Welcome back to the first ever TegraZone Player’s Choice Awards promotion. Last week we gave away a Transformer Pad prize pack to the lucky winner Droilfade and this week we are back with another one. Don’t forget that NVIDIA is also giving away 7 ASUS Transformer Pads with docks, Logitech Controllers and a Jambox Speaker, so make [...]]]>

Welcome back to the first ever TegraZone Player’s Choice Awards promotion. Last week we gave away a Transformer Pad prize pack to the lucky winner Droilfade and this week we are back with another one. Don’t forget that NVIDIA is also giving away 7 ASUS Transformer Pads with docks, Logitech Controllers and a Jambox Speaker, so make sure you go vote.

NVIDIA is celebrating the first year of TegraZone, the best place to find the hottest Android games for your Tegra-powered device. ASUS, NVIDIA, and Android and Me are partnering on a sweepstakes in which readers can vote on their favorite Tegra games for the chance to win the new ASUS Transformer Pad. Read on for the full details.

About TegraZone

NVIDIA debuted TegraZone one year ago and it now boasts over 3.5 million installs. Over 1.5 million unique visitors have used the app during the past quarter and the average user visits every 3 days. NVIDIA has also helped developers gain exposure for their games with an average conversion rate of 19%, compared to the 5% average conversion rate of Google Play. There are now close to 40 games optimized for Tegra devices and we are seeing the quantity and quality increase every month.

NVIDIA TegraZone NVIDIA PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

First TegraZone Player’s Choice Awards

Scan to vote.

Starting today and running through May 31st, users can vote for their favorite Tegra games in three categories. Every user that votes in the TegraZone Player’s Choice Awards will be automatically entered to win a free ASUS Transformer Pad from NVIDIA.

Award Categories include:

1. Best Graphics
2. Best Gameplay
3. Overall fun

Once the votes are tallied, the winners will be announced on June 6th at E3.

Vote now in the TegraZone Player’s Choice Awards

The Giveaway: ASUS Transformer Pad Prize Pack

Running latest Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the ASUS Transformer Pad is a value packed tablet that with multi-color style, and productivity with expandability when connected to the mobile dock. With a 1.2MP front and 8MP rear auto-focus camera with large F/2.2 aperture and exclusive office software, staying connected and productive has never been easier.

Gaming to go prize pack includes:

• ASUS Transformer Pad
• ASUS Mobile dock
• Logitech game controller
• Jambox Speaker

How to enter the weekly contest

Leave a comment below and tell us your favorite first-person shooter game on Android. Note that the game doesn’t have to be a TegraZone exclusive. It can be any first-person shooter in the history of Android.

We normally allow anonymous comments, but for this contest you will need to be a registered user to leave a comment. Not signed up? It only takes seconds to join.

Multiple chances to win: Users can win a tablet from Android and Me or NVIDIA. The Player’s Choice Awards will be running for several weeks, so be on the lookout for more chances to win an ASUS Transformer Pad. Don’t forget we are also running a Sonic 4 promotion that has another chance to win a Transformer Prime.

Contest Rules

This contest is open to residents of the United States, Canada, UK and Germany. Entries will be accepted for one week after the contest goes live. We’ll announce the winner on this page and on our Twitter account as soon as we draw.

Contest Winner

(coming soon)

Can our community help discover the next great Android app? Welcome to a new experiment called #thenextinstall where we try to see if we can find an Android app in the rough, and boost its installs and exposure to new highs.

We took a couple weeks off since I’ve been traveling, but last time we did this [...]]]>

Can our community help discover the next great Android app? Welcome to a new experiment called #thenextinstall where we try to see if we can find an Android app in the rough, and boost its installs and exposure to new highs.

We took a couple weeks off since I’ve been traveling, but last time we did this our community selected Shot Control, a camera app designed to help serious photographers take better photographs. The developer Peter Daly is an awesome guy and he said our users “pushed the app past the 1k install tier, provided awesome feedback, and have been great to work with.” This week he rolled out a new update which fixed a ton of bugs on the HTC One, so check it out if you need an advanced camera app.

Week 5 Winner: Solid Explorer Beta

This week’s we had another clear winner emerge. Solid Explorer Beta by Krzysztof Głodowski is easily the best looking file manager we have ever seen on Android. I installed it several weeks back and it is now my go to file manager on all my Android devices.

Highlights of Solid Explorer include:

• Two independent panels for browsing
• Drag and Drop inside and between panels
• FTP, SFTP and SMB/CIFS clients
• File sharing via FTP
• Support for ZIP, TAR.GZ, TAR.BZ2 and RAR archives
• Creating ZIP and TAR archives
• Dropbox and Box support
• Bookmarks
• Root access
• Indexed search, also available from the system (that means that you can search for files from the Google Search widget/app)
• Detailed file and directory information

Grab Solid Explorer from the link below and I guarantee you will not be disappointed. Even though the app is still in beta, I found the overall experience easier to use that previous file managers I’ve tried. Be sure to leave your feedback for the dev, so he can improve it with future updates.

Solid Explorer Beta Krzysztof Głodowski PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Week 6 Challengers

Pair

Pitch: Pair is the easiest way to stay in touch with the person you love, making it easy to share the little things in life with each other. It creates a timeline just for the two of you, where you can post cute video messages and photos that no one else will see.

Pair TenthBit Inc. PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Flud News

Pitch: Flud is the first truly social news reader. For the first time ever, the things you read about give you topical credibility among your friends and followers. Your Flud profile allows you to discover your news personality and become a credible source of information.

Flud News Flud PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

FlyRights

Pitch: FlyRights provides a quick and easy way to report complaints of air travel discrimination in real time, right after the incident occurs. With this application you have the option of reporting your complaint directly to the Transportation Security Administration/Department of Homeland Security so that their offices of civil rights are aware of your complaint and can investigate it.

FlyRights The Sikh Coalition PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Savored

Pitch: Savored saves you up to 40% off your food and drink at hundreds of great restaurants across the country – your reservations are confirmed instantly, and best of all – they’re free!

Savored Savored PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

GO Backup

Pitch: Backup all your contacts,messages and apps. Stable,fast,simple and totally free.

GO Backup GO Launcher EX PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Metal Sniffer

Pitch: Find magnetic fields and use it to detect metals or magnets! This app detects nearby electromagnetic fields using the phone’s built-in magnetometer/compass.

Metal Sniffer ☆Metal Detector☆ Icechen1 PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Lowe’s

Pitch: Finally, an app worthy of your toolbox. The handy Lowe’s app allows you to shop for your favorite products, review ratings, create lists, locate the closest store, and access inspiring photos and how-to videos.

Lowe's Lowe's PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Everyme

Pitch: Everyme is the private social network. We believe most stories are meant to be shared with your closest friends and family, not with 500 random acquaintances. With Everyme, you can share like you do in real life, in intimate Circles.

Everyme Everyme PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Uniqlo

Pitch: UNIQLO WAKE UP is an innovative new social alarm app that aims to make waking up every day an enjoyable experience. Wake up with music that changes with the weather. Share the start of your day.

UNIQLO WAKE UP UNIQLO CO., LTD. PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

AppBrain Ad Detector

Pitch: Free your phone from potential concerns! This app detects all annoyances of apps installed on your phone, such as Push Notifications, Desktop icon spam or privacy concerns.

AppBrain Ad Detector Swiss Codemonkeys PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

What’s next? How can I participate?

If you want to play along, then join the league of app addicts.

• Join Android and Me and suggest new apps in this weekly thread
• Download AppAware and let it track your new app installs
• Share this post with a friend who has an Android device and ask them to try out one of the apps from the list

Over the coming week, we will continue to monitor all the apps and see which generate the most buzz. We will be watching the installs, download clicks, review scores, coverage on other sites, and more to see which app comes out on top.

Next week we will name the winning app, and then put it up against 10 new apps to repeat the process.

Welcome back to our regular column Android Gaming Weekly, where we recap all the new releases and highlights every Wednesday. We post small bits throughout the week related to Android games, but readers have requested a condensed summary that makes it easier to keep up with all the latest news. Read on for this week’s [...]]]>

Welcome back to our regular column Android Gaming Weekly, where we recap all the new releases and highlights every Wednesday. We post small bits throughout the week related to Android games, but readers have requested a condensed summary that makes it easier to keep up with all the latest news. Read on for this week’s best in Android gaming.

Top 7 New Games This Week

We always try to find the top rated games each week, but now I’m going to limit my recommendations to the Top 7 games. The number of quality games comes and goes each week, but I felt like 7 suggestions was a nice odd number that I could achieve each week. Let me know what you think of the new format in the comments below.

Mass Effect Infiltrator

Developer says: “The fate of the galaxy lies in the balance. From the makers of the critically acclaimed Dead Space on Android comes an all-new, original Mass Effect storyline – made exclusively for mobile!”

Taylor says: I purchased this game yesterday and it’s awesome. The graphics are some of the best Android has to offer and the duck-and-cover gameplay is easy to pick up and play. I’ve only played the first two levels, but I’ll be spending a lot of time with this game over the coming week.

MASS EFFECT™ INFILTRATOR Electronic Arts Inc PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Men in Black 3

Developer says: “The official game of Men in Black 3, putting players in charge of the agency. We are the best-kept secret in the universe. We are Earth’s best, last, and only line of defense. We are above the system. Over it. Beyond it. We are “them”. We are “they”. We are the Men in Black.”

Taylor says: I’m not a huge fan of the freemium model and the gameplay looks uninspired, so I don’t think I’ll be spending any of my time on this. But it’s still MIB 3 and the early reviews are good, so I thought we should share it.

Men In Black 3 Gameloft PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Death Racing

Developer says: “Challenge the extreme of speed and distance! Fast paced 3D racing game and easy to get started. Unlock most fantastic cars by skillful plays, and challenge the extreme of speed and distance!”

Taylor says: The developer Feeling Touch has a pretty good track record, and this game looks like it offered some fun twitch action. It’s free and it should make a good time waster.

Death Racing FEELINGTOUCH INC. PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

100 Floors

Developer says: “Apple app store’s #1 game now on Android! Challenge Yourself and see if you can make it to the top! Advance to the next floor by solving the puzzle! 30 levels of puzzles are waiting to be solved! More levels on the way.”

Taylor says: We love a good puzzle game and this one is free. I never played the iOS version, but the dev claims it was the top puzzle game on Appls’s App Store some time back.

100 Floors Tobi Apps PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

The Dictator: Wadiyan Games

Developer says: “The Wadiyan Games lets you step into the shoes of the General Aladeen and compete in his four favorite events – running, swimming, fencing and boxing. The game also features the ultimate finishing moves for each event. Additional sporting events and backdrops can be unlocked with in-app purchase. The app was blessed by General Aladeen and based on the upcoming Paramount Pictures feature film The Dictator in theaters nationwide.”

Taylor says: This game could suck, but I enjoyed the movie and thought this would make me laugh. Just installed it right now, but haven’t played any levels yet.

The Dictator: Wadiyan Games Paramount Digital Entertainment PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Gobber Ninja

Developer says: “Gobber is a chameleon able to perform the most incredible flying stunts! Gobber learned from his masters and needs your help to complete his training. Go through several events where speed, action and skill will be the keys to victory. Gobber has to catch all the stars and flies to surpass all challenges and reach the highest peaks!”

Taylor says: It’s a teenage ninja mutant lizard. Gameplay looks like an interesting mix of Cut the Rope with some extra platforming elements. The game is free so I’d say it’s worth a download if you like what you saw in the trailer.

Gobber Ninja BlooBuzz PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Big Win Soccer

Developer says: “Welcome to world class football fun with Big Win Soccer! No matter what you call the “beautiful game”, Big Win Soccer is the game for everyone. CREATE your own unique dream team, COMPETE against opponents from around the world, WATCH your team battle it out on the pitch, BOOST your player’s passing, shooting, dribbling and other skills and get ready to hoist the Daily Trophy for the ultimate BIG WIN!”

Taylor says: Last week we featured Big Win Hockey and it was met with good reviews, so this week we wanted to share Big Win Soccer. Once again the game is free, so soccer fans should check it out.

Big Win Soccer Hothead Games PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Android Games Coming Soon

Angry Birds Heikki

This week Rovio launched a new teaser site for their upcoming game Angry Birds Heikki. Expect this latest chapter in the Angry Birds series to have a focus on Formula 1 racing as Heikki Kovalainen is one of the top racers in the circuit. Not much else is known about the game, but it should be released around June 18th.

Ubisoft’s Babel Rising 3D comes to Android on June 14th

PocketGamer reports that Ubisoft will bring their remake of the popular iOS game Babel Rising to Android on June 14th. In Babel Rising 3D, gamers take the role of a god attempting to stop the construction of a tower, by blasting construction workers with lightning and setting them on fire.

Pocket Planes

DroidGamers reports that NimbleBit will bring their “bitizens” back for another run in Pocket Plans. This follow up to Tiny Tower places the pixel people in an airline management simulation where they have to fly cargo to over 250 cities around the map. If you are a fan of Kariosoft games, then you might want to keep an eye on this.

