We're looking for a few more folks to join us for free food, drink, and prizes at AT&T's Touch finale watch party Thursday night. Raleigh is one of just six cities across the country where AT&T is hosting events. We're hearing about some really cool swag and are expecting a number of gadgets to play with including an HTC One X smartphone to be given away.

Looking for a top shelf device? With a superb screen, 4G LTE, excellent camera controls, terrific construction, and long battery life,  it challenges the likes of the Droid RAZR MAXX, Galaxy Nexus, and iPhone 4S. Supply has been tight, but we know how you can win one.

Big news, Target shoppers.

The Minneapolis-based retailer announced this week that it has teamed up with shopkick to offer customers rewards using their smartphones.

Target is the largest retailer to join forces with the smartphone rewards program, which already has affiliations with Best Buy and Old Navy, among others.

Shoppers can participate in the shopkick rewards program by downloading the app to their smartphones. Versions are available free for the iPhone and Android.

Customers earn "kicks" or points, which can be redeemed for gift cards, movie tickets, Facebook credits, iTunes downloads, donations to charity and other prizes.

Verizon wireless customers on the carrier's $30 per month unlimited data plan will eventually have to leave the grandfathered plan behind.

Fierce Wireless reports Verizon CFO Fran Shammo said users on the 3G unlimited data plan will have to purchase the company's data-share plan as they migrate to 4G LTE devices. "Everyone will be on data-share," Shammo said.

No pricing details for the data sharing plan have been released, but it is expected to launch this summer.

Most carriers have had to backpedal on unlimited data plans amid the mobile device boom that brought a surge of wireless data subscribers, and fast-paced mobile technology with an increasing appetite for bandwidth.

Rumors of an iPhone with a larger screen are nothing new, but a recent report from the Wall Street Journal says to expect it this year.

The WSJ cites multiple unnamed sources in its report saying that Apple will release an iPhone featuring a display measuring "at least 4-inches diagonally."

Other reports have said the screen size will remain at 3.5-inches. Apple could and likely will continue to offer a 3.5-inch version. The smaller size is popular with many who find larger phones too much too handle.

On the other hand, many users have flocked to larger Android smartphones where 4-inches plus screens are fairly standard, and flagship-phone displays approach 5-inches.

Can screen-size alone cut into the Android market share?

Nothing much is revealed, except more jabs at iPhone users. Samsung's advertising doesn't seem to be making the same impression that Apple's memorable Mac versus PC ads. Samsung launched thenextgalaxy.com to advance the rollout of its new Galaxy S III smartphone, possibly with a new Galaxy Tab tablet and cloud service May 3.

Earlier this week PCWorld gave the edge to AT&T's wireless network as the fastest overall among the big four carriers. But is it the best? Another recent test gives the nod to Verizon.

Smartphones may not be the most frugal choice. But let's face it, more and more of us have succumbed to their lure in our mobile society.

So why not put that pricey gadget to work for you saving time and money.

With the simple download of an app, you can save big money on any number of every day purchases, including gas, Internet fees, groceries, DVDs, books, toys, clothes and dinner out.

The potential for savings is even greater when you're traveling and unfamiliar with the retail terrain. Best of all, most money-saving apps can be downloaded free.

Here are a few of my favorite frugal-minded apps. All of them are free and are available for both the iPhone and Android phones:

Savvy consumers are using their smartphone while shopping.

Nielson reports that 29 percent of smartphone users employ their mobile companion while shopping or purchasing.

As you might expect price comparison ranks high on the list of activities -tied at the top with product browsing.

Coupons aren't just for clipping. Twenty four percent of shoppers hunt for them online via their mobile.

I've been spotted in the aisle reading product reviews and using scanner apps for price comparisons.

I am a little surprised the percentages are not higher.

CardStar is a favorite shopping app that I frequently use. It stores digital versions of all those plastic loyalty cards, reward cards and club membership cards. The app is available for iOS, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Phone 7 and even Symbian.

Do you have a favorite shopping app or tip to share?

Next to the more svelte Motorola Droid Razr,  Maxx is noticibly thicker, but don't call it fat. It's still a RAZR, and that extra bulk packs power.

In fact there are just two things new with the Maxx: a larger battery and the case that accomodates. The Maxx's 3300mAh battery gives it nearly double the capacity of the slimmer Droid Razr.