Android Store: February 2012

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Final Case Contest: Win 1 of 2 Spigen Crumena Leather Pouches for the Galaxy Nexus

crumena 650x427 Final Case Contest: Win 1 of 2 Spigen Crumena Leather Pouches for the Galaxy Nexus

With two contests down for the day, we have one more that will empty our stash from Spigen SGP. We already handed out 5 Neo Hybrids and 5 Ultra Capsules for the Galaxy Nexus, so let's change things up a bit and give away the 2 leather Crumena pouches that are left.

These are genuine leather pouches of the highest quality. They will hug your device to keep it safe from dirt, scratches and the elements, but will still allow you to access your phone should a phone call or text come in. It's a different take on a "case," that's for sure. Ready to win one?

Instructions:

Contest: Win 1 of 5 Spigen Ultra Capsule Galaxy Nexus Cases (Update: Winners Picked)

ultra capsule contest 650x432 Contest: Win 1 of 5 Spigen Ultra Capsule Galaxy Nexus Cases (Update: Winners Picked)

Earlier today we gave away the 5 Neo Hybrid cases

Prototype Phone Left Behind at Restaurant, Something From HTC Perhaps?

prototype4 484x650 Prototype Phone Left Behind at Restaurant, Something From HTC Perhaps?

No, it's not the iPhone 5. But it was left in a San Francisco restaurant (you know the story), is marked up with all sorts of serial numbers (that we have blurred for the most part), is semi-see through on the back, and looks a hell of a lot like the Incredible 2 from the front. It has a micro-USB charging port in the same spot as that device, volume rocker and camera too, only it lacks all logos, which makes sense since it's not a retail device. It appears to have been remotely wiped, hence the "No System Software" screen and the fact that it is locked to the emergency dialer.

Full pics after the break.

App Developers Take Note – Official Ice Cream Sandwich Stencils are Available Thanks to the Design Team

stencils App Developers Take Note – Official Ice Cream Sandwich Stencils are Available Thanks to the Design Team

When Ice Cream Sandwich arrived, not only did it introduce a bunch of new and exciting features, but the Android team also brought us a new UI. And with that UI came a new style, which means new stencils for app developers to update their apps with. Since updating apps to be ICS-compatible is the topic at hand for a number of devs these days, the release of the ICS stencils should make you incredibly happy. Now, get to updating!

Via:

Video: Hands-on with TSF Shell Pro, An Amazing 3D Launcher for Android with a Massive Price Tag

tsf shell pro 650x432 Video: Hands on with TSF Shell Pro, An Amazing 3D Launcher for Android with a Massive Price Tag

TSF Shell Pro is out and damn is it expensive. If you are looking for a completely new take on an Android UI, it may be worth it though. I've been using it for most of the day now and have to admit that I'm impressed. The abilities it has that allow you to customize, move, copy, and interact are like no other launcher or home replacement you have ever seen. And after seeing some of the widgets that have been included now, you get the feeling that this is only the beginning of something incredibly powerful. Themes are coming, extra features are already being worked on, and we can't wait to see them all.

Again, the price hurts, but as long as the TSF team continues to provide updates and new widgets, you may want to consider it.

Contest: Win 1 of 5 Spigen Ultra Capsule Galaxy Nexus Cases

ultra capsule contest 650x432 Contest: Win 1 of 5 Spigen Ultra Capsule Galaxy Nexus Cases

Earlier today we gave away the 5 Neo Hybrid cases

Contest: Win 1 of 5 Spigen Neo Hybrid Galaxy Nexus Cases (Updated: Winners Picked)

spigen neo hybrid 650x432 Contest: Win 1 of 5 Spigen Neo Hybrid Galaxy Nexus Cases (Updated: Winners Picked)

So we're a day late on the contest, but you will live, right? Since we are handing out 5 (five) of Spigen's Neo Hybrid Galaxy Nexus cases in the next two hours, I figured you'd forgive us.

The Neo Hybrid is the two part case (1 part silicone, 1 part polycarbonate) from Spigen that gives you the ultimate fit with a touch of protection on your Nexus without adding a ton of bulk. The two-tone color snazzes it up a bit too, in case you were looking for some added flair. You can read our full review of the case here.

