Reviews

U.S. Cellular today announced its latest smartphone, the Android-powered Samsung Galaxy Metrix 4G. Available online for $179 after a $100 mail-in rebate, the handset arrives in retail stores on August 25.

In an effort to draw attention to its growing 4G LTE network, U.S. Cellular is offering a discounted price for consumers who live within its regional footprint. What's more, those markets expected to see 4G coverage by the end of 2012 get a sweeter deal, a $129 price tag after a $100 mail-in rebate. Sounds good, but what do you get for the money?

Details for … Read more

Finding a satisfying Android phone on a prepaid carrier is getting easier every day. Case in point, the new LG Motion 4G for MetroPCS. This pint-size $149.99 handset features Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, a 3.5-inch screen, and a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, plus 4G LTE data. … Read more

Yesterday, I posted a review of Mad Skills BMX, an excellent sequel to the popular Mad Skills Motocross game that uses a completely new control system. If you haven't checked it out, I highly recommend Turborilla's latest game.

There are a ton of side-scrolling racing games in the App Store that I've played and reviewed over the years, but only a few can match the level of polish and challenging gameplay found in the Mad Skills games. I've added a couple more to the list here, but if you have a good one you're playing, let me know in the comments.

This week's collection of iOS apps consists of two excellent side-scrolling racers that I recommend wholeheartedly. The first offers a Trials-like experience that has you restarting tracks over and over to get the best time. The second is a recent release with (mostly) lifelike physics as you race giant four- and six-wheel drive vehicles.… Read more

The Zeki 7-inch tablet runs Android 4.0, houses a 1GHz AllWinner A10 single-core processor, and comes with 8GB of internal storage with microSD expansion.

It also includes both a full-size and a Mini-USB port, and a Mini-HDMI port, as well as built-in 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi. The screen has a resolution of 800x480 pixels with a front-facing VGA camera.

The tablet is currently difficult to find in stores and you may have better luck with the Amazon Kindle Fire.

The Sylvania 7-inch Mini tablet runs Android 2.1, has 512MB of RAM, and comes with 2GB of internal storage with microSD expansion.

It also includes two Micro-USB ports and an HDMI output, as well as built-in 802.11b/g Wi-Fi. The screen sports a resolution of 800x480 pixels with a front-facing camera.

The tablet is currently difficult to find in stores and you may have better luck with the Pandigital SuperNova.

The Nextbook Next3 8.4-inch tablet runs Android 2.1, houses a 600MHz Rockchip processor, and comes with 2GB of internal storage with SD expansion.

It also includes integrated Borders eBook Store software, powered by Kobo, as well as built-in 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi. The screen sports a resolution of 800x600 pixels and comes with a protective case and pointer stylus.

The tablet is currently difficult to find in stores and you may have better luck with the Amazon Kindle Fire.

The Coby Kyros Internet Tablet MID1042 10.1-inch tablet runs Android 4.0, houses a 1.0GHz AllWinner Cortex A8 processor, and comes with 8GB of internal storage with microSD expansion.

It includes an HDMI output and two USB ports, as well as built-in 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi. The screen's resolution is 1,024x600 pixels, with a front-facing VGA 0.3MP camera.

The tablet is currently difficult to find in stores and you may have better luck with the Archos 101 G9.

The Arnova 10b G3 10.1-inch tablet runs Android 4.0, and like its predecessor, the Arnova 10, it comes with either 4GB or 8GB of internal storage with microSD expansion.

The tablet includes a Micro-USB port, as well as built-in 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi with 3G via an optional Archos G9 3G Stick. The screen sports a resolution of 1,024x600 pixels and has a 720p camera.

The tablet is currently difficult to find in stores, and you may have better luck with the Archos 101 G9.

Late last year, Republic Wireless made a big splash by offering an Android smartphone with unlimited calling, texting, and data for the unheard-of price of $19 per month.

There were a few catches, of course, most notably the phone itself: LG's Optimus S, a small, decidedly entry-level model with a scratch-prone screen and slow processor.

This month, the company dumped the Optimus in favor of a new model: the Motorola Defy XT. How does it compare? I've spent the last week or so finding out.

In terms of specs alone, the Defy XT blows the Optimus S out … Read more