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Engadget's smartphone buyer's guide: spring 2012 edition
Springtime is here. It's a season of renewal, and similarly, an ideal time to replace your aging phone with one that you'll adore. With this in mind, we give you Engadget's smartphone buyer's guide -- your one-stop resource for selecting the best handset that fits your desires and budget. This time around, we're doing things a bit differently. In addition to naming the top phones for each provider, you'll now find more comparisons across carriers. This should help you find the best possible handset -- regardless of network -- if you're willing to make the switch. Also, you'll no longer see limited-time offers as our budget picks -- they'll still get a mention, but now, only phones that commonly retail below $80 will qualify for this coveted spot. Naturally, new smartphones are always coming onto the market, so before you make your final selection, be sure to consult our reviews hub for the very latest recommendations. With that in mind, read on as we round up the best smartphones of the season.
iFrogz' Boost speaker out now
Even a couple of months after the fact, I have to say that iFrogz' Boost speaker was one of the most interesting things I saw at CES this year. It's a little box speaker that works, more or less, like magic. There are no wires or hookups necessary. All you do is set the Boost speaker down, put your iPhone right on top of it as seen above, and then the speaker somehow amplifies your iPhone. It's not super loud, but it's more than enough for just a desk speaker, or maybe something small in the bedroom. As far as I can tell, it simply works by "listening in" to whatever is coming out of your iPhone's speaker with a really close-up microphone, and then just amplifying that audio as best it can (the device is powered with a few batteries, so that would make sense, if it's making more sound on its own). What's most surprising about all of this, however, is how exact the unit must be -- I moved the iPhone around quite a bit on the unit, and it really only works if the iPhone is sitting in exactly the right place, which means that mic, if that's indeed what's happening, must be very finely tuned. At any rate, the Boost is an interesting device -- there are quite a few speakers out there, but I haven't seen anything like this, that doesn't require any wires or hookups at all (aside from the old school megaphone style amplifiers, I mean). The Boost is available for $39.99, and if you have a place to use it, it might be worth picking up.
iFrogz releases Boost speaker, uses 'near field audio' to boost sound
iFrogz was back at CES this year. Last year, most of its new products were iPhone and iPad cases, but this year the company is branching out. In addition to a USB gaming headset called the Caliber (it vibrates when loud sounds are played, "enhancing" the audio), iFrogz also has a product called Boost, which is a little speaker about the size of the iPhone, which amplifies whatever you play. What's interesting is how it works. iFrogz calls it "near-field audio," but essentially what happens is that they've embedded a mic in the speaker itself, and whatever it "hears" coming in gets amplified and pushed out louder than before. It's actually pretty ingenious. As soon as you lay the iPhone (even in a case) on the speaker, any audio it puts out is amplified surprisingly well. Unfortunately, as you might imagine, the quality suffers quite a bit, so this isn't a device for audiophiles. You'll still hear the sound and even understand lyrics, but if you want your full range of highs and lows to come across, you'll probably just want a set of speakers you can plug into. Still, the novelty of just laying your iPhone on the speaker is neat, and the sound should work well for a desk situation, or even a quiet room. The speaker is US$39.99, which is actually a little pricey for what it is. But if the idea intrigues you anyway (and you can think of a good use for it), you can check out the Boost when it arrives at retail this Spring.
Boost Mobile lets you refill your account on Facebook, allows gifting to and from friends
So busy playing networking on Facebook that you can't find time to refill your Boost Mobile account? Your little conundrum has been solved, as the prepaid carrier has set up an app on the social network called Re-Boost for this very purpose. It satisfies the obvious need of filling up your own account at your own free will, but it also hasn't neglected the social aspect: you can refill a friend's account as a gift or even scrounge a few bucks off your connections by sending a request to your network. It's definitely a unique take on an otherwise inconsequential task; perhaps those high school buddies you never talk to would be willing to part with a buck or two in exchange for some Farmville animals. Check out the presser below.
