Samsung has officially announced an oddly-styled Android smartphone.  Called the Samsung Gem, it bears a cheeky diamond-shaped home button and a similarly-framed camera lens cutout.

Aimed at the entry-level market (according to the Samsung page), the handset is the same one previously leaked as coming to Verizon Wireless in the US.   It ships with a rather disappointing Android 2.1, although the decent-sounding specs should more than make up for it.

Details include a 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen display (480 x 272 resolution), a 3.2 megapixel camera module, Bluetooth 2.1, 124 MB of onboard storage and microSD card expansion (up to 16GB).  Action is managed by an 800Mhz processor (billed as "the fastest" on the entry-level category), which should let you work through Android 2.1 without any hitch.  Based on the specs list on the Samsung page, the device won't be getting WiFi, 3G nor GPS.

Phone dimensions are 4.48 x 2.18 x 0.48 inches, with a weight of 3.85 ounces.   As for apps, you'll get the usual Google fare, along with both Swype and Social Hub on board.

No word on pricing or release date for the Samsung Gem SCH-i100.  Expect it soon, though, either for free or at sub-$50 on a two-year contract.

[Samsung]

When searching for smartphones on contract, you rarely seek out US Cellular.  Last year, though, the carrier beefed up its smartphone lineup, bringing a number of Android-running hardware into the fold.  The LG Apex is one of them.

Physically, it's not the most striking design from LG.  It has solid construction, though, with a nice soft-touch finish and a sturdy feel in hand.  Display is a 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen (800 x 480 resolution), with a narrow profile.  It's crisp and bright, with good touch responsiveness.  While the QWERTY keyboard looks odd with the D-pad on the side, it surprisingly works.  In fact, this is one of the better keyboards out there among budget Android handsets.

As a phone, the LG Apex makes for usable calls.  Voices went through clear with no background noise, but sound quality isn't the best.   Those on the other end appeared to have a better experience.  Battery is rated at 7.5 hours, but it seems to drain faster than we expected (could be a bum battery, though).

You get the usual smartphone favors here -- a variety of voice calling options, basic messaging, Bluetooth, 3G with HSPA, aGPS and WiFi.  Email and IM are also supported, along with a bunch of apps for social networking.

Hardware is strictly midrange.  It has a 600MHz CPU running Android 2.1, so it can get sluggish once you have a lot of programs open.  Keep it to a moderate amount, however, and the speed is actually pretty good.

Media playback uses Android's default player, so it's nothing exciting.  The 3.0 megapixel camera offers the standard editing options and takes rather average shots.

Overall, the LG Apex has two main strengths: a great keyboard and an attractive $49.99 price on contract with US Cellular.  Entry-level Android users hankering for a physical keyboard should find it a very good choice.

Over the last few years, we've seen some good QWERTY candybar smartphones pass through these pages.  So far, though, I don't think we've seen an Android handset in that form factor that looks as good as this Spriiing Smile Smartphone.

Designed in Sweden and manufactured by Huawei, the sleek-looking budget phone  was recently announced for Thailand.   It's also available in Australia under a different name (carrier-branded), so maybe this could make it in other markets, too (fingers crossed -- it looks really pretty).

Details of the phone are rather modest: a 2.6-inch touchscreen display (320  x 240 resolution), a 3.0 megapixel camera, 3G with HSPA, WiFi and microSD card expansion (up to 16GB).  Core hardware consists of a 528MHz Qualcomm processor, 512MB of ROM and 256MB of RAM.  There appears to be no GPS chip on board.

It's running Android 2.1 at the helm, with the stock UI in all its glory.  No word on the price for Thailand, but Boost Mobile Australia has it for an affordable $149 (AUD) on prepaid, so this should be light on the budget wherever market it hits.  Seriously, with a touchscreen and keyboard combo, it might offer a more compelling option for people looking for an entry-level smartphone.

[via Engadget]

Getting a new Android smartphone is nice.  Those used to the cheap plans that came with their feature phones, though, should find a hard time swallowing the $70 service charges attached with new smartphone contracts.   Finally, someone's offering a way to get your Android fix with none of the expensive two-year deals.

For a limited time, Best Buy is offering the Virgin Mobile Samsung Intercept for $189.99 with no contract.  Really.  None of the two-year tie-ins other smartphones come with.

Of course, the phone will be locked to Virgin Mobile, so you'll still need to use their service, but that's actually a good thing.  Aside from the fact that this phone normally sells for $249.99 with the same terms, Virgin actually has some wickedly affordable plans.    Their most basic starts at $25 flat per month, which includes 300 minutes of anytime calls, unlimited texts and unlimited data (no 5GB caps, as with other networks).  If you need lots of time for calls, you can opt for the $60 plan, which bundles a whopping 1,200 minutes.

In case you're not familiar with the Samsung Intercept, it comes with a 3-inch capacitive touchscreen (240 x 400 resolution), a horizontal slide-out QWERTY keyboard, a 3.2 megapixel camera module, aGPS, 3G with HSPA, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1 and microSD card expansion.  It ships with Android 2.1.

