Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G Review: Blazing Fast

 While it may look like another rehash of the old Galaxy S, under the hood the new Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G packs blistering speed, with a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor and lightning fast 4G. Does the rest of the device measure up? We take an in-depth look.

This model is available exclusively at T-Mobile USA for $150 with a two-year service contract and $50 mail-in rebate. Without the contract it's $450.

 Build & Design

Given its name, you would expect that the Galaxy S Blaze 4G is a rewarmed version of the two-year-old Galaxy S in a new package. Well, not exactly. While it has undeniable similarities, it's clear that the Blaze has been through quite a retrofit, delivering a much more modern experience.

The first impression you get from holding the Blaze is that it's remarkably light, even for a keyboard-less device. There's several reasons for that, including the screen (which we'll talk about in a minute) and the relative simplicity of the design.

This smartphone's design is very minimalist: no clutter, no extra parts, it's pretty much just literally the screen and the battery. Nicely enough, the microSD card is accessible from a side door without removing the main battery cover.

The Blaze probably isn't the most bulletproof device in existence, given how light it is, but there's nothing really to complain about with the build quality. It's simple, it's solid, and northing's going to pop off or go bad too quickly. It's simplicity in action.

Screen

Part of the reason for the Blaze's lightness is its Super AMOLED screen. Displays of this type use a single layer of glowing elements to form the picture, instead of regular LCDs which have one layer to create a picture and another to light it up. This makes Super AMOLED thinner and lighter than other screens, as well as providing better contrast, with black actually appearing as black rather than dark grey. The Blaze uses the same basic Super AMOLED screen seen in a lot of Samsung's older or mid-range models, not as clear and vivid as the ones in the Galaxy S II and Samsung Infuse, but still nice. Even contrasted against your average, more modern LCD, it's going to hold up very well.

Performance

Without a doubt, the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G's highest end spec is its processor: a whopping 1.5 GHz dual-core chip gives it as much raw power as just about any smartphone out there, even the higher end stuff. That makes it an ideal choice for games and high-end video for those who don't want to break the bank. Using Quadrant Standard benchmarks, the Blaze earned a whopping 3565 average. When you consider that the Verizon flagship Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX only scores around 2700, that's impressive.

Once you branch out past the processor though, the Blaze is pretty standard mid-range fare. Running on the slightly older Android  OS 2.3 (Gingerbread), it isn't the sort of device I'd expect to see get an Android 4.0 upgrade, so don't count on it. But then, there's as yet very little real advantage using 4.0, as most apps are still designed for 2.3.

A lot of the online spec sheets about the model are wrong: it definitely does not have 16 GB of memory. Instead, it has 4 GB internal (of which 2 GB are available) and is pre-loaded with a 4 GB microSD card. That adds up to a reasonable amount for a middle of the road device, but not nearly so exciting as if the spec sheets had been right.

One unfortunate quality is that the Blaze comes stocked with a lot of T-Mobile branded "bloatware" apps. While it's not quite as bad as some of the Verizon models, the ten -- yes, ten -- T-Mobile branded apps like their own app store, their own version of 411, their own version of caller ID, etcetera, do tend to be tiresome. And they can't be uninstalled, although you can at least remove the widgets that come plastered all over the home screen.

Communication

While T-Mobile is currently the only major provider that isn't deploying an LTE network, that doesn't mean you should underestimate their own high speed internet options. The carrier's souped-up HSPA network is still amply capable of delivering broadband at speeds of 10 to 12 megabits downstream, which is competitive with even Verizon's 4G LTE service. Uploading is slower, but not so slow that it should bother you unless you're sending 50 MB videos on a regular basis.

A nice thing about T-Mobile's service that you can't get elsewhere is their WiFi Calling option. Basically, whenever you're hooked up to WiFi your T-Mobile Android phone will default to running your phone's voice, data, and messaging all over the WiFi connection. This effectively gives you the same thing as native T-Mobile service anywhere you can get WiFi, even if you're way, way out in the boondocks, or buried deep in an office building with no other reception. And unlike the signal boosters offered by other providers, you don't need any special hardware or setup, and it works anywhere.

