming this month and should be available on August 25th.

The BlackBerry Bold 9930 will run the latest’s BlackBerry 7 OS, which includes a browser that supports HTML 5, the premium version of Documents To Go, BlackBerry Messenger, universal search with voice support, and more. It also sports a 1.2GHz processor, 5-megapixel camere with the ability to record 720p HD video, WiFi, and the ability to work around the globe.

Following on the heels of last month’s opening of the Verizon Innovation Center in Waltham, MA designed to showcase the future of 4G LTE products, the company opened the Application Innovation Center in San Francisco this month. The idea behind the new center is to provide a place for application developers to get help needed to do more with apps. For example, say there’s an existing game app and developers just want to add 3D functionality to the app, they can find that help at the Innovation Center.

At the event in San Francisco there were a few things highlighted to give a better idea of how the center could be used. For example, the Open Plug development tools by Alcatel-Lucent were showcased. These are fee tools for developers to help them create an application that works on multiple platforms (Android, iOS, etc.). Also on display was the search engine app showcased below. Chomp is essentially a search engine for apps with a price comparison tool. You can get a better idea of the app by watching the video below.

Scheduled to be released in time for back to school shopping, MetroPCS will be offering the Samsung Admire. The smartphone will run the Android 2.3 OS and have five home screens that can be customized. Students can further customize the phone by adding apps from the Android Market. This cell phone doesn't require a contract and will be available with a $40 a month plan that offers unlimited talk, text, and Web access.

Looking for a flip phone that can endure the elements? Then check out the Samsung Convoy 2 for Verizon Wireless. It meets military spec, sports push-to-talk walkie talkie type functionality, and a 3.2-megapixel camera with a flash. Besides being a solid outside companion it also helps user stay connected with friends and family via social media networks and mobile e-mail (there's even copy and paste functionality). Additionally, the phone has a microSD slot and will support up to a 32GB microSD card. Although, an exact availability date hasn't be announced yet, you can expect to see it in the next few weeks.

If you thought 4G cell phones were just too cost prohibitive then consider the latest Sprint smartphone: the Samsung Conquer 4G. This 4G phone will have the latest Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS, sport a 1GHz processor (for a fast user experience), and have that ability to share the phone’s 4G connectivity with up to five WiFi-enabled devices via the Mobile HotSpot feature. The whole idea behind the phone is that it will be affordable – priced at under $100 with a new 2-year service agreement or eligible upgrade. While the cell phone does have some impressive specs, it has lower-end camera features. It comes with a 3.2-megapixel camera on the back with flash and a front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera. If you're interested in this phone, you can pre-order it now at LetsTalk.com.

In this installment of Questions and Answers, we tell you what Bluetooth synching means and how to transfer pictures from a phone to a computer. Got a question you want answered? Submit your question here. You can also ask me on Twitter. Got something to add to the answers below? Leave a comment.

On the LetsTalk website where it states Bluetooth Synching under phone features does the “Yes” or “No” response indicate if the cell phone is compatible with Toyota vehicles? - gdstubble

Bluetooth syncing refers to the phone's ability to sync with other Bluetooth devices. Typically, if it says 'yes' to Bluetooth syncing you can usually sync it with the Bluetooth feature in a car. Although, depending on the degree of compatibility all features may not be available.

How do I transfer pictures from the LG Octane to my PC? -trainer

There are a couple of ways to transfer pictures from the LG Octane to a computer. Perhaps the easiest way is via Bluetooth. If your computer has Bluetooth and accepts images (it most likely does), turn the feature on and make it discoverable. Do the same with the LG Octane and pair the two devices. Next, go to the picture in your phone that you want to transfer to your PC and choose Send and then pick Bluetooth. The picture should appear on the computer in minutes. If this doesn't work, you can upload the images to an online album and then view the album on your computer and download them that way. Finally, if you have a microSD card and stored the images on the card instead of the phone's memory you can use a microSD card reader attached to your computer to transfer the images from the card to the computer.

A couple of weeks ago, we learned the HTC Wildfire S was headed to T-Mobile. The Android 2.3 smartphone has finally arrived and you can get it now. The pocket-friendly, 3G HTC Wildfire S has a lot to offer including a 5-megapixel camera, HTC Sense, SWYPE keyboard, and WiFi calling. The phone also comes with a 2GB microSD card for storing pictures, music, and files.

We all know the DROID 3 by Motorola for Verizon has a slide-out tactile QWERTY keyboard and a dual-core 1GHz processor. In fact, it has quite a few impressive specs, but did you know there are some quick and easy ways to customize the phone? Find out how to keep a to do list, organize apps, and more by watching the video below.

Starting today through the end of August, customers who didn’t sign up for Sprint’s Total Equipment Protection program can do so now. Typically, if you want protection for your Sprint phone you need to sign up for the service at the time of purchase. The service costs $8 a month for each line of service. There’s a $50 or $100 (depending on the type of phone) non-refundable deductible for lost, stolen, or damage phones. The plan includes the following features:

• Service and Repair available at one of Sprint’s 1300 service and repair locations
• No additional repair costs for in-store services
• Next business day replacements for loss, stolen or damaged claims
• Ability to file claims online with email notification of claim and shipment status
• Extended customer service hours
• The Protection App which allows eligible devices the ability to remotely locate lost devices, erase, backup, manage and restore contacts

Should you sign up for the additional coverage? People have all sorts of opinion on this type of service. The best way to decide is to think about how you personally use your phone. For example, do you tend to drop it a lot or does it get tossed around in a bag? Maybe you have kids that you lend the phone to so they can play games. If you answer yes to those questions then you should probably get it. However, if you tend to be more careful with your phone and know where it is at all times, you’re probably fine without it.

In this week's episode learn more about the new Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 4G LTE tablet for Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile's new "Classic" plans, and updates for the G2 and the G2x. Also, find out more about the Groupon/Foursquare deal and get a look at the Motorola XPRT Android phone for Sprint.

The latest version of BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) launched today and its full of upgrades that make BBM more than just another messaging app. BBM 6 is all about being social and connected. The latest version supports BBM connected apps, which are BlackBerry apps that let you connect with other BBM users. This means if you have BBM and are using a BBM-connected app you can share it with others, list it on your profile, or from within the app start a conversation with other BBM contacts. The list of connected apps isn’t particularly long, but it does include social apps such as FourSquare and games like BackGammon King.

You can download BBM 6 here. Did you know LetsTalk is on BBM? Connect with us on BlackBerry Messenger (our PIN is 22f53f18) for exclusive coupons and BlackBerry giveaways.

When it comes time to upgrade or even buy a new cell phone and plan it can be a daunting task: Trying to decide what type of phone to get and if it makes sense to upgrade with your existing carrier or to switch carriers. LetsTalk.com has a new comparison tool that helps eliminate some of the guess work. Use it to easily select different phones and plans from multiple carriers and switch between tabs to see the individual carrier offers. In short, on one single web page you can compare phones and plans with ease and even find out what you can expect to pay monthly before taxes and fees. Find a configuration you like? You can easily email it to friends and family to see what they think of your phone/plan options. This tool isn’t just for new phones and plans, but upgrades as well. Why not give it a try? You can access the easy to use comparison tool by clicking this link.

If you need advice on what phone or plan might be right for you, just e-mail us.

We’ve been hearing about the Samsung Galaxy TAB 10.1 Android tablet that sports 4G LTE connectivity for a few months and now the tablet will finally be available this week. The Android 3.1 Honeycomb tablet sports a NVIDIA Tegra2 dual-core 1GHz processor and a spacious 10.1-inch HD touchscreen display. In addition to the 4G connectivity, you can also connect the Galaxy TAB to a WiFi 802.11 b, g, or n to surf the web or to watch videos (the tablet supports Adobe Flash 10.3 so you should be able to watch most things on the web). Speaking of video, the tablet comes loaded with the Samsung Media Hub so you can rent or purchase movies or TV shows. You can also watch that multimedia on a TV via an optional HDMI adapter.

