Cheap Smartphones

HTC Thunderbolt

2011-04-28T11:16:00.000-07:00

The HTC Thunderbolt marks the next representation for Verizon on its conquest for 4G dominance. Verizon built a legacy on a network that is rock solid and you can bet that they will work to spread their 4G as fast and as far as possible.
The Thunderbolt on the cover looks like any other Android device on the market. But aside from looking like a device you have already seen, this is Verizon’s first 4G phone that was initially announced back at CES in January.
Specs:
The Thunderbolt specs out at 4.75 x 2.44 x .56 inches, runs Android 2.2, 4.3in 480x800 WVGA display, 8MP rear camera, 1.3MP front facing camera, 3.5MM audio jack, 1 GHz CPU, and weighs in at a hefty 6.23 ounces (with battery)
Build:
There is something that you can’t ignore as soon as you pick up this device; the device feels big and heavy. While not so heavy that you don’t want to use it, if you are coming from anything other than a 4.3in device, it will take some getting used to.
The unibody metal design feels great in your hand, you won’t pick up this device and think it feels cheap and the included kickstand is useful, although it’s a feature most probably will not use all that often (much like the front facing camera).

4G:
The big draw to this device over others on Verizon is the 4G connectivity. Fortunately, Verizon graced the airwaves in my location with 4G goodness and I was able to get, on average, 9.23Mbps down and 4.35MBs upload. These speeds are far and above what you actually need on a mobile device but when tagged with the Hotspot feature, you have a powerful device that finally offers true mobile broadband to more than one user at a time.
Phone:
All importantly, when using this device as a phone, it works plain and simple. If you have used an Android phone in the past, there is nothing ground breaking here. The audio quality is above average and the speakerphone is, for the most part, loud and clear. Two little sticking points, the volume could be a touch louder on the headset portion and using the speakerphone on max volume with the kickstand in the way, can produce some unwanted interference.
Battery:
The battery, this is a crucial feature of any smartphone and unfortunately, the Thunderbolt suffers on this front. We actually had two test units, one provided by Verizon, and another provided by a third party vendor, and after a few days use, it was hard to pull a full working day out of the device. Now it is fair to say that I was using the device on heavy basis, but compared to the iPhone 4, the battery fell flat. Three days use with approximately 50 minutes of calls and 30 minutes of heavy LTE usage, the battery would last around 5 hours. It seems that HTC already knew this might be an issue as there is already an extended battery on the market.
One interesting quirk over the Evo is that you cannot turn off the 4G radio. On the Evo, you can manually turn off radio to preserve battery, something you can not do on the Thunderbolt.

Camera:
The cameras on the unit are remarkably well rounded. The 8MP shooter scores high marks for its picture quality and response time. The tap to focus feature works well but a lack of camera modes is a bit disappointing. It is quite hard to take close-ups with the camera because HTC omitted a macro mode.
Video quality matches that of the picture quality, you will not be disappointed by the results and the dual LED flash has no problem lighting up even the darkest of environments.

Software:
The software on this beast is Android 2.2.1, and is exactly what you would expect from Sense running on 2.2. This is a love/hate relationship. If you like Sense, then this will not be a barrier, if you wish for a more stock look, well, you will have to result to one of the many other launchers that you can download from the marketplace.
Like every other Verizon device with the mobile Hotspot feature, setting it up was a breeze and connecting other devices was not a barrier either. If you have used a mobile hotspot device, the functionality is very similar and you won’t have much of an issue connecting to the device.
Conclusion:
Overall this is another tier 1 device on Verizon. Despite being the first 4G phone, it doesn’t feel like it was first to anything from a quality standpoint. The OS has been cooked thoroughly and the only new addition is the 4G connectivity. While the device is a bit cumbersome in weight and size, this is by far the best Android device in Verizon’s portfolio as long as you're willing to carry around a cord to charge the device.

T-Mobile myTouch 4G

2011-04-18T23:14:00.000-07:00

The T-Mobile myTouch 4G gives you a variety of advanced features at the touch of your fingers. Video chat capabilities, along with SWYPE, tethering and 4G technology are available on this cellular device. This smartphone offers a 1GHz processor and runs on Android 2.2, so you are never waiting long for your application to download or for a program to open.

Design:

When it comes to design, this phone offers several must-have features, but unfortunately it also includes a few that could use some improvement. The touchscreen offers crisp 480 x 800 pixel display. The colors on this display screen are vivid, bright and sharp. The only drawback is the 3.8-inch display screen, whose small size takes away some enjoyment of viewing movies, pictures or just browsing the web on your phone.

With a smaller display screen, the virtual keypad available on this device is tiny. Even though the keys are little, they are also responsive and there is no lag time after you press a key. SWYPE is also available on the myTouch that by dragging your finger from key to key across the keyboard, you can type much faster and easier on this keypad. The device is compact enough however to fit into your pant pocket or handbag much easier than phones with a larger screen.

Multimedia:

The T-Mobile myTouch is built with 720p HD video recording capabilities. The video comes out crisp and clear, and by just touching a few controls you can quickly begin recording at a moment’s notice. This smartphone offers a 5MP (megapixel) camera that has full flash capabilities and several editing functions. We were disappointed that this advanced cell phone doesn't have at least an 8MP camera.

Video chat capabilities are available on this cell phone thanks to the front-facing camera. The address book assists with video chats by showing who has a camera phone and who has video chat capabilities. However, the video chat can be a little glitchy and you may encounter several issues that seem to disrupt the conversation.

