Sprints hits customer with $10 Data Plan price Hike

Smartphone Plans: The Sprint logo is displayed on the front of a Sprint retail store in San Francisco, California

New smartphone data plans from Sprint, including unlimited data plans, will cost $10 more beginning Jan. 30, with the wireless provider blaming rising costs of providing data to mobile devices for the fee hike.

Sprint said on Tuesday in a company statement that it would be levying a $10 per month "Premium Data add-on charge" for smartphones activated after the end of this month.

However, not all new Sprint customers will charged extra. The charge is already tacked onto the phone bills of 4G users, and new non-smartphone or non-4G users also won't see the $10 fee.

The Overland Park, Kan.-based Sprint Nextel Corp. cited rising usage costs in its fee announcement as video and rich content are increasingly streamed over mobile networks. 

The Overland Park, Kan.-based Sprint Nextel Corp. cited rising usage costs in its fee announcement as video and rich content are increasingly streamed over mobile networks.

"Sprint's decision to apply the Premium Data add-on charge to activations of smartphones going forward recognizes the enhanced user experience that today's smartphones deliver, which, in turn, drives substantially higher data usage and cost," Roger Entner, analyst of Recon Analytics, said, according to a Sprint statement.

The move comes as telecom companies have shied away from unlimited data plans or cut down the value of their data plans.

AT&T ditched uncapped data plans last year, replacing them with capped, but less expensive, data plans, while Verizon Wireless is pushing strongly for its limited plans over its unlimited ones.

Android Tablets Vs. iPad

Android Tablets vs. iPad - this may well become the big tech debate of 2011. I will break down the differences for you and tell you what side I am on! There are several key differences between the two devices -

Operating System

Obviously, one of the largest differences between the two systems is the operating system. Android tablets are running on some version of the Android OS from Google, while Apple's iPad is running on Apple's iOS. Both are the same basic OS that runs on the companies' respective smart phones.

To me, this is just a matter of preference. These days, many developers prefer Android over iOS, as it is much easier to get a new app into Android's app market. However, every Android tablet (and phone) may run on a different version of the software, which can make it a bit unsettling for users, as some apps may work only on a newer version of Android, which every tablet may not get.

The companies that develop the tablets decide when to push an update of the Android software to each type of device, so one type might get an update, while others may wait for months, or never get an update at all.

As far as I am concerned, there is no clear winner in this arena. If you get a chance, try each one and see which operating system you like best. Personally, I am a bigger fan of Android.

Screen Size

Having a big screen can be a plus or a minus depending on what you plan to use it for, and especially on how you plan to carry a tablet around. For example, I purchased the Samsung Galaxy Tab, considered one of the best Android tablets currently on the market, and a big selling point for me ws the screen was actually much smaller than the iPad.

The iPad screen is over 10 inches, making almost as big as some small laptops. That can be great if you plan to carry it in a backpack all the time and want to watch videos on it, but it does make it harder to carry around. For me, the Galaxy Tab made more sense because I don't carry a backpack and like to bring it to meetings.

So, again, no clear winner here. You may want to decide first whether you want a wireless device that is portable or if you want the biggest screen possible. One caveat here, however - soon there will likely be tablets running Android on the market that have screens the size of the iPad.

Apps

You can have a discussion about Android tablets vs. iPad without talking about apps. Apps make or break the tablet in my opinion. Having used both operating systems extensively, I will say that, although the iPad certainly has more apps than Android, I have not been disappointed with Android and can find just about any kind of app I can think of. In addition, almost every company that makes an iPad app makes an Android app as well.

In fact, in my estimation, given that Android sales are now surpassing iPhone, and the fact I mentioned above - that it is easier to develop apps and get in the Android market, I would not be surprised to see Android catch up the Apple in the future when it comes to apps.

Cost

It seems that even the best Android tablets are cheaper overall, and you can find some good, cheap Android tablets out there. Both have data plans, and you can't do much without a data plan on a tablet unless you stay in a wifi zone, so you will likely end up paying about the same there.

