Latest phones and cell review

A company called Ting has this week launched its cellular phone service using Sprint's CDMA and WiMax networks. Ting, which is operated by Tucows, provides inexpensive, no-contract access to mobile services. Potential customers will need to buy a Ting-branded phone from Ting, which range from the Samsung Reclaim for $45 to the Motorola Photon for $545. Phone prices are subsidized only slightly. Voice minutes, messages, and data can be each be ordered separately so that customers get the services they want at the cost they need. Voice plans range from "XS" at $0 per month for zero minutes to "XXL" at $52 per month for 3,000 minutes. Text messaging plans range from $0 to $14 and data plans range from $0 to $60 per month, depending on amounts. Users must pay $6 per handset per month at a bare minimum to keep the service active. The service includes voicemail, picture and video messaging, three-way calling, caller ID, tethering, hotspot at no extra cost. Ting is available anywhere Sprint services is provided.

Verizon Wireless has shared the details about a forthcoming software update headed to the Motorola Droid RAZR. The update does not include Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, but does introduce a wide range of enhancements and bug fixes. Some of the applications affected include the mobile hotspot, visual voicemail, VZ Navigator, Bluetooth performance, battery life, and MotoCast. The update also installs new applications, including V CAST and the Commercial Mobile Alert Service. The update will be available shortly.

Google Wallet has become visible to AT&T variants of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S. The application was previously only available to the Sprint version of the Nexus S (though unofficial workarounds for other handsets were possible). The appearance of the application means that Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S owners will be able to download, install, and use the NFC-based Google Wallet mobile payment system to make purchases at select retailers in select cities around the U.S. Google Wallet is still officially unavailable to the Verizon version of the Galaxy Nexus.

Motorola DROID 4 was officially introduced during CES 2012. While yesterday, we saw the Motorola DORID 4 as ‘coming soon’ via DroidDoes.com. Now, a rumor running around stating that Verizon will be offering the DROID 4 by February 9th.

According to Droid-life, the device is set for $199.99 with a two-year contract. We are still unsure whether the device will be available by February 9th since the last rumored mention that the handset was supposedly launch by February 2nd but it didn’t occured.

[via Phonedog]

Google today announced that it is taking more active measures to keep malware out of the Android Market. It said it is using a new service that it calls Bouncer to sweep through the Market for potentially malicious software It scans new applications, applications already in Android Market, and developer accounts for known malware, spyware, trojans and for apps that may be misbehaving. Google says that Bouncer has been running for a while now, and has seen the incidences of malware and spyware drop significantly in the last few quarters. Google also notes that it has built Android with security in mind, and sandboxes applications -- meaning that can't always share data back and forth. It also reminds users to use the permissions listings for each application, which could identify malware. Last, it said Android is designed to prevent malware from modifying the platform or hiding, so it can be easily removed if necessary.