Call Features & Quality:

All of your basic calling features are available on the T-Mobile myTouch. You can have a conference call and talk to several individuals at once. Call waiting is available, and you can also place calls on hold. You can look at your phone’s history to see all the calls you have placed, received or missed, and there's a call timer that tracks the length of phone calls. There is also caller ID.

Battery Life & Memory:

The talk time available on the T-Mobile myTouch is a standout feature on this device. This smartphone offers up to 624 minutes on a single battery charge. This gives you plenty of time to listen to music, watch videos or browse the internet without your battery quickly draining.

The standby time available on this cell phone is low. Up to 288 hours are available on a single battery charge, which is significantly lower than several similar phones.

Additional Features:

This smartphone offers several features and resources to increase your productivity and help you accomplish your work on the go. You can view documents on your device using QuickOffice or using a PDF format. There is also calendar support by Google Calendar, and stocks and news information are available so you can keep up-to-date with current events. There are also several cell phone basics including a calculator and voice recorder.

Coupled with the speedy 4G wireless connectivity, the Android 2.2 operating system will keep your phone running efficiently and quickly. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS capabilities are also included on this device. This cell phone can also function as a mobile hotspot, meaning it can connect up to five devices to an internet connection.

Summary:

The T-Mobile myTouch is a smartphone with you in mind. This cell phone provides excellent battery life, video chat capabilities and access to T-Mobile’s 4G network. It is an advanced smartphone with plenty to offer but also needs a few minor improvements such as a high megapixel camera and improved video chat features.

Motorola Atrix 4G Review

2011-02-17T12:08:00.000-08:00

The good: The Motorola Atrix 4G features a dual-core processor and a sharp qHD (quarter HD) display. The Android 2.2 smartphone has a sleek design and a 5-megapixel camera, a front-facing camera for video calls, and an HDMI port.
The bad: No 1080p HD video recording or playback at launch. You can't install non-Market third-party apps. We didn't experience great HSPA+ 4G data speeds.
The bottom line: The laptop dock is a decidedly cool (and pricey) feature, but the dual-core Motorola Atrix 4G has plenty to offer on its own. The smartphone packs speed and high-end features into a sleek package and earns its place at the top of AT&T's Android lineup.

Photo gallery:
Motorola Atrix 4G (AT&T)

The review has also been updated with a clarification on third-party apps.
To say that AT&T's Android lineup was lacking would be an understatement, but fortunately, it looks like the company has finally gotten the memo. The carrier introduced three new Android handsets at CES 2011, but the one that impressed us the most was the Motorola Atrix 4G. The Android 2.2 smartphone boasts a dual-core processor (Nvidia's Tegra 2 chipset), 4G support, a 4-inch quarter HD display, and a front-facing camera that enables video calls over a cellular or Wi-Fi network. But wait, there's more.
Motorola designed a laptop dock and software to work with the Atrix that would allow you to still access the contents of your smartphone but provide you with a more PC-like experience. It's why we awarded the Atrix 4G our Best of CES Award in the cell phones and smartphones category, and it's why we were so thrilled when we finally received the devices to check out.
In this review, we'll focus on the Motorola Atrix 4G as a smartphone. (We've made some general observations about the laptop dock here, but CNET's laptops and Netbooks editor, Scott Stein, has delivered a closer look at the accessory to see if it's worth its steep price tag.) We can say that the Atrix excels as a smartphone. The dual-core processor delivers, and the Atrix finally brings some of the higher-end features that AT&T customers have been missing out on, such as video calls. Certainly, the laptop dock is a big selling point for the Atrix, but whether you decide to get the dock or not, you're still getting one of AT&T's best Android smartphones to date.
The Motorola Atrix 4G is expected to ship March 6 or sooner. The price for the phone alone is $199.99 with a two-year contract. AT&T will also offer a bundled package that includes the phone and laptop dock for $499.99 with a two-year contract and tethering add-on and after a $100 mail-in rebate. If you'd rather not sign up for the tethering plan, you can buy the dock separately (and use a Wi-Fi connection) from the phone for $499.99.
Design
Touch-screen smartphones are a dime a dozen, and it may seem like if you've seen one, you've seen 'em all, but that's not necessarily true. Each design has its highs and lows, and the same holds true for the Motorola Atrix 4G. Thankfully, there's much more to like than dislike here. The Atrix is sleek and lightweight at 4.6 inches tall by 2.5 inches wide by 0.4 inch thick and 4.8 ounces. The handset's slim profile makes it easy to slip into a pants pocket, and the rounded corners and tapered edges make it comfortable to hold.

The Motorola Atrix 4G is a compact and sleek device.

However, compared with the company's other recent handsets, such as the Motorola Droid X and the Motorola Cliq 2, the Atrix doesn't quite have the same premium feel to it. It's still very much a solid device but just lacks some of the finer details like a soft-touch finish on back.
On the front, you've got a 4-inch qHD (quarter high definition) capacitive touch screen with a 960x540-pixel resolution. It's comparable to the iPhone 4's 940x640-pixel Retina Display, but since the Atrix has a slightly bigger screen, the pixel density isn't as great, so text and images don't look quite as smooth as they do on the iPhone. Still, the display is sharp and vibrant. As is typical, the screen washed out a bit in bright sunlight, but we were still able to see what was on the screen.
The touch screen is very responsive, both in terms of registering our touches and switching between portrait and landscape mode. And thanks to the dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 chipset, general navigation felt zippier compared with any smartphone we've tested recently. Even a simple task, such as pulling up the app menu, was noticeably faster than on the HTC Inspire 4G, which uses a 1GHz Snapdragon processor.
Below the display are the standard Android shortcuts: menu, home, back, and search. There's a volume rocker on the right side, and a Micro-USB port and an HDMI port on the left side. The camera and dual-LED flash are on the back, as well as the power/lock button, which sits at the top center. It's a bit of an awkward location, but the button can double as a fingerprint scanner for extra security (to use, go to Settings > Set up screen lock).

