News
LG Intros Optimus UI 3.0 Skin for Android Phones
LG today revealed a refresh to its Android user interface that will be included on phones launching later this year. LG said that the Optimus UI 3.0 skin is supposed to make Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich devices easier and faster to use. The UI will feature customizable home screen pattern unlocks to apps such as the camera, as well as voice commands that control the camera. LG says the skin has been simplified compared to previous versions, and will make it easier for owners to customize the appearance and behavior of their devices. The Optimus UI 3.0 skin will be available on the Optimus 4X HD and Optimus LTE II at launch. LG hasn't specified which U.S. devices will have the new skin installed.
HTC Says EVO 4G LTE Launch Delayed
HTC has indicated that the planned May 18 launch of the EVO 4G LTE for Sprint has now been delayed thanks to stalled shipments of the device into the country. Both the One X (for AT&T) and EVO 4G LTE have been blocked at customs, where they are being examined for compliance with an ITC exclusion order. Sprint has ceased taking pre-orders via its web site, and is no longer referencing the May 18 launch date for the EVO 4G LTE. Sprint has yet to corroborate the Journal's story on the delayed launch.
T-Mobile's HTC Amaze 4G Gains Android 4.0
T-Mobile USA today said that the HTC Amaze 4G will be able to download and install the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update starting May 21. T-Mobile says the update can be downloaded over the air, but recommends Wi-Fi for a faster install process. Users will be notified when the update is available to their handset, though they may also update manually through the device's system tools.
HTC One X and EVO 4G LTE Held Up at Customs
HTC today announced that shipments of its One X and EVO 4G LTE smartphones have been halted at customs. In a statement emailed to media, HTC explained, "The US availability of the HTC One X and HTC EVO 4G LTE has been delayed due to a standard U.S. Customs review of shipments that is required after an ITC exclusion order. We believe we are in compliance with the ruling and HTC is working closely with Customs to secure approval. The HTC One X and HTC EVO 4G LTE have been received enthusiastically by customers and we appreciate their patience as we work to get these products into their hands as soon as possible." HTC was found guilty of infringing on an Apple smartphone patent last year and the U.S. International Trade Commission ruled that future imports of offending devices be blocked. The order went into effect April 19. HTC believes it has a software work-around in place, but has to appeal the ITC's order. The One X went on sale at AT&T stores earlier this month, but is now listed as out of stock. The EVO 4G LTE is due to go on sale at Sprint stores this Friday. Neither AT&T nor Sprint has addressed availability of the devices in light of the exclusion order.
from HTC
FCC Wants to Know More About Verizon's Spectrum Offer
The Federal Communications Commission has requested more information from Verizon Wireless about its offer to sell 700MHz A and B block spectrum licences. The FCC wants details on the matter from Verizon by May 22 so that it may more fully understand why Verizon is linking this spectrum sale with its proposed acquisition of 122 AWS spectrum licenses from SpectrumCo. Additionally, the FCC wants to know if Verizon made any efforts to use its 700MHz A and B Block spectrum assets.
Google To Distribute Nexus Phones from Multiple Vendors
Google is set to significantly shake up its Nexus device program. According to sources cited by the Wall Street Journal, Google plans to give multiple handset makers access to new versions of Android and sell those handsets directly to consumers. Historically, Google has partnered with one hardware manufacturer at a time to create its Nexus devices. Offering the Nexus -- or pure Android -- experience to more than one OEM at a time represents a big change. Google recently resurrected direct-to-consumer sales of Nexus devices through the Google Play store. The Journal's sources didn't say which manufacturers might be first up in the new scheme, but said the devices would be ready by Thanksgiving.
AT&T, U.S. Cellular Looking to Buy Spectrum from Cox
AT&T and U.S. Cellular filed separate applications with the Federal Communications Commission today seeking permission to purchase spectrum licenses from Cox Communications. AT&T is seeking eight 700MHz B Block licences that cover various markets along the east coast. U.S. Cellular is looking to nab 700MHz A Block licenses that cover portions of Kansas. AT&T is also hoping to purchase four 700MHz C Block licenses from Peoples Telephone in several areas throughout Texas. Both companies said that the spectrum additions would bolster their LTE network plans. Verizon Wireless is also purchasing spectrum from Cox, though in the AWS bands.
T-Mobile 665 Available from T-Mo's Pre-paid Service
T-Mobile USA's pre-paid service recently began offering the T-Mobile 665 for $49.99. This contract-free flip phone includes large keys on the numeric dialpad and dual-displays. Other features of the T-Mobile 665 include an FM radio, 2-megapixel camera with video capture, Bluetooth 2.1, media player, speakerphone, headset jack, and support for microSD cards up to 8GB.
