As you prepare for adventures with friends and fun in the sun, just remember that a great smartphone should be at the top of your gear list. Whether you're looking for travel tips, a new place to hang or even directions to get there, your smartphone will have you covered. It can help you check-in for flights, rent a car and even get great deals on places to stay. Go ahead and leave your point-and-shoot camera at home, because many of today's best smartphones excel at photography and allow you to immediately share your memories as they're captured. If you plan to travel abroad, be sure to spring for an unlocked handset to avoid those nasty roaming fees. Whatever your particular needs, our smartphone selection is geared to make your decision as painless as possible - and more importantly, ensure that you have a fun and rewarding summer. Dive in on the other side of the break.

Continue reading Engadget's summer gear guide 2012: smartphones

Engadget's summer gear guide 2012: smartphones originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 07:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Verizon said it was pushing out the Android 4.0.4 upgrade for its edition of the Galaxy Nexus, and it meant business: we've received tips and reports that some owners have been getting the update over the air within the past day. The long-overdue update upgrades the calendar and sorts out problems with email as well as the 4G device itself. It will likely take a few weeks before every Galaxy Nexus owner on Big Red is up to speed, but there's no doubt that many of them will just be happy to have caught up to the One True Nexus in features and fixes.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

PSA: Verizon Galaxy Nexus' Android 4.0.4 update is rolling out now originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 May 2012 14:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

If you liked the idea of buying an unlocked Galaxy Nexus straight from Google but were put off by the absence of the official accessories, have no fear. A swing by Google Play now gives US shoppers the chance to buy the regular Desktop Dock, the HDMI Portrait Dock or the Vehicle Dock, whether it's packed in with your Android 4.0 flagship or after the fact. All three require the HSPA+ edition -- sorry, no attempts to shoehorn the Verizon model here -- and cost between $49 to $54. The accessories reinforce the notion that Google is a little more in it to win it than the last time it sold hardware directly, although we have yet to see whether or not the store section will carry any hardware that isn't fully blessed by Google as part of the Nexus ecosystem.

Google starts selling accessories for HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus on Google Play, has you all docked up originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 19:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

After a horrible tease at the start of the month, Google and Verizon finally appear ready to roll out the Android 4.0.4 update for the LTE Galaxy Nexus. Verizon has just posted the install guide for its elusive IMM76K upgrade, a telltale sign that the update could push out (in this case, from Google) within the next few days. The fixes are largely those that hit the HSPA+ version in March, although that means important Calendar interface tweaks as well as email and device fixes. More than anything, it should close one of the most inexplicably long chapters for minor OS updates in recent memory: Verizon's Galaxy Nexus owners are the last to get 4.0.4, having run on 4.0.2 since December and having exhibited even more patience than Sprint buyers.

Verizon, Google get ready to post Galaxy Nexus' Android 4.0.4 update, really really this time originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 May 2012 19:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

If the arrival of the GS III has placed a dent in your "latest Galaxy" street-cred, help is at hand. Once again it's the fine folk at XDA-Developers who come up with the goods, in the form of a CM9 add-on pack for the apparently passé Galaxy Nexus. Included in the bundle are all the leaked goodies from Samsung's latest flagship so far (including a working S Voice), as well as a TouchWiz launcher for added authenticity, plus a few other treats for good measure. While designed for CM9, it's believed it may also work with other, similar ROMs. It's available just in time for the real-deal release, so no one (well those with a very untrained eye, at least) need ever know your dirty little secret.

CyanogenMod 9 add-on gives your Galaxy Nexus a glass slipper, it will go to the GS III ball originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 May 2012 08:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Third time's a charm...
Three's a crowd...
She's once, twice, three times a lady Nexus...
Three's a magic number...
Good things come in threes... or is that sneezes?
Okay, so maybe there isn't anything clever we can say to get you hooked, but do we really need to lure you in at this point? The Galaxy Nexus is, arguably, not only one of the best Android phones on the market, but one of the best phones, period. So, there's no reason to expect the Sprint variant ($199 on contract) would be anything short of incredible. Still, there's only one way to find out. Follow along after the break as we put the newest member of the Nexus family through its paces and see how it stacks up against its Verizon and unlocked siblings.

Gallery: Samsung Galaxy Nexus for Sprint review

Continue reading Sprint Galaxy Nexus review

Sprint Galaxy Nexus review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!

Continue reading Refresh Roundup: week of April 30th, 2012

Refresh Roundup: week of April 30th, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 May 2012 19:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

We're not sure exactly what the FBI's standard issue kit consists of, but we imagine it has more than a few bits of secret tech. These screen grabs from this week's Fringe, however, would have us believe that the rogue agents like to pick up their tabs with what looks like Google Wallet. We can clearly see a Sprint-branded Galaxy Nexus being used to for a not-so-undercover financial transaction. At least it looks like the agents might have had an upgrade since we last saw them around these parts.