The $189.99 Entertainment Access Kit includes an HD Multimedia Dock and remote control, a Bluetooth keyboard, and a wireless mouse.

AT&T packages the Motorola Atrix 4G with an AC adapter, a USB cable, an HDMI cable, and reference material. Aside from the laptop dock bundle, which we'll talk about a bit later, AT&T also offers an Entertainment Access Kit for $189.99, which includes the Motorola HD Multimedia Dock and remote control, a Bluetooth keyboard, and a wireless mouse.
User interface
The Motorola Atrix 4G runs Android 2.2 with Motoblur. Though we weren't huge fans of Motorola's custom user interface when it first launched, the company has toned down the UI quite a bit and enhanced the customization abilities, so that it's much more useful and reduces the information overload aspect of the previous version. One thing that does irk us is that you have to sign up for a Motoblur account when you first set up the device. Afterward, you can sign in to all your other e-mail and social network accounts to import your contacts, messages, and calendar appointments.
You get seven home screens that you can personalize with various widgets and shortcuts, such as a social network feed, weather widget, and mini media player. Interestingly, Motoblur now has a function very similar to HTC's Leap screen feature where you can view all of your home screens in thumbnail view--not that we mind, since it allows you to easily switch between the screens.

Features
Obviously, one of the big draws of the Motorola Atrix 4G is the dual-core processor. The smartphone is equipped with Nvidia's Tegra 2 chipset, and if you want to get technical, this includes dual ARM Cortex A9 cores clocked at 1GHz and an ultralow-power GeForce GPU graphics processor--all this backed with 1GB of RAM. What this means for you is that you should experience snappier performance, faster browsing, and better gaming graphics, among other things.
Though we've only had the device for a short amount of time, we've certainly been impressed with what we've seen so far. In comparing the Atrix 4G with the HTC Inspire 4G, the difference in overall performance isn't significant but it is noticeable. The Atrix was always just a tick faster than the Inspire when loading apps, menus, and tasks. Games were also snappier to load, and the gameplay was quicker-paced and smoother as well.
The Atrix also handled Flash content well. Though the Atrix and Inspire loaded the media--in this case, a CNET TV video on the phone's WebKit browser--in roughly the same amount of time, the Atrix went on to play the video playlist without problem, whereas the Inspire couldn't play it at all. We'll continue to do more in-depth performance testing, but we wanted to give you an idea of what we've experienced so far.
Another feature supported by the Nvidia's Tegra 2 processor is full HD 1080p video recording and playback via HDMI. Unfortunately, this feature will not be available at launch; instead, it will come at a later time through a software update, so for now, the Atrix can only handle 720p HD video capture and playback through HDMI.

3D-enabled smartphones

2011-02-15T11:39:00.000-08:00

LG recently debuted the Optimus 3D smartphone at Mobile World Congress. As amazing as the handheld might seem, it raises many questions. Namely, do we even need or want 3D-enabled smartphones?
Of course, need and want are two very different things. I don’t think anyone truly needs a 3D smartphone, and I’d be very interested to read an argument against that.
As for want, that is another story. Arguably, there are going to be at least some consumers who want a 3D smartphone. (Hey, there were at least a few units of the Microsoft Kin One and Two sold, and the LG Optimus 3D is definitely a more attractive device.) But how many consumers will truly throw down the cash for a 3D smartphone remains to be seen.
It also still remains to be seen how many consumers will even pay for a 3D TV, a device that is more arguably worth buying over a 3D smartphone. 3D has been around for a long time, but it really blew up on the scene at CES 2010. It was certainly a big point at CES 2011 this year, and it would be wrong to call 3D just a passing trend. But 3D TV sales have been rocky from the start.
Last June, the International Business Times reported that “only four percent of the TVs shipped to retailers in the first quarter of 2010 – about 1.8 million out of 46.5 million – were 3-D” and “the latest and greatest in television technology is likely to remain a niche product.” One of the biggest problems cited at the time was the lack of at-home content available for 3D TVs. Hollywood is certainly trying to make up for this gap as quick as possible. (Even that Justin Bieber movie is being shown in 3D - don’t ask why.) However, the amount of 3D content out there is still limited, and it will be even more limited on smartphones at this time.
In December, our sister site BNET found that many manufacturers were slashing 3D TV prices by up to 50%. Not for Black Friday or holiday sales, but rather because they simply weren’t selling like the hotcakes they were expected to be.
Nevertheless, 3D TV sales are still growing. Panasonic had strong 3D TV sales at least once last year. The Futuresource Consulting research firm also predicts that 3D TV sales in the U.S. will likely double in the next year to five million units sold. So there is obviously some viable interest in 3D consumer technology.
One good part about the Optimus 3D’s display is that it doesn’t require the use of any extra glasses to view 3D video playback and stills. If it did, LG might as well give up now. However, we don’t know the carrier subsidized price point, and that could really make or break the Optimus 3D. If it is somewhere around $199 or $299, then the Optimus 3D could go mainstream. But it won’t be that low given the 3D tag gimmick that jacks up the price along with some reasonable price hiking given the advanced technology.
How well the LG Optimus 3D (and other future 3D smartphones) fares depends on the marketing as well. LG has already pointed out that the Optimus 3D can be used for capturing and viewing 3D stills and videos. In partnership with YouTube, those clips can be uploaded and shared online. However, none of that seems that original anymore given 3D point-and-shoots with HD video recording, and sharing such content also requires other users to have 3D monitors, digital frames, etc..
But before I even thought of 3D video playback, I thought of how this could be used for gaming. 3D smartphones could be marketed as competition for everything from Sony Ericsson’s Xperia Play (a.k.a. the PlayStation phone) to the upcoming Nintendo 3DS. Since the Optimus 3D and similar smartphones are really targeted at adults, there won’t (or shouldn’t be) any controversy regarding vision development problems that have already plagued the 3DS. It would be a great platform for gaming mobile app developers and take smartphones in a new direction. If LG and other smartphone manufacturers decide to take this route, then we have something fresh with more possibilities.
To wrap up, 3D smartphones will probably start popping up more over the next year or two, but sales won’t be that stellar. It’s going to take a very long time for such products to get mainstream popularity - if that ever even happens. I’m more likely to save up for a 3D TV that requires active shutter glasses than buy an expensive smartphone just for its 3D display.

