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08 January, 2010

Report: MetroPCS Preps for New Service Plans

Report: MetroPCS Preps for New Service Plans: "
MetroPCS Communications is getting ready for the rollout of new service plans next week, according to store managers for independent authorized dealers.
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MetroPCS shares fall as wireless competition rises

MetroPCS shares fall as wireless competition rises: "
Shares MetroPCS Communications Inc. slipped Friday as fears grew that high competition in the wireless business could hurt the company.The stock fell 54 cents, or 7.2 percent, to $6.98 in afternoon trading. Shares are down nearly 13 percent from a close of $7.99 on Tuesday.In a note to...
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Clearwire looking at multiple new wholesale partners

Clearwire looking at multiple new wholesale partners: "
Clearwire CEO Bill Morrow said the company is actively pursuing additional wholesale partners to use its mobile WiMAX network, and said companies such as T-Mobile USA, Leap Wireless and MetroPCS could make sense as partners. He added that Clearwire is in talks with cable companies, satellite companies, smaller telco companies and consumer electronics companies for wholesale partnerships.

LG Lotus Elite hops from a Las Vegas billboard right to Sprint retail

LG Lotus Elite hops from a Las Vegas billboard right to Sprint retail: "


Egads! The LG Lotus Elite is here, and while it's gained a few features, it still shares it's predecessor's awful interesting design aesthetic. The Lotus Elite distinguishes itself from the Lotus with the addition of a larger 2.4-inch external 262k display, a bold new tattoo pattern, support for up to 32GB of memory -- with 2GB included -- and access to Sprint TV, messaging, pictures, and even TeleNav. The LG Lotus Elite wanders into stores on the 12th in red for $99 on a new contract and a black version should follow four days after. More pics in the gallery below.


Google Intros 'Near Me Now' Search

Google Intros 'Near Me Now' Search: "

Google recently launched a new search service for the iPhone and Android platforms that makes it easier to find businesses and points of interest in the immediate vicinity of the user. The new tool uses drop-down menus to minimize ...
(follow link to read)

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LG Rumor Touch launches for Sprint

LG Rumor Touch launches for Sprint: "


LG and Sprint launched another set at CES today, a follow up to the Rumor line, the LG Rumor Touch. This new iteration features little sprinkles of joy such as a 3-inch WQVGA touchscreen, QWERTY landscape keyboard, GPS, 2 megapixel camera, and EV-DO Rev. 0. The app selection includes a suite of things you'd expect -- and maybe love -- featuring Sprint Navigation, Sprint TV, Music, Mobile Mail, Corporate Mail, threaded text messaging, and a pile of social apps. The LG Rumor Touch should hit Sprint brick and mortar shops sometime this quarter -- though, feel free to pre-order now -- but unfortunately, the price remains a mystery, for now.
LG Rumor Touch launches for Sprint originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The Engadget app is now available for BlackBerry!

The Engadget app is now available for BlackBerry!: "That's right folks -- this isn't a dream. The much-loved Engadget application (also for the iPhone / iPod touch and webOS devices) has made its way to the BlackBerry platform. You can download the free application and enjoy the same breathtaking, emotionally moving experience that has been driving all the other kids wild. All you have to do to get your hands on this baby is point your phone's browser to our download page, and you can almost immediately begin living the dream. We've got even more stuff coming down the pipeline (like an Android app), so stay tuned!

The Engadget app is now available for BlackBerry! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Windows Mobile 7 coming to MWC in February, not just 'evolutionary'

Windows Mobile 7 coming to MWC in February, not just 'evolutionary': "

We'd heard some rumblings, but apparently Robbie Bach let the cat out of the bag at an analyst briefing this week, stating that we should expect a showing of Windows Mobile 7 at the Mobile World Congress show in Spain, which begins on February 15th. He also added that the OS (which he's played with, surprisingly) will 'set the bar forward not in (just) an evolutionary way,' and that Microsoft is going to be 'more engaged' with OEMs in its 'go to market approach.' We love a good buzzword or three, but the hope here is that Microsoft has learned its lesson from iPhone and Android and is ready to compete in the next-gen smartphone game in a big way -- a WinMo 7 showing just four months after the release of Windows Mobile 6.5 certainly smacks of that.



