android 2.3

Cricket, wasting no time between Android announcements, unveiled its next smartphone today in the Samsung Transfix.

Running Android 2.3 Gingerbread and featuring a sliding QWERTY keyboard, the Transfix is powered by an 800MHz processor. Other notable specs include a 3.2-inch display and 3.2-megapixel camera, a microSD card slot, and the requisite connectivity package.

While the hardware may not appeal to your typical Android enthusiast, the no-contract $179.99 price point will certainly turn a few heads. The Transfix will join other Android phones on the Cricket network, including the recent ZTE Score and Huawei Ascend II.

The … Read more

Good: The LG Esteem runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread, taps into MetroPCS' 4G LTE network, and has an impressive pair of front- and rear-facing cameras.

Bad: Bulky and heavy, the LG Esteem's worst offense is its poor battery life. Its slow data speeds keep it from working well outside of MetroPCS' 4G LTE territory.

Bottom Line: Specs-wise, the LG Esteem is MetroPCS' fastest and most advanced phone, but its dismal battery life is a terrible disservice.

Catch the video, photo gallery, and all the pros and cons in our full hands-on review of the LG Esteem.

The LG Optimus LTE, announced today, is another new Android 2.3 phone we in the U.S. can only dream about from afar, at least for now.

The Gingerbread handset has a 4.5-inch touch screen with a 1,280x720-pixel HD LCD display. LG claims it's the "highest-resolution IPS (in-plane switching) display" available on a smartphone.

The Optimus LTE also has a dual-core 1.5GHz processor, and an 8-megapixel camera with 1080p HD video capture and playback. In addition, there's an HDMI port and support for DLNA, so you'll be able to play phone content on your compatible TV. An 1,830mAh battery will hopefully grant it long life.

The Optimus LTE picks up LG's pace in producing LTE-ready phones. So far we've been pretty happy with what we've seen, including the T-Mobile G2X and the Revolution. The phone maker has also recently reached out to prepaid carrier MetroPCS with the LG Esteem.

The Optimus LTE is currently slated for Korea. LG says its plans to release the phone beyond Korean borders are still "undetermined."… Read more

It may be a little large as a stocking stuffer, but theSamsung Galaxy Note is coming to the U.K. in time for the holidays.

The 5.3-inch Android 2.3 Gingerbread handset is expected to launch at a range of U.K. carriers on November 17. There's no price tag confirmed.

Samsung first introduced the Galaxy Note at the IFA trade show in September, where the device's dimensions immediately stole the spotlight. While Samsung positions it as a jumbo-size Android phone, it follows in the footsteps of the Dell Streak by bordering on the edge of tablet territory.… Read more

When we first saw the handsome Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc at CES last January, we knew it was a solid effort--slim and sleek with sharp edges, impressive camera specs, and a Reality Display worth talking about.

Nine months later, the unlocked phone we've finally got in our hands still holds our interest.… Read more

Starting next month, U.S. Cellular customers will be able to get their hands on the HTC Wildfire S, HTC Hero S, and HTC Flyer tablet. All will run Android 2.3 Gingerbread.

The Hero S has a 4-inch qHD Super LCD touch screen, a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera, and a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera. The U.S. version of the HTC Kingdom, it'll be available for $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate, so long as you've got a data plan.

The more budget-friendly and basic HTC Wildfire S has a 3.2-inch display and a 5-megapixel camera. … Read more

Huawei announced its next Android endeavor yesterday, unveiling the Gingerbread-powered Honor and putting it on track for a fourth-quarter release.

Ask an average Android user to name one item they'd like to improve on their handset and you'll likely hear battery performance. That's why Huawei is really hoping to impress by adidng a 1900 mAh battery with a promised three days of juice. While it's not the highest-capacity battery we've seen yet (Atrix 4G has 1930 mAh), it still manages to keep the phone relatively light (140g) and thin at only 10.9 mm.

Other specifications include a single-core 1.4GHz processor, an 8-megapixel camera, 512MB RAM, and 4GB internal storage. Falling right in the middle of the pack of today's new Android releases, the Honor will likely make a lower cost alternative to handsets from competitors such as Samsung or HTC. Additional noteworthy details for the 3G smartphone include a 2-megapixel front-facing camera, a microSD expansion slot, and support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and FM radio. … Read more

There were whispers about the upcoming Samsung Illusion for Verizon, but a slip-up last week demonstrates that the phone is most definitely real, according to Electronista.

Apparently, it was an ill-timed Flickr image that cut through Samsung and Verizon's customary smoke and mirrors to reveal an image of an Android handset for Verizon, and confirmation that this is in fact the speculated-about SCH-I110.

The Illusion, also once known as the Viper, is expected to arrive on September 29, running Android 2.3 Gingerbread. It's also said to have an HVGA touch screen (320x480-pixel resolution), a 3-megapixel or 5-megapixel camera, processing speeds of up to a 1GHz (but maybe as low as 800MHz,) and 3G data speeds.

Although the original Flickr image in question has since been made private, Electronista grabbed the screenshot pictured here. In addition to that, the photo's URL still names the collection "Samsung tomorrow."

Sorry, Samsung, but it seems that no sleight of hand can shove the rabbit back into the hat.… Read more

Cricket's Muve Music service may still be largely unknown, but the release of the Samsung Vitality could help turn the tide in favor of the service, which offers unlimited access to music downloads, ringtones, and ringback tones in addition to Cricket's rate for all-inclusive talk, text, and Web.

The candy apple red Vitality, a repurposed Samsung Admire, runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread and has a 3.5-inch touch screen and a 3.2-megapixel camera. Compared with the thick, clumsy, and unremarkable Samsung Suede that headed up Muve Music's launch, the Vitality--which will be available online and in … Read more