Samsung Focus Review

2011-01-24T03:28:00.000-08:00

The world has been waiting to see if Windows Phone 7 will be able to rescue Microsoft’s foundering mobile operating system from the depths of obscurity among smartphones. If the new Samsung Focus, one of the initial releases among many Windows Phones, is any indication of things to come, the answer is probably yes. Ultimately, public acceptance will judge the success of the OS. While iPhones, Android-based devices and BlackBerries have set a blistering pace, Windows Mobile has fallen farther and farther behind. Though there are detractors who believe that any mobile OS from Microsoft is now DOA, we found the Samsung Focus to be an excellent device to show off the new capabilities. As a result, we’ve designated the Samsung Focus smartphone as the TopTenREVIEWS Bronze Award winner for smartphones.

Design:

The most striking physical feature of the Samsung Focus smartphone is the eye-popping, 4-inch Super AMOLED touchscreen. It boasts an impressive 480 x 800 pixel resolution and is superb for all your multimedia and communication needs. We’ll have to admit that it doesn’t amaze to the extent of the Apple iPhone 4’s 960 x 640 stunner, but by any other standard, it’s a real winner. The phone is slim and light, despite the large display, and is comfortable in the hand.

Not only is the display attractive, but the touchscreen functions smoothly and quickly. Scrolling is smooth and responsive and the gesture functions work well. The live tiles on the start screen can be interchanged in any way you like based on the Windows Phone OS. Anything you don’t want to be on the start screen can be easily removed and anything you want can be added. That includes individual webpages, maps, photos and playlists. These can all be pinned to the start screen with little more than a long tap. The idea behind this functionality is to allow you to get into and out of frequently used sites without having to first launch the associated app. As an example, you can access a specific webpage without having to first launch the mobile Internet Explorer browser.
The other major design feature of Windows Phone 7 is the organization around six categories of related content, called hubs. They include People, Pictures and Camera, Games, MS Office, Music and Videos, and Marketplace. They represent a new way of organizing and consolidating information that works very well.

Multimedia:

Speaking of hubs, Music and Videos is one of the best. Microsoft demands several hardware requirements of phone manufacturers in order to use the Windows Phone 7 OS and one of those is that the complete functionality of a Zune multimedia player is included. This means that you can drag and drop music and videos to the Zune client on your computer and the next time you sync, whether wired or via Wi-Fi, the content will be automatically transferred to the phone. Synchronization works with Macs as well as PCs.

New music and videos can, of course, also be purchased from the Zune Marketplace and downloaded to your computer or over-the-air to the phone. If you choose to invest in a Zune Pass subscription, you add the ability to stream unlimited music to the device. Windows Phone 7 devices also can stream using the built-in FM radio feature. Using it requires the use of a wired headset as the headset’s cord serves as the radio antenna.
The Samsung Focus smartphone offers a 5MP camera, which is also a Windows Phone requirement. It includes 4x zoom, LED flash and can record video in 720p high definition.

Call Features/Quality:

The Samsung Focus smartphone incorporates all of the calling features that have become commonplace on cell phones. It includes call waiting, caller ID, call forwarding and conference calling. Call quality was excellent in our area. The speaker phone worked well doing a good job of filtering out unnecessary background noise.

Memory/Storage:

The Samsung Focus smartphone has a substantial 8GB of integrated memory that can be expanded with up to a 32GB MicroSD card. The downside of this expandable memory story is that it requires a card that has been specifically certified for use with Windows Phone 7 devices which, at this point, are very hard to come by.

Battery talk time is an estimated 390 minutes which is acceptable, but not remarkable, in this sort of device. You can expect about 10.4 days of stand-by time.

Additional Features:

The MS Office hub is one of the most useful features of the Samsung Focus. It includes mobile versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint as well as a very handy application called OneNote Mobile which allows for quick memos, lists and other reminders and even allows for the attachment of voice recordings and images. You can view, create and edit Word and Excel documents using the phone, but PowerPoint files can only be viewed and edited. Unfortunately, the Windows Phone OS was released before copy and paste functionality could be incorporated. We expect it to be added in the relatively near future.

