• The iPhone: Obviously, the biggest announcement has been the iPhone 5, and it has met most everyone’s expectations from a hardware perspective – thinner, lighter, and more beautiful than the iPhone 4S. On the other hand, there have been some software glitches, most notably Maps, so not everything has been roses. However, the software glitches are not enough to keep it from grabbing this month’s top spot as I suspect Apple is working feverishly to address these problems. If you’re contemplating an upgrade, see my earlier post as to whether you should or shouldn’t.
• Android: The Samsung Galaxy S3 continues to rule the roost in Android land. There are some worthy competitors on the horizon but they are mostly extensions of existing designs – HTC with their One X+ and Motorola with the RAZR HD MAXX. I suspect the Galaxy S3 will hold on to the top spot for the remainder of the year, although there is talk that Google is going to launch a new line of Nexus devices this month, which I can’t wait to see.
• Windows Phone: My previous statements still apply: Microsoft is putting a ton of effort into their mobile platform, but I wouldn’t even consider switching until Windows 8 is out and proven across more than just Nokia’s Lumia line of handsets. I’ll be revisiting Windows Phone during the first quarter of 2013.
• BlackBerry: Mom always says not to say anything if you don’t have something nice to say, so I’ll just leave it at that.

And now, onto this month’s recommendations.

Best overall phone
iPhone 5
Bigger screen, LTE support, thinner, lighter – what more could you want? Apple has produced another gem of a mobile phone. I wouldn’t say that it completely blows away Samsung’s Galaxy S3, but I have to give the iPhone 5 the edge – purely on aesthetics. If you’re torn between the two devices, take a look at my iPhone vs Android post. It’s from last September, but the recommendations remain valid.


Verizon
Best phone: iPhone 5
The biggest advantage to the iPhone 5 on Verizon is that the GSM sim card slot is unlocked. For those who don’t know what that means, it means you can insert a SIM card from any GSM carrier (like AT&T or T-mobile) and use their service, a particularly useful feature for international travelers. You still need to sign a 2-year contract with Verizon, but the added flexibility is certainly a plus.

Runner-up: Samsung Galaxy S3
Expect this to be a common theme throughout the rest of the article, unless you are on T-mobile.


AT&T
Best phone: iPhone 5
I could add more, but it’s already been said.

Runner-up: Samsung Galaxy S3
Yes, it truly has become a two horse race in the mobile market at this time.


Sprint
Best phone: iPhone 5
Nothing to add that hasn’t been said above.

Runner-up: Samsung Galaxy S3
Surprised?


T-mobile
Best phone: Samsung Galaxy S3
The only one of the major carriers not to have the iPhone, so the Galaxy S3 pulls the top spot on T-mobile. However, T-mobile is starting to sell nano-SIM cards, so if you use T-mobile and are dead set on the iPhone, there may be hope.

Runner-up: Samsung Galaxy Nexus
OK, this is a bit of personal bias since I’ve been using the device for the last 6 months, but the Galaxy Nexus is a great device, and for $350 unlocked from the Google Play store, you’d be hard pressed to find a better deal, period. The biggest advantage to the Nexus is its stock Android build, meaning it is always first in line for the latest Android software (my Nexus is already running Jellybean, Android 4.1). But the part I like best is that it’s unlocked, which means you have the flexibility to go off contract or prepaid if you want. There’s significant savings that can be had by going prepaid over the life of a two year contract, in some cases as much as $1,000 or more. It’s worth looking into, and I’d suggest taking a peak at this article over at GigaOM if you’re seriously considering it.


As always, if you have questions about any devices, feel as though I left one out, or have personal experience with any of devices that you’d like to share, sound off in the comments.

If you don’t have 2 hours to burn, here’s the summary:

• Phone is same width, but display is now 4″ – 1136×640 (iPhone 4S was 960×640)
• 18% thinner and 20% lighter
• Support for 4G LTE on Verizon, AT&T and Sprint
• Improved processor and graphics performance
• Improved battery life – 8 hours talk/browsing time over LTE
• Improved camera performance with built-in panorama capability
• 1080p HD video with stabilization, face detection and photo capture
• New 8-pin reversible connector ***this is a big deal as it obsoletes all old accessories unless you buy a special $30 adapter from Apple***
• Major software updates include Passbook for storing things like loyalty cards and boarding passes, Apple Maps (instead of Google Maps) and Siri improvements.

