When it comes to the term “4g”, many consumers automatically assume that means the next iteration of their current 3g smartphone. It would only take a little digging up to find out that not only would their assumption be totally misguided, it would lead to them to the underlying truth of this “4g” movement. Consumers are being lied to. In every possible sense of word. Very few consumers fail to realize that here in the states, carriers literally bleed us dry when it comes to our contractual agreement to them. In many other places in the world, carriers are the consumers best friend. Providing multiple different plans and discounts to account for the overwhelming push of mobile innovation. This article will shed a little light on the deceptive tactics used by carriers in the states to take as much money out of your pockets as “legally” possible.

Sprint

The first 4g phone ever released in the US was Sprint’s HTC Evo 4g back in 2010. It utilized the technology of WiMax in order to receive its supposed broadband like speeds. Just to in case you didn’t know, WiMax is a wireless communications standard designed to provide 30 to 40 megabit-per-second data rates at a time. Sprints actual 4g network coverage was abysmal at the time of launch. The only true reason why they were pushing this technology out so suddenly was for the sole purpose of being able to say they were the first to do it. This decision has come back to bite them in the ass in so many ways it’s almost comical. Now Sprint is converting their entire 4g WiMax network over to the far more superior LTE technology. To make matters even worse, Sprint is currently releasing their version of the Galaxy Nexus with an LTE chipset. That would be great news if only Sprint HAD an ACTUAL LTE network up and running. Sprint’s own incompetence and poor financial investments have led them to not only playing catch up with other carriers, but clear and utter desperation. It boggles my mind how Sprint is even able to legally market a network that doesn’t exist in their portfolio. I’d advise any consumer looking for a 4g phone to look anywhere but Sprint at this stage in the game.

T-Mobile

When it comes to 4g and T-mobile in the same breath, you can only tip your hat to the nation’s 4th largest carrier. Let me start off by saying that T-Mobile has no 4g network. None what’s so ever. Their currently not even building one. As a consumer reading this, you may be thinking I’m a complete idiot. You may bring up claims like “What do you mean T-mobile doesn’t have a 4g network, their commercials say they do” or even “T-mobile has the nation’s largest 4g network, they couldn’t lie about that, could they ?”. Sadly they can and are doing that very thing. I couldn’t tell you how they’re able to do it. My major in college is Marketing, not Paralegal. All I can tell you is that T-mobile is proclaiming their HSPA+ network as their 4g counterpart. HSPA+ in layman’s terms can being explained as “3.5g”. It’s an upgrade to their current 3g network that actually does enhance data speeds to a theoretical 42mps. But alas, this isn’t 4g. Carriers such as At&t have this technology already implemented into their 3g network. It’s hard to actually bash their HSPA + network because brushing all the lies aside, it’s quite fast. T-Mobile’s coverage is also just as impressive. So if you’re looking for a fake 4g smartphone, T-Mobile is that place.

AT&T

As an AT&T customer, I should be telling you that my carrier has the only true REAL 4g network in the country. AT&T does have an LTE network. They’re coverage isn’t complete but it’s getting there. Speed test also show that its quite a bit faster than Verizon’s very own LTE network as well.However, just as T-mobile has done with their HSPA+ network, At&t labels their upgraded 3g network as 4g and their LTE as LTE 4g. This is the greatest form of trickery I’ve ever seen. In order to compete with Verizon’s LTE network rollout, AT&T took the “if you can’t beat them, trick them approach”, and magically turned their HSPA+ network to a 4g icon. These simple changes gives consumers a false sense of security. It makes them think their device and network is next generation, when in reality its last generation tech. AT&T is continuously expanding and improving their LTE network. Lets hope that when 5g comes around, AT&T shows some morality.

Verizon

Out of all the carriers previously mentioned, Verizon is surprisingly the most honest. Verizon knew where the future of mobile was headed and prepared their network for the task. While the other carriers were stagnant in innovation, Verizon was building its true LTE 4g network behind the scenes. As a result, Verizon now has more than six times the geographic coverage of the nearest competitors 4G LTE network. It blankets more than two thirds of the country while consistently providing data speeds in the 15mps range. Just for good measure, Verizon has also made it mandatory that all future smartphones on its network HAVE to be 4g LTE capable. This could be a double edged sword for many consumers as this means higher contract prices for their next smartphone. But this is nothing but genius as it futures proofs Verizon’s network in terms of quality and quantity of high tier devices. Don’t get me wrong, Verizon is the most expensive service of the bunch, but at least you can be rest assured every penny you give to them is being used to propel innovation and integrity.

