Verizon just announced the DROID 4; a LTE, QWERTY DROID phone. Check out the 5 row QWERTY keyboard.

• LTE
• dual core 1.2GHz processor
• 16GB storage
• (presumably) 1GB RAM
• Android 2.3.5
• 4" 960x540 display
• 8MP camera
• 1785mAh battery
• 69.9 x 126.7 x 12.9mm
• 179g
• 16GB built in storage + microSDHC

...

Here's the DROID RAZR MAXX. Check out the huge 3300mAh battery! Verizon also announced a purple DROID RAZR, their Android 4.0 plans and the DROID XYBOARD pair of LTE Tablets (10.1 and 8.2").

• 3300mAh battery (most similar phones have a 1500-1950mAh battery)
• LTE
• 4.3" SuperAMOLED 960x540
• dual core 1.2GHz processor
• presumably 1GB storage
• 8MP camera
• Android 2.3.5 (4.0 upgrade later)
• 16GB built in storage + included 16GB microSDHC
• 130.7 x 68.9 x 8.99mm
• 145g

...

Just a reminder that our "Win a Rogers phone of your choice" contest ends tomorrow at noon. If you haven't already ...

I just got my Transformer Prime in the mail. Here are my first impressions.

The Transformer Prime is the first device to ship with Nvidia’s Tegra 3 SoC. Nvidia was the first to ship a dual core ARM SoC and they’re the first again with a quad core.

Despite the quad core SoC, the Prime is very thin and sleek - there’s nothing clunky about it.

Besides the quad core SoC you get Android 3.2 (4.0 update is coming soon), 1280x800 10.1” display, 1GB RAM, 32GB storage, BT, WiFi (2.4Ghz only), micro HDMI and a micro SDHC support. ...

2011 was a tough year for RIM. From missed deadlines, outages, angry shareholders, stampedes and drunken executives one thing’s for sure: Someone’s going to require a lot of therapy. Between all the negative stories, RIM managed to update their entire smartphone lineup with new devices and a new version of the Blackberry OS. First came the Bold 9900/9930, followed by the Torch 9810/9860. Here’s the updated Curve: the 9360. ...

Here's our review of the Samsung Galaxy S Glide written by Sabesh.



After reviewing Bell's excellent Motorola XT860, I wished for similar sliders to compete with it, as I'm a fan of physical keyboards. My wish came true when Rogers released the Samsung Galaxy S Glide (reviewed here). It's called the "Samsung Captivate Glide" in the US market. Here are the highlights:
...

*update* I won't be around on the 4th so I'm going to have the draw on Monday the 9th instead.

Hey everyone, I'm pleased to announce that we're giving away a Rogers Smartphone OR Tablet of your choice. Choose from my favourites including the Motorola RAZR, The Blackberry Bold 9900, Apple iPhone 4s and Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 4G. Here's the complete list: ...

If you asked me what 2011’s sexiest device was, the Blackberry Bold 9900 would be high on my list. On the other hand, the 9900 isn’t even on most people’s radars because the media has been busy beating RIM to death. The 9900 has a very solid brushed stainless steel frame, an awesome carbon fiber battery cover and the best keyboard ever. I really like the 9900, so I was pretty excited when I found out that RIM was adding the Bold 9790 to the mix.
...

*update 12/28* added more futureshop and bestbuy, removed old deals
*update* added TELUS/Rogers/Bell/Tigerdirect/Walmart
*update* added Visions (good deals on tablets).
*update* added Mobilicity/Public Mobile/NCIX

Attn Canadians. Boxing day is around the corner so I thought I'd compile a list of deals. If you see any new deals please let me know by replying to the original thread started by cedqc418. You can also PM me or use the contact us form. Here the outstanding deals, a complete list of phone deals follows:

The 7" Lenovo Ideapad from FS for $199.99. Note that I've never tired this tablet before, I'm just looking at the price. Ditto for the 32GB 10.1" Lenovo K1 tablet for $299.99.

If you missed out on the $199 Playbooks they're back. I don't remember if the 32GB ones where $249 during the initial Playbook sale a few weeks ago but they're that price now from everywhere but The Source.

London Drugs has the LG Shine Plus on TELUS prepaid for $77.44 including $20 air time. If you live near one consider that. Just remember it's running Android 2.1 so no tethering.

$50 iTunes gift cards are $39 at FS and BB. I'll probably be picking up a few of these.

Futureshop in-store and online (Dec 28 and 29):
32GB Playbook - $249.99
$50 iTunes card - $39.00
32GB Lexar MicroSDHC class 10 - $49.99
LG Gossip Pro on Fido $0 on a 2yr, free $75 gift card
Samsung Galaxy Ace on Koodo $0 on Tab, free $75 gift card
HTC Wildfire S on VM - $0 on Tab, free $125 gift card
Samsung Galaxy S II 4G on Bell - $0 on 3yr, free $75 gift card
Samsung Galaxy S II X on TELUS - $0 on 3 yr, free $100 gift card
Samsung Galaxy S II LTE on Rogers - $0 on 3 yr, free $50 gift card

Futureshop online-only:
Lenovo Ideapad A1 7" 16GB tablet - $199.99
Lenovo Ideapad K1 10" 32GB tablet - $299.99
LG Optimus Chic on Bell prepaid - $54.99 with $30 credit