However, when it comes to the cost the device itself, Android wins.

This argument will rage on during 2011, but when it comes to Android Tablets vs. the iPad, I am all for Android!

Casey has a new site dedicated to the best android tablets! Check it out at http://www.androidtabletsblog.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Casey_Case

Evo 4g is Top Wirefly.com holiday seller

 If Wirefly.com is any indication, Sprint Nextel Corp. (S) could be in for some surprising fourth quarter results. 

The online wireless retailer, which is owned by Simplexity, reported that the HTC Corp. Evo 4G was its best selling device during the holiday season. The smart phone is available exclusively through Sprint Nextel, which recently has begun to turn around its customer metrics having posted modest customer growth numbers over the past several quarters following years of losses.

The retailer, which does not sell Apple Inc.'s (AAPL) iPhone though it does offer devices and services for the country's four nationwide operators, added that all ten of the top selling mobile devices were smart phones, with nine of the 10 powered by Google Inc.'s (GOOG) Android operating system. The only non-Android device to break the top 10 was Research In Motion Ltd.'s (RIMM) BlackBerry Torch at AT&T Mobility.

Overall, Verizon Wireless scored the most number of devices on the list with four, followed by three each from Sprint Nextel and AT&T Mobility.

The one name missing from the list, besides the iPhone, was T-Mobile USA Inc., which did not land a single device on the retailer's top selling device ranking. The nation's No. 4 operator has seen its customer growth numbers fluctuate significantly over the past several quarters as the carrier has tried to balance out its marketing focus between prepaid and postpaid services. The carrier managed to add137,000 customers during the third quarter on the back of prepaid and mobile virtual network operator partners, after having lost 170,000 customers during the first half of the year.

The results appeared to be business as usual for Verizon Wireless and AT&T Mobility, which both posted strong third quarter results and are expected to do the same for the fourth quarter. Verizon Wireless appears to be gaining significant traction with its Android-based Droid lineup of devices, while AT&T Mobility has shown continued strength with its BlackBerry leadership, growing interest in Android-powered devices and has its iPhone ace-in-the-hole that continues to power the carrier's growth.
 
As for device makers, HTC managed to score the top two positions on the list, though Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. managed to win the war with four devices in the top 10. Motorola Inc. (a href=http://stocks.rcrnews.com/rcrwireless./quote?Symbol=MOT target=_blank>MOT) scored a pair of devices on the list thanks to Verizon Wireless, while RIM and Sony Ericsson each had a single entry thanks to AT&T Mobility.

The complete Wirefly.com top 10:

1. HTC Evo 4G (Sprint Nextel)

2. HTC's Droid Incredible (Verizon Wireless)

3. Samsung Captivate (AT&T Mobility)

4. Motorola Inc. Droid X (Verizon Wireless)

5. Samsung Intercept (Sprint Nextel)

6. BlackBerry Torch 9800 (AT&T Mobility)

7. Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 (AT&T Mobility)

8. Motorola Droid 2 Global (Verizon Wireless) 

9. Samsung Epic 4G (Sprint Nextel)

10. Samsung Fascinate (Verizon Wireless)

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The 5 Hot Smartphones in 2010

 Smart phones are nothing but an ordinary mobile which makes our life smarter and also makes smoother. In this fast growing world we have to keep contact with our clients, colleagues, friend’s etc this can be provided by smart phones which give instant access to the internet and also it serves as multimedia devices. Let us see some of the best smart phones of the year 2010.

1. HTC EVO 4G

Rocking a 1 GHz processor, 4.3-inch screen, 8.0-megapixel camera, front-facing camera, 4G (WiMAX connectivity), Android 2.1, Mobile Hotspot, and other goodies, the EVO 4G gets the top spot for awesome hardware.  While WiMAX (4G) has been clocked at lower speeds than T-Mobile’s HSPA+ (super fast 3G), the fact that EVO is the first real 4G device is kind of cool.  The downside?  WiMAX is expanding rapidly, but at present, is only available in select markets in the US.