So in summary I hope that you get a real understand of what the cell phone carriers claim is 4G in the U.S. So when they say they have "America’s Largest 4G Network" or "America’s Fastest 4G Network" or "The Most Reliable 4G Network" or even “The Now Network” you’ll really know what their network is really about.

Image Source: Recombu

Here we go hands-on with the HTC One S. The One S comes with a 4.3 inch Super AMOLED display with qHD resolution, 1.5 GHz Snapdragon S4 dual-core processor, 1 GB RAM, 16 GB of Storage, 8 Megapixel camera with a f2.0, zero-shutter lag, HTC ImageChip and HTC ImageSense technology. For software you have Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich with Sense 4 skin on top. It’s going on sale April 25th for $199.99 with a $50 mail-in-rebate.

HTC One S Tech Specs

Operating
System
Android™ 4.0 (ICS) + HTC Sense™

Processor
1.5 GHz Dual Core
Qualcomm MSM8260A

Memory RAM
1 GB DDR2

Memory Storage
16 GB onboard storage

Display
4.3″ qHD Super AMOLED
960 x 540

Network
HSPA 42 Mbps

Wi-Fi®
802.11b/g/n

Battery
1650 mAh, Embedded

Camera
(Main): 8 MP, f/2.0, BSI,
Single LED – Smart Flash, ImageChip
1080p HD Video with Stereo Sound
(Front): VGA (640 x 480)

Audio
Universal Beats Audio

Dimensions
130.9 x 65 x 7.8mm
(8.9 for bump area)

Press Release:

BELLEVUE, Wash. — April 18, 2012 — Today, T-Mobile USA, Inc. and HTC Corp. announced the highly anticipated HTC One™ S will be available at T-Mobile® stores nationwide on April 25. As HTC’s premier launch partner in the U.S., T-Mobile will be the first to offer the ultra-sleek HTC One S, which is the company’s first device to ship with Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and HTC Sense™ 4.

The latest smartphone from T-Mobile to take advantage of 4G (HSPA+ 42) technology on America’s Largest 4G Network,™ the HTC One S provides T-Mobile customers with an amazing camera and authentic sound technology, plus a diverse selection of apps and services that give customers amazing 4G experiences.

With the HTC One S, customers will find a fantastic music experience that works seamlessly on T-Mobile’s 4G network. Customers can listen to their music libraries — up to 20,000 songs — straight from the cloud and purchase new music on the go with Google Play. Virtually all audio experiences sound better on the HTC One S thanks to its built-in Beats Audio™technology, which provides a richer and more authentic sound experience whether consumers are watching movies, listening to music or playing games.

Featuring an 8-megapixel back-side illuminated camera and HTC ImageSense,™ which provides a variety of enhancements to the camera’s lens, sensor and software, the HTC One S is always ready to capture pictures in the blink of an eye. Consumers have immediate access to their cameras from their home screens and a super-fast auto focus with continuous shooting to take continuous photos at 4 frames per second simply by holding the shutter button. In addition, the smartphone enables high-quality video recording with a full high-definition (HD) 1080p camcorder and the ability to concurrently capture HD video and still images at the same time. With access to 25 GB of free cloud storage from DropBox, HTC One S customers also can bring their photos, documents and videos virtually anywhere they go and upload new content to the cloud via T-Mobile’s network or Wi-Fi. HTC One S also gives customers a new way to share their content through use of HTC’s wireless Media Link HD accessory.* The small accessory allows easy sharing of any content on the phone with any TV that supports HDMI.

Also included with the HTC One S are applications that deliver added value, utility and fun.

T-Mobile TV makes it possible to enjoy free or premium live and on-demand programs, from the hottest TV shows to kids’ programs. With the Amazon Mobile application, T-Mobile customers can search and buy millions of products directly from their device and receive special offers on select merchandise. Also highlighted is a T-Mobile-exclusive version of the popular “Where’s My Water?” game from Disney Mobile, with ten levels that can’t be played anywhere else.

The ultra-sleek and modern HTC One S will be available in gradient blue and is T-Mobile’s thinnest smartphone (7.95mm). In addition to featuring a beautiful 4.3-inch qHD Super AMOLED screen, the HTC One S is equipped with a 1.5GHz, dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor by Qualcomm® and access to T-Mobile’s fastest 4G (HSPA+ 42) speeds, making the HTC One S a powerful device ideal for customers seeking a fantastic mobile experience.