Summary:

Windows Phone 7 isn’t a perfect OS and it will inevitably be compared to other top smartphones. Nonetheless, it represents a giant leap forward from previous editions of Windows Mobile. The user interface is innovative and has a great, contemporary. The live tiles offer up-to-the-minute information that isn’t available with conventional icons. We’re also particularly fond of the Zune integration for multimedia functionality. The Samsung Focus smartphone is a great representation of the system at the leading edge and is very worthy of consideration when comparing options.

HTC EVO 4G Review

2011-01-23T13:09:00.000-08:00

The 4G network is about to become fully fledged, and it's bringing America’s first 4G phone, the HTC EVO 4G with it. This fourth-generation network has spread to only a few dozen cities in the U.S, and until it expands, the EVO is just another Android out on the market. However, it isn’t just a phone to be set aside and ignored. This HTC phone has many advanced features, such as the 8MP (mega-pixel) camera, ability to connect to an HDTV and the latest version of the HTC Sense User Interface making it a strong player on the Android team. For a side-by-side comparison and objective reviews visit the smartphone review page.

Design:

The EVO not only has increased speed and power compared to other Droids, but also increased size. This HTC is a big and thick phone. With the generous screen-size of 4.3-inches, this phone needs to be bulky and firm to deal with the demand media it likes. Sharp colors and vibrancy are also important with such a grand display, and the EVO will not disappoint with a screen resolution of 480 x 800 pixels, which is the same sharp resolution you will find on both the Nexus One and Droid Incredible.

Multimedia:

The EVO 4G is not shy when it comes to multimedia features. This HTC phone features both an 8MP primary camera and a 1.3MP front-facing camera, supported by two white LED flashes. However, a drawback to the photo setup is that the lenses are flush-mounted on the back of the phone and not recessed into the metal case, which could make it a target for scratches--an easy way to ruin a prized feature on the phone.

A top feature of the EVO is the ability to download, view, edit and share High Definition (HD) content directly from the phone. The HTC device features an HD video capture which then easily lets the user watch the video on an HDTV using an HDMI cable. It also features the option of outputting pictures and slides into an HD format and live video sharing with Qik.

Call Features/Quality:

As previously stated, the 4G coverage is great for those who live in select areas and are able to bask in its glory. But even for those who don’t use it on a regular basis, this phone includes a mandatory ten dollars per month “Premium Data add-on” for using WiMAX when in the 4G market. An extra ten dollars per month can add up for rarely using a network. Well, at least until it expands drastically. New metropolitan areas are being added to the 4G network each month, so chances are you'll be near one of them soon enough.

Memory/Storage:

Running on the 1GHz Snapdragon processor and using Android 2.1, the EVO is similar to the Droid Incredible’s processing features. However, only 1GB of internal memory is stored on the phone, making it a poor comparison to the Incredible’s 8GB. But similar to other HTC phones, there is provided a microSD card slot that will support up to 32GB of additional storage.

Additional Features:

A new feature that will make all the other Droids jealous is the kickstand found on the back of the phone. This is a great tool for allowing easy media or web viewing. And of course the EVO 4G includes the Google mobile services such as YouTube, Gmail, Google Talk, Google Voice, Google Maps and more.

The award-winning user interface, HTC Sense, is also found on the EVO. The HTC Sense includes a “leap” thumbnail to switch between home and other screen panels, which improves multi-tasking, and also Friend Stream, which takes the contacts from Facebook, Twitter and Flickr and brings you updates in one place. This user interface also includes interactive widgets and a polite ringer.
The EVO 4G is similar to all other Droids with features such as GPS Navigation, Bluetooth technology, digital compass, proximity and motion sensors and a loud speakerphone. It also has a pinch-to-zoom feature and automatic text reflowing which provides easy web page views.

Summary:

Even though the 4G network is getting all the hype, until it expands to a broader area, it is hard to get too excited. HTC EVO 4G is one of the best smartphones out there and will only improve once the 4G network grows.

Nexus S: Photos and screenshots of the new Google Phone

2011-01-19T11:36:00.000-08:00

The new Google Phone and successor to the Nexus One is the Nexus S, made by Samsung and available on T-Mobile. See photos from every angle and screenshots of the new Android 2.3 software.

Google Nexus S box

Google Nexus S, side of the box

Google Nexus S and Samsung Galaxy S

Google Nexus S, Near Field Communications (NFC)

Google Nexus S, home screen

Google Nexus S, left side

Samsung Vibrant, Nexus S, and Nexus One

Google revived its line of Nexus “Google phone” products at the end of 2010 with the Nexus S — manufactured by Samsung, running the stock Android OS, using standard T-Mobile smartphone plans, and sold through Best Buy.
As I noted in Google raises the white flag on transforming the US wireless industry, the Nexus S is much less ambitious than the Nexus One, which set out to move the US wireless industry toward the European model of wireless service. As it turns, the Nexus S also doesn’t live up to the standard of Nexus One as a top-of-the-line Android device.

Droid X Review

2011-01-16T12:32:00.000-08:00

The Android smartphones family is growing, and with each new addition they keep getting better. The Droid X is a new addition to the Android smartphone market and provides numerous features that makes it one of the top smartphones today. With a gorgeous 4.3-inch touch screen, the ability to capture stunning HD video and the potential to be used as a mobile hotspot, the Droid X is one of the toughest smartphones to beat and as such, has been awarded the TopTenREVIEWS Silver Award. For more side-by-side comparisons and objective reviews, visit our smartphone page.

