Apple Slams Samsung While Google Sits On Their Can - My Controversial Thoughts

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THE TRUTH ABOUT THE APPLE/SAMSUNG LAWSUIT RESULTS AND WHY GOOGLE WILL SUFFER

So Apple won the ridiculous lawsuit against Samsung, claiming they copied all of their products and operating system. This seems to be a big huge deal. Or is it? Who is the real winner here? Apple, Samsung, or the consumer?

On the face, it looks like the whiny Cupertino tech giant slammed the mighty bully who kept stealing their stuff. They get a billion dollars in damages, plus they now own the rights to rectangular electronic devices that have icons.

The result will be that Samsung might have to jack up their prices and pay a royalty fee to Apple, IF they let them continue using the designs that they now apparently own. But one thing I don't understand is why Google sat back on their fat cans and didn't say a word throughout this process.

Samsung is the biggest distributer of smartphones in the world of Android. Google could potentially be hurt if their number one customer, Samsung, cannot continue selling their phones at neck-breaking speeds. I would have thought that Google would be on top of this with their endless cadre of lawyers to help out their Korean brothers, but they did not.... as far as I know.

What does this mean to the consumer? You might be paying $10 more (or so) for your Samsung device so they can pay off the mob boss Apple. You might also see an operating system that doesn't look like iOS. But will the $1,000,000,000 fine really hurt Samsung? Probably not.

I was reading in PC Magazine where they were reminiscing about Microsoft buying Skype for $8,000,000,000. It sure didn't vault them to the top of the gadget pile with their smartphones. They also talked about the huge amount of cash that Google was paying to buy out Motorola.

So putting that into perspetive, $1,000,000,000 isn't really such a bad deal for getting to rip off the design and operating system of the iPhone and land yourself at the top of the pile in cell phone gadgets.

To be honest, the rotten Apple folks have a point. Yes, Android looks exactly like iOS. Rows of icons that you scroll around, on a nice rectangular screen, running apps that are basically identical. This shouldn't come as a surprise, however, because tons of design folks defected from Apple to work for Google.

What I don't get is what difference it will make for Apple. If they shut down Samsung (if their wildest dream came true), people like me still wouldn't buy their products. Why? Because I don't want a heavy, clunky, super fragile device that can't survive a drop 2' above the pavement.

Nor do I want a device that has sticking home buttons, jammed up power buttons, gummed up silent switches, and jacked-up volume buttons. Who needs all of that? I don't. I'm not going to buy an Apple brick phone if I don't have to. But I will eventually, because of my app development company CoMo Coding LLC, and our iOS apps that we are developing.

What do you think is going to happen to the lesser Android handset manufacturers that can't afford these battles? HTC, Haweieee (or however you spell it), Pantech, and LG all have iPhone look-alikes too. If Apple comes up against them now that they own the rights to rectangular touch screen gadgets, they could be toast.

I'm okay with paying an extra ten bucks to keep my Sammy smartphone fresh and new each year. But I would be the first to say that Samsung needs to get away from the fake-iOS-clone-looking Android operating system and do something different. It is possible.

Just look at the Microsoft Windows Phone Mango platform, for example... it looks nothing like iOS. Plus, it's FAR more intuitive and less maddening than the jam-200-icons-on-a-screen concept of iOS and Android.

Step it up, Samsung. You seriously won big by getting to the top of the heap riding the iOS copy bandwagon. Now put your heads together and get away from Apple before they lawsuit you to oblivion.

Just my rambling thoughts.

Carlton Flowers
Crabby Android Fan

 

iPhone 4 Stuck Power Button - What You Need To Know

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THE TRUTH ABOUT IPHONE 4/4S STICKING POWER BUTTON ISSUE

I have torn up 2 iPhones in my past. From tearing them up after attempting to fix them, I became quite proficient in the art of fixing them. But today, I uncovered what I believe to be a common issue with the iPhone 4 (4S) - the stuck or sticking power button.

A young friend of mine asked me if I could repair his iPhone 4 that had a mushy power button that no longer clicks. To turn his phone on or wake it back up, he would have to use tremendous force on the sticking power button. I decided to take it on.

I discovered a quick-fix and a real fix for this issue. The quick fix only requires taking the back off of the phone. Apparently, someone was lucky enough to shove a small folded piece of paper in-between the power button and ribbon to give it something to press against in order to activate. This does not work.

It can be a dangerous pseudo repair. If you break the ribbon from putting pressure in the wrong place, you can FUBAR your iPhone power button completely.

The only real repair for this is to compeltely tear down the phone and replace the entire ribbon and button assembly. Unfortunately, this is more time consuming than replacing the LCD/digitizer screen. Everything has to come out. And the replacement ribbon/button assembly is tiny.

The labor for this fix might not be worth the trouble you have to go through. In my opinion, this is a problem that should be taken straight to Apple whether or not the phone is still under warranty. From my research, I'm finding out that this is not a malfunction that comes from abnormal wear.

If you want to see the process you must go through to accomplish the replacement of the ribbon and button, check out www.imore.com and their step-by-step process. You can also check out my favorite iPhone repair site at www.ifixit.com for a great guide. However, if you have never disassembled an iPhone 4/4S, I do not recommend attempting this.

I believe the instances of this issue numbers in the 200,000-plus range. That's proof enough of a manufacturer's defect at worst case, and poor design at least case. I don't think it's a defect, but just a common problem that can occur due to the tight space the button and ribbon assembly have to be squished into.

My recommendation is to find a workaround. You can jailbreak your iPhone and reassign some of the buttons to simulate the power button's functionality. I did this with my iPhone 4 when my home button had the same problem. Instead of hitting the home button when the phone was off, I would depress the volume up + volume down buttons at the same time to turn it on.

If this is not something you want to do, you can call Apple directly and bug the crap out of them until they agree that it is not your fault that they designed the phone this way, and make them repair it for free.

This is just one of a nice list I have of serious Apple iPhone issues that the company doesn't seem to want to deal with. Judging from the response to the original "Antennagate" issue, I am of the belief that they don't want to deal with the headache.

I hate to be critical of Apple's devices, but this is just an unacceptable problem that I think a significant number of people are having. Physical buttons on the iPhone 4, including the home button, power button, volume button, and silence button are all prone to sticking in this same manner.

I'm hoping that Apple resolves this with the iPhone 5, along with the ridiculously fragile cracking screen issue. The iPhone is a solid, heavy "quality-feeling" device, but that obviously comes with a price.

