Samsung Epic 4G Touch review

If you haven’t heard about the Samsung Galaxy S II by now, you’re definitely tardy to the party. But as the proverbial saying goes, it’s better late than never, right? The Galaxy S, its predecessor with myriad chassis selections and carrier variants, is still selling like hotcakes all over the world, and the sequel is no lightweight (figuratively) either — selling three million units in 55 days only seems to be rivaled by a company based out of Cupertino — and for good reason. We gave the unlocked version high marks for its excellent performance, gorgeous display and top-of-the-line camera, so it was only natural that we’d spend the next four months wondering when we’d see the powerhouse make it Stateside.

Don’t get us wrong — we’ve seen our fair share of unlocked Galaxy S II devices proudly shown off in the US (most of them from our own editors, admittedly) because it’s already available at full retail (roughly $650-700) from multiple vendors. However, the Samsung Epic 4G Touch is the first to be offered at a subsidized cost in return for a two-year commitment, and it won’t be the last as AT&T and T-Mobile pull up the rear with their own styles of the same handset. So how does the landmark phone stand up to not only the test of time but several carrier-specific design changes? Are Sprint customers getting a “tainted” version of Sammy’s flagship Android device? These questions have been pondered for months, and we finally have the answers if you keep on reading.

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Samsung Epic 4G Touch review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 17:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sprint axes Premier program, no more annual upgrades for Gold customers

Sprint Premier Program

Well, hope as you might that it was untrue, Sprint has killed off its Premier program and is putting an end to annual upgrades for Premier Gold customers. Premier subscribers will still be able to take advantage of the perks provided by their accounts through the end of the year, but once the calendar flips to 2012 you’ll be thrown back in with the rest of the riffraff. Gold members, who previously enjoyed discounted handset upgrades every year, will have through the end of 2012 to take advantage of one more subsidized phone. But, after that, they’ll be on the same 22 month schedule as everyone else. Sorry folks, dem’s da breaks. Check out the FAQ at the source link for more details.

[Thanks, Eric]

Sprint axes Premier program, no more annual upgrades for Gold customers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 16:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Epic 4G Touch user manual leaks, offering 150 pages of glorious diagrams

It may not be available on Sprint until tomorrow, but the Samsung Epic 4G Touch’s trusty literary companion has already made its way to our eyes (and hearts). The upcoming device doesn’t hold quite as many secrets as it did merely a couple weeks ago, so perusing through over 150 pages of how-tos and FAQs may not be a tantalizing prospect unless you’re dead set on purchasing the phone this weekend and want to be prepared to show it off to your pals at tomorrow night’s soirée. Whatever your motivations, head to the source link to begin your adventure.

Samsung Epic 4G Touch user manual leaks, offering 150 pages of glorious diagrams originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 14:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Transform Ultra hitting Boost Mobile in October, we go hands-on

Pay as you go / QWERTY keyboard enthusiasts rejoice — Samsung today formally announced the Transform Ultra. The familiar-looking Android 2.3-packing slider is destined for the contract-free world of Boost Mobile, featuring a 1GHz processor, a 3MP rear-facing camera (plus a front-facing VGA) and the content-happy Mobile ID preloaded. The handset is a bit on the bulky side, which is to be expected with a full keyboard inside — but all in all, not a bad looking piece of hardware, particularly for the world of pre-paid, where selection is sometimes limited. The Transform Ultra will be hitting Boost on October 7th for $230.Press release after the break.

Continue reading Samsung Transform Ultra hitting Boost Mobile in October, we go hands-on

Samsung Transform Ultra hitting Boost Mobile in October, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 09:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sprint begins iPhone briefings, exact model number remains questionable

Are you a Sprint subscriber? Super stoked about possibly getting your hands on an iPhone? It seems as though you’re finally about to be in business. After a chat with a freshly-briefed, forthcoming sales associate, TUAW is reporting that the carrier will start offering an Apple device of some sort next month alongside existing data plans — providing some confirmation for the recent Wall Street Journal report. Things get a bit cloudy after that in regards to exactly which handset the carrier will obtain, but the sales force is currently getting familiar with the iPhone 4. Regardless of which iPhone Sprint ends up procuring, it’s getting fairly impossible to shake the (seemingly) obvious. We’ll see in a month, eh?

Sprint begins iPhone briefings, exact model number remains questionable originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 02:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola Admiral outed as mystery Sprint Direct Connect device, strikes a pose for the camera

That unnamed Motorola smartphone coming this fall to help usher in Sprint’s new CDMA-based Direct Connect service? It appears to be the Admiral. If the name sounds familiar, its trademarked logo actually appeared simultaneously with the Samsung Epic 4G Touch. But it’s so much more than a name now, thanks to a tipster who sent in an image of the device next to some well-detailed specs. The Admiral will likely be a portrait QWERTY Android 2.3 device powered by a 1.2GHz single-core Qualcomm MSM8655 CPU, and will feature a 3.1-inch VGA display, 5 megapixel camera with 720p HD video recording and a stellar 1,860mAh battery. Oh, and it’s a rugged phone that’s built according to 810G military specifications. If this truly is the mystery Motorola Direct Connect smartphone we’ve been waiting for, it’s bound to turn a few hard-hat-donning heads.

