Saturday, March 12, 2011

Android Phone Fans

Android Phone Fans

Sprint Sticks to Its Unlimited Data Guns With New Ad [Video]

Posted: 12 Mar 2011 05:27 PM PST

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In a time where all major telecoms are switching to tiered data plans to offer different pricing options for their subscribers and to help ease the strain on their networks, Sprint has come with a pretty strong message saying that they simply won’t allow their customers to be subjected to that.

In a new ad, Sprint CEO Dan Hesse reiterates the importance of unlimited everything, including data. Here’s a quote from the ad:

“The other day, I looked up the word unlimited in the dictionary. Nowhere in the definition did I see words like metering, overage, or throttling, which is code for slowing you down. Only Sprint gives you true unlimited calling, texting, surfing, TV and navigation on all phones.”

“Why limit yourself,” says Hesse in an ad that should keep their customers smiling. Sprint’s willingness to go against the grain throughout this trend is sure to attract and retain many paying mobile phone users. The ad didn’t send a message saying they’d never consider limiting users’ data, but if it were to happen you can be sure it won’t be in the near-term.

XOOM WiFi to Launch at Staples March 27th for $599?

Posted: 12 Mar 2011 05:03 PM PST

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More from Staples regarding this WiFi-only XOOM has rolled in. Previous rumors pegged the Honeycomb tablet for April 4th without a date, but hard evidence has come in suggesting that it’ll be in a week earlier than that – March 27th, to be exact. We’ve even got a price to go along with that date: expect to pay $200 less than what you’d pay to buy the 3G version outright – $600. (And it’s the same price if you were to get the 3G version on contract at Verizon.) It’s not the $400 or $500 that you folks were dreaming for, but it’s better than nothing. We’ll keep this date circled in our calendar, of course, but we’re holding our breath for any possible delays. [via Droid-Life|2]

DROID Incredible S With Verizon Branding Pictured

Posted: 12 Mar 2011 04:40 PM PST

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Before Mobile World Congress, there was a large-looking HTC phone with Verizon branding and no one knew what it was. Later pictures told of a battery door with those same racing line contours found on the HTC Droid Incredible – a phone that was rumored to have a bigger brother coming.

MWC came and HTC announced the Incredible S, a European version of a phone we expected to hit Verizon. Today, more pictures have surfaced all but confirming the inevitable. The picture itself doesn’t show much, though I’m wondering how the phone’s time could be incriminating to whoever leaked the photo as it’s warped out.

We’d beg for a release date and pricing, but Verizon has yet to bring out two other HTC phones we know will be hitting the carrier – the Merge and the Thunderbolt. (HTC says that one’s release date will be announced “soon”, by the way.) [Android Spin]

HTC Thunderolt Car Dock Seen In-Store, Ready To Be Driven

Posted: 12 Mar 2011 02:40 PM PST

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Although everyone wants to know, nobody is sure if the HTC Thunderbolt will launch March 17th, March 21st, or some other date. That isn’t isn’t stopping accessories from popping up in Verizon Wireless stores which would suggest the much-awaited HTC Thunderbolt will at least launch this month.

If you get as much use from Google Navigation as I do, you’ll likely have the above HTC Thunderbolt Car Dock on your “To Buy” list. It’s clearly an Official Verizon Wireless Accessory and comes at the cost of $29.99 – not bad, especially considering a texting while driving ticket is likely much more. Consider it an insurance plan.

[Thanks Anonimac & Anonymous Tipster!]

Japanese Earthquake Victims Seek Refuge With Flashlight Apps

Posted: 12 Mar 2011 11:55 AM PST

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The earthquake off the coast of Japan has rocked the country’s foundation and the resulting blackouts, fires and tsunami have devastated citizens. While the lives taken by the natural disaster are the most precious of losses, many others face horrific living conditions evidenced by a total collapse of infrastructure. For the families devastated by this event, it isn’t yet about repairing their broken lives but living amongst devastation.

Take a look at some of the disaster’s raw footage, for example the towering Tsunami in the distance as it crashes onto the countryside, with the camera cutting out just before relentlessly pounding moving vehicles trying to escape the calamity:

Or fires caused by the earthquake seen below:

At the ground level, brave service people are undergoing rescue missions and numerous countries have offered their support through man power, finances, and other resources. But still, with a disaster of this magnitude, hundreds of thousands of people are trying to help themselves in one way or another. While it’s a very small matter relatively speaking, the power of Android has played at least some role in assisting citizens trying to deal with their problems.

Nikolay Ananiev, developer of Tiny Flashlight + LED which has been downloaded 2.5+ million times, contacted us to share a startling statistic. In a matter of hours, 50,000+ Android users in Japan downloaded his app following the disaster. I assume that as the earthquake shook infrastructure, the power went out, and people were left in the pitch black trying to escape. They went to Android Market, downloaded a flashlight app, and used it to find an escape route. I’m sure not all were in danger – it’s likely that others in more safe areas simply lost power but were searching for Android Market’s assistance to navigate the dark.

Thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of this horrible crisis along with their family and friends. While we all love downloads like Angry Birds and Evernote, it’s great to see how technology can be used to make the world a better place. Sure… it’s just a simple flashlight app, but to the 50,000+ who downloaded in that time period I’m sure they’d say it was much more than just a simple flashlight app.

What other Android applications could have helped in a time like this? Are there applications you would suggest downloading in advance just in case a natural disaster occurs?
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