Hasta La Gadget!

If you’re still rocking a flip phone and want to make the jump to a smarter category, then Virgin Mobile might have the inexpensive phone that’ll help ease the transition. It today announced the PCD Chaser, costing just $79.99 without a contract commitment that can be used on the network’s unlimited $35 a month plans. The Chaser comes with a 3.2-inch screen, 800Mhz processor, and a 3-megapixel camera, all running on Android 2.3, Gingerbread.

Sure, it’s not going to set the world on fire, but it’s an affordable entry-level smartphone that should be suited to first time users of Android. The price certainly makes it attractive too thanks to the lack of a two-year contract, so you could always jump to one of Virgin Mobile’s other phones once you’ve outgrown the Chaser. Virgin has outfitted the handset with a number of bundled apps to get your started, including Facebook, Twitter, and Virgin Mobile Live.

The company says the smartphone should be available on its website right now, although Virgin notes that the phone will begin rolling out to retail stores throughout September and October. Looks like the phone has already proved popular though, as it’s showing as out of stock on Virgin’s website. Head over here to keep an eye out for the next wave if this sounds like the entry-level phone for you.

Virgin Mobile aims at entry-level with $79.99 PCD Chaser is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Despite the sweltering heat waves, our spirits are high at Engadget, and for good reason: it’s time for our summer edition of the smartphone buyer’s guide. Here, you’ll find our top recommendations for the best smartphones across several US carriers, along with the best QWERTY and budget alternatives. In many ways, it’s now easier than ever to find a world-class smartphone, but unless you’ve developed a strong brand preference, choosing one is likely more difficult than ever before. It’s no secret that the HTC One X and Samsung Galaxy S III have firmly cemented themselves as the premier smartphones of the day, but if you’re torn between the two, we’ll reveal our preference in this latest installment.

Summertime also brought a bit of a shock, as Microsoft revealed that Windows Phone 8 apps won’t be compatible with the current generation of Windows Phone hardware. For this reason, we’ve excluded all Windows Phone handsets from consideration in the latest buyer’s guide. While the future of Microsoft’s mobile platform looks incredibly bright, a purchase now would guarantee obsolescence in the short-term. Instead, all prospective Windows Phone purchasers must wait for the next generation of handsets to become available — you’ll regret it otherwise.

Naturally, there is no shortage of rumors surrounding the next Apple iPhone, and given the handset’s current lack of LTE connectivity, the iPhone 4S is certainly showing its age. While cautious purchasers may choose to bide their time, the iPhone remains top-notch in many other respects, and its arrival at a number of prepaid carriers brought a breath of fresh air to an otherwise stagnant environment.

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: summer 2012 edition

Filed under: Cellphones

Engadget’s smartphone buyer’s guide: summer 2012 edition originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Jul 2012 12:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Virgin Mobile USA is adding actual bricks and mortar to its primary selling channels — the internet and box stores — but said that a new flagship Chicago store will not just be about the phones. The location has been set up like a casual, music-themed lounge, where customers can recline while testing devices and salespeople will run workshops on subjects like apps and how to install them. The Sprint-owned company will add 14 more locations in the city by summer’s end and hopes to use the launch as an archetype for key stores in its other major market cities. The concept sounds a bit like a certain other starkly designed iChain — but the rock ‘n’ roll decor is pure Branson.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablet PCs

Virgin Mobile USA opening flagship Chicago store, selling ‘culture’ on top of phones originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Jul 2012 09:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  NY Times, Chicago Tribune  | Email this | Comments