Symbian Anna now available for download on Nokia N8, E7, C7 and C6-01

Just a day after popping up on NaviFirm, Nokia's Symbian Anna has finally arrived for download, right on schedule. Available for N8, E7, C7 and C6-01 users, the new OS brings a fresh new UI and a virtual portrait QWERTY keypad to Symbian smartphones, along with split-screen messaging, richer maps and speedier browsing. The update also brings NFC capabilities to the C7, in particular, allowing users to share contacts, photos and other goodies by simply tapping their handsets together. If you're interested in upgrading, you can download Anna using the latest version of Ovi Suite (3.1.1), or with an OTA update, though availability and method of delivery vary from market to market. Find more information in the full PR, after the break.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Symbian Anna now available for download

Published August 18, 2011

Espoo, Finland - Symbian Anna - the latest software update for Symbian smartphones - is available for download starting today*.

Symbian Anna significantly enhances the user experience on the Nokia N8, Nokia C7, Nokia C6-01 and Nokia E7. A new user interface, virtual QWERTY keypad in portrait mode, split-screen messaging, enhanced Nokia Maps, better web browsing and stronger security are just a few of the improvements that people will be able to enjoy. Symbian Anna can be downloaded using the latest version of Ovi Suite (version 3.1.1) on a PC, or over-the-air directly to your smartphone**.

"Nokia's Symbian smartphones are used by millions of people around the world every day, addressing specific consumer needs and providing choices at many price points," said Ilari Nurmi, Vice President at Nokia. "Symbian Anna represents a significant update to the experience those users have and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to Symbian, which will see up to 10 more phones introduced over the next 12 months, further updates to the user experience and support for the software until at least 2016."

Key features with Symbian Anna:

- User interface: Symbian Anna brings a fresh new look and feel to the Nokia N8, Nokia C7, Nokia C6-01 and Nokia E7 with crisp icons and multiple usability enhancements. Typing on the touchscreen is much easier with a split screen, so you can see message threads, webpages, contacts or email view while typing on the virtual QWERTY keypad - now also available in portrait mode.

- Maps and navigation: Symbian Anna enhances Nokia Maps with better search functionality, new public transportation routes and the ability to check-in to favorite geo-social network sites like Facebook, Foursquare and Twitter

- Browsing: A faster, easier-to-use browser, delivering quicker page loads and improved device navigation allowing people to connect more easily to their favorite sites on the go.

- Better for business: Symbian Anna brings true business-grade security with improved data encryption on Nokia smartphones. Business users with a Nokia N8, Nokia C7, Nokia C6-01 or Nokia E7 can now easily and securely access their company intranet with IPSEC and SSL VPN enablers.

- Near Field Communications (NFC): The Symbian Anna software update also activates the NFC hardware in the Nokia C7, so people can now simply tap their Nokia C7s together to share contacts, photos, videos and play games; easily pair with NFC-enabled accessories from Nokia and others; and read NFC tags to check-in and more

*The precise rollout schedule of the Symbian Anna software update varies from market to market.

**Method of delivery of the software update differs from market to market and operator to operator.

MetroPCS and Rhapsody Partner to Deliver "Music for All"

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Rhapsody, the leading on-demand music service, today announced the availability of an unlimited mobile music experience for MetroPCS customers. Starting today, MetroPCS Android customers can plug into unlimited music with MetroPCS' new Rhapsody Unlimited Music service with access to more than 12 million songs in Rhapsody's vast music catalog.

Rhapsody Unlimited Music is available on MetroPCS Android handsets with the $60 monthly rate plan from MetroPCS, which in addition to Rhapsody Unlimited Music, offers unlimited talk, text, and Web access and other unique features like MetroNavigator, Pocket Express and Visual Voice Mail Plus - all taxes and fees included, and all without a long-term contract. Music lovers can now play, download and stream as many songs as they want, free from the per-track charges that come with most other music download services.

By 2011 70% Consumer Electronic Devices will be Connected

Seventy percent of Consumer Electronic (CE) industry 2011 revenues will come from Internet connectable devices, according to the latest research from the Strategy Analytics Connected Home Devices (CHD) service. Internet connectivity has become a key feature for the majority of CE devices, whose global installed base will reach the two billion unit mark by the end of the year.

“While connected flat panel TVs, set-top boxes and DVRs still represent a small portion of their respective product segments, sixty-eight percent of all CE devices sold this year will be connectable to the Internet.” says Peter King, Director at Strategy Analytics.

