IntoMobile

Droid 4 First impressions: the one QWERTY to rule them all

2012-02-11T16:41:08Z

Can you believe the Motorola DROID is over three-years old? Since its introduction, we have seen four versions of the handset. Each one has been improvement over the previous model and the Droid 4 is no exception.

The Droid 4 is the first to rock 4G LTE and the first with a laser-etched, 5-row keyboard. Under the hood, the handset sings along with a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, 1 GB of RAM, and 16 GB of internal storage. There’s also an 8-megapixel, rear, HD camera, a front-facing camera for video chat and a 4-inch qHD display.

If you think of the Droid 4 as a Razr with a keyboard, you’ll get a good idea of what that handset is like. The Droid 4 sheds the boxy look of earlier Droids and adopts a spiffy, round-edged style. The Droid 4 also has an excellent-slide out QWERTY keyboard that makes typing out a tweet an absolute dream. You can see the bigger and better keyboard of the Droid 4 next to the Droid 2 in the image to the left.

The handset has a solid feel and is weighted perfectly for one hand usage. It also has a textured backing that keeps the phone from slipping through your fingers. The Droid wont win the title as the thinnest Android handset on the Market as it’s about as thick as the Droid 3. That’s the tradeoff if you want a dedicated keyboard, though. If you fancy yourself a smartphone photographer, you’ll be happy to learn the Droid 4 has an 8-megapixel rear shooter that takes decent-quality pictures.

On the software side of things, the Droid 4 is similar to the Razr which is terrific if you like the look and feel of Motorola’s latest Android implementation. The Droid 4 also has MotoCast, a remote media app, and SmartAction, an app that lets you create time-saving shortcuts. On the enterprise side, it supports government-grade encryption and includes a Citrix client for remote desktop access. The Droid 4 ships with Android 2.3.5, but it’s slated to get Ice Cream Sandwich in the upcoming months.

The question you all want to know, though, is should I buy the Droid 4. And the answer is “it depends.” If you are married to the idea of a QWERTY keyboard, then don’t hesitate to get the Droid 4. You’ll be happy with its snappy performance and the keyboard is one of the best we have seen on a non-BlackBerry handset. If you like a thin phone and don’t mind a virtual keyboard, then you may be better off with a Razr or even a Razr Maxx. The Maxx is a bit thicker than the Razr, but it has exceptional battery life even on 4G LTE.

If you want more details on the Droid 4, you can check out our earlier hands-on video below. You can also check back next week when we will have a full review.

Droid 4 First impressions: the one QWERTY to rule them all originally appeared on IntoMobile.com on 2012-02-11T16:26:52Z. FV1gMYsz9b5j

Walmart offers $50 Gift Card with select smartphones, too

2012-02-11T11:44:46Z

Roughly a week ago we told you about Best Buy’s offer that includes giving away a $50 gift card with every smartphone purchase. Well, if Best Buy can do it – so can Walmart. The retail giant is running a similar scheme across its stores, offering its own $50 gift card with the purchase of “select” smartphones. Two keywords here are “stores” and “select.”

First, you should know that this deal is available only offline and you can’t get it from the comfort of your sofa. You’ll have to actually visit a Walmart store to take advantage of the offer.

Second, not all smartphones are included. For one thing, you can’t get the iPhone with a $50 gift card.

Finally, only new contracts and eligible renewals are accepted.

If you fit in the “affected group,” you should hurry up. The deal ends on Valentine’s Day…

[Via: SprintFeed]

Walmart offers $50 Gift Card with select smartphones, too originally appeared on IntoMobile.com on 2012-02-11T09:18:56Z. FV1gMYsz9b5j

UK: White Nokia Lumia 800 available for pre-ordering for 429.95 GBP

2012-02-11T11:43:56Z

That sexy lookin’ white Nokia Lumia 800 is now available for pre-ordering in the UK. The retailer offering it is MobileFun, which lists the device for whopping 429.95 GBP, which translates into $681. Now we know Europeans are used to paying more for unlocked devices (when compared to the U.S.), but that’s still a lot for a device that comes with a single-core processor. Yeah, I know it’s not all about the specs, but the built-in hardware does come with a cost. And when you think about it – the same money gets you the Galaxy Nexus, which has a better screen and dual-core processor (and worse camera).

