In February of this year, the price of a 32GB microSD memory card fell below $70 for the first time since this capacity card was introduced. Now there’s a new price low to announce:
A 32GB microSDHC can now be yours for less than $50.
Amazon.com has the SanDisk 32GB microSDHC Class 2 memory card for $46 shipped.
Looking for a faster card for your Android device? Try the Patriot Signature Class 10 32GB microSDHC memory card.
Prices subject to change at any time.
The long-awaited 10.1-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab Android tablet will go on sale tomorrow at Verizon Wireless. The Verizon Galaxy Tab 10.1 runs Android OS 3.1, has a dual-core nVidia processor and is available with Wi-Fi/3G/LTE wireless data options or Wi-Fi only.
The LTE models are available with either 16GB ($529 on contract) or 32GB ($629 on contract) of onboard storage, and each capacity is available in Metallic Gray or Glossy White. The Wi-Fi only model ($499) will be available with 16GB of flash storage and only in Metallic Gray, at least at launch. LTE versions requires a two year service contract for best pricing, with data plans starting at $30 per month for 2GB of wireless data.
Features include a 10.1-inch WXGA 1280×800 touchscreen, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, 3MP rear and 2MP front-facing cameras, 1080p video playback, 1GB of RAM, and Bluetooth.
The LTE versions of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 will be available for purchase both at Verizon Wireless retail stores and from the Verizon web site; the Wi-Fi model will initially be sold online only. But if you want a Wi-Fi only version of the Galaxy Tab 10.1, you can already purchase 16GB and 32GB models at Amazon.com.
The first major update for the Windows Phone 7 OS, known as Mango, has just been approved for RTM. RTM stands for Release to Manufacturing, which means the base of the upcoming version of Microsoft’s mobile operating system is now complete.
But that doesn’t mean you’ll be seeing a Mango update for your Windows Phone any time soon; handset manufacturers like HTC and Samsung, along with carriers like AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile in the United States, will now have to tailor the base OS for specific Windows Phone handsets, which can take some time to complete. Also, carriers have an annoying amount of say-so when it comes to WP7 update releases, which could lead to further delays.
We have no timeframe for Mango’s release other than “this fall,” which could technically come as late as mid-December. But it’s more likely that updates to Mango will come in October or November, though Microsoft is no stranger to product delays.
Windows Phone 7 “Mango” will include Internet Explorer 9 with HTML5 support, threaded email, text and IM, third-party app multitasking and more. If you’re curious about Mango, head to Engadget for a detailed preview they posted in June.
Not many years ago, every gadget had its own unique charger, resulting in a confusing mess of separate wall chargers. This is an issue we still we have to deal with to some extent, but mobile devices have taken a fortunate turn for the universal in the last couple of years, at least when it comes to sync and charge.
Today, it’s very likely that most of your gadgets – smartphones, MP3 players, eReaders, handheld GPS, tablets, etc. – can be charged over USB, which is a convenience it itself; but a further convenience is having an independent charging station where you can easily power-up all of your mobile devices in one central location.
Let’s take a look at two of the best choices in USB Charging Stations:
Belkin Conserve Valet USB Charging Station (Model F7C008q)
This simple solution uses a single power cord to get wall power and includes four USB charging ports to charge your devices. There’s an angled display platform with room for a primary device or two.
The Belkin Conserve Valet includes mini and micro USB cables – the latter is great for late-gen Android phones and other mobile devices - or you can use your own cables to charge. The station shuts off after 4.5 hours of charging to save energy.
iHome Charging Station (Model IB969G)
Similar in function to the Belkin Conserve Valet, the iHome Charging Station is designed for users of Apple products who also need to charge other device types.
There are two Dock Connector cradles for iPods, iPod touches and iPhones, along with two USB ports that can be used to charge other gadgets like non-Apple smartphones, eReaders and MP3 players.
As you can see, there’s enough power to charge the Apple iPad as well.
Own a USB charging station that you use and love? Let us know in the comments section.
An update to Android 2.3.4 “Gingerbread” is now available for the AT&T Motorola Atrix 4G smartphone. The update is marked v4.5.91.
The update brings the latest version of the Android OS, along with various enhancements and fixes.