One slightly surprising inclusion on the Blaze is Near Field Communication, or NFC. This is a means to transmit small bits of information such as URLs, contact information, or other bits of text. This can be device to device, like sharing a contact; picking up a URL from an NFC-enabled poster or advertising display; or transmitting data or an authorization from your phone to another device. NFC hasn't seen much adoption in the US, but Google has been pushing it for use with their "Google Wallet" service, essentially trying to make your smartphone into also being your credit card. Although why you'd want that, I have a hard time imagining.

Productivity

Unfortunately the Blaze doesn't stock over-much in the way of productivity software. Beyond the standard email, contacts, and organization apps, the only other particularly useful thing it sports is a copy of Polaris Office, allowing you to work with Microsoft Office documents while on the go.

Entertainment

There's much more of an emphasis on entertainment with the Blaze, with not just Google's own music, books, and video apps included, but also clients for T-Mobile's version of MobiTV, Netflix, and Zinio. All of which, unfortunately, require paid subscriptions to get the most out of them, but at least they mostly offer free trials too.

Camera

In the camera department, this Samsung smartphone unfortunately hasn't gotten an upgrade from its ancestors. While its 5 megapixel camera is a fairly standard resolution, the optics leave a lot to be desired, giving you fuzzy photos lacking in detail compared to other phones based on more recent designs. Even in good light, you will lose a lot of detail.

Battery Life

Despite being a fairly slim and light device, the Blaze packs a 1750 mAh battery. That's close to standard size if you're talking about devices running on LTE, but for T-Mobile's network it's well above the rest of the crowd, giving the device excellent battery life. It's pretty safe to say that you'll get through the day with this thing even if you're using it roughly with a lot of 4G and the brightness cranked up.

Conclusion

 All in all, the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G makes for a fairly good Android phone. Is it worth your $150? I would give it a conditional yes. Of all the major carriers, T-Mobile probably has the scarcest options in terms of good Android devices. Compared to the rest of the carrier's offerings, the Blaze makes a decent mid-point between the newer Samsung Galaxy S II on the higher end, and the truly cheap options like the T-Mobile Sidekick 4G and the Samsung Exhibit II.

That said, the Blaze isn't going to match up with the amount of bang for your buck that you'd get on other carriers. The same price on AT&T or Verizon would net you a better phone -- but also a higher monthly bill than you'll get with T-Mobile. Either way, you get what you pay for.

Although it may not be the best Android phone available for its $150 suggested retail price, the Blaze is still a pretty good device, and it's one of the few "small" Android devices on the market that still has a truly high-end processor in it. That alone may merit some attention. Otherwise though, I would call it a solid mid-range choice for those who don't need the Galaxy S II, and one they'll likely be very happy with.

 

Pros:

Slim and light

Great battery life

Fast processor

Cons:

Other specs are less impressive

Lots of clutterware

Slightly higher price than comparable devices on other carriers

Bottom Line

A decent but not extraordinary device, the Blaze 4G is a good choice for those who want a mid-range device on T-Mobile, or a compact Android phone with a fast processor.

Analyst Says the Apple iPhone 4S Is Heading for Sprint, T-Mobile

 The next smartphone from Apple will be called the iPhone 4S, according to one industry analyst. This model will supposedly be offered by not just AT&T and Verizon, but also Sprint and T-Mobile.

 This information comes from Peter Misek, a telecommunications analyst from Jefferies & Company, who says he got it from "industry checks". Apple itself has not yet said anything about its next-generation handset, which up to now many have been calling the iPhone 5.

For many years, AT&T was the exclusive provider of Apple's smartphones. Earlier this year, though, Verizon was allowed to introduce the iPhone 4. So adding two more carriers to this list would be a departure from Apple's current strategy, but not a huge one.

According to Misek, some versions of the iPhone 4S will support HSPA+, a 4G wireless networking standard used by AT&T and T-Mobile. It won't, however, have LTE or WiMAX, the 4G standards used by Verizon and Sprint, respectively. AT&T is also building an LTE network, and Apple supposedly wanted to add LTE support but the necessary chips won't be ready in time.

The analyst from Jefferies went on to predict that this model will have better cameras, though he didn't specify what the new resolutions for the front- and rear-facing camera will be. Previous reports have said the rear-facing one is going to jump from 5 megapixels to 8 megapixels.

He also said that it is going run the Apple A5 1 GHz dual-core processor. This same processor is used in the Apple iPad 2, and there's a general consensus that this company's next-generation smartphone will be built around it too.

