CDMA HTC Touch Pro clears the FCC
Posted: Jun 30th 2008 11:16PM by Chase Higgins The always informative FCC has just cleared another device for use on CDMA networks in the U.S., the HTC Touch Pro. The GSM version of the device was recently launched by HTC in Europe, and we had seem that Sprint and even Verizon will be getting the device. One of the first things that has to happen for that though, is FCC clearance, which the device now has. The device will have a full QWERTY and Windows Mobile 6.1, and hopefully will not be delayed. If all goes well, it is supposed to be launching by the end of the year, but it falls on Sprint and Verizon to make it happen.

Information on upcoming Verizon devices surface
Posted: Jun 30th 2008 11:47AM by Chase Higgins Some information on devices in Verizon's pipeline have been revealed, and while not much is known about them except their names, some of the names are big. The CDMA siblings of the HTC Touch Diamond and HTC Touch Pro will be making their way to Verizon, as well as to Sprint. These devices are huge and will no doubt sell very well. It is likely that they will be Verizon branded, like other HTC devices sold by Verizon. The touch screen Motorola Blaze is expected to launch in September. Next up, the Motorola VU30, which is expected in August. There are two new Nokia devices, the 2605 Mirage, which will launch August 8th, and the 7205 Intrigue, which has no mentioned launch date. The Treo 800w will be launching at an undisclosed date as well. The Samsung SCH-U430, and the UTStarcom TXT8010, which are both unknown devices, launch in August as well.

Touchscreen Motorola Blaze for Verizon spotted
Posted: Jun 28th 2008 7:31PM by Chase Higgins Verizon sure has been hitting the touch screen hype very hard as of late, and the newest such device has been outed already. The device is the Motorola Blaze, which we first heard about when it was spotted on a list of devices to get Verizon's upcoming visual voicemail service. Perhaps for the first time though, Verizon has got a little to anxious to stock up on touch devices, as it is being reported as sub par. Apparently, the screen on the device is not very responsive, and it has only the most common of features. It does have EV-DO Rev. A, and of course the visual voicemail, both which will help at least a few get off the shelves. The device looks like the Motorola Ming, and is all touch with no keyboard. No price or availability for the device was given, but we are not holding our breathe for this one.

MetroPCS to activate other provider's CDMA handsets on their network
Posted: Jun 26th 2008 1:16PM by Chase Higgins In a press release today, MetroPCS has announced that they will allow devices that are not MetroPCS branded to be activated on their network. This means that people with compatible CDMA devices, for example a device from Sprint, would be able to use their phone on the MetroPCS network. They are calling the service MetroFlash, and it will be available all company owned stores. The service will carry a $30 fee, but after that, it will be just as if you had a MetroPCS device, there is no recurring fee. Of course the networks all AWS markets, such as Las Vegas, will not be eligible, as the technologies are not compatible with most CDMA devices. The service is available now, but no list of accepted devices was published. To make a CDMA device work on another network, really all it takes is a PRL change, so from a technical standpoint many devices should be compatible.

Verizon launches LG Dare
Posted: Jun 26th 2008 11:21AM by Chase Higgins Verizon has spent 2008 furiously upping their handset line up, and what they have ended up with is one of the best selections you could ever ask for. For people that have to have the latest tech, Verizon has just added the long awaited LG Dare to its stable. The Dare is an all touch device, meaning it has no hard keypad, which is a first on Verizon's airwaves. The phone has got a serious spec sheet, things like a 3.2 mega pixel auto focus camera, EV-DO Rev. A, a full HTML browser, full Bluetooth including OBEX and A2DP, and the full suite of VCAST, make the Dare a real winner. The Dare is available online now for $199.99, after a $50 instant discount online. Check out the full specs, a gallery, and of course buy the Dare, by hitting the read link.

Helio and Virgin Mobile merger to happen this week?
Posted: Jun 25th 2008 11:14AM by Chase Higgins According to a report, the rumored Virgin Mobile takeover of Helio is not only happening, but that it could finalize as early as this week. According to the report, SK Telecom has begun strategic talks with Virgin Mobile and have already came to several agreements. First, the company will retain the Virgin Mobile name. There was no mentioning of how long the rebranding would take. Two, SK Tekecom will invest an undisclosed amount into Virgin Mobile after the merger. In today's tough market for MVNO carriers, this could be both carriers best shot at success for the future.

Nokia looking to buy the rest of Symbian, open up the OS
Posted: Jun 24th 2008 1:06PM by Chase Higgins Nokia is looking to unify the Symbian OS by buying the rest of the consortium that regulates the software. This would mean that Nokia would own all of the shares of Symbian, including the popular flavors of S60 and UIQ. Many manufacturers use S60, including Nokia, who is the largest user of the S60 software. UIQ is mainly used by Sony Ericsson, and between the two flavors, they dominate the Symbian market. Until now, the two flavors of Symbian have commanded royalty and licensing fees to be used, but Nokia would change that. If Nokia gains control of the Symbian consortium, they will open it up, and allow the software to be used royalty free. Google is doing the same thing with Android later this year, and it is assumed Nokia is opening up to cope with the looming threat of Android.