The tablet is available in metallic gray or glossy white and come with 16GB or 32GB of installed memory. If you purchase one of the 4G LTE models you need to get a data plan ($30 for 2GB/$50 for 5GB/$80 for 10GB), as well.

We learned about the features of the latest member of T-Mobile’s myTouch product line would offer last month. From the specs, the myTouch 4G Slide looks like it will be a fast and powerful Android 2.3 smartphone with its fair share of multimedia capabilities. Although, the phone isn’t available just yet, you can get a sneak peek at the myTouch 4G Slide in the unboxing video below. If you like what you see, click this link to get more information.

Have you been researching plans lately and found something you like in T-Mobile’s Even More plan options? We've got some news for you. The bad news is you likely can’t find the Even More plans today. The good news is they haven’t gone anywhere they’ve just gotten a new name: Classic plans. You’ll still be able to find the same value with the Classic Plans. In fact, only one plan has changed: the 10GB Mobile Broadband plan has gone from $84.99 a month to $79.99 a month.

The update to the popular HTC EVO 4G has arrived for Sprint and whether or not you like the HTC EVO 3D's added 3D features, there are quite a few other updates that make the smartphone a solid choice for people who want an Android 2.3 phone that sports 4G connectivity. Check out our video review below or read the HTC EVO 3D expert review by clicking this link to find out if this is the phone for you.

There’s no denying that smartphones have a lot to offer. Unfortunately, these phones can be a little lack-luster when it comes to battery life. Many people find themselves getting car chargers or getting a spare charger for the office. But what about if you don’t have access to a spare charger or maybe you’re on a long flight and want to watch a downloaded movie on your phone? Enter PowerSkin – the cell phone case with some juice.

Here’s how the PowerSkin works. It’s essentially a case with an extra battery built-in to the back of the case. The case has its own microUSB port for charging the extra battery. When all the blue lights are all illuminated on the back of the case you know it has a full charge. Inside the case there’s a microUSB connector that plugs into the phone’s microUSB port. We particularly appreciate that the connector is attached to a small cable, which makes it super easy to attach the case to the phone.

In our tests, when we attached the PowerSkin to the HTC EVO 4G the charger worked flawlessly. Essentially, if the battery on the smartphone is low you attach the case and you get a full charge from the case. That is one easy way to extend the battery life of the phone. We should note that the PowerSkin case does add a bit of bulk to your device, so you may not always want to keep it attached to the phone. Additionally, the cases are not interchangeable between multiple phones. For example, you can’t use the EVO 4G case with the recently released HTC EVO 3D. The two phones don’t use the same type of battery and the microUSB ports are located in different places.

Overall, we found the PowerSkin worked as it should and really came in handy when a charger couldn’t be found. You can see the PowerSkin in action in this Wireless Wrap-Up video.

We first heard about the HTC Wildfire S at Mobile World Congress earlier this year. Now, it looks like the Android 2.3 smartphone is headed to T-Mobile next month. The HTC Wildfire S offers a 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen, 5-megapixel camera with video recorder, and the HTC Sense overlay in a fairly petite package. The phone measures 4.1-inches by 2.3-inches, which makes it a bit larger than a credit card and decidedly pocket-friendly.

The update to the DROID 2 Global by Motorola has arrived and boasts quite a few updates. The DROID 3 by Motorola is available for Verizon Wireless and sports an updated slide-out QWERTY keyboard with five rows of keys instead of just four found on the previous model. The real differences here, however, can be found in power and features: it sports a dual-core 1GHz processor, a crisp 4-inch qHD display, runs Android 2.3 OS, and can capture 1080p HD video with the onboard 8-megapixel camera. Get a closer look at the DROID 3 by Motorola in the unboxing video below.

Prepaid plans are beginning to offer more feature-rich phones and the services needed to get the most out of them. Case in point is Virgin Mobile. The company announced New Beyond Talk plans that would include unlimited data. The new plans don’t cost a lot extra. For example, the existing Beyond Talk $40 plan is now $45 and eliminates the $10 add on charge for BlackBerry phones. The new plans will be effective starting July 20th. Existing customers who want to keep their existing Beyond Talk plans can do so as long they don’t let their account expire.

Boost Mobile has added the BlackBerry Style 9670 flip phone to its line of smartphone offerings. The phone sports a spacious tactile 4-line QWERTY keyboard, 5-megapixel camera, and runs the BlackBerry 6 OS. Of course, you can also use the phone to keep connected with all your social network friends or use the included BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) app to stay in touch with all your BlackBerry buddies.

Looking for a feature-rich phone with a tactile QWERTY keyboard? Consider the update to the LG Cosmos. The new model has many of the same features as its predecessor such as a 1.3-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, MP3 player, and four-row slide-out QWERTY keyboard. The main differences are the new mobile e-mail app that lets users send a receive text and picture attachments, a document viewer, voice commands, and an enhanced mobile app store. The cell phone also offers easy access to Facebook, MySpace and Twitter. The LG Cosmos 2 will be available later this week.

Update: New Grand Prize Winner announced. See below for the new winner.

Last month, we launched the Xperia PLAY Player’s Paradise Giveaway and gave away eight Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY for Verizon Wireless and a grand prize that included a Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY, PlayStation 3 and a $50 PlayStation Network Gift Card. All that was needed to enter the Giveaway was to become a fan of LetsTalk’s Facebook page or follow LetsTalk on Twitter and use #LTXP. Join us in congratulating all the winners of the sweepstakes listed below:

May 27, 2011 Winners: John Gulich and Lay Basden

June 3, 2011 Winners: Debra Jacobs and Pedro Romero

June 10, 2011 Winners: Carolyn Gates and Yvonne Joy Neil

June 17, 2011 Winners: Stephen Wagner and Shahei Tonge

June 24, 2011 Grand Prize Winner: Rebecca Fry

Last month, we launched the Stay Connected and Drive Responsibly This Summer giveaway and gave away six Motorola Roadsters All that was needed to enter the Giveaway was to follow LetsTalk on Twitter and use #Motordster and enter your e-mail address. Join us in congratulating all the winners of the giveaway listed below:

June 23, 2011 Winners: Alex Zimmer and Veronda Ramirez

June 30, 2011 Winners: Francis Scardino and Sue Barney

July 7, 2011 Winners: John Weber and Sharon Miller

If you own a ThunderBolt by HTC you should be receiving a notification on the phone that a software update is available for installation. According to Verizon the update should fix a few bugs in the phone including reducing the number device power cycles and resets and improving overall data connectivity. It will also come loaded with a few new Verizon-centric features including Backup Assistant, preloaded My Verizon, V CAST Music, and V CAST videos. You can find out more about how to get the update by clicking this link.

In this week’s episode learn more about the new metered data plans from Verizon Wireless and how to monitor your data usage on your Verizon phone. Also included are details on the DROID 3 by Motorola and a new unlimited offering from Boost Mobile.

If you’re a fan of the DROID or DROID 2 by Motorola then you’ll be happy to learn that the latest model in that family of phones will be available this month. The main difference between this model and its predecessors is that it has a slimmer profile making it the thinnest smartphone with a full slide-out tactile QWERTY keyboard. Other improvements include a dual-core 1GHz processor, a front-facing camera and an 8-megapixel camera that can also record 1080p HD video. The new Android 2.3 phone also sports Mirror Mode so you can view items stored on the phone on a HDMI capable TV. The HDMI port is included on the phone, but you’ll need to purchase the additional HDMI accessory cable.

