Sprint Debuts Best Buy One Family Plan for $100

Sprint today unwrapped a new option for customers looking to save money on family plans. The Best Buy One Family plan costs $100 per month and includes unlimited data, voice minutes, and messaging for two oppo smartphone smartphones. Additional lines cost $40 each. Sprint says subscribers to the Best Buy One Family plan can lease handsets for as little as $20 per month, so a two-line plan would cost just $140 per month with the device payments added in (taxes and fees not included). The Best Buy One Family plan is available at Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile stores beginning today. Sprint already offers a Best Buy One plan for single lines.

Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge is the more interesting of Samsung's new Galaxy S6

The Galaxy S6 Edge is probably the most ambitious smartphone ever from Samsung. Sure the Galaxy Note kicked off phablets in 2010, and the Note Edge was the first to have a functional, curved screen, but the S6 Edge is the first to bring together quality materials, top-notch construction, and specs galore in a phone fit for regular people.

While the S6 Edge and its sibling, the S6, are clearly cut from oppo find 5 the same cloth as previous generations of Galaxy S smartphones, they take a dramatic new step forward thanks to the metal and glass design. The Edge trades the cheap-feeling plastic of its predecessors for gorgeous glass that hugs an aluminum frame. The front and back panels are both made from Gorilla Glass 4, but the front has been curved through a process Samsung calls 3D thermal-forming. Essentially, Samsung heated the glass to over 800 degrees and wrapped the glass around a rod to achieve the curved shape. I think it looks great.

The glass panels are fitted tightly to the metal band that forms the outer edges of the phone. The band is thin along the sides to accommodate the curved glass, and thickens at the top and bottom to provide strength and rigidity. Samsung polished the edges of the metallic band to give them some extra sparkle. Matching accents can be found on the home button, earpiece grill, and camera module. The quality is top-notch. Samsung clearly took great care in designing and assembling the S6 Edge. It absolutely goes toe-to-toe with Apple’s iPhone and HTC’s One in terms of fit and finish.

Axon Phone Teased for July Release

An unnamed company is preparing to announce the "Axon Phone" July 14. A teaser web site provides some preliminary information about the handset, which runs Android. For example, the Axon Phone has a dual-lens camera that the company says assists with focus and allows owners to refocus images after they're taken. The phone can also record video at up to 4K resolution. Axon claims the phone has high-fidelity sound playback and high-quality audio recording thanks to two microphones and noise suppression techniques. Last, the Axon phone has a fast processor, 4 GB of memory, and a large battery. oppo mobile phone The phone will be sold in blue, gold, or silver. Axon said more details will be revealed next month; however, PCMag was able to dig up some details that shed new light on the Axon Phone. PCMag claims Axon is a "marketing scheme" cooked up by ZTE. ZTE branding and code is clearly seen in the Axon web site. Further, Axon's headquarters shares the same address with ZTE's U.S. headquarters. ZTE mostly sells low-cost handsets via prepaid carriers in the U.S., but has higher ambitions. The Axon Phone may be an attempt by the company to break into the U.S. market with different branding. ZTE hasn't commented on PCMag's assertions.

Google Calendar for iOS Schedules An Update

Google today released an update to its Calendar app for iOS devices. To start, the app has a new 7-day view that gives users oppo mobile a glance of their weekly schedule, and now lets people more easily customize their weekly view. The app now lets people insert files from Goole Drive, such as Docs, Sheets, PDFs, or photos, as well.

Calendar will make sure all invitees have access to the same set of files. Last, the app gives users the ability to send interactive notifications to other event attendees. Google Calendar for iOS is free to download from the iTunes App Store.

Twitter to Make It Easier to Read About Places and Things

Twitter is testing new ways to surface content about locations and products that might interest users. First, it is experimenting with a feature called Place and Product pages. Twitter says these pages will feature images and video about places or products, including descriptions, web links, and purchasing options. The social network said it will display these details above tweets pertaining to that particular place or product. In addition to Product and Place pages, Twitter is testing other ways for users to connect with brands.meizu m1 note review It is letting a select bunch of "influencers" create collections of products and places they like and then share those collections with the broader public. The collections, mostly from celebrities, retailers, TV channels, and news organizations, can be accessed from the Twitter profile of whatever entity created the collection. Twitter is starting with a limited number of place and product pages and celebrity collections and will expand over time based on their success. Twitter said these changes will reach Twitter.com and the Android and iOS apps (via update) soon.

