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Samsung Replenish review: Boost Mobile's cheapest Android phone

Boost Mobile isn't just about offering phones off-contract, it's also about style. So if you're a phone that lands in Boost's lineup, you might be the hot stuff.

Or you could just be a good bargain. The Samsung Replenish was an entry-level Android phone to begin with when it first emerged last spring for Sprint. It grew from Android 2.2 Froyo to 2.3 Gingerbread since then, which keeps it pretty fresh.

Not so fresh is the smaller screen, which can make reading a challenge. I'm on the fence about the portrait-mode QWERTY keyboard, … Read more

Top iPhone 4 and 4S extended battery cases

We have an ongoing list of top tough iPhone 4 and 4S cases, but a lot of folks have requested a roundup of top battery cases for extending your iPhone's battery life, so here it is.

A few notes: While you should be able to go a day without recharging your iPhone 4 or 4S, some people use their phones more than others--or use battery-intensive applications such as video--and need more juice than what's offered with the iPhone's internal battery. Most, but not all, of the cases in this roundup are designed to double the battery life … Read more

Sprint plans to bring 4G LTE to prepaid...eventually

LAS VEGAS--Sprint Nextel could bring 4G LTE to the masses in a real way: through the hot prepaid market.

A prepaid 4G LTE strategy is just one of the ways the company plans to set itself apart from its larger competitors, according to Steve Elfman, president of network operations at Sprint. The company's continued support of unlimited plans, as well as its ongoing green initiative, are two others, he added.

Sprint, which held a long advantage with 4G WiMax, is suddenly playing catch up with a newer version of 4G called LTE. The company is trying to make up … Read more

Need a boost? Signal boosters for 4G phones will debut at CES

You might have already read that we're anticipating 4G phones and products dominating this year's CES.

That's why it comes as no surprise that companies are banking on some users wanting even more of a boost on their 4G network.

So far, at least two new cell phone signal boosters will be announced at CES 2012.

The first is from Wilson Electronics, which you may remember debuted its Sleek Cell Phone Signal Booster at last year's CES. The company also released a signal booster for the iPhone in 2009 called the iBooster.

This year, the company … Read more

Prepaid carriers see humdrum results in fourth quarter

MetroPCS and Leap Wireless' growth in the fourth quarter could be summed up with one word: meh.

Both prepaid wireless providers offered up an early look at their customer growth and the results were mixed. Leap Wireless, which sells service under its Cricket Wireless subsidiary, released its figures yesterday and narrowly beat expectations. MetroPCS reported its customer growth today, which fell slightly below analysts' expectations.

The results were neither tragically bad or particularly impressive. But given that the fourth quarter is the largest sales period for the prepaid players, that itself makes the results somewhat disappointing. That MetroPCS and Leap … Read more

Ford's smallest engine finds home under hood of Indian EcoSport

Last year, when Ford announced its smallest EcoBoost engine yet, we fully expected the new mill to find its way under the hood of a Ford Fiesta. Turns out that we were only partially correct.

Today, Ford announced that it would be unveiling the all-new Ford EcoSport at the New Delhi Auto Expo. This small crossover--which looks like a ruggedized, upright version of the Fiesta hatchback--will be powered by the smallest of the EcoBoost family, the turbocharged and direct-injected, 1.0-liter, three-cylinder engine.

Ford claims that with an output of about 118 converted horsepower (120 PS), this mighty mite of … Read more

Santa Claus is coming to town on a 1.0-liter EcoBoost fitted Ford sleigh

If Ford engineers had their way, Santa Claus would be delivering packages to all the good girls and boys on Christmas Eve in a Ford sleigh concept.

The muscle car-inspired, bright-red, concept sleigh is powered by a 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine and boasts 125 horsepower, with 170Nm peak torque (with 200Nm overboost)--giving it the highest power density of any Ford production engine to date.

Ford engineers apparently presented the concept sleigh design to Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with its environmental and cost-saving advantages.

Each Christmas Eve, Jolly Old St. Nick reportedly circumnavigates the globe--124,421,727 miles--in a … Read more

Lincoln streamlines the 2013 MKS, MKT

LOS ANGELES--Lincoln hits the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show with a one-two punch, unveiling the 2013 MKS sedan and MKT crossover simultaneously.

The most prominent change to these two 2013 Lincolns is the new design language. Lincoln has simplified and restyled the waterfall grille into something that can only really be described as a windswept mustache. Twin grilles with vertical bars sweep back into integrated headlamps. Meanwhile, the front fenders and hood have been simplified with fewer creases and kinks. I think the MKS wears the look better, partially due to its more compact size. In either case, the result … Read more

Samsung Transform Ultra review: Boost's Gingerbread QWERTY

Boost Mobile is showing Android lots of love these days, most of them for candy bar form factors. This week's announcement of the ZTE Warp is a perfect example. Luckily, Boost has one "Gingerbread man" QWERTY for Android fans who like a good keyboard: the Samsung Transform Ultra.… Read more

Boost Mobile hiking Android data charge by $5

Just a day before Boost Mobile puts the Android-powered Samsung Transform Ultra on the market, it's bumping up the price of its all-in-one data plan for Android phones by $5 a month, from $50 to $55 per month.

While nobody likes rate hikes, Boost will continue to sweeten the deal with its Shrinkage Plan, which lowers customers' monthly plans by $5 for every six on-time payments (not necessarily consecutive), down to a minimum of $40 per month.

As of October 6, Boost's existing Android owners will get their $50 monthly rate grandfathered in until they upgrade to a new handset, after which they'll see the $5 rate hike but won't lose their Shrinkage standing.

Rate hikes are a fact of life with carriers, especially as market pressures to maintain and expand their data networks strain their own bottom line. Timing the rate increase with the Samsung Transform Ultra release hints at Boost Mobile's sales expectations for the device. The more new Android users it has, the more all-you-can-eat data its customers will use.… Read more