Buying a smartphone is a lot like telling a joke - timing is everything. Purchasing a Galaxy S III a few months ago was probably fine and dandy, but today, everybody sort of knows we're closing in on the next round of product announcements for 2013.
When do I buy? Which announcement do I wait for? Do I buy as soon as my contract expires, or sit on my upgrade until something new comes along? It's easy to get paralyzed into a sort of gadget anxiety - where you never commit to buying anything, because who knows what could be coming next. I admit, it's happened to me more than once. I'm on the verge of clicking that "submit order" button, and I chicken out at the last second. For most people, it's probably not a concern - having the latest and greatest is enough, even if it's only the latest and greatest for a few months. But for us tech lovers, it's serious business.
This year, we'll undoubtedly see a lot of cool new smartphones announced. So what are you waiting on before you drop your hard-earned cash? (The poll answers aren't super specific, so definitely elaborate in the comments section about your choice.)
News Roundup
Android Police Podcast Episode 45
Carrier News
- T-Mobile's LTE will go live in Las Vegas very soon, then Kansas City.
- Sprint's LTE is on the move in 28 new markets, by Sprint's definition of 'market,' at least.
Google News
- An LG executive has decided to explain the Nexus 4 supply situation, and this time it sounds legit.
- Larry Page tosses zingers at Apple, Facebook.
- Google will now sell you a Nexus 7 3G with a T-Mobile SIM card instead of an AT&T one.
- The Bluetooth audio streaming issue in Android 4.2 should be fixed soon.
Rumors
- The Optimus G Pro is like an Optimus G but better. Any questions?
- AT&T might want to buy a carrier in Europe.
- Is this HTC's next flagship phone?
Device News
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HTCSony CEO says he won't make any morecheap, cheaplow profit smartphones. - Motorola has promised it will keep its promises from now on.
- The 'unrootable' RAZR / RAZR MAXX Jelly Bean update is not so much anymore.
- Samsung wrote a really poorly translated essay about the issues with the Pebble Blue Galaxy S III's rear cover.
- Samsung has sold more than 100,000,000 Galaxy S devices.
- ASUS is making a crappy 7", $150 tablet you shouldn't buy.
Device Updates
- Galaxy Note II (Verizon), Galaxy Note II (T-Mobile), Transformer Pad Infinity (TF700T), Galaxy Nexus (Sprint), Galaxy Tab 7.7 (Verizon), LG Lucid, Epic 4G Touch, Sprint Flash, Galaxy Note 10.1 (US Wi-Fi), Galaxy Rugby Pro, Photon Q
App / Game Roundups
- 40 new games from the last three weeks.
- The very best games from 2012.
- The very best apps from 2012.
App News
- Opera is going to unveil a new mobile browser called 'Ice' at MWC.
- Facebook for Android now does voice messaging.
- Temple Run 2 is coming on January 24th.
- MediaFire now has an Android app.
- Our hands-on with Redbox Instant (it's pretty awful).
- Feeling adventurous? How about 'doing all of your banking only on your smartphone' adventurous? GreenDot can help.
- Simple Bank now has an Android app.
- Looking for another Android backup solution? Carbon is now a thing, developed by Koush.