Reasons to upgrade

1. 4G LTE support. It will make the phone much faster when browsing the web or using any apps that require internet access
2. Faster processor. The phone will be even smoother, and many new apps will take advantage of the improved hardware (especially games)
3. Better camera. As amazing as this sounds, the camera will be better, giving you one less reason to carry around a separate point and shoot.
4. Larger screen. Room for a fifth row of apps will come in handy. I’ve been digging the bigger screen on my Galaxy Nexus for the last few months.
5. Ego stroking. All the cool kids will have the iPhone 5. You don’t want to be left out, do you?

Reasons NOT to upgrade

1. New connector. If you have a lot of iPhone accessories, it is going to be an extremely expensive upgrade. The $30 adapter supposedly does not handle analog signals, so any audio components you have for your iPhone, like speaker docs, will be rendered useless. Expect to pay for the iPhone and all new accessories when you upgrade.
2. iOS6 improvements are not exclusive. The iPhone 4S will get all of the improvements from the iOS 6 software, so unless you really need LTE support or the bigger screen, you won’t be missing much.
3. Cost. Upgrading mid-cycle in your contract isn’t cheap. You can expect to pay at least $250 extra for the privilege to carry an iPhone 5
4. It’s evolutionary. You read that right – I left the ‘r’ out on purpose. Many of the features, both hardware and software are a catch up to what the latest Android phones have already (like the Samsung Galaxy S3), so the only thing you get by switching is access to the Apple ecosystem and a better camera.

Should you upgrade?

• Definite Yes – if you have the iPhone 3GS or earlier, it’s time to upgrade. The improvements in speed and camera performance alone are enough reason to move up, not to mention the retina display, Siri, and the many other changes that have come along in the last few years.
• Maybe – it’s a tough choice for iPhone4 users. If you haven’t invested a ton of money in accessories, then I would advise upgrading when you are eligible (don’t pay the penalty for an early upgrade). If you have a lot of accessories, I’d wait to see if they come up with a better adapter solution before upgrading, as I am certain there is going to be significant backlash over the new connector.
• Definite No – if you have the iPhone 4S, I wouldn’t upgrade. The improvements aren’t drastic enough to pay the early upgrade penalty. Plus, you know the next iPhone is one year away that will have more improvements, including some feature that will make the iPhone 5 obsolete. It’s the Apple way.
  
  And just to show you how indistinguishable the iPhone 4S is from the iPhone 5, check out this Jimmy Kimmel video interviewing people on the street.
  
  

The iPhone 5 is available for pre-order starting 9/14 (tomorrow), with shipments and store availability starting 9/21. Anyone planning to stand in line?