We have all 5 of the colorways to give away:

Letter From Verizon to FCC Details Their Stance on Bootloaders

VerizonLogo1 Letter From Verizon to FCC Details Their Stance on Bootloaders

Android and bootloaders, a topic we can't seem to get away from. Starting back with the locking of the original Motorola Milestone and then kicking into overdrive with the DROID X, the battle of consumers vs. OEMs and carriers has been an ugly one. As many of you know, a locked bootloader denies an end user the ability to take full advantage of their device. For those that choose to hack on their phones, install custom ROMs, etc., this is the piece of the puzzle that can ruin it all.

Companies like HTC, Samsung, and even LG have been pretty open for the most part when it comes to bootloaders, however, there is one that remains hell bent on keeping them as secure as possible: Motorola. In fact, we have the history of their stance on locked bootloaders documented here. But is it all Moto's fault? Initially, they were the target, but after publicly placing blame on carriers for their bootloader locking, it's clear that there are numerous parties involved.

Seidio Offering 3800mAh Extended Battery for Galaxy Nexus, Now with NFC Capabilities

Seidio Extended Battery Seidio Offering 3800mAh Extended Battery for Galaxy Nexus, Now with NFC Capabilities

Did you happen to purchase one of Seidio's

Video: Hands-on with TSF Shell Pro, An Amazing Launcher with One Heck of a Price Tag

tsf shell pro 650x432 Video: Hands on with TSF Shell Pro, An Amazing Launcher with One Heck of a Price Tag

Again, the price hurts, but as long as the TSF team continues to provide updates and new widgets, you may want to consider it.

Toshiba Excite 10 LE to be released in the US March 6

Previously known as the Toshiba Excite X10, this super-thin tablet was unveiled last January at CES. Besides the thinness and awesome magnesium alloy casing, the tablet failed to impress us all that much. But if you're looking for a tablet with good looks and average specs, this one can be yours in just a week (March 6).

6793080830 31253c86dc z 630x217 Toshiba Excite 10 LE to be released in the US March 6

There are two versions of the Excite 10 LE: one with 16 GB of internal storage and another with 32 GB. As we have already mentioned, the tablets will cost $529.99 and $599.99 respectively. This happens to be more expensive than tablets like the ASUS Transformer Prime, which offers a Tegra 3 quad-core processor and improved performance. Not to mention the fact that the $250 Tegra 3 MeMo is also on its way.

Toshiba Excite 10 LE Specifications

6649975717 65359888c1 z 276x300 Toshiba Excite 10 LE to be released in the US March 6

Android 3.2 Honeycomb "upgradeable to Android 4.0″
10.1-inch 1280x800p IPS display, with Gorilla Glass
1.2 GHz OMAP 4430 dual-core processor
1 GB of RAM
16/32 GB of internal storage (with microSD slot)
5 MP rear-facing camera / 2 MP front-facing
WiFi (802.11b/g/n) and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
Micro USB, Micro HDMI ports

At this point, we should expect tablets such as these to be more affordable. After our hands-on time at CES, we loved the build and feel of the tablet, though. If you want the thinnest and lightest, this might be a great option for you.

Check out our hands-on video below and give us your opinion. Are any of you considering this device? It sure is good-looking!

Gallery

6644635525 99d010cf49 z 75x75 Toshiba Excite 10 LE to be released in the US March 6
6644636777 b962a46de3 z 75x75 Toshiba Excite 10 LE to be released in the US March 6
6649975717 65359888c1 z 75x75 Toshiba Excite 10 LE to be released in the US March 6
6793080524 19052b99c7 z 75x75 Toshiba Excite 10 LE to be released in the US March 6
6793080830 31253c86dc z 75x75 Toshiba Excite 10 LE to be released in the US March 6
6939192405 ac353c52fa z 75x75 Toshiba Excite 10 LE to be released in the US March 6
6939192537 996fa9db70 z 75x75 Toshiba Excite 10 LE to be released in the US March 6
6939192665 6dd68951a5 z 75x75 Toshiba Excite 10 LE to be released in the US March 6

Show Press Release

Toshiba Brings World's Thinnest 10-Inch Tablet to U.S. Market

World's Thinnest and Lightest 10-inch Tablet, Excite 10 LE, Available for Purchase on March 6, Starting at $529.99

IRVINE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Toshiba's Digital Products Division (DPD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today announced that the Excite™ 10 LE tablet will be available for purchase from select U.S. retailers on March 6. Previously introduced as the Excite X10, the Excite 10 LE is the world's thinnest and lightest 10-inch tablet measuring just 0.3 inches (7.7mm) thin and weighing just 1.18 pounds (535g).

