PhoneTalk

As more smartphones are becoming available with prepaid plans, we’re beginning to see more plan options. Case in point is Verizon’s latest prepaid plan offer that includes unlimited talk and text, plus 1GB of data for use with a smartphone. The plan costs $80 a month and will be available for with smartphones like the Samsung Illusion, which runs Android 2.3 and sports a 1GHz processor.

Also of note are the new prepaid data plans for MiFi devices, such as the Verizon Jetpack, a mobile 4G LTE hotspot. There are three prepaid options: $15 for 250 MB of data weekly, $60 for 3 GB of data monthly, or $90 for 10 GB of data monthly.

Looking for the latest Android tablet? Then check out the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 that is now available with Verizon service. We should mention users will also need to get a 4G LTE mobile broadband data package with a minimum of 2GB of data. Users can share the tablet’s 4G data connection with up to 10 other WiFi-enabled devices via the Mobile HotSpot feature. As the product name suggests, the tablet will sport a 7.7-inch Super AMOLED display so it should be visible in bright sunlight. It will also be running the Android 3.2 Honeycomb OS, sport a 1.4GHz dual-core processor, a rear-facing 3.2-megapixel camera that can record 720p HD video, and a front-facing 2-megapixel camera. The tablet comes with 16GB of on-board storage capacity, however, it can accept up to a 32GB microSD card – a definite plus. Finally, you can use the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 as remote control via the Smart Remote feature, similar to that found on the Galaxy Tab 7.0.

According to a post on HTC’s Facebook page owners of the WiFi HTC Flyer should begin receiving an an alert that an upgrade is available. The update includes an upgrade to Honeycomb (Android 3.2), enhanced Internet browsing, the latest version of HTC Sense for Tablets, and more. As always, we recommend having the tablet plugged-in while receiving the update.

LetsTalk.com wants you to Unwrap the Power of Samsung in its latest giveaway. What can you win? One lucky winner will receive a Galaxy Tab 10.1 WiFi tablet and a choice of either the Samsung Galaxy S II for T-Mobile, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus for Verizon Wireless, or the Samsung Epic Touch 4G for Sprint. All you have to do to enter the Giveaway is visit the Win A Prize tab on LetsTalk’s Facebook page and fill out the brief entry form. While you’re there, don’t forget to “Like” the company’s Facebook page. 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 Friday, December 16, 2011 at 11:59pm Pacific Time. So, be sure to spread the word. Becoming a fan of LetsTalk’s Facebook page will help keep you informed about the latest cell phone news, let you know when the most popular phones are available, and more.

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.

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.

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.

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)