Whoa, this is kind of out of the blue: on top of the Vibrant 4G that we've already had leaked ad nauseam (though he refers to it as a "Galaxy S 4G"), T-Mobile USA CEO Phiipp Humm mentioned at an event this morning that the company is preparing an HSPA+ Sidekick -- yes, a Sidekick -- albeit with Android slotted in place of the defunct Danger Hiptop operating system. For the record, T-Mobile hasn't had any Sidekicks in its lineup since the middle of last year, though it does own the Sidekick brand -- not Danger / Microsoft -- and would undoubtedly love to bring it back to relevance. Coincidentally, Mister Android himself, Andy Rubin, came from Danger -- so the Sidekick's starting to follow him around. Kind of like... you know, a sidekick. Both products are said to be "coming soon."
1.24.2011
Sprint Increases Postpaid Rates
Today’s ability to do more things on the go – such as watching videos, sharing pictures or checking directions – is not only changing the way we live; it is driving exponential growth of mobile data traffic.
Sprint is committed to providing its customers a great wireless experience now and in the future. From its packed portfolio of innovative phones and devices to its leadership in introducing 4G services, to its consumer-friendly Everything Data plans, featuring unlimited text, Web and calling to any mobile phone, Sprint offers the best value in wireless.
Sprint will increase its postpaid rates by applying a $10 per month Premium Data add-on charge to activations of smartphones beginning Jan. 30. The charge will assist Sprint in offering simple and affordable unlimited plans for its customers while maintaining a wireless network able to meet the growing appetite for a richer mobile experience. Subscribers with smartphones will still receive the best value in wireless, including the Any Mobile, Anytime feature offered nationwide only by Sprint.
Sprint also offers a full range of traditional feature phones, including popular eco-friendly or touch-screen handsets that do not require the Premium Data add-on charge but still have a great range of capabilities with voice, text and data access. Existing Sprint smartphone customers are not affected unless they upgrade to or activate another smartphone.
“Sprint wants its customers to experience the range of entertainment and productivity possibilities available with today’s wireless technology,” said Bob H. Johnson, president of Sprint’s consumer business. “While some of our competitors impose overage charges and complex plans, Sprint continues to provide a worry-free, unlimited data experience while on the Sprint network. This is responsible, sustainable and reflects our commitment to simplicity and value.”
“Sprint’s decision to apply the Premium Data add-on charge to activations of smartphones going forward recognizes the enhanced user experience that today’s smartphones deliver, which, in turn, drives substantially higher data usage and cost,” said Roger Entner, analyst and founder of Recon Analytics.
“Building, maintaining and expanding wireless data networks isn’t free – there are real costs involved. In effect, Sprint has chosen to increase the price of its unlimited Everything Data plans, which is still below that of its major competitors, for the segment of customers – smartphone users – who are using wireless data the most and are driving up costs. Consumers have many choices. They can choose unlimited, worry-free data plans on the Sprint network or they can have tiered, metered plans and overage charges with other wireless carriers.”
Smartphone customers use, on average, 10 times more data than users of traditional feature phones. Smartphone users have access to more data capabilities, applications and other functionality than traditional feature phones. Examples include access to thousands of applications and games through online marketplaces and full HTML Web browsing with Adobe Flash technology that allows users to browse the Internet on their devices just like they can at home or in the office.
Sprint defines smartphones as devices with robust operating systems that deliver a rich wireless experience by bringing the full function of mobile applications and programs to life, including Blackberry, Android, Windows Mobile, Palm, and the Instinct family of devices. The Premium Data add-on charge previously applied to HTC EVO 4G, HTC EVO Shift 4G and Samsung Epic 4G devices.
“Sprint continues to be the carrier for people who want to do more than just talk with their wireless devices,” said Johnson. “Customer growth on our 3G and 4G networks, exponential increases in the use of mobile data applications, and the growing use of smartphones is proof that consumers are getting the message.
“Sprint’s unlimited data plans, with or without the $10 charge, continue to beat the offerings of our top national competitors, who cap users’ data, charge data overages, and do not offer the unique functionality of Any Mobile, Anytime, which gives subscribers on the Sprint network unlimited calling to any other wireless user in America regardless of carrier.”
Nokia X7 (X7-00) Official Pictures and Specs
The new upcoming Nokia X7 or also known as the X7-00 was a mystery up until now and official pictures have submerged online for you to feast your eyes on.
Thanks to PocketNow they have a few images of this new smartphone and we want to say a big thanks to Evan Blass, Managing Editor of PocketNow for sharing them, THANKS. Anyway, below we will tell you a little more about the Nokia X7 in the way of specs.
The Nokia X7 will be AT&T branded (Flipping heck does that mean Verizon did not get there first) makes a change hey, this smartphone should make an appearance at MWC 2011 February 14 in Barcelona (Yes Valentines Day Loving).