• The next-gen iPhone is coming
  Apple has an announcement coming September 12 for the next generation iPhone. It’s unclear if the official name will be the iPhone5 or just the new iPhone, but what is clear is that it’s happening. All rumors are pointing to a device that is about the same width, but a bit longer to support 16:9 viewing. It is also expected to be just over 10% thinner than the 4s. Finally, it’s going to a smaller connector which could obsolete all of your current accessories (why they don’t go to microUSB like everyone else is beyond me, but that’s a post for another day). Leaked photos are also suggesting a two-tone aluminum backing to provide some design character. I figure it will support 4G LTE and would be pretty disappointed if it doesn’t. Otherwise, you should expect upgrades to Siri, some new software features, and the always unexpected “one last thing” that Apple is famous for. Bottom line, you should NOT be buying an iPhone right now. Instead, mark your calendars for September 12th to see what Apple has in store for us. By the way, it’s expected that pre-orders will start 9/21 with delivery by end of the month.
• Nokia and Microsoft have launched new Lumias
  Nokia and Microsoft launched the Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 this week. Generally speaking, I was a little disappointed with the announcement. There didn’t seem to be anything that was jaw-dropping from the event. I’ll stick by my prediction that Microsoft will still become a third option in mobile, but I wouldn’t suggest jumping into Windows Phone until Windows 8 is out and available on the Lumia (and other) handsets. In other words, I’m looking at first half of 2013 as the time to seriously start looking at Windows Phone if you’ve grown tired of your iPhone or Android device.
• Motorola goes all in with RAZR
  Google subsidiary Motorola launched three new RAZR devices this past week, all of which look great and are upgrades to the existing RAZR product line. Building on the RAZR series, it consists of three models, the RAZR HD, RAZR HD MAXX, and RAZR M. The HD and HD MAXX are extensions of the existing model, with the HD MAXX sporting crazy battery life (by smartphone standards) of 21 hours of talk time and 13 hours of video playback over Verizon’s LTE network. I especially like the idea of the RAZR M, which has a smaller screen (4.3″ vs 4.7″) and a price point of $99 on contract that bucks the trend of ever bigger screen smartphones. The RAZR M is available for pre-order from Verizon, with the HD versions due out later this year. I really hope Motorola comes out with GSM versions of these devices for AT&T and T-mobile.
• More is on the way
  Lost among all of the iPhone hype is an HTC event scheduled for the following week. HTC has no chance of upstaging the iPhone announcement, but it will be interesting to see what their next move will be. All bets are on either a Windows Phone announcement or an upgrade to their successful HTC One X. Either way, HTC continues to struggle in the shadow of Samsung, Apple and up and coming Chinese phone manufacturers ZTE and Huawei.
• Sammy is tearing it up!
  On the heels of its high profile loss to Apple in court, Samsung announced that it has already sold 20,000,000 Galaxy S3 handsets. You read that right, 20 million. It is by far the most successful Android handset launch to date. As part of its courtroom victory, Apple is trying to get an injunction slapped on Samsung to stop it from selling the Galaxy S3 in the US, so if you’re thinking about getting one, you may want to do so before the court rules on Apple’s motion, which is expected to happen in early December.
• Where’s BlackBerry?
  The sad, sad story that is BlackBerry continues. All hopes are riding on the BlackBerry 10 OS which isn’t due out until the first quarter of 2013. That’s right, it’s 6 months from today, which is equivalent to a lifetime in the phone industry. Delays in BB10 are not helping RIM as BlackBerry market share continues to evaporate, rapidly. If you’re still using BlackBerry, I urge you to switch, and you should be telling your friends to switch, too.

As for this month’s recommendations, nothing has changed since July. So instead of re-hashing that report, Just click here and you can see my latest device recommendations.

The good news is that miniListings is being transferred to RealtyTech as is. In other words, you will not notice any changes in the look, feel, operation or performance of the product. The better news is that you will now have access to the full line of RealtyTech products and support staff. I would urge you to visit their website, www.realtytech.com, to see the complete line of website, IDX MLS search, and internet marketing products they offer to real estate professionals.

Here is a short FAQ that answers some questions about the transition.


miniListings migration FAQ

Who is RealtyTech?
RealtyTech is an internet marketing and technology company based in Thousand Oaks, CA that provides real estate agent websites, IDX MLS Search systems, and internet marketing services for real estate agents, brokers and companies. You can learn more about RealtyTech and their products at www.realtytech.com.

When does the change take effect?
We are in the middle of migrating the product to RealtyTech and expect to have the transition completed around September 4.

Will I be able to integrate miniListings with other RealtyTech products?
The short answer is yes – you will be able to. You can contact RealtyTech at 877.832.4428 to learn about their website, IDX MLS Search and internet marketing products and how your miniListings mobile search application can be integrated with them.

Will there be a change to the miniListings look, feel or operation?
No, miniListings is being migrated as is, so neither you nor your clients will notice any changes to the look, feel, or operation of the product.

Will the MLS coverage area change?
RealtyTech has relationships with all of the major MLS organizations within Southern California including CRMLS, CrisNET, VCRDS, CLAW, Sandicor and SBMLS. The listings data available through miniListings will not be affected by the transition.

I’m using a custom URL for my miniListings app, will it be affected?
You may continue to use your custom URL with your miniListings mobile property search application. We are updating all of the necessary domain records, so there is no action required on your part.

I’m using a QR code, will it still work?
Yes, QR codes that you are using will continue to work as is. There is no action required on your part.

Who do I contact for technical support questions?
For technical support questions, you can contact RealtyTech at 877.832.4428, or submit an email to support@minilistings.com.

How will billing be handled?
All of our customer accounts are being migrated through this process, so billing will be handled by RealtyTech. Since we do not have access to your payment details through our secure payment processor, you will be contacted by RealtyTech to update your billing and payment information.