Critics tend to take jabs at manufacturers like Samsung and Pantech for having "plasticky" light-weight devices, but you can't take a blind eye to the fact that they are much much more durable and don't have these common button malfunctions.

Take note of this, Apple, and please save the frustration of countless future customers of yours by resolving these issues on the next breakthrough version of your flagship device!

Carlton Flowers
Defender of Poor Souls Who Own Phaulty iPhones

 

Samsung Galaxy S3 Review - The Chowder Heads Rebuffed

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GALAXY S3 CLEARLY TOP-LEVEL DEVICE DESPITE TROLLICIOUS REVIEWS

I'm so miffed by a lot of the reviews on the Samsung Galaxy S3 that I had to make up a new word. The trollicious chowder heads who claim it is a disappointment and not a major upgrade over the Galaxy S2 must have a hidden agenda.

In the immortal words of Richard "Tricky Dick" Nixon, let me make this perfectly clear! The Galaxy S3 is most definitely a quantum leap upgrade over the Galaxy S2. I own a Galaxy S2, and thanks to AT&T St. Louis, I have had quality time test driving the Galaxy S3. Therefore, I speak from hands-on experience.

First of all, the design is amazingly ergonomic. When I first saw the rounded design of the Galaxy S3, I was disappointed. All of that vaporized when I first held the new device in my hand. The feel of the smartphone's upgraded body is much more ergonomic than its predecessor, and it is aesthetically superior when compared side-by-side.

I love the smooth rounded edges, plus the transition from the edges of the screen to the bezel. It has a slightly convex curvature similar to the HTC One X. It is a far cry from the hard edges of the iPhone 4S. The Galaxy S2 seems to take its cues from the 4S, while the S3 enters new territory completely.

When you turn on the device, you get a new splash screen. Plus you get a new way to unlock the device and enter into the home screen. Rather than a slide-to-unlock variation, you get a ripple effect and water sound. The design is elegant, and the action is smooth.

Display-wise, the colors and brightness of the screen seem to move more towards a natural look when compared to the Galaxy S2, which has been accused of being "cartoony" with its brighter-than-life colors. I think the color variation and brightness of the S3 has hit a sweet spot.

For watching video content or viewing pictures, the S3 is clearly the best device on the market due to the large 4.8" diameter Super AMOLED display. I would have thought a screen this big would have been clumsy and bulky. But surprisingly, I didn't find it to be cumbersome during my test period. Conversely, I found my S2 to be too small when returning to that device.

The Galaxy S3 is not just shaped great in the X-Y plane. It's also impressive in the Z-plane with its razor thin depth dimension. The edges are rounded, but it doesn't sacrifice depth. You loose the big hump found on the S2, and the thinness of the device makes it less obtrusive considering the larger display.

Something that I absolutely LOVE about the S3 is the physical home button. This was a grand slam home run in my book. The shape is an elongated oval, unlike the round home button found on the iPhone 4S. I truly missed my physical home button when I ditched my iPhone for my first Android device, the Galaxy S2. The combination of physical home button plus soft buttons on either side works great. Plus you can double click the home button  for a "recent apps" popup.

I have plenty more to report about, but I am going to have to chop up my reivew into parts to keep this from turning into a novel. But the evidence presented thus far is good enough to prove that this is a successful and significant upgrade for the Galaxy line.

By the time I am done with my review series, there will be no doubt that anyone trying to make an argument that the Galaxy S3 was not a major upgrade must obviously be a paid troll. That or just a plain chowder head. Sorry trolls and chowder heads, you have been officially rebuffed!

Watch for Samsung Galaxy S3 Review Part 2. We'll talk more about the hardware, and then we'll hit the software and functionality on Part 3!

Carlton Flowers
Non-Chowder Head Samsung Reviewer

Grab a Samsung Galaxy S3 now from Amazon.com from $99 to $189 with a 2-year contract! Click the links below to check them out from the AT&T, Verizon Wireless, and Sprint stores on Amazon now!

AT&T Galaxy S3 From $189

Verizon Galaxy S3 From $149

Sprint Galaxy S3 From $99

 

 

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Design Confirmed By Faked Photoshop Images

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OFFICIAL LEAKED PHOTOS OF FAKE DESIGN SURFACE

I have to say that all I could do was just laugh when I read the news last week regarding the "leaked photos" of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.

Several blog sites jumped all over the release of fake photographs of a photoshopped image of a mockup Galaxy Note 2 design. This is par for the course in tech rumors. People swear they have unearthed the design of the next big gadget, only to find out that they have been snookered themselves.

But what cracks me up is how it all unfolded. First, they reported the story as "legit" because the fake photoshopped mockup matched the design that was "leaked" by a previous fabrication artist. I guess if you have matching fake mockups, that means the pictures are 100% legitimate.

Somewhere along the lines, I would think that reporters would try to dig up at least a shred of credible evidence before they go blabbing the news that they undermined the tech giants by outing their new hardware design. But that never happens.

I previously reported about the fake iPhone 5 digitizer and my opinion that it is complete garbage. But the same process holds true there also. They used the digitizer as proof of the new design because it fit the dimensions of a fake case that supposedly was "shipped" from China. The same thing happened last year before the iPhone 4S was released.

I love it when the big blog sites release their retractions after getting hoodwinked into believing these ridiculous stories. It makes for great gadget entertainment at the very least.

Here's my new bold prediction: The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 will look exactly like the final design that Samsung has successfully kept hidden!

Thank you,

Carlton Flowers
Geek Rumor Buster

 

"Life-Proof" iPhone LifeJacket Case - Stupid, Or Super Smart?

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IPHONE LIFEJACKET MAKES A POINT... AFTER THE INITIAL SHOCK

I was perusing the web and came across something that just struck me as plain stupid. It was the LifeProof "LifeJacket" iPhone case made for the iPhone 4/4S. My initial reaction? This is just plain dumb! But then I got to thinking about it...

First of all, whenever I see big, thick, ugly cases made for the iPhone 4S like the Otterbox, I just shake my head. Why in the world would you want to wrap a gorgeous, thin, sleek phone in a big ugly brick-like case? I've never been a fan of the Otterbox, nor have I ever been happy that an iPhone requires the need of such a monstrosity.

So when I saw the iPhone LifeJacket waterproof case by LifeProof, I just shook my head. Why in the world would someone want to put their iPhone in something that was even bigger and uglier than an Otterbox? But then I started to think about this...

I myself have submerged and nearly ruined an iPhone. I decided that I could not part with my beloved iPhone 3GS when I went on a 4-hour float trip. I put my iPhone in a Ziplock bag (yes, that was stupid) and thought it would survive the trip. Well, it didn't. The bag took on water, and I almost ruined my phone.