2. Apple iPhone 4

Featuring some nice upgrades over the 3GS like the Retina Display, FaceTime video calling, and a 5.0-megapixel camera with flash, iPhone 4 is a nice evolutionary upgrade to the previous unit.  Throw that in with an awesome App Store and iOS 4′s ability to multitask, and you have a device that can compete with the best of ‘em.  June 24th is shaping up to be a busy day for Apple and AT&T.

3. HTC DROID

Truth be told, it’s kind of a toss up between the EVO 4G and the DROID Incredible.  Both offer 8.0-megapixel cameras, 1 GHz processors, and Android 2.1.  While the screen is larger on the EVO, the 3.7-inch AMOLED display on the Incredible is gorgeous.  EVO still takes the trophy in hardware, but Incredible is incredible enough to keep Verizon customers incredibly happy (see what I did there?).  If the EVO is too big for you or you just dislike Sprint, consider the Incredible for your Android needs.

4. Google Nexus One

With official Android 2.2 support on the way (and with several leaked builds available now), the Nexus One is worthy of consideration by those on AT&T and T-Mobile.  Complete with a 1 GHz Snapdragon processor, 5.0-megapixel camera, and AMOLED display, it’s still relevant in the ever-evolving mobile space.  Given AT&T’s Android options at the moment (Backflip and Aria), the Nexus One is a high-end option for those on the nation’s second largest wireless carrier.  I just wish there was a subsidized version available.

5. Palm Pre Plus

The design is outdated and the specifications are a bit mid-range given the devices that are out now, but webOS is enough to justify the Pre Plus’ inclusion in my top five.  Who knows where the operating system will be one year from now (HP keeps giving conflicting messages), but on the multitasking and notification front, it’s the best user interface out there.  At a developer event last week, Palm confirmed that new devices and webOS updates were on the horizon, so there’s still potential there.  Software development aside, the hardware is competitively priced, and Verizon is sweetening the deal by offering free Mobile Hotspot.  Free Wi-Fi-like connectivity as a part of the $30 data plan?  Sounds good to me.

HTC Profit Explode due to Android Phone Sales

 

By ARIES POON

TAIPEI—Taiwanese smartphone maker HTC Corp. saw its fourth-quarter unaudited net profit more than double from a year earlier, driven by strong growth in handset shipments.

HTC, the world's largest maker of phones using Microsoft Corp.'s operating system, is also becoming a major seller of devices that use Google Inc.'s rival Android software, which is growing in popularity. The company's strong results in general reflect rising demand for smartphones as consumers continue to switch from traditional cellphones to gadgets that allow them to browse the Internet, write emails and watch video.

HTC said ts net profit surged to 14.59 billion New Taiwan dollars (US$499 million) from NT$5.53 billion a year earlier. Revenue more than doubled to NT$104.01 billion from NT$41.07 billion.

The Taiwanese company didn't elaborate on its results, but analysts had expected robust global demand for smartphones to boost HTC's earnings in the fourth quarter and beyond.

Steven Tseng, an analyst at Royal Bank of Scotland, said the results were solid and in line with his expectations. "Android-based phones will continue to be a driver for HTC this year," he said, adding HTC's switch to chipsets that have better multimedia performance but lower prices boosted the company's profitability last quarter.

Tseng said HTC's first shipment of fourth-generation mobile phones using what's known as Long-Term Evolution technology may take place as soon as the second quarter, which will further boost the company's earnings this year. LTE promises faster data downloads compared with existing third-generation wireless technology.

"A bigger-than-expected underlying market size combined with continued strength in Android smartphones, should benefit key players such as HTC," Credit Suisse said in a research report Tuesday. "We believe Android momentum remains strong... we might be still underestimating its growth potential."

According to a survey from technology-tracking firm comScore Inc., more Americans say for the first time they are using cellphones powered by Google's Android system rather than Apple Inc.'s iPhone. Other estimates, like those from market-research firm NPD Group, have shown Android devices outselling iPhones, or moving ahead among consumers only.