Who should I contact regarding billing questions?
If you have billing questions related to your account, you can call RealtyTech at 877.832.4428 or send an email to accounting@realtytech.com.

If you have a question that has not been answered above, feel free to ask it in the comments, send an email to support@minilistings.com, or call RealtyTech at 877.832.4428.

• The Samsung Galaxy S III has hit store shelves. The successor to the popular Galaxy S II is out, and it has not disappointed. The biggest surprise is that Samsung has managed to push it to all 4 major US carriers without significant carrier branding – very similar to Apple’s iconic iPhone.
• RIM continues to struggle. The latest quarterly results from RIM were even more disappointing than expected. RIM continues to bleed market share, and while their CEO seems to think BlackBerry 10 will right the ship, I’m not so sure. RIM’s fate is looking more like Palm everyday.
• Windows Phone is treading water. Microsoft continues to put a lot of effort behind their mobile OS. It’s not paying off just yet, as Windows Phone’s market share has not changed over the last quarter. I’m bullish on Windows Phone and expect 2013 to be the breakout year for Windows Phone with the release of Windows 8.
• iPhone 5 rumors are heating up. I highly advise anyone looking at an iPhone to wait, if possible. Apple is expected to release its newest model in either September or October, and the rumored specs are looking very good. I expect it to have a larger screen, to be super thin, and to have LTE compatibility. After that, all bets are off, but I expect Apple will have a few tricks up their sleeve.

Given the upcoming release window for the newest iPhone model, you won’t see it on my recommendations for this month. Just be aware that if you must get an iPhone today, it will be obsolete within 3 months.

Here’s the latest recommendations:

Best overall phone
Samsung Galaxy S III
Samsung has done an outstanding job not only with the design of the Samsung Galaxy S III, but also with its launch. Over the course of the last month, the phone has hit all of the major carriers and has little, if any, carrier branding. It’s a great phone – the best available across all the carriers.


Verizon
Best phone: Samsung Galaxy S III
It should go without saying that this is the best phone on Verizon.

Runner-up: DROID RAZR MAXX by Motorola
If the Galaxy S III isn’t your cup of tea, you can’t go wrong with the RAZR MAXX and it’s extended battery life – great for heavy users.


AT&T
Best phone: Samsung Galaxy S III
Surprised?

Runner-up: HTC One X
Personally, I prefer the hardware styling of the One X over the Galaxy S III. You won’t be disappointed if you opt for the One X over the Galaxy S III.


Sprint
Best phone: Samsung Galaxy S III
Have you figured out the pattern yet?

Runner-up: HTC EVO 4G LTE
This is effectively the HTC One X branded for Sprint’s EVO line. If you prefer the styling of the One X and like HTC’s Sense UI, then this should be your device choice.


T-mobile
Best phone: Samsung Galaxy S III
The Galaxy S III makes a clean sweep. I suspect the Galaxy S III will maintain this position until the next generation iPhone hits the stores later this year.

Runner-up: Galaxy Nexus
You won’t find the Galaxy Nexus in T-mobile’s stores, but it is worth considering if you’re a T-mobile customer. You’ll need to purchase the device from Google’s Play Store, and at $350, it’s a bargain. Since you’ll be buying the phone unlocked, you’ll be free to choose any plan you like at T-mobile, including their wallet friendly pre-paid plans. You could save significant money over the lifetime of the device by being able to choose a plan that fits your usage profile. As a bonus, the Galaxy Nexus runs a stock version of Android, so you’ll be among the first to enjoy the upgrade to Android 4.1, aka Jelly Bean.


As always, if you have questions about any devices, feel as though I left one out, or have personal experience with any of devices that you’d like to share, sound off in the comments.

Fortunately, there are apps available for your smartphone that can help you stay safe while out in the field. These apps are in a category known as “location sharing” apps and provide a method for you to share your location with friends and family and to alert them (and in some cases the police) if you need help.

I recently took a deeper look at two of these apps, Moby and Guardly.

Moby
At its core, Moby is a location sharing app. It provides an easy method for you to share your location privately with only the people you choose. Having four kids, I figured that not only could it be a good tool for safety purposes but also a good tool for my wife and I to monitor the activities and whereabouts of our teenage children.