Availability
The HTC One S will be available on April 25 at T-Mobile retail stores, select dealers, national retailers and online at http://www.t-mobile.com for $199.99 after a $50 mail-in-rebate card with qualifying two-year agreement. For more information, visit http://www.t-mobile.com/one or http://www.htc.com/us/products/htcones-tmobile

T-Mobile wants us to be among the first to experience the HTC One S. The even is happening in New York City next week on April 18th. Not too long ago we were in NYC for Sprint and  HTC announcing the EVO 4G LTE which is a US variant of the HTC One X. Rumors are that the launch date for the One S on T-Mobile is April 25th and with this press even it looks to be accurate. We’ll have hands-on and more when the event happens to keep it locked here at BWOne.com

The Nokia Lumia 710 for T-Mobile is the first Windows Phone handset from Nokia to launch here in the United States.  The 710 is the little brother to the Lumia 800 but that doesn’t meant its lacks in or features. It comes with a 3.7 inch LCD Display with ClearBlack technology for great viewing angles when in direct sunlight, 1.4 GHz single-core processor,  512 MB of RAM and 5 megapixel rear facing camera. Its considered a 4G phone but uses HSPA+ 14.4 Mbps for data so don’t expect blazing fast speeds but good speeds satisfy your data needs and if you need faster you have Wi-Fi available as well and Bluetooth to round out the connections.

Nokia may have only put a 5 megapixel camera in the Lumia 710 but its one of the best 5 MP cameras your going to find in a phone. Image quality is good and will work for posting to Facebook and Twitter and video is also good. Check out the sample pictures below and see for yourself.

For software  the 710 runs Windows Phone 7.5 Mango with exclusive Nokia applications such as Nokia Drive for turn-by-turn voice navigation which is something not native to the OS, Nokia Maps which includes public transit systems which is something not included in Bing Maps and Nokia Music. There is also an exclusive ESPN app which goes far beyond what the standard ESPN Windows Phone 7 app with live scores, update to date news and video feeds.Each application runs as it should but still need some more work to really get them working seamlessly in the platform. There were several times with both Nokia Drive and Nokia Maps that the GPS just wouldn’t locate which is just plain frustrating when trying to get someplace while on the go. You also need to download the maps first before you can use them. For more information please check out the video review below.

Samsung and T-Mobile announced the Galaxy S Blaze 4G. The phone features a 3.97 Super AMOLED display, 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, 5 megapixel rear facing camera with 720p HD video capture, 1.3 megapixel front facing camera for video chat, HSPA+ 42 Mbps and Android 2.3 Gingerbread.  The Galaxy Blaze 4G will retail for $149.99 after at $50 mail-in-rebate.

Press Release:

T-Mobile Announces March Availability for Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G

The latest addition to T-Mobile’s fastest 4G device lineup, the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G keeps consumers entertained and connected

 

BELLEVUE, Wash. — Feb. 22, 2012 — T-Mobile USA, Inc. and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S.,¹ today confirmed the upcoming March availability of the Samsung Galaxy S^® Blaze^™ 4G, exclusively from T-Mobile^®. The Galaxy S Blaze 4G is the latest addition to the successful Galaxy S line of products, and T-Mobile’s newest fast 4G smartphone to take advantage of 4G (HSPA+42) technology, providing customers with the ability to browse the Web faster than the average home Internet² connection while on the go.

 

Consumers are increasingly demanding more from their smartphones — keeping them entertained, staying connected with loved ones and enabling them to complete more tasks using a single device. A recent T-Mobile survey³ found 79 percent of smartphone users are less likely to carry other technology devices, such as cameras, laptops and GPS devices, when they have their smartphone.

 

T-Mobile’s newest 4G smartphone offers a variety of features and applications to help consumers be entertained and have access to the information they need when they need it. The Galaxy S Blaze 4G entertainment offerings make it easy for T-Mobile customers to stream their favorite movies on Netflix^®, enjoy live or on-demand TV programs on T-Mobile^® TV in mobile HD⁴ or download a popular movie or TV show using Samsung Media Hub. Additionally, the smartphone features TeleNav GPS Navigator, which provides hands-free, voice-guided turn-by-turn driving directions, real-time traffic alerts, full-color 3-D moving maps and local alerts, helping customers get to where they need to go. The Galaxy S Blaze 4G also comes preloaded with a customized version of the Yelp mobile application, featuring the ability to save profiles so users can keep preferences the same with one touch in any city, making it easy to find and read reviews for local places to eat, shop, drink and play.