I also thought about how quickly I destroyed my iPhone 4 (within 3 months of purchase) and how devistated I was to stare at the ugly, shattered display. After breaking the device that I could not live without, I thought it would have been much better to have spent the extra $75 on an ugly Otterbox case rather than to stare at the horrid cracks running the length of the phone.

The bottom line? The iPhone is far to expensive and fragile of a device NOT to put it in something that can protect it. It is not a rugged device, and was not made to survive active life. Therefore, you have to protect your investment.

The LifeJacket looks like a joke, but it is shock-proof AND water-proof. If you're anything like me, water-proof is a great thing to have. I like to run, swim, bike, and play in the rain. I would much rather do all four of those things with my smartphone at my side than to do without. Therefore, the LifeJacket suddenly makes good sense.

If I still had an Apple iDevice, this is something I would probably consider buying. Fortunately for me, I'm no longer stuck in the world of super fragile smartphones as I now own a super-durable Samsung Galaxy S2. But I would highly recommend that people check out the LifeJacket before they drop their phone.

Furthermore, now that I have as much experience as I do in repairing iPhones, I can tell you that the quickest way to FUBAR your iPhone is to get it wet. There's no turning back once you burn out your backlight coil & IC chip.

If you're an active person and you own an iPhone, give this a look and protect your investment. You won't be sorry the first time it takes a dive in the toilet.

Carlton Flowers
iDevice Advisor

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Own an iPhone 4/4S? Protect that investment now with a LifeProof LifeJacket case on Amazon.com for only $45! It is shock-resistant and waterproof and made for active smartphone owners that don't want to leave their iPhones at home while they are out and about. It is far better to pay $45 now rather than $200 or more later. Be safe, not sorry... and get your LifeJacket today!

 

"Flexibility" - Why The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Could Be A Great Investment

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GALAXY NOTE 2 FLEXIBLE AMOLED HD DISPLAY COULD BE NEXT BIG THING

We could be hearing news about the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 on August 15th, 2012, and a possible US release this fall. The Galaxy Note 2 could be breaking ground on the next paradigm shift in smartphone display design.

With its huge 5.5" display design, the Galaxy Note 2 could be a seriously breakable device. Stuff it in your back pocket and sit on the wrong surface, and you're sure to end up with a broken display (and a broken heart).

Sure, it might not be as breakable as an iPhone with its heavy design and glass surfaces, but it certainly would not be invincible... unless it had a flexible screen. That's the great news. The Galaxy Note 2 is reported to feature a Flexible AMOLED HD display.

If you're gonna get ridiculous with smartphone sizes, as we are seeing with the emergence of the "phablet" niche, you had better address the cracking screen issue.

The larger the screen, the greater the propensity for breakage. To solve that issue, the Galaxy Note 2 purportedly has a 4mm thick UBP (Unbreakable Plan Technology) digitizer screen.

I don't think this means you'll be able to bend the phone, but it might be slightly flexible enough to provide the ability to mold to a concave design similar to the Galaxy Nexus. But it would also provide super durability to guard against shattering when dropping or sitting.

As expensive as the new generation of smartphones are, the fragility of these devices is a serious issue. Each time a new smartphone is released, thousands are broken on the very first day. Replacement screens are seriously expensive until enough units are broken, thus raising the demand for replacement parts.

But the Galaxy Note 2 could start a new trend. Knowing how hard I am on smartphones, having a flexible display ranks fairly high on my list of desirable features. I would be ecstatic if I could own a smartphone that would last to the end of the contract period without me breaking it, or requiring me to pay extra money for replacement plans.

Even with a replacement plan, who wants to plop down a $200 deductible when they break their new smartphone the first few weeks that they own it? I sure don't. I'd rather buy one from the jump that would go the distance with me.

Do you have a horror story of a shattered display with a brand-new smartphone? Would you be motivated by your unlucky track record to invest in something like the Galaxy Note 2 if it has a nearly unbreakable display? Sound off in the comments section!

Carlton Flowers
Galaxy Note (Owner) 2 Be

 

Galaxy Note 2 Touching Down This Week?

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GALAXY RUMOR: AUGUST 15TH COULD BE D-DAY FOR NOTE-2

There's a Samsung event coming up on August 15th. That's Wednesday of this week. Rumor has it that Samsung is going to drop the news on the Galaxy Note 2. I'm ready to hear the details!

The mobile event is called " Meet The New Way". I'm almost certain that this is going to be centered around the new "S Pen" stylus that will have new capacitive capability. That could be the "new way" they are eluding to.

The stylus on the first generation Galaxy Note was good enough for me, but some complained that it wasn't exact. There were problems calibrating the tip, and lines could be drawn that were a millimeter or two off of the tip. I did notice this when I tested the device, but it wasn't a deal breaker in my opinion.

Enter in the new capacitive S Pen which would in fact be a breakthrough feature. If you somehow add capacitive capability to the stylus, the sensitivity and accuracy should be out the roof. I'm terribly excited to try it out.

The freshest rumors state that AT&T may have exclusive rights to sell the Galaxy Note 2. It is said to be sporting a huge 5.5" 720p display and possibly a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 cpu. That means plenty of muscle combined with a gorgeous display and a breakthrough stylus.

For the operating system, it is being said that it will feature Android 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich" with a new version of Samsung's proprietary overlay called TouchWiz Nature UX. Add double the RAM at 2Gb, and expect upgraded front and rear-facing cameras on this jumbo chunk of technology.

All this adds up to me waiting patiently for my October 2012 upgrade to lock and load on the phattest phablet to hit the scene this fall. Bring it on, Samsung!

Carlton Flowers
Galaxy Note Rumor Tracker

 

The First Infallible iPhone 5 Design Prediction

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THE CZ BLOG IPHONE 5 BOLD DESIGN PREDICTION IS HERE

With the release of the Apple iPhone 5 around the corner, it's time for me to make a bold prediction about the design that will stand above all. Here it is: All of the current iPhone 5 design predictions are 100% crap, and I can back that up.

No matter how much "proof" that the current prognosticators have, no matter how credible they may be, they're gonna be dead wrong when the actual device is released. Something we have learned over the years is that Apple has successfully guarded their product releases without fail.

Right now, all eyes are on the alleged iPhone 5 digitizer from China that is featured in a Youtube video being circulated around the net. The video shows a new screen that is the same exact width of the iPhone 4, but about a half an inch taller.