Anyway, if you dig Nokia, Windows Phone and like your phones in white, proceed to this page from where you can make sure you’re the first guy/gal in the UK with the white Lumia 800. Alternatively, you can just leave your email to be notified when it hits the stock…

[Via: Unwired View]

UK: White Nokia Lumia 800 available for pre-ordering for 429.95 GBP originally appeared on IntoMobile.com on 2012-02-11T09:17:17Z. FV1gMYsz9b5j

Asus still struggles with Transformer Prime pre-orders

2012-02-11T11:43:30Z

We’ve already told you about Asus’ sweet problems as it tries extra hard to fulfill all pre-orders. Apparently, they’re still struggling to meet the demand and have issued the following statement to address the customers’ concerns:

Just to keep you all up to date on stock of the Eee Pad Transformer Prime – It is still landing weekly and in increasing numbers. The majority of our resellers have now fulfilled their back orders so more free stock should be available soon. Please check with your preferred reseller as to how they are allocating their units and how best to get your hands on one.

Hear that – your favorite retailer should have its stock bursting with Transformer Prime units by the time you’re reading this. Then again, we’re kinda confident you’re not the only one looking to grab the world’s first Android tablet with a quad-core processor. Hopefully, your name tops the waiting list.

[Via: EuroDroid]

Asus still struggles with Transformer Prime pre-orders originally appeared on IntoMobile.com on 2012-02-11T09:14:49Z. FV1gMYsz9b5j

Samsung offers free apps to bada and Android users for the Valentine’s Day

2012-02-11T11:43:05Z

Samsung is using Valentine’s Day to share some love, offering a number of apps and games for free to its bada and Android users. At the same time, the Korean company wants to promote its own app store, Samsung Apps, since that’s the place you’ll have to visit in order to take advantage of this deal.

The scheme lasts till February 21st and will also see many other apps (which are not free) offered with a discount.

Additionally, heavy downloaders will be able to win a $5 app voucher in case they download all free apps. Neat incentive, don’t you think?

Anyway, you should tap the Samsung Apps icon on your Samsung smartphone to check out what’s available for free. Alternatively, you can browse the store from web at samsungapps.com.

[Via: SammyHub]

Samsung offers free apps to bada and Android users for the Valentine’s Day originally appeared on IntoMobile.com on 2012-02-11T09:12:31Z. FV1gMYsz9b5j

Samsung Galaxy S II HD hitting Canada in “early Q2″

2012-02-11T11:42:29Z

Good news for our Canadian readers – soon (“early Q2″) you’ll be able to get the Samsung Galaxy S II HD. If you recall, we’re talking about an enhanced version of the original Galaxy S II which is offered by AT&T as Skyrocket HD.

Specs wise, it comes with a bigger (when compared to the original Galaxy S II) 4.65-inch screen with a resolution of 1280×720 pixels, a la Galaxy Nexus. In addition, this bad boy rocks a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, LTE and Wi-Fi connectivity, 8-megapixel rear-facing camera, front-facing camera for video calls, NFC support, GPS and so on.

Since it has LTE, we’ll most likely see it picked by one of Canada’s major carriers, if not all of ‘em. If I had to bet, they’ll be selling the Galaxy S II HD for about $200-$300 on a way-too-long three-year contract…

[Via: MobileSyrup]

Samsung Galaxy S II HD hitting Canada in “early Q2″ originally appeared on IntoMobile.com on 2012-02-11T09:10:19Z. FV1gMYsz9b5j

Verizon’s LTE-enabled Xoom gets a small firmware update; We’re still waiting for Ice Cream Sandwich

2012-02-11T11:41:35Z

Stupid carriers and their specific versions of popular devices. We always have to wait an extra week (best case scenario) or more to get the same update folks with unlocked smartphones or tablets got. Verizon’s Xoom is one of those devices that still waits to get the proper treatment. Sure, unlike the Wi-Fi only Xoom, it comes with LTE connectivity, but I can’t imagine that to be such a problem that it can’t run the Ice Cream Sandwich. Instead, the Big Red carrier will soon (not sure when exactly) launch a minor firmware update (version HLK75H) which addresses some of the bugs.

After the update, Verizon’s Xoom will support dual International Mobile Subscriber Identities (IMSI), and fix an annoying bug that prevented restoring data connectivity after exiting Airplane Mode.