T-Mobile details its prorated ETF policy
Posted: Jun 23rd 2008 2:25PM by Chase Higgins T-Mobile is following Verizon and AT&T and will soon be allowing subscribers to get out of their contracts with a prorated early termination fee. They have devised a different system than AT&T and Verizon, who subtract $5 each month from the fee, to as low as $60 in the last months. T-Mobile's approach is until the last six months of the contract, the fee will be $200. After you get into the six month threshold, the fee is lowered to $100. Once you get within three months, the fee goes down to $50. The $50 is as low as their fee will drop, making it less than Verizon and AT&T's fee floor. If within 30 days the subscriber would like to cancel early, then they will pay either the $50, or the last month of service, whichever is more.

HTC Touch on its way to US Cellular?
Posted: Jun 23rd 2008 12:20PM by Chase Higgins The HTC Touch has shown up on rebate forms for US Cellular devices. This photo was taken of the form by a US Cellular subscriber who recently purchased the BlackBerry Curve and was sending in for his rebate. It is not known when it will launch, or the price. As far as price goes, we do know that whatever the cost it will have a $100 rebate. It is safe to assume it will be the same HTC Touch that we know on Sprint, Alltel, and Verizon, but of course customized with a little US Cellular theming. This is a developing story, and make sure you are checking back for more information as we get it.

Update: According to one reply, the device is in testing now and will be released in August. The reply also says that the device will cost $199.99 after the previously mentioned $100 mail in rebate.

Alltel answers Verizon merger questions
Posted: Jun 23rd 2008 12:04PM by Chase Higgins The recent announcement of the Verizon-Alltel merger has left many Alltel subscribers scratching their heads at what would become of their plans. It seems that My Circle subscribers will be able to keep their calling plan after the merger has taken place. Alltel directly states that nothing about your plan will be changed during the course of your contract, so you are grandfathered in to whatever deal you currently have. This no doubt comes as a relief to many Alltel customers who wanted to know what would become of their plan. They did not answer whether or not Alltel subscribers can keep their current phone, or if the new carrier would adopt and sell the phones that are currently exclusive to Alltel. The merger still does not have final approval, but is expected to go through without a hitch.

Alltel upgrading EV-DO network to Rev. A
Posted: Jun 23rd 2008 11:53AM by Chase Higgins EV-DO by itself is very fast, but Rev. A allows EV-DO to become even faster. Sprint and Verizon have already both completed most of their Rev. A upgrade, and though Alltel's EV-DO foot print is much smaller, Rev. A will allow better speeds to many of Alltel's subscribers. EV-DO Rev. A allows for maximum downlink at 2.4mbps, and uplink speeds that can not 1mbps. Alltel will be rolling out the upgrade in 18 markets to begin with, which include Charlotte, New Orleans, Phoenix and Tampa. Alltel will also be upgrading compatible network cards for use with the new technology, and will allow the PPC-6800 and PPC-6900 Touch to be upgraded for use with the new network.

Treo 800w to launch July 13th on Sprint
Posted: Jun 23rd 2008 10:06AM by Chase Higgins The long awaited Treo 800w is finally on its way to Sprint's network, after many delays, rumors, and launch dates that turned out to be fake. It has now been revealed that the device will be launching on July 13th. It is the date that has been rumored for a while, but from marketing material revealed it seems this is a solid date. The device features Windows Mobile 6.1, WiFi, EV-DO Rev. A, and GPS. The device will retail for $599.99, but two year price was not revealed. Some other things were reveled, such as the on that same day, the BlackBerry Curve will get re dressed in red. Also, on July 27th, the blue LG Rumor that as of now is an exclusive at Best Buy, will be available in all retail stores.

Helio on its way out
Posted: Jun 20th 2008 4:44PM by Chase Higgins It is hard out there for an MVNO for sure, but Helio despite its recent troubles has always seemed like it is one of the more stable ventures. That said, it seems as if the heat is leaving the fire for Helio, and they are all but dead. After being more than half a billion dollars in debt, Helio is calling it quits, and axing stores and retail outlets across the country. Virtually every MVNO has failed, and with Virgin Mobile taking over the troubled carrier, it seems they are all that is left. It is unclear if Helio customers will be able to keep their current phones, or their plans. It was a good run, and in its prime, Helio was a force to be reckoned with.

Samsung Instinct now available from Sprint
Posted: Jun 20th 2008 12:32PM by Chase Higgins Sprint's new flagship device is now available for purchase today, just as we told you. The Samsung Instinct is an all touch driven device, that will for all purposed be Sprint's answer to the iPhone. It is a very good attempt at it too, with much of the same features, and the addition of EV-DO Rev. A and GPS. The device has a 2 mega pixel camera, MicroSD expansion, speech to action, music streaming, and a customizable interface. The device is available now on a new two year contract for $129.99, and will require a special plan to use. I know you want one, so hit the read link to get yours now.

Sprint asking for an extension on 800MHz vacation deadline
Posted: Jun 19th 2008 1:20PM by Chase Higgins Sprint is asking the FCC to extend the deadline on the FCC mandated vacation and swap of their 800MHz spectrum holdings. The reason for the vacation is that the spectrum held by Sprint is very near various public safety spectrums, that the FCC plans to auction again. As of right now, Sprint is required to vacate the spectrum by June 26th, which they say they can not make. Sprint is filing this request in light of some public safety agencies, that have got an extension until July 1st, 2009. The FCC does not have to give it to them, but it is not clear what will happen until the ruling takes place. An appellate court ruled last month Sprint must stick to the deadline.