[Thanks, Anonymous]

Motorola Admiral outed as mystery Sprint Direct Connect device, strikes a pose for the camera originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 01:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sprint changing return policy tomorrow, nixing Premier program at year’s end

Sprint’s been making mondo policy changes over the last two weeks in the form of increased fees, so what’s a few more cuts? We’ve received tips over the last day or so that suggest the Now Network up to its shenanigans again, making immediate changes to its return policy and soon putting the kibosh on its Premier program. Effective tomorrow, Sprint’s trimming its return period from 30 days to 14 and the risk-free trial offer — which ultimately allows you to walk away from your service within a month without being charged a penny — is vanishing into thin air. Reaching out for confirmation from a carrier spokesperson, we were told: “Beginning Sept. 16, Sprint is updating its return policy for new lines of service, upgrades, accessories and devices. We will share more details of the new Sprint Satisfaction Guarantee at a later date.” This doesn’t fully answer our query, of course, but it at least confirms that the return policy will fall victim to a few adjustments on Friday.

We also began receiving tips today foretelling the upcoming demise of the Sprint Premier program — the company’s two-tiered VIP program that offers annual upgrades and other perks. Premier members will apparently be notified as early as tomorrow (or as late as October) that they have until year’s end to cash in on their remaining benefits. The only reasoning given: “to help us focus on the areas that customers value the most, such as unlimited data plans.” Interpret that how you will, but ginormous things are going down in Overland Park, and we haven’t even heard the wondrous news about the carrier’s “Strategy Update” yet. Unless, of course, it’s all tied together somehow…

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Sprint changing return policy tomorrow, nixing Premier program at year’s end

Sprint changing return policy tomorrow, nixing Premier program at year’s end originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG Marquee for Sprint hands-on (video)

Sprint shone some light on the latest mystery handset from LG earlier today — and what a bright light it is indeed. The Marquee’s four-inch NOVA display is one of the brightest on the market — it’s a sort “we can’t technically say it’s the brightest, but it’s certainly up there” situation. Screen aside, this is a slick and skinny Gingerbread handset. It’s got a large display, but it feels nice in the hand. There’s a 1GHz processor inside, so it’s certainly not the most powerful phone we seen, but it felt quite zippy during our time with it. The carrier will be offering the phone up for pre-sale on September 20th — those who get in early will start receiving their phones on September 29th. Everyone else will have to wait for October 2nd. The handset will run $100 with a two-year contract. Check out a hands-on video after the jump.

Continue reading LG Marquee for Sprint hands-on (video)

LG Marquee for Sprint hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG Marquee steps out in leaked press shot, coming this October? (updated: it’s official)

It looks like the LG Marquee’s gearing up for its coming out party. We first caught wind of the Optimus Black clone when it surfaced in blurrycam form at a Radio Shack briefing, running what appeared to be vanilla Android, and branded for the Now Network. Well, thanks to a leaked press shot over on PocketNow, we can clearly see that the device is, indeed, sporting a lightly-skinned version of the pure Gingerbread experience, with Sprint ID replacing the browser in the phone’s launcher. Cosmetically, you’ll also notice the new grey-colored chassis has a striped band sweeping down the battery cover, although the camera placement remains similar to its European cousin. Aside from that, the only other notable difference is in the design and arrangement of the capacitive buttons. The specs seem to fall line with its elder LG stablemate, as the handset packs a single-core 1GHz processor, 2 megapixel front-facing / 5 megapixel rear cameras and 4-inch NOVA display. The only question that remains is whether you’re willing to forgo impending beastliness for elegance this October when it’s rumored to launch.

Update: Sprint’s made it official. The LG Marquee’ll be available for pre-order online on September 20th, and will go on sale October 2nd for $99.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a two-year contract.

Continue reading LG Marquee steps out in leaked press shot, coming this October? (updated: it’s official)

LG Marquee steps out in leaked press shot, coming this October? (updated: it’s official) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 11:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sprint launches Drive First Android app to curb texting and driving, keep chatty teens at bay

Are you concerned that your talky teenager is trying to keep up on the high school gossip whilst behind the wheel? Or are you a more experienced driver looking to get rid of the temptation to update your status at 65 MPH? Sprint’s got you covered with Drive First. The app, announced by CEO Dan Hesse at CTIA in March, will lock up your phone when it detects you’re in a moving vehicle; calls will be automatically redirected to voicemail and incoming texts can get automatically replied to with a customized message. The service costs $2 / month per phone after a 15-day trial, and unfortunately only is available for Android devices, though BlackBerry and Windows Phone support has been promised in the near future as well. We’d say the more the merrier — for parents, that is. Head below for the full press release.

Continue reading Sprint launches Drive First Android app to curb texting and driving, keep chatty teens at bay

Sprint launches Drive First Android app to curb texting and driving, keep chatty teens at bay originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 21:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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