T-Mobile BlackBerry Bold 9900 available on August 31st, on presale to business customers today

There's a good chance you've already heard a thing or two (or a hundred) about the BlackBerry Bold 9900 series, so by now you have a good idea whether or not you'll want to pick one up. So if you're leaning toward "buy," T-Mobile's got one coming to a retail store near you on August 31st, with the phone on presale for business customers starting today. Procurers of the new device will need to shell out $300 after a $50 mail-in rebate. Early adopters, start your engines! The ull press release can be found after the break.

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T-Mobile Launches the BlackBerry Bold 9900, Its First 4G BlackBerry Smartphone

Featuring the new BlackBerry 7 operating system, the smartphone will be T-Mobile's fastest BlackBerry to date, leveraging a 1.2 GHz processor and America's Largest 4G Network

BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--T-Mobile USA, Inc. today announced the upcoming nationwide availability of the first 4G BlackBerry® smartphone to run on America's Largest 4G Network™ - the BlackBerry® Bold™ 9900. Available today in an exclusive pre-sale for T-Mobile business customers and launching nationwide on Aug. 31, the 4G-capable BlackBerry Bold 9900 is the thinnest BlackBerry smartphone ever (at only 10.5mm) and the first to offer the perfect union of a high-performance keyboard and brilliant touch display integrated within the iconic BlackBerry Bold design. Featuring a range of powerful hardware enhancements including a 1.2 GHz processor, Liquid Graphics™ technology, 24-bit high-resolution graphics and advanced sensors, the new smartphone is designed to deliver the ultimate in communications, multimedia and productivity.

"We continue to deliver innovative products for our customers, and we're excited to offer our first 4G BlackBerry smartphone"

"T-Mobile is excited to add a BlackBerry smartphone to T-Mobile's best 4G product lineup ever," said Andrew Morrison, vice president, product management, T-Mobile USA. "With the new BlackBerry Bold 9900, we are offering our socially-active and business-minded customers a powerful device with a unique proposition - the pairing of a nationwide 4G network with the mobile communications efficiency that has become synonymous with BlackBerry smartphones."

The BlackBerry Bold 9900 is powered by the new BlackBerry 7 operating system, which introduces a next-generation BlackBerry browser with a significantly faster, more fluid Web browsing experience that is among the best in the industry. Additional enhancements to this next-generation BlackBerry browser have also optimized zooming and panning for smoother Web navigation and optimized HTML5 performance for incredible gaming and video experiences.

"We continue to deliver innovative products for our customers, and we're excited to offer our first 4G BlackBerry smartphone," said Femi Lakeru, vice president of business sales, T-Mobile USA. "Since T-Mobile offers 4G speeds in more places than any other wireless broadband network in the U.S., CIOs can trust that the BlackBerry Bold 9900 will give their employees the ultimate combination of speed, productivity and security."

T-Mobile's high-speed 4G network continues to expand and is now available in more than 190 markets, reaching more than 200 million people nationwide*. With the addition of the BlackBerry Bold 9900, T-Mobile now offers a wide variety of 4G devices including smartphones, tablets, laptop sticks, a netbook and a mobile hotspot. Running on America's Largest 4G Network, the BlackBerry Bold 9900 helps make life truly mobile - all at 4G speeds. Whether accessing email, sending an invoice, getting directions or uploading photos, T-Mobile customers stay connected and informed virtually anywhere life takes them.

The BlackBerry Bold 9900 smartphone continues the tradition of delivering a leading mobile communications experience with a highly refined and integrated suite of phone, email, messaging and social apps to keep users connected and productive throughout the day. Recent enhancements include the newest release of BBM™ (BlackBerry® Messenger), and an updated Social Feeds (2.0) app. The new Facebook® for BlackBerry smartphones (2.0) app introduces features like Facebook chat and BBM integration that make it easier for users to connect with their Facebook friends in real time.

The BlackBerry Bold 9900 is also the first device to come preloaded with T-Mobile's new MobileLife® Family Organizer application. Powered by Cozi, MobileLife Family Organizer makes managing families' busy schedules easier with centralized calendars, shopping lists, to-do lists, and family journals that allow family members to share updates with each other on the go. Calendar reminders can be sent by text or email allowing customers to avoid missing their kids' soccer practice or an important shared appointment. More information about MobileLife Family Organizer can be found at http://www.t-mobile.com/calendar.

Availability

The BlackBerry Bold 9900 is expected to be available in an exclusive pre-sale for T-Mobile business customers beginning today, Aug. 17. The smartphone is expected to be available at T-Mobile retail stores and at select dealers and national retailers nationwide starting Aug. 31. For more information about T-Mobile products and services, please visit http://www.t-mobile.com.

