Samsung Asks “Are You Ready to Note?” in Galaxy Note 4 Teaser Video

Looks like Samsung will be focusing on the stylus action for their upcoming super-phablet, the Galaxy Note 4.

Humans used tools from the very beginning.
Samsung GALAXY Note has introduced yet another tool.
Fit for the way we live today, the S Pen is a truly notable invention since, well… the pen.
Innovation for today and tomorrow.
Expect more on your Note for writing. Ready to Note?

Yeah Samsung. We’re ready, and apparently we’ll learn more come September 3rd!

LG Video Teases Round Smartwatch Coming Soon

The Moto 360 still hasn’t been released, but that isn’t stopping LG from pushing forward with their smartwatch lineup.

Their rectangular watch was a Google Wear launch partner with the Samsung Gear Live, and now it looks like they’re going to tackle something with a bit more style.

vlcsnap-2014-08-24-09h44m37s45Brightening one of the frames from the video, happily we can see LG isn’t just copying the minimalistic round face from the Moto, instead going for a more traditional round face with watchband arms. A look which hopefully can blend in well without advertising the geek gear bolted to someone’s wrist.

Have you been shopping a smartwatch? Is the “fashion-ability” weighing in on your decision? Drop us a comment!

Apple Admits to Potential Battery Issues with iPhone 5

iphone-5It was a pretty common complaint in my circle of friends, that the iPhone 5 battery life just wasn’t as good as the iPhone 4S.

A common theory of the day was that the dual radio solution found with Apple’s first LTE enabled phone wasn’t as well optimized as the 3G only iPhone 4S. It was sort of true for early 4G Android phones, maybe Apple fell prey to the same teething pains?

Announced yesterday, Apple is acknowledging that the iPhone 5 might have had some manufacturing issues:

Apple has determined that a very small percentage of iPhone 5 devices may suddenly experience shorter battery life or need to be charged more frequently. The affected iPhone 5 devices were sold between September 2012 and January 2013 and fall within a limited serial number range.

If your iPhone 5 is experiencing these symptoms and meets the eligibility requirements noted below, Apple will replace your iPhone 5 battery, free of charge.

This specific issue is apparently not affecting 4S or 5S owners.

As we rapidly approach the release of the iPhone 6, it’s not terrifically helpful for iPhone 5 owners dealing with this problem, as they’re likely nearing the end of a two year contract anyway, just in time to buy Apple’s latest and greatest…

Better late than never I suppose. Hit the link below if you think your phone might be affected, and Apple might replace that battery for you.

iPhone 5 Battery Replacement Program

OtterBox Unveils “Alpha Glass” Screen Protectors for iPhone 5 and Galaxy S5

otterbox alpha glass screen protectorA premier smartphone is a hefty investment, and most accidental damage tends to take out the beautiful screens on our devices.

OtterBox, known for rugged cases, is now getting into the screen protector game. They aren’t just throwing out any floppy plastic guards though, they going with hardened glass.

Dubbed “Alpha Glass”, it features “Anti-Shatter” technology, and they think it’s tough enough to withstand your daily shenanigans. In its debut, you’ll find versions cut for the iPhone 5C, 5S, and the Galaxy S5, with more phone models to follow. $30 is the price of entry, and smashing that would be a lot better than a screen replacement.

Do you use a screen protector or rugged case? Drop us a comment below!

T-Mobile Offers Free Data for a Year to Former Sprint Customers

T-Mobile LogoAs soon as Sprint cut prices and added data to their Family Shared Data Plans, T-Mobile countered with another snarky press release, and another market disrupting tactic.

Current T-Mo customers can “rescue” Former Sprint (or AT&T or Verizon) customers, and those folks will receive free data for one year.

“When we saw how Sprint’s dissing its own customers and dropping unlimited LTE plans for families, we knew we had an opportunity to help these people out,” said Mike Sievert, Chief Marketing Officer for T-Mobile.  “Only a ‘carrier’ would be arrogant enough to make an offer limited only to new prospects, while forgetting their existing customers. The Un-carrier way is to give the best offers to your loyal customers – and that’s what we’re doing again today.” 