First of all, if this is the only modification we see of the iPhone 5, I would be sorely disappointed. Stretching out the digitizer only in the vertical direction would make no sense. That would mean changing the aspect ratio of the new device.

If you do that, none of the 1.7 bagillion apps currently available for download would work on the iPhone 5, requiring developers to rework their apps to fit the new dimensions. That's not going to happen, folks. Just because we see this fake mockup digitizer does ont guarantee that the odd proportions will end up on the next iPhone.

All we have to do in order to completely discount this garbage story is look back to the release of the iPhone 4S in 2011. How many times did we see stories released which outed iPhone 5 cases that had a new display size? I lost count.

They even went so far to say that entire container loads of new iPhone 5 cases were shipped to the US and stocked in carrier stores. The story sure was believable, but I don't think a single person actually saw a container of these vaporware cases.

Fast forward to the future, and the fake iPhone 5 digitizer with the vertically-stretched design. I call shenanigans. This is complete bunk. If Apple really does have a new bigger display about to hit us in the face, it's not going to be with a different aspect ratio. They will protect the integrity of their App Store products and make it as easy on developers as possible to make the new phone compatible.

So my bold prediction for the iPhone 5 is that it will not look like anything the insiders predict that it will be. I think we will all be in for a surprise, and the suspese will be tremendous. Circulate THIS around the net if you dare.

Carlton Flowers
iPhone 5 DeBunker

 

 

"Dare To Compare" Why Sprint Unlimited Is Useless

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SRPINT THINKS DATA CAP-FREE BUT CRAPPY SERVICE DEAL IS GOLDEN

Sprint is launching a campaign on their "Dare To Compare" webpage that attacks AT&T over data caps versus their unlimited data package.

Is it just me, or did someone forget to tell Sprint that unlimited crappy service is not better than limited service that works? The last time I checked, Sprint has the outdated dinosaur "4G WiMax" network that they are phasing out, while the company attempts to make the change to 4G LTE.

Right now, Sprint has a boatload of money tied up in their WiMax network. It's not helping the company at all, being forced into abandoning their version of 4G service for the newer LTE standard. Give them a year, and we'll see what happens as they promise to unlease a nation-wide LTE network.

I was a Sprint customer for 10 years, even before they were Sprint (Bell Telephone was the name in our market). I enjoyed their service, but had to let them go as AT&T nailed the first smartphone market with the iPhone, leaving the other carriers in the dust.

But the main reason that forced me to finally switch from AT&T to Sprint was the simple fact that there exists a huge dead spot in Sprint coverage where I work. Our offices moved in 2005 from central Jefferson City to the East side of town, into a dead zone. AT&T had great coverage, so I had to make the switch.

I haven't regretted making the switch. I've been very satisfied with AT&T in Jefferson City, and nationwide as a whole while traveling. I'm on pins and needles as AT&T expands LTE coverage in the State of Missouri, starting out in the St. Louis market area.

I'm hoping Sprint makes it through the pinch and ends up with a viable LTE network. Competition is good in this industry, and the more healthy competitors we have in the field, the better the products will be. But for now, if I were Sprint, I wouldn't be "daring" to compare anything until they get their network together.

Carlton Flowers
Callin' 'Em Like I See 'Em

 

HTC Jealous Of Samsung's Phabulousness - Plans Counter-Attack

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WILL THE PHABLET PHASE PHLARE UP WITH HTC ENTERING THE NICHE?

Now this has to be the best rumor I have read this week... HTC is said to be entering into the phablet arena with their own jumbo 5" smartphone device. They just could not let Samsung rule the phablet roost without tossing their own version into the ring.

This comes from the professional leak-artists over at Digitimes. They claim the HTC phablet will be 5" with pixel layout of 1794 x 1080 at 1080p HD. The new monstrosity is supposed to be announced in September or October of 2012.

This might sound a bit far-fetched; but if you think about it for a while, it follows the pattern. HTC has gone blow-to-blow with Samsung for the past year in cranking out similar smartphone devices. They've done a great job, too.

I happen to be of the opinion that Samsung takes the slight edge over HTC with their devices, but HTC certainly pushes the limits in making what I believe to be one of the best product lines on the market.

People didn't predict a tremendous success for the Samsung Galaxy Note 1, and I think everyone is surprised at how solidly this unit has been selling over the past several months. Sure, it's not breaking records, but it has had respectable sales and has proven the phablet to be a strong enough niche to take seriously.

That's why I think this rumor will turn out to be fact. HTC is not going to sit back and let Samsung exploit a potential strong niche without providing a competing product. I'm just wondering which one will spec out in the lead between the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and the HTC "Behemoth" phablet-to-come.

One thing is for sure, however... I don't see Apple jumping into this fight ever. Theyr'e still stuck in the 4"-or-less smartphone display size paradigm, and the best possible related product would be their iPad Mini (IF it even comes to fruition).

Share your thoughts! Are phablets the next strong gadget niche, or will it pass in the night?

Carlton Flowers
Phablet Rumor Watcher

 

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 - Unpacking Fresh Rumors

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SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 2 TO BE UNVEILED AUGUST 29TH

The excitement is starting to build, and I can hardly stand it. At the end of this month, we will know all the glorious details about the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. All will be told at the "Unpacked" event on the 29th.

The freshest rumors about the Galaxy Note 2 that we can believe are as follows:

  • Quad-core 1.4GHz Exynos cpu
  • 5.5" display
  • Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system
  • Advanced S Pen
  • Galaxy S3 styling
  • $199 to $249 price tag

That is enough of a technical lineup to get me to sign on the line when my upgrade becomes available in mid-October. I will be ready to jettison my Galaxy S2 and roll the dough into a Galaxy Note 2.

I am most excited about the advancements that are being made with the S Pen. The accuracy is said to have been improved, and there are also rumors about it using micro conductivity (the same principle that allows a finger with a capacitive inductance display to work).

If I am able to land a Galaxy Note 2, you can forget any plans about the need of buying a tablet. I won't have any reason to waste the money. The Galaxy Note 2 will be big enough to serve as a tablet with a 4G LTE radio, but small enough to pack as a smartphone.

That will make me one happy gadget camper indeed.

Are you in the market for a Galaxy Note 2? Is this your perfect device, or do you think it's too much phabulous phablet for your phront pocket to handle? Sound off!

Carlton Flowers
Phuture Phablet Man

 

iPhone 5 - Breakthrough Device Or Boring Do Over?