While the DROID 3 by Motorola isn’t a 4G phone you can still share its 3G data connection with up to five other WiFi-enabled devices via the Mobile HotSpot feature. Like its predecessor, the DROID 2 Global, this is a world phone and can be used in over 125 countries worldwide.

Have friends in Mexico that you’d like to connect with over the phone? No problem. Today, Boost Mobile added unlimited calling to all of Mexico. The service costs $5 a month and includes the following features:

• Unlimited calling to landlines in all cities in Mexico including Mexico City
• Unlimited calling to Canada (excluding area code 867)
• Unlimited international text messages worldwide from the U.S.
• Unlimited international text messages from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (CDMA Series phones)
• Unlimited walkie-talkie from the U.S., Canada and Baja California (Mexico) to Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Peru and Chile (available with iDEN Series phones)

In order to get the deal you need to have a monthly unlimited plan, but to get this price you need to add the feature by August 31, 2011. Already have International Connect and want this deal? No worries. If you added the feature on or after April 11, 2011 qualify as well. There’s no need to call Customer Care to make sure it’s added.

On July 7, 2011, Verizon Wireless will follow both AT&T and T-Mobile to become the 3rd major US carrier to adopt tiered data plans. Delly Tamer, founder of LetsTalk.com, offers his perspective on this industry shift and questions what it means for consumers in the future:

We’ve seen metered options before with voice plans. We all remember the “bill shock anxiety” we faced every month wondering about minute overages and excess charges on our bill. Now, in the relatively early days of high-speed 4G data offerings, we’re beginning to see it again.

Pricing by the gigabyte simply does not mean much to users. Consumers don’t know a gigabyte from a mosquito bite. What they do know, is that they now need to start worrying about it. What if my son leaves Pandora streaming in the back seat of the car for 5 hours? What data services are running in the background of my device and how many megabytes do these services use? Am I connected to Wifi or not? Consumers don’t want to be burdened by these thoughts and our concern is that they will avoid using data services to their fullest extent.

When Verizon introduced its 4G LTE service earlier this year with an unlimited data plan for $30 per month, it was a bold move that was great for consumers. It meant consumers could freely explore many new features of their high-end smartphones and tablets (updating Facebook, watching YouTube videos, surfing the web, etc.) without wondering how much data they’re using.

Verizon’s recent announcement to stop offering its unlimited data plan is the latest in a recent series of similar decisions by other national carriers.

We have to question why the carriers are choosing to create this “bill shock anxiety” all over again? Why now? At a time when data services are becoming more and more popular, why are carriers choosing to make these services less and less accessible?

AT&T’s planned acquisition of T-Mobile will reduce the number of national postpaid carriers, and quite possibly the level of competitiveness in the wireless industry. AT&T states that its acquisition of T-Mobile will speed its ability to offer 4G services nationwide. But at what cost to the consumer? How many of us will be able to afford it? Our obvious concern is that there is no longer a truly competitive wireless marketplace and that pricing actions like these are indicative of things to come. Will AT&T now match Verizon’s data pricing? Will (Read more)

Tour the new budget-friendly T-Mobile Samsung Exhibit 4G Android 2.3 Gingerbread smartphone in the video below. It sports a snappy 1GHz processor, a front facing VGA camera, and a rear-facing 3-megapixel camera that even offers a panorama mode. Also, check out the Drive Smart app that helps you manage incoming calls and texts while driving.

In this week's edition, learn about two new HTC phones, the HTC Status (aka the Facebook Phone) for AT&T and the myTouch 4G Slide for T-Mobile. Also, the popular Angry Birds game is available for Windows Phone 7 users. Our test drive feature takes a look at how to extend the battery life of your cell phone. Finally, find out how to win a Motorola Roadster.

Did you know that June is safe driving month? That means clearing away distractions while you drive which includes talking on the phone or texting while driving. With that in mind we’ve been trying out the portable Motorola Roadster Bluetooth In-Car Speakerphone. The product is similar to the Motorola T505 in that it lets you stream calls and music through the speaker or through the car radio. But that’s not all it can do.

For starters, the Motorola Roadster is simple to use and easy to pair. Simply turn on the device and activate Bluetooth on your cell phone and the Roadster takes care of the rest. There’s no need to hold down a specific button or perform any extra tasks. You can also pair the Roadster with two cell phones - a definite plus for people that still have to carry around two phones (one for work and one for personal use). In our tests we were able to pair the Roadster with the Samsung Epic 4G and the DROID X2 by Motorola with ease. We were able to make/receive calls with both models through the included speaker.

The Motorola Roadster also has a FM button for streaming calls and music from the cell phone through the car radio. In our tests, we found the feature worked great with the Motorola DROID X2, but not the Samsung Epic 4G. To find a free FM station for streaming you’ll need to hit the + or – buttons to go through the stations. The Motorola Roadster doesn’t perform a scan looking for any available frequency; instead, it manually checks each station.

Depending on the Android or BlackBerry phone you have you can download the (Read more)

The latest model in T-Mobile’s line of myTouch smartphones has many of the features we’ve come to expect plus a new one that just might turn some heads. The myTouch 4G Slide is a 4G Android 2.3 cell phone with a 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor (so it’s speedy), 3.7-inch WVGA super LCD touch-screen display, and a slide-out four-line tactile QWERTY keyboard. It also sports a front-facing VGA camera for video chats and a rear-facing 8-megapixel camera with a dual LED flash.

This is where the myTouch 4G Slide starts getting interesting. The 8-megapixel camera is loaded with features like a zero shutter lag and Burst Shot so you’ll be able to use this camera phone to capture action shots as they are happening. It will also be able to handle light better - a key element to snapping great pics - with its wide aperture lens (f/2.2) and ClearShot HDR for capturing images in bright sunlight. You can store all these images on the included 8GB microSD card or upload them to photo sharing sites such as to Facebook, Picasa, or Flickr with just the touch of a button.

If video is your preference, you’ll be happy to learn that you can use the myTouch 4G Slide to record 1080p HD video that you’ll be able to edit on the phone. You can also use it to watch streaming video from apps like YouTube, Netflix, and T-Mobile TV.

The cell phone will be available in black or khaki some time next month. Lear more about the photography features by watching the video below.

In this editon, learn more about the Nokia N9 MeeGo phone and get a closer look at the HTC EVO 3D for Sprint. Also, find out about the new ZipCar mobile app for Android phones and find out how to enter to win a Motorola Roadster car accessory.

Since June is safe driving month, LetsTalk.com’s latest giveaway is focused on helping consumers drive safer by using a handsfree device with cell phones. With that in mind, LetsTalk teamed up with Motorola to bring consumers the Stay Connected and Drive Responsibly This Summer giveaway. What can you win? Two fans every Thursday through July 7th will be chosen to win a Motorola Roadster Bluetooth In-Car Speakerphone. The universal (works with most Bluetooth phones including iPhone) accessory lets you stream music and calls through the built-in speakerphone or the car stereo. Additionally, if you use a BlackBerry or Android cell phone you can have even more functionality by downloading and installing the MotoSpeak app from the corresponding market place. This app will read incoming text messages and you can respond to them as well. How’s that for keeping your eyes on the road and your hands at ten and two on the steering wheel while driving?

All you have to do to enter the Giveaway is follow this link to enter your e-mail address, then follow LetsTalk on Twitter and use hashtag #Motordster. Note: Only one entry per person per day through Twitter. The giveaway has just begun and ends Thursday, July 7th, 2011 at 11:59pm Pacific Time. So, be sure to spread the word on Twitter.

In the meantime, be sure to take the Motorola Responsbility on the Road Pledge on Facebook and drive safely.

