HTC EVO Shift 4G ReviewHTC EVO Shift 4G Review SummaryHTC EVO Shift 4G Hardware

The HTC EVO Shift 4G measures 2.3 inches wide, 4.6 inches tall, and 0.6 inch thick. While smaller than the HTC Evo and the Samsung Epic 4G, it’s more comfortable to hold. Its soft-touch finish and aluminum accents give it a premium feel, and the overall built quality is good.


The HTC EVO Shift 4G has a 800×480-pixel resolution, 3.6-inch display, which is slightly smaller than the Epic 4G and EVO 4G, but produce bright and sharp images. While smartphone viewing angle isn’t much of an issue for most people, reviewer from Laptop Magazine noted that the picture looks washed out from the sides, indicating bad horizontal viewing angle.

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One of the main feature that differenciate HTC EVO Shift 4G from the EVO 4G is that the Shift 4G comes with a slide out QWERTY keyboard, which the main benefit is to enable users to see more content on the screen while typing. The keyboard is comfortable to use as there’s plenty of space between the keys, and the buttons provide nice, tactile feedback. It’s also nicely backlit.


There’s a 5MP camera that takes decent quality picture and 720p video, but front-facing camera isn’t available on this android phone.


A few other limitation for the EVO Shift 4G includes the lack of HDMI port, and kickstand that the Evo have.


On the memory front, the Shift 4G ships with a 2GB microSD card, but you can expand that capacity to 32GB. Unfortunately, the microSD card slot which hide behind the battery can’t be easily accessed without first removing the battery.

HTC EVO Shift 4G Software

The Evo Shift 4G running Android 2.2 (Froyo) with HTC Sense are responsive and attractive. Besides HTC’s usual array of widgets and apps, Sprint bundles a bunch of useful apps including Amazon Kindle, QuickOffice, Nascar, Sprint Football Live, Sprint TV, and TeleNav GPS navigator. All the usual Google services such as Gmail, Maps, Search, Talk, YouTube, etc. are included as well. Of course there are still 200,000 over third-party apps that users can access through Android Market.

HTC EVO Shift 4G Performance

Voice quality of the HTC Evo Shift 4G is good overall. Reviewers reported good sound quality with very little background noise or voice distortion in their tests. Speakerphone quality was OK too.


System performance is reported to be responsive. The 800 MHz Qualcomm MSM7630 CPU combines with 521MB RAM and Android 2.2 to deliver a reasonably speedy experience. Apps launched almost immediately; and no significant delay when switching between tasks.

HTC EVO Shift 4G Battery Life

Battery life of the EVO Shift 4G is better than the Evo 4G. Its 1500mAh battery supports 6.5 hours of continuous talk time on a single charge. In another battery test that involve continuous web surfing over 3G, this Android smartphone lasted 6 hours and 51 minutes.

Conclusion

The HTC EVO Shift 4G is a solid Android smartphone. It’s overall performance, battery life, hardware and software design are mostly good. Although it lacks a front-facing camera and HDMI output, it’s also cheaper than other 4G phones like Samsung Epic 4G and Evo 4G. For $149, the Shift 4G is a solid pick for what you’re paying.

