No need to decide between a touchscreen or keyboard with the Samsung Brightside™on the Verizon Wireless network. Verizon Wireless and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) will offer the social- and feature-rich Samsung Brightside starting March 1 in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com.

The Brightside features a 3.1-inch touchscreen display and full QWERTY slide-out keyboard, allowing customers to easily stay connected. Users can quickly send text messages and update social networking sites on the nation’s most reliable 3G network with the Brightside’s one-touch access to messaging and contacts.

Students and small business owners can also put its QWERTY keyboard to work and stay productive. They can email classmates or colleagues to organize meetings to keep a group project on task. Customers can use the document viewer feature to open Microsoft® Office documents saved on the microSD™ card and review the group’s work, all on the Samsung Brightside.

Additional features:

• One-touch access to contact list, messaging options (text, picture and email), camera function and Social Networks application, including Facebook® and Twitter™, allowing customers to update their status and upload photos instantly

• Full suite of messaging options, including text, picture and voice messaging and mobile email

• 3.2-megapixel camera with timer, brightness control and shooting modes (single, continuous, panorama, mosaic and frame); scene modes (landscape, sports, party, beach, sunset, dawn, fall, night, backlight, fire and candlelight)

• Document viewer feature – view documents in the following formats:

• Microsoft Office formats, including Word, Excel® and PowerPoint®

• Adobe® PDF

• ASCII documents

• HTML documents

• Images: JPG, BMP, GIF, PNG

The Samsung Brightside will be available March 1 in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com for $99.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.

For more information on the Samsung Brightside or other Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com. Follow @VZWnews on Twitter for the latest news on Verizon Wireless.

Cricket Communications, Inc., a leading provider of innovative and value-driven wireless services and a wholly owned subsidiary of Leap Wireless International, Inc. (NASDAQ:LEAP), and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the United States1, today announced the launch of the Samsung Comment™ (SCH-r380).

Built with messaging in mind, the Comment is ideal for consumers looking for a fast and convenient way to stay connected on Cricket’s reliable data network. The Comment features a stylish bar design with a full QWERTY keyboard to send threaded/chat-style text messages. It is also preloaded with Cricket Navigator; mybackup which conveniently and safely backs up your contact list; and MyHomeScreen for one touch access to weather, news, sports, horoscope, myaccount, social networks, email and more. Users can expect a premium multimedia experience with the Comment’s built-in mobile web browser, MP3 music player, 3.5mm headset jack and a 1.3MP camera. Additional features include a 2.4” QVGA display, stereo Bluetooth, voice recognition and tools to organize your day. Users can personalize the Comment by using Cricket Storefront to download applications, games, ringtones and wallpapers.

“Cricket is excited to offer the Samsung Comment to our customers who are looking for an easy to use QWERTY bar phone with an impressive thin and modern design,” said Matt Stoiber, vice president and general management. “The Comment has everything the customer needs to quickly communicate and organize their day.”

At a suggested retail price of $89.99 plus tax, the Samsung Comment is available in Cricket branded retail stores, dealers and at www.mycricket.com. The Comment is offered with Cricket’s all-inclusive unlimited plans, including the basic $35 unlimited talk and text, and the robust $45 plan which provides users with unlimited talk, text, 411 information, navigation, international text, unlimited picture messages, unlimited web browsing and more. In addition, the $45 rate plan provides convenient access to MyHomeScreen, MyBackup, and Cricket Navigator, a platform that gives users turn by turn directions without ever having to upgrade new map features like other expensive navigation systems.

For more information about Cricket’s dynamic device lineup, please visit www.mycricket.com.

Mobile phone users prefer sending text messages and surfing the net to a good old fashioned chat!

That’s according to DialToSave.co.uk, one of the UK’s leading mobile phone price comparison websites.

The site’s statistics show that 51% of people looking for phone bundles now search for a maximum of only 300 inclusive talk time minutes per month, compared with an average of over 600 minutes just a year ago.

That’s more than 3 times as many people as those looking for 20 minutes a day (600 minutes a month), and 7 times as many as those requiring 30 minutes a day (900 minutes). A year ago, people were mostly hunting for deals of 600-1000 minutes.

A massive 87% of consumers are searching for 24-month contracts. That’s 8 times as many as those hunting for 18-month contracts and 19 times as many as those reviewing 12-month deals.