For the full-year, HTC's unaudited net profit rose 74% to NT$39.33 billion from NT$22.61 billion a year earlier. Unaudited revenue last year rose 93% to NT$278.76 billion from NT$144.49 billion.

 

Droid Pro: An Android Business Smartphone

 Motorola has an answer for all those Blackberry enthusiasts out there. The just recently unveiled the Droid Pro, which is their answer to business smartphones (Blackberry). The Droid Pro features a touchscreen keyboard and a full vertical qwerty keyboard. Blackberry users will feel at home with this similar design scheme. Some of the other features include a 5mp camera with autofocus and led flash, a 1 GHz processor, and a micro SD slot expandable up to 34GB of memory.

The phone supports dual-mode functionality, meaning that the phone supports both CDMA and GSM technologies for world-roaming capabilities. This allows users to still be able to use foreign networks while traveling abroad. This phone also has several enhanced security features including the ability to remotely wipe all your data if the phone is lost as well as complex password support and a VPN client. One other business friendly feature is complete support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync.

The device also has the capability to become a mobile hotspot for up to 5 devices. The browser comes preinstalled with Adobe Flash Player 10, so users can get a full web browsing experience. This being an Android phone of course means that you get the Android market and a multitude of Google services including Google Maps Navigator & Google Talk. Among other included applications are Quickoffice®, Skype mobile™, YouTube, AuthenTec VPN client, Mediashare, and File Manager.

All in all, this looks like a pretty decent phone for those business users who won't let go of their Blackberry. If they decided to add an 8MP camera instead of the 5MP, this would look like the perfect phone in my eyes. Sound off on the comments section with your opinions.

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HTC Evo 4G - An Advanced Smartphone With A Comprehensive Package of Features

Manufactured by HTC Corporation, the HTC Evo 4G Smartphone is made with the needs of the future generation in mind. Apart from the standard features associated with 4G network, this phone has got several other innovative features too. The Smartphone was launched in the month of June this year. The official release of this phone took place on 4th June, 2010 in USA. The hardware present in HTC Evo 4G is quite similar to that of HTC HD2, which is a Smartphone operating Windows mobile. A notable deviation of this Smartphone from the other smart-phones in its category is that the screen is significantly big.

The diagonal length of the screen is 4.3 inches and its dimensions are 480 by 800. The TFT LCD screen with a resolution of 216 pixels / inch is a real attraction of this phone. It can be easily said that HTC Evo 4Gis among the most advanced and comprehensive Android phones available nowadays. Mention needs to be made about the CPU of this handset. The amazing speed of 1 GHz is due to the presence of the QSD8650 chipset containing the ARM Cortex-A8 micro-processor. For exhilarating viewing experience, the Adreno-200 graphics-chip is just ideal as it can render a maximum of 22,000000 triangles / sec.

People who love to shoot videos and capturing photos would adore this Smartphone. The camera is extremely powerful boasting of a resolution of 8 Megapixels. The Android version 2.2 browser of HTC Evo 4G is being claimed to be the swiftest in the market right now. The speeds have even surpassed that of Safari browser of Apple iPhone. A person can shoot high-definition videos at a resolution of 720 pixels. This is not all. If you want to chat with you near and dear ones, you would find this Smartphone to be extremely handy due to the presence of the front-facing cam. Apart from the multi-touch touch screen for display purposes, the Smartphone also has a dual microphone, digital compass, and a three-axis accelerometer.

In terms of storage capacity, this phone is attractive too. There is the standard inbuilt ROM and the micro-SD slot for expanding memory. For managing contacts and emails there is the robust support of Active Sync Exchange. A user can also use his Gmail account for synchronizing those items. The Wi-Max 4G network of Sprint in HTC Evo 4Gis there to deliver the best web-browsing experience.

HTC Evo 4G Forum - is a friendly Evo 4G community that help all the HTC Evo 4G users with their HTC Evo 4G Android Phones Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Denniscool_Wong