In other words, you should update just because it’s a good habit to have your devices run the latest firmware version, but you shouldn’t expect any major improvements…

[Via: AndroidPolice]

Verizon’s LTE-enabled Xoom gets a small firmware update; We’re still waiting for Ice Cream Sandwich originally appeared on IntoMobile.com on 2012-02-11T09:08:09Z. FV1gMYsz9b5j

Sprint to unveil early upgrade buyout program

2012-02-11T11:41:04Z

Sprint will soon launch the early upgrade buyout program that will be known as “Upgrade Now.” Set to run from 2/12/12 – 4/14/12, it will allow select Sprint customers to buy their way out of their contract in exchange for an early upgrade. Aside from the applicable Upgrade Now fee, the customer will also need to commit to a new two-year contract.

Not all customers will be able to take advantage of this offer. Among those that are not eligible are customers that have upgraded less than 8 months ago, corporate accounts, customers in collections, airave and tablet accounts, and those with iDEN devices.

The Upgrade Now fee will be based on the remaining term of the account holder’s contract. For instance, customers that have upgraded devices between 9-11 months ago would have an early upgrade fee of $165; those that have upgraded between 12-14 months ago will have to pay $125; between 15-17 months ago – $95; between 18-21 months ago – $55; and finally customers with anything beyond that period will have to pay the standard $36 upgrade fee.

It is said that the offer will be available at Sprint stores only, after a customer’s account has been reviewed by a corporate store rep…

[Via: SprintFeed]

Sprint to unveil early upgrade buyout program originally appeared on IntoMobile.com on 2012-02-11T09:03:54Z. FV1gMYsz9b5j

MWC: HTC may show off Endeavour with Tegra 3, ICS, 4.7-inch screen

2012-02-10T21:39:07Z

With Mobile World Congress just around the corner and Samsung holding off on the Galaxy S III, the table is set for a company like HTC to “win” the show. Rumors suggest that it will introduce a monster handset called the “Endeavour” and this could signal a massive change for HTC smartphones.

This doesn’t appear to be the HTC Ville that has been leaked multiple times, as Android Modaco reports that the HTC Endeavour will pack a massive 4.7-inch screen with a 720p HD resolution, will run Android Ice Cream Sandwich presumably with Ice Cream Sandwich and it will have an 8-megapixel camera with all the other goodies you’d expect from a high-end smartphone.

What’s really interesting about this rumor is that it suggests the HTC Endeavour will be powered by the quad-core Tegra 3 chip from NVIDIA. This is interesting because Qualcomm is an investor in HTC, has been used nearly exclusively and it has quad-core processors of its own coming out soon. NVIDIA has been indicating that we’ll see multiple quad-core Tegra 3 smartphones at MWC, so perhaps HTC will be one of those providers.

This shift to NVIDIA may not be part of a larger trend for HTC but the company has been struggling with its sales and design, so it’s retooling its strategy to focus on fewer but better devices. In my previous conversations with HTC, it said that its relationship with Qualcomm does not preclude it from using other vendors’ chipsets and that the company is very comfortable being on the bleeding edge of technology.

It’s still just a rumor right now but MWC is coming faster than you think, so we’ll know a lot more in the next few days.

[Via Android Modaco, image credit]

MWC: HTC may show off Endeavour with Tegra 3, ICS, 4.7-inch screen originally appeared on IntoMobile.com on 2012-02-10T21:39:07Z. FV1gMYsz9b5j

Details leak about the Samsung Galaxy mini 2

2012-02-10T21:00:26Z

Details of a new low-end Samsung device leaked today and it looks like this new handset will be called the Galaxy mini 2.

This successor to the Samsung Galaxy Mini S5570 has some subtle changes like a bigger 3.3-inch screen with higher resolution (HVGA), a faster 800MHz processor and 3GB of built-in storage. The mini 2 will also run some version of Android 2.3 Gingerbread.

Other noteworthy specs of the mini 2 include a 3 megapixel camera and 7.2Mbps HSDPA connectivity, again, these are upgrades from the original. If you’re into the whole rounded corners look, and happen to love the design of Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S then you’d like this offering. As a low-end device, the Mini should satisfy most users who want a decent Android device at an affordable cost. Looking at the picture and reading the specs, I didn’t catch any signs of a front-facing camera – this most definitely can turn potential buyers off.

Honestly, I don’t think the Galaxy Mini 2 is better than the Samsung Exhibit II 4G, which is another low-end handset that came out a while ago. That said, there’s no word as to what day the Mini 2 will launch, but the picture suggests we can look forward to a debut at MWC.

[via GSMArena]

Details leak about the Samsung Galaxy mini 2 originally appeared on IntoMobile.com on 2012-02-10T21:00:26Z. FV1gMYsz9b5j