PhoneTalk

T-Mobile adds Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G to line-up

by Joni Blecher Follow me on Twitter    |    Wednesday, February 22, 2012 (permalink)
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In March, T-Mobile will be offering the entertainment-centric Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G running Android 2.3 Gingerbread. As expected, the 4G means it will work on the company’s 4G network for fast web surfing. The latest member of Samsung’s Galaxy line is loaded with plenty of high-end features including a 1.5GHz dual-core processor for a speedy user-experience and the ability to record 720p HD video using the rear-facing 5-megapixel camera (there’s also a 1.3-megapixel camera on the front for video chat and self-portraits).On the entertainment front, the phone will come preloaded with the Netflix app, T-Mobile TV in mobile HD, and Samsung’s Media Hub for renting movies and TV shows. The phone will also sport a 3.97-inch Super AMOLED touchscreen that should be bright and viewable in direct sunlight.

BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 now available

by Joni Blecher Follow me on Twitter    |    Tuesday, February 21, 2012 (permalink)
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The latest round of the BlackBerry Playbook OS 2.0 is loaded with new features and the company’s new BlackBerry Video Store, which had been announced in September 2011. Entertainment aside, there are plenty of other noteworthy features in the latest OS including integration with social media accounts such as Facebook, Twitter, and Linked In. Also included are improved BlackBerry device management and connectivity features such as BlackBerry Mobile Fusion and the BlackBerry Bridge App that uses Bluetooth to connect the tablet to BlackBerry smartphone apps. To get a better idea about the new OS features, check out this BlackBerry video below:

The BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 software update can be downloaded to PlayBook tablets today. Not sure how to get the update? Click this link for more details.

LG to unveil L-Style at Mobile World Congress next week

by Joni Blecher Follow me on Twitter    |    Tuesday, February 21, 2012 (permalink)
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One of the most anticipated cell phone shows of the year is just around the corner. That’s right, we’re talking about Mobile World Congress in Spain. Although the show takes place in Europe it often offers an inkling of what we might see here in the U.S. market. In anticipation of the show, LG announced the company’s new design philosophy dubbed L-Style. The idea takes into consideration five aesthetic elements that working together will provide the company’s devices with a slick, streamlined, modern, and easy to use design. We’ll likely get a better idea of what can be expected when we learn more about three new phones LG will be displaying: The Optimus L3, Optimus L5, and Optimus L7.

Be sure to check back next week for more details on these products in our Mobile World Congress coverage.

MetroPCS adds app that blocks unwanted texts and calls

by Joni Blecher Follow me on Twitter    |    Wednesday, February 15, 2012 (permalink)
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Prepaid MetroPCS phones just got a bit more feature-rich. The company announced a new service aptly named Metro Block-it. In addition to providing the ability to block texts and calls, users can also use the app to file complaints against telemarketers and debt collectors with the Federal Trade Commission. That’s a pretty useful feature. The application is initially available only for Android smartphones, but will soon support BlackBerry smartphones and some feature phones. MetroPCS customers can find it in the Metro App store and will receive a free 30-day trial. After that the service will cost $1.00 a month.

New version of Facebook available for Windows Phone users

by Joni Blecher Follow me on Twitter    |    Tuesday, February 14, 2012 (permalink)
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According to a recent post on the Facebook for Windows Phone App page an update of the application is now available in Microsoft’s Windows Phone Marketplace. Version 2.3 offers quite a few improvements including the ability to change the banner image, new filters, improved navigation, some overall bug fixes, and more.

DROID 4 by Motorola for Verizon now available

by Joni Blecher Follow me on Twitter    |    Friday, February 10, 2012 (permalink)
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At CES last month, we had a chance to check out the DROID 4 by Motorola when it was announced. This is one of the few high-end Android phones on the market to sport a slide-out tactile QWERTY keyboard. It's also loaded with tons of other features including a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, and a front-facing camera that can also record 720p HD video, while the rear-facing 8-megapixel camera can capture 1080p HD video. It works with Verizon's 4G LTE network and will be upgradeable to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. The DROID 4 by Motorola is available now and you can get a closer look at it in the video below.

Check out LetsTalk's Facebook page for a special offer for the DROID 4 that 's only available for a limited time.

Verizon’s new tools help customers manage usage

by Joni Blecher Follow me on Twitter    |    Thursday, February 09, 2012 (permalink)
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Smartphones can do a lot these days. For example, searching Google for a nearby restaurant, streaming movies, sending/receiving e-mails, and even streaming music all require a data connection if you’re not using WiFi. Each of those tasks requires various amounts of data and going over the allotted amount of monthly data can be costly. In addition to that type of usage, there are also texting (it can be a costly endeavor without an unlimited data plan) and voice calls.

Verizon has come up with a way to help customers better manage usage. The company’s new controls, which are available to Verizon customers on the My Verizon portal includes features like receiving text message alerts when a monthly usage allotment is getting close to being met (this can be used for voice calls, text messaging, and content purchases), or parents can set time restrictions on when the phone can be used. The service costs a monthly fee of $4.99 per line.

HTC Wildfire S First Look

by Joni Blecher Follow me on Twitter    |    Wednesday, February 08, 2012 (permalink)
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The HTC Wildfire S from metroPCS is a pocket-friendly Android 2.3 smartphone that sports a 5-megapixel camera, and a 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen. Get a closer look at the smartphone and see how it stacks up against the Incredible 2 in the video below.

DROID RAZR MAXX by Motorola unboxing video

by Joni Blecher Follow me on Twitter    |    Tuesday, February 07, 2012 (permalink)
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The DROID RAZR MAXX by Motorola works with Verizon's super-fast 4G LTE service. It also sports a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, a rear-facing 8-megapixel camera that can also record 1080p HD video, and a front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera that can capture 720p HD video. Although it runs Android 2.3.5 it will be upgradeable to Android 4.0 Ice Cream sandwich. Get a closer look at the phone and see what comes in the box by watching the video below.

Weekly Wireless Wrap-Up for week dnding February 3, 2012

by Joni Blecher Follow me on Twitter    |    Friday, February 03, 2012 (permalink)
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In this edition, we discuss the DROID MAXX by Motorola, the Kyocera Duramax and Sprint's affordable ZTE Optic Android tablet. Plus learn more about how your cell phone could be useful during Super Bowl 2012.

Sprint to offer 7-inch ZTE Optic tablet at an affordable price

by Joni Blecher Follow me on Twitter    |    Thursday, February 02, 2012 (permalink)
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Starting on Sunday, Sprint will offer the ZTE Optic Android 3.2 tablet for $99 with a two-year service agreement. That’s one of the least expensive tablets we’ve seen to date. The ZTE Optic will work with Sprint’s 3G networks and have the ability to connect to a nearby WiFi network. The 7-inch tablet will have a WXGA 1280x900 display, dual-core 1.2GHz processor, a rear-facing 5-megapixel camera and front-facing 2-megapixel camera, and come with 16GB of onboard memory that can be expanded via an additional microSD card.