The alaTest Blog

Recently reaching a 51% market share, Android is undoubtedly the most popular smartphone platform. Its latest versions always offer innovative and compelling features, but unlike Apple’s iPhone, there is a disconnect between those who develop the Android OS and the manufacturers who build the devices.

Google develops Android such that anyone can build a device that runs it, but it’s up to the manufacturer to modify it and tailor it to run on the hardware they’re using. This process can take months, and it means that most Android devices out there are generally one or two versions behind. To get the most out of a new Android device, it’s important to know which are the most likely to be updated quickly. Read the rest of this entry »

The U.S.’s top cellular providers are often referred to as the “Big Four.” They consist of Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile, and odds are, you’re one of their subscribers. If you’re in the market for a new smartphone, you probably already know that they don’t all carry the same devices, and if you’re stuck with a particular carrier, you might like to know which devices are the best they have to offer. Read the rest of this entry »

Two new smartphones! Are you excited? We are. The HTC One X and Samsung Galaxy S III are the newest, fastest, fanciest smartphones available, but choosing one over the other isn’t an easy task. Our only option is to pit them head to head and see which comes out on top. Read the rest of this entry »

When it comes to smartphones, style is a big deal – it’s one of the reasons the iPhone is the single best selling phone on the market. Unsurprisingly, slimness is a major selling point for anyone who wants a stylish phone, but while the iPhone was the thinnest of them all for a while, it has become a bit of a fatty compared to current offerings (though that could change when the iPhone 5 comes out later this year). So what are today’s thinnest phones? Read the rest of this entry »

Mobile World Congress 2012 (or MWC as it’s more amicably known), a yearly technology conference specifically for mobile devices (such as smartphones and tablets) will be officially underway next week, and we’ll be sure to keep you posted on all of the big product announcements. But in case you’re feeling antsy, here are a few MWC 2012 previews and rumors to wet your whistle. Read the rest of this entry »