Twitter's 'Project Lightning' to Simplify Following Stories

Twitter is working on a new way to view tweets called Project Lightning. The company revealed its plans to Buzzfeed, which says the product is still a few months from being released. With Project Lightning, Twitter users will be able to follow events or breaking news stories. Twitter will curate event-based tweets and compile them into a single feed. The idea is to make it easier to pay attention to a particular story, rather than individual people. "It's around anything that's interesting," explained Twitter's Kevin Weil. "It could be current events. It could be breaking news. It could be awards shows or sports. But also cultural events and moments — things around your location and where you are.OPPO Find 5 There's amazing content, for example, posted to Throwback Thursday every single Thursday. But it's hard to discover it; you have to work as a user to go and find the best stuff, but [we] can do it easily and can package it richly." The feature will be accessible from mobile devices as well as the web, and the feeds can be embedded into other web sites and shared across devices. The feeds will include images and video for a richer experience, and the tweets will be curated by real people and not algorithms. Twitter did not say exactly when the feature will be rolled out. Twitter hopes Project Lightning will help entice more people to spend time engaging with the social network.

Panasonic Selling Its $1000 Lumix Phone Directly to Consumers

Panasonic recently made the Lumix Communication Camera CM1 available for purchase from its web site. The CM1 was first shown off at CES in January. The device is more camera than phone. It has a Leica lens and a 1-inch imaging sensor that captures 20 megapixels. The camera can shoot 15 meizu m1 note frames per second and capture 4K video. The handset runs Android 4.4 KitKat and has a 4.7-inch full HD screen. It is powered by a 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor and includes Bluetooth, NFC, WiFi, and LTE for connectivity. The CM1 is being sold as an unlocked GSM handset and is compatible with the networks run by AT&T and T-Mobile. The Lumix CM1 costs $999.99.

Microsoft Releases New Technical Preview of Windows 10

Microsoft today made available a new build of its Windows 10 Mobile Technical Preview. To start, the new build requires users to downgrade from the previous technical preview (10080) to Windows Phone 8.1 due to a bug. People not interested in downgrading for the new build (10136) can choose to meizu m2 note review wait for the next build of the technical preview. The new build includes a large number of improvements to the fit and finish of the operating system, especially with respect to the user interface. Microsoft says the newest build of Cortana is very close to the final version. Microsoft also made changes to the camera and photos apps, as well as one-handed use. Microsoft says devices with screens larger than 5 inches should offer more configurable control options to improve usability. Microsoft said it resolved a number of bugs compared to the previous build, but a handful of issues still remain. The final build of Windows 10 Mobile is not expected until the fall months.

Sprint Offers Cuba Calling Plan of Its Own

Sprint today announced the availability of Sprint Cuba 20 Plus, a calling plan add-on that provides access to friends and family in Cuba. The Sprint Cuba 20 plan costs $10 per month and includes 20 voice minutes to any line in Cuba. Additional minutes cost 70 cents each. Sprint customers who meizu mx3  subscribe to the Sprint Cuba 20 plan can call and send messages to Mexican and Canadian numbers without paying extra international charges. The plan offers discounted rates to 180 other countries, as well. The Sprint Cuba 20 plan can be added to customer accounts starting today. MetroPCS also announced a Cuba plan today, but Metro's is packaged in with an existing international calling plan.

Asus On the Fence About HTC Acquisition

Asustek Computer is thinking about buying competitor HTC, but it hasn't made a final decision just yet. The company has discussed the matter among its executives, according to CFO David Chang. "Our chairman has chatted about the topic internally," said Chang to Reuters. "Still, the chances of an actual takeover are not big as Asustek is a company that has depended on organic growth." Asus and HTC are both located in Taiwan. HTC has struggled in recent years.meizu m1 review It once held a high spot among Android device makers, but stumbled badly. Earlier this week, HTC forecast a steep loss for the current quarter due to unexpectedly low sales of its flagship smartphone, the One M9. HTC's precarious position prompted acquisition talks. Asus has a more diverse product portfolio and a stronger balance sheet.

Nokia Lumia 521 is clearly the bottom rung in Nokia's smartphone

Nokia's modern design language is unmistakable. The bulk of the company's Lumia-branded smartphones use brightly colored polycarbonate to stand out from the me-too, black-on-black slabs that make up the bulk of the smartphone market. The Lumia 521 continues this trend.

Despite Nokia's take on materials and color, the Lumia 521 is clearly the bottom rung in Nokia's smartphone ladder. Its look is blunt compared to the refined look of higher-end devices, such as the Lumia 925. It looks like the entry-level smartphone that it is, but with slightly more panache than what we might see on a similar Android phone thanks to the white, wrap-around shell that forms the bulk of the 521's shape. In fact, the shell forms the entire back and side surfaces; the 521's guts sit within the shell. The contrasting flat black glass front gives the 521 a well-defined shape and appearance.