Misek's sources said the smartphone will include unspecified "minor cosmetic changes". However, they apparently made no mention of the next iPhone having a larger screen, a feature of many previous reports about this handset. According to those earlier sources, this bigger display will not increase the overall size of the device. A few images and renderings supposedly showing this new configuration have appeared on the Web.

Coming this Fall?

This analyst said nothing about when the iPhone 4S is going to be released, just that it's headed for all four of the top U.S. wireless carriers. However, there's growing evidence from other sources that it's not going to hit store shelves until months after many had previously expected.

For several years now, Apple has released a new smartphone near the beginning of each summer. This year many be different. There are reports from an array of sources such as analysts and even an AT&T employee that the fifth-generation iPhone isn't going to debut until late summer or early fall.  

Nokia Asha 303 Price in India and Specifications Review

Till some time back only local Indian mobile companies were successfull in low cost mobile. Howeever now even Nokia has launched some of its low price smartphones in India. Nokia Asha 303 price in India at Rs. 7,800 has proven this point very rightly. Despite Nokia Asha 303 price being at low level, there is no compromise on features. In fact, Nokia Asha 303 features on certain applications are even better than its competitors in the market. Also to add more fun, Nokia Asha 303 features 3G as well 3.5G connectivity which will ensure its users have access to fast speed download from internet.

 Nokia Asha 303 price has been kept low keeping in mind demand for low cost smartphones in the market. Also this segment will bring highest growth rate in smartphones in coming period in Indian market. Usually people who have been using ultra cheap mobiles and also young professionals are main in this category.

Hence Nokia Asha 303 has both price and features matching the need of these people.

 Nokia Asha 303 features enables its customers to customise home screen by aligning location as well as style of icons. Also users can select icons which they want to keep and remove rest of them so as to maintain efficienct usage. For giving style to home screen of Nokia Asha 303, users can install screen savers and wall papers of their choice which can be from movies, games, celebrities. Another aspect which can be used to customise home screen is MP3 ringtones which can be either downloaded from net or songs from mobile can be set as ringtone.

Nokia Asha 303 price in India and specs are really attractive for its intended customers. Some of the important Nokia Asha 303 specifications are Nokia store which has huge collection of bollywood and other songs and games of different variety. All these will ensure enduring entertainment and fun to its customers anytime and anywhere without any high cost. Also users can install applications of their own choice to make it more personalised.

 In this way, Nokia Asha 303 price is highly justfied in Indian market. Also this smartphone is good buy for its target customers in the market.

Nokia Asha 303 Price in India and Specifications Review

Till some time back only local Indian mobile companies were successfull in low cost mobile. Howeever now even Nokia has launched some of its low price smartphones in India. Nokia Asha 303 price in India at Rs. 7,800 has proven this point very rightly. Despite Nokia Asha 303 price being at low level, there is no compromise on features. In fact, Nokia Asha 303 features on certain applications are even better than its competitors in the market. Also to add more fun, Nokia Asha 303 features 3G as well 3.5G connectivity which will ensure its users have access to fast speed download from internet.

 Nokia Asha 303 price has been kept low keeping in mind demand for low cost smartphones in the market. Also this segment will bring highest growth rate in smartphones in coming period in Indian market. Usually people who have been using ultra cheap mobiles and also young professionals are main in this category.

Hence Nokia Asha 303 has both price and features matching the need of these people.

 Nokia Asha 303 features enables its customers to customise home screen by aligning location as well as style of icons. Also users can select icons which they want to keep and remove rest of them so as to maintain efficienct usage. For giving style to home screen of Nokia Asha 303, users can install screen savers and wall papers of their choice which can be from movies, games, celebrities. Another aspect which can be used to customise home screen is MP3 ringtones which can be either downloaded from net or songs from mobile can be set as ringtone.

Nokia Asha 303 price in India and specs are really attractive for its intended customers. Some of the important Nokia Asha 303 specifications are Nokia store which has huge collection of bollywood and other songs and games of different variety. All these will ensure enduring entertainment and fun to its customers anytime and anywhere without any high cost. Also users can install applications of their own choice to make it more personalised.

 In this way, Nokia Asha 303 price is highly justfied in Indian market. Also this smartphone is good buy for its target customers in the market.