 

Also pre-loaded on the device, the T-Mobile 4GPro App Pack offers an aggregation of key business applications, such as DropBox, Evernote, Square, TripIt, Camscanner and LinkedIn, helping busy consumers be even more productive while balancing their professional and personal lives.

 

“The Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G is loaded with rich features and services to keep consumers entertained and connected virtually anywhere they want to go,” said Andrew Sherrard, senior vice president, marketing, T-Mobile USA. “Paired with T-Mobile’s fast 4G network and our unlimited data plans, we’re making it easy for consumers to enjoy the benefits of 4G experiences at a price they can afford.”

 

Featuring a sleek and stylish form factor, the smartphone comes in a carbon black color and runs onAndroid^™ 2.3 Gingerbread. The Galaxy S Blaze 4G also features a Snapdragon^™ S3 processor by Qualcomm^® with 1.5 GHz dual-core CPUs and a beautiful 3.97-inch Super AMOLED^™ touch screen providing consumers with a rich experience watching their favorite movie or TV show on the device.

 

The Galaxy S Blaze 4G also makes it easy to connect and share photos and video with loved ones. It features a720p HD video recorder, 5-megapixel camera with 4x digital zoom, flash and advanced shooting modes, as well as a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera for video chat.

 

Availability

The Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G is expected to be available at T-Mobile retail stores, select dealers and retailers nationwide, and online at http://www.t-mobile.com starting late March. The Galaxy S Blaze 4G is expected to cost $149.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate card, with a two-year service agreement and qualifying Classic voice and data plan. For more information, visit http://galaxy-s.t-mobile.com/samsung-galaxy-blaze.

CES starts up this week and we will be hold a live blog for Nokia’s press event starting at 3 PM PST. There is a tough road ahead for Nokia in the US and this years CES they have a chance to start off 2012 with a bang. We should hear more about the Nokia Ace rumored for AT&T and something for Verizon, Sprint and possible another Windows Phone device for T-Mobile to be that step above the Lumia 710.  We will get the news straight to you right here so be sure to bookmark this page.

The HTC Amaze 4G comes in a direct competition to the Samsung Galaxy S2 on T-Mobile. It’s bringing high speed data, fast dual-core processing and a high quality camera. Does it stack up to the competition?

Hardware & Design

The Amaze 4G comes with at 4.3 inch super LCD display with qHD resolution, 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, 1 GB of ram, 16 GB of build-in storage, HSPA+ 42Mbps data speeds, 2 megapixel front facing camera and a 8 megapixel rear facing camera with a backside illuminated sensor, f2.3 and 28mm wide-angle lens to take in more light for photos. Photos come out great with good lighting and color reproduction. The video comes in 1080p and while the quality of the video image is good the audio for it is terrible. With such a great camera and a flagship phone having poor audio quality when recording is inexcusable.  Check out our sample pictures and videos at the bottom of this review.

As we know most HTC devices tend to look-alike but the Amaze 4G has some unique design features being that it’s a unibody design and the back cover comes off where you will see the 1730 mAH battery, sim card and micro SD card slot. There is also a dedicated button for video recording right next to the camera button.  The overall feel of the phone is nice and solid and feels like a quality product that will last. The specs are where they should be for a high-end phone and the design is just different enough to tell it apart from other HTC phones.

Software & Usability

As you know with HTC you will get Sense UI on op of Android 2.3 Gingerbread. Sense UI stays the same for most HTC smartphones. You have 7 desktops and different HTC Scenes and Skins to customize the look and feel. For apps you have standard Google Android apps and HTC apps such as Peep, HTC Watch, Footprints, etc. The camera software is updated to give you more shooting options and works more like a standalone point and shoot camera. The software overall works smooth without hiccups and if you’re a fan of Sense UI you will like it.  Call quality is good but the battery life is very standard android. Power users will always need to look for a place to charge while intermediate users will get through the day on a single charge.

Overall

The Amaze 4G is a great phone. It’s build is great, the specs are solid in it and the camera will be a great point and shoot replacement. The battery life isn’t great and HSPA+ 42 Mbps is not available everywhere just yet but if your looking for an alternative to a Galaxy S2  and want a top Android phone on T-Mobile this is the one to get.

