Motorola Atrix HD now 99 cents

A smartphone deal like this doesn't happen often. AT&T is selling the Motorola Atrix HD for just 99 cents with a new two-year contract as part of its Cyber Monday promotion.

Sure you may say the Atrix HD isn't all that new, but the phone isn't very old, either. Heck, the handset made its debut this summer, which, no matter how you slice it, wasn't a very long time ago. But what kind of device will a dollar bill net you? A pretty good, one judging from the 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor, big … Read more

AT&T HTC One X for 99 cents on Cyber Monday

Here's a nice Cyber Monday deal. AT&T is offering the HTC One X Android smartphone for 99 cents if you sign up for another two years of service.

If you recall, the One X was once the top dog in HTC's One series handset line and is not even a year old. While the phone may not be as powerful as the upcoming HTC One X+, which boasts quad-core processing and more RAM, the older One X is still a solid device.

First off, the One X runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Sure it'… Read more

Teach your Droid DNA some GSM tricks

One of the new HTC Droid DNA's unsung features is its ability to jump onto global GSM networks, which is great when traveling overseas. Verizon certainly thinks so, and thanks to an unlocked SIM card slot, you can also slip in an AT&T or T-Mobile card and flip the DNA over to operate on those carriers. … Read more

T-Mobile revs up network for better iPhone service

T-Mobile USA has expanded the number of markets where unlocked iPhones can tap into its higher network speeds.

The carrier said yesterday in a blog post that 10 new metro areas would get its faster HSPA+ network on the 1900 megahertz band. That's important because the iPhone is compatible only with 1900MHz, meaning that in most other markets, it is stuck on the much slower 2G Edge network.

Part of the allure of the 1900MHz HSPA+ is it that allows unlocked AT&T devices to enjoy 4G speeds on T-Mobile's network.

In addition, other T-Mobile customers should … Read more

How to buy a cell phone as a gift

Cell phones can make fantastic holiday gifts, but purchasing one for someone other than yourself is more complicated than shopping for other gadgets. Unlike a laptop or a shiny new camera, a cell phone requires a service plan to use any voice or data features (otherwise you wind up with a very expensive paperweight). In most cases, you won't even be able to leave the store or complete your online order until you get that angle set up. And beyond just being an additional expense, that service may require a long-term commitment.

There's no reason to stress, though, … Read more

RadioShack Wireless adds $119 HTC Desire C

RadioShack Wireless today added another Android-based handset to its burgeoning roster of no-contract smartphones. Available just in time for the holiday shopping season, the HTC Desire C can now be yours for a cool $119.99.

While it's certainly not going to replace your existing Android experience, it's plenty for a first-time smartphone adopter. Those who want to dip their toes in the Android waters without breaking the bank will likely appreciate the device.

Powered by Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the Desire C features a 3.5-inch display, a 5-megapixel camera, a 600MHz processor, 512MB RAM, … Read more

AT&T adds new international roaming plans

AT&T today announced new international roaming plans that will go into effect tomorrow. The Europe and Rest of World options will join the Canada and Mexico plans that the carrier announced last June.

For each region, customers can choose one of three packages that delivers a set amount of minutes for a flat monthly rate. Of course, going over your allotment will result in hefty overage fees and exact coverage will vary by country. Also, keep in mind you'll need a quad-band handset that supports the 900 and 1800 GSM networks that are used outside the United … Read more

T-Mobile's 'Value' plan beats 'Classic' any day

Walk into a T-Mobile store and a second cell phone payment option might catch your eye: the Value plan.

At first, the plan looks a bit like an interest model: a lower up-front cost for your purchase, say $50 less, followed by 20 months of equal payments of $20 apiece. In other words, you spend most of your two-year contract paying hundreds of dollars more for your phone.

But peer closer and the Value plan actually saves you over $100 during a two-year contract, and more if you keep the device longer than its typical two-year tenure.

How? You pay … Read more

Who wins the battle for Verizon's top phablet of 2012?

Verizon Wireless customers now have three options should they be in the market for a 5-inch Android experience.

The latest handset to join the phablet family is the HTC Droid DNA, which the carrier announced yesterday. Like the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and LG Intuition it boasts a massive display and a full roster of high-end features.

But as compelling as each smartphone is, only one can come out on top. So let's take a deeper dive to determine which device will be crowned Verizon's king of gargantuan handsets?

LG Intuition A variant of the Optimus Vu, the … Read more

T-Mobile rolls out Android 4.1 to the Galaxy S3

If you're a Samsung Galaxy S3 owner, your long, patient wait for an Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update will soon end.

Starting today, T-Mobile will begin pushing Android 4.1.1 over the air and through the Samsung Kies app.

If you run into trouble, T-Mobile provides documentation to help you through the process.

Among other changes, Android Jelly Bean offer richer notifications, an improved Search app that also includes Google Now, and much more powerful Android Beam functionality.

When you get it, tell us how you like the update! Chime in below.