Games I’m currently playing

Machinarium: We featured this game last week and I went ahead and purchased it after watching the trailer and reading the reviews. The early puzzles start off pretty easy, but the game gets hard real fast. There are clues that allow you to kind of cheat, but even with the help some of the puzzles take a lot of work to solve. The graphics, sound, and story are all amazing, so I’m sticking with this game until I finish it and find my robot girlfriend.

Machinarium Hothead Games PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

What Android games are you playing?

Find any great new Android games this week? Share your favorites in the comments below so we can check them out.

Are you fed up with your wireless carrier? Wish you could lower the cost of your monthly bill? Tired of waiting on slow Android updates? Upset that Verizon won’t be carrying the current HTC One series? Want to purchase an unlocked Galaxy S III and start using it in the US months before the [...]]]>

Are you fed up with your wireless carrier? Wish you could lower the cost of your monthly bill? Tired of waiting on slow Android updates? Upset that Verizon won’t be carrying the current HTC One series? Want to purchase an unlocked Galaxy S III and start using it in the US months before the nerfed carrier versions arrive?

Pre-paid wireless service has existed in North America for several years, but it wasn’t a real viable option for smartphone owners until recently. There are now tons of affordable unlocked devices to choose from and plenty of options for pre-paid data at 4G HSPA+ speeds. Read on to see why you might want to shred your current wireless contract and think about joining the pre-paid club.

1. Freedom to choose your own device

Wouldn’t it suck if your internet service provider dictated what kind of computer you had to buy? What if your cable provider only allowed you to watch programming on selected TVs? That’s exactly the situation we have with some wireless carriers and the phones they allow on their networks.

If you switch to pre-paid, you can buy any unlocked GSM phone of your choice and then choose your wireless service with no contract and no commitments.

Google recently started selling their Galaxy Nexus for $399 and reports say that up to five OEMs will be selling unlocked devices through the Google Play Store by Thanksgiving. Amazon also has hundreds of unlocked phones that will work on any GSM network.

The market for used devices is also rapidly growing. You can buy and sell used Android phones on Glyde, Gazelle, Swappa, and many more online retailers.

If there is a smartphone you really desire, chances are you can buy it unlocked and prices continue to drop. An unlocked phone will cost you more in the beginning, but the long term savings will pay off big time…

2. Save money by cutting your monthly bill in half

Why put up with a $100 bill each month when you could be getting the same services for $30-45? Most post-paid monthly bills are high because the wireless companies subsidize the cost of your handset and spread it out over your 2-yr contract, but there are all other kinds of hidden fees and taxes tossed in.

Many pre-paid carriers offer flat rate pricing, so you pay exactly the monthly rate that is advertised. It’s not like a post-paid carrier that advertises a monthly plan for $59, but then your final bill comes in close to $80 after all the fees, surcharges, and taxes.

Best of all, pre-paid carriers have no contracts or commitments so there are no early termination fees if you want to switch networks. Gone are the days of paying Verizon $300 if you are unhappy with their service and want to leave 6 months into your 24 month contract.

If you do the math, going pre-paid can easily save you over $1,000+ for the span of a typical 2-yr contract. Please correct me if I’m wrong, but pre-paid smartphone service is always cheaper than post-paid.

3. Android updates from carriers are broken

The process in which North American carriers update the software on Android phones is completely broken. First a handset maker must build and test an update, then Google needs to approve it, and finally the carrier has to put their stamp of approval on it.

If one little bug is discovered, then the whole process must start over. And often times, it’s some stupid crap like carrier bloatware that is incompatible with the latest update. I’ve heard stories of certain updates being pushed back months just because they didn’t work with the carrier installed navigation app (that no one uses).

Just look at Google’s flagship Galaxy Nexus on Verizon. That device launched on December 15th with a handful of known bugs, and five months have passed without a single update.

The HTC One X is another good example. I have the AT&T version and the international version. The AT&T model has received no updates since I have had it, while the international model has been updated 5 times already by HTC. These updates has helped to improve performance, extend battery life, and squash annoying bugs. It’s a breath of fresh air to see regular updates instead of going nearly half a year with no new software from your carrier.

When carriers get out of the way, software updates flow much more frequently. A Google employee confirmed this when the Galaxy Nexus went on sale in the Play Store. He said they were “very glad that Google is back in the business of selling phones directly without any middlemen to interfere.”

4. LTE is overkill for the average user

One of the major downfalls to going pre-paid is going to be the lack of LTE service, but I have found that it’s mostly overkill for the average user. Having your smartphone connected to a 4G LTE network is really good for two things – eating up your data allowance 5x faster and draining your battery life.

Unless you are downloading large files on a daily basis or tethering your device to share the internet connection, I have not seen many other use cases that take advantage of LTE speeds yet. Both AT&T and T-Mobile offer 4G HSPA+ networks that offer a similar experience for the majority of tasks performed with a smartphone.

A certain number of mobile workers require LTE speeds so they will be stuck with their carrier, but I have found that I can live without LTE since I’m surrounded by WiFi at home and work.

5. Straight Talk SIM

There are many options for pre-paid, SIM only service, but I decided to go with Straight Talk after doing my homework. Straight Talk is a brand of Tracfone and they offer unlimited GSM service on AT&T or T-Mobile’s network.

For only $45.95 per month (taxes included and no hidden fees), you can get unlimited talk, text, and HSPA+ data. Straight Talk lets you choose between AT&T or T-Mobile compatible SIM cards and they also offer micro SIMs for newer smartphones.

Of course the data is not truly unlimited like Sprint and the terms of service prevent tethering, but you can still get access to a HSPA+ network and get download speeds of 5-10 Mbps depending on your device and location.

For most people this is “good enough”, and it’s the same exact service they are paying double for with AT&T or T-Mobile.

I encourage you to visit Straight Talk SIM for the full details.

6. Simple Mobile

Simple Mobile is another pre-paid SIM only service that operates on T-Mobile’s network. They were recently acquired by Tracfone, but we expect them to keep the brand going.

Like Straight Talk, Simple mobile will sell you a regular SIM card or a micro SIM. Phones that were designed to operate on AT&T will still work with Simple Mobile, but they will only have access to 2G Edge data speeds.

They offer a cheaper plan for $40 per month that includes unlimited talk, text, and web, but data speeds are limited to 3G HSPA. If you want the full 4G HSPA+ speeds, then you will have to pay $60 per month.

Once again, tethering is not supported and your data speeds may be throttled if you abuse the service.