HTC Says No to Physical Keyboards

 There's bad news for fans of smartphones with physical keyboards: HTC is going to stop making devices that include them.

Claude Zellweger, this company's creative director, said at a press event "As a company, the QWERTY keyboard we're moving away from in general. We feel that putting too much effort into that would take away from our devices."

  Instead, HTC is going to work to improve the haptic feedback that is included with the on-screen keyboards it will use in future handsets.

Touchscreens vs. Keyboards

Many years ago, virtually all smartphones had a physical keyboard, with RIM's BlackBerry line and Palm's Treo models being the most obvious examples. Then Apple experienced huge sales of the first iPhone, which was focused entirely on its touchscreen, and other companies took note.

A few models with keyboards are still released each year, such as the Motorola Droid 4, the HTC EVO Shift 4G, and Samsung Stratosphere, but these are definitely in the minority. Instead, the focus is on ever slimmer designs.

Physical keyboards are usually most popular with businesspeople, as their main focus for their smartphone is generally email. This is part of the reason why RIM has continued to use them, and other companies have followed suit when making devices aimed at professionals.

Sony Xperia Neo L MT25i smartphone with Android 4.0 ICS OS Full Specification

 Sony recently made the official introduction of its all new smartphone, named Sony Xperia Neo L MT25i in China,The new Sony Xperia Neo L MT25i is the company's first smartphone to run on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich OS.

  The new Sony Xperia Neo L MT25i smartphone comes equipped with a 4-inch touchscreen display with FWVGA (854 x 480) resolution and is powered with a single-core 1GHz Qualcomm MSM8255 processor along with 512MB RAM and 1GB Internal memory.

 Other Features of Sony Xperia Neo L MT25i smartphone includes 5 megapixel camera on rear side with LED flash, 720p video recording,  front-facing VGA camera, HSDPA and a microSD card slot with up to 32GB support.The smartphone packs a 1,500 mAh battery for power supply.

Sony Xperia Neo L MT25i smartphone colors(shades) available

Black

White

The smartphone also weighs 131.5 grams and has a dimension measuring 121 x 61.1 x 12.2 mm

Analyst Says the Apple iPhone 4S Is Heading for Sprint, T-Mobile

 The next smartphone from Apple will be called the iPhone 4S, according to one industry analyst. This model will supposedly be offered by not just AT&T and Verizon, but also Sprint and T-Mobile.

 This information comes from Peter Misek, a telecommunications analyst from Jefferies & Company, who says he got it from "industry checks". Apple itself has not yet said anything about its next-generation handset, which up to now many have been calling the iPhone 5.

For many years, AT&T was the exclusive provider of Apple's smartphones. Earlier this year, though, Verizon was allowed to introduce the iPhone 4. So adding two more carriers to this list would be a departure from Apple's current strategy, but not a huge one.

According to Misek, some versions of the iPhone 4S will support HSPA+, a 4G wireless networking standard used by AT&T and T-Mobile. It won't, however, have LTE or WiMAX, the 4G standards used by Verizon and Sprint, respectively. AT&T is also building an LTE network, and Apple supposedly wanted to add LTE support but the necessary chips won't be ready in time.

The analyst from Jefferies went on to predict that this model will have better cameras, though he didn't specify what the new resolutions for the front- and rear-facing camera will be. Previous reports have said the rear-facing one is going to jump from 5 megapixels to 8 megapixels.

He also said that it is going run the Apple A5 1 GHz dual-core processor. This same processor is used in the Apple iPad 2, and there's a general consensus that this company's next-generation smartphone will be built around it too.

Misek's sources said the smartphone will include unspecified "minor cosmetic changes". However, they apparently made no mention of the next iPhone having a larger screen, a feature of many previous reports about this handset. According to those earlier sources, this bigger display will not increase the overall size of the device. A few images and renderings supposedly showing this new configuration have appeared on the Web.

Coming this Fall?

This analyst said nothing about when the iPhone 4S is going to be released, just that it's headed for all four of the top U.S. wireless carriers. However, there's growing evidence from other sources that it's not going to hit store shelves until months after many had previously expected.

For several years now, Apple has released a new smartphone near the beginning of each summer. This year many be different. There are reports from an array of sources such as analysts and even an AT&T employee that the fifth-generation iPhone isn't going to debut until late summer or early fall.  