FCC Sets Dates for Opposers of T-Mobile Spectrum Swap
The Federal Communications Commission today approved the preliminary applications from T-Mobile USA, Leap Wireless, Savary Island, and Cook Inlet with respect to a proposed spectrum swap. The companies want to exchange small blocks of spectrum in a handful of markets scattered about the country. The FCC has set May 29 as the deadline for petitions to deny the exchange, June 8 as the deadline for oppositions, and June 15 as the deadline for replies. The companies involved are trading PCS spectrum for AWS spectrum in Arizona, Delaware, Philadelphia, and Texas.
Latest Firefox Beta for Android Hits Google Play
Mozilla today made a new beta version of its Firefox mobile browser available to the Android platform. The revised browser has a brand new user interface and brings with it significant performance improvements, support for Flash, a new start page with visual bookmarks, new panning and zooming navigation, improved plug-ins, and better text readability. The new beta of Firefox also includes numerous bug fixes. The browser is a free download, but requires Android 2.2 and up.
T-Mobile Restructuring Effort Will Lead to Job Losses
T-Mobile USA CEO Philip Humm today announced a forthcoming internal reorganization that will result in some job losses. In a letter sent to T-Mobile employees, Humm explained that the company has had to make some difficult choices in order to move forward with its new strategy. Humm didn't say how many employees would be affected by the changes, but noted that the changes are coming in the next week and employees will be notified personally. "It is important to emphasize these impacts to employees result from business decisions. We have tremendous employees here at T-Mobile and we truly wish we could retain all our talent, but our business realities require hard choices," said Humm. He noted that the changes will let the company save money, speed up its LTE network deployment, and reposition the brand in the U.S. market. T-Mobile has already announced a round of call center closures this year that will affect about 1,000 employees.
from T-Mobile USA / The Verge »
Verizon Says LTE Will Reach 400 Markets by Year's End
Verizon Wireless today announced that on May 17, 28 new markets will get LTE coverage and 11 existing markets will get expanded LTE coverage. According to Verizon, the new markets and expansions bump the total number of markets covered with LTE to 258, blanketing two-thirds of the U.S. population. Verizon also noted that between now and the end of the year, it will bring its 4G LTE network to more than 140 new markets. It expects to cover 400 markets across 49 states by the end of 2012.
Local Merchants Agree to Work with Isis in Launch Markets
Isis today announced that a wide range of local merchants in the Austin, Texas, and Salt Lake City, Utah, markets have agreed to offer its NFC-based mobile payment service. Austin and Salt Lake City are the two launch markets for Isis, which is a joint venture between AT&T, T-Mobile USA, and Verizon Wireless. Isis has already signed agreements with national retailers such as Champs, Dillard's, Foot Locker, Jamba Juice, and Macy's. Isis claims that its mobile payment service will be available at hundreds of locations within its Austin and Salt Lake City at launch. Customers in those markets will be able to walk into an AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon store, pick from several NFC-enabled devices, and walk out with the Isis Mobile Wallet enabled and ready to use. Isis is competing with other mobile payment options, such as Google Wallet.
LG Optimus Elite Hits Virgin Stores May 15 for $149
The LG Optimus Elite will be available at Virgin Mobile USA stores starting today, May 15, for $149.99. The Optimus Elite is an Android phone that is eco-friendly and offers NFC and Google Wallet.
Voyager Mobile Postpones Launch After Site Attacked
Voyager Mobile, which was prepared to launch its new pre-paid mobile service today, has postponed the launch due to what it calls a "malicious network attack" on its web site. Voyager Mobile is offering $19 and $39 no-contract plans that can be used with a range of smartphones. "Our goal of low cost wireless service for all will not be undermined and we strive to continue the voyage for a better wireless world," the company said in a statement. Voyager Mobile's web site is its primary source of distribution and sales. It says the launch will still occur in the near future.
HTC Sensation 4G Receiving Android 4.0 on May 16
T-Mobile has indicated via its support forums that the HTC Sensation 4G will be updated to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and Sense 3.6 starting on May 16. The update is optional and T-Mobile recommends that all users makes sure their system software is up to date before downloading and installing Android 4.0. T-Mobile says that the update would best be downloaded via Wi-Fi. Aside from the laundry list of Android 4.0 features that will be newly available to the Sensation 4G, the update also requires that customers add the Wi-Fi Mobile Hotspot feature to their account in order to use the service after completing this update.