Remember, this comes with no contract, so you can use Virgin Mobile's service one month, get the phone unlocked and use another SIM card the next.  There's no tie-in, so you're free to do whatever the heck you want.  Link to Best Buy's deal below.

[Best Buy]



In the market for a rugged smartphone?  If you've looked around, you probably noticed that there aren't plenty of options out there.  Lucky for you, Motorola decided to fill the void with the Motorola Defy, a durable-bodied slate handset running Android 2.1.

Physically, it's notably sleek and slim for a rugged device.   The design does have that rough-and-tumble aesthetic, though, so the lines aren't quite as elegant as more popular Android phones.  Still, the rounded corners and half-inch thickness make it a pleasant departure from the typically industrial looks of durability-focused handsets.    Screen is  a 3.7-inch capacitive touchscreen (480 x 854), with Corning Gorilla glass covering it for heavy-duty protection.  Display is gorgeous with an excellent touch response.

The ports are covered with rubberized stoppers to keep water from seeping in.  While it doesn't quite cut the military specifications of most rugged phones (resistance to salt, fog, humidity, and solar radiation), it does make a nice compromise between style and durability.

As a phone the Motorola Defy makes for excellent calls.  Sound on both ends of the conversation were pristine, with almost no discernible background noises.  Speakerphone added just a hint of echo, but performed similarly well.  Battery is rated at 8 hours of talk time, which should easily last you the day (likely more).

Just like most of Motorola's Android releases, it comes with an enhanced version of Motoblur, which I personally prefer over the default Android experience.  The 800MHz processor was duly capable of servicing most tasks, with lags only occurring after having many apps open.  Wireless data speeds over 3G were very good, as well, with YouTube videos playing smoothly after just a few seconds of buffering.

All the usual smartphone capabilities are onboard, including various voice features, Bluetooth, WiFi and GPS (with Telenav and Google Maps Navigation support).   Messaging is adeptly handled, with SMS, MMS, IM and email (including corporate mail) easily within reach.  Google's roster of apps are onboard, too, along with a few extra ones, such as QuickOffice, Social Networking and Media Share.

For music and videos, it relies on stock Android tools and it delivers an average experience.  There's DLNA support, though, so you can share your media files with other devices in the house.   The 5.0 megapixel camera took decent shots, which could have used a little more brightness (even with the LED flash involved).

Overall, the Motorola Defy sits alone in a market category no manufacturer seems to be paying attention to.  Even if ruggedness isn't a primary consideration, it is quite a solid purchase at $99.99 on a two-year contract with T-Mobile.

US Cellular just announced a new Android smartphone joining its lineup.  Called the LG Apex, it's a rather squarish slate with a slide-out horizontal QWERTY keyboard.

If you're familiar with LG's line, you might recognize the obvious similarities to the LG Ally.  In fact, it's probably the same handset, only slightly tweaked and rebadged with a different model name.  At any rate, the design is a bit industrial, although the four-row QWERTY keyboard looks comfy with its large, raised keys.

Details are scant, but the LG Apex boasts a 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen, a 3.0 megapixel camera module with LED flash, aGPS (with Google Maps Navigation), WiFi, stereo Bluetooth and microSD card expansion.  It runs Android 2.1, with the usual set of Google services (e.g. YouTube, Gmail, Google Voice) and a few third-party apps thrown in.

The LG Apex will be available starting November 19, priced at $79.99 with a two-year agreement and an $80 mail-in rebate.

[via PhoneDog]

Still in the market for a cheap, entry-level smartphone?  You might want to fix your attention on the Motorola Citrus, a compact Android handset with some fairly decent specs.

Granted, it's not the prettiest candy bar touchscreen on the block.  Body is made from 25 percent post-consumer recycled plastic, though, so there's a fair excuse for the less than stellar appearance.  There are other green credentials, as well: it's CarbonFree-certified via Carbonfund, is cleared from a couple of hazardous materials (PVC and BFR), and uses 80 percent post-consumer recycled paper in the packaging.

Details of the Motorola Citrus include a 3-inch capacitive touchscreen (320 x 240 resolution), a 3.0 megapixel camera module, aGPS, 3G with HSPA, WiFi, stereo Bluetooth, a 3.5mm jack,  microSD card expansion (2GB preinstalled) and a 1,150 mAh battery.  It measures 104 x 59 x 15 mm and weighs 110 grams.

A 528MHz Qualcomm CPU moves the action along, running Android 2.1 at the helm.  It's got the familiar suite of Google services (Gmail, YouTube, Calendar and Gtalk), along with Motoblur on top.  Search and Maps, though, were replaced with Microsoft's Bing Search and Bing Maps, respectively.

The Motorola Citrus is out now, priced at an affordable $49.99 on a new two-year agreement (after a $100 mail-in rebate) with Verizon Wireless.

[Motorola via Engadget]

Just in case you were still holding a glimmer hope that the Nexus Two was coming this November, you can officially kill your dreams.  Just as Samsung said, the only handset they're announcing today is the Samsung Continuum Galaxy S, an Android 2.1 smartphone with a unique twist: it has a small ticker display sitting under the main screen.