Design:

Motorola created a wireless cellular device with an overall stunning and beautiful display. The 4.3-inch touchscreen makes viewing images on your phone enjoyable on the clear and crisp display. We were pleased that this phone was easy to use out in the sun and in brightly lit areas compared to many other smartphones.

A hump towards the top of the Droid X makes this smartphone’s design unique compared to other Android smartphones. The phone is thin, super thin, so they needed someplace to store the camera module and chose to create this strange hump for that purpose. We didn’t mind the hump, and it really didn’t get in the way much as we first thought it might when we saw the device.
For those who like the feel of a physical keyboard when using smartphones, this is not the cellular device for you. The Droid X provides a virtual keyboard with the Swype feature, which allows the user to drag his or her finger from key to key without lifting the finger. We found Swype to be difficult to use at first, but once we got used to it, we found we could type long messages very quickly

Multimedia:

The Droid X is the ideal multimedia phone. It features an 8MP (megapixel) camera and HD camcorder. The ability to record HD video is being seen more and more frequently on smartphones, and they blow your basic camcorder away. The camera provides a vast selection of scene modes, including landscape, portrait and Macro. It also offers a face-detection feature which automatically focuses on a human subject.

Call Features/Quality:

Basic call features are found on this device, along with several voice features. These voice features, which include a speakerphone, speed dial and conference calling, can each enhance the overall quality of your conversations while using smartphones.

Memory/Storage:

Additional Features:

The Droid X has many multimedia and camera features that are found on the Apple iPhone 4. However, the Droid X beats out the iPhone 4 with its ability to become a mobile hotspot. This allows for other devices that use Wi-Fi connectivity, such as other smartphones, to use the Droid X to receive an internet connection. To use the hotspot you will need to have the Mobile Broadband plan, which costs a little extra money each month.

Summary:

The Droid X has a few flaws. We would like a longer standby time in regards to the battery life, and even a physical keyboard would be nice. If you are looking for a smartphone that has many similar features as the Apple iPhone 4, but don’t want to fall into the Apple fan club, the Droid X gives you what you want and a little bit more on smartphones.

Apple iPhone 4 Review

2011-01-14T08:54:00.000-08:00

Rarely do smartphones create such an uproar as the Apple’s iPhone 4 did when it entered the smartphones market. The retina display, video calling features, access to thousands of applications and the ease of multitasking were a few of the features that made this phone stand out among the others. It's numerous superlative features, flexibility and ease-of-use have earned the TopTenREVIEWS Gold Award for the Apple iPhone 4. For a side-by-side comparison and more objective reviews, visit our smartphones page.

Design:

The display on Apple’s iPhone 4 is easily the sharpest and most clear display we have seen on the smartphones. The iPhone 4 features 960 x 640 pixel resolution, which holds no comparison to the 480 x 320 resolution that is found on its predecessor, the Apple iPhone 3GS. With such a high resolution, your eyes are unable to see each pixel on the iPhone 4, which results in a much clearer, crisper and more enjoyable display.

The display’s pixels were developed at 78 micrometers wide. According to Apple, because of their small size, Apple was able to pack four times the number of pixels onto the 3.5-inch screen. This results in 326 pixels per inch on the iPhone 4’s, display and it also means your images and text don't appear choppy and pixelated.
The sturdiness of this device is also a key feature of the iPhone 4’s design. The device is small, weighing only 4.8 ounces, but it feels indestructible. The retina display glass is made from the same materials used in helicopters, so if dropping smartphones is a common occurrence for you, the iPhone 4 is one of the best smartphones for you.

Multimedia:

iPhones have always been considered strong multimedia smartphones, and the iPhone 4 is no exception. However, this cellular device provides many advanced multimedia features that have taken this Apple iPhone leaps and bounds ahead of others. For example, two cameras are found on this device. One camera can be found above the front display and the other is found on the rear exterior next to the new LED flash. The primary 5MP (megapixel) camera, found on the rear of the device, also features a 5x digital zoom.

Not only is the ability to capture beautiful images simple with the iPhone 4, but the ability to shoot video in HD is also easy. This Apple product is no stranger to the new technology available on the smartphones market, and the ability to shoot HD means you can capture clear, bright and vivid images on the smartphones that you will want to share with everyone around. Also, this cellular device has the ability to perform basic editing tasks directly on your phone, so you can create a perfect HD video each time.

Call Features/Quality:

Even with each of the advanced features the Apple iPhone 4 offers, smartphones still provides its users with basic call features and high quality. This product features your basic call waiting, caller ID and call holding.

However, smartphones offer a little more than making just your basic calls. The iPhone 4 features FaceTime, which allows you to video call anywhere, anytime. What makes FaceTime one of the best features we found on smartphones was the simplicity it offers the user. Tap a button and you could be seeing your best friend in China or watching your son ride his bike while being miles away from home.
FaceTime also worked directly from the box, which is rare for smartphones that we didn’t have to go through some tedious installation program to begin. The front camera on your device has been created so it has the correct field of view and focal length for the FaceTime feature. However, with another tap of your finger, you can show whomever you may be video calling what is happening from the back of your smartphone using the rear camera.