Richard Cappin, DialToSave’s founder says: “The inclusive minutes trend is an indicator of just how important mobiles and smartphones in particular have become – for everything other than talking!

“Over half our consumers don’t want anything more than 300 minutes of talk-time a month. They want to surf, use their social networks, and send texts, much more than they want to talk. A lot of people seem more comfortable sending text messages in public places than they are making voice calls.

“It’s the other handset offerings that count nowadays. People are using features such as text messaging and social networking apps to communicate – even more than they’re using their own voice.

“The growing importance of mobile apps also increases the need for high speed data access via HSDPA and WiFi, which is now included with many low minute tariffs

“The smartphone also acts as a camera and MP3 player so the ability to make voice calls is just one of many features to take into account.

“We think there’s a clear trend of people having conversations over multiple text messages rather than talking, as over 70% of people using our site want unlimited texts every month.

“People are also choosing longer contracts, largely due to the lower handset costs and better cashback deals made available by retailers and networks for longer contracts.”

DialToSave uses revolutionary search tools to help people choose their perfect mobile phone package. It was founded in 2003 and is one of the first websites to enable users to find phones by searching features, from QWERTY keyboards to video calling, WiFi to MP3 players.

The site also enables users to easily filter deals on everything from monthly cost to inclusive minutes, number of texts to data download limit.

DialToSave’s hugely popular news and features section covers everything from upcoming handsets to the latest network news, software updates, tablets and developments in technology.

The statistics are based on the records of mobile phone deals searched for and clicked on using DialToSave’s Deal Selector tool during February 2011 and can be found athttp://www.dialtosave.co.uk/febstats

Innovative iPad accessories brand PADACS today announces its first products for Apple’s new iPad 2, with new, improved Toccata and Rubata Bluetooth keyboard cases planned for April launch in the US and Canada.

First launched last year for Apple’s original iPad, the Toccata and Rubata keyboard cases have proved hugely popular, providing a conveniently-sized physical keyboard for the iPad inside attractive cases.

The PADACS Toccata Bluetooth Keyboard Case contains a compact QWERTY keyboard that is large enough to type on comfortably without adding to the iPad 2 case size. Charged by an included USB cable, the Lithium battery-powered keyboard runs for as long as 45 hours. The PADACS Rubata iPad 2 keyboard case provides a premium cover with a built-in hard plastic shell Bluetooth keyboard with special iPad keys.

Due for availability in mid April, the Toccata 2 Bluetooth Keyboard Case has been redesigned to hold the 33 per cent slimmer iPad 2, making the entire Toccata 2 case thinner and sleeker. Its built-in silicone keyboard makes this case ideal for lectures or meetings. Other enhancements include:

• Keyboard controls to adjust the iPad screen brightness
• Addition of new keys including a right ‘shift’ key and a ‘Photo Frame’ button for the iPad
• Removal of the keyboard’s ‘Print Screen’ button
• A combined ‘Backspace’ and ‘Delete’ key
• A sturdy side pin connector for charging.

Also due for launch late next month, the Rubata 2 Bluetooth Keyboard Case has undergone a total transformation. Now made from synthetic leather, the Rubata 2 has a redesigned hard shell keyboard that extends iPad 2 functionality through enhancements including.

• Keyboard controls to adjust the iPad screen brightness
• More intuitive Bluetooth connectivity controls now located on the keyboard
• Replacement of an On/Off switch with an On/Off button
• Addition of ‘.com’ key and a larger ‘Delete’ key
• A sturdy side pin connector for charging.

Pricing for the new-look PADACS Bluetooth Keyboard Cases remains unchanged at US$49.95 for the Toccata 2 and US$79.95 for the Rubata 2.

Mobile USA, Inc. and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S.,1 today unveiled the new T-Mobile Sidekick® 4G™ by Samsung. The new Android™-powered smartphone pays tribute to its heritage with its stylish good looks and a killer keyboard while redefining messaging and upgrading to 4G speeds. One of T-Mobile’s fastest smartphones running on America’s Largest 4G Network™, the new Sidekick 4G is capable of delivering theoretical peak download speeds of up to 21 Mbps.