"We have engineered this tablet with premium materials and components, given it elegant yet durable styling and more connectivity options than any other tablet in its class, while fitting everything into an astonishingly thin and light design."

The Excite 10 LE tablet, powered by Android™, carries a starting price of $529.99 MSRP2 for the 16GB model and $599.99 MSRP for the 32GB model.
"Excite 10 LE embodies what a luxury tablet should be," said Carl Pinto, vice president of product development, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Digital Products Division. "We have engineered this tablet with premium materials and components, given it elegant yet durable styling and more connectivity options than any other tablet in its class, while fitting everything into an astonishingly thin and light design."

A More Premium Design with All the Essentials

The thin and light Excite 10 LE features a vivid high-resolution 10.1-inch diagonal AutoBrite™ display3, delivering optimum browsing, reading and entertainment. Designed for durability and style, the device also features a high-quality magnesium alloy surface and scratch-resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass display with an anti-smudge coating for greater resiliency.
The tablet also comes with an array of connectivity interfaces and ports on board, including micro-USB and HDMI® ports, a micro-SD slot to share content and files with other devices, plus Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth® connectivity. Stereo speakers with exclusive sound enhancements by Toshiba and SRS® Labs deliver superior audio capabilities. Front and back HD cameras provide convenient photo capture, plus 1080p video recording and video chatting.

Smart Multicore Performance with Long Battery Life
Powered by the 1.2GHz Texas Instruments OMAP™ 4430 multicore mobile processor4 and dual-channel memory, the Excite 10 LE offers smooth web browsing and multitasking plus the performance for high definition video and entertainment. Extremely power efficient, the Excite 10 LE delivers up to 8 hours of battery life.

The Excite 10 LE tablet features Android 3.2, Honeycomb, and will be upgraded to Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich later this Spring. Also included is a full suite of familiar Google™ Mobile Service applications, including the Android Market™, YouTube™, Gmail™, Google Maps™, Music, Videos. Additionally, the tablet comes pre-loaded with a mix of Toshiba software and third-party applications including TOSHIBA App Place, TOSHIBA Book Place, TOSHIBA Media Player, TOSHIBA File Manager as well Netflix™ and Zinio™.

Docking and Accessories

Toshiba will also offer a suite of tablet accessories for the Excite 10 LE, including a docking station, multiple cases and more.

Specifications

• Android 3.2, Honeycomb (upgradeable to Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich)
• 10.1-inch diagonal LED Backlit widescreen Corning Gorilla Glass display with IPS technology and 10-finger multi-touch support
• 1280 x 800 resolution, 16:10 aspect ratio
• Texas Instruments OMAP 4430 multicore processor; 1.2GHz with 1GB LPDDR2 RAM
• 16GB and 32GB configurations6
• 2 megapixel front-facing camera
• 5 megapixel rear-facing camera with LED flash
• Micro USB, Micro HDMI ports
• Micro SD card slot
• Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n) and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
• Gyroscope, Accelerometer, GPS, eCompass and Ambient Light Sensor
• Stereo speakers with sound enhancements by Toshiba and SRS Labs
• Built-in 25 watt-hour rechargeable lithium ion battery
• 10.1″ (W) x 6.9″ (D) x 0.3″ (H)
• 1.18 pounds (535g)

Image Gallery: http://bit.ly/Excite10LE

Google Wallet and Google Plus Both Receive Updates in Android Market

Google Wallet 650x318 Google Wallet and Google Plus Both Receive Updates in Android Market

It's always a good time when our Google overlords decide to release updates for their apps.

Sony Tablet P hits the US come March 4 via AT&T – too little too late?

After a long wait, last year's Sony Tablet P is finally making its way to the US next month. The folding tablet will be released by AT&T on March 4, and it will cost $399.99 on a 2-year contract. But is this tablet still worth your attention?

The form-factor may be intriguing for the general consumer, though it could be possible that this device simply took too long to be released. With its folding capabilities as the only differentiation, this device features a spec sheet that would have been on par with the competition if it were released a year ago. It simply does not seem that enticing anymore, unless your thing is portability and data connectivity. This device will have 4G HSPA+ capabilities (not LTE), which is something that may still be convenient for some users.