Yikes. You really should read the whole press release below. It packs quite a bite.

Of course, Sprint countered again with their new cheaper Unlimited Plans (which don’t require people to refer their friends). I LOVES me a good old fashioned grudge match.

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Sprint Slashes Prices on Unlimited Plans to $60 a Month

3.23.09Horizontal_Full-color_on_whiteWe seem to be in the middle of a carrier price war.

After landing a new CEO, Sprint has been focused on appropriate pricing, after admitting their network can’t quite compete toe to toe with VZW or AT&T. The first step was offering up a new Family Shared Data plan which undercuts the big carriers.

Now they have T-Mobile in their sites with a new unlimited data plan. At $60 a month per line, it’s $20 a month cheaper than T-Mo’s unlimited offering.

“People know Sprint for Unlimited,” said Marcelo Claure, Sprint CEO. “We have long been the leader in offering customers unlimited data and that leadership continues today with our new $60 unlimited plan. Unlimited talk, text and data for $60 is the best unlimited postpaid plan available. And, we’ve listened to our loyal customers; we’re making the Sprint $60 Unlimited Plan available to both new and existing customers.”

Sprint__60_Unlimited_Compeititive_Comparison

The beauty of this announcement is how it catches T-Mobile by surprise. John Legre snarkily announced a new “Free Data” promotion meant to upset Sprint’s Shared Data Plans. Sprint’s move here goes completely un-addressed. Looks like Sprint’s new CEO Marcelo Claure is already making moves to change the perception of the company.

…customers can save $120 over two years versus T-Mobile’s promotional price…and they don’t have to jump through T-Mobile’s hoops and recruit their friends.

While Big Blue and Big Red duke it out in the major leagues, Lil’ Yellow and Lil’ Magenta are getting scrappy.

Full Sprint PR below.

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Walmart Clearing iPhone 5C Inventory by slashing Contract Price to 97 Cents

iphone 5c walmart saleA new iPhone will be announced soon, and stores are trying to clear out existing inventory. Walmart is making a move to push out the somewhat unpopular 5C model by cutting the on-contract price to only 97 cents. At “near free” one would hope it would finally give the aged 4S a run for its money.  Walmart has also cut the price on the 5S to $79 with a two year contract.

Consumers were right to be a little cautious with the 5C. It was a brand new phone line, which wasn’t compatible with many accessories designed for the 5/5S. It was unclear how it would be supported by third party manufacturers and by Apple itself. Would it receive software updates like the iPhone 5 or will it continue receiving support like the 5S? Will Apple launch a follow up “Cheap” model alongside the iPhone 6?  Those ecosystem questions are becoming more and more important to consumers.

Though if you’re looking for a good deal on iOS, 97 cents is hard to skoff at. Still, someone might want to teach the Walmart web designer how to use a decimal point… Looks like the 5C is 97 DOLLARS… Just sayin…

LG Brings Two “L Series” Smartphones to Emerging 3G Markets

LG_L_BELLO(left)_and_L_FINO(right)_500Borrowing the design language of the G3, LG is introducing two new “L Series” phones built for emerging 3G markets. Following in the footsteps of Motorola and Nokia, It’s another attempt at building out a higher quality experience at an entry level price.

The L Fino features a 4.5″ screen at a resolution of 800×480 powered by a low power 1.2GHz quad-core, 1GB of RAM, 4GB of storage, and a 1900mAh battery.

The L Bello bumps up all of those numbers with a 5″ screen (854×480), a 1.3GHz quad-core, 8GB of storage, and a 2400mAh battery.

Both phones will feature 8MP rear cameras, with LG boasting best in class camera performance, and will run Android 4.4.2 KitKat.  HSPA+ (21Mbps) radios will power the 3G connection. Not a bad collection of specs, and just reinforces our stance that the next area of hot smartphone growth will be at the entry level as the premier flagship market is pretty well mature.

They’ll launch first in Latin American markets, followed by countries in Europe, Asia, and CIS following shortly after. Pricing and availability will be announced locally. Full PR below.

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