Does Peek’s future lay in low-powered feature phones, emerging markets? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 15:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s true, picking a smartphone is incredibly difficult these days. Gone is the time when your options were limited and your choices simply between the lesser-of-evils. The market has exploded, and the decision-making process of finding the best device for your cash can be one of the most daunting tasks you’ll ever undertake. Android, iOS, webOS, and Windows Phone are all better than they’ve ever been before, carrier lineups are bigger, and even choosing a plan can be a daunting process if you don’t know what you’re looking for. But hey, don’t let the stress of deciding between a Droid X and a Droid Incredible put a damper on the excitement of getting a truly awesome gadget — we’ve got your back!

We’ve broken the choices down into two groups for each major carrier in the US after the break — the top pick when money is no object, and the thriftier budget choice. We’ve also included our top selections for some of the smaller carriers throughout the US, and our ultimate pick if cost and carrier don’t stand in your way. In putting together the list, we were shocked to see just how many Android devices made it, but that’s a testament to the openness of the platform (and voracious consumer adoption of smartphones). 2011 is going to be a crazy year, but if you’re in the market right now, the options are amazing — so read on to see our picks.

Continue reading Smartphone buyer’s guide: the best phones for AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, and more!

Smartphone buyer’s guide: the best phones for AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, and more! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You’d think working for a big tech company would have its gadget-related perks and in Dell’s case that’s very much true. The big PC vendor has demonstrated its commitment to building up its own smartphone services by offering to trade employees’ old and busted BlackBerry devices for the shiny new hotness that is the Venue Pro. If everyone takes up Round Rock on its offer, there’ll be 25,000 RIM smartphones looking for new homes soon, along with a sprightly start to Windows Phone 7‘s time in the limelight. The Wall Street Journal reports this’ll cut Dell’s mobile communications bill by a quarter, thanks to no longer having to support BlackBerry servers, while also noting that Android variants will be made available in the future as well. Where there’s Lightning, there’s gotta be Thunder, right?

Dell offering free Venue Pros to employees in exchange for their BlackBerrys originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Nov 2010 06:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone 4, EVO 4G Powermats arrive at Best Buy originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 16:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wireless charging gear compatible with the Qi standard should be hitting shelves any minute now, but NTT DoCoMo’s charging base at CEATEC has a completely unnecessary (and completely awesome) trick up its sleeve to set itself apart from the crowd. The prototype — developed in concert with Sanyo and bearing the Eneloop brand — gives you some visual indication that a compatible gadget has been detected by displaying a ring of blue LEDs that converges around the device to be charged once you set it down. It’s a neat effect… and you can see it unfold on the video after the break. No indication on whether NTT DoCoMo will actually be bringing its own branded Qi charger to market, but clearly, these products are nearly production-ready.

Continue reading Qi charger prototype from Sanyo and NTT DoCoMo seeks out, ruthlessly charges stuff

Qi charger prototype from Sanyo and NTT DoCoMo seeks out, ruthlessly charges stuff originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 07:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You know, the Chinese gadget market isn’t just about tacky shanzhai or KIRF products — look closer and ye shall find the odd pearl on the seabed. For instance, this Coolpad N930 Android phone doesn’t look too shabby with its tough titanium body, ceramic buttons, and a 3.5-inch 480 x 800 ASV LCD capacitive touchscreen, not to mention the 1GHz CPU under the hood as well. The hold-back? You might need to take a leap of faith for this young cellphone brand’s first take on Google’s green bot, and this is Android 2.1 we’re talking about here, although a 2.2 update will be available later. This is all the info available for now — the rest will be unveiled at the P&T / Expo Comm China in Beijing next month, if you absolutely must get hold of this handset.

Coolpad to debut N930 Android phone in China, lures your yuans with titanium and ceramic parts originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 23:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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So look — RIM’s BlackBerry Torch 9800 isn’t exactly the barnburner-of-a-smartphone that we were hoping it’d be, but at least it looks snazzy, right? Right? Regardless of your answer to that, it’s a bona fide fact that Colorware has outdone itself on this one. Usually, it’s most fun to toy around with the company’s endless array of hues in order to create the most hideous version of your favorite gadget before pretending to hit the order button, but for whatever reason, the first handset to ship with BlackBerry OS 6 actually looks dapper in red and white. Or maybe that’s just the Wolfpack in us talking. Either way, it’s available to customize now in the source link for $250 (send your own) or $1,050 (buy new sans a contract). Video’s after the break, should you need one.

Continue reading BlackBerry Torch 9800 gets the Colorware treatment, sees value increase infinitely

BlackBerry Torch 9800 gets the Colorware treatment, sees value increase infinitely originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Sep 2010 21:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There’s a big difference between the iPhone 4 and Galaxy S. No, not iOS vs. Android 2.1 or even Retina vs. Super AMOLED. We’re talking batteries: one is removable and one isn’t — guess which is which? This perennial iPhone “feature” has spawned as entire industry of device-specific accessories that sate the need for more juice while simultaneously killing the form (and aesthetic) of an otherwise pocketable gadget. But hey, it’s your only choice when you’re either too busy (CES) or unable (intercontinental flights) to tether yourself to a power socket. And guess what? Those curvy battery packs that hugged your iPhone 3G/3GS won’t work with the boxy iPhone 4. So, here’s the latest, and one of the first iPhone 4 cases with an extended battery pack to ship. The Mili PowerSpring 4 starts shipping today for

Looks like there are at least two things that the Danes can get right: butter cookies, and hyping it up for a delayed Android handset. According to Lumigon’s Facebook page, what we’re looking at here is the first official rendering of the T1′s redesign — quite a radical change here, especially with the new navigation pad and the now externally-accessible microSD slot. Apart from an earlier statement confirming Froyo for said device, this picture alone is literally all we’re being teased with right now, so feel free to “like” the Danish company’s Facebook page for some more forthcoming gadget porn.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Lumigon T1 gets Froyo and a major facelift, makes glamorous appearance on Facebook originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Aug 2010 03:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Given just how much that white iPhone 4 bumper is about to cost you on eBay, it seems as if a Colorware’d alternative has never been a better bargain. The master of gadget coloration is back once more, this time promising to dress Apple’s latest problem child up with just about any combination of hues that you choose. Consumers can splash paint on the frame, back, button, SIM card tray and earbuds, with the minimum price set at $250 for a sent-in device. There’s no guarantee that a coat of Colorware will serve to remedy those awfully annoying reception issues, but at least you can pocket a beautiful reminder of just how happy a pair of colorful bands can make the average vacationer. And that, friends, is priceless.

Continue reading Colorware douses iPhone 4 in double rainbow, might just solve your reception issues

Colorware douses iPhone 4 in double rainbow, might just solve your reception issues originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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