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iPhone to Be Sold by the Shack
RadioShack recently announced that it plans to stock and sell the Apple iPhone 3G and 3GS starting in the Dallas-Fort Worth and New York City metropolitan areas beginning later this month. Wider availability will follow in 2010.
Google Adds NYC Subway System to Maps for Mobile
Today Google announced that it has added a new layer to its Google Maps for Mobile product. Smartphones running the BlackBerry, S60 and Windows Phone operating systems will be able to see a new layer that overlays NYC subway routes onto a map. Users can activate it by turning on the "Transit" layer in the menu systems of these phones. It can also be used to map out directions that take advantage of public transportation.
Palm to Offer Web-Based Developer Tools for webOS
Palm recently demonstrated a new web-based platform it plans to offer to developers to help speed up the creation of applications for webOS. The platform, called Ares, will feature a drag-and-drop interface and won't require developers to download APIs or other tools. Ares will include debugging tools, the ability to share APIs, and a phone emulator that allows developers to see how their applications look in both landscape and portrait orientations. Ares will work in Safari and Firefox, but not Internet Explorer. It will be available by the end of the year.
FCC Approves Dell's Mini 3iX
Documents seen on the FCC site today reveal a few details about a new phone from PC maker Dell. The FCC confirms that the Mini 3iX has GSM/EDGE 850/1900 and WCDMA 850/1900 support, as well as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The documents don't confirm any other details, such as form factor, operating system or other specs.
AT&T Completes Centennial Acquisition
Today AT&T announced that it has fully acquired Centennial Communications. By purchasing the rural wireless provider, AT&T has bolstered its coverage footprint in the Midwest and Southeast United States (specifically, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio and Texas), and in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. AT&T will integrate Centennial's products and services into its own, and will begin transitioning Centennial retail outlets to AT&T outlets as soon as possible. AT&T said that it will be providing 3G coverage in approximately 200 of Centennial's markets, and Centennial's subscribers will be able to take advantage of AT&T's services immediately. In order to gain approval for the transaction, AT&T had to agree to divest eight markets (five of them to Verizon Wireless). The total cost of the transaction is valued at $2.7 billion.
Sprint Says No Change In Its ETF Policy
In response to Verizon's move to double early termination fees from $175 to $350 for advanced devices, Sprint said that it is keeping its ETF policy unchanged.
Best Buy Reps to Install Google App on Cell Phones
Today Best Buy and Google announced a new initiative that's part of Best Buy's "Walk Out Working" campaign. When customers purchase a new cell phone, the sales representatives will take the time to download and install the Google Mobile App that is compatible with that device. The goal is to help those who aren't familiar with cell phones learn about them and leave the store with a better understanding of how it works.
AT&T Dropping Mobile TV Price to $10/Month
Starting November 8, AT&T will lower the cost of its MediaFlo-based Mobile TV service by $5 to $10 per month. The price drop only applies to the basic Mobile TV package. The premium package will also drop by $5 to $25 per month. The price drop coincides with the planned availability of the Samsung Mythic, which goes on sale November 8.
Curve 8530 Headed to Sprint, Too
Today Sprint said that it, too, will offer the BlackBerry Curve 8530. Exact pricing and availability wasn't disclosed.
Casio's Rugged Brigade Marching to Verizon Later this Year
Today Verizon Wireless showed off a new Casio G'zOne device called the Brigade. This mil-spec rugged device is a sideways clamshell that has both a numeric keypad on the front and a full QWERTY keyboard inside with larger display. It also offers push-to-talk capabilities in addition to having a 3 megapixel, camera with flash, microSD card support, 2.5mm headset jack, dedicated music and messaging keys, Bluetooth and 3G for data. Verizon Wireless said the Brigade would be available in time for the holidays. Pricing wasn't disclosed.
Verizon Debuts Daily, Weekly or Monthly Prepaid Broadband
Today Verizon Wireless announced three new wireless broadband plans that expand the choices its customers have. In addition to the $60 monthly plan that allows for 5GB of data, Verizon is now offering daily broadband at $15 for 75MB; weekly broadband at $30 for 250MB; and monthly broadband at $50 for 500MB. Verizon Wireless said that plans will be bundled together with a wireless USB760 modem, which includes a microSD slot. The bundles will be available starting November 16.
Verizon Takes Samsung's Convoy On the Road
Today Samsung and Verizon Wireless announced the ruggedized Convoy, a new push-to-talk phone that meets mil-spec 810F standards for durability. It can withstand shock and dust resistance, vibration, salt fog, humidity, solar radiation, altitude and low and high temperatures. The Convoy features a high-quality stereo speaker, Bluetooth 2.1, GPS, a 2 megapixel camera and extended battery life. The Convoy will be available November 15 for $50 after rebates with new agreement.
LG's Chocolate Touch Kicks Out the Beats
Today Verizon Wireless announced the availability of the LG Chocolate Touch starting immediately on November 5. The Chocolate Touch offers premium music features, including Dolby Mobile equalizer, FM radio with 12 presets, Song ID, and a "Join the Band" function. When using Join the Band, users will be able to interact with music by tapping on a virtual drum kit and playing a virtual piano on the screen. Other features of the LG Touch are a 3.2 megapixel camera with video capture that also has a panorama capture mode and facial makeover editing. The Chocolate Touch also has a dedicated social networking key that will let users perform automatic uploads to sites such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter. The Chocolate Touch costs $80 after rebate with new two-year agreement.