HTC EVO Shift 4G User ReviewsHTC EVO Shift 4G Expert ReviewsBonnie Cha from CNet says:Given Rating: For those who crave a physical keyboard, the HTC Evo Shift 4G is a solid choice with a more wallet-friendly price than its 4G competitors, and it doesn’t sacrifice too many features.
Jamie Lendino from PC Mag says:Given Rating: The HTC EVO Shift 4G is a powerful, less costly alternative to the EVO 4G on Sprint, and gives hardware keyboard fans another choice besides the Samsung Epic 4G.
Mark Spoonauer from Laptop Magazine says:Given Rating: For $149, the Shift 4G is a reasonably priced 4G smart phone that gives Sprint customers a physical keyboard option. Plus, it’s more affordable than the Samsung Epic 4G and Evo 4G, both of which are $199. We prefer the keyboard and the brighter and bigger Super AMOLED display on the Epic 4G, but the Shift 4G lasts more than an hour longer on a charge. Overall, the Shift 4G is a solid pick for what you’re paying. It offers faster web speeds than the T-Mobile G2 and Motorola Droid 2 and a good typing experience.
Reviewer from Phone Arena says:Given Rating: Looking at its $149.99 on-contract price, there is no arguing that the HTC EVO Shift 4G is a respectable Android smartphone based on its overall performance, but there is this nagging feeling pulsating in the back of our minds about it. Specifically, it plays in direct contention with the HTC EVO 4G and Samsung Epic 4G (both priced at $199.99 now) – which is primarily due to its 4G WiMAX connectivity. However, when you factor in that you’re paying an extra premium for its data plan, it begins to look sour for the HTC EVO Shift 4G since it lacks some extras such as a front facing camera for video chat functionality. And when you compare it to its most direct competitor, the Samsung Epic 4G, the $50 price difference is substantial as the Epic 4G just offers more value and features with its pricing. In the end, the HTC EVO Shift 4G is a good handset, but if it were priced more competitively, it could potentially garner some additional attention.
Scott Lowe from IGN says:Given Rating: Overall, I’d say the HTC Evo Shift 4G for Sprint is a decent solution with a few notable flaws. I don’t foresee it being someone’s first pick in smartphone hardware, but for those just browsing for a limited frills slider, it’ll suffice.
Lisa Gade from Mobile Tech Review says:Given Rating: Despite our many niggles and complaints, the HTC EVO Shift 4G is a solid midrange to better than midrange Android QWERTY smartphone. HTC Sense software is excellent, Android OS 2.2 Froyo is fast and fairly recent even if it’s not the latest and call quality is very good. We’ve based our star rating on an EVO Shift 4G with working 3G data– should our problems with extremely slow 3G data turn out to be widespread, we’d take at least a star away and decline to recommend the phone.
Quentyn Kennemer from Phandroid says:The original EVO 4G made itself out to be a media lover’s dream, but the lack of an HDMI-out port, a kickstand, and the change to a smaller screen make the EVO Shift 4G more of a business-centric device than anything. I was disappointed with the lack of a front-facing camera, and a little surprised to see it gone as it was one of Sprint’s biggest selling points on the original EVO.


Although I’m a big fan of keyboards, I wasn’t a big fan of the Shift’s keyboard, but it’s all about options – you could just go with the EVO 4G if it doesn’t appeal to you. But the on-screen keyboard is still a breeze to use even on the smaller display, so I can’t imagine the typing experience would deter anyone either way. If the keyboard is that important to you, you’ll want to give Samsung’s Epic 4G a shot.


This phone is going to be for the folks who can’t get behind having a 4.3-inch beast sitting in their front pockets, and if they don’t care about a few of the bells and whistles missing from the original EVO 4G, then they won’t be disappointed – solid hardware comes together with proven software to make a pleasant experience for anyone needing a new smartphone.
Mike Perlman from Info Sync says:Well, the wait for a new EVO phone is over, and it was worth it. The HTC EVO Shift 4G for Sprint is a definite winner. It’s as quick as most of the top speed demons in the smartphone circuit, thanks to its second-generation Snapdragon chipset and Android 2.2. The EVO Shift 4G also proves its versatility with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and access to plenty of applications like Quickoffice, HTC Mail, the Android Market, and a robust Google Suite.


The HTC EVO 4G may not have the front facing camera, HDMI terminal, or giant screen found on its bigger brother, the HTC EVO 4G, but it was built for the avid messager and social feed fiend. Consider the HTC EVO Shift 4G to be the subdued version of the 4G phone that started it all. Compared to its competitors, the HTC EVO Shift 4G is one of the top contenders, so be sure to check it out before you settle on a Samsung Epic 4G or branch out to another carrier for the Motorola Droid 2 or T-Mobile G2.
Julie Bart from Hot Hardware says:Sprint’s phone lineup of smartphones is not nearly as impressive as most of its competitors (it hasn’t even announced an intention to carry a Windows Phone 7 phone, for instance, and there’s obviously no iPhone either). And although Sprint has a selection of Android phones, if you want 4G you currently have three choices, and of these only two currently run Android 2.2, with the other requiring a software upgrade (and the risks of quirky side-effects that an upgrade entails).


On the other hand, users of Sprint’s network don’t have the same complaints about call quality, dropped calls, and coverage areas as users of AT&T.