T-Mobile Launches the BlackBerry Bold 9900, Its First 4G BlackBerry Smartphone

BlackBerry Bold 9900

T-Mobile USA, Inc. today announced the upcoming nationwide availability of the first 4G BlackBerry smartphone to run on America’s Largest 4G Network  — the BlackBerry Bold 9900. Available today in an exclusive pre-sale for T-Mobile business customers and launching nationwide on Aug. 31, the 4G-capable BlackBerry Bold 9900 is the thinnest BlackBerry smartphone ever (at only 10.5mm) and the first to offer the perfect union of a high-performance keyboard and brilliant touch display integrated within the iconic BlackBerry Bold design. Featuring a range of powerful hardware enhancements including a 1.2 GHz processor, Liquid Graphics technology 24-bit high-resolution graphics and advanced sensors, the new smartphone is designed to deliver the ultimate in communications, multimedia and productivity.

“T-Mobile is excited to add a BlackBerry smartphone to T-Mobile’s best 4G product lineup ever,” said Andrew Morrison, vice president, product management, T-Mobile USA. “With the new BlackBerry Bold 9900, we are offering our socially-active and business-minded customers a powerful device with a unique proposition — the pairing of a nationwide 4G network with the mobile communications efficiency that has become synonymous with BlackBerry smartphones.”

 

The BlackBerry Bold 9900 is powered by the new BlackBerry 7 operating system, which introduces a next-generation BlackBerry browser with a significantly faster, more fluid Web browsing experience that is among the best in the industry. Additional enhancements to this next-generation BlackBerry browser have also optimized zooming and panning for smoother Web navigation and optimized HTML5 performance for incredible gaming and video experiences.

 

“We continue to deliver innovative products for our customers, and we’re excited to offer our first 4G BlackBerry smartphone,” said Femi Lakeru, vice president of business sales, T-Mobile USA. “Since T-Mobile offers 4G speeds in more places than any other wireless broadband network in the U.S., CIOs can trust that the BlackBerry Bold 9900 will give their employees the ultimate combination of speed, productivity and security.”

 

T-Mobile’s high-speed 4G network continues to expand and is now available in more than 190 markets, reaching more than 200 million people nationwide*. With the addition of the BlackBerry Bold 9900, T-Mobile now offers a wide variety of 4G devices including smartphones, tablets, laptop sticks, a netbook and a mobile hotspot. Running on America’s Largest 4G Network, the BlackBerry Bold 9900 helps make life truly mobile — all at 4G speeds. Whether accessing email, sending an invoice, getting directions or uploading photos, T-Mobile customers stay connected and informed virtually anywhere life takes them.

 

The BlackBerry Bold 9900 smartphone continues the tradition of delivering a leading mobile communications experience with a highly refined and integrated suite of phone, email, messaging and social apps to keep users connected and productive throughout the day. Recent enhancements include the newest release of BBM (BlackBerry Messenger), and an updated Social Feeds (2.0) app. The new Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones (2.0) app introduces features like Facebook chat and BBM integration that make it easier for users to connect with their Facebook friends in real time.

 

The BlackBerry Bold 9900 is also the first device to come preloaded with T-Mobile’s new MobileLife Family Organizer application. Powered by Cozi, MobileLife Family Organizer makes managing families’ busy schedules easier with centralized calendars, shopping lists, to-do lists, and family journals that allow family members to share updates with each other on the go. Calendar reminders can be sent by text or email allowing customers to avoid missing their kids’ soccer practice or an important shared appointment. More information about MobileLife Family Organizer can be found at http://www.t-mobile.com/calendar.

 

Availability

 

The BlackBerry Bold 9900 is expected to be available in an exclusive pre-sale for T-Mobile business customers beginning today, Aug. 17. The smartphone is expected to be available at T-Mobile retail stores and at select dealers and national retailers nationwide starting Aug. 31. For more information about T-Mobile products and services, please visit http://www.t-mobile.com.

 

T-Mobile’s 4G network has expanded to additional markets, including Atlantic City, N.J., and  Florence, Ala. A complete list of all the markets where T-Mobile’s 4G network is live can be found at http://newsroom.t-mobile.com/articles/4g-fact-sheet.

 

BlackBerry Curve 9360 going to Bell August 29th, T-Mobile September 14th

We have to hand it to Research in Motion. No matter what feelings you may have for (or against) the company, it's sure doing a great job staying in the news day after day. After unleashing a bevy of reviews for the Bold 9930, Torch 9810 and Torch 9850, now we're hearing whisperings about the latest Curve. The 9360, aka the Apollo, is ready to make its way to both sides of the northern border, beginning its North American tour with Bell on August 29th and swiftly making its way to T-Mobile September 14th. We're hearing that the 9360 will have a 2.4-inch screen with 480 x 360 resolution, an 800MHz CPU, and BlackBerry 7 installed. As is the case with most leaked screenshots, we can't know for sure that these days will actually stick, but at least it gives us a solid indication that the device is inbound sooner than we were expecting.