Samsung Names T-Mobile Devices Set to Receive Android 4.0
Samsung recently updated the web site listing which of its devices will receive Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich system updates. The update adds several devices being sold by T-Mobile, including the Galaxy S II, and Galaxy S Blaze 4G smartphones, and the Tab Plus 7.0 and Tab 10.1 tablets. Samsung didn't provide a timeframe suggesting when the updates might arrive.
Cricket's Muve Music Scores 6 Million More Tracks
Leap Wireless today announced that it has signed several licensing deals that double the amount of music available to Muve Music customers to approximately 10 million total tracks. The first deal is with CD Baby, which is an online distributor of independent music. The agreement with CD Baby adds approximately four million music tracks to Cricket's Muve Music service. Leap also announced a similar licensing agreement with TuneCore, another online music distributor. TuneCore's catalog adds two million tracks to Muve Music, making a total of six million new tracks with today's deals. Leap said that the catalogs of CD Baby and TuneCore will be added to the Muve Music service over time, and the integration should be complete by the end of the year. Cricket explained that it takes time to RIP the tracks into their codec and add them to their distribution system. Cricket's Muve Music service has about 600,000 customers who download approximately 300 songs per month.
Twitter Looking to Invade Email Inboxes with Newsletter
Twitter today announced that it will begin delivering a new "weekly email digest" to the inboxes of Twitter users. According to Twitter, the emails will feature stories and conversations that gained traction in peoples' timelines, and will be presented in a format similar to the new Discover Tab that's available on the web and mobile versions of Twitter. Links within the email will take users directly to those conversations and stories, where they are encouraged to join in. The email will also feature Tweets that were popular or heavily retweeted, even if the user doesn't follow that particular account. Twitter said it is rolling out this new email to all users over the next few weeks. Twitter says that users can manage the email notification preferences from Twitter's online account tools.
Facebook Refreshes Mobile Web Site for Android and iOS
Facebook today announced a minor refresh to its mobile web site when viewed from the browsers of Android and iOS devices. Starting today, photos posted within the news feed will appear three times larger, and posts will display from edge to edge of the screen. The expanded size of photos within the news feed makes it less necessary to view/load photos individually in the browser and the better use of real estate allows more content to fit on a single page. The change should be visible to most Android and iOS devices by the end of the day.
LightSquared Officially Files Chapter 11
LightSquared formally filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in New York court today. The company was unable to come to terms with its creditors concerning debt payments for its failed mobile broadband network.
LinkedIn Connects with Windows Phone in New App
LinkedIn today debuted version 1.0 of a brand new application for the Windows Phone platform. The app lets Windows Phone owners use most of the business-focused social network's features, including job hunts, real-time LinkedIn updates, access to company/industry news, and access to new messages and invitations. The app includes a home screen Live Tile for notifications. The app is a free download from the Marketplace for Mobile. LinkedIn is already integrated into the People Hub of Windows Phone. This new application offers a much wider feature set. It requires Windows Phone 7.5 and up.
Voyager Mobile Launching May 15 with $19 Pre-Paid Plan
Voyager Mobile today announced that its no-contract wireless services will be available starting May 15. Voyager is a new company that has leased access to Sprint's EVDO 3G and WiMax 4G networks and is offering two service plans. The first plan costs $19 per month and includes unlimited talk and text. The second plan costs $39 per month and includes unlimited talk, text, and data. Both plans are pre-paid, but do not include local, state, and federal taxes. According to Voyager, the company will sell most of the popular Android devices that are available from Sprint, such as the Motorola Photon 4G, Samsung Galaxy Epic 4G Touch, Motorola XPRT, and others. Voyager Mobile will also offer two USB dongles, a mobile hotspot, and Android-based tablets from HTC and ZTE. The company will have a web-based sales footprint in 18 states on May 15, and will eventually be available across the U.S. in the coming weeks. Voyager Mobile hopes its products will be available in various nationwide retail locations in the future.
Nvidia and Intellectual Ventures Snag 500 Wireless Patents
Nvidia and Intellectual ventures have together purchased a collection of 500 wireless technology patents from IPWireless. The patents cover LTE, LTE-Advanced, and 3G/4G technologies. The two companies split ownership of the patents, with Nvidia licensing the rights to those patents that it did not acquire. Despite the sale, IPWireless retains on-going, royalty-free access to the patents. Terms of the acquisition, which closed on April 30, were not disclosed.
LightSquared Prepping for Bankruptcy
Beleaguered LightSquared, the Philip Falcone-backed mobile broadband company, is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. The company has been negotiating with lenders in recent days to restructure its debt and avoid defaults. According to the Wall Street Journal, however, it has been unable to reach such agreements. LightSquared has until 5PM today to resolve debt issues with its lenders. If it cannot, it will likely seek bankruptcy protection. LightSquared hoped to build a nationwide LTE mobile broadband network, but the Federal Communications Commission blocked the plan, citing interference issues with nearby GPS signals.