While the HTC EVO Shift 4G doesn’t have all the features of the highest end smartphones, what it does, it does well. And we found its compromises to be a fair trade. Instead of a front-facing camera, it offers a slimmer form more comfortable when using it as a phone. Instead of a higher-end camera and HDMI slot, it offers a slide-out keyboard, which provides more viewable area onscreen in many situations and choices of how to input text. Instead of an included 8GB microSD, it offers a lower price and a bit more ROM storage.


We found the phone so responsive and easy to use however, be it surfing, texting, playing games or talking, that the Evo Shift’s compromises felt less significant.
Eric M. Zeman from Phone Scoop says:The EVO Shift 4G offers great software in a so-so wrapper. Personally, I don’t like the weight, thickness, nor keyboard action of the EVO Shift 4G. They’re just not as good as some of the EVO Shift 4G’s competitors. However, if those items aren’t as important as simply having a physical keyboard at all, then it’s a wash.


The Sense user interface continues to be easy to navigate and is highly customizable. HTC allows users to adjust nearly every feature, screen or parameter of the EVO Shift 4G in at least some small way. Sense is speedy, doesn’t hesitate, and offers solid camera and music software, in addition to its improved messaging and social powers. The camera takes good pictures for this class of devices, and the music player is slightly better than what stock Android offers.


If you’re in the market for an Android phone that has WiMax and a keyboard, the EVO Shift 4G is one of the only options out there. Sure, it doesn’t have quite the same sex appeal as the current crop of flagship Android devices, but not every smartphone can be a Ferrari. Some have to be Fords.
HTC EVO Shift 4G VideosHTC EVO Shift 4G SpecificationWeight5.85 ouncesScreen Size3.6-inchResolution480 x 800CPU800MHz Qualcomm MSM7630RAM512 MBInternal Storage2 GBExternal StorageSupports up to 32GB microSD card, 2 GB pre-installedBattery Life6 hours talk timeFront CameraNoRear Camera5MPBluetooth2.1+EDROperating SystemAndroid 2.2 (Froyo)

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10 Most Exciting Features of Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)

After only several weeks from the day Android celebrated its second Anniversary, Google heralded the arrival of Gingerbread, the newest version (ver. 2.3) of its mobile operating system. While its predecessor introduced the nitrus-oxide boost for enhanced performance during its debut, Gingerbread focuses more on addressing UI tweaks for improved gaming and media experience.  Improvements such as a new virtual keyboard with better auto-complete functions; internet call support; and other low-profile innovations are all geared toward this end. Following are the 10 most exciting Gingerbread features that Android are sure to look forward to.


1. Baked In Support for Near-Field Communication

This will allow you to use your mobile phone similar to a mobile payment equipment. Your phone can be used to charge your credit card for purchases made or linked to your loyalty shopping cards. NFC, however, is not merely for mobile payments. According to Google, a simple click will allow you to view virtual posters, stickers and advertisements to get more information about available promotions, locations, and a bunch of other cool stuff without having to log in on an online site.


2. Updated Interface

The traditional grey notification menu bar is gone.  In its place, a black notification bar will adorn the new generation of Android phones. This sets the tone for changes across the entire platform, including transformations in pop-up and contextual menus. According to Google, these changes are not done merely for aesthetics but to increase battery life too. The Nexus S experience showed that super AMOLED panels that display black require less battery power.


3. Software Keyboard Made More Efficient

Google redesigned the software keyboard to feature better-shaped buttons and more space separating the digital keys. This makes the keys a lot more visible and much easier to press.


If you’ve very recently managed to become comfortable with the older version of their keyboard, you will be surprised to find that this new design is a lot easier and more convenient to use. All the new Android phones will come with built-in support for multi-touch and key-chording use. The shift key may be used to capitalize letters like you would when using a laptop or a regular pc keyboard.


To further enhance your typing skills, Google also made changes on how the auto-complete tool looks. While the old drab grey theme used hard-to-read pale black texts, the improved version features a black background with clear yellow-orange texts that are lot more noticeable whilst typing emails and short messages.