Sony Xperia S smartphone Global Launch Details, Specifications

 Sony recently announced the global launch of its all new smartphone, Sony Xperia S smartphone which was previously available only in UK.Now the Sony Xperia S smartphone will be soon made available in India and all other markets world wide.

 The new Sony Xperia S smartphone comes equipped with a 4.3-inch scratch-resistant TFT touchscreen display with 1280 x 720 pixel  resolution and Mobile BRAVIA Engine.The smartphone is powered by a dual-core 1.5GHz processor along with 1GB RAM and 32GB Internal memory.

 Other exciting features includes 12.1 megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash and Sony Exmor R for mobile CMOS sensor, 1080p Full video recording,  a front-facing 1.3MP camera, HSPA, Bluetooth v2.1 with A2DP, GPS, geo-tagging, NFC (quick tap), and WiFi 802.11 b/g/n.

 New Sony Xperia S smartphone runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS. The battery provides about 8 hours 30 minutes of talk time, 420 hours of standby, 25 hours of music playback.Sony Xperia S weighs 144 grams and its dimensions are 128.0 x 64.0 x 10.6 mm.

How to Select a Smartphone

 Choosing the right smartphone for you is a matter of determining what you will be using your smartphone for and finding a phone that excels at that task. For example, photography enthusiasts should find a phone with a high resolution camera, while audiophiles may be more concerned with the device's audio storage capacity and playback quality. With the wide variety of smartphones available, you should be able to find one that is just right for you.

Step 1

Choose a network for your smartphone. Visit the Web pages for wireless service providers and compare their available plans and networks. Check their "Coverage Area" maps to make sure that you'll have coverage in the areas that you frequent. Look at the plans that the carriers offer. Select a plan that offers the right amount of data and voice usage. Also, consider what network your friends and family members use. Many networks offer free calling to other users in the same network.

Step 2

Open the "Phones" page on the network's website and select "Smartphones." Most carriers allow you to select phones based upon their features, using a search bar on the left side of the website. This will help you narrow down your options. You can click on a phone to bring up information about the phone and use your browser's "Back" button to return to the list of phones.

Step 3

Decide on the input method that is best for you. You may want to try out a few of your friends smartphones to get a feel for the different input methods. Smartphones with a touchscreen as their primary input method tend to have a larger display, but some people find them difficult to type on. You may also consider a phone with a slide-out physical QWERTY keyboard or a phone with a smaller screen and a QWERTY keyboard on the front.

Step 4

Think about the amount of data that you intend to store on the phone. If you plan on storing a large amount of music or videos, you should select a smartphone with a large internal memory or with an expandable memory card slot.

Step 5

Consider the devices that you want to connect to your smartphone. Most smartphones feature a micro-USB or mini-USB port for data transfer and charging and a headphone port for audio, but some smartphones use proprietary connections that require special cables. Specialized smartphones may also have video-output connectors so that you can connect your smartphone to a larger screen.

Step 6

Compare the screen size of the phones. Larger screens are better for browsing the Internet and watching videos. Typically, a larger screen requires a larger phone. Consider the amount of space that the phone will take up and how you typically carry and store your phone.

Step 7

Check the smartphone's data transfer rate. If your network offers 4G data speeds in your area, you may want to purchase a 4G-ready smartphone to take advantage of the higher data speeds when browsing the internet or downloading files.

Step 8

Think about how often you want to charge your phone's battery and how often you use the phone. Select a smartphone that has a battery that will last throughout the day.

Motorola Droid Pro Review

 The Motorola Droid Pro is a model that runs Google's Android OS but has a design reminiscent of BlackBerrys.

It is one of a recent group of smartphones from Verizon Wireless catering to a more business-oriented market than their predecessors, sporting the ability to work overseas.

 

 It has a contract-free price tag of $480, dropping to $180 with a two-year service contract, though other retailers may offer it for even less.

BUILD & DESIGN

While many current Android devices are thinly veiled attempts to mimic the iPhone, the Droid Pro clearly has another target: the segment of business users that are mostly addicted to the BlackBerry and it's constant email access.

I'm not a BlackBerry user myself, but I am a member of the demographic that must have a keyboard, preferably in a one-piece design like this. So I came into this review curious about the Droid Pro, both because of it's slightly unusual design, and because it seemed to have the qualities I look for in a smartphone: a great spec sheet, simple design, and -- hopefully -- a solid operating system.