The initial installation proved somewhat challenging on my Galaxy Nexus, but after some fiddling with the settings and resetting my account a couple of times, I managed to get everything working. I had a much easier time installing it on my wife’s MyTouch 3G, and once we added each other as contacts through the app, we were easily able to share our location (see screenshot). The app also provides a messaging service between users where you are able to “Check-in” and send messages to each other. While you could easily perform this function via texting, doing it through the app is a bit nicer because the messages don’t get lost in your inbox and are logged.

Overall, I found the app useful for location sharing among family members, much like their website states, but I was a little disappointed in its security features and wouldn’t recommend it as a security app. In order to send a help message, you need to use the Check-in function, which is not very discreet and could be hard to access if your were in a tense situation. Plus, there isn’t a direct method or way to share your location with police, so you would need to access 911 through your phone if you ran into a problem.


Guardly
Guardly, on the other hand, is designed specifically with security in mind. When you sign up for Guardly, you are instructed to create a group of friends and family that you can quickly alert if you are in need of assistance. If you upgrade to the paid version, at $1.99 per month or $19.99 for the year, Guardly will also alert authorities through the app using 911, where they will be alerted to your location and can track it on a map in real-time. There are also a number of other safety features including a loud whistle sound, photo broadcast capability, and real time chat through the app. For members of the California Association of Realtors, you can access the premium features for an additional discount by signing up here.

Guardly safety features are simple to engage. Upon launching the app, it immediately engages in a 10 second countdown (see screenshot), at the end of which an emergency alert is sent to your family and friends contact list. Cancelling the alert takes you to the preferences screen where you can access Guardly’s other features, or you can manually send an alert to any contact list you’ve setup.


When it comes to security, I would recommend using Guardly over Moby. However, Moby is still a useful app and a way for people, especially families with children, to stay in touch and track each other’s location. In addition, since it’s free, it can be a great companion app to Guardly. My only recommendation would be to use Moby openly and not for nefarious purposes, but I’ll leave that decision up to you.

In addition to these two apps, there are other security apps out there that you may want to check out. As mentioned in the Inman article, they include SafeTREC, Real Alert, and Predator Alert App. I haven’t reviewed these in detail, but you may find that the feature of one these apps fit your needs better than Guardly or Moby.

In any case, you can never be too safe. In addition to all of the normal precautions that you take during open houses, showings and meeting new clients, using a location sharing/security app is simply a smart thing to do.

How and when did you get started in real estate?
I got into real estate when I was living in Billings, MT. It gave me the opportunity to get into business as my kids were starting school. When I moved to Southern California in the early eighties, I decided to focus on working with buyers. It was a crazy time! Interest rates were 19%, and I would spend my weekends going to open houses to meet prospective buyers to build my business. I ended up working with a lot of clients from out of the area. All told, I spent 17 years on the sales side of the business between Montana and California before moving into marketing.

What led you to focus on the marketing side of the business?
I’ve always been interested in technology and how it can be applied to problems in real estate. Moving from the sales to the marketing side gave me the opportunity to use my sales experience to determine how both new and existing technologies could be applied to enhance and improve the effectiveness of an agent’s, as well as a company’s, marketing efforts.

In your opinion, what technologies have had the greatest impact on real estate marketing?
The first technology that really changed real estate marketing was the computer, particularly the laptop. It provided us the ability to not only access a lot more information, but do it faster and in a portable fashion. The other game changing technology was the internet. When it came on the scene in the late nineties, it dramatically changed how real estate marketing was done. It gave you the ability to reach out and touch a much wider group of clients. The agents who understood the impact of the internet early on and embraced it gained a huge advantage over those who waited or never adopted it as part of their marketing strategy.

These two technologies are pretty obvious, but it’s hard to comprehend and quantify the magnitude of change these two technologies brought to the industry. They’ve both been true game changers.

What technologies have you been following lately?
I’m really excited about the opportunities that mobile technology is enabling for the industry. I’ve been following a number of exciting programs and applications, such as miniListings, and have been working with agents to figure out how they can use mobile to enhance the effectiveness of their marketing and how they connect with their clients. I believe that we’ll look back on this period in a few years and recognize that mobile was another one of those game changing technologies for real estate marketing.

How do you help agents deal with technology changes?
Real estate agents are always being approached with new technologies and promises of how these new tools will help them become more effective and grow their business. With my clients, I like to help them create a plan so they can determine the types of tools that will help them achieve their goals and which tools they don’t need or shouldn’t buy. More importantly, using the tools and being consistent about your use of them in your marketing is the key.