Update: As many of you have pointed out, there was something wrong with our own intel on this case, and it wasn't one of the agents using the service. Perhaps the bureau isn't comfortable with e-wallets just yet.

[Thanks, Te-je]

Continue reading Screen Grabs: Are agents on Fringe flashing their Google Wallet?

Screen Grabs: Are agents on Fringe flashing their Google Wallet? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 May 2012 08:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading MasterCard gives PayPass blessings to HTC One X, 16 other NFC phones

MasterCard gives PayPass blessings to HTC One X, 16 other NFC phones originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 May 2012 22:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

So, it's time to take down the decorations, remove that party hat and sweep up the confetti (you can clear the unfinished drinks in the morning). As Earl's Court in London echoes with the hollow sound of empty plastic champagne flutes and half-eaten canapes, the rest of the tech world gives a sigh of relief. The Samsung Galaxy S III is here. Was it what you expected? If you haven't yet decided, don't worry, we've got you covered. After all the months of anticipation, cryptic clues and teasing it's understandable that you might be feel a little bit spent. That's why we're going to carry you over the finish line, by providing you with a fireman's lift of all things GS3. We've collected together all the links to tonight's main stories, along with a little reminder of the route we took to get here. So forget about the post-party hangover for now, and do the walk of shame past the break for the round-up.

Continue reading Samsung Galaxy S III wrap-up

Samsung Galaxy S III wrap-up originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 May 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

By now you should already know that the brand-spanking-new Samsung Galaxy S III sports a 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED display. That's right: no "plus" here, which means this 720p panel is featuring the same old PenTile RBGB pixel arrangement -- just like the 4.65-inch version on the Galaxy Nexus and the Galaxy S II HD LTE. Needless to say, this is again pure ammunition for the folks over at LG; but as we've mentioned before, HD Super AMOLED's superb contrast and higher-than-before pixel density outweigh its shortcomings in most cases.

For now though, let's examine these sub-pixels with a 230x zoom USB microscope and compare them with other phones that we have in hand. Starting off with the HTC One X's 720p SLCD 2 above, you can see how its denser sub-pixels produce a finer picture, but ultimately it's still behind HD Super AMOLED when it comes to contrast, especially with black. Read on for more comparisons.

Gallery: Under the microscope: Samsung Galaxy S III's HD Super AMOLED display

Continue reading Under the microscope: Samsung Galaxy S III's HD Super AMOLED display

Under the microscope: Samsung Galaxy S III's HD Super AMOLED display originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 May 2012 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

We're here live at Samsung's unveiling of the Galaxy S III and while it was going on, we furiously built this chart to see how the biggest phone of the year stacks up against its two progenitors. Here's some trivia: that 4.8-inch display is 22 percent bigger than the Galaxy S II's, but its overall dimensions only grew by 16 percent. If you're interested in those sort of details, then after the break is where you need to be.

Gallery: Samsung Galaxy S III vs. Galaxy Nexus

Continue reading Galaxy S III vs. Galaxy Nexus and Galaxy S II: what's changed?

Galaxy S III vs. Galaxy Nexus and Galaxy S II: what's changed? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 May 2012 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Owners of the Galaxy Nexus for Verizon Wireless are now joining the proud ranks of Android 4.0.4 users. As a common practice, it seems the rollout is gradual, and many of the devices receiving the update appear to be the property of corporate stores. Nonetheless, the 39.8MB download carries a build number IMM76K and similarly brings an update to the baseband software -- which is reason to hope that the (resolved) connectivity issues reported by Android 4.0.4 users of the HSPA+ and Sprint variants will be a non-issue. Are you one of the proud and few to receive the refresh? Let us know in the comments below.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Galaxy Nexus for Verizon Wireless receives Android 4.0.4 update originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 May 2012 21:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In general, people seem to love their Galaxy Nexuses (or is that Nexii?), but every model has suffered from some form of connectivity problem. The HSPA+ plus model already scored its antidote, now its time for Sprint's LTE model to get some love. Over the next couple of days a software update (FD02) will be rolling out to the ICS flagships that should solve a rather bothersome bug that kept the devices from connecting to Sprint's data network after activation... at all. Obviously, you'll need to connect to a WiFi network to download the update if you're one of the afflicted, but you get a nice Google Wallet update for your troubles. Now lets get our Big Red Nexii patched up too and we'll all be happy campers.