The dedicated strip of screen is a 1.8-inch Super AMOLED display, which will stream customized information in real time.  That way, you can get regular updates even while doing something else on the main screen.  Users can choose the content (options include weather, news, social networking, SMS, IM and e-mail notification updates) they want appearing on the ticker via its own built-in menu.

Details of the Samsung Continuum include a 3.4-inch Super AMOLED touchscreen display (480 x 800 resolution), a 5.0 megapixel camera module (with 720p video) , aGPS, 3G with HSPA and mobile hotspot capabilities, WiFi, stereo Bluetooth, a 3.5mm headset jack, a six-axis sensor (just in case you turn up some good games on Android), DLNA support and microSD card expansion (with 8GB preinstalled).  Powering the phone is a 1GHz Hummingbird CPU.

Surprisingly, it only comes with Android 2.1, with no mention of an update in the press release.  You get the usual suite of Google Mobile Services, along with Samsung's Social Hub and Verizon's range of service apps.

Slated to drop both online and across Verizon stores starting November 11, the Samsung Continuum Galaxy S will be available for $199.99 on a two-year agreement.

[Verizon]

Handsets bearing that cute square form factor are usually feature phones, designed for heavy messaging users.  The Motorola Flipout departs from the norm, putting a full-featured Android smartphone inside the pudgy frame.

Physically, the device sports 2.64 x 2.65 x 0.67 inch dimensions, allowing it to fit even in smaller pockets.   Despite the compact stature, the hardware's overall construction feels sturdy.  Instead of sliding to reveal the QWERTY keyboard, it uses a swivel mechanism, similar to the Nokia Twist.   It sports a 2.8-inch touchscreen (320 x 240 resolution), which is a tad too small for comfortable fingering.  Keyboard is especially roomy, though, making for very good typing.

As a phone, the Motorola Flipout makes for clear calls with very little interference on both ends of the conversation.  It could probably use a little more volume, as it becomes a bit difficult to use in crowded environments.  Speakerphone performed somewhat below average.  Do note: you'll need to flip out the keyboard to make calls, which is odd.  Battery life is rated at 4.6 hours of talk time, which should easily last you an entire day of regular use.

In terms of features, it sits right in the middle of the Android pack.  All the basic voice functionalities are intact (with quad-band world support), along with full messaging capabilities, including SMS, MMS, IM and email with universal inbox (POP3, IMAP and corporate).  It's fairly usable as a business device, as well, with calendar syncing and Quickoffice in tow.  Social networking fans should  have plenty to chew on, too, as it has Motoblur UI running over Android 2.1.

The usual set of connectivity options are on board - aGPS, WiFi, 3G and Bluetooth.  Data speeds over 3G were uneven, with pages loading at rather irregular rates. Web browsing and video playback were fairly average for Android handsets, although the small display makes both activities unsatisfying as a whole.

Music playback is similarly average and uses the stock Android player.  The 3.1 megapixel camera offers limited editing options and takes fairly reasonable photo quality.   Aside from the usual Google suite of apps, it also includes a helping of AT&T's numerous services.

Overall, the Motorola Flipout feels a lot better than its diminutive frame suggests.  The keyboard is impressive, although the screen is a bit too small for comfort.    You can get it from AT&T, priced at $79.99 on a two-year agreement.

Unlike what the name might imply, the Samsung Transform doesn't shape-shift from a cellphone to a robot.  What it does have, though, are a solid set of midrange smartphone features that run on Android 2.1.

Physically, it's a great-looking handset.  It has rounded corners, glossy finish and a nice design, topped with sturdy construction and a solid feel in hand.  Display is a 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen (480 x 320 resolution), with good brightness and excellent touch response.  A slide-out QWERTY keyboard slips out of the side, with wide keys and ample spacing, although we could have done with a slightly more raised profile.

As a phone, the Samsung Transform makes for superb calls, with clear sound on both ends and no interference whatsoever.  Speakerphone was pretty good, too, adding just a slight echo to the conversations.  Battery is rated at six hours of talk time, which should make this good for a day or more of regular use.

It comes with Sprint ID, which you can use to customize the stock Android UI.  Frankly, it's something I could do without (the thing is cumbersome and slow on the handset's 800MHz CPU), but it does differentiate the device from the mass of Android devices out there, albeit, in a bad way.

You get all the typical phone capabilities here, including a range of calling options, the full connectivity suite (Bluetooth, WiFi, 3G and GPS) and Android's usual roster of features.  It's only running 2.1, though, so no Flash 10.1 until the promised firmware update.

As a messaging device, this is solid, with a wide range of options for email and IM.  Business users should find the Exchange support, Outlook syncing  and VPN support quite handy.  Media player is standard, so don't expect anything more special than most Android users are familiar with.  The 3.2 megapixel camera is serviceable, but is decidedly average.

Overall, the Samsung Transform lives up to its billing as a midrange Android phone. We'd like to see $50 slashed from its current price of $149.99 from Sprint, though.