What are some of the first things you do when working with a new agent?
I really enjoy working with new agents and will spend a lot of time asking them questions to get a feel for what their goals are and what they want to achieve. For example, are they interested in working with buyers, do they want to work with sellers, do they want to specialize in an area, and so on. Once I understand their goals, then I work with them to develop a list of potential clients and/or a geography that they can use to develop a sphere of influence and a marketing plan that will allow them to stay in constant contact with their network. The most successful agents are those that stay in contact with their clients, whether it’s new clients, past clients, or prospective clients. It really comes down to helping a new agent cultivate a network of people and a community where they can stay engaged.

Why is it so important that agents maintain contact with their client list and community?
Unlike most service oriented professionals, people don’t “need” to stay in regular contact with their agent. For example, a person usually schedules regular visits with their doctor or dentist for a check-up, or you need to meet with your accountant at least once a year to review your taxes. People don’t “need” to contact a real estate agent until they’re ready to buy or sell a property. Therefore, it is important that you stay in contact with your clients and nurture those relationships so when your clients are ready to conduct a transaction, you will be in the top of their mind as the person who handles their real estate needs.

Keeping in constant contact seems pretty challenging, how do you help agents achieve this goal?
Just like choosing technology, it comes down to having a plan. I like to sit down with my clients and establish a calendar of things to do with a timeline across the top and activities down the side. Then, based on the budget the agent has for marketing, we determine the most effective ways to reach their clients and community, whether it is through the use of technology, specific marketing tools, or traditional marketing methods like print advertising and direct mailers. Then I touch base with them regularly to assist them with any questions or issues, bring them new ideas, adjust their plan as appropriate, and make sure they are following through on it.

Before we wrap up, are there any real estate marketing “secrets” that you can share?
Excellent photography, particularly in today’s socially connected internet and mobile world, is more important than ever. There are so many ways that people can share photos using tools like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest that it is important that everything from simple things like a headshot to property marketing materials are well done as you never know where they might be shared.

Finally, I’d like to emphasize that in spite of all the technology that exists, nurturing relationships with clients, whether current, past or prospective, is the key thing that hasn’t changed throughout my years in the business. The focus of the agent should be to use the tools and technology to foster those relationships, not replace them.

I’d like to thank Carolyn for taking the time to share some her ideas and marketing “secrets” with me. I like the way she works with her clients to develop goals and a plan in order to help agents understand which tools and technologies will work best for them. Given the number of tools and technology choices facing agents these days, it helps to have a resource like Carolyn to go to who can cut through the noise to identify the right tools for the job.

Although Carolyn works exclusively as a marketing consultant for Coldwell Banker, you can connect with her via her Facebook page. On her page she shares technology tips and information specific to real estate agents from resources she follows across the web. You can also interact with Carolyn on her page to get her opinion on various technologies or tools, or to just stop by and say “Hi!“

(Click on her Facebook cover image above to go straight to her Facebook page)

As a tablet – not so much
While the device does have a lot of extra screen real estate, it’s not as expansive as a tablet. The larger size does make browsing the web, reading documents and watching videos more enjoyable, but it’s not as good as the experience you’ll get on a tablet.

Should you consider a phablet?
If you typically carry your smartphone in a jacket pocket, purse, or backpack, then a phablet like the Note is worth considering. I’m currently using a Galaxy Nexus, and I’ve found the large screen size to be very useful. Its larger screen makes the iPhone seem downright cramped and tiny, and I would have serious difficulty going back to a smaller screen. Think of it like moving from a large 4 bedroom house in the suburbs to a cramped one-bedroom studio in the city.

On the other hand, if you like to carry your phone in a pants pocket like I do, then the size of Note will be a deal breaker. Quite honestly, you need to see and touch a Note to understand just how large it is. For me, the Nexus is at the limit of what I can carry around comfortably, so the Note is clearly a device that is too large for my liking.

The bottom line, I would strongly recommend you touch, feel and handle this device to make sure you can manage the size before buying.

Is there a future for phablets?
The Note has not been a home run device for Samsung, but it has clearly been successful – selling millions of units. Samsung also has interesting feature upgrades coming for the Note that will allow you to take greater advantage of the larger screen size and pen, further differentiating it from both its smaller phone and larger tablet siblings.

