LTE-capable mid-ranger shows up with an affordable PAYG price tag

Sony's Xperia SP looks to be one of the more interesting mid-level Android handsets coming our way over the next few weeks. It's packing a Snapdragon S4 Pro CPU, an aluminum trim and a trademark Sony "light bar" down below, not to mention an 8-megapixel camera using the company's Exmor RS stacked image sensor tech.

So the prospect of picking up such a device at a cut-down price point is nothing to be sniffed at. Today T-Mobile UK is the first British network to start selling , even ahead of most SIM-free retailers. What's more, T-Mobile's price is significantly lower than what we'd been expecting, at just £249.99 on Pay As You Go. The phone itself will be SIM-locked, and you'll need to purchase £10 worth of PAYG airtime, but that's still a lot of telephone for your money. In addition, the fact that it's locked to T-Mobile specifically means in theory it should work on sister network EE, which offers 4G LTE connectivity.

Alongside EE, O2 and Three will also be launching the Xperia SP in the coming weeks, as will a variety of SIM-free retailers.

You can also expect a full review of the Sony Xperia SP here on Android Central in the near future.

Source: T-Mobile UK; via: Recombu

More: Sony Xperia SP hands-on

Some phones preordered from Best Buy will be delayed until May 9 through May 20

If you put in a preorder for the Sprint Galaxy S4 through Best Buy, you'll want to check your email. It seems that at least some of the phones aren't going to make their original shipping date.

We're sorry, but the fulfillment of your recent pre-order is taking longer than expected. We expect it to arrive between May 9 and May 20. To keep you informed of its delivery, we'll send tracking information once the item has shipped.

If you prefer, you can cancel this order at any time. To do so, please call us at 1-888-BEST BUY (1-888-237-8289). If possible, please have your order number handy.

If we don't hear from you before the order is shipped, we'll assume you still want this item and accept this delay.

Once again, we're sorry for this inconvenience, and we’ll do our best to make things right.

We know that there are some supply issues for the Sprint version, so canceling your preorder may not be something you'll want to do. But the option is there if you'd rather. 

Folks have reported success picking them up directly from Sprint over the weekend in the forums, so that's worth checking out as well. Worst case scenario? You'll be waiting until the second week of May for your new shiny from Best Buy.

Thanks, nanosman#ac!

And be sure to show us your favorite highlight while you're there

HTC's new video highlights are pretty awesome. Highlights are those 30 second videos created from your pictures and Zoes, and are perfect for sharing on YouTube or your favorite social network. Currently, there are six themes you can choose from for your highlight, and they run the gamut from subtle black and white to popping fresh flashy cuts. They are all fun to try and play with.

But if you're like us, you find yourself choosing one more often that the others. For me, that would be "Islandia" -- the happy music gets me every time, even if the old Super 8 style scratchy overlay isn't my favorite. 

We hope HTC has more themes in the works, or an API third party developers can use to create their own. in the meantime, jump into the forums and let us know your favorites.

[POLL] What's your favorite Video Highlight theme?

24MB over the air update rolling out now for Sprint's newest smart phone

If you were lucky enough to pick up a Sprint Galaxy S4 over the weekend, you'll want to start checking for a system update. Build L720VPUAMDL is pushing out, checking in at about 24MB. A scouring of the Internet doesn't seem to tell us anything about this update or what it addresses, so your guess is as good as ours. We assume it's a standard last-minute patch that we see with many new devices, and won't bring any new functionality or make any big changes.

In any case, you'll probably want it so be sure to check Settings > More > System Update to update the Samsung firmware.

Thanks, Manuel!

More features mean more spaced used for their files, and the Galaxy S4 takes about twice the storage space as the previous model

Morris writes in, 

I just got myself a Samsung Galaxy S4 (16GB). Upon further storage checking, I noticed the Total Space is only 8.82GB. I am confused. How much memory space actually does Jelly Bean 4.2.2 take?

There sure has been a lot of discussion about the remaining storage on the Galaxy S4's 16GB "disk" after the factory software is accounted for. We're used to seeing a bit of discrepancy between what is advertised and what's really available, but this go 'round the difference is huge and has quite a few people a bit concerned. Morris gets to the root of the issue with his question, once you have a look at what's going on.

The Samsung Galaxy S4's system folder, the one where all the magic happens and the factory installed "stuff" resides takes over 2GB of space (2,235,535,360 bytes for those that like numbers). Compared to the Jelly Bean system files on the Galaxy S3 at 1.1GB, and the Nexus 4 at 495MB, that's quite a bit of difference. By the time you take the rest of the OS into account, and partition space reserved for things like the system cache, that leaves you with about half the advertised space left to use for your own stuff.

We're not going to knock on Samsung for using so much space for the operating system. When you want features included as part of the OS, you need to have the files somewhere. Samsung brings features to the Galaxy S4 that you won't find anywhere else, and the cost of those features is reduced storage left for the user. You also won't find these features on Google Play, so this is the trade-off you have to make. 