The budget friendly Samsung Exhibit 4G is now available on the T-Mobile network. The cell phone sports 4G connectivity, a 1GHz processor, and runs the Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS. It also has its fair share of multimedia features including access to the Samsung Media Hub for renting and purchasing movies and TV shows, as well as T-Mobile TV that offers network TV shows (some shows can be viewed for free). It also sports two cameras: a rear-facing 3-megapixel camera with flash and front-facing camera for video chats. Get a closer look at the smartphone in the unboxing video below.

Nokia’s latest smartphone, the N9, is sleek, slim, and offers something new in the way of phone navigation. The Nokia N9 is based on MeeGo, a Linux-based mobile OS – so this is different than other smartphones currently available. One of the more interesting features of the phone is the incorporation of swipe – a technology that lets you swipe the screen to return to the home view whenever in an application.

The cell phone sports a sharp 3.9-inch AMOLED display with Gorilla Glass and 1GHz processor. It also has an 8-megapixel Carl Zeiss camera that can also record 720p video. If you’re interesting in mobile payment options, you’ll be happy to learn the phone has the NFC chip (this is a feature needed if you want the phone to support mobile payments). The cell phone will be available in three colors (black, cyan, and magenta) and 16GB or 64GB models. We’ll learn more about availability and pricing later this year. In the meantime, you can get a closer look at the Nokia N9 in the video below.

In this edition, we check out Sprint’s HTC EVO 3D and the Motorola Roadster In-Car Bluetooth accessory. Other news covered includes the HTC Sensation 4G, T-Mobile's More for Me app, Groupon Mobile deals, Google mobile search options, cool apps for Dads and Angry Bird updates.

Take a tour of Sprint’s HTC EVO 3D in this first look video. The Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) smartphone features two cameras on the back for snapping 3D pictures, a sharp 4.3-inch QHD touchscreen, and the latest version of HTC Sense. The HTC EVO 3D will be available next week.

The HTC EVO 3D for Sprint will be available late next week, but you can get an early look at it here in the unboxing video below. What’s so special about this Android 2.3 phone? Well, for starters it’s the update to the popular HTC EVO 4G, the Android smartphone with a spacious 4.3-inch display and a kickstand for viewing videos hands-free on the go. The new model sports the same form factor, but lacks a kickstand. However, it does have a special feature not found on other phones: a 3D camera (dual lenses on the back of the phone) so you can take 3D pictures and you don’t even need special glasses to view them.

It seems like new daily deal services are popping up everyday. Who can keep track of them all? T-mobile has created an app that aggregates the deals in one place on your Android-based smartphone called More for Me. The app will deliver deals from popular social buying sites (LivingSocial offers will be included) and offers from T-Mobile and its partners. Users can customize the experience based on location and relevancy.

More for Me is currently in beta and can be downloaded from the Android market (on a computer or on a smartphone) to any T-Mobile Android phone running OS 1.6 or higher. What do you think? Do you want deals in one spot on your cell phone?

Not sure what to get dad for Fathers' Day this year? Well consider getting him apps that are useful and fun to use. Whether you're shopping for a new dad or a dad about to send his kids off to college, there's sure to be an app in this group that they would like to use. You can always download one or all of the apps to your dad's or grandfather's phone while spending time with them during the holiday.


1. Turn new dads into a baby whisperer

Being a new dad while completely rewarding can have its challenges, like getting that new bundle of joy to sleep. No need to worry, there's an app for that. Get the new dad in your life the Baby Shusher app that literally shushes your baby to sleep. Don't worry about incoming calls waking an almost sleeping baby, there's a setting for that in the app.

Compatible OS: Android, iPhone
Cost: $4.99
How to get it: Visit the app market residing on your phone or corresponding app store on your computer.



2. Add a doctor to your dad's phone

Not all dads are doctors like Awesome on the show Chuck, but that doesn't mean they can't have a virtual doctor in their cell phones. If they're the kind of person that always wants to diagnose an ailment, help them out with iTriage. The app is filled with content from physicians and includes useful information on thousands of symptoms, diseases, procedures and medication. It also includes a nationwide directory of every hospital, urgent care center, retail clinic, physician, pharmacy, and community health center.

Compatible OS: iPhone, Android smartphones and tablets
Cost: Free
How to get it: Visit the app market residing on your phone or corresponding app store on your computer. You can also access it on a web-based enabled cell phone by visiting iTriage.com.



3. Get your dad a history lesson

Is your dad a history buff? Then he'll love the It Happened Here! mobile app. Basically this app turns a cell phone into a virtual tour guide. Dads can use it to learn more about history and pop culture events that occurred in New York, Washington DC, Los Angeles or San Francisco. The events are presented in a list or on a map. Don't worry you don't have to be in the city to use it, but being there does make it more fun.

Compatible OS: iPhone, Android
Cost: $2.99 per city
How to get it: Visit the app market residing on your phone or corresponding app store on your computer.



(Read more)

Did you know the popular daily deal site Groupon offers a mobile version of deals? We’re not talking about viewing your Groupon deals sent to an e-mail address on your cell phone. Instead there’s an actual mobile version called Groupon Now that works on Android, BlackBerry, iPhone/iPAD, and Windows Phone 7 smartphones. You can download the app to your phone by visiting the app market on your phone.

Now until June 28th you get $10 in Groupon bucks when you use the app to purchase a Groupon deal. All and all, it’s an easy way to keep track of the Groupon deals you’ve purchased on a device you most likely have with you all the time. If you like getting deals, why not give it a try?

We know the HTC Sensation 4G for T-Mobile is going to be loaded with features, but it also comes with some interesting accessories in the box. To get a better look at the Android 2.3 HTC Sensation 4G and to see what's included watch the video below.

In this edition, we cover new features coming to Apple's iOS 5, Sprint's Motorola XPRT and Motorola PHOTON 4G phones, the Motorola TRIUMPH for Virgin Mobile, and tablet news about the HP TouchPad and Toshiba Thrive. Watch the video below to get the full scoop.

Prepaid plans offer an easy way to keep cell phone bill costs from rising monthly since you pay a set amount for the type of service you need. LetsTalk has recently added a slue of prepaid phones and plans to its offerings, so there are plenty of models and price points from which to choose. When you get a prepaid phone there are no activations fees or contracts. These days, you don’t have to sacrifice features to get a cell phone with a prepaid plan.

Prepaid carries like Boost Mobile, MetroPCS, and Virgin Mobile are all offering BlackBerry and Android smartphones. MetroPCS has 4G LTE models like the Samsung Galaxy Indulge and Virgin Mobile will be offering the Motorola TRIUMPH. The Triumph is a high-end smartphone with a slim profile and a spacious 4.1-inch touchscreen display. It also has a zippy 1GHz processor, HDMI out so you can hook it up to a HDTV, and two cameras (rear-facing 5-megapixel camera that can also capture 720p HD video and a front-facing VGA camera for video chat).

If you're not interested in contracts or activation fees why not check out a prepaid phone and plan. They offer a lot of features. Let us know what you think of prepaid plans and phones by leaving a comment below.

Today, Sprint unveiled the Motorola PHOTON 4G. This is the first 4G cell phone by Motorola for use with the Sprint 4G network. That’s not all that’s interesting about this world phone. It also sports a dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor with a 4.3-inch qHD display (so graphics and videos will be vibrant and crisp), runs the Android 2.3 OS, and even has a kickstand for hands-free viewing of videos and more. You can share the phone’s 3G or 4G connectivity with up to eight WiFi-enabled devices via the Mobile HotSpot feature. It sports an 8-megapixel camera with flash on the back and a front facing VGA camera for video chat. The cell phone will come with 16GB of onboard memory and if that’s not enough you can add a 32GB microSD card. While you can download apps from the Android market you can also customize the phone in an instant with a Sprint ID pack.

Additionally, the smartphone also sports the Motorola webtop application so you can connect the phone to a Motorola accessory dock (sold separately) and use it to open, view, edit and send Microsoft Office documents using cloud-based web apps through the full Mozilla Firefox browser. If this feature sounds familiar it should. We first saw it on the Motorola ATRIX 4G at CES, but there’s no word on whether the PHOTON 4G will work with the same Laptop Dock. Either way, the webtop app is a nice feature to have because it extends how you can use the cell phone.

The HTC Trophy is Verizon’s first Windows Phone 7 handset. It sports a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 5-megapixel camera with flash and the ability to capture 720p HD video. The cell phone has 16GBs of onboard storage, which should be enough to store videos, music, pictures and documents. Get a closer look at the HTC Trophy in the first look video below.

There’s no denying that tablets are popular devices bridging the gap between cell phones and laptops. In fact, earlier this year Forrester forecasted that tablet sales will total 195 million between 2010 and 2015 (according to this Mashable article). So it’s not surprising to see a company like Toshiba get into the tablet market. The company first announced the product as the Toshiba tablet and now we have more details on what will be called Thrive.

The operating system of choice? Android 3.1 Honeycomb. The tablet will be powered by the NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, boast a 10.1-inch (1200x800 resolution) mulit-touch screen, and sport an integrated Swype QWERTY keyboard. Also on board are a 2-megapixel front-facing camera and 5-megapixel rear-facing camera, stereo speakers, USB 2.0 and HDMI ports, and a SD Card slot so you can add more memory. Finally, if you want to add more flare to the Thrive you can opt to get one of five (Blue Moon, Raspberry Fusion, Lavender Bliss, Silvery Sky, and Green Apple) interchangeable back covers.

This summer the Thrive tablet will be available in three configurations: 8GB for $429.99, 16GB for $479.99, and 32GB for $579.99.

This week there were a few new cell phones announced and we learned more details about the HTC EVO 3D. We cover the three new phones coming to T-Mobile: HTC Sensation 4G, Samsung Gravity SMART, and the Samsung Exhibit 4G. Plus, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 4G LTE coming to Verizon. Learn more about these stories and other wireless happenings by watching the video below.

Cell phones have become rich multimedia devices combining all the functionality of a MP3 player and portable player for watching TV shows and movies. As such, headphones are being used for much more than just taking and making calls so they should be comfortable. With that in mind we checked out the latest earTones headphones from iSkin.

There are a few interesting features about these headphones. First, they are extremely comfortable to wear and that’s likely a result of the earbud design. Instead of having a rigid earbud, these earbuds have a bit of wire between the base and the actual earbud making them more flexible than other wired headphones we’ve used. In our tests, we were able to wear them for at least 3 hours without any discomfort. Second, they are coated with Microban antimicrobial product protection, which keeps them clean. Read: You wouldn’t mind sharing the headphones with someone else.

As for audio quality, music and callers sounded clear. Music wasn’t tinny even at the loudest setting. We should note that in loud environments we needed to set our cell phone at the highest volume setting to hear clearly. That said, these are not noise-cancelling headphones.

On the box it says the headphones work with BlackBerry and Apple iOS devices, but we were able to use it to make calls with the Samsung Epic 4G. Overall, we liked using the headphones and particularly like the multiple color choices available.

Next week, Sprint will start to roll out the update to the HTC EVO 4G. The update is coming over-the-air so you’ll receive a notification on the HTC EVO 4G when it’s available to download on your phone. In addition to installing the Android 2.3 OS, he update will fix the phone’s ability to stream media through certain applications on the device and improve download management so it will be easy to access any file downloaded from the browser, email or another application.

When you receive the update, you’ll need to download the installation and then install it. We recommend keeping your cell phone connected to a wall charger during this process. You can get more information about the update by clicking this link.

At CTIA earlier this year, Samsung unveiled the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. Today, Verizon announced it would be offering a 4G LTE version of the Android tablet this summer. The 4G LTE tablet sports a rear-facing 3-megapixel camera and front-facing 2-megapixel camera, 1,280x800 WXGA touchscreeen, 1GHz dual-core processor, playback of 1080p HD video and supports Adobe Flash 10.1 so you’ll be able to easily view content on the Internet. The Samsung Galaxy Tab is also one of the thinnest and lightest models weighing under two pounds.

Is this the tablet you want? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

The latest two cell phones coming to T-Mobile later this month offer consumers looking for an Android smartphone more options. The Samsung Exhibit 4G (available in violet or black) is the higher-end model with 4G connectivity, a 1GHz processor, and the Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS. The cell phone will be loaded with multimedia features including access to the Samsung Media Hub for renting and purchasing movies and TV shows, as well as T-Mobile TV that offers network TV shows (some shows can be viewed for free). It also sports two cameras: a rear-facing 3-megapixel camera with flash and front-facing camera for video chats.

The Samsung Gravity SMART (pictured below) is the next evolution in the Gravity line of cell phones. These phones are typically geared toward consumers who prefer a tactile QWERTY keyboard and the Samsung Gravity SMART maintains that tradition with a four-row, slide-out, QWERTY keyboard with a 3.2-inch touch-screen display that sports Swype for quick typing. The cell phone is the first in the line-up to run the Android OS (it will have Android 2.2 Froyo). Like the Samsung Exhibit 4G, the Samsung Gravity SMART will also have a 3-megapixel camera with flash that can also record videos.

T-Mobile will be offering the HTC Sensation 4G later this month. This Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) smartphone features a 1.2GHz dual-core processor (so it’s fast), a spacious 4.3-inch qHD display for watching movies and TV shows on-the-go, and 4G connectivity. Since this is an HTC cell phone it comes with some interesting extras including the HTC Sense Overlay, which enriches the Android user experience. Also, on board is HTC Watch, a new way to rent and purchase movies on the cell phone, and HTC Listen, which provides access to millions of songs that once purchased can be transferred to another device or computer so the song won’t be “trapped” in the phone. If you don’t want to purchase songs you can always listen to them on Slacker Radio.

Additionally, the HTC Sensation 4G sports an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera with dual LED flash that can also record 1080p HD video. From the video below it looks like it has a pretty fast shutter. There’s also a front-facing camera that can be used for video chat using the T-Mobile Video Chat powered by Qik. You can get a better sense of the HTC Sensation 4G by watching the video below.

Summer is almost officially here and with it more details are emerging about Sprint’s HTC EVO 3D, the follow-up smartphone to the company’s popular HTC EVO 4G. Let’s talk about content. Since the HTC EVO 3D is, well a 3D phone, the Android 2.3 phone will come preloaded with The Green Hornet 3D movie on the include microSD card for a limited time. Don’t worry you won’t need to wear special 3D glasses to enjoy the movie since the cell phone sports a 4.3-inch qHD 3D display for a glasses-free 3D viewing experience.

If you don’t happen to get one of those models, don’t worry you’ll still be able to watch 3D content on the cell phone via the HTC Watch or Blockbuster OnDemand movie applications. HTC Watch offers access to 2D and 3D movies and TV shows on demand, so you can either rent ($2.99 to $3.99) or purchase (starting at $8.99) content. If you don’t want to take up space on the phone to store that media you can save it in the HTC cloud where you can watch it on the HTC EVO 3D or on other HTC devices. While the Blockbuster app makes movies available the same day they become available on Blu-ray and DVD. You can rent titles ($2.99 to $3.99 each) or purchase them ($4.99 and up).

It was a busy week for wireless with new cell phones available from Verizon including the LG Revolution, HTC Trophy, and Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY (check out the game controller on this phone) and data plan changes from T-Mobile and Verizon. We also learned about Google Wallet and the Windows Phone 7 Mango update. For information on these stories and more watch our Weekly Wireless Wrap-Up video below.