4. Gyroscope for 3D Motion Processing

Apple was the first to introduce this feature to the market. An additional sensor catches 360-degree movements for richer and better gaming experience. However, Gingerbread offers more. Google will provide significantly more sensors that can support gravity-based movements, linear acceleration and “barometric” changes.


5. More Efficient Power Management

It is annoying having to install third-party apps just to help support power-hungry Android apps. Proprietary settings apps developed and included by some manufacturers that display various status, draw power from active applications and device settings. This greatly contributes to the problem of power management and efficiency.


Gingerbread provides a straightforward solution to this problem by incorporating the functionality in applications under settings. To make it even more beneficial, Google allowed the operating system to play a more active role in shutting down applications that drain too much power in the background. In simple terms, users can now spend less time checking for active applications that are draining battery power.


6. One-Touch Copy-and-Paste Selection

Copy-and-paste functions can either be a boon or bane depending on the phone brand and the application you are using.  With Gingerbread, selections can be easily made by a simple press-hold procedure. This eliminates the additional step in other applications’ wherein you need to press-hold and still end up with a new window to make selection from available copy options.


7. Unified Download Manager

With Gingerbread’s unified Download Manager, Android users who are used to downloading applications through the browser will have an easier accomplishing the task. Installing APK files from the root menu will no longer be necessary because Android 2.3 can keep track of all downloads regardless of how they were obtained, emailing them to yourself included. This is a very practical feature for managing even in-app downloads as well.


8. Easy to Find Application Manager

To facilitate closing of power-consuming applications, Gingerbread added a shortcut for the Application Manager on the home screen. This is certainly easier since you need not navigate through the settings menu in order to find the proper setting.


9. Audio Sound Processing

Soon, Gingerbread will also introduce an enhancement that will allow platform-level audio output customization.  This means that if given access to Android SDK for Gingerbread, digital sound companies like Dolby and SRS can provide


10. Internet Calling and Multiple Video Support

Although some Android phone models have sported front-facing cameras for some time now, users have had to bear the inconvenience of using third party applications like Firing or Qik to make video calls over IP.  With Android architecture’s making available built-in multiple camera and VOIP/SIP call support, the possibility of making video calls over Google Talk or Google Voice looms to be a very real option in the very near future.

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Xperia SmartWatch - Android phones reviews

Nowadays almost all the people possess a smart phone. But a phone cannot be used all the time especially when you are on a go or you are in a meeting or any crowded public place. In such cases the smart watches can be your greatest asset. You can control all of your calls, texts and even do any work in different apps by using the smart watches.

The Smartphones can be used in almost all the android devices. Especially in Xperia series it works best. Let’s see how does the smart watches really work.

At first you need to make a connection between the android and the smart watch. Here are the processes of setting up

➢ At first you need to go to the setting option from the phone.

➢ Then from the wireless and network option go to Bluetooth setting and turn the Bluetooth on.

➢ At this time be careful of being off the smart watch. After that hold down the power key and turn on the android when the pairing animation will appear.

➢ Then do a search for the other device and after showing the smart watch tap this and finally tap the “pair in your phone” and the green icon on the smart watch to make a connection between the phone and the watch.

➢ After downloading the smart watch application you can open the application and download any application you want.

After setting up and installing the necessary apps you are all set to use the smart watch. You will get a huge amount of facilities from this smart watch. Here are some common tasks that you can do using the smart watch .

➢ After plugging in the headset in your android and playing the music you are all set to control the playlist from your smart watch. By touching the screen of the watch you can easily change the songs or even make the volume up and down.

➢ You can miss many calls texts when you are in a meeting or any concerts. But if you have a smart watch on your wrist then you can turn on the notification on your watch by which you can check all your calls and texts.

➢ Also you can get access to the social media like Facebook Twitter and see what your friends are up to. Even you can like others posts on those sites.

➢ You can even receive any calls if you have your headset with you. So no matter wherever your mobile is that may be in your bag or desk. But having a smart watch on your hand you can receive any calls easily.

➢ From the android you can also download any apps for your wrist watch and decorate that according to your heart’s content.

Also the stylish rubber band makes you look smart. So those who are the smart phone owners they must have this smart watch to give a dimension in their daily life.

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Russian Hitman Ransom Prank!

-"Im too high" 
-"On what?"
-"Speed".
Holy crap! Funny prank tho!

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