BestBuy instore (Dec 28-Jan 2):
Samsung Galaxy S II 4G on Bell - $0 on 3yr with free $75 gift card
32GB Playbook - $249.99
Viewsonic ViewPad 7s 7" 4GB dual core 1Ghz tablet - $149.99
Samsung Galaxy Ace on Koodo - $0 on on Tab, free $75 gift card
Samsung Galaxy S II X on TELUS - $0 on 3 yr, free $100 gift card
Samsung Galaxy S II LTE on Rogers - $0 on 3 yr, free $50 gift card
Blackberry Bold 9900 on Rogers - $0 on 3 yr, free $50 gift card
HTC Wildfire S on VM - $0 on Tab, free $125 gift card
Nokia X2 Prepaid on Fido - $44.99 includes $30 activation credit
Samsung Gio on Bell prepiad - $99.99, includes $30 activation credit
Lexar 8GB MicroSDHC - $9.99
Lexar 16GB MicroSDHC - $19.99
Sandisk 32GB MicroSDHC class 4 - $39.99

Source (starts online on the 24th at 8PM):
16GB Playbook + leather convertible case - $224.98
32GB Playbook + leather convertible case - $274.98
Acer ICONIA WiFi 8GB - $299.99
$200 in store credit when you activate 3yr contract with the Motorola ATRIX 4G, LG Optimus LTE or Galaxy S II 4G on Bell
LG Optimus Chic on Bell Prepaid - $99.95

London Drugs:
LG Shine Plus on TELUS prepaid - $77.44 includes $20 air time

2001 Audio Video:
Samsung Nexus S on Fido - $0 + $50 gift card with 3yr contract <- not a good deal, get the SGS II X/LTE/4G from FS or BB

Staples: (Dec 28 - Jan 3)
Motorola Xoom 32GB - $388

Staples: (Dec 26- Jan 3)
16GB Playbook - $199
32GB Playbook - $249
64GB Playbook - $399

Walmart:
INQ Cloud Touch on TELUS - $88.83

Wind (Thanks to windleaker for the info) :
Blackberry Bold 9900, Torch 9810 or HTC Amaze 4G for $99 on Tab when they activate on Oh Canada, Holiday Miracle or Genius Plan.
Blackberry Curve 9360 - $249, no tab, new customers only
1 yr of 1GB/month data + E1691 usb modem - $99
32GB Playbook for $99 with activation of Blackberry Smartphone on a $25 or higher plan - not sure if this can be combined with first offer.
activate Google Nexus S with $25 or high plan and get a free Samsung headset
activate LG Optimus 2x with $25 or high plan and get a free LG HDMI cable

TELUS:
Apple iPhone 4 32GB - $49 on a 3yr
Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray - $0 on 3yr with ANY plan
HTC Amaze 4G - $0 on 3yr
Samsung Galaxy S II X - $0 on 3 yr <- get it from FS/BB and get a $150 gift card
Blackberry Bold 9790 - $49.99 <- get the Bold 9900 from FS/BB for $0 plus a $100 gift card

Rogers:
Samsung Galaxy S Glide $0.01 on contract
Samsung Infuse 4G $0.01 on contract
Sony Ericsson Experia Arc $0.01 on contract
Blackberry Curve 9360 $0.01 on contract
All new activations include 1 year of incoming calling, unlimited evenings and weekends from 6PM and the first month free.

Bell:
$75 credit on mobile devices
Motorola ATRIX $0 on 2 year contract
HTC Incredible S $0 on a 3 yr
Blackberry Curve $0 on 3yr
LG Optimus Net $199.95 no contract or $0 on a 3 year with no minimum monthly
Samsung Galaxy 551 $199.95 no contract or $0 on a 3 year with no minimum monthly

TigerDirect:
32GB 10.1" Acer ICONIA Tablet - $359.99 with free tablet case (if you need tons of space get this or the 64GB Gateway version at futureshop, if you're find purchasing a 32GB SDHC get the 8GB version from FS/BB/etc + 32GB card from FS/BB)

Visions:
Samsung Galaxy Tab WiFi - $388
ASUS Transformer 32GB - $348
Blackberry Curve 9360/9780/9800/9300 - $0/3yr
Samsung Galaxy S II 4G - $78/3yr + $250 Visions gift card (better deal that FS/BB if you have something else to buy at Visions)
16GB Blackberry Playbook - $199

Mobilicity:
Samsung Gravity Touch - $49.99
Nokia 500 - $99.99

Public Mobile:
MAX - $99.99
ZTE N762 - $99.99

NCIX:
16GB 10.1" Asus Transformer - $269.99 (instore only, very limited stock, if you want it line up)
32GB 10.1" Asus Transformer - $399.99 (instore only)
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1" 16GB WiFi - $special pricing in store

Americans, if you're wondering why it's called Boxing day just think of all the craziness surrounding Black Friday. Canadians prepare for this madness by donning boxing gloves to help protect their knuckles from other Canadian's head. The only difference is that it's on December 26th. Personally, boxing day isn't an accurate name because I prefer to use elbows, headbutts, kicks and strikes to the groin. ...