Orange exec welcomes Google's Motorola buy with open arms

Motogoog, Googorola -- whatever phrasing you've landed on, yesterday's giant bit of industry news is sure to draw strong opinions on both sides of the fence. Thus far, we've seen a largely positive responses from the competition, with companies like HTC, Samsung, LG and Sony Ericsson issuing fairly uniform statements on the matter. And while US carriers have been pretty quiet on that front, France Telecom-owned Orange is about ready to high five all parties involved. Yves Maitre, an SVP with the company, called the whole thing "great news," suggesting that Mootlegooga (okay, that one probably won't stick) will offer a good bit of competition for the mobile juggernaut that is Apple. The deal, he explained, adds a sort of vertical integration that's all the rage in the industry right now, with companies like Apple and Nokia / Microsoft.

AT&T USBConnect Momentum 4G and Mobile Hotspot Elevate 4G scheduled for August 21st launch

With it having been in the works for so long, it's easy to forget that AT&T is ready to flip the switch on its sparkling-new LTE network virtually any second now. But Ma Bell is happy to remind us of its impending true 4G launch by announcing that its first two dedicated LTE devices, the USBConnect Momentum 4G and Mobile Hotspot Elevate 4G, are set to be sold in stores this upcoming Sunday. In addition, users of the USBConnect Adrenaline will be able to download a firmware update on August 26th that turns on its dormant LTE radio. The carrier also officially announced that its DataConnect plans will be offered for $50 per month for 5GB, with usage charges of $10 for each additional GB. Hold your horses, though -- the units will be available for purchase and can be used on HSPA+ for now, but it doesn't guarantee AT&T will activate the higher-speed 4G network next week. Nay, we may have to wait just a little longer before Ralph de la Vega pushes the big red button on his desk, but that day is not too distant.

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First LTE/HSPA+ Devices Arrive in AT&T Stores Aug. 21
AT&T USBConnect Momentum 4G and AT&T Mobile Hotspot Elevate 4G Eligible for $50, 5GB Data Plans

Dallas, Texas, August 16, 2011

Key Facts

The AT&T* USBConnect Momentum 4G** and AT&T Mobile Hotspot Elevate 4G** will be available in stores and online Aug. 21.
AT&T also confirmed data pricing for data-only mobile broadband devices on the company's forthcoming LTE network.
Customers will be able to choose 5 gigabytes of data for a monthly rate of $50 with any additional data consumed available for $10 per gigabyte.
The LTE-upgradeable AT&T USBConnect Adrenaline will also be able to be updated to LTE beginning Aug. 26.

Data Plan Options

As the first devices that will be able to take advantage of AT&T's future 4G LTE network arrive in AT&T stores, customers who choose the AT&T USBConnect Momentum 4G and AT&T Mobile Hotspot Elevate 4G will be able to select the same $50 for 5 GB data option as many current USBConnect or Mobile Hotspot customers do today.

Also capable of 4G speeds on AT&T's HSPA+ network, the USBConnect Momentum 4G, Mobile Hotspot Elevate 4G will be the only LTE devices in the United States to have a 4G/HSPA+ network with enhanced backhaul to fall back to if a customer moves outside of LTE coverage.

Already in customers' hands, the AT&T USBConnect Adrenaline is LTE-upgradeable, containing an LTE chipset that can be enabled with a software update. Those customers can visit www.att.com/adrenaline to download that update beginning Aug. 26.

LTE Roadmap

AT&T recently announced plans to roll out 4G LTE in five markets – Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio – later this summer. Customers with compatible devices and 4G LTE coverage in those markets will be able to enjoy access to 4G LTE speeds as AT&T's 4G LTE is turned up.

As AT&T rolls out 4G LTE, customers outside of its 4G LTE coverage areas will still have access to AT&T's fast HSPA+ network. When combined with enhanced backhaul, HSPA+ enables 4G speeds that are up to four times faster than AT&T's already fast mobile broadband speeds. Because AT&T has taken the extra step of deploying HSPA+ technology with enhanced backhaul, its customers will have access to consistently fast mobile broadband speeds when moving in and out of 4G LTE areas.

By the end of 2011, AT&T plans to offer 4G LTE to customers in at least 15 markets, covering 70 million Americans.