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Sprint says it will not charge for FaceTime over Cellular feature

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Corporate News,

Sprint FaceTime

The other day we talked about how AT&T charging for FaceTime over Cellular is consumer robbery, and today we've gotten word from Sprint that it agrees, and therefore will not be charging customers extra to use the new iOS 6 feature. When iOS 6 goes public this fall, owners of the iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, the next-generation iPhone, iPad 2, and the new iPad will all have access to FaceTime when on 3G and LTE connections. According to Sprint, it's "committed to our unlimited data, and that means not charging for data consumption based on the application." Good on them for that. Now we're just waiting on Verizon to make the same move.


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AT&T charging for FaceTime over Cellular is double-dipping consumer robbery

AT&T FaceTime over Cellular

With the release of iOS 6 beta 3 yesterday, a disturbing "feature" was uncovered. Some users on with AT&T iPhones are reporting that, when they attempt to enable FaceTime over Cellular, a prompt pops up that tells the user to contact AT&T in order to enable the feature. Many are assuming that this means that AT&T will be looking to charge a premium for customers to use FaceTime over its data connection, and if that is the case, it is straight up consumer robbery.

Click to continue reading AT&T charging for FaceTime over Cellular is double-dipping consumer robbery


Nokia slashes price of Lumia 900 to $49

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Hot Deals, Microsoft,

Nokia Lumia 900 price cut

Nokia has just cut the price of the best Windows Phone in the US market by 50%. Yep--the Nokia Lumia 900 is now just $49 with two-year contract on AT&T. Sure, you won't be able to upgrade to Windows Phone 8, but Windows Phone 7.8 will bring most of the visual updates like the redesigned home screen to the Lumia 900. Seriously, for the money, you'll wanna give this one a look if you're in the market for a new smartphone. Check out our Nokia Lumia 900 review.

Read More | Nokia

Google begins Android 4.1 Jelly Bean rollout

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Google, Handhelds, Software,

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

Google's Android 4.1 Jelly Bean mobile operating system was officially unveiled at Google I/O 2012 just a couple of weeks ago, and it looks pretty fantastic. If you've been hoping to get your hands on it and your the owner of a Samsung Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ smartphone, it's time for you to rejoice--the Jelly Bean rollout has begun for you! Do note that this refers to Galaxy Nexus devices that run on AT&T and T-Mobile networks. Owners of the Verizon Wireless Galaxy Nexus will have to wait a bit longer. The Nexus 7 tablet, Nexus S, and Motorola Xoom are next on the list to receive Android 4.1 goodness.

Anyone start playing with Jelly Bean yet? Feel free to sound off in the comments.


Pink Nokia Lumia 900 hits AT&T stores July 15th

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Design, Microsoft,

Nokia Lumia 900 pink

Today Nokia revealed the pink Lumia 900 Windows Phone device. Set to launch on July 15th, it'll cost $99 with two-year contract like the white, black, and cyan hues of the device. This one is an AT&T exclusive for the time being, so if you're interested, mosey on over to your nearest AT&T store this Sunday to grab one. Remember, these won't be upgradable to Windows Phone 8, but Windows Phone 7.8 will provide many of the visual features that 8 will bring anyway.

Be sure to check out our full Nokia Lumia 900 review and unboxing gallery.


AT&T will block stolen phones and tablets starting next week

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News,

AT&T stolen database

In a bold (and welcome) move, AT&T will be instituting a new policy that will block stolen devices from connecting to its network, utilizing a new database that the carrier will manage.

As announced in April, AT&T is creating a stolen phone database to prevent devices reported stolen from accessing wireless networks. We will install this availability next week for AT&T phones on our network and are working toward a cross-carrier solution later this year.

Any stolen phone or cellular tablet device may be added to the stolen database, and only the person who requested that a device be added may have it reinstated.

Read More | The Verge

Pre-order the Samsung Galaxy S III on all carriers now

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds,

Samsung Galaxy S III pre-order

Hey, are you looking to pick up the new Samsung Galaxy S III on day one here in the USA? If so, pre-ordering is your best bet, and all four major carriers now have their Galaxy S III pages live and ready to accept your cash, and US Cellular will do the same on June 12th. Here are the links:

AT&T: Available on June 18th
Sprint: Available on June 21st
T-Mobile: Available on June 21st
Verizon: Available by July 9th
US Cellular: Pre-orders begin on June 12th


AT&T Samsung Galaxy S III pre-orders start June 6, exclusive red color

Samsung Galaxy S III AT&T

AT&T has announced that it's going to begin pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy S III on June 6th (the same day that Verizon Galaxy S III pre-orders begin.) Items of note here: first, AT&T will only be selling the 16 GB model, which costs $200. They will not be selling the more spacious 32 GB version. However, they'll also be offering an additional color that isn't available on the other US carriers--red. That makes the three color choices red, white, and blue on AT&T. It's the season of patriotism, so, why not?


HTC EVO 4G LTE, One X delayed indefinitely in customs due to Apple patent infringement

HTC One X

Whoa! It looks like two major HTC devices have just been indefinitely delayed at United States Customs for an investigation due to an Apple patent infringement. If you were ready to pick up the HTC One X or HTC EVO 4G LTE on day one, you've got a wait ahead of you:

"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."

While HTC is putting on the smiley face for the public, this is a pretty serious blow. The devices that are being held infringe on an Apple patent that covers the action of automatically turning email addresses and phone numbers in tappable links. We don't see how HTC can quickly remove that feature from phones that are sitting in their shipping containers.

Read More | WSJ

Samsung Focus 2 LTE Windows Phone coming to AT&T on May 20 for $49

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds, Microsoft,

Samsung Focus 2 Windows Phone

AT&T is preparing to add a third LTE Windows Phone to its lineup with the addition of the Samsung Focus 2. This one is for the budget-minded among you, as the device will sell for just $49.99 with two-year contract--half the price of the Nokia Lumia 900 (see our Lumia 900 review.) As far as features go, the Focus 2 sports a 4-inch Super AMOLED display, five megapixel camera on back that can record 720p video, and a VGA-quality camera up front. Want one? You can scoop it up from AT&T when it goes on sale on May 20th.

Read More | Windows Phone Blog

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