Android 3.2 Honeycomb
Dual 5.5-inch displays (1024×480)
1 GHz Tegra 2 dual-core processor
1 GB of RAM
5 MP rear-facing camera / 0.3 MP front-facing camera
4 GB of internal storage / microSD slot (expandable up to 32 GB)

The market is filling with Tegra 3 tablets (options like the ASUS Transformer Prime

Contest: Win 1 of 5 Spigen Neo Hybrid Galaxy Nexus Cases

spigen neo hybrid 650x432 Contest: Win 1 of 5 Spigen Neo Hybrid Galaxy Nexus Cases

So we're a day late on the contest, but you will live, right? Since we are handing out 5 (five) of Spigen's Neo Hybrid Galaxy Nexus cases in the next two hours, I figured you'd forgive us.

We have all 5 of the colorways to give away:

Verizon to unleash shared data plans in mid-2012

We've seen hints around the internet that Verizon would finally bring family data plans to its network in 2012, and yesterday we learned of solid proof that this is indeed the case. In a statement made to a group of investors, Verizon Chief Financial Officer Fran Shammo indicated that shared data plans would begin to be offered in the middle of this year.

While not a firm timeframe, the mid-2012 timeframe does indicate that we'll see group data plans hit Big Red before the back-to-school season kicks off in the fall. No word on pricing or migration strategies were given, though we expect Verizon will make this package available to new customers first and give existing customers the option to switch shortly after the feature is introduced.

We do know that not everyone will be migrated on day 1, as the new billing system will be a bit complex to administer and will take some time to get fully up to speed. Mr. Shammo indicated that a move to shared data plans is an important move in Verizon's ongoing transition to a fully-realized 4G LTE network.

We're excited to see what Verizon has up its sleeves when it comes to a shared data service. Hopefully it'll mean family plans that are more affordable for customers, as Verizon is currently known for having the largest, most reliable and most expensive 4G network.

Rumor: HTC One X to Sprint with LTE, T-Mobile to get stock Android 4.0, quad-core CPU

Leading up to Mobile World Congress, HTC had the most buzz.

Today Only: Google Hosting Leap Day Music Sale, Pick from 29 Albums for $2.99

Google Music Sale 650x358 Today Only: Google Hosting Leap Day Music Sale, Pick from 29 Albums for $2.99

Music fans may be able to find some good tunes today for super cheap thanks to Google's latest Leap Day deal. For today only, you can take your pick from 29 albums for only $2.99. There's Big Sean, Dr. Dre, Maroon 5, and a ton of other top artists. Go get it.

Google Music Sale.

TSF Shell Pro Released on Android, Say Hello to the Coolest Launcher Ever for $17

Screenshot 2012 02 29 08 39 33 365x650 TSF Shell Pro Released on Android, Say Hello to the Coolest Launcher Ever for $17

Team BAMF Releases Their First Galaxy Nexus ROM, History Tells Us This Will Likely Be Good

bamf nexus Team BAMF Releases Their First Galaxy Nexus ROM, History Tells Us This Will Likely Be Good

If you owned an HTC Thunderbolt at any point during the last year, rooted it, and tossed on a custom ROM, there is a good chance that it was one of Team BAMF's. They basically took over that whole scene from the get-go and never let up. So now that they have finally released their first ROM for the Galaxy Nexus, you should probably think about giving it a look even if you have become attached to one of the other 2-dozen available.

In this ROM titled "Paradigm," you will find an AOSP 4.0.3 base with some of 4.0.4 thrown in. They tossed out all of the "useless" tweaks and mods, but left you with enough to add to the stock experience. You will still find customizable quick controls, an LTE widget, custom clock, customizable lock screen apps, and many of the rest of the "must haves" in Nexus ROMS. Again, this should be a good one.

Video: Catch Eric Schmidt’s MWC keynote

Google has made the full video of Chairman and former CEO Eric Schmidt's Mobile World Congress keynote available for your viewing pleasure on its YouTube channel. I haven't had a chance to watch the keynote for myself just yet, but Mr. Schmidt spends over an hour talking about the future of technology and how Google will play a prominent role in how that future will be shaped.

From 1Gbps and beyond fiber networks, Chrome and Android, to driverless cars to holographs and support for small businesses, it can all be found in Schmidt's talk, which is embedded below. We'd love to hear your reactions to what Mr. Schmidt had to say in Barcelona. Be sure to drop us a note in the comments.