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IPHONE 5 PROMISES TO KEEP ME YAWNING

So we are on the cusp of another grandioso Apple announcement as we near what could be the release of the iPhone 5... would someone wake me up when it's over? Sure, this might be a great device. But I'm seriously doubting that Apple gets me excited like the days of old.

The former iPhone fanboy has lost his love for the sacred fruit of Cuppertino. I miss the "magicness" of the next-iPhone rampups. That magic has faded since I bought my iPhone 4 in 2010. Now that we are about to see what the iPhone 5 will entail, I have no excitement left whatsoever.

Many of my iPhone fan friends are super excited about the 6th generation of the Apple flagship smartphone. They say it will be a breakthrough device that further seperates itself from the Android competition. But looking at the comparison of the rumored digitizer in the photo, I'm disappointed.

The new iPhone, if this happens to be the real McCoy, will look a lot like the current iPhone 4S but only stretched taller. The diagonal on the display will be 4". That's bummer number one. To me, the standard minimum size for a smartphone is 4.3".

They seem to have stretched the limits of the display to the edges, which is kind of nice. But the display is still too narrow, and too small. The home button looks like it will be slightly smaller, and there is a bit of rearranging going on the top of the face.

There are lots of rumors flying about what the iPhone 5 will be packing on the inside. We can fully expect a 4G LTE radio, 1Gb of RAM, and possibly more storage space than previous models. There might be NFC (near-field communication) and a couple of other tricks, but that's about it.

The data connector/charger cable will be different. They are going to have a plug that looks similar to the Micro USB connector, but it will be a proprietary Apple connector.

Rumors are aslo swirling around to the tune of an improved digitizer glass that is less succeptible to scratching and cracking. As fragile as iPhones are, this would be a humongous improvement. But that wouldn't make me want to run out and get one.

From what I gather, the new iOS6 environment will only get Apple caught up to what Google has already accomplished with Anroid 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich". I'm not expecting to see anything relatively new with mobile operating systems with this device.

So while this might be a great device for Apple fans, it just doesn't excite me. I might end up buying one just to have an Apple phone to test out the apps my company develops, but it wouldn't be my primary phone. My Android device will still reign as my main gadget.

One interesting fact is that each new iPhone has outsold all previous models combined. They are predicting the same for the iPhone 5. That being the case, it really doesn't matter how boring the new iPhone is. They are serving their customer base fine enough, and they are gathering new fans to boot.

My prediction is that the iPhone 5 will continue the tradition and break records for smartphone releases, and the loyal following will happy. Some of the sensible fans will complain that it isn't on the bleeding edge, but they will be happy by the end of announcement day.

As for me, I think I'll sleep through this one until we get the news on the next Samsung Galaxy Note!

Carlton Flowers
Bored iPhone Reporter

 

 

Craptastic Samsung Galaxy S3 Reports - Debunking "HUB" Writers

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ARE TECH WRITERS SUFFERING FROM "HUB" ON GALAXY S3 CRITICISM?

Today marks Day 4 of my test for the Samsung Galaxy S III smartphone from AT&T. I'm not even ready to start my official report of this phone, but I have to rant... about the crappy reports circulating around the blogosphere about this great device.

What in the world is wrong with the tech writers out there who are seriously dissing this phone? Are they using the same device that is in my hot hands? I have come to the conclusion that the critics of the SGS3 are suffering from "HUB"... that's "Head-Up-Butt" disease.

I'm sorry to say that, but the only way that I can conceivably think that someone wouldn't like this amazing smartphone is if their heads were secured in a warm, moist place. That is because this is the single most incredible gadget I have ever tinkered with.

The Samsung Galaxy S3 has gone beyond my expectations. Maybe that is due to the fact that so many writers dogged it, and didn't give me a chance to avoid preconceived notions. But it clearly gets the "best-of-show" for every smartphone I have tested this year. Or ever.

First of all, the design is beautiful and ergonomic. When I first saw pictures, I did not like it. I thought it was a mistake for Samsung to go away from the square, angular design of the Galaxy S2. I thought the rounded corners made the phone "weak" looking. But I was wrong.

The Galaxy S3 feels like a work of art in my hands, compared to the feeling of the squared-off Galaxy S2. Yes, the Galaxy S2 does feel 100% better than the archaic iPhone 4 with its hard edges and brick-like structure, but the SGS2 will never feel the same way for me.

I seriously did not think the design would end up being so lovely to the touch. But it is. Even the edges of the screen are rounded and contoured into the side of the phone, much like the HTC One X. It just gives it such a natural feel.

The physical home button is a grand slam. I love it. I miss not having a real home button on my SGS2. That is one thing I did like about my iPhones (besides the fact that they stopped functioning after 6 months). I think the design of the SGS3 home button will afford it long-lived usage.

What I really don't understand would be all the whining from writers about the Samsung Galaxy S3 feeling "cheap" and "plasticky". What in the world motivates people to think this? Since when do you need a phone to feel like a heavy brick? Do we want a solid, shatter-crazy design like the iPhone 4S? I think not!

The weight and feel of the Galaxy S3 is perfect, in my opinion. For me, lighter is better. If I wanted a heavy phone I would have bought an HTC device. I will be just fine sticking with the Samsung line of smartphones that do not feel like lead weights in my pocket.

As I mentioned, I am nowhere near ready to start to talk about the functionality of this smartphone, but I will tell you that I have been completely flabbergasted. I have not scratched the surface of what this phone can do, but it has amazed me thus far.

With the level of success in sales that the Galaxy S3 has already achieved, it just makes me wonder what the real motivation for slamming this device must be. Are these people trolls? Or are they just suffering a bad case of HUB disease?

I don't know... but if you'll stick with me for about a week, you will get the REAL review of this most amazing device withought any fluff or crap. See ya then.

Carlton Flowers
The Real Galaxy S3 Reviewer

Take "Note" Part Deux! The Galaxy Note Returns - Fresh Rumors!

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WHY THE SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE II ANNOUNCEMENT HAS ME AT "HELLO"

Folks, I have not been this excited since the ramp-up to the release of Samsung's Galaxy S2 smartphone. There's a new phablet coming to town, and it's a perfection of the first-generation smash hit!

Yes, the Samsung Galaxy Note II is said to be announced in August of 2012 at a special event. This could be a knock-out punch for Samsung, and they have my full undivided attention. My upgrade is due in October, and this is the #1 device on my short-list!

First of all, if you know me, I have been a fan of the stylus since the days of the Palm Treo.