[Thanks, Matthias]

Windows Mobile 7 coming to MWC in February, not just 'evolutionary' originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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07 January, 2010

Boost Mobile offering $50 unlimited plan on CDMA network

Boost Mobile offering $50 unlimited plan on CDMA network: "
Boost Mobile, part of Sprint Nextel's prepaid unit, said beginning next week its $50 monthly unlimited plan will be available on Sprint's national CDMA network. Boost previously offered its unlimited prepaid service on Sprint's iDEN network, though it has dabbled in CDMA in the past. Today's action, though, marks a deliberate move by Sprint to broaden its prepaid offerings.

Palm Pre Plus, Pixi Plus get official, Verizon Wireless scoop ‘em up

palmplus

Palm Pre Plus, Pixi Plus get official, Verizon Wireless scoop ‘em up: "

Not exactly the most surprising news, but in short, the Palm Pre Plus and Palm Pixi Plus got official moments ago, with Verizon Wireless signing on to carry both devices (at a rumored 200,000 initial units each) starting January 25th. Pricing was not announced. In addition to the two refreshed devices, which add more memory, a refined and refreshed look as well as Wi-Fi on the Pixi, Palm also announced some SDK improvements. First off, there’s a new PDK (plug-in development kit) that will allow game developers to start making great 3D games, and starting today, you’ll see games start appearing in the App Catalog from publishers like EA Mobile.

AT&T, T-Mobile Complete Network Upgrades

AT&T, T-Mobile Complete Network Upgrades: "
AT&T and T-Mobile USA both say they have completed network upgrades to HSPA 7.2, which supports peak maximum speeds of 7.2 megabits per second.
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Motorola Backflip hands-on

Motorola Backflip hands-on: "


We're not quite sure what to make of the Backflip just yet -- closed, it looks almost exactly like a CLIQ, but the keyboard (which rests on the outside of the device) is allegedly rugged enough to withstand a beating. Rugged or not, we're worried about feel -- believe it or not, it has even less tactile response to it than the Droid, putting it a distant third in Moto's QWERTY Android efforts so far. Obviously we'll need a good deal more time to gel our opinion, but out of the gate, we're not encouraged.

HTC HD2 officially headed to T-Mobile

HTC HD2 officially headed to T-Mobile: "


We had a pretty clear indication that this one was coming, but Microsoft and HTC have now finally announced that the HD2 Windows Mobile phone is officially headed to T-Mobile. Unfortunately, no one is being very specific about launch details just yet, but it will apparently be out sometime this Spring for a still to be determined price.
HTC HD2 officially headed to T-Mobile originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sprint 3G/4G Overdrive mobile hotspot gets official

Sprint 3G/4G Overdrive mobile hotspot gets official: "
overdrive

What, you don’t remember? For all you road warriors out there, the new Sprint Overdrive sure seems like a no brainer. In addition to offering up Sprint 3G’s network a la MiFi style, the Sierra Wireless-crafted Overdrive also supports Sprint’s 4G network, giving you and your 4 buddies access over Wi-Fi to blistering fast data while on the move. Sprinkle in GPS, a microSD card slot, and a $99.99 price point with two year agreement and you’ve got yourselves a winner. Check out more information on the Sprint Overdrive in our exclusive 4G Resource Center!

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Motorola makes the BACKFLIP official, other handsets to see Android 2.1, Flash 10.1 updates

Motorola makes the BACKFLIP official, other handsets to see Android 2.1, Flash 10.1 updates: "
motobackfilp

Motorola’s time to shine at CES just wrapped up and the North American manufacturer announced the Motorola BACKFLIP. As rumored, the BACKFLIP will have a backwards-folding, outward-facing keyboard, a touchpad on the back of the screen whose functionality is customizable and even API-accessible, 3G connectivity, Wi-Fi, a 5 megapixel camera and MOTOBLUR. The BACKFLIP is headed to multiple carriers worldwide including one North American carrier, not identified by Motorola but we will spill the beans

05 January, 2010

Smartphones, QMDs strong in 2009

Smartphones, QMDs strong in 2009: "According to Forrester Research 2009 was a banner year for the smartphone market with sales growth on pace with 2008 and growing from 7% share of the U.S. adult population at the end of 2007 to 17% share at the end of 2009."

Apple makes it official, acquires Quattro Wireless

Apple makes it official, acquires Quattro Wireless: "

Following up on last evening's rumor, Apple has pulled the trigger and made its acquisition of mobile ad network Quattro Wireless official.

