AT&T 3G MicroCell service spotted in Chicago?

So we're in the middle of testing our Sony Ericsson X10 here -- stay tuned for that review, by the way -- and in the course of flipping through the settings, we noticed something strange: it's reporting two 3G MicroCells nearby. Now, to the best of our knowledge, you can't buy a MicroCell in these parts -- sales are still strictly limited to a small handful of test markets -- but it makes you wonder. For what it's worth, SE shipped the phone with a GoPhone SIM, but we're not sure whether that makes a difference. We're looking into the situation and we'll report more as soon as we have it.

[jmposvip Posted Mar 19th 2010 2:27PM]

Sony Ericsson X10 review,can't wait because I'm in love with that phone.

[ChechenTDG Posted Mar 19th 2010 2:42PM]

@jmposvip The nexus one is way better. I'm still open to the os, and the form factor is alright but Im looking forward to getting either a Nexus One or Moto Milestone.

[jmposvip Posted Mar 19th 2010 3:30PM]

@ChechenTDG
Why do you think that the Nexus One is better then the Xperia X10???
Sonyericsson X10 has a larger screen(4" nexus one 3.7"), stronger battery (Li-Po 1500 mAh, nexus one- Li-Ion 1400 mAh), X10 has a 8mpx camera that makes the best quality photos than any other phone on android os, sonyericsson made a lot of customization to the android os, a new camera interface that looks awesome and it is better then any other camera interface on a adroid os device, mediascape, timescape, improved bluetooth and so on...

[Johnny Rockets Posted Mar 19th 2010 3:45PM]

@jmposvip

How about the fact that it runs Android 1.old-as-FU.. ?

AND that because of it's custom UI it won't receive updates until months and months and months after stock Android phones do? (If they EVER receive updates that is. Just look at the Hero.)

Or how about that it's going to be ridiculously expensive? (Initial reports put it upwards of $800.)

[ChechenTDG Posted Mar 19th 2010 5:59PM]

@jmposvip Uumm, let's see. Google, the company who made android, and the google phone. Not Sony Ericson who said they refused to make the google phone. So for the simple fact of updates it's better. And spec wise it may look good, but let's see how it actually performs. BTW the Motorola Milestone has the best phone design ever made. I don't care about updates, Im saving my pennies for a Milestone.

[jmposvip Posted Mar 19th 2010 6:31PM]

@Johnny Rockets
First: it runs Android 1.6,Second: it will be upgraded,it is official
Why do you think the UI will not receive any updates? We are talking about Sony Ericsson so...and besides that, the UI is perfect and it wont need any upgrades.
It will not be "ridiculously expensive". It will be 750$ unlocked and free of contract. That's not expensive for a unlocked,free of contract, high end smartphone ( wich is better then the nexus one). With a 2year contract it will probably be around 199$.
So go home and look at your outdated phone and ask yourself: will I be able to get this new, cool, probably the best smartphone ever???( wich is the xperia X10, in case u didn't get it)

[ChechenTDG Posted Mar 19th 2010 9:27PM]

@jmposvip I think you made a mistake. I'll fix it for you. "Wich is the Motorola Milestone/Nexus One". Wich is spelled with an h by the way.

[Randall Posted Mar 20th 2010 12:30AM]

@ChechenTDG
ChechenTDG Posted Mar 19th 2010 9:27PM
@jmposvip I think you made a mistake. I'll fix it for you. "Wich is the Motorola Milestone/Nexus One".

"Wich is spelled with an h by the way."
I do believe there is more than just AN h. Do believe there are 2 of them. Called a typo. Doesn't make anything any less credible. Unless they are everywhere.

[ChechenTDG Posted Mar 20th 2010 10:43AM]

@Randall My bad, there are two.

[BigJayDogg3 Posted Mar 20th 2010 12:03PM]

First: it runs Android 1.6,Second: it will be upgraded,it is official

Just like the Hero will "officially" be updated? Yeah, when is that happening?

Why do you think the UI will not receive any updates? We are talking about Sony Ericsson so...and besides that, the UI is perfect and it wont need any upgrades.

I've heard more bad things about the UI than good. And Sony releasing updates? They can barely push out a phone in a timely fashion.


It will not be "ridiculously expensive". It will be 750$ unlocked and free of contract. That's not expensive for a unlocked,free of contract, high end smartphone ( wich is better then the nexus one). With a 2year contract it will probably be around 199$.

As opposed to the Nexus which undercuts it in both aspects?

So go home and look at your outdated phone and ask yourself: will I be able to get this new, cool, probably the best smartphone ever???( wich is the xperia X10, in case u didn't get it)

Knowing Sony, you won't get this phone until after the next version of Android releases, putting it even further behind. Add onto that fact I can get a Droid or Nexus one NOW, and the X10 is dead in the water.

[doclloyd Posted Mar 19th 2010 2:34PM]

I'm more interested in the XPERIA X10 review (nice teaser there!), but I have always been intrigued by the MicroCell product, even if it a cheap way to improve AT&T's service. I can see its benefit in places like basements or other secured areas built with thick concrete walls, but you still want some coverage.

How soon will the X10 review be posted? :)

[Chris Ziegler Posted Mar 19th 2010 3:02PM]

@doclloyd Not today, but soon!

[DJ Megatron Posted Mar 19th 2010 3:14PM]

@Chris Ziegler
So does this mean that it is indeed coming to AT&T?

[DallasB Posted Mar 19th 2010 3:01PM]

I just want the sony ericcson xperia x10 to come out already!!!!!

[bobomo Posted Mar 19th 2010 3:33PM]

So this verifies that it will be releasing on AT&T. Does that preclude the possibility of release on T-Mobile, whose 3G AWS bands it passed FCC with back in December? Does SE have a history of releasing phones on multiple carriers?

[bonesb Posted Mar 19th 2010 3:34PM]

Howsa abouts getting some beta testing in some of ATTWS's more f***ed up areas, like Portland OR and Austin? Hurry the f*** up, ATTWS.

[doclloyd Posted Mar 19th 2010 3:45PM]

Hopefully they do like Google is going and offer this device to both GSM providers in the US for maximum brand exposure. It would make the most sense. And T-Mobile has been all about the Android love, so I'm sure they'd love to add another one to the list.

@Chris Ziegler, how soon is "soon" for the review? Do you have any initial impressions about the device?

[bonesb Posted Mar 20th 2010 2:42PM]

@doclloyd
Um, both GSM providers? You *do* know that T-Mobile's had a microcell-type solution for some time now (like two years...), called @Home? And ATTWS's microcell isn't "GSM" - it's WCDMA or "3G"-only.

[Ezye1313 Posted Mar 21st 2010 9:30PM]

@bonesb No I believe it does support GSM to.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 19th 2010 7:27PM]

I was able to register my MicroCell that I purchased in Charlotte to my Chicago address. I get the M-Cell logo on my iPhone ... however the service drops a lot. I think it's still goofy in the AT&T system. You won't be able to connect to the MIcroCell unless your phone # is actually registered to the account holders device.

[Chicagogirlie Posted Mar 20th 2010 1:43AM]

Hmmm. Microcell. I hope so Chicago, but who knows, may not need it with the nexus that is on the way. I'll soon see if it will get better coverage than my 3gs.

[Ezye1313 Posted Mar 20th 2010 2:54AM]

@Chicagogirlie Let us know if it does.

[Ezye1313 Posted Mar 21st 2010 9:32PM]

I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS PHONE HAS A RESISTIVE TOUCHSCREEN! WHAT A BIG DEAL BREAKER FOR ME ANYWAY!