AT&T has officially pulled out of merger plans with T-Mobile. The deal which was worth $39 Billion was set to bring T-Mobile into the AT&T umbrella. This comes after the merge was blocked by the FCC and the DOJ because they felt it would hurt the wireless industry and consumers in the long run. AT&T will owe T-Mobile $4 Billion for the failed attempt.

I’m not surprised this deal didn’t go through once federal agencies stepped it. There wasn’t much that the two wireless companies could do to prove the merge would have positive effects on the industry or the economy. This isn’t to say that T-Mobile won’t be bought out at all, It just means that it won’t be AT&T that will do it. Check out the official press release below.

Press Release:

AT&T Ends Bid To Add Network Capacity Through T-Mobile USA Purchase

Company Reaffirms Its Commitment to Mobile Broadband Leadership

Dallas, Texas, December 19, 2011

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) said today that after a thorough review of options it has agreed with Deutsche Telekom AG to end its bid to acquire T-Mobile USA, which began in March of this year.

The actions by the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice to block this transaction do not change the realities of the U.S. wireless industry. It is one of the most fiercely competitive industries in the world, with a mounting need for more spectrum that has not diminished and must be addressed immediately. The AT&T and T-Mobile USA combination would have offered an interim solution to this spectrum shortage.  In the absence of such steps, customers will be harmed and needed investment will be stifled.

“AT&T will continue to be aggressive in leading the mobile Internet revolution,” said Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and CEO.  “Over the past four years we have invested more in our networks than any other U.S. company. As a result, today we deliver best-in-class mobile broadband speeds – connecting smartphones, tablets and emerging devices at a record pace – and we are well under way with our nationwide 4G LTE deployment.

“To meet the needs of our customers, we will continue to invest,” Stephenson said. “However, adding capacity to meet these needs will require policymakers to do two things. First, in the near term, they should allow the free markets to work so that additional spectrum is available to meet the immediate needs of the U.S. wireless industry, including expeditiously approving our acquisition of unused Qualcomm spectrum currently pending before the FCC.  Second, policymakers should enact legislation to meet our nation’s longer-term spectrum needs.

“The mobile Internet is a dynamic industry that can be a critical driver in restoring American economic growth and job creation, but only if companies are allowed to react quickly to customer needs and market forces,” Stephenson said.

To reflect the break-up considerations due Deutsche Telekom, AT&T will recognize a pretax accounting charge of $4 billion in the 4th quarter of 2011.  Additionally, AT&T will enter a mutually beneficial roaming agreement with Deutsche Telekom.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

The Nokia Lumia 710 is the first Nokia Windows Phone devices launched in the US. We came to Nokia’s NYC launch event to get some hands on time with it. It comes with 3.7- inch display, with 800 x 480 ClearBlack LCD display, 1.4GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 512MB RAM, 8GB of storage, 5 megapixel rear camera with single LED flash, WiFi and Bluetooth on board. Plus you do have HSPA+ 14.4Mbps. The specs pretty much remain unchanged from the original Lumia 710 we say a few months back for the international market. Launching on January 12, 2012 at a $49.99 price after a $50 mail in rebate card it’s a great price for the value.

Press Release:

T-Mobile Brings Nokia Lumia 710 to the U.S.

Nokia and T-Mobile deliver a leading entry-level Windows Phone experience to the nearly 150 million Americans still to make the transition to smartphones.

BELLEVUE, Wash., and SUNNYVALE, Calif. – Dec. 14, 2011 – T-Mobile USA, Inc. and Nokia today announced the upcoming availability of the Nokia Lumia 710, the first Windows Phone from Nokia in the United States. Targeted at the nearly 150 million Americans who haven’t purchased their first smartphones, the 4G-capable Nokia Lumia 710 delivers high-performance hardware, Nokia’s best social and Internet experience, and access to popular smartphone applications and services from Windows Phone Marketplace.

Running on America’s Largest 4G Network™, the Nokia Lumia 710 benefits from the unique people-first approach of Windows Phone, bringing together all interactions with family and friends in People Hub. The Nokia Lumia 710 also provides one-click access to popular services, such as Netflix, T-Mobile TV with mobile HD1 and a leading mobile Web experience with Internet Explorer® Mobile, Bing™ Search with voice activation and Local Scout for locally relevant search results. The smartphone also brings access to signature Nokia experiences, such as Nokia Drive for voice-guided, turn-by-turn navigation and ESPN for exclusive sports content.