Maintenance Update for LG Spectrum Swats Bugs
Verizon Wireless has detailed a forthcoming system update headed to the LG Spectrum. While the update does not install Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, it does deliver a large number of bug fixes and feature improvements. Some benefits of the update include improved security, a calendar bug fix, fewer force closes, and new multitouch gestures in the camera, as well as updates to apps such as Gmail, the browser, Google Play, and Verizon-branded services. LG Spectrum owners will be notified when the update is ready for their device.
Carriers and Federal Gov Kick Off Emergency Alerts
The Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) service, a joint effort between U.S. wireless network operators and the federal government, officially launches this month. The WEA will deliver text message warnings to cell phone users based on a number of potential hazards, including tornadoes, flash floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, dust storms, extreme winds, blizzards, and ice storms. The messages are delivered based on location, so even those who are traveling will receive alerts for where they are, not where they live, if there's danger. Carriers participating in the program include AT&T, Cellcom, Cricket, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, and Verizon Wireless. "These text alerts will be very brief, under 90 characters," said National Weather Service spokeswoman Susan Buchanan in an interview with USA Today. They "are intended to prompt people to immediately seek additional information through the wide range of weather alert communications available to them, such as the Internet, television, radio or NOAA Weather Radio." The alerts are not sent via the traditional SMS pipes, and are instead delivered through a system that is not affected by congestion. The WAE can also deliver both AMBER Alerts and Presidential Alerts. Wireless subscribers can opt out of AMBER and Weather Alerts but not Presidential Alerts.
T-Mobile, Sprint Set to Actively Block Verizon's AWS Purchase
T-Mobile, Sprint, the Rural Carrier Association, and Public Knowledge plan to tackle Verizon Wireless's proposed purchase of 122 AWS spectrum licenses from a consortium of cable companies head-on. The groups are prepared to announce a new initiative on Monday called the Alliance for Broadband Competition, which will more aggressively push the government to scrutinize Verizon's plan. Verizon wants to use the AWS spectrum to supplement the 700MHz spectrum it currently uses for its LTE 4G network. The proposal has met with resistance from a wide range of organizations that fear the deal will give Verizon too much spectrum holdings. The deal is being reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission.
Nvidia's 4G LTE Tegra 3 Roadmap Slips a Bit
Nvidia has indicated that LTE 4G won't be available with its Tegra 3 quad-core chipset until later in the year. During the company's recent earnings call, CEO Jen-Hsun Huang said that the Tegra 3 processor with a built-in LTE baseband won't be available until 2013. Further, Huang noted that the Tegra 3 processor mated to LTE basebands from other suppliers won't be ready until the third quarter at the earliest, and may not arrive in the U.S. until closer to the end of the year. The Tegra 3 is a quad-core processor with a fifth core for low-intensity tasks. It is available in the international version of the HTC One X, though that device doesn't support LTE 4G. The U.S. version of the One X uses a Qualcomm S4 Snapdragon with two cores and LTE 4G built in.
U.S. Cellular Voices Interest in Verizon's 700MHz Spectrum
U.S. Cellular has indicated to the Federal Communications Commission that it is interested in purchasing spectrum currently being offered by Verizon Wireless. Verizon said it would sell its A and B block 700MHz spectrum providing the FCC approves its purchase of 122 AWS license from SpectrumCo. U.S. Cellular said it thinks Verizon's spectrum sale could help other carriers that hold Class 12 spectrum licenses in the 700MHz band. U.S. Cellular also told the FCC that it would allow the spectrum to be sold to AT&T or even built out by Verizon Wireless itself, as long as the resulting LTE network is compatible with the Band Class 12 networks run by U.S. Cellular, C Spire Wireless, and others. Whatever the outcome of Verizon's A and B block spectrum offering, U.S. Cellular implored the FCC to mandate interoperability in the 700MHz band so that it can strike 700MHZ LTE roaming agreements with AT&T and Verizon Wireless.
Facebook for Android Updated with More Messaging Features
Facebook provided an update to the Android version of its application today. The update's most significant new feature is that it lets users create group messages from their handset, as well as add friends to existing group messaging sessions. The update also fixes bugs and brings back the home screen shortcuts for sharing messages and photos. The update to version 1.9.3 is free.
Verizon Targets Jersey and Other Shores for Summer LTE Push
Verizon Wireless plans to expand its LTE 4G network footprint once again, this time on May 17. The company will launch LTE in new markets, as well as extend the presence of LTE in existing markets. Many of the new markets are popular beach towns and vacation spots, including Cape Cod, Northern Vermont, the southern shore of Long Island. Along the Jersey Shore, LTE will be available in Sea Bright and Monmouth Beach, Belmar, Point Pleasant, Toms River, Atlantic City, and Cape May County. Other beaches that can look forward to 4G are Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach, Lewes and Seaford in Delaware; The Outer Banks of North Carolina (Memorial Day Weekend); as well as Ocean City, Md., and Virginia Beach, Va. Verizon's LTE 4G network already covers 230 million POPs across the U.S.
Nokia PureView 808 to Be Sold Unlocked in the U.S.
Nokia's North American chief Chris Weber said that the PureView 808 41-megapixel camera phone will be sold in the U.S., though not by U.S. wireless network operators. Instead, Nokia will make an unlocked version available that will be compatible with AT&T's 3G network. "We'll figure out a way to make that available in the U.S. in the next couple of months," he said in an interview with PCMag. Weber also said that the company understands how important Verizon Wireless is in the U.S. marketplace and is "working hard to make that a reality." Nokia's Lumia 710 and Lumia 900 are available from T-Mobile USA and AT&T, respectively.
Nokia Pushing Out Reading App for Lumia Line
Nokia today announced the initial availability of its Nokia Reader application. Nokia Reader is an e-reader type application that offers content in a number of different languages. Nokia believes that the ClearBlack display used by its Lumia smartphones helps reduce glare and make reading on the phone's display easier. The application also has adjustable text size, and a night mode for when reading in the dark. The initial launch countries are France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Spain and the UK. Others will follow over the rest of the year. The app is free.
TracFone Snaps Up Simple Mobile
Prepaid MVNO TracFone today announced an agreement to acquire SIM-only prepaid MVNO Simple Mobile. Simple Mobile operates a SIM-card-only service where customers bring their own GSM phones. Simple uses T-Mobile USA's network. TracFone is also an MVNO, using a mix of other national carrier's networks. TracFone is owned by America Movil, which has operations across the Americas. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter. The purchase price and other terms were not disclosed.
Isis Rings Up American Express Cards
Isis today announced that it has agreed to make American Express cards and services available through its mobile payment product. Isis is a joint venture between AT&T, T-Mobile USA, and Verizon Wireless that aims to bring NFC-based tap-and-go payments to mobile handsets. The initiative has signed a number of banking institutions, and also works with the Visa payment network. American Express joined the Isis Mobile Commerce Platform last year, but now American Express is adding its cards to the Isis mobile wallet. Isis is expected to launch later this year.
Cricket Planning Huge Smartphone Push
Cricket Wireless is hoping to bring 10 new devices to the market before the end of the year, with seven of them being smartphones. Cricket representative Matthew Stoiber said the company will have a "good, better, best" range of smartphones available to its pre-paid customers. The entry-level devices will be priced in the $149 - $249 range; mid-range devices will land under $300; and its high-end devices will have price tags exceeding $300. The company already has devices that fall into the first two categories, but has yet to announce or launch any high-end devices. Smartphone subscribers represent half of Cricket's customer base.
from Cricket
ZTE Targeting Windows Phone Launch in U.S. by Year's End
ZTE's Lixin Cheng, who runs its North American business operations, said that the company expects to offer a Windows Phone smartphone in the U.S. before the end of the year. Speaking to CNET, Cheng noted that the some of the recent base spec changes made by Microsoft to its mobile platform will allow ZTE to offer affordable Windows Phone handsets. When the platform launched, ZTE was unable to meet the strict hardware requirements and still reach an acceptable price point.
Blue Moto Droid RAZR Hitting Stores Starting Today
Verizon Wireless today announced that a blue version of the Motorola Droid RAZR is now available in select Verizon Wireless stores. It will be available in all stores and online by May 17.
from Verizon Wireless
Facebook Debuts App Center for Android, iOS, and Web
Facebook has unveiled a new service called the App Center. The App Center, which will be viewable on Android and iOS devices, as well as the web, offers developers a chance to show off their mobile applications. According to Facebook, all canvas, mobile, and web apps can be listed in the App Center, which Facebook hopes will become a central location for mobile device users to seek out and download mobile applications. Users can browse apps that are compatible with their device, and if a mobile app requires installation, they will be sent to download the app from the App Store or Google Play. Developers can create detailed informational pages about their apps. Facebook is also providing developers with tools to monitor their apps' traction with users of Facebook's App Center. The App Center will fully launch in the coming weeks.
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