PhoneTalk

Rollouts of the Android Ice Cream Sandwich OS update are still headed toward existing phones and we’re already beginning to learn which phones should expect to receive the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update. According to a recent article in Fierce Wireless, HTC plans to upgrade the HTC One X, HTC One XL, and HTC One S to the Jelly Bean OS. Users can expect a smoother experience, more personalization, and an updated home screen with the Jelly Bean Android 4.1 OS.

In April, Sprint unveiled the HTC EVO 4G LTE. Now the phone will also be available in the fashion forward white color this month. In addition to working on Sprint’s 4G LTE network and having a speedy 1.5GHz dual-core processor, the phone runs the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich OS with the HTC Sense 4 overlay. It also comes with 16GB of onboard storage (plus it will accept up to a 32GB microSD card) so you’ll be able to easily store any of the 1080p HD videos you shoot on the phone. It also sports an 8-megapixel camera with a fast shutter speed. You can learn more about Sprint’s HTC EVO 4G LTE by clicking this link.

This week T-Mobile announced two new members to the myTouch family that will be available in August. First up is the latest version of the T-Mobile myTouch that will feature a 4-inch WVGA touchscreen, a new version (4.0) of the popular Genius Button, a 1.4GHz processor, work on the company’s 4G network, and run Android 2.3 (that's the Gingerbread OS). The T-Mobile myTouch Q will sport similar features, but it will also have a slide-out tactile QWERTY keyboard. There aren’t a lot of Android smartphones currently available that sport a slide-out keyboard, so the inclusion of one on the myTouch Q is a definite plus.

The long awaited DROID INCREDIBLE 4G LTE by HTC is now available with Verizon service. The latest member of the DROID INCREDIBLE family features loads of upgrades including a spacious and vibrant 4-inch Super LCD qHD display, 4G LTE connectivity, and runs Android 4.0 OS. The smartphone also features a rear-facing 8-megapixel camera that can shoot 1080p HD video, a front-facing VGA camera, the latest HTC Sense, and a 1.2GHz dual-core processor. All of these specs and features make for a solid smartphone with tons of extra features to keep you connected on-the-go.

This month we hosted the Speed Into Summer Sweepstakes where three winners would receive their choice of one of these smartphones: Verizon’s upcoming DROID Incredible 4G LTE, Sprint’s newest HTC EVO 4G LTE, or the HTC One S for T-Mobile. To enter the contest, you had to visit LetsTalk’s Facebook page and fill out the entry form.

The Giveaway is now closed and the winners have been selected. So join us in congratulating the winners: Katie Embry, Chris Callicoat, and Debra Pearlstein.

Today at the Windows Phone Summit being held in San Francisco, Microsoft showed off Windows Phone 8. There are quite a few enhancements that users can expect, but existing Windows Phone 7.5 users won’t get is the ability to upgrade their phones to Windows Phone 8. Existing Windows Phone users will, however, get an update to 7.8, which will have the new Windows Phone 8 Start screen -- it’s a bit of a centerpiece of the upcoming Windows Phone 8.

The idea behind the new Start screen is that you can customize it anyway you want, changing tile sizes giving some activities more significance than others (watch the video below to see it in action). Other noteworthy features are the inclusion of Internet Explorer 10 (that’s a full web browser, not a mobile version), the Wallet (manage payments, deals, and cards you might find in a wallet), and Nokia’s mapping software. We should also note that existing Windows Phone apps will work with the Windows Phone 8 platform.

We can expect to see Windows Phone 8 models from Nokia, HTC, Huawei, and Samsung. Some of the hardware features to expect include a multi-core processor (this will make the phone faster and more powerful), a slot for an external microSD storage card, NFC chip (Wallet apps and connecting with other Windows 8 devices), Nokia maps, and a WXGA display (1280 x768) – that’s HD.

Get a peak at the new Start screen in the Mircosoft video below.

There's a lot to like about the HTC One S for T-Mobile. It offers a speedy user experience running Android 4.0 thanks to its 1.5Ghz dual-core processor. The big appeal to this phone are the new HTC Sense and the camera features. HTC Sense makes it easier than ever to customize the smartphone and the camera's shutter speed is impressive. Plus it now has the ability to add depth of field to a photo and snap a picture while recording an HD video. To learn more about the HTC One S watch the expert review video below.

LetsTalk's latest sweepstakes will award three lucky winners one of the newest HTC Android smartphones to hit the market. Winners will have a choice of selecting Verizon’s upcoming DROID Incredible 4G LTE, Sprint’s newest HTC EVO 4G LTE, or the HTC One S for T-Mobile. All you have to do to enter the sweepstakes is visit LetsTalk’s Facebook page and click this link to enter. While you’re there, don’t forget to “Like” the company’s Facebook page. We should note that you only need to enter once to win and selecting/deselecting "Like" on Facebook will not increase your chances of winning.

The sweepstakes lasts through June 22, 2012. Becoming a fan of LetsTalk’s Facebook page will help keep you informed about the latest cell phone news, let you know when the most popular phones are available, and more. So, be sure to spread the word.

Love the HTC EVO, but wish it had 4G LTE connectivity? Then you’ll be happy to learn that a 4G LTE version of the phone will be available for Sprint customers later this month. The new model will also have a larger 4.7-inch HD display and run Android 4.0 Ice Cream with the HTC Sense 4 overlay. Other specs include a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor, a NFC chip for use with mobile payment options, and Beats Audio. You can use the front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera for video chat or to participate in a Google Hangout, and the rear-facing 8-megapixel camera has HTC ImageSense so while recording HD video you can also snap a picture. Want to be the first of your friends to get the HTC EVO 4G LTE? Click this link to pre-order the phone now.

At CTIA, manufacturers and carriers have the opportunity to display some of their higher-end cell phones that will be available in the coming months. Case in point are the HTC One series of phones. This Android 4.0 smartphone is meant to entertain and capture special moments on the fly and all while sporting a stylish design. Since this is a phone from HTC it’s going to have a ton of special features that are all there to enhance the user experience such as HTC Sense for overall phone navigation and HTC ImageSense that’s loaded with camera enhancements. The rear-facing camera will have a f/2.0 back illuminated sensor that allows for more light to go into the sensor. The camera can also be used to record HD video.

As for specs of the HTC One Series phones there will be a few versions: HTC One X, HTC One S, and HTC One V. Specs will vary between models, however, the HTC One X will sport a 4.7-inch display and 1.5GHz dual-core processor, while the HTC One S will have the same processor and a smaller 4.3-inch display. The HTC One V will have a smaller display.

The latest member of HTC’s popular DROID Incredible line has been unveiled at CTIA in New Orleans. The DROID Incredible 4G LTE by HTC has quite a few upgrades including a larger screen size. The new smartphone sports a 4-inch super LCD qHD display, which means the screen is viewable in direct sunlight and images are crisp. It has a built-in NFC chip for use with mobile wallet apps and a snappy 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. Additionally, the phone will be running the latest version of HTC Sense 4, Beats Audio, Google’s Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich OS, and as its name suggests work on Verizon’s speed 4G LTE data network. The 4G LTE connection can be shared with up to 10 other WiFi-enabled devices via the Mobile HotSpot feature. Other noteworthy features include a front-facing camera for video chat and 8-megapixel rear-facing camera with a flash and 28mm lens. The camera can also be used to record HD video and even snap a picture while capturing video. The DROID Incredible by HTC 4G LTE will be available from Verizon in the coming weeks.