With that said, I still don’t feel phablets are a mainstream device, and I don’t expect to see a lot of selection in the phablet market. However, it’s clear that Samsung has discovered a niche, and I am curious to see how they evolve the product over time.


What do you think? Are phablets a fad, or do you see a future for devices with 5 to 7 inch screens?

Well, if you use an Android phone and want to upgrade, or are looking to switch/upgrade to one, now is the time to do it. The manufacturers have released their latest devices, so now is the time to lock yourself into that two-year contract so you get the maximum benefit from your new device. The only exception is the Samsung Galaxy S III, which has been announced and made its way to AT&T, but it won’t be available on Verizon until July 9 and on Sprint and T-mobile until June 21.

On the other hand, if you’re looking at an iPhone, I don’t recommend it at this time. I would strongly suggest that you wait to upgrade or purchase one. Apple is expected to announce their next generation iPhone in September/October, so if you can wait out the next 3 months with your current model, you are sure to get “wowed” by what the folks in Cupertino are currently working on. If it is anything like the features and upgrades they put into iOS6, which was announced today (you can read about it here), I expect that the next generation iPhone will be worth waiting for.

Finally, I am still recommending that you steer clear of BlackBerry and Windows Phone devices, unless your company mandates them (or gives them to you for free). I don’t expect Windows Phone to really break out until the upcoming holiday season, and I’m not sure BlackBerry will ever return to glory. It continues to lose market share a rapid rate, which means developers are not spending a lot of effort developing apps for the platform.

With the announcements out of the way, here are this month’s recommendations.

Best overall phone
HTC One X / EVO 4G LTE
It’s the HTC One X on AT&T and the EVO 4G LTE on Sprint, but they’re the same phone. I’m still giving it the overall nod like I did last month. The Samsung Galaxy S III has the best shot at unseating it, but I’d like to see how it performs with Sprint and Verizon first.

Verizon
Best phone: DROID RAZR MAXX by Motorola
The combination of form factor, features and battery life continue to make the RAZR MAXX a great phone. So good in fact, that it’s supposedly outselling the iPhone on Verizon’s network.

Runner-up: Galaxy Nexus by Samsung
Its battery life won’t be as good as the RAZR MAXX, but it offers Android’s latest operating system – Ice Cream Sandwich. I’ve been using the Galaxy Nexus for over a month and have no major complaints, and I love the fact that it offers a “pure” Android experience.


AT&T
Best phone: HTC One X
It’s a tough call between the One X and the Galaxy S III, but for this month I’ll continue to give the One X the nod.

Runner-up: Samsung Galaxy S III
You can’t go wrong choosing the Galaxy S III. My recommendation is to go to the store, look at both devices, and choose the one that you are most comfortable with.


Sprint
Best phone: HTC EVO 4G LTE
Sprint has kept the branding of its EVO line alive by renaming the HTC One X as the EVO 4G LTE. Until the Galaxy S III makes it way to Sprint, this is the best option.

Runner-up: Galaxy Nexus
The Galaxy Nexus is a great phone, and if you want a “pure” Android experience, then you should choose the Nexus.


T-mobile
Best phone: Galaxy Nexus
I’m going to make a bold recommendation – if you are on T-mobile, go to the Google Play store and pick up the Galaxy Nexus. It’s a bit more than a contract phone, but it’s better than anything T-mobile is currently offering, and you’ll appreciate the freedom it affords you to choose the data plan that best fits your needs, or the ability to switch to a cheaper prepaid plan.

Runner-up: HTC One S
The One S is the younger sibling of the HTC One X. It’s a great phone, but it doesn’t pack quite as much punch. Unless you opt for the Galaxy Nexus, I’d suggest waiting to make a decision until the Samsung Galaxy S III hits T-mobile, which is supposed to happen by the end of June.


As always, if you have questions about any devices, feel as though I left one out, or have personal experience with any of devices that you’d like to share, sound off in the comments.

