Motorola Milestone looks set for February 18 launch on Telus; AT&Ters, get your unlocking pants on
Telus hasn't yet committed to a date for the release of its mighty Milestone, but no sweat -- Best Buy's happy to commit on their behalf, pegging February 18 as the date that Canadians will have access to their most powerful subsidized Android set yet. That's really awesome, don't get us wrong -- but the other side of this win-win is that it'll be the first time that a Milestone has been available with 850 / 1900MHz 3G, meaning this thing could become a boon for anyone willing to whisk a few across the border, assuming it's not a nightmare to unlock (we doubt it will be). So yes, it's true, if you really want to wait to get your Android-powered Motorola on through AT&T proper, you can hold out for the Backflip, but considering that the Milestone's a more juicily-spec'd piece to start, you might just want to swing this way -- assuming you've got a penchant for hacking and smuggling, of course.
























SA-WEEEEETTT!!!!!!
Sigh...good ol' AT&T, bringing you yesterday's technology, only six month late.
Sigh...good ol' AT&T, bringing you yesterday's technology, only six months late.
you can hold out for the Backflip, but considering that the Milestone's [you know, not the Backflip], you might just want to swing this way
@yulebellow
Holding out for the Nexus One, with at&t 3G, despite the network and device issues.
@Doh Just for kicks this morning, I visited the Nexus One sale page. They've got a placeholder for the Verizon Nexus One set as "Spring 2010". That's just around the corner. I get a great corporate discount on AT&T, so I won't be leaving them (plus they're putting in a tower just 3 miles from me, significantly improving coverage in this rural dweller's area).
I'm with you, but if you were thinking of jumping carriers anyway....Verizon may could perhaps happen sooner.
Excellent.. I've waiting for this to happen...!!!
@LuisOCR
Me too, I've been checking every site I could think of while looking for news on its release. Telus finally has a new phone that I want.
Just when I changed my mind to a nexus one. the MILESTONE comes along.
How soon do you think will the milestone get updated to 2.1
I really need android 2.1 with full functionality
@ongadget alldroid.org has plenty of ROM's available for Droid that have 2.1 functionality and then some. Not sure how many are ported to Milestone, but at least some of them are.
That said, Motorola is working on having 2.1 out sooner rather than later from what I have read.
@PerryAJ There are some functionality issues when a 2.1 ROM is ported to the milestone. Apparently the GPS doesn't work and the keybo doesn't light up, among the major complaints and many other minor bugs.
really hope motorola rolls that update out soon.
Even I'm planning on rooting my device, if I get it.
Thanx
All ready available on NewEgg for $639.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=droid&x=0&y=0
@mackswift - Gotta love Newegg!
@mackswift the newegg one has only the T-Mobile 3G frequencies.
@mackswift That's the European version.
@megakilo Check your frequencies - 850 / 1900MHz 3G is AT&T and this phone has it.
@mackswift
Yeah but that's its GSM/EDGE frequencies. UMTS is only 900/2100 which is EU frequencies. Sure it'll work on AT&T but you'll be on EDGE rather HSPA.
@JRKScope
Read that newegg description very carefully again, look at the "Model#"...
* Type: International Retail Unlock
* Form Factor: Slider Phones
* Wireless Radio: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz UMTS 900/2100 MHz
* Compatible Carrier & Service: AT&T, T-Mobile, Rogers, Fido (
@Plazmic Flame
UMTS only 900/2100. GSM is EDGE!! 3G is only on 900/2100 which is NOT AT&T 3G friendly.
Once again, this device thats on newegg, will work on ONLY EDGE for both AT&T and T-mob.
@mackswift
Also, it's a "QWERTZ" keyboard, because europeans are nuts. That's not a typo!
-Taylor
This is excellent. Hopefully unlocking is easy and cheap.
who cares when the nexus one is hopefully coming to AT&T
@Anderfrank anyone who likes a physical keyboard. My Droid is unlocked, rooted and running at 950 MHz and benchmarks the same as the N1. Running a stable cooked ROM with all the 2.1 goodies, N1 offers little for me (or anyone else savvy enough to follow a step by step install process).
There is no reason to wait for the N1 if you want a physical keyboard. Admittedly some prefer the AMOLED display of the N1, but the Droid has a better color gamut so it really depends on your taste.