The polycarbonate shell feels strong. The smooth contour that gently curves from one end to the other is comfortable against your skin. Unlike some of Nokia's other white Lumia smartphones, the 521's white shell has a matte finish. I much prefer the look and feel of the this finish. meizu m2 note The compact nature of the size and the curved sides let the 521 fit snugly in your palm. The build quality of the device is good overall, and it will slip easily into pockets.

Microsoft Beefs Up Outlook Email App Security

Microsoft today improved login security for its Android and iOS Outlook email applications. Moving forward, Outlook will use something called Active Directory Authentication Library (ADAL)-based authentication for Exchange Online mailboxes in Office 365. Microsoft says this replaces cheap meizu mx3 the basic authentication method previously used. The change also brings OAuth support to Office 365 accounts and alters the technical handshake Microsoft's apps use to verify account holders as they move between them. Though the improved security is mostly meant to help companies better manage their employee email and productivity access, everyone who uses Office 365 will have a more secure login. Microsoft said all Office 365 users will be prompted to re-enter their login credentials over the next week. This will trigger the new ADAL sign in and convert accounts from basic authentication to OAuth. The Outlook apps themselves do not need to be updated.

LG Optimus G Pro is a large, large device

There's no getting around the fact that the LG Optimus G Pro is a large, large device. It is also, to my eyes, a bit plain looking. The design is fairly bland. It's as if LG decided that size alone would sell the G Pro. It's a black slab, but leaves the fancy lines and complicated surfaces to other phones. It may be big, but it doesn't look all that special.

The entire front surface is black. The back is black, too, but has a pattern that's situated below the clear, glossy surface. The effect is that when held in the light, the pattern will jump to life a bit and break up what would otherwise be a blackboard-sized rear cover. The back and front surfaces are both incredibly prone to collecting finger oils and nasty grime. It takes serious effort to keep the G Pro looking clean. Some may find its constant slime coating a bit gross. I know I did. There's a metallic-looking band that wraps around the edges of the G Pro, breaking up the black a bit. It's hardly noticeable, though.

The volume toggle is on the left edge of the G Pro. It's too flush with the surface and offers minimal travel and feedback.buy oppo find5 I want to be able to adjust the volume quickly, and this button doesn't allow for that. There's also a user-definable action button, (the default is LG's QuickMemo feature,) which is positioned above the volume toggle. It suffers from the same usability problems as the volume toggle. Thankfully the screen lock button, which is found on the right edge, is a bit better. 

LG Lucid for Verizon Wireless

LG has a trio of phones that are eerily similar: the Lucid for Verizon Wireless, the Connect 4G for MetroPCS, and the Viper for Sprint.meizu m1 note review The share similar size, shape and specs, though the outward appearance in unique to each.

The Lucid is a simple-looking phone. It doesn't have the biggest, smallest, thinnest, sharpest, or fastest of anything. It falls into the crowded category of devices that badly needs something to make it stand apart -- but fails to do so. It's blocky looking, covered in glossy black plastic, and, well, somewhat boring to behold.

The Lucid feels slippery, thanks to the glossy plastics. While the front face is a rectangular block, the Lucid has gently rounded curves to the side and back surfaces. The result is that the back surface is much smaller than the front, and it sits deeply in your palm. You can grip it tightly without suffering the feel of sharp edges. The Lucid is not thin by any stretch, but it isn't egregiously thick, either. It's a weighty phone, and it feels dense and solid.cheap oppo r5 It'll slip into pockets easily thanks to the slippery surfaces, but if your pockets are loose, you'll know the Lucid is there thanks to its heft.

Samsung Sidekick 4G a solid feel in the hand and should help prevent

Speaking of which, the swivel S4 screen you know and love is totally gone. Instead, Samsung opted for a more traditional hinged design. When held sideways, the Sidekick 4G's display will pop open with but a nudge from your thumbs.buy oppo n3 The hinge feels strong, and the display is at a comfortable viewing angle. TheSidekick 4G4 has some ridged, grippy patches on the back, which fall directly under your fingers when holding the S4 in landscape mode. These give the Sidekick 4G a solid feel in the hand and should help prevent the Sidekick 4G from slipping out of your grasp.

The keyboard calls upon the ghosts of Sidekick keyboards past for its offset layout and key design. It has five rows -- including an entire row for numbers -- and the offset keys mimic the look and feel of a real, PC-style QWERTY keyboard. They keys, while small, have great definition and a good shape. Typing feels natural, and I found my thumbs flying across the keyboard after a few moments. It has a dedicated "@" key and the comma and period get their own buttons, but there aren't other shortcuts, such as "www" or ".com". There's also a dedicated button for voice actions and a dedicated emoticon key. When pressed, it shows 10 emoticons at a time, which can be inserted by pressing the emoticon on the screen, or the corresponding number key.