LetsTalk.com’s latest giveaway is the Xperia PLAY Player’s Paradise Giveaway.What can you win? Two fans every Friday through June 17th will be chosen to win a Sony Ericsson Xpera PLAY plus one-year Sony PlayStation Network Pass. There will also be one grand prizewinner who will receive a Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY, PlaySation 3 Gaming Console, and a one-year PlaySation Network pass. All you have to do to enter the Giveaway is become a fan of LetsTalk’s Facebook page or follow LetsTalk on Twitter and use hashtag #LTXP. Not sure how to become a fan? Simply visit LetsTalk on Facebook and click the "Like" button at the top of the page.

If you’re already a fan of LetsTalk on Facebook, you’ll still be entered to win. Already following us on Twitter? Then all you have to do is Tweet about the giveaway using the hashtag #LTXP. Entering into both WILL increase your chances of winning. Only one entry per person through Twitter and Facebook during the promotion period is permissible. We should note that you only need to enter once to win and selecting/deselecting "Like" on Facebook will not increase your chances of winning.

The contest has just begun and ends Monday, June 20, 2011 at 11:59pm Pacific Time. So, be sure to spread the word. Becoming a fan of LetsTalk’s Facebook page or following LetsTalk on Twitter will help keep you informed about the latest cell phone news, let you know when the most popular phones are available, and more. Know all you need to know to enter? Then click this link to become a fan of LetsTalk’s Facebook page and Tweet about it on Twitter.

We’ve been hearing about mobile payment options for at least a couple of years now. The idea being that you can go into a store and use your cell phone to purchase products, just like you use a credit card. In fact, there have been a few pilot programs and features that allow you to do this. (You can read more about the different type of mobile payment options in this CNET article.) Today, Google threw its hat in the mobile payment ring.

So what’s the product? Essentially, it’s a way to use your cell phone as a credit card. If you’ve seen the PayPass icon at stores or in taxis that works with a PayPass credit card, then you get the idea. Only difference is with Google Wallet instead of waving a PayPass card, just launch the app on your phone, enter your Google Wallet PIN, and tap the cell phone on the reader. The cell phone doesn’t even need a data connection to work. No need to pull out a credit card from a wallet just use your Android cell phone.

The service is currently only available on Sprint’s Nexus S 4G Android smartphone and you need a CitiCard MasterCard to make payments. It also can’t be used everywhere, only where you see one of the logos below. You can find out where it’s available near you by clicking this link and entering your zip code.

The fact that Google has gotten in the mobile payment game means that this feature will likely be more on consumers’ radars. However, until it’s rolled out to more places, phones, and offered by more credit card options adoption could be a bit slow. As mentioned earlier, there are quite a few players in this market and the good news is that I suspect we’ll see more options coming soon.

What do you think? Is this a feature you want in your cell phone? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

The latest 4G LTE Android 2.2 smartphone for Verizon, the LG Revolution, is loaded with multimedia features. For starters, it has a 4.3-inch capacitive touchscreen, HDMI-out with SmartShare for viewing multimedia content on larger HDTVs with HDMI connections, and a speedy 1GHz processor. To take full advantage of those specs, the LG Revolution is the first Android smartphone to have the mobile Netflix app preloaded. Netflix subscribers who get this cell phone will be able to access movies and TV shows on the LG Revolution and the speeds of the 4G LTE network means streaming videos should be a smooth experience. You can also use the rear-facing 5-megapixel camera to record 720p HD videos. Speaking of 4G LTE you can share the data connection with up to five other WiFi-enabled devices via the Mobile HotSpot feature. There’s also a front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera that can be used for shooting self-portraits or conducting video chats.

Last week, Verizon Wireless announced the Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY phone or rather the long awaited PlayStation phone would be coming soon. Sure enough it is. In fact, you can pre-order one now by clicking this link to ensure you're the first of your friends to get the cell phone. The Xperia PLAY is unlike other gaming-centric phones we've seen in the past because it has an integrated slide-out game controller and it is a PlayStation certified device, which means it has similar controls to those for the PlayStation (circle, X, square, and triangle) gaming console so it offers a true gaming experience. To help put you in the mood the cell phone comes with seven titles: 

• Madden NFL 11 (EA Sports)
• Bruce Lee Dragon Warrior (Digital Legends)
• Asphalt 6: Adrenaline (Gameloft)
• The Sims 3 (EA)
• Star Battalion (Gameloft)
• Crash Bandicoot (Sony PlayStation) 
• Tetris

The Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY is also a solid cell phone. It's among the first models to sport the Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS out-of-the-box, sports a 4-inch display, has a 1GHz Snapdragon II processor, and comes with an 8GB microSD card pre-installed. The Xperia PLAY also has a front-facing VGA camera for video chat and rear-facing 5-megapixel camera. Get a closer look at the Xperia PLAY in the unboxing video below.

Watching a movie on a Windows Phone 7 handset just got a little more interesting. Paramount Digital Entertainment's movie apps let you do more than simply watch a movie on a cell phone, now you can access similar features found on DVDs. The new movie apps will include the following features:

Clip Sharing: Create and share custom clips of favorite scenes with friends on Facebook, Twitter, or send via e-mail.

Scene It? In-Feature Trivia Game: Play the Scene It trivia game and share results with friends.

Movie Info: Access actor bios, music, historical information and even maps to film locations.

Chapter Selection & Bookmarking: Jump to favorite chapters in a movie or bookmark select scenes to view them later.

Search: Find items, products or people in the film using keyword search.

Mean Girls and School of Rock will be the first movies to receive these features (Note: If you already downloaded School of Rock, you'll get an update on your Windows Phone 7 to download the additional features). More movies will be added over the coming weeks including apps for True Grit, The Last Airbender, Zoolander, The Italian Job and more. You can see a complete list of upcoming movie apps and release dates by clicking this link. The movie apps can be downloaded directly to a Windows Phone 7 smartphone from the Windows Phone 7 Marketplace.

The popular music application, Slacker Radio, for smartphones just got better. The company announced a new version of the service called Slacker Radio Premium with a $9.99 monthly subscription fee. Besides offering an ad-free experience (a feature that is expected when paying for the app), it also has a lot more functionality including on-demand access to the music you want.

The on-demand feature is exactly what is sounds like: you can search, play, and even replay specific songs or entire albums. You can also see complete song lyrics, see the next artist, album, or song, and keep all "Favorite" songs in one spot. The most interesting feature that we look forward to trying out is the ability to playback stations, playlists, and albums while offline (Note: This feature is only available for the iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and BlackBerry and Android smartphones. If this sounds good to you, Slacker Radio is offering a free trial of Slacker Premium Radio on Facebook for a limited time.

Last month RIM officially launched the BlackBerry Playbook tablet with WiFi connectivity. We take a closer look at the PlayBook in the video below. The 7-inch tablet is fairly lightweight and purse-friendly. We were particularly impressed with the screen and video playback. The user interface is fairly intuitive and speedy (read: no lag time switching between screens and running apps). Although you can do more with the tablet if you have a BlackBerry cell phone, you definitely don't need one to get a lot out of using the Playbook. So, is this the tablet for you? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

Verizon customers who have been waiting for a Windows Phone 7 smartphone from the carrier will be happy to learn that one has finally arrived, the HTC Trophy. The cell phone will sport a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 5-megapixel camera with flash and the ability to capture 720p HD video, and will have 16GB of onboard storage. Since this is a Windows Phone 7 handset you'll be able to sync with Xbox LIVE mobile to access avatars, profiles, and scores. Of course those who want to be able to do a little business on the phone will be able to via the included Microsoft Office apps: Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. You can also further customize the phone via the HTC Hub offering of applications. The smartphone will be available in the coming weeks.

