AT&T;'s LG Optimus G Goes On Sale November 2 for $199
AT&T; today announced that its version of the LG Optimus G will be available starting November 2. It will cost $199.99 with a new contract. Preorders of the device start tomorrow, October 16. The Optimus G has a quad-core processor, 8-megapixel camera, and 4.7-inch display.
Samsung Freeform 4 Pops Up as Comment II for Cricket
Samsung recently revealed that that R390, which is sold as the Freeform 4 by U.S. Cellular, will also be sold as the Comment II (R390C) by Cricket Wireless. It has a QWERTY keyboard for messaging, Bluetooth 2.1, and a 2-megapixel camera. Pricing has yet to be revealed.
T-Mobile Fires Up HSPA+ On 1900MHz in Kansas City
T-Mobile USA today announced that it has converted its 1900MHz coverage in Kansas City from EDGE 2.5G to HSPA+. Customers with unlocked devices in that market will be able to access 3G/4G speeds with devices such as the Apple iPhone. Earlier this year, T-Mobile did the same with its network in Las Vegas. Part of T-Mobile USA's LTE 4G plan requires that it refarm its 1900MHz PCS spectrum from 2G to 3G/4G services. It will continue to roll out 1900MHz service across its voice/data foorprint as it clears the way to use its 1700MHz AWS spectrum for LTE starting next year.
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Samsung M400 Finds Spot in Sprint's Entry-Level Lineup
Sprint today announced the availability of the Samsung M400, an entry-level flip phone with basic features. The M400 comes with a 1.3-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, threaded messaging, and simple web browser. The M400 includes a 2.24-inch main display and 1.07-inch external display, large keypad, and dedicated 911 and ICE (in case of emergency) buttons. The Samsung M400 is free after a $50 mail-in rebate and can be purchase online and in Sprint stores starting today.
Unwired Planet Drops ITC Claims Against Apple and RIM
Unwired Planet today announced that it is dropping an investigation of patent infringement against Apple and Research In Motion that it was pursuing with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). Unwired Planet is dropping the ITC claims because of what Unwired Planet calls an "erroneous claim construction" made by the administrative law judge overseeing the case. The way the judge entered in Unwired Planet's claims would have made it impossible for Unwired Planet to prove infringement. Despite the fact that all the parties involved (Unwired Planet, RIM, Apple, ITC counsel) filed a joint motion to correct the legal language, the judge wouldn't allow Unwired Planet to do so until after the trial. Unwired Planet decided that since it couldn't win the case as worded, it would forgo a costly trial and drop the claims filed against Apple and RIM at the ITC altogether. However, Unwired Planet is still pursuing its lawsuit against Apple and RIM over the same patents in the Federal District Court of Delaware. That lawsuit was filed in August 2011.
Softbank to Acquire 70% Stake in Sprint for $20.1 Billion
Softbank and Sprint today officially announced that Softbank will acquire 70% of Sprint for a total of $20.1 billion. Softbank will pay Sprint $8 billion directly for an unspecified number of shares and then an additional $12 billion in additional shares from the market. In order to complete the transaction, Softbank will first set up a shell company called New Sprint in the U.S. New Sprint will be the legal vehicle through which Softbank takes control of its interest in Sprint, which will become a subsidiary of New Sprint. New Sprint will have its own board of directors, but soem of Sprint's existing board will serve on New Sprint's board, as well. Current Sprint CEO Dan Hesse will remain at the helm of the nation's third-largest network operator after the transaction takes place. The partial acquisition by Softbank will give Sprint immediate access to a large amount of cash to fund operations, further build out and improve its CDMA and LTE networks, and potentially purchase smaller network operators. The companies expect the transaction to close by the middle of 2013, pending board and regulatory approval.
Review: Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE for Sprint
The Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE is a capable mid-range Android smartphone for Sprint. In addition to LTE, it offers Ice Cream Sandwich, and a 5-megapixel camera all wrapped up in a small, pocketable device.
Sprint Names More Than 20 New LTE Markets
Sprint today annnounced the names of 20 markets that will have access to its LTE 4G network in the coming months. The new markets include: San Francisco, San Mateo, Redwood City, Santa Rosa/Petaluma, Vallejo/Fairfield, and Napa, Calif.; Cape Coral/Ft. Meyers, Naples/Marco Island, Punta Gorda, Sarasota/Bradenton, and Sebring, Fla.; Fort Wayne, Lafayette/West Lafayette, Terre Haute, Marion, Kokomo, South Bend / Mishawaka, and Warsaw, Ind.; Dyersburg-Union City-Martin, Tenn.; Emporia, Kan.; Greenwood, Miss.; Joplin, Mo.; Lexington Park, Md.; and Ottawa-Streator, Ill. According to Sprint, it has LTE up and running 24 markets already, and is on target to reach 100 markets by the end of the year. Sprint notes that customers in these markets may see LTE 4G service come and go in the weeks ahead of their launch. Timing of the launches was not specified.
Chevy, Ford Add Smartphone-Based GPS Apps to Cars
Both Chevrolet and Ford Motor Company are facilitating the use of smartphone-based navigation apps in the dashboards of their vehicles. The 2013 Chevy Spark, for example, lets Android and iPhone owners connect their smartphones to the car through a feature called MyLink. Chevy is offering a $50 mapping application, called BringGo, which can be installed on the smartphone and used to deliver navigation content to the car's dashboard. Similarly, Ford has an app called Car Connect that will connect an Android device to Ford's Sync system (an iPhone app is under development). Car Connect costs $25 per year, and can be used with TeleNav's Scout navigation application to push navigation services to the car's dashboard. Both options improve the in-car navigation experience offered by smartphones while still allowing consumers to avoid expensive in-dash navigation systems.