I think Straight Talk SIM is a better deal all around, but check out the Simple Mobile site for more details.

7. T-Mobile Monthly 4G and SIM-only Value Plan

If you don’t need a lot of talk time and really want to save some money, you can also go with T-Mobile’s Monthly 4G pre-paid plans. T-Mobile sells the SIM card activation kit for only $1.99 online.

As you can see above, for $30 per month customers get 100 minutes, unlimited text, and 5 GB 4G HSPA+ data (after that it’s throttled). There is a $60 per month plan that offers unlimited minutes, but it only includes 2 GB of 4G HSPA+ data. And for $70 per month you can get unlimited talk, text, and 5 GB of 4G HSPA+ data.

Just like Simple Mobile, phones that were designed to operate on AT&T will still work with Monthly 4G plans, but they will only have access to 2G Edge data speeds. I believe all the SIM cards are full size, but you can pick up a SIM card cutter for under $5 if you have a newer device.

Head over to the Monthly 4G Prepaid Plans page for the full details.

T-Mobile is one of the only nationwide carriers to sell a SIM-only service. It’s more expensive than the options listed above, but we still wanted to share it.

For $59.99 per month customers get unlimited talk, text, and data (up to 2 GB of high speed). A two-line family plan is also offered at $49.99 per line, per month.

In order to get a SIM-only Value Plan, customer will have to pay a $35 activation fee and agree to a two-year service agreement. This kind of defeats the purpose of pre-paid, and there are much better options out there.

Visit T-Mobile’s SIM-only service page for the full details.

Conclusions

• Pre-paid plans offer access to AT&T’s and T-Mobile’s 4G HSPA+ networks
• Pre-paid has no contracts and no commitments. Switch service providers whenever you like
• Carriers slow down Android software updates. Popular unlocked devices get more frequent updates
• Google’s Galaxy Nexus at $399 is a great deal, and more devices are coming to the Google Play Store
• Pre-paid is not for everyone, but if it fits your needs then it can save you a lot of money

If you have already made the jump to pre-paid, let us know how your experience has been. Would you recommend it to your friends and family? And if you are thinking about leaving your carrier, please share your concerns below.

My name is Taylor Wimberly and I’m an unhappy Verizon customer. Five months ago I walked into a Verizon store, purchased two Galaxy Nexus phones, and ported my numbers over from T-Mobile. I knew there was a strong chance I might regret that decision, but I wanted to try out Google’s flagship smartphone on [...]]]>

My name is Taylor Wimberly and I’m an unhappy Verizon customer. Five months ago I walked into a Verizon store, purchased two Galaxy Nexus phones, and ported my numbers over from T-Mobile. I knew there was a strong chance I might regret that decision, but I wanted to try out Google’s flagship smartphone on America’s largest wireless carrier.

Google bent over backwards to get their flagship device on Verizon’s network so we thought they would provide a stellar experience. However, I found the entire experiment to be a big failure and I wish I could go back in time to purchase the unlocked GSM Galaxy Nexus and stick with T-Mobile.

Verizon and Google originally planned to launch the Galaxy Nexus back in October, but numerous bugs were discovered and the launch date was pushed back multiple times. On December 15th, Verizon finally released the Galaxy Nexus to retail stores, bugs still present, and issued a small patch on that same day to address some of the issues.

Unfortunately, the patch from Android 4.0.1 to 4.0.2 only addressed a small number of issues and the Galaxy Nexus was left with a good chunk of annoying bugs.

We were told that Verizon and Google were already working together on another update to address the complaints from those of us that rushed out to purchase the device, and we believed them. But never in our wildest dreams did we think that five months would pass and Verizon would still not release a software update to fix all the known issues.

I’ve already covered the bugs and Google has fixed the majority of them with the latest Android 4.0.4 update. The disappointing thing is that Verizon has been testing this update since February, but they have not rolled it out to customers yet.

We reached out to Verizon to get to the bottom of the delay and they told us they needed more time to make sure the software update “won’t harm either customers’ phones or our network.”

I’m fully aware I could hack my phone and flash one of the test builds which would end my misery, but I decided to stick with the official Verizon software build so I could endure the same experience that the average subscriber would see on their device.

For all we know Verizon could announce tomorrow that a new software update is finally available for their Galaxy Nexus, but the public image of this device is now forever tarnished and I would no longer recommend that any Verizon customer purchase it.

Drive-by Conclusions

In my five months with the Verizon Galaxy Nexus, I have learned some interesting things:

• The process in which US carriers update the software on their Android phones is completely broken, and Google knows this.
• The average Android phone ships with numerous bugs and it could take your wireless carrier half a year to fix them.
• Most Android users don’t hack their phones, and they have a shitty experience.
• Google’s solution to this whole problem is to just buy a phone directly from them.

At the end of the day, I’m still glad that I got to experience being a Verizon customer. Their in-store staff and phone support is top tier, and I understand there is nothing they can do to fix the problem with Android updates. They offered me the chance to switch to a different smartphone, but I think I’m better off paying the $300 early termination fee and returning to an unlocked device.

Maybe Google will fundamentally change the way that Android devices are updated, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. In the mean time it appears that only a Google backed device should expect regular updates, but even that’s not certain.

The Nexus name has come under some serious fire lately; and I can’t deny playing my part in that. Thanks to botched updates, carrier control and an absolutely horrendous initial rollout, Google’s Nexus line just ain’t what it used to be. So why then, did I just recently purchase a Galaxy Nexus as my [...]]]>

The Nexus name has come under some serious fire lately; and I can’t deny playing my part in that. Thanks to botched updates, carrier control and an absolutely horrendous initial rollout, Google’s Nexus line just ain’t what it used to be. So why then, did I just recently purchase a Galaxy Nexus as my next personal device? In a nutshell: everyone deserves a second chance.

When the Galaxy Nexus was announced, before the device was actually released, was when the problems first started. We knew the device would launch on Verizon here in the US, but it ended up taking much longer than initially expected. As for those of us not on Verizon, despite a GSM version of the device, compatible with both AT&T and T-Mobile HSPA, being detailed alongside the Verizon LTE version, there was no news of that version of the Galaxy Nexus coming to the US at all. In fact, even a Sprint version of the Nexus was detailed before a US GSM variant was.

After that, between the release of the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon in December and this April, a lot of crazy stuff went on. The CDMA version of the Nexus was labeled “fake” since Verizon practically has complete control of it, different versions of the international GSM Nexus were facing update problems as it was discovered carriers and Samsung also had control of those devices. And that’s just the Galaxy Nexus. The Nexus S is still facing update issues, and the Nexus One has been left for dead. But there was still hope for the Nexus name, and it came in the form of the Google Play store.