Also, there's the SD card slot to remember here as well. While this won't help you when you run out of space to install applications, you can store all your multimedia and documents there. 13MP panorama pictures and 1080p video can take a lot of room, so storing your camera shots on the SD card is a good idea. 

Right now, nobody seems to be selling the 32 or 64GB versions of the Galaxy S4. We're not sure if Samsung is at fault here, or the carriers around the world, but no matter who we point a finger at they just aren't available. In the meantime, 8.8GB is enough for some folks, and for some it's not. Until we start to see the models with more storage become available, this is how it is.

We can't tell you that this does or doesn't matter to you, you'll have to decide that one for yourself. 

Updates, patches, and bug fixes are included in version VS910ZVB

Many of Verizon's recent OTA updates have included the removal of pre-installed applications, commonly referred to as 'bloatware.' The LG Revolution's latest update (SW Version VS910ZVB) includes one of the longest lists of apps being removed from a Verizon Android device:

• Mobile IM
• Rockband
• Bitbop
• Verizon Apps
• Blockbuster
• Rhapsody
• VCAST Music
• Verizon Video

A few Android security patches are included in the update as well, which is always good see -- especially since it is very possible that the Revolution will not get a newer version of Android from Verizon. The VZW Family locator app has been updated and now has working GPS, and Google Maps Services has been updated as well. A bug involving large file sizes on the network also gets a fix.

As always, help a fellow Revolution owner out by posting in the comments when you start seeing this update going live.

Source: Verizon

Samsung is 'ramping up production' for Sprint

Samsung Galaxy S4 supplies have been lower than expected at launch, which has affected multiple carriers -- with Sprint being no exception. In a recent note we received from Sprint, we learned that the carrier's Galaxy S4 orders would be limited mainly to online and over-the-phone orders, with in-store supplies being very scarce due to low supplies.

The new note we received from Sprint today contains much better news: increased Galaxy S4 inventory is now starting to make its way into Sprint sales channels, thanks to increased production from Samsung. New shipments are expected on a daily basis, which will make things much easier on those looking to score one of the year's hottest phones. If supplies continued to be replenished, it shouldn't be hard to find one of these phones in a Sprint store relatively shortly.

More: Galaxy S4 review | Galaxy S4 forums

$149.99 up-front, then $20 per month on 24-month not-a-contract

Following AT&T and Sprint's launch last week, the Samsung Galaxy S4 is now available from T-Mobile USA. Right now the device is only available online -- brick-and-mortar stores won't begin stocking the T-Mobile Galaxy S4 until May 8.

T-Mo's GS4, which comes with 16GB of storage in "white frost" and "black mist" color options, will run you $149.99 up-front, followed by installments of $20 for the next two years. That's a total of $629.99, and under the carrier's new pricing arrangements, you'll need to add a service plan on top of that.

Naturally, the Galaxy S4 also includes support for T-Mo's burgeoning 4G LTE network in addition to its more widespread 42Mbps DC-HSDPA.

For more on the Galaxy S4, be sure to read our full review. And if you're ordering a T-Mobile Galaxy S4 today, shout out and make yourself known in the comments.

Source: T-Mobile

More: Samsung Galaxy S4 review

Samsung designers tell how they brought the Galaxy ​S4 to life

In the latest installment of its "design story" series, Samsung cracks open the Galaxy S4 design process for all to see, revealing some of the thinking behind the looks and features of its new high-end smartphone. Narrated in sound bites from Samsung designers, the Galaxy S4 is simultaneously described as "not a radical difference, but more of an evolution" and "like nothing you've ever seen before." Samsung's "life companion" branding gets name-dropped more than a few times, too.

Externally, the Galaxy S4 is described as having "natural elements" at its heart, including the new reflective battery cover, said to resemble "precious stone glittering in the dark, or countless stars sparkling in the night sky." So no shortage of flowery language to describe Samsung's latest lump of plastic, glass and silicon.

Check out the video above, and if you've not yet read it, find out what we thought of the Galaxy S4's design in our full review.

Source: SamsungTomorrow on YouTube; More: Samsung Galaxy S4 review

Stability fixes, as well as Zoe, camera, Beats Audio and location service tweaks in first OTA

After a limited roll-out in some European countries this past week, the update to software version 1.29.401.12 is now live for unlocked HTC One users in the UK. The update includes stability improvements and bug fixes, in addition to tweaks to the location service, HTC Zoe, camera "parameter tuning" and Beats Audio.

Upon first inspection we're not noticing any significant differences between this and the previous 1.28 firmware, but we'll take HTC at its word that it's been busy on improvements throughout the firmware. The update weighs in at a substantial 229MB, suggesting an abundance of new stuff has made its way into the code base.

The firmware is still based on Android 4.1.2, so it looks like the HTC One will have to wait some more for its 4.2 update.

To grab the new firmware on your unlocked UK HTC One, simply head to Settings > About > Software updates and hit the button. As always, carrier-branded devices may have to wait a little longer for their update to start rolling out. Be sure to hit the comments if you've spotted any significant changes in the new firmware.