Memory/Storage:

For smartphones, this cellular device offers its users 420 minutes of battery life, which we found impressive. This product will make it through the day on a single charge. Like every phone, the battery life will depend on how much it is used. Overall, this was not the longest battery life we saw, but we were not disappointed with what the iPhone 4 provided.

Additional Features:

Compared to this smartphone’s predecessors, the Apple iPhone 4 has the added ability to multitask. This multitasking ability on smartphones enables the user to run third-party apps and switch between them effortlessly and quickly. It allows for audio to be played in the background while you have several applications running. Also, apps that use GPS can be running while your smartphone is performing several other tasks.

This multitasking capability is made possible because of the iOS 4 operating system. We were greatly impressed by the intuitive interface it provides on smartphones. It makes smartphones easy and simple to use, yet it gives rise to one of the most powerful and enjoyable devices as well. The iOS 4 is also the platform for the thousands of available apps.

Summary:

Apple’s iPhone 4 is easily one of the best smartphones available on the market and is several steps ahead of its competition. It is easy to get caught up in the vast selection of high-end features offered on this phone, but the basic features also provide the highest quality. The Apple iPhone 4 really shows what smartphones should be able to do, and it will be quite some time before anyone can truly match it.

The Best Budget Smartphones "part2"

2011-01-13T02:09:00.000-08:00

6. Samsung Intercept: Free - $99

Samsung

Most of today's new Android smartphones are all about being bigger and better than past models. That's fine, if you want a smartphone with all the bells and whistles -- and don't mind paying for it. But you do have another option in the Samsung Intercept. This full-featured Android smartphone may lack the flash found on some of its higher-profile rivals, but it's still a very capable device -- and one that comes at a very affordable price.

7. BlackBerry Bold 9650: $100

Palm

The original BlackBerry Bold impressed me when it debuted on AT&T's network a few years back. But not everyone likes AT&T's network. Not to worry: you can get the Bold 9650, a handsome, business-friendly

8. Palm Pre Plus: Free - $99

Palm

The Palm Pre Plus boast something that only one other phone on this list can offer: Palm's excellent webOS platform. The webOS software, also found on the Palm Pixi Plus, is fun to use (I love tossing apps off the screen to close them) and offers some impressive features, like true multi-tasking, so you can get more done.

9. T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide: $50

T-Mobile

The T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide is an excellent update to its older sibling, the myTouch 3G. It features a similar attractive design, but adds a full QWERTY keyboard for easier typing and sports a bigger display; its screen measures 3.4 inches, while the original myTouch 3G features a 3.2-inch screen.

10. BlackBerry Curve 8500 Series: Free - $50

RIM

The BlackBerry Curve 8500 series of phones is available from all four of the big cellular carriers: Verizon and Sprint offer the Curve 8530, while T-Mobile and AT&T offer the Curve 8520. Both devicesa top-notch BlackBerry smartphones that won't break the bank. And you still get top-notch messaging and access to BlackBerry App World, where you can find plenty of apps to download.

The Best Budget Smartphones

2011-01-13T02:05:00.000-08:00

You don't have to break the bank to get a smartphone. You don't even have to break the bank to get an iPhone -- not anymore, anyway. Here's a list of smartphones that are all available for $100 or less. You'll find some of the most popular handsets available today on our list of the best budget smartphones.
Prices typically are set by the service providers, who offer discounts in order to get you to sign a service contract. It's usually worth it to sign the contract, as you'll need a voice and data plan to use the phone, anyway. Just make sure you read the fine print.

1. Apple iPhone 3GS: $99

Apple

No, the iPhone 3GS is not the latest and greatest iPhone. But, while it may not have all the features found on the Apple iPhone 4, the iPhone 3GS remains one of the best smartphones on the market, hands down. Plus, it doesn't come with those pesky antenna problems that have plagued the iPhone 4 since its launch. And, with its price lowered to $99, the iPhone 3GS is one of the more affordable smartphones, too.

2. HTC Droid Incredible: $100

HTC

With a name like the Incredible, this smartphone has a lot to live up to. But the HTC Droid Incredible manages. Like the EVO 4G, it runs the latest version of the Android OS, and also offers a 3.7-inch display and an 8-megapixel camera. The Droid Incredible is available from Verizon Wireless.

3. BlackBerry Style: $100

Sprint

The BlackBerry Style is not as high-style as its name would imply; it's actually more of an old-fashioned-looking phone. But that's not a bad thing. Even though it lacks a cutting-edge touch screen and a big, giant display, the Style's style makes it an eminently usable phone.

4. BlackBerry Curve 3G: $50 and up

RIM

RIM's BlackBerry Curve smartphones have long been among my favorite devices. They offer the excellent e-mail handling that BlackBerry phones are known for, but in a sleek, curved device that's appealing to consumers. And the BlackBerry Curve 3G offers all of that, plus 3G connectivity and an affordable price.

5. BlackBerry Tour 9630: Free - $49

RIM

There's a lot to like about the BlackBerry Tour 9630 smartphone. It has a gorgeous display, a sleek design, excellent e-mail handling, and offers voice and data service both inside the U.S. and outside the country. In fact, the BlackBerry Tour really has just one major flaw: a lack of Wi-Fi support.

The 10 elite smartphones of 2010

2011-01-13T01:59:00.000-08:00

With the rise of Android, the reboot of BlackBerry, and the redesigned iPhone, 2010 can rightly be called the year of the smartphone. After reviewing nearly all of the top devices, here is my countdown of the best devices of the year.