When Google first announced they’d be selling the GSM version of the Galaxy Nexus direct to consumers out of the Google Play store, I was ecstatic. The “Pure Google. No Contract. No Commitment.” slogan on the banner for the Nexus’ sale page had me excited. The software information page for the Play version of the Galaxy Nexus is what had me sold.

“A Galaxy Nexus purchased on Google Play is a Pure Google device and is among the first to receive the latest software updates from Google. We are pushing out updates to Nexus devices as quickly as possible and we will continue to provide the latest updates to these devices going forward. For devices purchased on Google Play, you can expect software updates to come directly from Google, rather than your mobile service provider.”

Could this finally be it? The Nexus I’ve been waiting for? It certainly seems like it. I know Google has messed up in the past, and I know it still has a huge PenTile display (which is what originally deterred me from wanting the Galaxy Nexus). But if Google were to, say, announce and release Jelly Bean at I/O this year, this would have to be the device to get it first. Seeing a new version of Android being released and not being able to use it right away is some strange from of torture I wouldn’t wish on even the most obnoxious of Android enthusiasts.

And to top it all off, a totally unlocked PentaBand device that is guaranteed to get updates directly from Google surely must cost at least $600. Right? The fact that Google is able to get the Galaxy Nexus directly to consumers for just $400 is nothing short of a miracle. Even with tax and shipping, I only paid $435. That is incredibly cheap in terms of brand new unlocked phones. Plus I was able to pass my Nexus S down to a budding Android enthusiast at a steep discount to knock some money off that $435 as well.

Looking past the price and updates, more than anything, I want the Nexus name to succeed. Not in the way that analysts and carrier CEOs do. In the way the developers and die-hard fans do. I know I’ve badmouthed the Nexus name recently, but it’s only because I felt personally betrayed. Not many companies can do that to me, which really says something about the place Google holds in my life.

So I ordered a Galaxy Nexus from the Google Play store. And I’m really hoping for the best. Google, please don’t let me down again.

Welcome back to our regular column Android Gaming Weekly, where we recap all the new releases and highlights every Wednesday. We post small bits throughout the week related to Android games, but readers have requested a condensed summary that makes it easier to keep up with all the latest news. Read on for this week’s [...]]]>

Welcome back to our regular column Android Gaming Weekly, where we recap all the new releases and highlights every Wednesday. We post small bits throughout the week related to Android games, but readers have requested a condensed summary that makes it easier to keep up with all the latest news. Read on for this week’s best in Android gaming.

New Games This Week

Zombro

I smell a sleeper hit. “Zombro is a puzzle game with a simple goal: Detach Zombro’s basic elements (torso, legs, and braiiiiiinnz) to jump, dodge, and roll while making sure he finishes each level in one piece!” The game features 50 puzzles, 30 items to collect, and you can outfit Zombro in cool gear (plus customize his brain).

Zombro Making Fun, Inc. PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

JAZZ: Trump’s Journey

We are in New Orleans this week for CTIA Wireless, so I thought it was appropriate to share a game about Jazz music. “My name is Trump and I’m a jazz man, and this is my story.” This unique platform game parallels with the real story of Louis Armstrong and follows the birth of jazz.

JAZZ: Trump's Journey Bulkypix PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Ricky Carmichael’s Motorcross

“Ricky Carmichael Motocross Matchup Pro is an all-new racing game where it’s just you against online competitors from around the globe! This includes the chance to bang bars with some the of best in the business, including Ricky Carmichael himself!”

Ricky Carmichael's Motocross 2XL Games PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

SAS: Zombie Assault 3

Based on the popular flash game by Ninja Kiwi, but completely rebuilt and optimized for Android, SAS: Zombie Assault 3 offers 4 player co-op multiplayer for free. Need I say more?

SAS: Zombie Assault 3 ninja kiwi PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Ninja Chicken Ooga Booga

Lots of people like Oven Break last week and this title appears to offer similar gameplay. “Still on a mission to be the best ninja ever, our funky-chicken-who-thinks-he-is-a-ninja has broken free from the farm and into the wilderness!”

Ninja Chicken Ooga Booga MoMinis PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Destiny Defense: Angel or Devil

“Destiny Defense: Angel or Devil is the addictive action-strategy defense game with a variety of attack systems and 2 unique storylines. By choosing each side, Angel or Devil, you will be able to feel double thrill and fun as you go through different game plays.”

Destiny Defense:Angel or Devil Morisoft Ltd PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Zombie Granny

“Zombie Granny is an addictively fun puzzle game that combines zany characters, dazzling animated effects of destruction, and tricky mechanical puzzles for a ghoulishly entertaining good time!”

Zombie Granny: puzzle game i-Free Innovations PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Android Games Coming Soon

Men in Black 3

Men in Black hits theaters May 25th and Gameloft has a new Android game to coincide with the release. This week they released a teaser video which shows a brief preview, but doesn’t provide many details on the gameplay. Look for Men in Black 3 to debut as a freemium game.

N.O.V.A. 3

Another day, another N.O.V.A. 3 teaser video. This time we get a look at some of the solo mission action. No release date has been given yet, but we expect it to land on select Android devices later this month.

Frontline Commando 2.0

Glu Mobile’s Frontline Commando has already been downloaded over 5 million times, and now they are gearing up to release version 2.0. The latest update should add several new levels, include new powerups, and end with a massive boss battle.

FRONTLINE COMMANDO Glu Mobile PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Asphalt 7: Heat

Last week at the Samsung Mobile Unpacked event, Asphalt 7 was briefly teased. This is Gameloft’s most popular racing game, so we have high hopes for the latest chapter in the series. We don’t have many details on the game yet, but we could know more when Samsung releases the Galaxy S III around May 29th.

Max Payne Mobile

Rockstar Games keeps pushing back the release date of Max Payne Mobile for Android, but tomorrow could be the big day. We heard a rumor it could come out at midnight, but Rockstar Games has been quiet on the matter. If you really want this game then check the Google Play store late tonight, but don’t be surprised if it was delayed again.

Games I’m currently playing

Dance Legend: This game came out last month, but I finally took the time to sit down and play it for awhile. I’m not a dancer, but I have always enjoyed music games and Dance Legend was a real blast to play. The game is free and includes several songs to get you started, but additional song packs will cost you money.