The T-Mobile Sidekick has long been known for its innovative and distinctive design, and the Sidekick 4G does not disappoint. The 3.5-inch display marks the first Sidekick to feature a touch screen and its sturdy “pop-tilt” hinge reveals the previously acclaimed, five-row QWERTY keyboard that has long been a Sidekick hallmark and the reason behind its status as an exceptional messaging device.

The new Sidekick 4G leverages its quality keyboard along with Sidekick Group Text™ and Cloud Text™ to redefine messaging. Sidekick’s Group Text feature lets customers create, name, manage and participate in reply-all group text conversations, enabling them to lead their network in conversation and social planning. Group Text breathes new life into one of the most popular forms of messaging allowing Sidekick 4G customers to initiate and share the benefit of the application with SMS-capable devices from flip phones to smartphones. In addition, Cloud Text provides the option to text with friends or groups across platforms, whether from the comfort of their PC’s large screen and keyboard, or from their new Sidekick 4G.

“Backed by the faster speeds on T-Mobile’s 4G network, the new Sidekick 4G offers customers both speed and style,” said Andrew Sherrard, senior vice president, product management, T-Mobile USA. “We’ve reinvented the messaging experience that made the Sidekick such an iconic device, and supercharged it with communication and entertainment experiences that take full advantage of our 4G network.”

Dale Sohn, president of Samsung Mobile, said, “We are proud that T-Mobile selected Samsung to help create the next-generation Sidekick and carry the iconic Sidekick brand and device to the next level. Samsung redesigned the new Sidekick 4G with our best-in-class hardware, combined with T-Mobile’s 4G network speeds, the Android operating system, and unique messaging and entertainment features, to make this a perfect match for both loyal Sidekick fans and new Sidekick owners.”

The new Sidekick 4G also comes preloaded with Facebook® and Twitter™ applications, and provides easy interaction with customers’ social networks by allowing them to update their status from the notification pane and browse their feeds from the home screen. They have the ability to sync their social network contacts to the phone’s address book, which lets them post to their friends’ walls or comment on their status. And multitasking is easier than ever with the Sidekick 4G’s jump key, an easy-to-access physical button that enables customers to quickly switch between active applications, even during a phone call, or assign keyboard shortcuts to their favorite functions or applications.

In addition to a communication hub, the new Sidekick 4G is now an entertainment hub. With speeds as fast as home broadband, enjoying a favorite TV show or surfing the Web on the go is a breeze. Sidekick’s Media Room features one place to enjoy music, videos, movies, YouTube®, T-Mobile TV® and Slacker Radio, and to search for content regardless of the source. The integrated media player, also accessible through the Media Room, spans across all media including music, video and Internet radio. Customers also have the option to rent or purchase their favorite movies and TV programs directly from the Samsung Media Hub, which offers a robust collection of movie and next-day TV show titles from CBS, Fox, MTV Networks, NBC Universal, Paramount and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution. Customers now have the option to place Media Hub charges directly to their monthly T-Mobile service bill.

Complementing the messaging communication features, the new Sidekick 4G is equipped with a VGA front-facing camera and pre-installed T-Mobile Video Chat powered by Qik™, to ensure you are always present with your social circle. Powered by Android 2.2 (Froyo) and a speedy 1 GHz Cortex A8 Hummingbird processor, so consumers can keep up with their favorite blogs while on the move, search for the must-try dinner spots and map the way to their next destination — all at blazing fast speeds. The new smartphone will also offer dynamic media features and integrated Google™ services, including Gmail™, Google Maps™ and access to thousands of applications on Android Market™.

The new Sidekick 4G also comes equipped with DriveSmart™ from T-Mobile, a first-of-its kind service from a U.S. carrier, that helps prevent distracted driving. When initiated, DriveSmart Basic provides automatic incoming call and message management, sending a customizable note to callers and senders, letting them know that the recipient is driving and will respond when it’s safe. DriveSmart Plus offers the same functionality, with the added capability to automatically activate when the handset is in a moving vehicle, as well as advanced parental controls for enhanced peace of mind when teen drivers are behind the wheel.

Offered exclusively to T Mobile customers, the new T-Mobile Sidekick 4G is expected to be available later this spring in two stylish colors — matte black or pearl magenta. Customers can visit http://sidekick.t-mobile.com/ for more information.