It's been a busy week for Verizon, the company just announced its next model in the DROID family, the DROID X2 by Motorola. The new Android 2.2 phone (it will be updated to Android 2.3) is the successor to the DROID X by Motorola. The new model has a similar form factor boasting an anti-reflective qHD 4.3-inch display that uses scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass and also sports a HDMI-out port. Speaking of HDMI, one of the more interesting features found on the DROID X2 is the full Mirror Mode. Essentially this lets you connect the cell phone to a HDTV via HDMI and view the cell phone's entire display on the TV. That's pretty nifty especially when you think of how it might be used. For example, you capture an HD video with the phone's 8-megapixel camera of your child's baseball game. You can then hook up the phone to a HDTV at home and show the video to friends and family on the TV. No more passing the phone around to replay the video. We should also mention the shutter speed on the new DROID X2 will be faster making it easier to capture action shots.

There are other fun features as well including a MP3 player and FM radio (you'll need to use headphones to access this feature), a new Gallery app to easily view, tag and post photos on sites like Flickr and Facebook, and support for Adobe Flash 10.1 that will deliver a more fluid web experience. The cell phone will also sport a speedy and battery efficient dual-core 1GHz processor and 8GB of onboard memory, plus will come with an included 8GB microSD card. Although the DROID X2 isn't a 4G LTE phone, it does sport the Mobile HotSpot feature so you can share the 3G data connection with up to five WiFi-enabled devices.

What do you think? Does the DROID X2 have all the features you want? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

Looking for a messaging phone that's both stylish and practical? Check out the latest offering from Boost Mobile, the Sanyo Innuendo by Kyocera. At first glance, the cell phone looks like a basic model sporting a streamlined designed: there are no raised buttons on the face of the phone. You'll find there's more to this phone when you flip it open to reveal a full tactile QWERTY keyboard that makes sending messages and emails (access web-based accounts like Gmail, MSN, Yahoo!, and AOL) a breeze. It also sports a 3.2-megapixel camera that can record video, music player, GPS, and can accept up to a 32GB microSD card. You can get the phone with Boost Mobile's $50 Monthly Unlimited with Shrinkage plan, that includes unlimited talk, text, Web, and email. If you make six-on-time payments the monthly bill will shrink by $5 each month (when paid on time) until the bill gets as low as $35 a month.

The latest 4G LTE phone from Verizon is now available and the Droid Charge by Samsung packs a powerful punch with its 1GHz processor and Android 2.2 OS. It also happens to have one of the more vibrant and sharp 4.3-inch displays we've seen to date, which makes it great for watching video on the road. Essentially, if you like the power and speed of the ThunderBolt by HTC, but the user interface of the Samsung Fascinate then the Droid Charge by Samsung might just be the perfect phone for you. You can read more about the Droid Charge by Samsung in our expert review by clicking this link or get a closer look at the phone in the unboxing video below.

Owners of the Motorola Xoom with Verizon service will be among the first to receive the update to Android 3.1. over-the-air starting later this week. Here are some features the update will include:

• Full support for Adobe Flash Player 10.2, which is needed to experience more multimedia on the web 
• Users will also be able to rent movies from the Android Market 
• Support for USB-connected devices such as game controllers and keyboards that can ultimately add more functionality to the XOOM
• Additional Bluetooth features to support Bluetooth headsets in Google Talk™ video chats among other enhancements 

Sanyo Zio users should start receiving a notification on their cell phone that an update is available. The update will upgrade the cell phone's OS from Android 2.1 to Android 2.2 Froyo, which means the phone will run just a bit faster. There will be quite a few updates as well including the ability to install apps on the microSD card, the SWYPE keyboard for texting, improvements to battery life, the Camera and Gallery features will get picture stacks, zoom, and some other enhancements, and the freezing issues should be resolved. There are a few more fixes that can also be expected. You can read about all the release details by clicking this link.

If you are a Sanyo Zio owner and receive the update notification, be sure to plug the cell phone into the wall before installing and it's recommended that users turn on WiFi and download the update via that connection.

The T-Mobile G2x Android 2.2 smartphone packs a powerful punch in a fairly slim package. The smartphone sports a 1GHz dual-core processor, 8GB of memory, Flash 10.1 support for a better web experience, and dual cameras (rear-facing 8-megapixel camera and front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera). Get a closer look at the G2x and what comes in the box by checking out the video below.

Today Sprint announced it would be offering two new Android phones from Motorola, the XPRT for business users who require enterprise-grade security features and the Titanium, a rugged Android 2.1 phone that features Nextel Direct Connect.

The Motorola XPRT looks a lot like the DROID Pro by Motorola for Verizon. The new smartphone for Sprint runs Android 2.2 with MOTOBLUR, sports a full tactile QWERTY keyboard, has a 1GHz process, support for Adobe Flash 10, 5-megapixel camera with flash, and comes with a 2GB microSD card. IT departments will appreciate that the cell phone supports 256-bit AES data encryption and the ability to remotely enable pin or password lock, password recovery and data wipe on both the phone and SD card if it's lost or stolen. Although the Motorola XPRT isn't a 4G compatible phone it does offer world-roaming on both GSM and CDMA networks and can be turned into a 3G Mobile Hotspot with the ability to share its data connection with up to five WiFi-enabled devices.

The Motorola Titanium is the successor to the Motorola i1, Sprint's first Android phone that works with the company's Nextel Direct Connect. The new Android 2.1 Titanium sports the same feature in a military-grade casing. It also a has a 5-megapixel camera with a flash and comes with a 2GB microSD card.

The Motorola XPRT will be available in June, but there's no word on when the Motorola Titanium will be available. When more information is available we'll let you know.

Verizon owners of the ThunderBolt by HTC should start receiving a software update to their smartphone. The update will come over the air, so be on the lookout for a software update notification on your cell phone. The update, build number 1.13.605.7, will enhance data connectivity when using the phone's 3G connection, store messages in the correct place within the messaging application, and display Backup Assistant correctly in the applications menu. Additionally, the update will improve the phone start-up time, add more stability to data centric apps such as Facebook, Yahoo! Mail, and more, display the accurate location in the Weather Widget, and load GPS updates for Google Maps and VZ Navigator.

All and all, this software update should give ThunderBolt by HTC users a much more fluid experience with the phone. The update will take up 22.28MB of space (that's really not a lot), and should download and install within 10 to 15 minutes (total time spent to download and install). We recommend plugging the phone into the wall while receiving and installing the update on the cell phone. You can get more information about how to install the update by clicking this link.

You may have a few questions about 4G and if the service is right for you. We tackle some of the most frequently asked questions about the new service offered by carriers. Have more questions? Submit your question here or leave a comment below.

What’s the difference between 4G and 3G?

In the simplest terms 3G and 4G are the third and fourth generation mobile data networks, respectively. Just as 3G was much faster than 2G and 2.5G, 4G is a lot faster than 3G. The speed difference can be compared to the difference between low-end DSL speeds and basic cable speeds, which for arguments sake are essentially 768Kbps to 1.5Mbps vs. 4Mbps to 6Mbps, respectively. In short, 4G data networks are a lot faster than 3G data networks. You can learn more about 3G vs. 4G by reading this blog post.

Can I use any 4G product with the service?

There are different networks that offer 4G services so not all 4G products will work on all 4G networks. For example, Sprint uses WiMAX to offer 4G service, while Verizon uses a technology called LTE that requires a SIM card for use, and T-Mobile and AT&T use a technology called HSPA+. This means a Sprint 4G device would not be compatible with Verizon’s, T-Mobile, or AT&T’s 4G networks. That said, you could use any 4G device offered by a carrier on their network. For example, you could use both the Motorola Xoom and ThunderBolt by HTC with Verizon’s 4G service, but neither device would work with Sprint’s, AT&T’s, or T-Mobile’s 4G service.

Do I need a new phone to use 4G service?

If you don’t already have a 4G phone, then you will need to get a 4G compatible phone from a carrier that offers 4G. You’ll also need to be in a 4G area to use the service. (See previous question for more details).

What if I have a 4G product and I’m not in a 4G market? (Read more)

If you thought when the first BlackBerry touchscreen phone, the BlackBerry Storm, came out a few years ago that it would be great to have that touchscreen on the Bold, you'll be happy to learn that RIM has announced just that product. Well two version actually the BlackBerry Bold 9900 and the BlackBerry Bold 9930. The phones were announced today at RIM's annual BlackBerry World Conference in Orlando, FL along with BlackBerry 7 OS.

In addition to the new OS and touchscreen these models sport a few features we've yet to find on BlackBerry models namely a 1.2GHz processor and the ability to record and playback 720p HD video. The cell phones are also thinner than previous models at only 10.5mm. Other features include a 5-megapixel camera, 8GBs of onboard storage plus the ability to add more storage space via a microSD card, a built-in compass, WiFI 802.11 b/g/n, and support for NFC (Near Field Communications) for pairing the BlackBerry Bold to an accessory or read information from a smart tag web link.

There's been no word on which carriers would be offering the new BlackBerry Bold models, but the 9900 model is designed for GSM networks (think T-Mobile and AT&T), while the 9930 is designed for CDMA networks (think Verzion and Sprint). The smartphones are expected to be available from carriers around the world beginning this summer.

At the annual BlackBerry World conference taking place this week in Orlando, FL, RIM announced the BlackBerry 7 OS. The new mobile OS seeks to enhance the previous version, BlackBerry 6, which redefined the user experience on BlackBerry smartphones. Overall, the new OS will offer users a faster experience with some important updates:

• Improved Web Browser Experience: Besides delivering a faster rendering experience (read: pages load faster and smoother), the browser in BlackBerry 7 also supports HTML 5 video.
• Additional Search Features: BlackBerry 6 unveiled Universal Search, which basically let you search everything on your phone and even the web with just one search. BlackBerry 7 adds support for voice-activated search so you don't even have to type a Universal Search query.
• Separate Personal and Business Content: A new feature called BlackBerry Balance is designed to help keep work and fun separate on the smartphone. For example, you can set controls so that you never accidentally forward business related content to a personal contact.

The latest Sidekick 4G for T-Mobile may look a lot like previous Sidekick models, however, this version has some noteworthy differences. The cell phone works on T-Mobile's 4G network and instead of the Danger OS, the new Sidekick sports the Google Android 2.2 OS. Get a closer look at the T-Mobile Sidekick 4G and see what comes in the box in the video below:

Not sure what to get mom for Mother's Day this year? Well consider getting her apps that will make her life easier. Whether you're shopping for a new mom or a mom about to send her kids off to college, there's sure to be an app in this group that could help them on a daily basis. While all the apps listed here are free, some of the apps also have premium versions available that offer more features. You can always download one or all of the apps to your favorite mom's phone while spending time with her during the holiday.

1. TrendTracker for fashion forward moms: Know a stylish mom who doesn’t have time to catch the latest news from the runway shows? Get her the TrendTracker mobile app from trendstop. Mom’s can use the app to upload photos of a trend they spotted, get daily fashion news, coverage of the runway shows including videos, and a fashion store finder.

Compatible OS: Android, iPhone, BlackBerry
Cost: Free
How to get it: Visit mobile.trendstop.com on your smartphone’s web browser or visit the app market residing on your phone

2. CardStar for moms that know loyalty: Loyalty programs are all about saving money at checkout or earning points to redeem for products and vacations, but there’s no need to carry all those cards around in a wallet. Mom’s have enough stuff in their bags. Get them the handy CardStar app from CardStar. Use it to help mom keep track, access, and find special offers of all her loyalty programs in one place: her smartphone.

Compatible OS: Android, iPhone, BlackBerry, Windows Phone 7
Cost: Free
How to get it: Visit the app market residing on your phone

3. Text4Baby provides helpful info for expecting and new moms: Expectant and new moms have a lot on their plates and likely tons of questions. Help them out by signing them up for text4baby, a free educational program from the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition. Once registered with the site, soon-to-be and new moms will start receiving via text message tips about pregnancy and caring for a baby. The smart feature is that they are designed to coincide with a due date or baby’s birth date.

Compatible OS: All. This is an app that arrives as a text message on your phone.
Cost: Free. (Note: While there’s no cost to receive the text from text4baby it still counts against the allotted messages on a plan.)
How to get it: Text BABY to 511411 from the cell phone that should receive the messages.

4. OurGroceries help makes the most of a trip to the market: Mom’s are busy, that’s why the OurGroceries (Read more)

Sony gets into the tablet market

by Joni Blecher Follow me on Twitter    |    Wednesday, April 27, 2011 (permalink)
Comments     |   View more posts for In The Know

Sony announced that it would be getting into the tablet market with two new Google Android tablets coming this Fall. There aren't a lot of details about the forthcoming tablets available at this time, but here's what we do know:

The first tablet, Sony S1, will sport a 9.4-inch LCD and have front-facing and rear-facing cameras. While the second tablet, Sony S2, will have dual 5.5-inch screens (think: Kyocera Echo) and a camera. Both tablets will run the Android Honeycomb OS and include Qriocity1 music and video services to offer content, PlayStation games, and an ebook reader. Finally, if you have a Sony BRAVIA TV you'll be able to control parts of the TV with the tablet such as turning on the TV, changing the channel, and adjusting the volume.

Today, Verizon added to new cell phones to its line-up of Android phones: the military-grade G'Zone Commando and the follow-up to the popular DROID Incredible, the DROID Incredible 2 by HTC. In short, the Casio G'Zone Commando is a rugged Android 2.2 smartphone with multiple G’zGEAR modes to make the most of outdoor operation (Earth Compass, Walking Counter, Adventure Training, Trip Memory, Tides, Thermometer, Sun/Moon, and Star Gazer). It also sports many of the features we've come to expect in an Android phone including a 5-megapixel camera with LED light, stereo Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n connectivity with the ability to share the 3G data connection with up to five WiFi-enabled devices, and even includes high-security encryption for corporate e-mail.

If you liked the DROID Incredible by HTC you'll appreciate the updates found in the new DROID Incredible 2 by HTC. For starters, this cell phone is a bit wider since it has a 4-inch display and a bit faster with its 1GHz processor running the Android 2.2 OS out-of-the-box. Also, of note is the phone's 8-megapixel camera with the ability to record videos in 720p HD and its support of Adobe Flash Player so it will have a more fluid web-based video experience. Although this cell phone won't be a 4G LTE model, you can still share the smartphone's data connection with up to five other WiFi-enabled devices via the Mobile HotSpot feature.

Both cell phones will be available later this week.

Last month, we launched the "Experience the Thunder" Giveawaywhere we gave away three Verizon Wireless ThunderBolt by HTC. All that was needed to enter the Giveaway was to become a fan of LetsTalk’s Facebook page or follow LetsTalk on Twitter and use #LTBOLT.

Here are the three winners of the sweepstakes: 

• Shannon Sullivan of Oceanside, CA 
• Kevin Rodriguez of Irving, TX 
• Ben Fowler of Dallas, GA

We still have more prizes to giveaway so be sure to check out LetsTalk's Facebook page and look for a prize patrol post for instructions on how to win. In the meantime, join us in congratulating all the winners of the sweepstakes.