ZTE Warp hands-on (video)
We're here at the Hard Rock Cafe in NYC, where Boost Mobile is showing off its latest prepaid Android smartphone running on Sprint's 3G CDMA network, the ZTE warp. If you'll recall, this 1GHz Gingerbread 2.3.5-equipped device dropped on November 2nd for $250, only to receive a price drop to $200 days later. Boost is citing the Warp's 4.3-inch WVGA (480 x 800) display as the largest of its current offerings, along with its 5-megapixel, LED flash-equipped camera (raising the count up from the two on its $229 Samsung Transform Ultra). The phone is Android Market-compatible and comes with 4GB of internal storage and a 2GB microSD card, which can be maxed out to 32GB. So, did the Warp feel worthy of its moniker in the few minutes we spent with it? Join us past the break for our impressions. %Gallery-138713%
DC Universe Online boasts 1000% playerbase growth
DC Universe Online has been free-to-play for just under a week now, but SOE is already reporting huge spikes in player population. SOE president John Smedley has been tweeting constantly since the transition, with the most recent tweet announcing that population is up 1000% from its pre-F2P numbers. It's not all sunshine and butterflies over in DCUO-land, however. Players have been experiencing a number of issues with the F2P transition, such as astoundingly long server queues, endless loading screens, and other gameplay-inhibiting problems. Smedley says that the team is "on it," though. If you want to be part of the game's booming playerbase, just head on over to the game's official site (or download the game on Steam) and jump on in.
Boost Mobile adds Samsung Transform Ultra to its repertoire, hopes you'll transition for $230
You might think it's more than meets the eye, but the Samsung Transform Ultra doesn't have much to hide -- except a full QWERTY keyboard, that is. Arriving precisely on time, the newest flagship device for Boost Mobile packs a prepaid punch: the Ultra rocks a 1GHz single-core CPU, Gingerbread, a three megapixel camera and a VGA front-facing cam. You can pick one of these up now for $230, which isn't too shabby for a decently-spec'd Android device with no contract involved. Head on over to the source link if this particular beauty is meant to be a part of your future.
Boost Mobile to tack $5 onto monthly Android Unlimited plans beginning October 6th
Does the Samsung Transform Ultra quench your thirst for a prepaid high-performance Android handset? That'll be an extra $5 a month, please. Boost Mobile sneakily attached the announcement to the end of this morning's press release like it was a Congressional bill, casually mentioning that its monthly Android Unlimited plans will see the additional charge as of October 6th. Grandfathered customers won't be affected -- at least, not until they upgrade to a new Android device, at which time they'll also be assessed the extra cost. Times they are a-changin', it seems. Head below to see the full announcement.
Ask Engadget: what's the best deal in prepaid wireless?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Alejandro, who's looking to cash in on the sudden glut of absolutely respectable prepaid smartphones. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "I'm looking to grab a new phone using a prepaid service. What's the best prepaid phone service in terms of overall price, phone selection and other bells / whistles. Thanks!" We're guessing he's looking for a smartphone here, so before you yell "Cricket!" and run for the hills, give a bit of consideration to folks like Virgin Mobile and Boost Mobile, amongst others. Any of you had a particularly charming experience with a prepaid provider? Speak up in comments below!
Samsung SPH-M930 to give Boost Mobile a keyboard-packing Charge?
Like Android, QWERTY keyboards, and paying as you go? Boy, have we got the handset for you. This is the Samsung SPH-M930, a Droid Charge-looking slider reportedly destined for the pre-paid world of Boost Mobile. The Gingerbread handset is said to be rocking a 1GHz Qualcomm chip and is a mere FCC approval away from your thumbs.
AT&T to offer $50 unlimited prepaid plan, ready to 'GoPhone' June 26th
Boost and Verizon shouldn't have all the fun, right? The latest kid to do a cannonball into the low-cost prepaid pool is wearing a blue-and-orange swimsuit, as AT&T will be ready to start up $50 unlimited GoPhone plans June 26th. The new prepaid selection sheds $10 off its previous limitless talk and text offering, while tossing in web access for Quick Messaging Phones. In order to be fully competitive in the pay-as-you-go realm, the aforementioned plan will allow the same texting privileges across our borders; you'll be able to SMS or IM your buddies in Mexico, Canada, and 100 other countries. The unfortunate (albeit unsurprising) part is that heading the smartphone route will come at an additional monthly cost, ranging from $5 to $25. Even though it seems Big Blue is a little tardy for the party, a wireless giant is never late -- it arrives exactly when it means to. Full press release after the break.
