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Mobile Miscellany: week of May 14th, 2012

Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week, Verizon Wireless brought its LTE service to 28 new markets and expanded its reach in 11 additional areas. We also saw Straight Talk introduce the Samsung Galaxy Proclaim, and it appears that Rogers will soon offer the HTC One S. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of May 14th, 2012.

Bluetooth SIG outs Huawei C8820 for US Cellular

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All signs suggest that the Huawei Ascend II will soon be joined (if not replaced) by an unnamed phone that's currently known as the C8820. While specs remain absent for this device -- which sadly, seems to lack LTE -- its capacitive navigation buttons suggest that Ice Cream Sandwich will be in store for this one. [PhoneArena]

Rogers leak suggests HTC One S incoming

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Rogers currently holds Canadian exclusivity to the HTC One X, but a leak from within suggests that the carrier may soon add the One S to its lineup. [MobileSyrup]

Verizon Wireless brings LTE connectivity to 28 new markets, expands in 11 additional areas

The odds are becomingly increasingly unlikely that you live in a city without access to Verizon LTE. Big Red announced another round of expansion this week, and has officially lit up the 4G service to 28 new areas and has expanded its LTE reach in 11 more regions. Here's an excerpt of the PR, which highlights the changes. [Verizon Wireless]

On Thursday, May 17, Verizon Wireless will introduce its 4G LTE network in Houma/Thibodaux and Lake Charles, La.; Hyannis/Mid-Cape, Mass.; Benton Harbor/St. Joseph, Mich.; Biloxi/Gulfport/Pascagoula and Oxford, Miss.; Atlantic City/Toms River, N.J.; Dickinson and Williston, N.D.; Ashtabula, Bucyrus and Defiance, Ohio; Eugene/Springfield, Ore.; Lancaster, New Castle, Northern Cambria County, Oil City/Franklin, Somerset and York, Pa.; Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Mitchell, S.D.; Paris, Texas; Burlington/Northern, Vt.; Fredericksburg, Harrisonburg, Martinsville and Staunton/Waynesboro, Va.; and Sheridan, Wyo.

The company will also expand its 4G LTE network in Denver, Colo.; Dover, Del.; Fort Myers and Lakeland, Fla.; Hagerstown, Md.; Canton, Lima, Mansfield, Toledo and Youngstown/Warren, Ohio; and Erie, Pa.

Samsung Galaxy Proclaim now official for Straight Talk

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If you're considering picking up a smartphone during your next trip to Walmart, you'll find a new selection lurking within the Straight Talk section -- the Samsung Galaxy Proclaim is now available from the MVNO for just $180. The handset offers a 1GHz CPU, a 3.5-inch HVGA display, a 3-megapixel camera and includes Android 2.3. [PhoneArena]

Virgin Mobile entices LG Optimus Elite purchasers with Google Wallet credits

Coinciding with this week's launch of the LG Optimus Elite on Virgin Mobile, the carrier is partnering up with Google to offer all purchasers of the phone a $25 Google Wallet credit now through July 18th. As an extra enticement, Virgin Mobile is offering a $35 account credit to all those who grab the handset by May 30th. [PhoneArena]

SaskTel introduces HTC One S Roughriders Edition

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SaskTel has teamed up with HTC to introduce an exclusive Roughriders Edition of the One S, which seems likely to go over well with fans of the Saskatchewan football team. Purchasers will be treated to a custom case, in addition to the Roughrider mobile app, widget, wallpaper and ringtones. Sasktel has yet to announce pricing or a release date for its unique offer. [MobileSyrup]

BlackBerry Desktop Software 7.1 hits Beta Zone

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Research in Motion has unleashed version 7.1 of its BlackBerry Desktop Software into the Beta Zone. Most significantly, this update introduces support for both the BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha handset and 4G PlayBooks. The software also brings enhanced media support, which includes the ability to sync by album, and manages to squash a few bugs along the way. [N4BB]

Other random tidbits

  • Cricket has added six million new tracks to its Muve Music subscription service. [Phone Scoop]

  • Nokia's Lumia 710 is now available through Mobilicity in Canada for $250. [WPCentral]

  • The new BlackBerry Curve 9320 is now available through Vodafone in the UK for £135 ($213). [CrackBerry]

  • BlackBerry 7 OS was approved for governmental use in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. [Research in Motion 1, 2]

  • Carphone Warehouse will begin selling the pink Samsung Galaxy Note in the UK next month. [Android Central]

  • AT&T has announced the official availability of LTE service for New Orleans and Baton Rouge, La., along with Naples, Fla. [Computer World]

  • An internal leak suggests that Videotron will be the next Canadian carrier to pick up the Nokia Lumia 710. [MobileSyrup]

  • Like getting spammed by people you don't know? Good, because LinkedIn is now available for Windows Phone. [WPCentral]

  • Research in Motion has announced the Russian availability of the Bold 9900 through carriers Mobile TeleSystems and Vimpelcom. [N4BB]