The Nokia X7 will be running on Symbian^3 operating system and will feature ClearBack technology, support nHD pixel resolution, 8-megapixel camera with dual-LED flash, micro-USB port, dedicated camera key, 3.5mm audio port and much more.
The bit about the phone we love the most is that it has four speakers at four corners that should give you an awesome sounding experience. Take a peek at the Nokia X7 running Need for Speed game here.
We will obviously Keep you updated about the Nokia X7 (X7-00) about its unveiling, prices, release dates and just about everything else about it, for updates please do join us on Twitter or FaceBook. Please watch the video clip provided below courtesy of YouTube.
Source – TechTree
1.23.2011
HP/Palm Posts webOS 2.0 Backup Support Docs for Verizon/Sprint Pre
HP/Palm has quietly posted instructions for using the improved backup utility found in webOS 2.0 for both the the Verizon and Sprint versions of the Palm Pre, which have yet to be updated past version 1.4.5.
With both support documents receiving the updated instructions for the new software version, the rollout for the update is getting closer by the day, though HP/Palm have yet to officially confirm update timelines for any Pre model at this time outside of “in the coming months“.
webOS 2.0 was launched last year with the Pre 2 on French carrier SFR then released as an unlocked phone one month later, while the previously announced Verizon version has yet to be launched.
HTC leaks suggest big, small, buttonless, and Brew MP-based phones are on the way
All things considered, HTC doesn't do the best job of protecting its roadmap; indeed, the slides that leaked a little over a year ago ended up doing a fabulous job of showing us what was in the pipe for 2010, so we wouldn't doubt the massive spread that PocketNow published today. Starting at the top, we've got a device that looks like a trackpad-less evolution of the original Desire (pictured above), another that looks like an Aria-sized Nexus One in black (complete with old-school trackball), and an additional version of a buttonless phone that's got generic HTC branding in place of the Verizon logo in a picture unearthed by Phandroid a few days ago (pictured after the break).
That's not all, though: there also seems to be a lower-end Android device with physical Send / End buttons and an optical trackpad underneath a smallish display accompanied by the usual four capacitive buttons. A device with a China Telecom logo on it is also in the mix, looking like a big-screened model that'll probably be ready to do battle with that 1.2GHz Droid X by a different name that just launched over there. Finally, there's a small, entry-level model that might succeed the Smart as HTC's Brew MP-powered flagbearer, though Android is obviously the thrust here. Specs and names are still a mystery across the board at this point, but as PocketNow says, we wouldn't be surprised to get details at MWC next month.
MotionX-GPS Drive exports full-screen nav on Pioneer and JVC head units, has love only for iOS (video)
MotionX-GPS has been a solid choice in the iPhone and iPad navigation game for some time now, but only recently has started to stretch its legs a bit. The app now has compatibility with a series of JVC and Pioneer head units (listed out below) that enables full-screen 3D navigation. In this mode the mobile device basically turns in to a remote control with a simplified interface, with POI searching and of course media playback. Connectivity is not using the Terminal Mode standard, this works exclusively with the iPhone and iPad, and we're told that sadly the company has no plans on supporting any other platforms going forward. So, if you're not on iOS you'll just have to find your own way to wherever you're going.
Compatible devices include:
Pioneer AVH-P3300BT
Pioneer AVH-P4300DVD
Pioneer AVH-P6300BT
Pioneer SmartCradle
JVC KW-AVX640
JVC KW-AVX740
JVC KW-ADV794
JVC KW-AVX840
Sprint Launches Motorola i886
The i886 features an M810G certified bodyshell for dust, shock, vibration, low and high temperature, low pressure and solar radiation resistance sliding QWERTY keyboard, corporate/personal email access via Exchange ActiveSync, POP3 and IMAP servers, 2.0 megapixel camera with video recorder, media player, GPS support, stereo Bluetooth and microSD expansion slot.
The phone is now available for $129.99 after a new 2 year agreement before an additional $50 mail-in rebate, bringing the total to $79.99.
AT&T Increases Landline Surcharges in Chicago
AT&T has increased its landline line charges by 63% in the city of Chicago on January 3rd according to utility watchdog consumer group Citizen’s Utility Board (CUB.)
The board stated that AT&T increased its line charge in the Chicago Loop to $7.76 a month. AT&T landline customers in the outer suburbs of the city were subject to a 27% increase in January, all the way up to $14.21 a month.The board further suggests that AT&T landline customers investigate the AT&T “Consumer’s Choice” plans which can reduce some of these costs.
Other rate increases took place in Line-Backer, an optional inside line insurance service that the board says is largely unnecessary and went up in cost from $7.50 a month to $8.