Reminder: Verizon Leap Day Sale Happening Now, Save $100 on the RAZR MAXX and Galaxy Nexus

vzw leap day sales 650x387 Reminder: Verizon Leap Day Sale Happening Now, Save $100 on the RAZR MAXX and Galaxy Nexus

You probably all received the email reminder, but in case you didn't, we wanted to make sure you saw it. Verizon's Leap Day sale is live and can save you $100 off of any 4G LTE smartphone. The $299 Galaxy Nexus and RAZR MAXX can be had for as little as $199. You will find the Bionic for free and the DROID 4 and regular RAZR for $99. Not a bad day for a smartphone purchase.

Buy.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Android Mannequin Shop Display – CScoutJapan

Read more at www.japantrends.com Tokyo department store Takashimiya has teamed up with Dr Hiroshi Ishiguro of Osaka University to install a new visual merchandising concept using a lifelike android mannequin that has shoppers stopping in their tracks.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

In this video I will be comparing the Apple store and the Android Store. So untill now I have been just comparing speed, sound and image of both phones but now some of the essential parts of the phone; the Store. So Apple app store is just called the App store and Android’s Store is called Market. I think the Android Market is nicer but they have taken some bits and pieces from the app store. Please give this video thumbs up and subscribe to my channel, thanks for watching everyone:)
Video Rating: 3 / 5

Rumor: HTC One X to Sprint with LTE, T-Mobile to get stock Android 4.0 and quad-core CPU

Leading up to Mobile World Congress, HTC had the most buzz and they

HTC Also in Talks with Google to be the Next Nexus Manufacturer

htc one x6 HTC Also in Talks with Google to be the Next Nexus Manufacturer

Fresh on the heels of yesterday's report that LG was deep in talks with Google to be the next Nexus manufacturer, HTC has come forth to mention that they are also fighting for Jelly Bean glory. The company's global online communications manager, Jeff Gordon, spoke with TechRadar within the last couple of days to make sure everyone knew that Google is no where near a decision on who will make the next Nexus. HTC, as well as every other major smartphone company, is crossing their fingers still.

"Google hasn't chosen its Nexus partner for (Android) Jellybean as yet. So right now all the manufacturers are crossing their fingers."

Gordon had other things to say, but TechRadar's report has now been pulled for unknown reasons and cannot be accessed as a cached page. Maybe it was one of those "off the record" conversations? One thing is clear, being the next name on the back of this year's Nexus is a big deal. We wouldn't doubt it if Moto and Samsung came out next to say how interested they are. OK, maybe not Moto so that the industry doesn't whine like children with cries of

Tuesday Poll: Who Do You Want to Make the Next Nexus?

nexus 650x184 Tuesday Poll: Who Do You Want to Make the Next Nexus?

A lot of the talk this week coming out of Barcelona has been over who the next Nexus manufacturer will be. LG was the first to come out and make their public bid, but HTC wasn't far behind, reminding the industry that Google has yet to make a decision. Samsung and Motorola have been quiet, but with Sammie receiving the nod the last two years, it would surprise us to see them get a 3rd consecutive shot. Motorola on the other hand is owned by Google now, so seeing them receive the first one post-merger would surprise us, however, you just never know with the way they have been talking.

Whoever does make this phone though, will be get Android 5.0 early and possibly create the next greatest phone ever. With the tech that was on display at MWC

ErnCon Open Beta Released to Android Market, Space Shooter at its Purest Definition

Ern Con 650x365 ErnCon Open Beta Released to Android Market, Space Shooter at its Purest Definition

There are plenty of space shooters available in the Market, but finding

Reminder: Win a Samsung Galaxy Note from the Exynos Team – Simply Tell Us Why You “Demand Exynos” Processors in Your Phones

samsung exynos background 650x367 Reminder: Win a Samsung Galaxy Note from the Exynos Team – Simply Tell Us Why You

The Samsung Exynos team reached out to us a couple of weeks ago because they not only love the DL community, but they know how much we love the power of their processors in phones. To say that we drooled a bit over benchmarks and the performance of the Galaxy SII last year would be a massive understatement. In fact, the Exynos dual-core chip that debuted at last year's MWC inside the SGS2 set the bar so high that I'm still not sure that many of the current dual-core chips even compare. And what I mean by that is the Galaxy Note that sports a dual-core Exynos, benchmarks higher than almost any other phone on the market, right now. It's a beast of a chip, folks.