DANCE LEGEND MUSIC GAME TuneWiki PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

NBA Jam: EA Mobile finally updated NBA Jam to support more devices and I’ve been playing it non-stop the last couple days. The controls translate pretty well to a phone or tablet, and it’s just as fun as I remember when I was a little kid. I’m currently playing through the campaign mode trying to defeat every team and unlock big head mode. We are crossing our fingers that EA will eventually add an online multiplayer mode.

NBA JAM by EA SPORTS™ Electronic Arts Inc PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

What Android games are you playing?

Find any great new Android games this week? Share your favorites in the comments below so we can check them out.

Today in London, Samsung Mobile unveiled the Galaxy S III. The event is just kicking off, but Samsung sent out their press release a little early. Details after the break.

“With the GALAXY S III, Samsung has maximized the consumer benefits by integrating superior hardware with enhanced smartphone usability,” said JK Shin, President and Head [...]]]>

Today in London, Samsung Mobile unveiled the Galaxy S III. The event is just kicking off, but Samsung sent out their press release a little early. Details after the break.

“With the GALAXY S III, Samsung has maximized the consumer benefits by integrating superior hardware with enhanced smartphone usability,” said JK Shin, President and Head of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung. “Designed to be both effortlessly smart and intuitively simple, the GALAXY S III has been created with our human needs and capabilities in mind. What makes me most proud is that it enables one of the most seamless, natural and human-centric mobile experiences, opening up a new horizon that allows you to live a life extraordinary.”

Highlights of the Samsung Galaxy S III include:

• Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
• 4.8-inch Super HD AMOLED (1280×720) display
• Exynos 4 Quad processor (more details coming soon)
• 8 Mega pixel Auto Focus camera with Flash & Zero Shutter Lag, BIS
• 1.9 Mega pixel camera, HD recording @30fps with Zero Shutter Lag, BIS
• 16/ 32GB User memory (64GB available soon) ＋ microSD slot (up to 64GB)
• 2,100mAh battery
• Networks: 2.5G (GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE): 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz,3G (HSPA＋ 21Mbps): 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 MHz, 4G (Dependent on market)
• Bluetooth 4.0, 40MHz 802.11n Wi-Fi, NFC
• Audience Inc.’s earSmart (eS305) Advanced Voice processor
• Additional features: S Beam, Buddy photo share, Share shot, AllShare Play, AllShare Cast, Smart stay, Social tag, Group tag, Face zoom, Face slide show
• Dimensions: 136.6 x 70.6 x 8.6 mm, 133g

Samsung says the HSPA+ version of the Galaxy S III will arrive in Europe on May 29th. Customers will be able to choose from two colors, pebble blue or marble white. In total, the device will come to 296 mobile operators in 145 countries. The US version of the device will be arriving later this summer.

Does the processor found inside your mobile device really matter? The average consumer doesn’t care what CPU is featured inside their smartphone, but it’s always a popular topic among the hardcore crowd. Today’s hottest mobile chips are NVIDIA’s Tegra 3 and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S4, so we put them through a round of benchmarks and experiences [...]]]>

Does the processor found inside your mobile device really matter? The average consumer doesn’t care what CPU is featured inside their smartphone, but it’s always a popular topic among the hardcore crowd. Today’s hottest mobile chips are NVIDIA’s Tegra 3 and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S4, so we put them through a round of benchmarks and experiences to see which came out on top. The results might surprise you, so read on for the full details.

Devices

Finally, we have both the Snapdragon S4 and Tegra 3 version of the HTC One X. We wanted to keep things simple, so we only used three devices. I decided to go with the Samsung Galaxy Nexus as the third device since it is currently Google’s flagship Android device.

Note: Our international HTC One X just received the 1.29 firmware update as we were working on this post, so we will update the benchmarks scores with new results if we find anything differs.

Benchmarks Used

For this round of testing, we used most of the popular Android benchmarks that are freely available in the Google Play Store. We decided to exclude Vellamo Mobile Web Benchmark since it is developed by Qualcomm. Linpack was also excluded because it’s a benchmark intended for use on supercomputers and it doesn’t produce consistent results on Android. Finally, for all browser benchmarks we used the latest Chrome Beta, since each device has a different default browser.

• Antutu Benchmark 2.7.3
• CFBench 1.2
• Smartbench 2012 1.0.0
• Quadrant Standard 2.0
• GLBenchmark 2.1.4
• MX Player 1.6d
• Chrome Beta 0.18.4409.2396
• Browsermark
• Moonbat JavaScript Benchmark
• Sunspider 0.9.1

Processing Benchmarks

Winner – Tegra 3: Not many apps are optimized for quad-core, but several benchmarks are. Tegra 3 manages to score a healthy lead in Antutu, CFBench, and Smartbench. In Quadrant we see Snapdragon S4 eke out a close victory, but the results are within the margin of error.

Graphics Benchmarks

Winner – Tegra 3: Both GPUs appear to be pretty evenly matched, but we give the slight advantage to Tegra 3. In Antutu and GLBenchmark Pro Offscreen, we see Tegra 3 and Snapdragon S4 are neck-and-neck. Antutu does not appear to be a very intensive graphics benchmark and the Pro test is the less demanding test on GLBenchmark. On the most demanding graphics test, GLBenchmark Egypt Offscreen, Tegra 3 holds a 10fps advantage over Snapdragon S4.

Browsing Benchmarks

Winner – Tegra 3: On browsing benchmarks, Tegra 3 wins every round. It’s interesting to note that the aging Galaxy Nexus wins both the Sunspider and Moonbat tests which are single-threaded. This could be from code optimizations that are targeted at the Galaxy Nexus. We can see the four CPU cores in Tegra 3 really shine in the Moonbat test with web workers set to 4 threads. This should indicate that Tegra 3 should perform faster on Chrome when multiple tabs are open.

Battery Life Benchmarks

Winner – Too close to call: Battery benchmarks are a tricky thing. There are not many standard tests out there (that we could get to complete on both devices), so we used MX Player and put a video (recorded by a One X) on an endless loop. Both devices lasted just over 6 hours, with the Tegra 3 version lasting an additional 9 minutes.

I found it interesting that the Tegra 3 version saw the battery warnings at 14 percent and 9 percent just a minute earlier than Snapdragon S4. However, when it came to the last 3 percent warning, Snapdragon appeared first and then died first. It looks like Tegra 3 has some extra battery management tricks that turn down the 5th low-power core when the battery is on its final charge.

Both of these devices were just released, so I expect HTC will work with NVIDIA and Qualcomm to continue to tweak power management settings and extend battery life.

Update: NVIDIA informs us that MX Player does not use their companion core very effectively, and ends up waking up the main cores periodically during playback. Battery life for video playback should be extended using the native gallery app.