I was super excited about the invention and introduction of the capacitive induction display when the first iPhone arrived, but the only down point is that you can't use a sharp, hard-tipped stylus with such a touch screen. So when the first generation Galaxy Note came to fruition, I just about did a back flip.

It's too bad that the Galaxy Note came after the Galaxy S2. Otherwise, I'd probably own one right now. But the Galaxy Note II looks like it could be taking some design cues from the Galaxy S-III superphone. That, to me, is a fantastic thing.

Not to get off topic, because I will address this later... but the Samsung Galaxy S-III is the most beautiful, functional, ergonomic smartphone that I have ever gripped in my greasy little geek fingers. Nothing, and I mean nothing comes close to its gorgeous design and cutting edge techno-features.

But I digress...

The only thing that will keep me from buying the Galaxy S-III in October would be a redesigned Galaxy Note II that has the nouveaux look and feel. We won't even get into the techie talk, because new design + S-Pen stylus = "enough for me to blindly buy".

What has me super excited is the fact that the new S-Pen could be a capacitive stylus, which would be a first. All of the capacitive styluses on the market have a fat rubber tip in order to mimick a finger. But the new S-Pen is rumored to be able to convey the micro current that a finger touch would give, but with a sharp, hard, pointed tip.

That means incredible accuracy, and action that would rival a real ink pen versus a fat, rubbery tip that doesn't have pinpoint accuracy. Add to that the fact that even the current version is pressure-sensitive, and able to give varying line width.

What has me so tanked-up about the Galaxy Note 2 is the fact that this will give me the best of both worlds: owning a smartphone plus a tablet. And not only will it be a fantastic, pocketable tablet, but one with the best stylus in gadget land.

We don't know what this thing is going to look like, but if the Galaxy Note 2 is anything like the picture depicted, I'm game! Next post, we will get into the rumored technical specifications of the Note 2, and see how close we can get to the production model at announcement time!

Carlton Flowers
Galaxy Purveyor

 

 

Back-To-School Tax Free Gadget To Grab - Hot Deals!

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AWESOME GADGETS TO GET FOR YOUR SCHOOL KIDS ON SALES TAX HOLIDAY WEEKEND

For my "Missourah" readers, take note! It's Sales Tax Holiday Weekend! Any school-related items you buy this weekend (August 3rd thru 5th) are tax-free, and the state is even including smartphones & tablets along with the regularly-recognized computers and laptops.

I got a hot tip from my AT&T St. Louis contact about a few great deals they are running that you should look at for Sales Tax Holiday Weekend purchasing. Here they are!

HTC One X Smartphone

The new flagship smartphone from HTC is a force to be reckoned with. I tested this phone myself for ten days, and I was most impressed with the build quality and the super-vivid display. The phone has a smooth contour that fits perfectly in your hand, and is right at the sweet spot for size with its 4.7" HD 720 display.

On the inside, the HTC One X has a 1.5 GHz Snapdragon S4 dual-core processor that is fully capable of pushing multimedia content and the most robust games available. Running apps and opening files is a piece of cake for this workhorse processor.

It sports 16Gb of internal memory, 1Gb of RAM, and blazing fast 4G LTE internet connectivity that can also serve as a WiFi hotspot for other devices (see service agreement for details).

The One X packs an 8MP camera on the back, and a 1.3MP front-facing camera for all your picture taking and video recording activities. Something the HTC One X has that no other smartphone can boast is Beats Audio by Dr. Dre for incredible music playback over the internal speaker.

Go get this super phone at your local AT&T Store for the special price of $99, or click the link for the Amazon Wireless store to snag one for as low as $79 on contract!

Pantech Element Tablet/Pantech Burst Smartphone Combo

This is a GREAT deal if I've ever seen one. You've seen my reviews for the awesome Pantech Element 4G LTE Tablet (which just happens to be waterproof) and the Pantech Burst smartphone. Just click the links to get to the device details that I previously blogged about.

The Pantech Element tablet is one solid device that has a super sturdy build, and smooth functionality. Its 8.9" size makes it perfect for portability but big enough to make readability good.

And the Burst smartphone is a perfect match for it. With it's vivid 4" touchscreen and super fast 4G connectivity, you can get all of your texting, talking, and social media interaction taken care of on the go.

AT&T is running a special where you get both devices for less than the current cost of the tablet alone. The price for both with a 2-year contract agreement is $199. Contact your local AT&T Store to take advantage of this offer or click here to see it online!

ZAGGfolio Keyboard for iPad

Here's a nifty little addition for your Apple iPad that will effectively turn it into a functioning laptop. With the ZAGGfolio keyboard, you can pound out all of your note-taking during class, or email at the speed of typing!

The ZAGGfolio keyboard also doubles as a hard shell case to protect your iPad from damage. The price is $99. Click here to see it in action at the AT&T Store online.

Well that's about all I have for now. Stay tuned and I will have more reviews on other exciting gadgets very soon. There are 2 devices that I am SUPER excited about, and neither one of them have fruit logos on them. You'll have to come back to see what they are!

Carlton Flowers
Tax-Free Deal Snatcher

 

 

Android 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich" Firmware Upgrade Failure Is Rampant

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SAMSUNG GALAXY S2 FIRMWARE UPDATE THROUGH KIES BRICKING PHONES

I own a Samsung Galaxy S2 smartphone serviced through AT&T and I recently decided to use the Kies program to run my firmware update for Android 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich". I ran into major problems, and I would warn anyone to wait it out before updating and possibly bricking their phone.

After downloading the firmware update, Kies connected with my Galaxy S2 and started the process. As soon as it started, I received the error screen depicted above and was redirected to Kies to run the "recovery process".

I made several attemps at running the recovery to no avail. Each time, the recovery process halted and the phone could not connect with the computer. I also tried holding down the power button + volume down button to reboot the phone, but this also did not work.

I called my local AT&T store in Jefferson City Missouri for help, and described the problem. As always, I was greeted with a knowledgeable rep who was very sensitive to my "painful" situation, and he was as polite and helpful as could be.

He stated that there were reports coming in from others having similar results, but they did not have a solution at the store. He advised me that it would be best to call the toll-free technical support line through the corporate office.

I got in touch with the tech support staff through AT&T's toll-free number, and was given equal treatment on the phone. The rep was very apologetic and sensitive to my problem experience, and was as polite and helpful as he could be. After researching and identifying the problem, he referred me to the Samsung technical support center.

I called Samsung directly, and was again surprised to be greeted with a caring, sensitive customer service rep who was apologizing profusely for my trouble. I asked her if this issue was anything I could fix on my own, because I am a gadget nerd.