So with their Exynos 4412 quad-core chip being demoed a week ago and their next-gen quad-core 5250 sampling now, you can bet that there will be a hefty Exynos mark put on 2012. There has been a lot of talk about competitors' chipsets already making their way into phones and tablets, but understand that when Samsung's next Exynos SoCs are ready, we'll likely be impressed, again. And who knows, we may just see one of them this week at Mobile World Congress.

Infographic: Android Owner Happiness Compared to that of iOS Users Based on Application Ratings

iOS Android Infographic: Android Owner Happiness Compared to that of iOS Users Based on Application Ratings

If you have been curious as to whether iOS users or Android users are more happy than the other about their app market

Demand Exynos, win a free Samsung Galaxy Note

Here at Android and Me, we have a lot of fans of Samsung's Exynos processor. Samsung LSI took note of this and wanted to reward one reader with a free Galaxy Note smartphone. All you have to do is leave a

Androidland – Telstra launches world-first Android store in Melbourne

Telstra has today launched Androidland — a world-first store within a store that showcases the latest Android™ smartphones and tablets. Unveiled at Telstra’s flagship retail outlet in Bourke Street Melbourne, the 154 square meter space brings together interactive technology, games and on-site experts to explain the features of Google’s popular Android operating system which now powers some of the world’s leading smartphones and tablets. Music: Kevin MacLeod
Video Rating: 4 / 5

I compare the iPhone App Store vs the Android Market. Apps are a huge part of buying any smartphone and so is the way you get them. Apple with the iPhone and iPod touch App Store has a very different way of doing it compared to Google and the Android Market so today I compare both to help determine which is the best for you including the the selection of apps, the pricing and the interface to access the store.

First Glimpse at Isis Mobile Payment System Interface for Android

ISIS Mobile Payment 340x650 First Glimpse at Isis Mobile Payment System Interface for Android

Above is the first shot at what we can expect Isis to look like on our Android devices. Looking past the Froyo

DROID 2 Global Receiving New Update to 4.5.629 – Fixes Bugs, Not Much Else

droid2 global update 650x645 DROID 2 Global Receiving New Update to 4.5.629 – Fixes Bugs, Not Much Else

A new update has been approved for the DROID 2 Global, bringing with it a series of bug fixes for a number of issues. Once this 4.5.629 build goes live and you have installed it, your camera settings will save, less out of memory errors will appear, and certain app resets will have gone away. Stability is the topic at hand here.

The update is 19.4MB in size.

More info.

Cheers Heath and Paul!

T-Mobile skipping HSPA+ 84 to focus on LTE

Andy Rubin isn't the only one spilling his guts to reporters at Mobile World Congress this week. T-Mobile USA's Andrew Sherrard also spent a moment talking about the future of the company he works for, confirming that once T-Mobile finishes rolling out its 42Mbps HSPA+ network, they'll be skipping straight to LTE

Leap Days don’t come often, so Verizon is discounting its best devices by $100

Who says Leap Days are not special? They only come once every four years, and the best way to celebrate it just may be by purchasing a new phone or tablet. If you're in the market for a new device, Verizon is holding a very good deal tomorrow, allowing you to save $100 on the best 4G LTE devices available.

The image includes the best smartphones, like the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, Motorola Droid RAZR and the HTC Rezound, among others. The Leap Day sale website also includes an image of the Motorola Droid Xyboard, if you want to get your hands on an LTE tablet. If you have been looking to get one of these devices tomorrow might just be the day.

Some of these devices are currently listed at prices lower than $100, so they might very well be completely free, but we will have to wait until tomorrow to find out for sure. But you could get a Galaxy Nexus for $200, instead of $300, which is a great deal.

If you prefer working straight with Verizon, this might be something to consider. But do remember that other retailers have awesome discounts, as well. For example, Amazon has the Samsung Galaxy Nexus for $99, as well as the Motorola Droid RAZR. So shop carefully.

If you have been saving that upgrade for a good day, tomorrow might just be it! You can go ahead and set a reminder straight from Verizon's site. Are any of you taking advantage of this sale?

