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In a move that could only be viewed as a step in the right direction, Sprint has just made a major move in the battle against bloatware. It’s newly-unveiled Custom Branded Device Program is being introduced just as prepaid carriers are beginning to see something of a resurgence. In a nutshell, the initiative enables its MVNO partners (carriers like Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile) to customize white-label Android phones. In case you needed to hear it another way, it’ll give those partners the ability to “completely de-brand devices from Sprint.” Of course, this opens the door for said partners to litter these phones with their own software, but it also provides an option to see phones in a manner that Americans rarely see unless they opt for pricier global (and unlocked) models.

Sprint is hoping that the program will allow its MVNO partners — carriers who sell phones under their own brand but actually rely on Sprint’s network for service — to “have greater, and potentially quicker, access to a large selection of completely de-branded marquee Android handsets out of Sprint and Boost Mobile device inventory with volume pricing included.” Presently, Sprint has three devices available for this program — LG Optimus G, LG Mach and Sprint Flash — but additional devices are expected to be added by the month’s end. Perhaps most interestingly, we reported back in July of 2011 that Sprint was making a “conscious decision to scale back bloatware on smartphones.” Here’s hoping that decision is soon realized.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Sprint

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Source: Sprint

Shopping for a smartphone can be an exciting and arduous experience. Along with the promise of something new and fantastic, it brings the fear of commitment, and even worse, the prospect of saddling yourself to a lousy device for two years. Fortunately for you, Engadget spends tons of time playing with the latest gear and we’re constantly on the lookout for what’s coming next. If you’re wanting to take the pain out of shopping for a smartphone, you’ve come to the right place. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Engadget’s smartphone buyer’s guide: your one-stop resource to finding the best and most exciting handsets on the market today.

Before you dive in, however, we’ve introduced a few changes to the buyer’s guide, so take a minute to prepare yourself for what’s in store. First and foremost, you’ll now find alternate selections to supplement our top picks. This should already be familiar to many of you, which is the same format we use for our seasonal gift guides. The next one is a biggie: we’ve dropped the QWERTY selection. By and large, manufacturers and carriers alike have shifted their focus away from keyboard-equipped smartphones, and you’ll rarely find more than one option on any given carrier. That said, if you still insist on the tactile experience, you’ll always find everything you need to know in our reviews. Finally, whenever possible, you’ll now find prices from Amazon Wireless, which allows us to provide you with more compelling budget selections and highlight the substantial savings that you can score by circumventing the carriers. It’s not like they need your charity, anyway.

If you’re curious to see how it all unfolded — and we know you are — join us after the break, where we round up the very best smartphones of the season.

Continue reading Engadget’s smartphone buyer’s guide: fall 2012 edition

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, HTC, Nokia, Google, Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, LG, T-Mobile

Engadget’s smartphone buyer’s guide: fall 2012 edition originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Oct 2012 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s only been a few days since we saw those leaked shots of what was rumored to be Boost Mobile’s own variant of that Optimus L7 — and, well, today the LG handset sees its official debut on the prepaid carrier. The LG Venice, as it’ll be more commonly known around these parts, boasts a 4.3-inch, WVGA screen alongside a 1GHz CPU, a 5-megapixel camera on the rear (VGA quality on the front) and a video mode capable of shooting up to 720p recordings — of course, this is all running LG’s UI 3.0 flavor of Ice Cream Sandwich. As we’ve become accustomed to, Boost Mobile is pricing its new Android handset at a decent price ($220), with the device expected to start hitting “exclusive” shelves on October 10th and other “select” retail shops later the same month.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Boost Mobile announces the LG Venice: a $220, 4.3-inch handset with Ice Cream Sandwich originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Sep 2012 13:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Boost Mobile has a history of recycling Sprint’s smartphones, but every now and then it releases a first-run phone of its own. This time around we’re looking at the ZTE Warp Sequent, a fitting follow-up to last year’s ZTE Warp. Packed to capacity with entry-level goodness, the Warp Sequent features a 4.3-inch qHD display, a 1.4GHz processor, a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera, a 1.3-megapixel front shooter, 768MB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage and Android 4.0. So, if you’ve got a serious hankering for an off-contract Android running last year’s operating system, the ZTE Warp Sequent can be yours for $200.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile

ZTE Warp Sequent now available on Boost Mobile for $200 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 21:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There’s a couple of Samsung phones coming to Boost Mobile in the 4G universe, the first being the Samsung Galaxy S II with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and the second being the Galaxy Rush. There’s also the Samsung Array, a QWERTY keyboard device with a 2.0 megapixel camera and a 2.4-inch LCD display – that’s not quite a smartphone like the other two, but it’s ready for the carrier’s $45 Talk & Text Unlimited Plan anyway. The Galaxy S II is coming with Ice Cream Sandwich for the first time EVER as well – unless you’re a hacker, of course.

This release has the Array coming for $59.99, the Galaxy Rush will be popping up for $149.99, and the Samsung Galaxy S II will be available for the low, low price of $369.99 USD! Each of these prices are, of course, completely off-contract, the Galaxy S II being offered this way for the first time in the United States ever – with free shipping! The Galaxy S II will be coming out on September 6th, the Array on the 4th, and all will be available in late September at Boost retail locations.

This version of the Samsung Galaxy S II will be available in both white and black with a lovely 4.52-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, a dual-core Exynos processor clocked at 1.2GHz, and with 16GB internal memory. This device will be popping up with an 8 megapixel camera on the back and a 2 megapixel camera on the front – and the back will be able to film in 1080p – high definition!

The Samsung Galaxy Rush will be out with a 3.5-inch touchscreen, a 3 megapixel camera on the back, a 1.3 megapixel camera on the front, and a no-contract $55 Android Monthly Unlimited plan with Shrinking Payments – cool deal!

[via Boost Mobile]

Samsung Galaxy S II 4G, Rush, and Array hit Boost Mobile is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
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