Full-screen web apps should get a JavaScript boost in iOS 5
Lots of information about iOS 5 is still hidden under the developer NDA, but here's one tidbit that's sneaked out: Some web apps will be faster under the new operating system. So says one developer over on a coding message board; it confirms the rumor that full-screen web apps opened from the iPhone and iPod touch's homescreen will get to take advantage of the JavaScript Nitro engine. In terms of what this means for users, there's not a lot of difference -- you'll still click the icon on your homescreen and the web app will launch like normal. But behind the scenes, if the web page you load uses Nitro, it'll work quicker than usual. Keep in mind that neither full-screen web apps nor browser views within apps have had access to this high-speed engine in iOS 4, so this is an improvement. Web apps that run outside of Safari, however, using an iOS class called UIWebViews, still won't use this souped-up engine for JavaScript. As the hackers explain, that's at least partially due to security concerns in terms of what UIWebViews can and can't do. But it's nice to know that some of the web apps you may use on your iPhone or iPad may see a speed boost with the new OS. When it comes to web pages, faster is almost always better.
Boost Mobile intros International Connect, features unlimited texts to anyone, anywhere
A few Boost Mobile constituents are likely to appreciate the carrier's recent efforts to make conversations abroad more affordable with its International Connect plan. The $5 per month add-on provides unlimited calling to Canada and to over 150 cities in Mexico (landlines only), and unlimited text messages to anywhere in the world for CDMA users in the US, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands. Insatiable talkers (who haven't heard of Skype) can pay an extra $5 and get unlimited calls to over 30 countries including China, South Korea and Singapore. While we applaud Boost's efforts here (and adore the unrestrained texting), we'd really like to see this 'landlines' caveat go away -- who uses those anymore?
Samsung Galaxy Prevail launches on Boost Mobile for $179 (update: hands-on!)
Right on cue, Boost Mobile launched its first CDMA Android device today, the Samsung Galaxy Prevail. As we previously reported, this low-end smartphone features a 3.2-inch touchscreen, a 2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth and GPS. The Prevail runs Android 2.2 (Froyo), and comes preloaded with a slew of apps you may or may not have any interest in, including SCVNGR, Poynt, Twidroyd, Facebook, Hookt, ThinkFree Office, and YouTube. It's expected to be available in "late April" for $180 with a 2GB microSD card, which equates to a song when you consider how much a typical smartphone runs you off-contract. There's no word yet on details such as WiFi support, screen resolution and CPU type or speed, but we've got a hands-on of the unit coming right up. Until then, you'll find the press release after the break. Update: We were able to catch a bit of hands-on time with the Prevail down in NYC tonight, and it's safe to say that it feels lightweight in the hand, especially compared to the original Motorola Droid, which we happened to be carrying. It's reminiscent of another featherweight phone of yore: the HTC Droid Eris. Even after just a few minutes of poking around, we noticed a pinch of lag in the touchscreen operation. There were times when it responded smoothly to swipes and taps, and other times the screen stuttered as we tried to flick through webpages. Even the pre-loaded Swype keyboard felt more cumbersome to use than it has on other phones, registering nothing as we drew imaginary lines between the letters. Then again, this is a low-end smartphone that comes with dirt-cheap data and a no-strings-attached attitude. Update 2: While there's strangely no mention of it in the press release, we've confirmed that the Prevail supports WiFi. [Thanks, Stephen] Dana Wollman contributed to this report. %Gallery-120497%
Galaxy Prevail leaked along with other Boost and Virgin Mobile updates