Update 2: Head over to Anandtech for more extensive battery life testing. Brian Klug found that the Snapdragon S4 has longer battery life when it comes to 3G browsing and WiFi browsing, while Tegra 3 wins at WiFi hotspot and cellular talk time. Again, it looks like the results will vary with different use cases and are too close to call.

Marketing Benchmarks

Winner – Tegra 3: This one is pretty simple. When it comes to marketing speak, four is better than two.

Gaming Experience

Winner – Tegra 3: On most games, you can’t tell the different between Tegra 3 and Snapdragon S4. However, NVIDIA has their TegraZone program which has resulted in several exclusive titles for Tegra 3. Thanks to these extra games, we think Tegra 3 provides the better gaming experience right now. Qualcomm also has their Snapdragon Gamecommand, but it doesn’t feature any exclusive games for Snapdragon S4 yet.

Keep in mind this could change in the future if Qualcomm starts writing fat checks to Gameloft and other devs for exclusive titles. Qualcomm is a much larger company than NVIDIA and they could outspend them on game exclusives if they choose to.

Browsing Experience

Winner – Too close to call: When I was on WiFi, I could not tell a difference between the two devices in day-to-day browsing usage. This could change in future versions of Chrome or with newer firmware updates, but for now the two devices are equal.

Mobile Networks Speeds

Winner – Snapdragon S4: Not much to say here. LTE is faster than HSPA+. Snapdragon S4 has an integrated LTE modem, while the Tegra 3 version is currently paired with a HSPA+ modem. This will always depend on your location and carrier, but on AT&T the Snapdragon S4 version is much faster. I achieved download speeds of 50 Mbps on Snapdragon S4 with LTE, and around 10 Mbps on Tegra 3 with HSPA+.

Drive-by Conclusions

Tegra 3 offers more exclusive games, right now: Thanks to NVIDIA’s relationships with game developers, they currently offer a better overall gaming experience since they have more exclusive titles. This could change as Qualcomm steps up their efforts.

Snapdragon S4 has a faster modem, right now: Qualcomm has the only mobile chip with an integrated LTE modem, which gives them an advantage in network speeds. NVIDIA says their partners will have LTE modems out by the second half of 2012, so this advantage will be moot in a couple months.

Both chips are awesome and you can’t really tell a difference in normal usage: Even though Tegra 3 wins a majority of our benchmarks today, I can’t really tell a difference between the two devices. If you did a blind test between the two versions, I doubt you would be able to tell which is the quad-core Tegra 3 or the dual-core Snapdragon S4. NVIDIA has an advantage in exclusive games and Qualcomm has an advantage in LTE modems, but both of those arguments are going to be obsolete in the next couple months.

At the end of the day, it’s the consumer who wins this round of testing. Both Tegra 3 and Snapdragon S4 offer a better overall experience than the current generation of mobile processors and it’s significant. After using the HTC One X, I do not want to return to my Samsung Galaxy Nexus.

HTC’s flagship device, the One X, has been available overseas for almost a month, and it finally arrives in the United States on AT&T’s network this May 6th. The US version is slightly tweaked and features a different processor, so many have wondered how the two devices would stack up. We were fortunate enough [...]]]>

HTC’s flagship device, the One X, has been available overseas for almost a month, and it finally arrives in the United States on AT&T’s network this May 6th. The US version is slightly tweaked and features a different processor, so many have wondered how the two devices would stack up. We were fortunate enough to spend a couple weeks with AT&T’s variant, so read on to see how they compared. Is this the best Android phone yet?

Video Review

Note: This video was recorded with the HTC One X. Head over to YouTube to watch this video in full 1080p.

1. Beautiful design

Carry the HTC One X around town, and you are sure to turn heads. HTC’s design firm One & Co did an awesome job with the One X and it’s one of my favorite Android phones of all time.

The device is available in white or grey, and I would highly suggest going with the white version. We found that the white version can sometimes get dirty, but a quick wipe with a cloth and rubbing alcohol cleans it right up.

Some people will complain that the camera lens sticks out when the device is resting flat, but HTC slightly altered the design on this AT&T version. We found the ring around the lens was a little thicker than the international version, so the lens will not scratch as easily.

Others have also expressed their concern over HTC’s choice to use physical buttons, instead of on-screen buttons like the Galaxy Nexus. I found there was a period of adjustment coming from the Galaxy Nexus, but they didn’t bother me after I got used to them.

Overall, the HTC One X is a device that’s fun to hold, features incredible build quality, and has a unique look that stands out from the mob of Android phones.

2. Amazing camera experience

This is the smartphone camera I have always wanted. For the first time ever, I now have an Android phone that is “good enough” to shoot video of other phones. HTC claims “it just might be the only camera you’ll ever need to bring with you” and we tend to agree in most situations.

Features of HTC’s camera include instant capture with zero shutter lag, extended depth of field (EDOF) to capture everything in focus, continuous shooting for non-stop, rapid-fire shots, backside-illuminated (BSI) sensor for low-light photos, smart flash for providing the precise light needed to produce great photos, and built in high dynamic range (HDR) imaging.

It would have been nice to see a dedicated camera button, but we can live without one in this case since the overall camera experience is still better than other Android phones.

HTC will also tell you their main camera features a dedicated ImageChip, 8 megapixel sensor, F2.0 aperture and 28mm lens, but the specs don’t really matter in this case. The end result is what we care about, so check out the sample pictures and video below.

3. Superior display

This display is unmatched. I thought the Super AMOLED Plus display on the Galaxy Nexus was the best thing around, but HTC’s Super LCD 2 display beats it hands down. It is not pentile, the text is super clear, and it’s much brighter than the Galaxy Nexus. Nothing I write will do this display justice, so I suggest headed to your local AT&T store to check it out.

4. Blazing fast 4G LTE

HTC One X Speedtest results.

My HTC One X has faster download speeds than my home internet connection from Time Warner. In my time with the One X, I found AT&T’s 4G LTE network smokes my Galaxy Nexus on Verizon 4G LTE. I know AT&T’s LTE coverage is still limited, but I found download speeds were around 2-3x faster than Verizon on average.

In Dallas, I was able to achieve download speeds in excess of 50 Mbps and saw upload speeds around 20 Mbps. This is sure to slow down once more LTE devices join the network (like the next iPhone), but AT&T currently offers the fastest mobile data connection.

Seeing these crazy results raises the question if we really need these kind of speeds. LTE allows you to download files at 50 Mbps, but the average user won’t find my cases to take advantage of that. About the only thing LTE is good for is burning through a monthly data cap 10x faster than HSPA+.