She stated that the phone would have to be completely re-programmed, and there was nothing that I could do to accomplish that. Furthermore, she stated that a failed attempt on my part could cause irreversable damage and permanently brick the phone.

I was strongly advised to send in the phone to Samsung to allow their technical staff to and re-program and factory reset the phone. They took down my email address and send a printable UPS 2nd-Day Air label, and told me to ship it to them as soon as possible, and that they would ship it back to me at no cost.

I had researched this problem on the internet until the wee hours of the morning, and nothing I tried worked. I was not able to get the Kies program to recognize the phone to resolve the issue and continue the update. It would stay stuck on "connecting", and never end.

Something else that I noticed was that the Kies program would not start the troubleshooting mode where you unconnect the phone and start the process over. When you'd click the "start" button, nothing would happen.

Without the computer being able to recognize the phone, I could do nothing. But the first 2 attempts at using the recovery mode seemed to work, but the process would fail and the firmware update would be unexpectedly halted. Then it wouldn't work at all.

I'm not sure if it was anything that I did. One thing I noticed was that the Kies program asked that I use the fastest USB connection possible. At first, I was using a regular USB connection. That might have caused the issue. During the first 2 recovery attempts, I was using a USB 2.0 connection. I don't think this was the culprit, however.

If you have not installed the update on your phone because you haven't gotten the "go-ahead" to run and install over the air, I would recommend against using the USB connection through Kies for updating at this point, until this issue has been solved.

It is frustrating and deflating to lose data on your smartphone that hasn't been backed up for a couple of months, but it is a learning experience. However, the outstanding customer support that I received from both AT&T and Samsung has eased the pain of this unfortunate smartphone catastophe.

Carlton Flowers
Appreciative AT&T & Samsung Fan

The HTC One X (AT&T) Is ___ In My Hands

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TEST DRIVE OF THE HTC ONE X (AT&T) HAS BEGUN!

I am on day three of test driving the new HTC flagship smartphone called the "One X", and I already have a lot to say about this device. To answer your question, it feels GREAT in my hands!

Right off the bat, out of the box, I was impressed. The One X is super thin. Far more thin than any HTC smartphone I have tested to date. And it "feels" right in my grip. Besides feeling wafer thin, the edges are rounded off and the screen melds into the casing.

The case seems to be made of a polymer composite that has the color built-in. I could be wrong, but it seems an aweful lot similar to the Nokia Lumia 900, other than the edges have a glossy finish.

The power and volume buttons are different than my Samsung Galaxy S2, so that took some getting used to. But they are nicely located on the top and right side of the phone, with the power plug on the left.

Something I noticed that was different on this smartphone than any other was the audio quality. With "Beats Audio" by Dr. Dre, playing music over the internal speaker is much more enjoyable than my Galaxy S2. My phone sounds like music coming from a tin can as compared to the One X, that plays music with a wider and more even frequency response.

Stay tuned for the next post, where I'll tell you the big difference I noticed with the qHD display, as compared to the Super AMOLED Plus display. You might be surprised! Until then, enjoy the video, or jump to Amazon Wireless and get your HTC One X today for only $169.99 on contract!

Carlton Flowers
Smartphone Testerizer

 

The Nokia Lumia 900 - And My Official Opinion is...

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OFFICIAL CZ NOKIA LUMIA 900 SMARTPHONE REVIEW!

Okay folks, this is overdue. I had a 2-week long test period of the Nokia Lumia 900 smartphone (AT&T) and ran it through the ringer. Here's my official word on this device, and the Windows Phone Mango platoform!

Despite all of the reviews both positive and negative about this device, I am here to report to you that it gets an overall passing score, and my thoughts about the future of this device and Windows Phone Mango are still as positive as ever before.

First of all, I'll tell you that Windows Phone Mango is a breath of fresh air. It's not the same old mobile platofrm that we have seen for the past 3 years with Android and iOS. It's a "whole-nother" ball of wax. I picked up the phone right out of the box, and was able to understand how to navigate around instantly.

The Windows Phone Mango system on the Nokia Lumia is smooth, efficient, and super-intuitive. I didn't need to pull out the instructions to figure out how to operate the phone. Microsoft did a fantastic job in starting from scratch when they ditched Windows Mobile 6.5 to create the new platform.

Because of the ease of use, I see the Nokia Lumia 900 as an excellent choice for first-time smartphone buyers. I have told more smartphone newbies to look at the Lumia than any other device. It gets completely away from the old way of jamming hundreds of icons on a screen.

Knowing that 50% of the population still does not own a smartphone, I would say that all of the predictions of the Nokia Lumia 900 and Windows Phone Mango making a huge dent in the smartphone market over the next few years is absolutely true. The future of this device looks bright.

But getting back to the operating system, there are a few things that I absolutely love. First and foremost, the Live Tiles.

Everything you need to get to that you frequently use is located right on the home screen. And you can create a tile shortcut to your favorite things, even people. And what I also love is how all of the social media communities are combined into "news events". Rather than checking Twitter, Facebook and other sites, you get the latest "news" as a notification.

Something else that I found extremely useful with the Nokia Lumia is how messaging is aggregated. Instead of jumping back and forth between SMS messages and Facebook messages, for example, they all show up as generic "new messages" on the home screen. This saved me a ton of time. I was able to keep closer contact with all of my friends this way.

Some people prefer SMS, while others heavily use Twitter or Facebook. The Nokia Lumia 900 only looks at "current messages" rather than individual apps. That way, I can chat with everyone using their preferred method while only gazing at my home screen.

Accessing programs is a snap. If you swipe to the right, you see a verticle listing of all your apps and features, similar to what you get by clicking the "Start" button on Windows 7 with a PC. This was a big plus for me, since I am an avid PC user.

But the Lumia 900 is not just for Windows enthusiast. I'm starting to see more and more Apple iPhone users make the switch. As a matter of fact, one of the reps at my local AT&T store switched from owning an iPhone for 3 years to a Nokia Lumia 900, and she said she'll never switch back.

A big plus with the Lumia 900 is the solid build of the phone. It's a heavier and more solid-feeling smartphone than my Samsung Galaxy S2, but it's far more durable than a fragile iPhone 4S. The Lumia was built with a solid polycarbon composite body, and Gorilla glass for the display. It will survive drops, and the body of the phone is resistant to scratches because the color is built into the material.

The size of the display is 4.3" in diagonal measurement. That's the perfect size for people who dont' want a gargantuan "phablet", but also strain to read on the tiny 3.5" iPhone display. The resolution is 800x480 pixels, and while some gadget reporters complain about this, the average smartphone user will not have a single complaint about it. It looks great for multimedia and pictures, and doesn't have a lot of overkill.