To update, you must be connected to a Wi-Fi hotspot or network. You may receive a notification that the update is available; if you do not, you can navigate to Settings > About Phone > System Updates to manually install the update.
For more information including detailed release notes, visit this support page on the Motorola web site.
Samsung’s Galaxy S2 Android-powered smartphones are headed for the U.S. beginning next month.
The Galaxy S2 is one of the most advanced smartphones in the world. With its zippy dual-core 1.2GHz Cortex-A9 Exynos CPU, 32GB ROM, 1GB of RAM, 1080p HD video recording, 8MP still camera, brilliant AMOLED+ display and slim form factor, many believe that it’s the Android phone to beat, even with the impressive additions we’ve seen so far in 2011.
Like the first-gen Galaxy S models, the S2s will be available from multiple American wireless carriers under different model names and with slight variations from unit to unit. Here’s what we know – or think we know – so far about the U.S. versions of the Samsung Galaxy S2:
AT&T: The Galaxy S2 will come to AT&T as the Samsung Attain. It’ll have HSDA+ “4G” wireless in addition to 3G, a 4.3-inch AMOLED display, a 2MP front-facing camera, Bluetooth 3.0 and a 1650mAh battery. This may be the first S2 model we see in the U.S. starting next month, and will replace the Samsung Captivate. Like all Galaxy S2 models, the Attain will run Android 2.3.x, aka Gingerbread.
Verizon Wireless: The Verizon S2 will be the Samsung Function. We think it’ll ship with 32GB of onboard storage, which can be doubled using the onboard microSDHC memory card slot. LTE “4G” is also part of the package. No word on a release date, but it’ll likely be within the next two months.
T-Mobile: The bargain carrier will be getting, it’s believed, the Samsung Hercules, and likely in September. We don’t know much about this model, but it’s been reported that the Hercules might get a screen size bump over the other S2 models with a 4.5-inch touchscreen rather than the standard 4.3.
Sprint: Sprint is slated to get the Samsung Within. Because of Sprint’s special relationship with Google, the Within may have special Google Voice features and run Android 2.3.4. It, too, will have “4G” support. No word on a release date as of yet.
We don’t know the pricing or release details of any of the upcoming Galaxy S2 handsets, but we’ll post new information as it becomes available.
Have questions, information or comments regarding the S2? Let us know in the comments section below.
The new HTC Status is already one of the most affordable out-the-door Android phones at just $49 on contract. But you can save yourself about $50 if your sights set on the Android-powered “Facebook phone.”
Amazon Wireless has the HTC Status for $0.01, shipped free, with a new AT&T wireless account or with an renewed two-year service contract (if eligible).
This is the best price currently available.
Samsung’s Droid Charge, available from Verizon Wireless, is one of the most popular Android phones of the summer. The Charge’s 4.3-inch screen and LTE ‘4G’ compatibility are the main selling points, but one thing keeping some users away is its high price: $299 with a two-year contract. Ouch.
But the Droid Charge is available for less. Currently, the best price for the Charge is $129 on contract at Amazon Wireless, but this price is only good for new accounts. Amazon upgrade pricing for eligible Verizon customers jumps to $199.
The best price for eligible upgraders comes from LetsTalk, which is offering the phone for $184 with a contract renewal. That’s still pretty steep, so if you’re looking to upgrade to the Charge, you might want to hold off for better pricing if you can.
The LG Revolution 4G from Verizon Wireless is one of the most advanced Android smartphones available, and it has a price to match: $249 with a two-year service contract. But if you want the Revolution, you can save a bundle by going with a third party retailer.
At Amazon Wireless, the LG Revolution can be yours for as little as $49 on contract. If you already have a Verizon account and are eligible for an upgrade, the price is $99, still $150 less than the direct Verizon Wireless price.
WireFly also has the LG Revolution for $49 with a new Verizon account and $99 with a contract renewal.
Droid Incredible 2 owners can now update their smartphones to Android OS v2.3, aka Gingerbread. Verizon and HTC have just released the 116MB update, which contains numerous enhancements and bug fixes in addition to the basic functionality of 2.3 version of the Android operating system.
Visit this page for a list of new features and instructions for updating your device.