Sprint Galaxy Nexus updated, kiss your connectivity woes goodbye originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 May 2012 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

You might say I started early. Some of my first memories of technology -- or of anything, really -- were of mashing the keyboards on Compaq PC clones at my dad's workplace when I was three. Little did I know that I'd started on a path towards technology that would lead me towards mashing the keyboards for a career that would land me here at Engadget.

Continue reading Growing Up Geek: Jon Fingas

Growing Up Geek: Jon Fingas originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!

Continue reading Refresh Roundup: week of April 23rd, 2012

Refresh Roundup: week of April 23rd, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 29 Apr 2012 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Google itself may have thrown the pricing situation out of whack by offering up a contract-free GSM version of Samsung's Galaxy Nexus for just $399, but those adhering to Sprint's plans can't make use of that, anyway. The other CDMA / LTE-infused Galaxy Nexus is now shipping from Sprint, several months ahead of its first LTE rollout. $199.99 on a two-year contract nets you a device, while you can snag one for $549.99 sans any strings. It's also available in stores nationwide for those who'd prefer to try before they buy, and yes, Sprint users who activate a Google Wallet account within a week of activation will receive a $10 instant credit and an additional $40 within three weeks. Just try to ignore that Galaxy S III that'll launch next month, okay? (It's not a pure Google device, anyway.)

PSA: Sprint's LTE-infused Galaxy Nexus now available online and in stores originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Hear that? It's the sound of Google Wallet pennies clinking inside a Galaxy Nexus, despite the fact that we have a T-Mo SIM inserted. It previously only worked with AT&T. Although we downloaded the app from Google Play and got it up and running fine, we haven't actually paid for anything yet -- so let us know if you have any successful transactions!

[Thanks, @mobilehavoc]

Google Wallet up and running on Galaxy Nexus with T-Mobile originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Android 4.0.4 factory images hit the web for GSM Galaxy Nexus originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Hang on to your kneecaps, folks. Google's just announced that it's making the Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ available in its Play web store for $399 contract-free. That's right: the unlocked, unbranded, pure Google, 16GB GSM version everyone's been importing from foreign lands far and near is now officially available in the US -- booyah! The handset ships with Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and comes with Google Wallet pre-installed (including a $10 credit to get you started with the company's mobile payment service).

As a refresher, it's not Google's first time in the smartphone sales game. The company made the Nexus One available on its own website in 2010 before pulling the plug and then partnering with Best Buy to sell the Nexus S later that year. One of the problems with the Nexus One was support -- or lack thereof. Google's assured us things will be different this time and it will be offering proper support for its Nexus flagship. We sure hope so.

The Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ is on sale now for $399 (plus taxes and two-day shipping) in the new Devices section of the Play web store. It's a phenomenal deal for one of the best Android phones on the market today -- especially when you consider it provides 21Mbps HSPA+ with great battery life (unlike the "fake" Nexus) and no commitment on your choice of AT&T or T-Mobile. So go ahead, stick it to the carriers and get a taste of dumb-pipe utopia -- delicious, isn't it?

Google back in the smartphone sales game: unlocked Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ (GSM) available for $399 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

If you've been facing signal issues with your HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus since that recent Android 4.0.4 update, you'll be happy to know that Google's apparently readied another minor update that might help. A small amount of owners have noticed a new build of Android 4.0.4, listed as build IMM76I, showing up on their devices. As The Verge notes, Google hasn't publicly come out with what's been changed from the previous IMM76D build, but many folks over on the forums at XDA-Developers and Android Central have noticed that their handsets' cellular connectivity has improved. Furthermore, Android Central says that devices set to auto brightness aren't experiencing lag on the lock screen as some have had issue with. Mum's the word on when the update will hit every HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus, but move your cursor over to links below for all the information that's currently available.

Google pushes IMM76I ICS build to HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus, reportedly quells connectivity woes originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Apr 2012 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

To close out each week, the Android Developer Relations team hosts a Friday App Review video. This Friday, however, the focus is far from whatever apps are being showcased (psst... it's Handy Scanner); instead, all eyes are on the Share to 'Drive' option, seen just below the 'Bluetooth' logo in the screen capture above. It's shown at the 32:53 mark in the video just after the break, and while this certainly isn't confirmation that Goog's own cloud storage service will be hitting the masses soon, it's one of the more tangible pieces of evidence that Google Drive is at least a real initiative. Come to think of it, we've got a couple of passes to Google I/O 2012, which just so happens to get going in around two months. Anyone else feeling that tug of puzzle pieces coming together?

