Samsung Galaxy Metrix 4G available for purchase online today with U.S. Cellular for $179

U.S. Cellular is currently selling the Samsung Galaxy Metrix 4G Android smartphone, featuring a QWERTY Slider keyboard and 4G LTE today online only.  However, the Metrix 4G will be available for purchase in-store starting August 24th.

The carrier has an interesting price plan for the Metrix 4G and it depends if you live in an area with 4G LTE service or not.  For customers that do live in a 4G LTE zone, the Metrix costs $129 after a $100 Mail-in-Rebate.  However, customers that live outside of such a zone must pay $179 after a $100 MIR.

Now, in terms of specs and features, the Metrix 4G offers a 4 inch Super AMOLED touch screen display, Android 2.3, 5MP rear facing camera, front facing camera, and a 1GHz processor.

My recommendation is to purchase the Samsung Galaxy Metrix 4G if you live in a 4G LTE zone.  It’s hard to justify paying a premium device when you won’t even have access to one of its main selling points — 4G LTE.  Again, it is available for online purchase today and in-store purchase on Friday, August 24.

[U.S. Cellular]

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Samsung Galaxy S II 4G launches September 6 for $370 on Boost Mobile

If you’re looking to purchase a smartphone with Boost Mobile, then you’ll be pleased to learn the carrier recently bolstered its Android lineup with the Samsung Galaxy S II 4G and the Samsung Galaxy Rush.

Similar to Sprint’s variant of the Galaxy S II, Boost Mobile’s Galaxy S II 4G offers Android 4.0, 4G connectivity, a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 16GB of on board memory, 8MP rear facing camera, 2MP front facing camera, and a 4.52 inch Super AMOLED Plus display.  While it is not the iconic Samsung Galaxy S III smartphone, it is a more than capable Android smartphone that can hold its own.  For the off-contract price of $370, the Galaxy S II 4G can be yours starting September 6.

Samsung and Boost Mobile also teamed up to produce the Samsung Galaxy Rush.  The Galaxy Rush offers a 3.5 inch touch screen display, 3MP rear facing camera, 1.3MP front facing camera, 1GHz processor, 768MB of RAM, and Android 4.0.  It will be available in late September for the price of $149.

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New Samsung Galaxy S Duos comes with dual-SIM, launches in Europe during September

Samsung is preparing to launch a new mid-range Android smartphone — one that features dual-SIM ports, which allows for additional communication benefits.

The Samsung Galaxy S Duos bears strong resemblance to the Galaxy S III, but the specs are much lower-range.  However, the key selling point of the Duos is the fact that it offers two SIM ports, meaning you can have two numbers call and text seamlessly.  The Duos is aimed at professionals who have a work and personal cell phone, but do not want to carry two separate devices.  Having two SIM slots offers one device for both numbers.

In terms of its specs, the Duos features Android 4.0, a 4 inch touch screen display, 5MP rear facing camera, VGA front facing camera, 1GHz processor, 4GB of on-board storage, and a 1500 mAh battery.  If you are interested in Samsung’s latest mid-range device, then you will want to pay close attention to your European carrier come September when the Duos launches in Europe.  Samsung expects to launch it in other unannounced territories after its initial launch.

[Samsung Mobile Press]

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Samsung rumored to debut a 5.8 inch Galaxy Player at IFA 2012

If you thought the Samsung Galaxy Note had a huge screen wait until you hear about this possible Samsung Galaxy Player.  Rumored to be announced during IFA 2012 at the end of August, a leaked picture claims Samsung may be preparing to launch a 5.8 inch PMP (portable media player) running Android 4.0.

For those who want a smartphone without the phone functionality and data, a PMP is a great way to go.  The rumored Galaxy Player features a dual-core 1GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, Android 4.0, a 5.8 inch display with 540 x 960qHD resolution, 3MP rear facing camera, VGA front facing camera, and a 2500 mAh battery.  The specs sound pretty great and it might even be upgradable to Android Jelly Bean in the near future.

The only aspect of the device that has me skeptical of its existence is the screen size: 5.8 inches would be Samsung’s largest non-tablet screen size.  However, it is an awkward size since it’s too small to be considered a tablet, but much larger than any smartphone or PMP currently in the market.  If Samsung were to launch a Galaxy Player at IFA, my guess is that it would contain a 4.8 inch screen size, since the rest of the design strongly resembles the Galaxy S III.

[SamMobile]

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Verizon: Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 goes on sale Aug. 17 for $349

In case your interested in a 7 inch tablet that has a cellular connection, then you may want to consider Verizon’s upcoming Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 by Samsung.

Launching on August 17 for $349, the latest Samsung Galaxy Tab boasts a 7 inch display with 1024×600 resolution display, Android 4.0, 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 4G LTE connectivity, 3.2MP rear facing camera, VGA front facing camera, 8GB on board memory, microSD memory expansion, and WiFi.

The specs, in my opinion, are slightly above average but the Nexus 7 outperforms the device in terms of processor speed and software integration.  Essentially, you’re paying a premium to have 4G LTE connectivity and a rear facing camera, but if those two things are a must, then it is a necessary purchase.

I would prefer to see the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 come with a “wow” factor either in a lower price or Android 4.1, but perhaps those will come in the near future.

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Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III bootloader can be unlocked thanks to devs

Out of the four major American carriers, Verizon was the only one who required a locked bootloader on its version of the Samsung Galaxy S III.  Naturally, this upset many developers and Android enthusiasts who enjoy flashing custom ROMs.  As many expected, however, it would be only a matter of time before deft developers would be able to create a method to unlock the bootloader.  That day has come.
According to an XDA-Developers post by AdamOutler, an unsecure bootloader can be installed onto the Verizon Galaxy S III leaving you open to flash custom ROMs through Odin.  Getting access to the bootloader and unlocking it is the first major step in flashing custom ROMs and this is a great feat by devs.
In order to unlock the bootloader on your GS3, you will have to follow the instructions in the link below and apply it running Mac OS X or Linux.
As always, proceed at your own discretion, attempting to unlock the bootloader will void your warranty and could brick your device if done improperly.  Also, AdamOutler mentions several times to never accept a Verizon official software update after unlocking the bootloader as it will
brick your device.
I guess there’s no need for that Developer Edition Galaxy S III on Verizon Wireless — thanks anyway Samsung.

[XDA-Developers]

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