10. BlackBerry Torch

BlackBerry came under intense pressure in 2010 from the rapid growth of iPhone and Android. The smartphone incumbent fired back with the release of the BlackBerry 6 OS and a new form factor with a slide-down keyboard in the BlackBerry Torch. The device is a bit underpowered, the OS isn’t a huge step forward, and overall it hasn’t been enough to stem the losses to Apple and Google. But, there are still a lot of BlackBerry fans out there — not to mention all of the enterprises locked into BlackBerry — and for them, the Torch is now the pre-eminent device on the market.

9. Motorola Droid 2

This shows how much progress the smartphone market has made in one year. Last year, I would have ranked the original Motorola Droid and the Apple iPhone 3GS as the two best smartphones on the market. This year, the Droid got a very nice upgrade but still struggled to make the top 10. Still, due to its increased specs, solid build quality, and very usable form factor, the Droid 2 belongs on this list. Also, don’t miss its cousins, the Droid Pro and the Droid 2 Global.

8. HTC Incredible

With much the same innards as the Google Nexus One (although not nearly as strong of a build quality), the HTC Incredible was a consolation prize for those who had been salivating for the Nexus One on Verizon. Unfortunately, Google and Verizon pulled the plug on those plans and instead HTC offered the Incredible through Verizon with the traditional two-year contract. The Incredible did get one thing that the Nexus One didn’t have: HTC’s Sense UI. Some viewed that as a bonus over the stock Android OS on the Nexus One, while others saw it as a detractor.

7. Samsung Focus

Microsoft finally got itself back in the smartphone game in 2010 with the launch of Windows Phone 7, and the first widely-available WP7 device was the Samsung Focus, which didn’t disappoint. The Focus sported nice hardware specs in an attractive, futuristic form factor (albeit with a lot of plastic, similar to the Galaxy S). And, Windows Phone 7 offered a new take on smartphone UI that is a little but more polished and fluid than Android or BlackBerry, although not quite as finished as the iPhone.

6. Motorola Droid X

Verizon Wireless went all-in on Android in 2010, launching a steady stream of new Android-powered devices throughout the year and replacing BlackBerry with Android as its primary smartphone platform. The Droid X served as Verizon’s flagship Android phone, with its huge screen, 8MP camera, enterprise-class hardware, and extensive list of high-end features.

5. HTC Desire

While the HTC Incredible had the same guts as the Nexus One but a much different outer shell, the HTC Desire had similar internals and an outer shell that closely resembled the high quality metal casing on the Nexus One. The Desire quickly became one of the most popular smartphones in Europe and Australia by mid-2010 and has spread to other carriers through the globe since then. Along with the Nexus One and the iPhone 4, the Desire feels like the most substantial and high quality smartphone on the market. You should also keep an eye on the HTC Desire HD and the HTC Desire Z.

4. Samsung Galaxy S

Samsung joined the Android movement with all guns blazing in the middle of 2010 by releasing its line of Galaxy S smartphones in a variety of different form factors (and a confusing array of product names) on all four US wireless carriers and a fleet of international carriers. In the US, the Samsung Vibrant and the Samsung Epic 4G were the most impressive of the Galaxy S phones, but all of the models across the globe have same technology base and generally provide a very good Android experience.

3. Google Nexus One

The first big smartphone of 2010 was the Google Nexus One, launched just after the new year and right before CES 2010. As a product, the long-rumored “Google Phone” wasn’t a disappointment. It had excellent build quality (developed by HTC) and ran the stock Android OS, which got all of the latest Android updates directly from Google. However, the phone failed in its larger mission of moving the US telecom market toward the European model of being able to buy phones and wireless service separately. The Nexus One was sold as an unlocked device at full price ($500) through Google’s online store. Google was not well prepared to handle customer service and didn’t give US consumers enough time to warm up to the idea of buying a full price device. It also never released the promised CDMA version of the Nexus One. Eventually, Google abandoned the product altogether and replaced it in December with the Nexus S, built by Samsung and available under traditional contract with T-Mobile.

2. HTC EVO 4G

The premier Android device of 2010 was the HTC EVO 4G. It was the first major smartphone to break the 4-inch screen barrier. It was the first 4G smartphone in the US. It was the first major smartphone with an 8.0 megapixel camera. It was the first major smartphone to feature a kickstand (for video viewing). I pejoratively called it the “Hummer of smartphones” because of its massive size and the fact that it’s such as battery hog, but there’s no arguing that the EVO 4G stretched the boundaries of what was possible in a smartphone and forced all of its competitors to play catch-up.

1. Apple iPhone 4

With all of the momentum that was gathering around Android during the first half of 2010, Apple’s iPhone 3GS was starting to look pretty stale by mid-year — especially since it was only a slight upgrade over the iPhone 3G from 2008. Then, Apple unveiled iOS4 and the iPhone 4 and launched itself back to the head of the class with top-quality hardware and a software experience that still outpaces all of its rivals in terms of ease of use, responsiveness, polish, and third-party software. The iPhone 4 antenna problem, which was more severe than Apple acknowledged but a lot less severe than the tech press portrayed it, was a wart for the iPhone 4. It also still lacks the widget capability of Android (and now Windows Phone 7). But, overall, the iPhone 4 remains the gold standard of the smartphone market.

Honorable mentions

Motorola Droid Pro
HTC HD7
Dell Venue Pro
T-Mobile G2
BlackBerry Bold 9780
HTC Aria

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