Continue reading Google app review video shows Share to 'Drive' option

Google app review video shows Share to 'Drive' option originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 23:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Remember CES? It feels like an age since Sprint went official with the Google flagship, but now it's finally -- almost -- here. Yep, anyone unhappy with the Verizon variant can now lay claim to the Now Network's version of the Galaxy Nexus, which is up for preorder now, priced at a smidgen under $200, and set to arrive next week. As an added incentive, Google Wallet dabblers will get $10 credit from the start, with an additional 40 bucks given after three weeks. Commence throwing that physical money at the screen once you've hit up the source below.

[Thanks Korey]

Continue reading Sprint confirms Galaxy Nexus release date: coming April 22nd for $200, preorders open now

Sprint confirms Galaxy Nexus release date: coming April 22nd for $200, preorders open now originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Mobile Miscellany: week of April 9th, 2012

Mobile Miscellany: week of April 9th, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Apr 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

GSM Galaxy Nexus seeing signal issues after Android 4.0.4 update? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

First it appeared in a slipped ad, and then on The Engadget Show during CES. More recently, Sprint's variant of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus was spotted coasting through the FCC, and now it's practically a lock to launch between three and six weeks from now. We've received word that Sprint has initiated employee training specifically for the Galaxy Nexus and Android 4.0, which will enlighten staff on the benefits of the handset, ICS and Google Wallet. Those involved with the training have to wrap things up within the next fortnight, leading us to believe that it'll make its way into retail outlets in late April or early May. In related news, the coursework also makes mention of enabling LTE on a heretofore unannounced "LG Fury" -- presumably not to be confused with the similarly titled handset from ZTE. Unfortunately, details beyond the name on that guy are nowhere to be found, but we'll be digging for more in the days ahead.

Update: We've since stumbled upon a full slide deck of the training guide, and while there's nothing too surprising here, we are seeing that early units will ship with LTE turned off by default, though the company will change that at an undetermined time in the future. Call us crazy, but it sounds like Sprint may start hawking these prior to its LTE network being fully active.

Gallery: Sprint Galaxy Nexus leaked training guide

Continue reading Sprint begins employee training for Galaxy Nexus, launch looks imminent

Sprint begins employee training for Galaxy Nexus, launch looks imminent originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Engadget's smartphone buyer's guide: spring 2012 edition

Engadget's smartphone buyer's guide: spring 2012 edition originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Samsung throws in free extended battery with VZW Galaxy Nexus, applies to new purchases only originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

How would you change Samsung's Galaxy Nexus? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 01 Apr 2012 23:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Android 4.0.4 leaked for Nexus S 4G, lets Sprint users join ICS party originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 01 Apr 2012 15:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Let's just say you have an HSPA+ Samsung Galaxy Nexus (I9250) or a UMTS / GSM Nexus S (I9020). It may behoove you, then, to begin frantically checking your phone to see if any updates are available, because Google has taken to its favorite social network to announce that Android 4.0.4 is rolling out to these devices as well as the Motorola Xoom WiFi, as we reported earlier. This news comes nearly two weeks after we learned from our sources that the Nexus S update was nigh at hand, and only hours after the AOSP became available. This is incredibly exciting for anyone who wasn't able to download ICS on their Nexus S before the update was pulled, and equally thrilling for owners that have been using the version Google disowned since this past December. Heck, it's jubilant enough to make any fan of firmware updates shout with glee. Ready for the asterisk? It's not rolling out to the CDMA counterparts... at least, not yet. It's hard to say what that really means. Are the Verizon Galaxy Nexus and Sprint Nexus S 4G being considered second-class citizens, demoted to as lengthy a wait as the droves of other Gingerbread devices? We're reaching out for word on when (or if) we can expect the refresh to hit these handsets, but Mountain View's lips are shut in the meantime.

[image courtesy Mirzet Kadic]

Android 4.0.4 rolls out to HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus and GSM Nexus S originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

World demands justice for Galaxy Nexus owner who 'beat' Windows Phone originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 08:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Refresh Roundup: week of March 12th, 2012

Refresh Roundup: week of March 12th, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Mar 2012 19:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading FCC Fridays: March 16, 2012

FCC Fridays: March 16, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sprint Galaxy Nexus gets approved by FCC, one step closer to daylight originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Galaxy Nexus landscape dock comes to the US originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Refresh Roundup: week of February 13th, 2012

Refresh Roundup: week of February 13th, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 19 Feb 2012 19:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Apple v. Samsung: Cupertino's latest complaint alleges 17 devices infringe 8 of its patents originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

32GB GSM Galaxy Nexus canceled, Google hopes you really like streaming originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Google Wallet gets prepaid security fix, but 'brute-force' issue still hangs in the air originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 03:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.