The low latency times (sub 100ms pings) would be great for online gaming, but there are not many titles that require that kind of speed. This should change as we see more console quality first-person shooters, but I’m not seeing many other uses for it yet. Streaming music and YouTube videos is still the same experience on AT&T’s and Verizon’s 4G LTE networks.

Having said all that, we were still impressed by the One X network speeds and can’t wait to see what apps take advantage of them.

5. Best Sense UI yet

“We got a little too Kung-fu with Sense [3.x],” said Jason Mackenzie, HTC’s President for Global Sales and Marketing.

If previous versions of Sense UI annoyed you, then you will be glad to hear that HTC toned it down a notch for Sense 4.0. I was never a big fan of Sense, but I found the latest version to be tolerable, and even enjoyable in certain cases. To put it simply, this is the first version of Sense that I don’t want to immediately turn off.

The only thing that frustrated me was HTC’s stock keyboard, but I quickly downloaded an ICS clone keyboard and never looked back.

We plan to do an in-depth look at Sense UI 4.0 in the coming weeks, so check out HTC’s Sense page for further details.

HTC still allows users to unlock the bootloader, so you can flash any custom ROM to your heart’s content. We have already seen CyanogenMod 9 and MIUI 4 ported to the Tegra version of the One X, and we expect similar ROMs for the Snapdragon version once it gets in the hands of developers.

Update: Multiple reports say that AT&T has prevented HTC from unlocking the bootloader on the One X. If this changes, we will let you know.

6. Snappy performance

This is the fastest Android phone I have ever used. Some users have already complained that it’s not “quad-core” like the international version with Tegra 3, but we found the dual-core Snapdragon S4 inside AT&T’s model to be just as fast. I’ve had both versions of the phone for several weeks, and I can’t tell a different in normal day-to-day usage.

For a complete comparison between the two models, check out our HTC One X: Snapdragon S4 vs Tegra 3 showdown.

7. Beats audio and loud speakerphone

I’m no audiophile, but the HTC One X paired with Beats headphones produces the best sound I’ve heard on any Android device. I tested the One X with a pair of Beats by Dr. Dre MIXR headphones (normally $249) and I was blown away by the high performance sound.

Beats audio is mostly a software solution that includes an enhanced equalizer setting based on the content. You can toggle it on and off, but everything sounds much clearer and louder with it on and there is no reason to turn it off.

You won’t find a pair of Beats earbuds packaged with AT&T’s phone, but HTC did that for a reason. They did’t want to cheapen the experience by tossing in a pair of free earbuds. If you want the full Beats experience, you will have to pony up the cash and get the high-end gear.

I also enjoyed the sound level of the external speaker. It was much louder than my Samsung Galaxy Nexus, and perfect for watching YouTube videos on the go.

8. Medialink HD

HTC MediaLink HD.

MediaLink HD has to be the One X’s most underrated feature. This extra accessory creates a wireless link between your smartphone and HDTV that extends your mobile display to the big screen.

Users get full-screen mirroring, which means they can take anything on their phone and easily share it with friends. In my brief time with MediaLink HD, I used it to share videos and pictures, browse the web, and play games.

HTC has also created specific MediaLink APIs that allow developers to create dual-screen apps. Example of this include playing a game on the big screen, while using the phone to access special on-screen controls. Users could also play video on the big screen, while browsing around to other apps on the mobile device.

Setup was a breeze and the connection can quickly be established by swiping up with three fingers on the smartphone display. The MediaLink HD connects to any display with HDMI and is powered by USB. Most newer TVs that have HDMI should also have USB, so it’s pretty easy to hook up. Thanks to the small size of the MediaLink HD, it’s also great to carry around to a friends house, or hook up to that hotel TV when you travel.

Pricing and availability has not been announced, but we expect the MediaLink HD to fall in the $99-149 range.

9. On device storage is half of international One X, but still adequate

Some people might not like it, but on-device storage is on the way out in favor of cloud storage. AT&T’s One X includes 16 GB of internal storage, compared to 32 GB that we saw in the international version. Thankfully, HTC still throws in 25 GB of cloud storage via Dropbox. Google also offers an additional 5 GB of free storage space with their Google Drive service.

We understand that the average user will never use up 16 GB of space, but it would have been nice for AT&T to go with the 32 GB option. For this reason, we rate the storage options as average and only reward half a point.

10. Battery performance above average, but not the MAXX

One battery size does not fit all. It’s true that the One X offers the best battery life of any previous HTC phone, but you will still need to charge it every night with normal usage. We would have liked to see a higher capacity battery, like the 3,300 mAh monster found in the RAZR MAXX, but HTC has found that consumers prefer thinner phones.

For the last week I carried around the AT&T One X and the Verizon Galaxy Nexus, two flagship devices with LTE. My Galaxy Nexus has the official Samsung extended battery (2100 mAh), but I found that the AT&T One X and its smaller 1800 mAh battery lasted longer.

It’s nice to see that HTC has found a way extend the battery life with the Snapdragon S4 and software tweaks, but we would still like a higher capacity battery or the option to replace it with an extended one.

I love this phone, and I don’t say that often. It would have received a perfect score if HTC went with expandable storage and a user-replaceable battery, but we understand why those trade-offs were made. Other than those two issues, it’s hard to find much to gripe about

Most Android phones are all the same and boring, but the HTC One X is truly different and I was excited with the opportunity to review it. Compared to my Galaxy Nexus, the One X has a greatly enhanced camera experience, faster performance, and longer battery life.

We receive new review units every month, but I generally only upgrade my personal phone around once a year. I’ve only spent around two weeks with the HTC One X, but it’s such a better experience than anything else that I don’t think I can return to my Galaxy Nexus.

Each user will have features that are the most important to them, and for me it’s camera performance and battery life. I’ve been carrying both the One X and Galaxy Nexus for the last couple weeks, and I reached for the One X every time I wanted to take a photo. HTC’s phone also outlasted my Galaxy Nexus in battery life, which was a major bonus.

When my friends ask me about upgrading their smartphone I like to say, “If you find a better phone, buy it.” The AT&T HTC One X is the best Android phone currently available in the United States, so I would recommend it to anyone looking to purchase a new device.

Keep in mind that Samsung unveils their next Galaxy phone on May 3rd, but we don’t know when it will be released or if AT&T will carry it. I’d suggest waiting to see what Samsung has in store, but go ahead and pull the trigger on the HTC One X if you need a phone now.

AT&T will offer the HTC One X for $199 on contract, but Amazon sells it for $149 on contract (includes new customers, upgrades, and add a line) or the amazing price of $549 off contract.