Verizon Announces the BlackBerry Curve 8530
Today Verizon Wireless announced that it will begin selling the BlackBerry Curve 8530, a CDMA variant of the 8520 that is for sale from T-Mobile. The 8530 has has 3G, GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 2.1. It will support microSD cards up to 32GB, has a 3.5mm headset jack, 2 megapixel camera with video capture and an optical mouse for navigation. It will be available starting November 20 for $99 after rebate with new agreement.
HTC's Hero Comes to Verizon as Eris
Today Verizon Wireless announced its version of the HTC Hero, renamed the Droid Eris. The Eris shares most of the same basic features as its GSM and Sprint cousins, but is thinner and replaces many of the physical buttons with capacitive touch controls. The Eris uses HTC's customized Sense user interface and tight integration with Google services such as Gmail, Maps and YouTube. It features a 3.2-inch touchscreen (with support for multitouch), 5 megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth, accelerometer, visual voicemail, GPS and access to the Android market. The Eris will boxed with an 8GB microSD card. It will be available on November 6 for $99 after rebates with a new contract.
Samsung Mythic and Flight Hit AT&T November 8
Today AT&T announced that the Samsung Mythic and Flight devices will be available for sale starting November 8.
- Mythic: The Mythic is a TouchWiz-based candybar style phone with a 3.3-inch display. It has a 3.2 megapixel camera, full HTML browser and Stereo Bluetooth. It works with AT&T's Navigator and Mobile TV services. It costs $200 after rebate with new agreement.
- Flight: The Flight is a slider with full QWERTY keyboard for messaging, Bluetooth, 2 megapixel camera, Video Share and a touch screen. It costs $100 after rebate with new agreement.
Verizon Wireless Confirms $350 ETF for Premium Devices
Verizon Wireless has confirmed earlier reports that it is increasing its Early Termination Fee for certain devices from $175 to $350. Spokesperson Jeffrey Nelson said in an email to Phone Scoop, "We are raising the ETF for contracts associated with the purchase of an advanced device (i.e., smartphones, PDAs, netbooks) at a reduced price. This change only applies to new contracts beginning Nov. 15, and only when the customer ends serivce before the term is up. The ETF will be $350 and will decline by $10 a month. Our ETF for all other devices remains at $175." Verizon Wireless believes this change gives customers another choice when it comes to how they purchase wireless devices and services.
T-Mobile Says Software Error Caused Service Outage
T-Mobile issued yet another statement to explain what was behind the service outage experienced by its users on Tuesday, November 3. It said, "After investigating the cause, we have determined that a back-end system software error had generated abnormal congestion on the network. T-Mobile has since implemented additional measures to help prevent this from happening in the future." T-Mobile has not indicated what -- if anything -- it is going to do to recompense the affected customers. T-Mobile claims only 5% of its users lost service.
Samsung Jack Gets WinMo 6.5 Upgrade
Samsung has made Windows Mobile 6.5 available to the Jack smartphone. The new system software will add access to the Windows Mobile Marketplace, Internet Explorer 6, AT&T's Wi-Fi hotspots, and the new user interface. The upgrade is free.
T-Mobile: Carrier Billing, T-Mo Channel Coming to Android Market
Today T-Mobile USA's CTO Cole Brodman said that the company is planning to offer a T-Mobile channel in the Android Market. This channel will host content that T-Mobile recommends to its Android customers. T-Mobile also said that it will soon be offering carrier billing for applications that are sold in the Android Market. This means users will no longer have to use their own credit card, and instead will have purchases applied directly to their monthly phone bills. T-Mobile didn't say when carrier billing is coming, but the T-Mobile Channel will be live before Thanksgiving.
Verizon Wireless Confirms the Droid Can Be Tethered
Verizon Wireless has indicated that it will offer customers the ability to tether the Motorola Droid to act as a wireless modem for their laptops starting in early 2010. Uses can expect to pay an additional $15 above the normal smartphone data plan for this feature, which allows for up to 5GB of data per month.
FCC Reveals LG Windows Mobile Phone for AT&T
Documents that recently became public on the FCC web site provide some details about the LG GM730F. The FCC confirms that the GM730F includes 850/1900MHz HSDPA, which are the 3G bands used by AT&T. The GM730F also has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi radios. Other features include a touch display, 5 megapixel camera, and optical trackpad. Neither LG nor AT&T has announced this device, but the draft user manual makes extensive mention of AT&T-branded services, such as MEdia.Net and Video Share.
Huawei M750 Touch Phone Now On Sale at MetroPCS
The Huawei M750 recently became available from MetroPCS for $200. This touch phone features a software QWERTY keyboard, 1.3 megapixel camera, Stereo Bluetooth and support for microSD cards. MetroPCS points out that the M750 has an "intuitive touch user interface" but doesn't share many details about it. The device comes with a stylus, which implies that the touch screen is resistive.
Jitterbug Acquires MobiWatch Emergency Services Corp
Today Jitterbug announced that it will acquire MobiWatch for an undisclosed sum. MobiWatch has been developing Mobile Personal Emergency Response Services (M-PERS). Personal Emergency Response Services were previously only available from landlines. By incorporating MobiWatch's service directly into Jitterbug phones, it will allow Jitterbug customers to have easy access to trained emergency response personnel wherever they happen to be. Jitterbug said the service needs more refinement and expects to bring it to market in late 2010.
T-Mobile Says All Services Restored
T-Mobile issued a statement late Tuesday night to inform customers that all voice and data services had be restored after an outage affected 5% of T-Mobile's subscribers. T-Mobile said it is investigating the cause of the incident and apologized for the inconvenience.
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