A few hours ago -- mere days before a joint Samsung and Boost Mobile event scheduled April 5th in New York City -- we received a 19-page document from Sprint's Prepaid Group outlining the updates and devices coming to Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile this month. The piece de resistance in this document is the Galaxy Prevail, a Samsung phone that's been rumored for a couple weeks now. Details are scarce, but spec-wise it looks like a low-end Android smartphone with a 3.2-inch touchscreen and a 2 megapixel camera. As such, it's similar to the Galaxy Gio, but with a CDMA radio and a downgraded shooter. The Galaxy Prevail will be Boost Mobile's first CDMA Android smartphone and will be priced at $180. Boost Mobile will also begin volume sales of the Samsung Factor, a simple clamshell phone costing $50, and will offer new international flat-rate packages starting April 11th. The document also highlights a couple of devices for Virgin Mobile that are already available from parent company Sprint: the Samsung Restore, a QWERTY slider that will sell for $80, and the ZTE Peel 3200, an iPod touch case with built-in 3G hotspot that will retail for $100. We don't have any details on availability other than "April", but you can take a look at the leaked document in our gallery below. %Gallery-120277% [Thanks, anonymous tipster]
Boost Mobile drops BlackBerry Curve 8530 price to $199.99
Yes, for one of the lowest-end BlackBerrys money can buy, $199.99 seems pricey, but there's something important to keep in mind here: Boost is a contract-free brand, and the Curve 8530 is no exception. The Sprint subsidiary has announced today that it's "permanently" dropping the price of the phone from $249.99 down to $199.99, after which you'll pay a continually-shrinking monthly fee for unlimited voice, messaging, and data that starts at $60. Not bad -- of course, you won't get the push-to-talk action that Boost historically has been known for with its iDEN network, but unless you're a construction worker or you're constantly dropping your phone from six feet onto concrete, we'll bet you can survive.
Mophie Juice Packs for iPhone 4, iPad en route to Apple Store
We have some details for you on Mophie's upcoming Juice Pack Universal line. Ready? Okay: available at the Apple Store sometime this month (and at Mophie's website now), all the new models, including Boost ($60), Reserve ($40) and Powerstation ($100), are compatible with all iPhone and iPod touch form factors, while the latter also throws iPad compatibility into the mix. Additionally, Reserve and Boost both feature one amp current (which, as the company points out, means they'll charge your device twice as fast as your standard 500 mAh charger), while Power Station boasts 2.1 amps. Not bad, eh? PR after the break.
Boost Mobile announces 'Shrinkage' plans, cost goes down over time
Loyalty has its benefits, and that's certainly true in the wireless industry; though carriers don't always advertise it, it's not uncommon for longtime customers to get lower upgrade prices and early availability on hardware -- not to mention sweet, succulent grandfathered plans. To that end, Boost Mobile is introducing its questionably-named line of "Shrinkage" plans that will reduce your plan pricing by $5 a month for every six months of on-time payments. Two plan types are eligible: the standard monthly unlimited plan starts at $50 and can go as low as $35 over time, while the BlackBerry unlimited plan starts at $60 and can fall to $45. They're available starting today, but existing customers need to get in touch with Boost to sign up. Follow the break for the full release.
Mophie Juice Pack family portrait: Powerstation, Reserve, Boost, and Air for iPhone 4
Mophie's had quite a few product announcements recently, from an iPhone 4 case / battery pack to a credit card solution with intuit. Hot on the heels of this week's Juice Pack Powerstation unveil, the company stopped by to give us a glimpse of their revised lineup. In addition to all the aforementioned, we also got to check out the Reserve and Boost that formally debuted back in June. We didn't get enough time to really put 'em through their battery charging paces, but we did get pictures -- hey, you're welcome. %Gallery-102596%
Boost Mobile adds $2-a-day unlimited everything option
For voice and data alike, "unlimited" is a major buzzword among value carriers like Cricket, Virgin Mobile, and Boost Mobile lately -- and when they can offer it for $10 or $20 less than the big guys, why shouldn't it be? Boost is slicing the unlimited option in a new way this week with the announcement that it's now offering unlimited nationwide voice, messaging, web, IM, email, and information for $2 a day, which if our rough math is correct, works out to $60 a month. That's $10 a more than you pay if you just bite the bullet and prepay on a monthly basis, but obviously it's a heck of a lot more flexible, too -- and with these prepaid guys, flexibility is king. Follow the break for the full press release.