The volume toggle is on the left side of the phone. It's easy to find and use, and has good travel and feedback. The 3.5mm headset jack is above it, in my least favorite spot, right in the corner of the Sidekick 4G.meizu cell phone The power/lock button is also on the left side, near the bottom. It's a somewhat unusual spot. Most devices put the power/lock key on the top. With the Sidekick 4G, however, you'll find it is perfectly placed for use when the device is open in landscape mode. It falls right under your thumb.

Sharp FX is a cross between the Sharp-made SideKicks

The FX is a cross between the Sharp-made SideKicks and the Motorola-made SideKick Slide. It loses the trick, swing open screen that the SideKicks had, and instead uses a slider form to reveal the QWERTY keyboard underneath. Anyone who's ever held any sort of SideKick will immediately see the family resemblance. Too bad that includes the SideKick's faults, too.

Take the phone's size, for example. The length and width are fine, but the FX's depth makes it a bulky handset. It's also heavy. The sides and back are covered with a soft-touch paint job, which helps it feel smooth in your hand, but that doesn't take away from the girth. Fit and finish were also less fine than I'd like. The slider was very loose, and I noticed a lot of play in the top half of the phone. Loose parts don't inspire much confidence.

There are three physical buttons on the front of the FX, all placed below the display. There are Send, Back/Menu, and End/Power keys.oppo cell phone All three have good travel and feedback, and are offset from the surrounding surface so that it is easy enough to find them.

Casio Brigade meets the military specifications 810F standard for water

The Casio Brigade meets the military specifications 810F standard for water, shock and dust resistance; immersion; vibration; and low and high temperature storage. It can even withstand salt fog, a problem I hope to never encounter, but if you find yourself in a salty, foggy environment, there are very few phones on the market that can handle these problems, and only one with a full QWERTY keyboard.

The Brigade looks every bit the part. Besides the rubberized seals and larger buttons that you’d expect from a rugged device, the Casio G’zOne family tends toward flourishes like rivets and metal guard posts.cheap meizu m1 I half-expected to open the phone and find steel plate, but Verizon Wireless saved this for the interface theme, not the exterior.

The Casio Brigade won’t fit in your pocket, unless you wear cargo pants and a flak jacket. It’s about twice as thick as your standard, svelte tablet phone, and the hinge protrudes from the top and bottom of the device. But it opens with a solid clack, like popping the hood on a Jeep.

Samsung Highnote by its 2-inch 176 x 220 pixel LCD screen

While this is an interesting arrangement, it offers no improvements to the traditional Send and End key placement. Worse, "Talk," "Back" and "End" are etched in black into the arched keys and are difficult to read. Since "Talk" and "End" aren't backlit in traditional green and red, you lose the quick visual cue and instead pause an extra annoying nano second to ensure you're hitting the right key.

Inside the control ring is a textured floating disk. Press it directionally (left, right, up, down) as you would any navigation array and the on-screen cursor or highlight moves accordingly. But you can also spin the disk to move the cursor as well, sort of a physical version of iPod's click wheel.buy meizu mx3 In the middle of the disk is a "Menu/OK" select button.

Like the navigation ring controls, the spin wheel is nice, but it doesn't improve on the usual left-right-up-down control. In fact, it gets in the way. As you tap the disk left-right-up-down, your touch may actually move the cursor first causing you to accidentally click on the wrong item.

On the right spine of the phone is the micro USB jack, a "sound" button – tap it and the ringer volume setting is displayed, hold it down to activate the music player – and the camera activation button/shutter release.

Sony Ericsson S710a new high-end swivel camera phone for Cingular

The S710a actually has 2 keypad areas, one for the navigation controls which are on the phone's face, and a second for the numeric keypad and power key which is under the spinning face. The navigation keys on the face allow you to do pretty much everything - including make phone calls - without spinning the phone open. When the phone is open, the numeric keypad is close to the navigation keys, so you don't have to move your hand too much to use all the keys.

All of the keys are quite flush with the surface of the phone. The navigation keys are completely flush, while the numeric keys are slightly below the keypad surface, leaving a slight indent where each key is. The D-Pad select key is the only key other than the volume up down keys on the side of the phone that can be felt for without looking.buy meizu mx3 However the D-Pad select has problems of its own. On first glance it appears to be a joystick, as is common on most Sony Ericsson phones. However the direction keys are the ring around the joystick, which serves solely as a select key.

Since not all the keys are hidden when the phone is closed, Sony Ericsson devised a very useful keylock. Instead of a key combination, the keylock is a dedicated slide switch on the side of the phone.