Before we jump into this month’s carrier-by-carrier breakdown, here are some notable events that have happened over the last month:

• The HTC One series launched on AT&T and T-mobile
  AT&T launched the HTC One X, and T-mobile launched the HTC One S in April. The One X is the better of the two devices, but both are sweet pieces of hardware. I won’t get into all the details except to say that they are both the class of the Android field on their respective carriers. You can read more detailed hands-on reviews around the web on the HTC One X by Engadget, GigaOM, and Mashable; and reviews for the HTC One S by Engadget, GigaOM, Mashable, and Gizmodo.
• Google is offering the Galaxy Nexus direct for only $399
  In a somewhat surprise move, Google began offering an unlocked GSM version of the Galaxy Nexus in the Google Play store for $399. Outside of being a great deal for a great smartphone, the unlocked piece means you are free to use it on AT&T, T-mobile, or any other carrier for that matter with any plan you like. In other words, you can opt for the contract of your choice or choose a cheaper prepaid plan. In addition, if you do any traveling internationally, you can swap in local SIM cards for cheaper calling while overseas. I just got a Nexus recently and love it (read my review here). You can get additional details at the Google Play Store.
• The Samsung Galaxy S III announcement is May 3rd
  At long last, Samsung is announcing the Galaxy S III on May 3rd. The rumors have been all over the place, but one thing is pretty certain: the Galaxy S III will quickly be anointed the best Android phone, ever. I’m excited to see what they announce and can’t wait to get my hands on one. If you’re a fan of the Samsung Galaxy series, it would be worth waiting to see what they announce.
• Beware Windows Phone
  There’s been a lot of activity and press around Windows Phone 7, but my strong recommendation is to wait on buying a Windows Phone. For one, the lack of apps will create a productivity gap for you when compared to an iPhone or Android device, and here is the killer, in my opinion. Microsoft is planning to unify their desktop, tablet and phone strategy around Windows 8 later this year. They’ve hinted that the current crop of devices will NOT get upgraded to Windows 8, meaning any Windows Phone you buy now will be obsolete before the end of the year. You can read more about my recent experience with Windows Phone here.

Finally, there was another really juicy rumor that broke on the tech blogs this past week:

• Apple to consider offering phone/wireless service direct
  I’m not sure what to make of this rumor except that it is very interesting. Supposedly, Apple is considering offering wireless services direct, essentially becoming a carrier similar to AT&T and Verizon. In other words, you would be able to buy not only your iPhone direct from Apple but also your phone and data plan. An interesting analysis of the rumor was done by GigaOM – worthwhile reading.

I’m pretty jazzed about what’s available in the market. So if you’re looking to upgrade, the next month or two is going to be a great time to do it. Now onto this month’s recommendations.


Best overall phone
HTC One X
For now, I give the nod to the HTC One X, but it’s going to get challenged by the Samsung Galaxy S III very soon.

Verizon
Best phone: DROID RAZR MAXX by Motorola
It may have have gotten bumped from the overall top spot, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad phone. In fact, its combination of features, size and battery life make it a clear winner if you’re on Verizon.

Runner-up: Galaxy Nexus by Samsung
It’s a great phone, and if you’re looking for a “pure” Android experience, I’d recommend it over the RAZR.


AT&T Wireless
Best phone: HTC One X
If you’re on AT&T, it’s the best money can buy.

Runner-up: Apple iPhone 4S
It’s getting to the point where I am going to have a hard time recommending the iPhone. It’s not because it’s a poor device, it’s because we’re getting close to the release of the iPhone 5, which is pegged for October. Keep in mind that if you do buy an iPhone 4S, it will be obsolete in October.


Sprint
Best phone: Samsung Galaxy Nexus
Quite honestly, the Galaxy Nexus is just keeping the top spot warm until Sprint’s version of the HTC One X, the HTC EVO 4G LTE is released later this month.

Runner-up: iPhone 4S
Again, buy with caution as the 4S will be replaced by the iPhone 5 in October.


T-mobile
Best phone: HTC One S
For now, the One S holds the top spot, but I expect it will get challenged, and most likely replaced, by the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S III.

Runner-up: Samsung Galaxy Nexus
OK, so you won’t find this in the stores, and you will have to pay $399 to buy it directly from Google Play. However, I can attest from first hand experience that it is a great phone, and the freedom to choose a cheaper data plan, go prepaid, or swap carriers when travelling abroad make it well worth the $150-$200 premium you pay. In fact, you’ll end up making that back and more in savings from cheaper plans over the life of the phone.


As always, if you have questions about any devices, feel as though I left one out, or have personal experience with any of devices that you’d like to share, sound off in the comments.