We live in a world where “staying connected” has become an integral part of our lives. Whether it’s email, text messages, or social networks, we’re constantly updating and being updated. It’s not always easy to keep that connection when we’re “off the grid.” We can’t always be within cellular coverage, and its at those times when the ability to connect could be most important. Whether you’re off hiking the Appalachians or simply casting a line at your favorite fishing spot, having the ability to stay in contact with those who matter as well as emergency services can bring a sense of well-being to any “off grid” activity.

If you’ve been looking for a mid-range Android device and are on a budget, you may want to take a look at what Sprint has to offer. The LG Marquee and Samsung Transform Ultra are now being offered for free when signing up for a new two-year contract. While these devices aren’t the cream of the crop, they are more than capable of performing the necessary tasks for an average user on a budget. If the Lg Marquee sounds familiar, it’s because Boost Mobile just recently added it to their pre-paid lineup, and now it has become a “no-cost” option on Sprint.

The recently announced Sony Xperia S is already up for pre-order at UK retailer Clove. It’s only the black version for now, but you can reserve yours starting today for £389.99 (£467.99). Sony unveiled the Xperia S at the beginning of CES and if you missed it, it features:

Philips unveiled its GoGear Connect 3.5″ media player along with a slew of Android headsets at CES. While there wasn’t much information about the GoGear Connect 3, we do know it will feature Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), 720p HD video, Skype communication, and more than 300,000 apps and games from the Android Market. This Wi-Fi enabled touch screen MP4 player is also said to bring a superior sound experience through Philips’ FullSound and Surround for Movies technologies. No word was given on price, but it is supposed to be available in April 2012.

Gone are the days of the Sony Ericsson Nozomi, say hello to the Sony Xperia S. We’ve waited a long time for Sony to pull the curtain on the Sony Ericsson Nozomi and now that they have, we’re left with a one letter moniker, less intrigue, and a device very similar to the Xperia Ion. Announced today, the Sony Xperia S is the first smartphone from the new Xperia NXT series and features: