Vodafone UK cuts HTC One X and One S prices for a limited time

Perhaps anticipating some big news from Samsung later in the week, Vodafone UK has lowered its on-contract prices for HTC'snew One X and One S.

The flagship 4.7-inch One X is now available for free on 24-month plans starting at 36 per month -- that gets you 600 minutes, unlimited texts and 1GB. Meanwhile the smaller, thinner One S can now be yours from 31 per month, which comes with 300 minutes, the same unlimited texts package and 500MB. Neither is a trivial amount of money, but it's not at all bad when you consider you're getting a 450+ smartphone for nothing along with it.

Vodafone s ays the new prices will remain in place for just under a couple of weeks, expiring on Monday, May 14, so there's plenty of time to get on board. And if you're on the fence, then why not check out our reviews of the international HTC One X and One S for more on both devices.

More: Vodafone One X, Vodafone One S

Deal of the Day: Seidio SURFACE Case for Motorola Droid Bionic

The May 1 ShopAndroid.com Deal of the Day is the Seidio SURFACE Case for Motorola Droid Bionic. Crafted from a hard yet flexible material, the Seidio SURFACE Case provides an amazingly thin layer of protection without adding the excessive bulk of other cases. This case consists of interlocking top and bottom pieces that fit your Bionic snugly, and features a soft touch coating. Available in black, blue, burgundy, and amethyst.

The Seidio SURFACE Case is available for just $ 15.95 today only, 47% off the regular price. Get yours while they're in stock!

Kid-favorite Peppa Pig hits Android

OK, parents. Here's another Android app that'll make you look that much cooler in the eyes of your child. (I know, it gets harder every day.) P2 Games Limited has brought Peppa Ping - Happy Mrs. Chicken to Android. The app has four interactive games and a bonus sticker book. Plus there's familiar music and sound effects that should make little Timmy think the TV show's in in hands.

The game runs about $3.23, which is a small price to pay for a few minutes of relative peace and quiet.

Download: Peppa Pig - Happy Mrs. Chicken; Also: More Android kids apps

Second CM9 build for Galaxy Note looks a bit more functional

Yesterday we reported on the first CyanogenMod 9 build for the (international) Samsung Galaxy Note, noting that it was still early days, and that a couple of major bugs would make it a non-starter for many users. In particular, the lack of working phone calls was a deal-breaker for us. However, the devs at TeamHacksung have followed up with a second build today, fixing most of the serious glitches, including voice calls and video recording.

There are still some issues to be ironed out, including DSP Manager and Movie Studio, but kudos to the developers for moving so quickly to squish bugs. If you're rocking an international (GT-N7000) Galaxy Note and are comfortable with experimental custom ROMs, then hit the links below to get started.

Source: TeamHacksung, XDA; Thanks @android_indian!

Three UK offers an HTC One X update of its own, promises battery life improvements

British network Three sends word via the Twitters that it's now pushing out the 1.28.771.9 firmware update for its branded versions of the HTC One X. This is the original OTA for the One X, which started going out to unbranded units a couple of weeks ago, not the newer 1.29 update that emerged last night. So Three-branded One X's are getting 1.28 just as it's been succeeded by a newer firmware version, which we're sure will irk some users. But to be fair to Three, a two-week turnaround on a firmware update is pretty fast for a European network -- in the past customers have had to wait a month or more, especially for minor updates like this.

Writing on its official Twitter account, Three says One X owners can look forward to "improvements [including] increased battery life" -- which matches what we've heard from One X owners running the unbranded version of 1.28.

If you've got a One X on Three, head to Settings > About > Software updates to grab today's OTA.

Source: @ThreeUK

Late-night poll: Do you use the external speaker on your Android phone?

We talk a lot aboutlistening to music and watching video on our Android phones around here. Android handles multimedia well, and streaming services like YouTube and Google Music work really nicely on Android. Something most of us talk less about, but equally important is making phone calls. These are designed to be phones first and foremost. Both have one thing in common -- the speakers. There's pretty much three ways to get the sound from your phone to your ears; a wired headphones/headset, a Bluetooth set-up, or one of the speakers.

Pe rsonally, I hate using the speaker on any phone or tablet. When I talk on the phone, I pick it up like a phone and hold it against my head. The only reason I have a Bluetooth headset is to test and review Android phones. I'm picky about the way calls sound, because with today's tech there's no reason for them to not sound good. When it comes to music, games or video, I prefer and use a wired headset -- small easy-to-carry ear buds if I'm out, or a big honking set of over-the-ear 'phones around the house. Nobody else wants to hear what I'm listening to -- if so they would ask.

But since everyone's different, I gottaask. Answer in tonight's poll.

Activate a Sprint Galaxy Nexus you'll get $50 in your Google Wallet instead of the usual $10

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The other day when preorders for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus on Sprint went up a lot of folks got lost in the happiness of knowing the device would finally be arriving and instantly laid out the $199 for it requested by Sprint. That said, there were some details missing from the announcement. Some great details actually, if you're looking for some cash back on the that investment.

Get $50 for your new Google Wallet™. Activate your Google Wallet™ account within a week of purchasing a Galaxy Nexus by Samsung and you'll receive $50 in credit towards your next shopping spree.

Google Wallet Offer: Upon successful activation of Google Wallet on your Galaxy Nexus within seven days of purchase during promotional period of 4/22/12-5/22/12, there will be a $10 credit added to your Google Wallet prepaid card. Additional $40 credit will be added to your Google Wallet prepaid card within three weeks of Google Wallet activation. To see where your Google Wallet prepaid card will work, please go to http://www.google.com/wallet/where-it-works. For more questions or inquiries about this offer please call: 855-492-5538 available 24/7.

That's a nice little bonus for all you soon-to-be new Sprint Galaxy Nexus owners yeah?