If I could do it again, I would stick with the Droid. N1 is a great phone, but it's not everyone's preference. Either way, more options on more carriers is a win!
@PerryAJ How r u liking the keyboard so far?
@PerryAJ I'd much rather have the N1. As did Noah from phonedog as well :)
@PerryAJ And where would you use this "unlocked" Droid besides Verizon?
@etrnldrk On any GSM carrier anywhere in the world. Many Verizon smart phones can be switched from CDMA to GSM mode and take sim cards from just about any carrier. The only problem is the lack of 3G. My Verizon Blackberry Tour has 2 phone numbers, one from verizon and one from ATT, sice I have an ATT sim in the phone. and i switch from one radio to the next depending on which number i need.
But the Droid, HTC touch pro 2, Blackberry tour (1 and 2) and Blackberry storm (1 and 2) can run on strictly GSM once unlocked.
@terroralpha Uhhhggg, don't remind me of lack of 3g. I'm still stuck with ATT for the moment. I wasn't aware that Verizon's Droid was GSM'd as well, my appologies, I was under the impression that it was only BB's and certain WinMo phones were dual tech equipped.
The Nexus one is not there yet...
My guess as to what phones will be on AT&T next:
Motorola BackFlip
Dell Mini 3i
HTC hmm Bravo, a new version of the Hero, well I guess the Nexus one could be in this list too...
@beckhams777
I'd take the Bravo over the N1, and I don't think AT&T will get the N1.
@BigJayDogg3
Google said all major carriers would
That includes Sprint and AT&T
I can't wait till my contract is over with AT&T in April so I can switch to T-Mobile (I'm in the mid-atlantic, so no complaints about coverage).
Once I switch I don't know if I'll want the HD2 or maybe buy an unlocked HTC Bravo.
Too bad ATT talks a lot but doesn't do much. Hurry up with the Android!
I've been going back and forth on what android phone to get on AT&T. I want to keep AT&T because the majority of my calls are to and from AT&T users, so I still have the lowest calling plan.
I don't like any of the announced phones for AT&T. Unless I missed something, none of them are running 2.0 or above.
I was contemplating getting a Nexus One, but the edge only coverage may bug me too much. I know there are rumors going around about an AT&T compatible N1, but those are just rumors and for all we know it is for a refresh.
So the only option that makes sense is the Milestone. I was very impressed when the Droid came out. If the price is right, and someone can find a way to unlock it easily, I will probably end up getting one of these
@ziffbam
I would imagine that AT&T will announce what HTC phones they are getting this month at the MWC. That has been what I am waiting for.
-Taylor
@Taylor Yes Taylor
I certainly hope so, but since MWC is the same time as the supposed release of the Telus Milestone, I think that I will know what android phone I will be getting by the end of the month
nice, great news
Still holding out for an unlocked HTC Android phone on AT&T 3G with Sense UI. (the Nexus One is great but no Sense UI) Hopefully that phone will come soon cuz my N95 is gettin old
seriously 1Q is going to end soon and at&t havent announced 1 of the 5 phones they are "releasing"
@cursive Q1 Ending soon? It's not even half over, yet. I disagree. Maybe I missed something (Like February ending or something.)
@cursive
I would imagine they will announce them at MWC this month.
will AT&T'ers get their unlocking pants on?!
Glad someone's happy about it. TELUS sucks.
@Ebonwumon
Definitely the truth...unfortunately.
@Ebonwumon All I know of Telus is a failblog picture of a billboard for them, which originally read "Nothing rhymes with Telus", which had been defaced to say "Nothing works with Telus".
Com on' AT&T My upgrade is in MAY hurry up and get some good ANDROID PHONES. Or at least get the DROID and get rid of your iPhone.
@Inspector Gadget80 Im in the same boat hopefully they let the N1 on AT&T
@Inspector Gadget80
My sentiment exactly, I'm up in July. The wait is moot, but if they don't come correct with some android action by then, I'll be in a perfect position to head over to t-mob. I even called AT&T customer service to confirm my contract date just so I could threaten it.
Telus hasn't released the date, but it seems now they aren't exactly being secretive about it: http://www.telusmobility.com/en/ON/home/
I'll be in Vancouver in March. I would seriously love to smuggle a Telus MILESTONE back from BC, but how would I do it and could I do it for under $500?