“We’re excited to team with Nokia in bringing its first Windows Phone to the U.S. with the elegantly designed Nokia Lumia 710,” said Cole Brodman, chief marketing officer, T-Mobile USA. “Windows Phone offers a compelling mobile OS choice for people who want a smartphone built around them, their family and friends. We expect it to play a more prominent role in our lineup and marketing efforts in 2012.”

Today, people are increasingly upgrading to smartphones, and many are doing so for the first time. According to the NPD Group, U.S. smartphone sales reached 59 percent in the third quarter 2011, an increase of 13 percent since third quarter 2010. With an increasing demand for smartphones, the Nokia Lumia 710 offers a compelling experience aimed at addressing the needs of the nearly 150 million people in the U.S. who have yet to upgrade to their first smartphones.

“Our research shows nearly everybody in the U.S. wants a smartphone, but many believe they can’t afford it,” Brodman said. “That’s where T-Mobile shines. Our Unlimited Value and Monthly4G plans make it more affordable than ever to step up to mobile data on our 4Gnetwork.”
“The Nokia Lumia 710 is the perfect first-time smartphone: a well-designed product that delivers the most compelling Windows Phone experience in its price range and with access to great content and thousands of applications,” said Chris Weber, president, Nokia Americas. “This is the perfect first Nokia Lumia experience and the start of our re-entry into the U.S. smartphone market.”

Available in a black or white finish, the Nokia Lumia 710 features a 3.7-inch ClearBlack WVGA scratch-resistant display for outstanding outdoor viewing and a Qualcomm 1.4 GHz Snapdragon™ processor providing speedy access to entertainment and information on-the-go. It also features a 5-megapixel camera with Nokia’s leading camera technology, enabling people to take pictures in almost any light condition and share on social networks in seconds. With the most integrated work-life solution of any mobile platform via the Windows Phone Office Hub and an interactive mobile gaming experience via Xbox LIVE®, the Nokia Lumia 710 is the complete all-round first-time smartphone experience.

Availability
The Nokia Lumia 710 is expected to be available at T-Mobile retail stores, select dealers and retailers nationwide, and online at http://www.t-mobile.com starting Jan. 11. The Nokia Lumia 710 is expected to cost $49.99 after a $50 mail-in-rebate card, with a two-year service agreement and qualifying Classic voice and data plan. For more information, visit http://www.t-mobile.com/lumia.
For more information on T-Mobile’s Unlimited Value and Monthly4G plans, see: http://family.t-mobile.com/phone-plans.
1 Mobile HD TV can deliver a bit rate of 800kbps and 16:9 resolution; the bit rate and resolution you experience will vary based on many factors, e.g., programming, network connection and device.

Camera phones are quickly becoming the replacement for your point and shoot digital camera. The Samsung Galaxy S2’s 8 Megapixel camera with LED Flash and 1080p HD video capture makes a great case for your go-to digital camera if you own one. I have a lot of friend recently who have purchased either the Epic 4G Touch, or the Galaxy S2 for T-Mobile or AT&T and also the Galaxy S II Skyrocket and they all come with this great camera but many of them didn’t know some of the ways to take advantage of the quality to take some great pics. I  still had a review unit lying around so I figure I’d  do a quick post on some tips to get the most of the camera.

• Hit that settings icon on the bottom left. It has a ton of setting and features that you wouldn’t normally think to look at. It comes with many of the same features that you would find on a point and shoot digital camera. You can control exposure, white balance, anti-shake, timer, scene modes etc.
• Fit more into your shots! Get everyone in that group photo! Go to setting then resolutions and choose the widescreen resolution shot to fit more people in. It will downgrade the resolution to 6.5 megapixels but that’s good enough and the lens is the most important part of the camera regardless of the resolution. Save those 8 MP shots for pictures focused on something specific and use the widescreen 6.5 MP shots for everyday pics.
• The camera actually has a two-step button for taking pictures. While you can tap on the screen to focus you can also just as easily and more accurately hold down the virtual camera button on-screen, wait for the focus arrows to turn green and release your figure off the button and the picture will snap immediately in full focus. This will increase the number of clear and accurate shots you take.
• You can edit the shortcuts on the left side of the camera app. You can have up to 4 shortcuts available all you need to do is hit the settings icon and at the very top of the list choose edit shortcuts and add/remove what you want. The same is available in the video recording section as well.

Now you know some cool ways to get the best out of your camera. These are just a few tips that I know and I want to hear from you if you have any others to share as well. Just post them below! Check below to seem some of these tips in action.
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