Screen

A key difference between the Droid Pro and its rivals is that while QWERTY-bar phones often include a relatively small  screen with a landscape orientation, the Pro has a larger portrait-oriented screen. This makes it a little longer than it's relatives within the class, but considering everything that is packed into this device, the Droid Pro is actually surprisingly compact.

Compared directly to my usual phone, a Samsung Jack, the Droid Pro is about a third of an inch taller -- and that's it. They're the same width, and roughly the same thickness, though the Droid Pro is actually a tiny bit thinner over most of the casing, with a small bulge along the top rear. Even granted that my Jack is cheaper and is a year old, I was pleasantly surprised by the size.

Despite it's compact footprint, it squeezes in a 3.1 inch, half-VGA screen -- not the largest or highest resolution on an Android-based device, but roughly comparable to the first three generations of iPhones.

Keyboard

Given the device's size constraints, I had been half expecting the keyboard to be cramped. So it was another pleasant surprise that it was, in fact, every bit as usable as the better thumb keyboards I've tried out.

Good key travel, key separation, and feel. The number keys are spread out along the top row, instead of being placed in a conventional grid formation. The good news, though is that this is made up for by a large and very usable on-screen keypad available from the phone dialer application. Or, you can just speak the number that you want to call -- but we'll get to that later.

Other Buttons & Controls

One of the ways the Droid Pro saves space is by not having a directional pad or directional control of any kind, which is a departure for most QWERTY-bar style phones. At first, I didn't think that I was going to be happy about that omission. Now, after having gotten to use it a bit, I'm not nearly as put out as I expected to be. Yes, there's some situations where it would be nice to have a physical directional control -- particularly navigating cramped web page elements, or relocating a cursor for text entry. But for the most part I've gotten along quite well using touchscreen gestures for scrolling and practicing accurate fingertip clicking.

My biggest complaint about the Droid Pro's design lies in the four navigation buttons right above the keyboard. Because they're part of the screen, and therefore touch sensitive, it's fairly easy to accidentally "push" them if your finger brushes the screen accidentally. Since the center two buttons -- those most likely to be hit accidentally -- both take you back out of the application you're using, it can be very annoying to have to go back and re-start what you were doing. Since you can't vary the sensitivity of these buttons -- and they really do have a hair trigger -- the only real cure for this is time and practice, to get used to having them there and not letting your fingers stray.

With the memory card tucked under the battery cover, the only open ports are the Micro-USB plug on the lower left hand side, and the 3.5 mm audio jack on top. It's nice to have a standard audio plug again, though I wouldn't object to having all the plugs on the bottom, so that I could have a nice car dock for the thing, but that's rather a nitpick.

Overall, the build quality feels good, the design is sleek and very usable, and it packs all it's features into a very reasonable size and weight.

Tips to Clean Your Smartphone

 At some time or another, we all drop our smartphones. We also put them in pockets or purses crammed with keys, forget to charge them, and leave them in hot or wet locations. Some of us have even taken them swimming. A dirty phone screen won't give you much pleasure--or much information.

Screens are delicate, however. Clean them the wrong way, and you ruin them for good.

The main tool you need is a microfiber cloth. You can get a very small one, perhaps even for free, at your optometrist's office, which should be just fine for a phone. You can buy larger ones for a few dollars at camera stores, electronics stores, hardware stores, or online.

Here's how to get your smartphone screen nice and clean:

As a safety measure, remove your phone's battery. If the battery cannot be removed, turning off the device will suffice.

Wipe the screen gently with the dry cloth. Don't press hard on it, but for particularly stubborn dirt you can apply some gentle pressure.

If a dry cloth doesn't do the job, you'll need to use a wet one--and that can be tricky. Distilled water is the safest and cheapest liquid for a screen. If that isn't strong enough, mix it half-and-half with white vinegar.

Put the liquid into a spray bottle, and spray it onto the microfiber cloth.

Wipe the display as described above, and then wait until the screen is completely dry before turning the device back on.

Here are a few tips to protect your phone from wear and tear while also prolonging its life:

Be careful where you carry your phone. That pocket full of keys was fine for your old, clamshell-style "dumb" phone. But your smartphone almost certainly has a screen--quite likely a touchscreen--open for all the world to scratch. So put your handset where nothing can scratch it.