DROID X Build .621 SBF File Released, Should Fix Fears of Bricking Phone

droid x official 342x650 DROID X Build .621 SBF File Released, Should Fix Fears of Bricking Phone

DROID X owners should download and keep this file in a safe place immediately. As previously reported, we have heard from multiple sources that

Google Releases Official Mobile World Congress Application to the Android Market

Google MWC 650x318 Google Releases Official Mobile World Congress Application to the Android Market

If you happen to be lucky enough to be in Barcelona or are still just watching the mobile festivities from home, you can get in on the action at MWC thanks to Google's latest release to the Android Market. The app contains booth information, maps, notes, and even an android pin checklist to use to make sure you have them all. Go have some fun!

Market Link

Cheers Gordon!

Verizon Leap Day Sale: $100 Off Their Best Devices, Including the Galaxy Nexus

vzw leap sale 650x378 Verizon Leap Day Sale: $100 Off Their Best Devices, Including the Galaxy Nexus

Since tomorrow is Leap Day, Verizon has decided to run a 1 day sale that is worth waiting for if you are on the verge of purchasing a new phone. Their landing page for the special includes all of their top devices such as the Galaxy Nexus, Rezound and DROID RAZR

Verizon: Shared Data Plans Coming “Mid-Year” – 5% of Customers are Using 4G LTE

VerizonLogo1 Verizon: Shared Data Plans Coming

Verizon Communications CFO Fran Shammo spoke at the

Andy Rubin speaks out on Google, Motorola acquisition; wants nothing to do with Moto

Mobile World Congress is chock full of device announcements and product details, but as with any trade show, the most interesting news always comes from the CEOs and Vice President-types behind the biggest names in the industry. Google's Andy Rubin sat down with reporters at MWC this year, the topic of the day being Google's acquisition of Motorola. Rubin wasn't shy when it came to sharing his feelings on the acquisition, leaving the press with a handful of quotes on how Google will manage their newly acquired company.

Andy Rubin was, and still is, a supporter of Google's acquisition of Motorola. But now that the deal is nearing completion, he doesn't want anything to do with the big M. Speaking with reporters at Mobile World Congress yesterday, Rubin said he "sponsored" the deal in its earlier stages, but has completely backed away at this point. In turn, Google will essentially take the same route.

With long time Googler Dennis Woodside taking control of the reigns over at Motorola, Rubin said he was "painfully aware" of doubts that Google and Motorola will still operate as two separate entities, but that Google has "literally built a firewall" between the companies. Rubin continued on to say that he has absolutely no idea what Motorola is doing hardware or software wise, saying "I don't even know anything about their products… They're separate from me, and I'm going to continue to do my thing."

Of course, Google's decision to operate the two companies apart from each other has a lot to do with fostering a competitive environment with other Android manufacturers. Fierce competition is what's led Android to where it is now and what's put Motorola into the position it's in today. Rubin wrapped up his time with reporters by saying that, "Even if I was completely insane, it wouldn't make any sense for me to think that we could get Motorola to be 90-plus percent marketshare. It just isn't gonna happen." Well said, Andy. Well said.

Only 5% of Verizon’s customers use 4G LTE; number to increase substantially this year

Despite the carrier's efforts and major LTE network rollout, only 5% of the Verizon customer pool is taking advantage of the blazing speeds, says the company. This comes as a disappointment, but Big Red has committed to a 4G-only smartphone selection

Google Exce: Android 5.0 Could Be Here This Fall, That Would Make Sense

jelly bean android Google Exce: Android 5.0 Could Be Here This Fall, That Would Make Sense

At MWC this week,

Verizon Confirms March 1 for the Galaxy Tab 7.7 LTE, Also the $499 2-Year Contract Price

samsung galaxy tab 7 lte 650x418 Verizon Confirms March 1 for the Galaxy Tab 7.7 LTE, Also the $499 2 Year Contract Price

Verizon confirmed our report from yesterday that the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 LTE would be arriving officially on March 1 (this Thursday). If interested, you can pick one up for $499 on a new 2-year contract or buy it outright at $699. I don't think I need to mention how out of their minds they are for overpricing yet another LTE tablet, so I'll instead focus on the positives. This tablet is ultra-thin (thinnest in the world for LTE tabs), has a Super AMOLED Plus display, dual cameras, a 1.4GHz dual-core processor, and may just be the perfect size at 7.7 inches. It will run Honeycomb (Android 3.2) out of the box and there is no mention yet as to Verizon or Samsung's plans to update it to Ice Cream Sandwich. We would hope that it is in the plans though.

Be sure to check out our hands-on with the device from CES.