T-Mobile takes entire 3G network to 7.2Mbps

T-Mobile takes entire 3G network to 7.2Mbps: "It's really that upcoming 21Mbps HSPA+ action that has us all hot and bothered, but T-Mobile USA took a nice little interim step today in announcing that its entire 3G footprint has now been upgraded from 3.6 to 7.2Mbps. Considering that AT&T won't be at 100 percent 7.2Mbps coverage for some time to come, this is a nice little boost -- of course, T-Mob's got a smaller network to contend with, so it's a trade-off for customers. Can someone do us a favor and drop us a line when we can finally have both a blazing network and coverage everywhere? At the same time?



[Thanks, Patrick]
T-Mobile takes entire 3G network to 7.2Mbps originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 11:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Verizon Wireless ordered 400,000 Palm devices

Verizon Wireless ordered 400,000 Palm devices: "
We’ve been told by one of our VZW connects that the Palm Pre and Palm Pixi are both starting to appear in Verizon Wireless’ inventory systems. In addition, we’ve also heard from the same source that Verizon placed an order for approximately 200,000 Palm Pre handsets as well as 200,000 Palm Pixi handsets.

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04 January, 2010

ARTICLE: Rumor: Are these the Apple tablet specs?

ARTICLE: Rumor: Are these the Apple tablet specs?: "
I’ve been holding my breath, waiting to see what Apple’s potentially game-changing new tablet device might bring with it. Well, happy new year to us! Thanks to a leak of what seems like an internal document, it looks like a lot.

PhoneArena got the goods from an anonymous tip serving up more than just vague buzz, but actual specifications. The info comes courtesy of images that appear to be Apple memos or fact sheets. Among the details contained therein are some pretty juicy bits, including:

Sprint expected to launch 3G/4G router

Sprint expected to launch 3G/4G router: "

Sprint Nextel is expected to announce a WiMAX/EV-DO pocket-sized router called the Overdrive from Sierra Wireless. The device, which is expected to become available within the next few months, turns 3G and WiMAX signals into a local wireless network--much like the MiFi device from Novatel. Sprint is scheduled to hold a "4G event" at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas later this week, which is where the device could make its debut. Article

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webOS paid apps coming to Europe in March 2010

webOS paid apps coming to Europe in March 2010: "Okay, so this is quite the lag from October's North American availability, but at least when the paid portion of Palm's App Catalog rolls out across Europe it shouldn't experience the stuttering start it suffered back in the US of A. Palm has excitedly blurted out the news on its developer network blog, but not without the requisite garnishings of buzzwords like 'leverage,' 'freedom,' 'choice,' 'control,' and 'speed,' as well as something about 'faster cycle times' -- all of it designed to get more developers onboard. Kinda ironic the company is boasting about fast cycle times when it can't transition its paid Catalog to Europe in less than six months, but hey -- the Pre already has that one killer app, and it's free, so what do you care?



[Thanks, Ben]

webOS paid apps coming to Europe in March 2010 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 07:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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03 January, 2010

Some handsets suffer Y2K16 SMS bug

Some handsets suffer Y2K16 SMS bug: "

Text Message from 2016


Ah, yes, Y2K…remember the good old days? ATM’s weren’t going to recognize your bank card, servers were going to spontaneously combust, and elevators would have no idea where the second floor was. For those of you who look back with nostalgia at the Y2K hysteria, there is a new, albeit much smaller, Y2 “something” glitch to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside again. WMExperts is reporting that some mobile users are seeing text messages sent after 1/1/2010 dated as 1/1/2016. The most widely affected group seems to be those on Windows Mobile 6.1 and 6.5 although some non-Windows Mobile users are also reporting this behavior. WMExperts has a home grown .cab file posted with a fix, however we haven’t seen anything official from Microsoft or other major manufacturers. How about it? Any of you out there getting text messages from the future?


[Via PocketNow]


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Palm's Jon Rubinstein named a 'Geek of the Year'

Palm's Jon Rubinstein named a 'Geek of the Year': "Just to clarify right out of the gate, the 'year' Fast Company is referring to is 2009, but nonetheless, it's an award we're sure Jon is happy to have. 11 geeks were found worthy of the 'Geek of the Year' award in '09, with the likes of Evan Williams and Biz Stone (Twitter), David S. Goyer (the creator of Flash Forward on ABC), Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook) and Neill Blomkamp (the writer of District 9) joining him. The justification for Jon making the cut?