Softbank Eyeing 70% Stake in Sprint; Clearwire Uncertain
The latest information from sources familiar with the discussions between Softbank and Sprint say the Japanese network operator will not acquire Sprint outright. Instead, Softbank will acquire about 70% of Sprint through a cash infusion and stock, reports The Wall Street Journal. The Journal's sources pointed out that Clearwire's role is an important one in finalizing the deal between Sprint anf Softbank. Clearwire owns a large swath of wireless spectrum and is deploying a TDD-LTE 4G network similar to the one Softbank is deploying in Japan. Softbanks wants Clearwire, but Sprint only owns about 54% of Clearwire. Sprint may purchase the remaining shares of Clearwire that it doesn't already own in order to help facilitate the Softbank deal. The Journal's sources said the negotiations are on-going, and may fall apart at any time.
T-Mobile Will Keep MetroPCS's VoLTE Service Alive
T-Mobile USA CTO Neville Ray said that it will keep the voice over LTE service offered by MetroPCS up and running, at least in the short term, once the companies are merged. Speaking to GigaOm, Ray said, "We will certainly support the VoLTE services that MetroPCS has today. But is that the VoLTE we want to populate the new network with? TBD." T-Mobile will eventually move its voice traffic to an all IP network, but it is not in a hurry. "The rush to get to VoLTE is less for T-Mobile because we have such underlying strength on GSM and HSPA+," said Ray. MetroPCS has less capacity on its network for voice and data services together. It was the first carrier to launch VoLTE in the U.S. T-Mobile USA and MetroPCS are to be merged, as long as Deutsche Telekom, T-Mobile USA's parent company, is able to score the necessary regulatory approval. T-Mobile plans to migrate MetroPCS's CDMA customers onto its GSM network, shut down the CDMA network, and then refarm that spectrum for its own 4G network.
Verizon: 2021 CDMA Shutoff Date Simply a 'Guideline'
Verizon Wireless today clarified statements made by an employee about its CDMA network. Speaking to FierceWireless on Wednesday, Verizon's VP of M2M Global Strategy Aparna Khurjekar said Verizon plans to sunset its 2G/3G CDMA network by 2021. However, this is not a solid date. "The date Aparna referenced while talking to you is a guideline that we are providing customers who have to plan, fund and transition large enterprise projects to the faster speed networks," said Verizon spokesperson Brenda Raney on Thursday. "The Verizon Wireless 2G and 3G networks will be available as long as necessary to support customers who may have mission critical projects on those networks. We haven't made a sunset decision like our competitors." Verizon does want to continue to move customers from its CDMA network to its LTE network, but understands that the transition will take many years.
Droid RAZR HD and MAXX HD Go On Sale October 18
Verizon Wireless today announced that the Motorola Droid RAZR HD and RAZR MAXX HD (pictured) will be available online and in Verizon Wireless stores starting October 18. The RAZR HD will cost $199.99 and the MAXX HD will cost $299.99 on contract. The Droid RAZR HD will be sold in black or white with 16GB of internal storage. The MAXX HD will be sold in black with 32GB of internal storage.
Samsung Sidesteps Galaxy Nexus Ban
Samsung has notched another victory in its on-going patent war with Apple. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit today reversed a preliminary injunction that would have banned U.S. sales of the Galaxy Nexus smartphone. The Federal Court said the California court that allowed the injunction "abused its discretion." The injunction had been stayed pending the outcome of the appeal.
Sprint Confirms Softbank Talks
Sprint today confirmed earlier reports that it is holding discussions with Japan's Softbank. Sprint did not describe the talks as pertaining to an acquisition. Rather, it said Softbank may make a "potential substantial investment" in Sprint. In a statement, Sprint said, "Although there can be no assurances that these discussions will result in any transaction or on what terms any transaction may occur, such a transaction could involve a change of control of Sprint. Sprint does not intend to comment further unless and until an agreement is reached." Softbank is the third-largest wireless network operator in Japan, behind NTT DoCoMo and KDDI.
Google Hits Refresh Button on Mobile Google.com
Google is rolling out a revised version of the Google.com home page for both the Android and iOS platforms. Android and iOS device users who navigate to Google.com will be able to access a new sidebar that has links to other Google services and apps. The sidebar will also offer notifications for Google+ users. Android and iOS devices need take no action to access this new feature other than visit Google.com from their mobile browser.
Google+ Updated for Both Android and iOS Platforms
Google pushed out a new version of Google+ recently to its own Android devices as well as Apple's iOS devices. The updated Android app now allows Google+ page owners to view, post, and comment from their smartphones/tablets; makes it easier to find new people/feeds with a Find People tool; and adds a redesigned home screen widget. The updated iOS version adds the same Google+ page owner viewing, posting, and commenting features, as well as support for the iPhone 5 and the ability to edit posts. Google+ for Android and iOS are free downloads from the Google Play Store and iPhone App Store, respectively.
Japan's Softbank May Acquire Sprint
Softbank, Japan's third-largest mobile network operator, is in advanced talks to purchase Sprint. Citing sources familiar with the companies' plans, the Wall Street Journal reports that Sotftbank may pay as much as $12.8 billion for the U.S.'s third-largest carrier. Sprint executives have remarked in the past that they expect to see the industry consolidate further and even approve of it, as long as Verizon Wireless and AT&T; - the country's two largest carriers - aren't involved. The Journal's sources did not say if Softbank will purchase all of Sprint or some of it. Neither Sprint nor Softbank confirmed the Journal's report. Earlier this month Deutsche Telekom proposed to merge its T-Mobile USA unit with MetroPCS.