Something else that many gadget geek reporters complained about is the single core 1.4GHz Qualcomm cpu. I don't understand the complaiing about this. The software written for the Lumia 900 is not "multi-threading", so it doesn't make a difference that it's not a dual core or quad core cpu. Speed-wise, I challenge any user to notice a real difference. It cuts through apps and functions with ease, and the majority of users won't tell a bit of difference as compared to other high-end smartphones.

The cameras on the phone don't just cut the mustard, they actually perform quite well. You have a Carl Zeiss branded lens on the rear 8Mp camera with 3X zoom plus a dual-LED flash, and it takes extremely high quality photos and video. The front facing camera is plenty good for video chatting at 1Mp, and is extremely clear.

I was impressed that I had no problems running apps and multitasking with the 512mb of RAM. Most smartphones are packing a standard 1Gb of RAM, but this does not seem to slow down the Lumia 900. It has more of a standard internal memory capacity at 16Gb for storing pictures, multimedia content, and files.

I don't know if it was just my excitement about the phone, or possibly that listening to music was a richer, fuller experience than other smartphones that I have tested. I seemed to have less trouble connecting to streaming music services, and using the music and video player was quite smooth.

Surfing the net with the Nokia Lumia 900 was also a thrill when running on a 4G LTE service area in St. Louis, but the HSPA+ 4G connectivity was also impressive. My download speed tests had the Lumia competing right in the ballpark of other devices.

Making phone calls with the Lumia was as I would expect it to be, and the sound quality when using the earpiece was fairly rich and robust. I'm picky about how a smartphone "feels" when smashed up to my ear, and I didn't seem to have any discomfort when having long conversations.

Last but not least, the battery life of the Lumia 900 impressed me. I noticed that the phone would stay charged when leaving it on in standby mode much longer than my Android device. I would put it on par or better than the battery life of the iPhone 4S. Battery drain is a real issue with high-end smartphones, but there's no worry here.

At the end of my test period, I was truly sad to see this phone go. When I first got the phone, my Galaxy S2 had experienced a malfunction and would not charge. I was forced to use the Lumia 900 fully. It was a big plus that picking up the new system was as easy as it was.

I could go on and on and bore you with more technical details, but I think the people who would consider buying this smartphone just need to know that the Windows Phone Mango system is truly a different experience, and the Nokia Lumia 900 was truly a "fun" smartphone to use.

I give it an overall resounding passing grade, and I would recommend this device first and foremost to new smartphone users. But anyone else who is looking for a change of pace should definitely give it a test drive, because I believe that Microsoft will only be offering more and more apps as developers start to give Windows Phone Mango more attention.

If you have a Nokia Lumia 900, I would love to hear your thoughts on whether or not you're going to stick with the Microsoft platform! Until then, I better bring this post to a close, because this is the longest article I have written about a new smartphone!

Carlton Flowers
Nokia/Mango Fanboy

GET THE NOKIA LUMIA 900 FOR $49 ON AMAZON WIRELESS!

You can own the Nokia Lumia 900 for as low as $49 with a 2-year contract from AT&T through Amazon Wireless! Enjoy the intuitive Windows Phone Mango operating environment with all of the hardware features you expect with a smartphone like 4G LTE internet connectivity, a Carl Zeiss 8Mp camera, front-facing camera for video chatting, 16Mb of internal memory storage, SD card expandabilty, and more! Get it now while the special lasts!

 

 

Why You Shouldn't Buy Your Samsung Galaxy S3 From Sprint

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SPRINT CUSTOMERS BUYING A GALAXY S3? SWITCH TO AT&T

If your heart is set on buying the monumental Samsung Galaxy S3 superphone and you are a Sprint customer, I have a bit of advice for you before you spend your money and lock into a contract: SWITCH TO AT&T.

That's pretty blunt advice. And don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to bash or be overly critical of Sprint. Nor am I just "promoting" AT&T. But it's for your own good, and it's due to the hardware that is built into the new Galaxy S3.

Here's the deal...

The Samsung Galaxy S3 has an LTE 4G radio built in. Sprint does not carry any 4G LTE service. Their version of 4G is "WiMax". It's a completely different standard on its own separate hardware network.

WiMax service is going the way of the dinosaur, and that is why many smartphone manufacturers are getting away from it. Samsung has decided not to invest in equipping the Sprint version of the SGS3 with a WiMax radio.

If you do choose to get a Galaxy S3 from Sprint, just understand that you won't be able to run it on their WiMax network. As a matter of fact, you won't even get to run it on the enhanced HSPA+ 4G network (the 2nd-generation of 3G service) like you can through AT&T and T-Mobile.

With your new Sprint SGS3, the best you will get is "EVDO" 3G service on the CDMA network. If you don't know what that means, all you need to know is that it old, slow, and outdated. EVDO 3G is slower than regular GSM 3G service, and it is far slower than HSPA+ "4G" service.

This all might sound confusing, sure enough. But to make it simple, you have 2 types of 4G service with AT&T: They are HSPA+ 4G, and LTE 4G. HSPA+ is the enhanced 3G network which has been enabled to run at tremendously higher speeds than that of standard 3G. 4G LTE is a completely new hardware network that is absolutly mind-boggling blazing fast in download speeds.

So if you are putting your money down on a Galaxy S3 from Sprint, you better understand that you are buying into a network that is basically two generations old when compared to AT&T, Verizon, or even T-Mobile.

If you are patient and you just love Sprint as a provider, you'll eventually get 4G LTE service. But it could be a while before you see it. They do plan on rolling out several major cities this year, but the majority of customers will not see LTE 4G service for a year or two.

And now you know the ressssst, of the story!

Carlton Flowers
Good Day!

PRE-ORDER YOUR GALAXY S3 NOW FROM AMAZON WIRELESS FOR $189!

Get your Samsung Galaxy S3 through Amazon Wireless today on pre-order for only $189! Enjoy all of the benefits of this outrageously amazing superphone featuring a whopping 4.8" Super AMOLED Plus display, a rock-solid Gorilla Glass II screen that is resistant to cracks and breakage, full 1080p HD viewing, Face Unlock facial recognition, blazing fast 4G LTE download speeds on the AT&T Wireless network, Android 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich" operating system, and so much more! Click the link or the thumbnail now to jump to Amazon Wireless and be one of the first to own one of the most cutting-edge smartphones on the market today!