Buy a case for your phone--preferably one built for your specific model--and keep it in that. Most cases leave the screen uncovered so that you can use it, so buy some screen protectors as well. These thin, transparent membranes fit over the screen, stay in place, and let both light and touch go through them. They're also reasonably cheap and disposable: You can buy a pack of three for as little as $6.

Turn off the touchscreen before pocketing the phone. Not only does this stretch your battery life, but it also avoids butt-dialing.

 If your phone feels hot to the touch, turn it off and (if the phone allows it) remove the battery. Let the handset sit awhile where it can breathe. If the phone or the battery is still too hot an hour later, contact the vendor; something of a chemical nature may have gone wrong inside.

Get in the habit of charging your phone every night when you go to bed. That way, you'll seldom (if ever) run out of juice in the course of a day. If you still have trouble charging, buy an extra charger or two; one that plugs into your car's cigarette lighter may be useful.

Don't worry too much about wearing out the battery. It will wear out eventually, no matter what you do, but probably not before your contract is up and you're ready to upgrade to the next new thing.

Samsung Nexus S Review

 The Samsung Nexus S is one of the latest Android smartphones from Google. It features Android OS 2.3 (Gingerbread), a 4-inch contour display, a 5-megapixel camera, mobile hotspot capability, and 3D mapping thanks to the latest beta version of Google Maps 5.0 with Navigation.

The Nexus S is currently available from Best Buy stores as an unlocked phone that will work with any GSM mobile carrier. It can also be purchased online for $200 with a new two-year contract with T-Mobile.

BUILD & DESIGN

The Nexus S looks like most smartphones available today, with a black exterior and a minimum of buttons and controls so that the overall look is streamlined and modern. Then again, you might have trouble picking out your phone if you put it on a table next to a few other smartphones at dinner, because there is nothing that really stands out about the Nexus S in a stylistic sense.

At 4.8-inches by 2.48-inches and 0.43-inches thick. the Nexus S is comparable to other large-screen smartphones available today. It does seem to be somewhat lighter than many of the other phones I've recently reviewed--when I first took it out of the box I looked for a battery to install, but it was already in the device. It might create a bulge in your pocket, but it won't weigh you down. My key ring, with its large assortment of office and home keys, weighs more than the Nexus S.

Display

The screen on the Nexus S is simply beautiful. It's a 4-inch WVGA (480 x 800) Super AMOLED display, so it is extremely sharp and bright. Even when I'm outside in full sunlight I can see the display clearly, which is a nice change from squinting and trying to shade the screen with my hand. There isn't any ghosting during video playback, and photos looks especially vibrant.

It's also the first phone with a Contour display, which means exactly what it sounds like -- the screen of the phone is slightly curved. The idea is to make it more comfortable in your hand and against your face, when you're using the Nexus S as a phone. The curve is quite subtle, I didn't notice too much of a difference except that the phone does seem to fit in my hand a little better than other devices I've reviewed recently.

There is an anti-fingerprint coating on the screen, and while I can't say that it works perfectly -- there are still plenty of fingerprints on the screen -- it does seem to extend the time between my compulsive screen wiping and cleaning sessions. I simply can't stand smudgy screens, so something that cuts down on the frustration is a step in the right direction, and the Nexus S delivers on that point.

Keyboard

The Nexus S doesn't have a physical keyboard, so you'll be doing your text entry on the virtual on-screen one. This has been improved in this new version of Google's operating system, so you'll see slightly larger keys thanks to an optimized, clutter-free layout. It has punctuation at the top for convenience, and works quite nicely.

Of course you can bypass the keyboard entirely using Google's speech recognition, which works amazingly well on the Nexus S. No matter which way you choose, text entry is fast and easy.

Other Buttons & Controls

The Nexus S has very few buttons or other hardware features. The power button is on the upper right side of the device, and the volume rocker is on the left.

The only other controls are the standard Back, Menu, Search, and Home controls underneath the display, the camera lens on the back, and the headphone jack and charge/sync port on the bottom edge of the device.

There is no microSD card slot, which is unfortunate. I know that everything is "in the cloud" these days, but I like to keep a lot of music, photos, and ebooks on my device, and the 16 GB of internal memory can fill up all too fast since there's no option to add more with an expansion card.